Catania, Sicily. Tradition, history, nature & more.

Bella Italia at its best. I definitely have a soft spot for Italy and Catania is just another perfect example for that.
The combination of old & modern city, history & nature – I mean both Mount Etna and the Ionian sea, wonderful people and south european flavour – that’s something you have to taste yourself.

History & Sightseeings

There’s a lot to see and you could probably do it yourself by foot & car. For my part, I’ve done just everything – walking by foot, using the public transportation, “Hop on – Hop off” busses for doing a city tour, and definitely a bus tour to Mount Etna. I do recommend taking advantage of all these possibilities in order to see the most of Catania’s great sightseeing spots.

Here you are some of my highlights:

• Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata
• Fountain of the Elephant
• Greek – Roman theatre
• Roman Amphitheater of Catania
• Teatro Massimo Bellini
• Piazza Università
• Ursino Castle
• Villa Bellini/Chiosco Bellini
• cratères Silvestri (one of Etna’s craters well reachable by car)

Sea & Beaches

Well, when booking a private flat/room or a hotel, you have to decide either betwen being loacted in the old town or closer to the beach. I decided to stay in the old town, which made me using the public busses to get to Spiaggia di Catania.
Be careful: getting to the beach may be much easier than getting back – especially in the summer time ))

Cuisine

Check out the Foodie section for more information on my subjective experiences and recommendations.