Catania

Italy

Things to do in Catania:

View the Gallery Volcano Mt Etna

Catania Restaurants

Cheap (17)

Caffetteria del Professore

For a fast lunch on a busy sightseeing day there's nowhere better than this lovely caf�. The varied menu includes gelato, croissants, pizza or the more substantial arancini (rice balls). read more
Affordable (27)

Don Saro

Tucked away not too far from the train station is this cosy little tavern, where plates arrive piled high with fresh pasta and delicious roast meats. read more
Good quality (26)

Camagno

Within minimalist but elegant surroundings enjoy exquisite Italian cuisine, made using age-old recipes. The fresh flavours are perfectly complemented by some of Sicily's finest wines. read more

Catania Nightlife

Chilled (20)

Cafh�

Perfectly located in a small but central street, escape to this cute caf� for an indulgent coffee or gelato. read more
Live Music (19)

V-Bon� Club

Become a member of Catania's high-society club and you can take advantage of the superb food and mind-blowing jazz served up in this 18th-century building on Wednesdays and Sundays. read more
Clubbing (21)

Renoir Disco

This disco - a local institution - is absolutely full of young people, all crazy for salsa, rumba and reggaeton. The night kicks off with a happy hour from 7pm. read more

This Month in Catania (March):

By Alessandro Di Maio

Shopping: For souvenirs with a difference head to Sestitoarte, where wonderful hand-crafted items await. Some are suitcase-friendly - plates, jars and tablecloths - while others, such as statues and paintings, can be delivered (92 Luigi Sturzo, tel: 093 798 325).

Sightseeing: The Ursino Castle is a fitting location for the Civic Museum's exhibition of the Finocchiaro collection. The ancient castle plays host to 50 beautiful Sicilian and international paintings until 21 March.

Key areas: Parco Gioeni is the biggest park in the city. Originally constructed as an English garden, it is a relaxing place to bring the kids, take a walk, do a little exercise, or just sit back and daydream.

Day trips: Adrano is a beautiful town situated on the slopes of the still-active Etna volcano. It is famous for its ancient castles and churches, plus its rich gastronomy. An hour by car from Catania, it can also be reached by local train.

Catania Trivia

March: Sicily is one of the oldest wine producers in Italy and the little-known Marsala, a delicious fortified wine, could give Port a run for its money.
February: According to desiderya.it, an Italian adult website, Sicily has the highest number of swingers in all of Italy. The macho culture is no more, either, according to a new book.
January: Baar�a is the new movie from Sicilian director Giuseppe Tornatore. The most expensive Italian film ever made, it employed 35,000 actors, blowing the �25m budget.