Sightseeing in Catania - what to see. Complete travel guide
The city is located in the eastern part of Sicilia, just near Etna volcano. The life of the city is fully dependent on the mood of the glorious volcano. During its long history Catania has been simply buried under the layers of ash. However, due to hard-working and diligent inhabitants of this town, historical and architectural sights of the city were kept in safety.
The ancient Roman theatre is the main architectural sight of this town. This facility can gather around 7 thousand of people. Nearby the theatre is located Odeon that has been used as the place of repetitions of male chorus. While making a walk on Piazza Stezicoro you can see the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater, the building of which took place in the 2nd century. The height of the ancient building was over 30 meters and the amphitheater’s diameter estimated 71 meter. Such a large-scale facility could easily seat 16 thousands of viewers.
Via Etnea is the main shopping street in Catania. It has a length of approximately 3 kilometers. The street is nothing but an endless chain of popular shops, cozy restaurants, and charming … Open
Besides rich cultural program Catania offers its guests wide choice of entertainments. Tourists will find here a large choice of clubs and restaurants. Nightlife is so usual and ordinary here that many public houses work round-the-clock. Theatrical art connoisseurs will not get bored in Catania as well as there are 25 theaters in this city and each of them is ready to entertain its visitors every day.
One of the main symbols of the city is the beautiful Cathedral of St. Agatha, named after the patroness of the city. The very first temple on this site was built in the 11th century. It was built on the ruins of the ancient Roman baths. The first temple was reminiscent of its military fortress. Despite the fact that the structure was powerful and reliable, the temple was completely destroyed twice during an earthquake. The cathedral, which guests of the city can see today, was built in the 17th century by a project of the famous architect D.V. Vaccarini. It is a striking example of Sicilian baroque.
Catania is considered to be an ideal place for outdoor activities and sports, a lot of exciting entertainment can be found here for tourists with children. They should definitely visit the … Open
On the territory of the historical district of Catania is the Benedictine Monastery. It is one of the most famous landmarks of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exact date of the construction of this monastery is unknown. Various sources say that it was erected at the turn of the 15th - 16th centuries. The monastery is a complex architectural complex. On its territory, there are many farm buildings and several churches. The historical building is not empty; it houses the University of Catania. The cells of the monks today are equipped with teachers’ cabinets, and the old churches were converted to classrooms.
The local cuisine is a unique combination of Greek, Arabic, Spanish, and Italian culinary traditions. When it comes to describing the traditions of Arabic cuisine, it is definitely worth … Open
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Catania and surroundings
Reference information
Shopping streets in Catania
♥ Shopping area ' Via Etnea' Catania, 1.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Corso Italia' Catania, 1.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Via Etnea' Catania, 1.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Shopping area ' Corso Italia' Catania, 1.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
Survived castles around Catania
♥ Castle 'Castello Ursino' Catania, 0.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello Normanno' Aci Castello, 7.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello Normanno' Terlizzi, 18.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello Normanno' Adrano, 28.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello di Schisò' Giardini Naxos, 38.9 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello Ursino' Catania, 0.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello Normanno' Aci Castello, 7.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello Normanno' Terlizzi, 18.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello Normanno' Adrano, 28.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Castello di Schisò' Giardini Naxos, 38.9 km from the center. On the map Photo
National and city parks around Catania
♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale dell’Aspromonte' , 98.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale dell’Aspromonte' , 98.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
Sights around Catania from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco
From the series “The Most Elegant Buildings of Baroque Architecture”
Check on the map: Distance from Catania center - 52.5 km.
Inside the palace is also decorated in Baroque. There you can see wonderful sculptures of Palermitano Lombardic Gregorio, and frescoes by Ermenegido Martorana. There were saved the huge crystal chandeliers made from Murano glass and other unique pieces of art. Nowadays the palace is in a private property and is closed for regular excursions. If you want to see the inner decoration of the palace, you have to clear beforehand the excursion with the owners. …
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Teatro Greco Antico di Taormina
From the series “Ancient Amphitheaters and Arenas, That Are Still Operational”
Check on the map: Distance from Catania center - 42.5 km.
Ballet performances, symphonic concerts and operas are just a part of the cultural events that regularly take place in the theater. Travellers who visit Taormina in October will be able to witness Giuseppe Sinopoli Music Festival, in which the best orchestras of the country take part. The amphitheater in Taormina is impressive in scale, its length is about 120 meters, the width is about 50 meters, and the height of the walls is about 20 meters. The preserved elements of the finish of the ancient building allow us to fully appreciate its former greatness. …
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In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah. Read this
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In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah. Read this
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Search touristic sites on the map of Catania
All about Catania, Italy - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Catania, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Catania in few days.