CATANIA TRAVEL GUIDE
FIREFLIES TRAVEL GUIDES
CATANIA
Catania is the second largest city in Sicily, framed by the Etna volcano to the west, and the Mediterranean to the east. It is a vibrant city with bars, cafés, honking cars and narrow alleys. Visitors can retreat to the cooler climate of the surrounding small mountain villages, or to the sea for a balmy swim.
DESTINATION: CATANIA 1 CATANIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Catania’s airport, Fontanarossa (CTA), is located 7 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION kilometres south-west of the city and handles both domestic and international flights.
Buses (AMT Alibus) connects the airport to Catania city centre and leaves every 20 minutes from 5 am to midnight. There are also several other bus companies, operating other cities on Sicily such as Etna Trasporti to Taormina. The journey takes 50 minutes. Sais Autolinee takes travellers to Palermo in 2 1/2 hours. Bus tickets can be bought at the currency exchange office or at a newspaper shop inside the airport terminal.
A taxi from the airport to the city takes about 15 PHARMACY minutes. There are taxi ranks outside the airport. In the central area of Catania is Farmacia Cutelli Airport Catania-Fontanarossa, Catania Fonzo Franca. It is open every day of the week and +39 0957 239 111 also late hours. www.aeroporto.catania.it
Via Vittorio Emanuele 54, Catania PUBLIC TRANSPORT +39 095 531 400 www.farmaciacutelli.it A rental car is the best way to explore Sicily. The road network is well maintained, especially the toll TELEPHONE roads (autostrade). To drive in the city of Catania can be quite tricky though. A majority of the city Country code: +39 centre is for pedestrians and parking lots are
difficult to find. Area code: 095 (also dialled in Catania) If you call
Italy from abroad, you must always dial zero in the An alternative to driving, is travelling by train to area code (do not omit it as is the general practice Messina, Syracuse, Palermo and other cities from when making international telephone calls), e.g. the station at Piazza Giovanni XXIII. +39 095 + the number.
A cheaper mode of transport is the bus, which ELECTRICITY depart from the depot at Via d’Amico close to the 220 volts AC/50Hz train station. To get around in the city, the company AMT serves a number of lines. AIRPORT CATANIA-FONTANAROSSA Piazza Giovanni XXIII, Catania www.interbus.it / www.amt.ct.it
POST
The post office in Catania is situated at via Etnea 215. Stamps can be bought at tobacconists that either carry the blue and white ”Tabacchi” sign or are simply marked ”T”.
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Via Etnea 215, Catania +39 095 715 5111 www.poste.it Mon-Fri 8 am-6.30 pm. Saturdays 8.30 am-12.30 pm
TAXI
Taxi fares vary, and the rate increases after 10 pm. The 10 percent tip is sometimes included in the overall price, check with the driver if it is already included. The licensed taxis are often yellow or white and have a meter.
Radio Taxi Catania + 39 095 330 966 www.radiotaxicatania.org
Distefano Taxi: +39 360 968 390 www.taxi-catania.com
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9 kilometres north of Catania, on the coastline, the DO &SEE small and picturesque town of Aci Castello is located. The castle, which you cannot miss while you are here, was built by the Normans in 1076. Today, here is a museum for the ones interested in its history. The town also offers breathtaking views over the sea and its surrounding area with beaches. Aci Castello
MUSEO STORICO DELLO SBARCO IN SICILIA 1943
Sicily played an important role in the liberation Catania is a beautiful city which has many lovely, from the German occupation during World War II. cultural sights. Pay a visit to Piazza del Duomo This museum, the Historical Museum of the which has become a UNESCO world heritage, the Landing in Sicily 1943, displays memories and Museo Civico Belliniano or if you prefer being out history from that time, and often leaves its visitors in the nature take a bus to Etna, Europe´s largest emotionally concerned. active volcano. Le Ciminiere, Viale Africa, Catania TEATRO MASSIMO BELLINI Closed on Mondays
Teatro Massimo Bellini is the musical heart of the MONASTERO DEI BENEDETTINI city of Catania. Different types of high- class performances such as ballets and operas are held Come here for a stroll in the beautiful here continuously and the theatre is well-visited. If surroundings or a guided tour of the area. you don't find anything that speaks to you but still Monastero dei Benedettini, from the 16th century, want to see the beautiful inside of the over 100 is one of the biggest Benedictine monastery in year old building, you can go on one of the guided Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage tours. Site. Today it hosts a part of the University of Catania and you find it just 10 minutes from the Via Giuseppe Perrotta, 12, Catania Cathedral square. +39 095 730 6111 www.teatromassimobellini.it Piazza Dante, 32, Catania
ETNA GIARDINO BELLINI
Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, stands about After a lot of walking in the bustling city, a break 3,330 metres high between Catania and Taormina. in a lush green park can be necessary. Giardino It erupts regularly, most recently in 2012, and Bellini is located just off the Via Etnea in the city since 2002 visitors are not allowed to climb to the centre, and here you can enjoy a quiet moment top of any of its four craters. Regular buses depart among plants, trees, statues and fountains. for Etna from Catania. Via Etnea, 292, Catania Etna ETNALAND ACI CASTELLO
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Etnaland consists of three kinds of amusement www.fratellinapoli.it parks; one Aqua park with water slides and lots of different pools, one Prehistoric park with replicas PIAZZA DEL DUOMO of dinosaurs and one theme park with roller coasters and rides. Here you can easily spend a In the heart of Catania, Piazza del Duomo, whole day. encircled by impressive Baroque buildings, recently Contrada Agnelleria, Belpasso, Catania became a UNESCO world heritage site. In the +39 095 791 3333 middle of the square is Fontana dell’Elefante, www.etnaland.eu Catania’s most famous monument – the lava stone Elephant Fountain. MONTI ROSSI-ETNA ADVENTURE PARK Piazza del Duomo, Catania
In the pine forest around the Red Mountains close CASA DELLE FARFALLE to Etna, this adventure park offers fun for the whole family. Bridges, wires and cables in different At Casa delle Farfalle, the Butterfly House, you can forms are hooked in the tree tops to create paths see some of the most beautiful butterflies and up in the air. There are different levels of difficulty flowers in the world. If you want to learn more so everyone can find their own challenge. Visitors about these spectacular creatures, join a lesson in can also stay on the ground and join the biology that is held in the house. The greenhouse workshops or explore the nature trails and is situated in the 30 hectares large Monte Serra relaxation areas. Park, just outside the city of Catania. Goethe, Nicolosi Via Umberto I n. 244, Viagrande, Catania +39 388 755 3812 +39 095 78 90 768 www.montirossietnaadventurepark.it www.casadellefarfallemonteserra.it
MONASTERO SAN BENEDETTO CALTAGIRONE
The Monastero San Benedetto, situated in via The small town of Caltagirone, located 42 miles Crociferi –heritage of Unesco – is symbol of from Catania, is at the heart of Sicily’s ceramic Catania. It’s identifiable by the arch which unites handicraft tradition. The town also offers beautiful the Monastery’s main abbey and the Church of architecture, so do not miss the richly decorated Saint Benedict – one of the beautiful baroque walls of the Scala dei Santa Maria steps. Along the churches in Sicily – to the little abbey, wherein the stairs there are old, historic buildings. MacS has its place. Caltagirone via Crociferi 11 - ingresso da Via Teatro Greco 2, Catania BASILICA CATTEDRALE SANT’AGATA +39 095 715 2207 www.benedettineviacrociferi.it Piazza del Duomo is also home to Basilica Cattedrale Sant’Agatal. Behind the marble walls is TEATRO DEI PUPI DELLA MARIONETTISTICA the final resting place of the city’s patron saint, FRATELLI NAPOLI Agata. Every February processions are held in her honour. This theatre, only 5 minutes´ walk from historical Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 163, Catania centre, is also a museum that is fun for both +39 095 320044 children and adults. It tells the story behind the www.cattedralecatania.it typical Sicilian puppet theatre and visitors can both see and hold a puppet. If you wish to watch a TEATRO ROMANO &ODEON show, remember that the repertoire has a break during summer months.
DESTINATION: CATANIA 5 CATANIA TRAVEL GUIDE
At Via Vittoria Emanuele you will find Catania’s best kept ruins from Roman times. The Roman Theatre, including gladiator tunnels and the circular auditorium Odeon lie next to each other, surrounded by other buildings. Via Vittorio Emanuele, 266, Catania
MUSEO CIVICO BELLINIANO
Sicily’s most famous composer is Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835), who was born in Catania. His operas like ’Norma’, ’La Straniera’ and ’Sonnambula’ are famous all over the world. The museum honouring Vincenzo Bellini, Museo Cicico Belliniani, is claimed to be one of the nicest in Catania. Piazza San Francesco d’Assisi, 3, Catania +39 095 715 05 35
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Just a short walk from the Duomo you find this DINING little restaurant, serving food made of regional products. The top class dishes with meat, fish and pasta together with the home-made bread goes under the 'slow food' mantra that is very typical for the Italian cuisine and guarantee high quality. Via Monsignore Ventimiglia 15, Catania +39 095 715 0142
RISTORANTE IL LOCANDIERE
If you make a visit to the town Caltagirone, Ristorante il Locandiere is a good choice for lunch or dinner. This relaxed fish restaurant is known for The cuisine in the Catania region is just like in the its delicious seafood appetisers and is very well rest of Sicily – a delectable combination of Italian visited. The staff is helpful and professional and and Mediterranean cooking. The food is both tasty gladly recommend a wine to accompany your and healthy. Fish and seafood are the dominant meal. ingredients, complemented by olive oil and wine from the mountains around Etna. Via Don Luigi Sturzo, 55, Caltagirone +39 0933 58292 TRATTORIA CATANIA RUFFIANA VILLA ANTONIO It can be a bit tricky to find this family-run gem, but make a try. In a rustic setting, guests can revel Villa Antonio in Taormina, offers exquisite dining in typical Italian dishes to reasonable prices. Their with a breathtaking view. The traditional Sicilian chocolate cake is said to be the best one ever dishes are all beautifully presented and the tasted and a must, to finish your dinner in a perfect atmosphere is elegant. To top it all, the staff is also way. very helpful and treat the guests very professionally. Via Aloi, 50, Catania +39 095 216 2222 Via Luigi Pirandello, 88, Taormina www.cataniaruffiana.it +39 0942 625502 www.villaantonio.it LOCANDA CERAMI GISIRA PIZZA AND DRINKS At a superb location in a small courtyard in front of a beautiful baroque church, Locanda Cerami serves You can't visit Italy without eating a pizza. Gisira delicious pizzas, salads and other Italian dishes. Pizza and Drinks is a popular pizza restaurant in There is also an extensive list of beers and wines Catania where you can choose from a wide array of and the friendly staff do its best to give the guests fillings and for a different dining experience order a lovely dining experience. your pizza by the meter. The menu also contains a choice of salads, wine, beer and delicious desserts. Via Crociferi, 69, Catania +39 095 224 6782 Via Gisira 62, Catania www.locandacerami.com +39 095 349652 www.gisira.it ME CUMPARI TURIDDU RISTORANTE CICIULENA
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Ristorante Ciciulena is something different to the The town of Taormina offers more elegant dining. traditional Italian taverna and here you get to One of the classics is La Giara. The Art Deco experience the new and modern Sicily. The inspired space with breathtaking views is popular ambience is stylish and the food innovative but for romantic dinners. still with the Italian roots. If you or someone in Vico la Floresta, 1, Taormina your company is on a diet, they also offer a light +39 0942 233 60 menu displaying the number of calories. www.lagiarataormina.it Via Antonino di Sangiuliano, 207, Catania +39 095 816 4047 CAFÉ CHARMANT www.ciciulena.com Café Charmant’s outdoor patio is a popular venue TALÈ for dining. Their ice drinks, especially the popular Sicilian drink Granita di Mandorle made of almond Talè offers typical Sicilian food in large portions at milk, water and sugar, are perfect on a hot summer a central location. Friendly staff and the dishes day. made from fresh ingredients have made this Via Etnea 19-23, Catania restaurant very popular. Its terrace and trendy bar, +39 095 715 03 16 gather people in different ages for an apertivo or just a glass of wine. RISTORANTE AMBASCIATA DEL MARE Piazza dei Martiri, 5, Catania +39 095 296 8312 At Ristorante Ambasciata del Mare, traditional www.ristorantetale.it Italian fish and seafood dishes are served in a stylish atmosphere, complete with white washed SUSHILIVE walls and dark furniture. This is the place to go for a fine-dining experience. When you are craving for something else than the Piazza Duomo 6/7, Catania typical Italian cuisine, Sushilive serves high quality +39 095 341 003 Japanese dishes, with its focus on sushi. The menu www.ambasciatadelmare.it gives you about 50 different rolls to choose from together with sashimi, tempura and other hot LA SICILIANA dishes. Enjoy your meal in the restaurant or as take-away. Do not let the simple interior fool you – this is one Via Giuseppe de Felice, 14, Catania of Sicily’s best restaurants. La Siciliana is located +39 095 311272 in the northern part of Catania, close to the city www.sushilive.it centre and has been around since 1968, owned and run by one family. TRATTORIA GIGLIO ROSSO Viale Marco Polo 52, Catania +39 095 376 400 This small trattoria with checked tablecloths www.lasiciliana.it serves authentic Sicilian food to reasonable prices. Fish and seafood and the antipasto buffet are OXIDIANA popular choices among the guests here and regulars come here to revel in the home made Oxidiana is located in the heart of the city and dishes in a warm and cosy atmosphere. they mainly specialize in fish – namely sushi. This Via Sant'Anna, Catania is not only a restaurant, but also a whole +39 095 715 2492 philosophy on how to live life. At least that is what the owners claim. LA GIARA
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Via Conte Ruggero 4/a, Catania +39 095 532 585 www.oxidiana.it
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Via Vicenza 43, Catania BARS &NIGHTLIFE +39 095 518 7546 www.topbeer.it
AGÒRA HOSTEL BAR
This is one of Catania’s most original bars. It lies almost 20 metres underground, beneath the Agòra Hostel. If you want to enjoy a drink in a lava cave with water trickling across the floors, this is your place. Piazza Currò 6, Catania +39 095 723 30 10 Catania’s bar scene caters to both tourists and www.agorahostel.it students alike. The bars and clubs are generally more international than the eateries. The scene NOW FOOD &DRINK usually mirrors whatever is hip in the larger cities. Now Food &Drink is ideally located in the city ZÒ centre. This is a good place for drinks and partying with friends This is a cool, funky cultural place where you can Via Vasta 9/11, Catania find live music, a bar, dancing and films. Zo is +39 393 231 3727 known as Italy´s cultural pilot project. Piazzale Asia 6, Catania +39 095 8168912 www.zoculture.it
MERCATI GENERALI
Mercati Generali is without a doubt one of Catania’s coolest club. Guests can enjoy live music and DJ's. It is located south of the city. Strada Statale 417, Catania +39 095 571 458 www.mercatigenerali.org
BAR CUORE CATANIA
The cosy Bar Cuore Catania is a great place for both a coffee and drink. Here you can enjoy music and outdoor seating. Via penninello 35, Catania +39 347 609 5021
TOPBEER
If you like beer you can pay a visit to Topbeer. Here you can buy many different types of beer. Feel free to have one in the shop.
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Brand name shopping can be had along expensive SHOPPING Corso Italia and around Via Pacini, Via Umberto I, and Via Etnea.
MISTERBIANCO GALLERIA AUCHAN
Misterbianco Galleria Auchan hypermarket is located just outside Catania and offers something for the whole family. This is a good place to buy food and house hold items. Via Zinirco, Catania 9 am-9 pm www.misterbianco.gallerieauchan.it Catania is sometimes referred to as the Milan of Sicily. Not so much for the fashion, but for the GOOD BUYS enterprising spirit. There are countless craftsmen, There are countless craftsmen, artists and small artists and small business owners who sell their business owners who sell their wares all over wares all over Sicily. One example is the 53 inch Sicily. One example is the 53 inch Sicilian Pupi Sicilian Pupi puppets that can be bought on Via puppets that can be bought on Via Etnea. The Etnea. The elaborately carved wooden candelabras elaborately carved wooden candelabras on sale in on sale in the historic quarters are another the historic quarters are another speciality of the speciality of the region. region.
The food hall La Pescheria (by the cathedral), is CATANIA MALL worth a visit even if you’re not buying any fish. Brand name shopping can be had along expensive This outlet offers famous brands for up to 70% less Corso Italia and around Via Pacini, Via Umberto I, and you can find it just outside Catania. Choose and Via Etnea. Caltigerone’s reputation as a between brands such as Burberry, Calvin Klein and ceramics town was established in Roman times. Dior. Colourful mugs, vases, etc. are available in shops in Branciforti, the Old Town. Viale Del Commercio, Misterbianco www.cataniamall.it CERAMICS PORTE DI CATANIA SHOPPING MALL Caltigerone’s reputation as a ceramics town was established in Roman times. Colourful mugs, vases, At the Porte di Catania Shopping Mall you can find etc. are available in shops in Branciforti, the Old many fun things such as shopping and Town. entertainment. Stroll among the 150 shops and have a coffee in one of the cafés. Caltigerone S.S. Gelso Bianco, Catania LA PESCHERIA +39 0958734111 www.portedicatania.gallerieauchan.it The food hall La Pescheria (by the cathedral), is 9 am-9 pm worth a visit even if you are not buying any fish. ETNAPOLIS Piazza Curo, Catania Etnapolis, the heart of shopping in Sicilily, offers a SHOPPING AREAS unique shopping experience. Here you can find, apart from shopping, a multiplex cinema, a kids area and dining outlets.
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Contrada Valcorrente, Belpasso +39 095 7867432 www.centroetnapolis.it
I PORTALI
This is in fact one of the largest shopping centres in the south of Italy. I Portali is characterized by the big blue glass dome. This place will most certainly satisfy all your shopping needs. V.le Cristoforo Colombo, 13, San Giovanni La Punta +39 095 7415534 www.iportaliweb.it
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