Catania
From World travel guide
Catania is the second largest city in Sicily, a major transport hub and university city.
Contents |
Get in
By Plane
Catania has the main airport for Sicily and scheduled and charter planes arrive from destinations throughout Italy and Europe.
From the airport, their are 1/2 hourly buses to Catania's bus station.
By Bus
Frequent buses run to Taormina, Messina, Enna, Caltanissetta & Syracuse. Less frequent buses run to local destinations, Naples, Rome etc. The main bus station is opposite the railway station and 10 minutes walk from the city centre.
By Train
Frequent trains run up the east coast to and from Taormina (but the station is a long walk below the town) and Messina, then on to Naples and Rome etc. Trains also run to Enna, Palermo (slower than the buses) and Syracuse. A scenic route runs inland to Caltagirone and Gela. The railway station is 10 minutes walk from the city centre.
Get around
Catania has a compact centre and it is most convenient just to walk around.
See
- The Piazza del Duomo is attractive, lively and contains the Elephant Fountain - the symbol of the city
- The adjacent Cathedral (Duomo) is imposing and worth a visit
- The food and fish markets just below the Piazza del Duomo are a lively and colourful place to visit
- Via Etnea - the main shopping street, running North from the Piazza del Duomo has most of the city's imposing building and is busy throughout the day and evening
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
- Barrique Club [1] Via S. Guliano, 242. Tel +39 3924491005. Great atmosphere, good bar with italian and international drinks, excellent snacks and cakes. At night live jazz and sicilian music
Sleep
- Agora Hostel, 6 Piazza Curro. (+39) 095 7233010 [2]. In a backstreet below the Duomo, it's lively and can fill up even out of season.
- Gresi Hotel [3] Via Pacini 28. Off Via Etnea close to the post office. Tel:+39 095 322709, email:hotelgresi@tin.com. Shiny clean, AC, bathroom, balcony, high arched cielings with paintings. €75 without brekfast.
Get out
- Visit Mount Etna - an erie volcanic landscape, with solidifed "rivers" of lava. The top is 3323m high, so be prepared for the cold, even in summer. One bus a day runs at about 8.30am from near the railway station via Nicolosi to the Rifugio Sapienza, 1400m below the summit.
External links
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