Our tips for enjoying Catania
Food Scene
Trattoria Da Nuccio
34 Via PenninelloSmall family run restaurant for dining fish at reasonable rates. Make a booking!
Nievski
15 Via AlessiA good and cheap place for dining (also vegan/vegetarian)
One of the best places downtown for dining Sicilian
14 locals recommend
Trattoria Casalinga da Nino Mannino
19 Via BiondiOne of the best places downtown for dining Sicilian
A wine bar with a very good kitchen at reasonable rates
92 locals recommend
Razmataz | Wine Bar Catania
17 Via MontesanoA wine bar with a very good kitchen at reasonable rates
Do you want to make a really genuine Catanian experience? Try this one or one of the many horse meat restaurants in this area. Be warned: it feels like eating inside a butcher shop.
14 locals recommend
Achille
734 Via PlebiscitoDo you want to make a really genuine Catanian experience? Try this one or one of the many horse meat restaurants in this area. Be warned: it feels like eating inside a butcher shop.
Locanda Cerami
69 Via CrociferiOne of the best pizza places downtown and very close to our flat!
Comis Ice Cafè
8 Piazza Vincenzo BelliniGood ice creams in a very beautiful square
The best place to try local fish at a very cheap price.
50 locals recommend
Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab
7 Piazza Alonzo di BenedettoThe best place to try local fish at a very cheap price.
Uzeta Bistrò
41 Via PenninelloVery good quality at reasonable prices
That's a good place if you want to have a sandwich made on the spot with genuine ingredients. They are also open in the evening. Slow service but you can have a beer sitting outside in a very nice spot, while you wait
8 locals recommend
La Tosteria
85 Via CrociferiThat's a good place if you want to have a sandwich made on the spot with genuine ingredients. They are also open in the evening. Slow service but you can have a beer sitting outside in a very nice spot, while you wait
The best place in the historic district for traditional sicilian pastry, also for taking away or shipping.
Best for a quick Sicilian lunch in the open air: don't be put off by the location right in front of the Cathedral in the main square, rates are affordable!
35 locals recommend
Prestipino
1 Piazza del DuomoThe best place in the historic district for traditional sicilian pastry, also for taking away or shipping.
Best for a quick Sicilian lunch in the open air: don't be put off by the location right in front of the Cathedral in the main square, rates are affordable!
A new and very interesting place for dining at the fish market!
17 locals recommend
Vuciata - kitchen market
8 Via GisiraA new and very interesting place for dining at the fish market!
The best of the many meat restaurants in this area. Good service, very good Sicilian entrees and gorgeous meat, especially meat rolls!
8 locals recommend
Ristorante Artu
4 Piazza Federico di SveviaThe best of the many meat restaurants in this area. Good service, very good Sicilian entrees and gorgeous meat, especially meat rolls!
Best place downtown Catania for vegan food in a Sicilian style. Suits perfectly to non vegans too! Go before 20:30 or make a booking
55 locals recommend
La Cucina Dei Colori
9 Via S. MicheleBest place downtown Catania for vegan food in a Sicilian style. Suits perfectly to non vegans too! Go before 20:30 or make a booking
That's the place for ice creams and cakes on the seaside road!
32 locals recommend
Pasticceria Quaranta - Gelateria - Caffetteria
17 Piazza Mancini BattagliaThat's the place for ice creams and cakes on the seaside road!
A cheap no thrills place for having fresh fish and sea fruits at reasonable rates by the seaside road!
Frutti di mare Planète Marine da Carlo
103 Viale Artale AlagonaA cheap no thrills place for having fresh fish and sea fruits at reasonable rates by the seaside road!
The best place for food on the seaside road! They also make a very good pizza
47 locals recommend
Cutilisci
69 Via S. Giovanni Li CutiThe best place for food on the seaside road! They also make a very good pizza
Food shops
Where to buy food in the immediate surroundings of our flat
Tocal
107 Via EtneaLocal food shop, the closest one to our flat
Not just the fish market, but a true explosion of colours and flavours! And you can find whatever food you need, also local vegetables, meat, typical cheese
245 locals recommend
Fischmarkt von Catania
Via BottinoNot just the fish market, but a true explosion of colours and flavours! And you can find whatever food you need, also local vegetables, meat, typical cheese
Crai Supermercato
The better equipped supermarket in our neighbourhood
The local bread shop - also selling first and second dishes to go at lunchtime, very cheap prices
Pancare Sicily Food
25 Via Gesualdo ClementiThe local bread shop - also selling first and second dishes to go at lunchtime, very cheap prices
Pasta Fresca
13 Via AuteriAll types of homemade typical italian pasta are available in this shop!
Public Transportation
Where to catch public transportation in our area
"Alibus" shuttle bus stop "Stesicoro" to/from the airport. It goes every 25 minutes, ticket is 4 euro per person and can be bought from the driver at this same price.
Via Etnea, 133
133 Via Etnea"Alibus" shuttle bus stop "Stesicoro" to/from the airport. It goes every 25 minutes, ticket is 4 euro per person and can be bought from the driver at this same price.
This large square is a big bus hub. You have city buses "D" to the sandy beach downtown Catania, and "534" to the volcanic cliff and seaside road north of the city centre. Plus, the "Alibus" shuttle bus for the airport makes here the last stop before coming back to airport from town, and all the intercity buses heading south and west make an intermediate stop here on one side of the square, in front of the Interbus kiosk where you also find timetables and buy tickets.
Piazza Paolo Borsellino
This large square is a big bus hub. You have city buses "D" to the sandy beach downtown Catania, and "534" to the volcanic cliff and seaside road north of the city centre. Plus, the "Alibus" shuttle bus for the airport makes here the last stop before coming back to airport from town, and all the intercity buses heading south and west make an intermediate stop here on one side of the square, in front of the Interbus kiosk where you also find timetables and buy tickets.
Drinks & Nightlife
Social life in Catania is often held in the open air. People meet on the monumental stairs at Via Alessi, buy their drinks in the bars all around it and just sit on the stairs to spend the evening. Best at weekends and in the warm season.
10 locals recommend
Via Alessi
Via AlessiSocial life in Catania is often held in the open air. People meet on the monumental stairs at Via Alessi, buy their drinks in the bars all around it and just sit on the stairs to spend the evening. Best at weekends and in the warm season.
A very nice place for drinking in a very special part of the old town
18 locals recommend
First Lounge Bar
13 Via Martinez A very nice place for drinking in a very special part of the old town
Agorà Hostel
6 Piazza CurròThe noisiest bar downtown, best on Mondays. You can also dine there.
This is a reference specially for GLBT people, who meet here in the evening. It can be very crowded on Fri & Sat.
Buio lgbt bar
20 Via Barone della BicoccaThis is a reference specially for GLBT people, who meet here in the evening. It can be very crowded on Fri & Sat.
Gammazita
92 Piazza Federico di SveviaCheck this place if you want to have a drink in a very special setting!
On top of the Una Hotel, this roof garden features a wonderful view of Mount Etna that you can enjoy at sunset by going there for "aperitivo" (i.e. the italian equivalent of an happy hour, plus you also eat). It's not cheap but it's worth it
Etnea Roof Bar & Restaurant
218 Via EtneaOn top of the Una Hotel, this roof garden features a wonderful view of Mount Etna that you can enjoy at sunset by going there for "aperitivo" (i.e. the italian equivalent of an happy hour, plus you also eat). It's not cheap but it's worth it
The newest and trendiest bars downtown are in this street and all around it!
7 locals recommend
Via Gemmellaro
Via GemmellaroThe newest and trendiest bars downtown are in this street and all around it!
That's your place if you fancy an "aperitivo" italian style, i.e. you pay your drinks more than they would normally cost, but this in include an all you can eat policy for food. It's there for you, they give you a plate, you help yourself and refill as many times you like.
8 locals recommend
doc
171 Via Vittorio Emanuele IIThat's your place if you fancy an "aperitivo" italian style, i.e. you pay your drinks more than they would normally cost, but this in include an all you can eat policy for food. It's there for you, they give you a plate, you help yourself and refill as many times you like.
In these automatic distributors shops you can get a snack or a drink 24/7/365, even when any other place is closed for curfew or Covid restrictions! They also have another shop right at the back of our building!
acca24_etnea
117 Via EtneaIn these automatic distributors shops you can get a snack or a drink 24/7/365, even when any other place is closed for curfew or Covid restrictions! They also have another shop right at the back of our building!
Arts & Culture
Opposite our building, on the other side of the large square Piazza Dante, this association runs guided visits to the Benedictine Monastery presently hosting the Language Department of the University of Catania. Take the tour: you'll be shown parts of the monastery that are not normally accessible on your own!
67 locals recommend
Officine Culturali - per la valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale
32 Piazza Dante AlighieriOpposite our building, on the other side of the large square Piazza Dante, this association runs guided visits to the Benedictine Monastery presently hosting the Language Department of the University of Catania. Take the tour: you'll be shown parts of the monastery that are not normally accessible on your own!
Exhibition are often held at this wondeful castle dating back to 1250
360 locals recommend
Castello Ursino
21 Piazza Federico di SveviaExhibition are often held at this wondeful castle dating back to 1250
The amazing, wondeful Library of the University of Catania
8 locals recommend
Biblioteche Riunite Civica e A. Ursino Recupero
13 Via BibliotecaThe amazing, wondeful Library of the University of Catania
A very special book shop. Bygone days atmosphere has been maintained by the new management by two very competent and passionate young women
Libreria Antiquaria e Moderna Romeo Prampolini
333 Via Vittorio Emanuele IIA very special book shop. Bygone days atmosphere has been maintained by the new management by two very competent and passionate young women
This location often hosts exhibitions, and free concerts in the warm season.
59 locals recommend
Palazzo Platamone
Via Vittorio Emanuele IIThis location often hosts exhibitions, and free concerts in the warm season.
The historic district of Catania
Highlights: monuments and places
The symbol of Catania in the main square, you definitely cannot miss this
36 locals recommend
Fontana dell'Elefante
Piazza del DuomoThe symbol of Catania in the main square, you definitely cannot miss this
The largest market in town is held here every working day in the morning
34 locals recommend
Piazza Carlo Alberto
Piazza Carlo AlbertoThe largest market in town is held here every working day in the morning
Climb on top of the dome and enjoy the stunning view over Catania and Mt Etna!
67 locals recommend
Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata
182 Via Vittorio Emanuele IIClimb on top of the dome and enjoy the stunning view over Catania and Mt Etna!
Right in front of our flat, this huge former monastery hosts the Faculty of Literature. Take a guided tour, you'll be shown parts that you would not be allowed to access by yourself!
228 locals recommend
Monastero dei Benedettini
32 Piazza Dante AlighieriRight in front of our flat, this huge former monastery hosts the Faculty of Literature. Take a guided tour, you'll be shown parts that you would not be allowed to access by yourself!
Roman Theatre of Catania
266 Via Vittorio Emanuele IIYou can't miss the ancient roman theatre of Catania!
If you are tired of the city rythms and you also want a nice view of Mount Etna, climb on top of the hill hosting the music pavillion
319 locals recommend
Giardino Bellini
292 Via EtneaIf you are tired of the city rythms and you also want a nice view of Mount Etna, climb on top of the hill hosting the music pavillion
Shopping streets
Via San Michele
Via San MicheleCheck this street if you are in the mood for unusual shopping
Corso Italia
Corso ItaliaThat's where you find the Italian fashion brands shops!