Catania

Tourist Attractions in Catania

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Catania. Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps.

20 Attractions
4.6 Average rating
8 Categories

About Catania

Catania invites visitors with a heady mix of Mediterranean energy, volcanic grandeur, and baroque charm. Nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, the city crackles with life along the Via Etnea, where coffee houses, markets, and palm-lined avenues curve toward the sea. Explore the grand Piazza del Duomo and the unmistakable Elephant Fountain, then wander the bustling La Pescheria fish market for a true Sicilian experience. In the historic center, exquisite Baroque churches and palazzi rise from lava-deposited streets, while nearby lava tunnels and the Alcantara Gorge offer nature-filled adventures. Add beaches, fresh seafood, and vibrant street life, and Catania becomes unforgettable.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Catania

Parco dell'Etna — National park, rated 4.7/5 1
National park Hiking AreaParkSports Activity Location

Parco dell'Etna

4.7 ★★★★★ 20,610 reviews

Parco dell’Etna is Sicily’s volcanic powerhouse, centered on Europe’s most active volcano and its surrounding forested slopes near Catania. The park protects a dramatic, ever-changing landscape of lava fields, towering craters, pine forests, vineyards, and lunar plains, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and geological drama. Expect exhilarating hikes, cable-car rides and four-season scenery, as well as guided tours to craters, lava tubes, and ancient eruptions. It’s ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and adventure travelers seeking panoramic viewpoints, volcanic geology, and authentic rural Sicilian towns nearby.

Via del Convento, 95030 Nicolosi CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids Dogs allowed Cards accepted
Entrance Parking
Fontana dell'Elefante (uʻ Liotru) — Historic site, rated 4.7/5 2
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Fontana dell'Elefante (uʻ Liotru)

4.7 ★★★★★ 11,083 reviews

The Fontana dell’Elefante, also known as u Liotru, is Catania’s emblematic symbol perched in Piazza del Duomo beside the cathedral. This ancient fountain features an elephant statue carved from black lava stone, with a towering granite obelisk that hails from antiquity and local volcanic geology. Visitors can admire the striking contrast of dark basaltic sculpture against bright Baroque façades, learn about legends linking the elephant to the necromancer Liotru, and enjoy the lively square, food stalls, and frequent street performances that illuminate the heart of historic Sicily.

Piazza del Duomo, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance
Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata — Religious site, rated 4.7/5 3
Religious site ChurchPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata

4.7 ★★★★★ 10,671 reviews

The Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata in Catania is the city's principal church, perched beside Piazza del Duomo in the heart of Sicily. Dating back to medieval times and rebuilt after the devastating 1693 earthquake, its Baroque interior glows with gilded altars, frescoes, and ornate chapels dedicated to the patron saint, Saint Agatha. Visitors can admire the reliquaries of the saint, the grand facade, and the sweeping nave that leads to a soaring dome. The cathedral anchors a lively square with the famous Elephant fountain and the surrounding medieval streets.

Piazza del Duomo, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 7:15 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Monday7:15 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:15 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:15 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday7:15 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Friday7:15 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday7:15 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday7:45 AM – 12:30 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Entrance
Teatro Massimo Bellini — Theatre, rated 4.7/5 4
Theatre Opera HouseConcert HallLive Music VenuePerforming Arts Theater

Teatro Massimo Bellini

4.7 ★★★★★ 6,168 reviews

The Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania is a grand opera house named for Vincenzo Bellini, one of Italy’s most celebrated composers. Opened in 1890 after a long community campaign, it showcases a lavish Belle Époque façade and a sumptuous interior with gilded boxes, crystal chandeliers, and ceiling frescoes that shimmer above a horseshoe-shaped auditorium. Visitors can admire the palatial foyer on a guided tour or, better yet, catch a concert or opera when the house comes alive with superb acoustics and dramatic stagecraft. Expect refined Sicilian hospitality, memorable performances, and architectural splendor.

Via Giuseppe Perrotta, 12, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Friday9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Saturday9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • SundayClosed
Good for kids Cards accepted
Entrance Parking Restroom
Piazza Università — Historic site, rated 4.6/5 5
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Piazza Università

4.6 ★★★★★ 8,199 reviews

Piazza Università is the historic heart of central Catania, facing the imposing façade of the University of Catania and surrounded by elegant Baroque palaces. Rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, the square showcases Sicily’s refined late‑Baroque aesthetic with arcaded facades and lively pedestrian spaces. It’s a living snapshot of the city: students, locals, and visitors mingle, while cafés and shops line the edges. From here, you can easily wander to nearby churches and markets, or begin a stroll toward Via Etnea for a taste of the city’s vibrant daily life.

Via Etnea, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Good for kids
Entrance
Castello Normanno - Svevo di Aci Castello — Historic site, rated 4.6/5 6
Historic site Historical LandmarkMuseumCastleHistorical Place

Castello Normanno - Svevo di Aci Castello

4.6 ★★★★★ 7,253 reviews

Perched on a dramatic basalt bluff overlooking the Ionian Sea, the Castello Normanno-Svevo di Aci Castello is a hilltop fortress dating back to the Norman era and later reinforced by the Swabians. Visitors wander through its curtain walls, turrets and battlements, exploring atmospheric courtyards, vaulted rooms and a small maritime museum that highlights Sicily’s vibrant coastal history. The castle rewards climbers with sweeping views toward Catania, Mount Etna and the sea, while nearby lava flows and the picturesque town of Aci Castello add charm. It’s a compact, evocative day-trip that blends history with scenery.

Piazza Castello, 95021 Aci Castello CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Monday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Good for kids Parking
Villa Bellini/Chiosco Bellini — Park, rated 4.4/5 7
Park

Villa Bellini/Chiosco Bellini

4.4 ★★★★★ 20,024 reviews

Villa Bellini, also known as Parco Bellini, is Catania’s grand urban oasis—the city’s largest public park, a shaded, palm-lined retreat rich with flower beds, winding paths, and fountains. At its heart lies the Chiosco Bellini, a graceful bandstand that hosts concerts and cultural events, drawing locals and visitors to enjoy music amid seasonal blooms. Visitors can stroll under centuries-old trees, pause for a café break, or soak in city views from terraced overlooks. It’s ideal for a relaxed morning walk, family outing, or inventive photography in a quintessential Sicilian green space.

Via Etnea, 292, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Monday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Tuesday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Thursday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Good for kids Dogs allowed
Entrance Parking Seating
Piazza Stesicoro — Historic site, rated 4.5/5 8
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Piazza Stesicoro

4.5 ★★★★★ 7,554 reviews

Piazza Stesicoro is a historic heart of Catania, anchored by the haunting ruins of a grand Roman amphitheater unearthed beneath the square. It’s a place where ancient and modern life collide: you can wander among weathered stone vaults, arches and remnants that hint at centuries of entertainment, then enjoy a lively pedestrian plaza lined with cafes and shops. The square offers a sense of the city's layered past, with Baroque façades rising above medieval streets, and on clear days, distant views of Mount Etna looming over the coast.

P.zza Stesicoro, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance Parking
Orto Botanico di Catania — Garden, rated 4.6/5 9
Garden Botanical Garden

Orto Botanico di Catania

4.6 ★★★★★ 4,005 reviews

Nestled on the edge of Catania’s historic center, the Orto Botanico di Catania is a quiet oasis devoted to Mediterranean and tropical plants, housed in a historic villa and under the care of the University of Catania. Visitors wander leafy avenues past palm groves, rare orchids, citrus groves, and medicinal plant beds, with informative plaques and shaded benches. The garden offers a calm contrast to the Baroque city streets, seasonal blooms, and a chance to learn about Sicily’s flora, sustainable cultivation, and research. A refreshing, family-friendly pause in southern Sicily.

Via Etnea, 397, 95128 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Monday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • SundayClosed
Good for kids
Entrance Restroom
Teatro Antico greco-romano di Catania — Historic site, rated 4.4/5 10
Historic site Historical LandmarkPerforming Arts TheaterEvent VenueHistorical Place

Teatro Antico greco-romano di Catania

4.4 ★★★★★ 8,922 reviews

The Teatro Antico greco-romano di Catania, perched on the slopes of Monte Etna’s foothills, is one of Sicily’s most evocative ancient ruins, blending Greek and Roman heritage in a single, atmospheric space. Begun in the 3rd century BCE and expanded under Roman rule, it once hosted performances and civic events, with substantial stone seating and well-preserved subterranean corridors. Today visitors wander among towering arches, cracked marble, and bee-hive tombs nearby, imagining crowds of spectators. It’s a window into classical theatre life, peaceful by day, ever more magical at dusk.

Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 266, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Good for kids Parking
Porta Catania, rated 4.5/5 11
Tourist attraction

Porta Catania

4.5 ★★★★★ 5,213 reviews

Porta Catania is a historic city gate that once served as the southern entrance to Catania, standing today as a doorway into the heart of the old town. Dating from the 16th–17th centuries and reshaped after the 1693 earthquake, its stout arches and lava-stone facade epitomize the resilience of the city. Visiting, you’ll feel like a traveler stepping back in time, wandering nearby lanes, trattorias, and baroque façades. Expect a quiet moment of photography, a sense of old Sicily, and on clear days views toward Mount Etna beyond the urban bustle.

Corso Umberto, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Good for kids Cards accepted
Entrance Parking Restroom
Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena — University, rated 4.8/5 12
University Historical LandmarkMuseumPlace Of WorshipBook Store

Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,064 reviews

The Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l’Arena in Catania is a vast baroque complex built atop ancient Roman origins, now home to the University of Catania. Visitors wander through lavish cloisters, grand staircases, elegant courtyards, and atmospheric lecture halls that echo centuries of scholarship. The basilica and surrounding library rooms offer a glimpse of academic life amid surprising architectural richness, while guided tours reveal the monastery’s history, restorations, and famous scholars. Expect a fascinating blend of religious heritage, university culture, and striking, airy spaces perfect for photos and reflective pauses between city sights.

Piazza Dante Alighieri, 32, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Monday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Good for kids
Entrance Parking Restroom
Palazzo Biscari — Museum, rated 4.6/5 13
Museum ServiceEvent Venue

Palazzo Biscari

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,814 reviews

Palazzo Biscari, a lavish baroque palace in the heart of Catania, stands as Sicily’s grandest private residence turned museum. Built in the 18th century by Ignazio Paternò Castello, it showcases opulent rooms, frescoed ceilings, and a striking staircase that exudes theatrical grandeur. Visitors linger in richly decorated salons, admire priceless artworks, and explore period furniture that chronicles noble life amid volcanic ash of Etna’s eruptions. Expect guided tours, elegant courtyards, and a glimpse into aristocratic Sicily, where architecture, art, and history converge in dramatic, timeless style.

Via Museo Biscari, 10, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Monday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Friday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 4:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • SundayClosed
Good for kids
Entrance Restroom
Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943 — Museum, rated 4.7/5 14
Museum History Museum

Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,817 reviews

The Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943 in Catania offers a moving, well-curated look at Operation Husky and the Allied invasion that reshaped Sicily during World War II. Housed in a thoughtfully arranged space, it preserves diaries, maps, period photographs, weapons, vehicles, and multimedia installations that bring 1943 to life. Visitors can expect an immersive narrative of planning, combat, and liberation, plus guided tours and educational panels that appeal to history buffs and curious families alike. It is a poignant stop for understanding Southern Italy’s wartime experience.

Piazzale Rocco Chinnici, 95129 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Good for kids
Entrance Parking Restroom
Roman Amphitheater of Catania — Historic site, rated 4.3/5 15
Historic site Historical LandmarkAmphitheatreHistorical PlacePerforming Arts Theater

Roman Amphitheater of Catania

4.3 ★★★★★ 4,017 reviews

The Roman Amphitheater of Catania is a well-preserved ancient ruin set in the heart of the city, a testament to Sicily’s Roman past. Carved into lava-stone hillside in the 2nd century AD, it once hosted gladiatorial games and public spectacles, with seating that could accommodate thousands. Today visitors wander its arched entrances, imagine the roar of crowds, and view remnants of stage and corridors preserved beneath modern streets. Expect a compact, atmospheric site combining archaeology with urban charm, easily paired with nearby Baroque highlights and a stroll through historic Catania.

P.zza Stesicoro, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Monday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Good for kids
Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata — Religious site, rated 4.7/5 16
Religious site ChurchPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,226 reviews

Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata in Catania is a grand religious complex that anchors the city’s Baroque heart. Once part of a Benedictine abbey, the church dates back to medieval roots but was masterfully rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, giving its interiors a luminous, gilded Baroque character. Visitors can explore ornate chapels, gilded altars, and frescoed ceilings, all steeped in Sicilian religious art. The quiet cloister and crypts offer a serene contrast to the bustling city, while the church’s devotion to Saint Agatha makes it a meaningful stop for pilgrims and cultural travelers alike.

Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 182, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Entrance
Free Tour Catania (Free walking tour Catania), rated 5/5 17
Tourist attraction

Free Tour Catania (Free walking tour Catania)

5 ★★★★★ 671 reviews

Free Tour Catania is a popular, tips-based walking tour that dives into the city’s Baroque heart and lively daily life. Meet a local guide who leads you through narrow streets around Piazza del Duomo, pointing out the Fontana dell’Elefante, grand churches, and historic markets, while sharing stories about Etna’s influence and Catania’s rebuilding after past eruptions. Expect a relaxed 2–3 hour stroll, scenic viewpoints, and practical tips for further exploration. It’s a low-cost way to orient yourself, ask questions, and decide where to linger in this vibrant Sicilian city.

Piazza dell'Università, 21, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • WednesdayClosed
  • Thursday3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Friday3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • SundayClosed
Good for kids Cards accepted
Restroom
Basilica della Collegiata — Religious site, rated 4.6/5 18
Religious site ChurchPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Basilica della Collegiata

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,095 reviews

The Basilica della Collegiata, perched atop Catania’s ancient lava-strewn grid, is a Baroque masterpiece that rises from the heart of the city’s historic center. Inside, intricate stuccoes, gilded altars, and a dramatic, gilded ceiling celebrate Sicily’s religious art, while the church’s imposing façade gives way to a serene interior filled with candlelit reverence. Visitors can admire the numerous chapels, enjoy panoramic views from nearby terraces, and feel the rhythm of local worship that blends history with daily life, making it a quintessential stop for culture-seeking travelers.

Via Etnea, 23, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Monday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Vecchia Dogana, rated 4/5 19
Tourist attraction

Vecchia Dogana

4 ★★★★★ 2,051 reviews

Vecchia Dogana, perched above the shimmering Ionian coast near Catania, is a historic customs house dating to medieval and Bourbon eras, offering an atmospheric glimpse into Sicily’s mercantile past. Visitors wander its sunlit courtyards, admire restored arches, and enjoy panoramic views of Mount Etna and the sea from its terrace. The site combines architectural charm with evocative seascapes, making it ideal for photography, quiet strolls, and sunset moments. Expect a short, storied walk through time, occasional exhibitions, and the sense of standing at Sicily’s historic crossroads of trade.

Via Cardinale Dusmet, 2, 95121 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Cards accepted
Entrance Parking Restroom
Fontana dell’Amenano, rated 4.6/5 20
Tourist attraction

Fontana dell’Amenano

4.6 ★★★★★ 542 reviews

Fontana dell’Amenano is a historic fountain tucked in the heart of Catania, rooted in the city’s long relationship with water and subterranean channels. Standing near the old course of the Amenano river, it marks a key point where urban life met the natural landscape, offering a glimpse into Catania’s layered history—from ancient channels to Renaissance and later embellishments. Visitors can expect a compact, sculptural centerpiece set against the surrounding streets and palazzi, with refreshing water and easy access as part of a stroll through the city’s vibrant center.

Piazza del Duomo, 95121 Catania CT, Italy
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance