The 10 Best Things to Do in Province of Catania, Italy

December 8, 2017 Enedina Augsburger

Discover the best top things to do in Province of Catania, Italy including Etna Donkey Trekking, Monastero dei Benedettini, Monte Etna, Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943, A' Piscaria Mercato del Pesce, Piazza del Duomo di Acireale, I Faraglioni Di Acitrezza, Piazza Duomo, Basilica di San Sebastiano, Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte.
Restaurants in Province of Catania

1. Etna Donkey Trekking

Via Giacomo Matteotti 8, 95015 Linguaglossa, Sicily, Italy +39 349 306 5154
Excellent
92%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 493 reviews

Etna Donkey Trekking

Spinti dalla passione per l'Etna, per il suo paesaggio e il suo ambiente naturale, e dall' amore per quel meraviglioso e dimenticato animale che e l'Asino, abbiamo deciso di sviluppare questo progetto seguendo un modello di sviluppo turistico sostenibile ed eco-compatibile, che ha come obiettivo la valorizzazione del nostro territorio, la riscoperta della cultura rurale e delle tradizioni che un tempo caratterizzavano la nostra terra. Nasce cosi Etna Donkey Trekking.A passo d'Asino per i sentieri dell'Etna, un modo nuovo per far conoscere le meraviglie di questa "montagna", in compagnia dei docili, forti, e fedeli asinelli. Essi un tempo rappresentavano il mezzo di trasporto per le popolazioni agricole e sono gli animali che meglio si adattano alle condizioni morfologiche dei percorsi naturalistici dell'Etna.

Reviewed By Michael d

PROS
- Sweet and wonderful donkeys who were gentle, safe and entirely non bitey
- As well as being fun to ride they patiently wait while you explore the beautiful and dramatic landscape
- Along with a host who is delightful, knowledgeable, infectious (in the sense of wonder & laughter not pathogens).
Salvatore has the soul of a poet and makes you feel connected to the volcano itself. Like Etna he is beautiful and rugged on the outside but has a heart of fire that warms your soul.
CONS
- None.

2. Monastero dei Benedettini

Piazza Dante 32, 95124 Catania, Sicily, Italy +39 095 710 2767
Excellent
74%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Monastero dei Benedettini

Il Monastero di San Nicolo l'Arena di Catania (#monasterocatania), gioiello del tardo barocco siciliano e tra i complessi benedettini piu' grandi d'Europa. L'edificio monastico, che nasce nel '500 e si sviluppa fino ai giorni nostri, e' un esempio di integrazione architettonica tra le epoche: contraddistinto da molteplici trasformazioni oggi e' patrimonio mondiale dell'Unesco. Sede del DiSUM (dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche) dell'Universita' degli Studi di Catania, custodisce al suo interno due domus romane, i chiostri e un intero piano costruito da G. B. Vaccarini sopra il banco lavico del 1669. Dal 2010 Officine Culturali, in collaborazione con l'Universita degli Studi di Catania, si occupa della valorizzazione del Monastero dei Benedettini. Il Monastero e' considerato uno dei beni culturali piu' significativi del meridione d'Italia. La missione assunta da Officine Culturali consiste nel rendere accessibile e comprensibile il Monastero nel migliore dei modi e al maggior numero di persone possibile. A tal scopo Officine Culturali ha attivato un'offerta di fruizione variegata e dinamica. Attraverso il servizio di visite guidate giornaliero e' possibile conoscere gli aspetti piu' significativi dell'ex plesso monastico. I percorsi guidati per i piu' piccoli sono arricchiti dai laboratori, dove la narrazione delle "arti e mestieri" benedettini e' svolta in maniera creativa e divertente da professionisti della didattica dell'arte, dell'architettura, delle tradizioni e delle scienze. Oltre al quotidiano svolgimento delle attivita' di promozione, valorizzazione, informazione e accoglienza, Officine Culturali e' promotrice di iniziative ed eventi culturali e di intrattenimento, finalizzati a rendere il Monastero uno spazio di integrazione e aggregazione per la collettivita'.

Reviewed By scarletgleam - Cambridge

This former monastery encapsulates a lot of the history of the city of Catania, with a bank of lava forming part of the foundations, the conversion of the monastery into a university building and so on. We went on a Sunday when there were no students around and that may have been an advantage - it meant we could go into the admin offices (formerly the abbot's private suite, with amazing frescoes) which can't be visited during the week. The tour was in Italian but we were given English information sheets before hand so it wasn't difficult to follow and our guide at times gave added explanations in English and Spanish for the non-Italians in the group of 20.
The building is huge and fascinating - lovely restored cloister garden too. The church, the dining area with ceramic tiled floors and the old cellars were all interesting in different ways. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and learned a lot.
We were also lucky to catch an organic food market being held in the courtyard outside the monastery buildings - don't know how often these happen (it was the second Sunday in October) but it was fun to look round the stalls and they had some very good lunch options and fresh new season's pomegranate juice to drink.

3. Monte Etna

Catania, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Monte Etna

Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain: Mount Etna, at 10,990 feet, is the most active volcano in Europe and the oldest recorded active volcano in the world.

Reviewed By Sza_bee - Timisoara, Timis, Romania

Call me pessimistic, but given the shape changes of the geography, i can bet that whenever i will go back there, there will be a different place.
The picture overall is stellar, apart of gravity you may think you're on Mars.
We have climbed up to the highest place, using a combination of a lift and bus. Costs some money but worth the effort. Nature's power is amazing. Just to see how rocks are formed and then, again, moved away by human.
Just a word of advice for the brave. Take in consideration whatever info is given. Don't go on the top in sandals and t-shirts. We had the same experience like being thrown out of an airplane (high wind and cold). In the parking can be 25 degrees and on the top just 5.
If there will be possible, i will go back and do some guided tour, too.

4. Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943

Viale Africa | Piazzale Rocco Chinnici , Centro Culturale Le Ciminiere, 95129 Catania, Sicily, Italy +39 095 401 1929
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 654 reviews

Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943

The "Allied Landings in Sicily Museum" (Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943) is housed in one of the buildings forming the "Ciminiere" cultural centre. The museum narrates the events that took place in Sicily from 10 July to 8 September 1943. This period is still recent history, only seventy years have passed and many senior citizens can still recount the experience. Everything that we have forgotten is now conserved in this museum which aims to protect our most precious asset: peace. The museum is arranged on three floors covering an area of 3,000 square metres, including a temporary exhibition area. By means of reconstructed settings the museum has tried to recreate the conditions of life before, during and after the war, using simulations, projections and original exhibits.

Reviewed By Lori D - Helena, Montana

Tour guides talk only about how Italy did nothing wrong and didn’t understand shooting parachutist in the air was wrong. They didn’t understand the allies were there to help. Killing 600 Canadians also not there fault. A picture of an officer briefing troops prior to an airborne assault states the individual was scared young man afraid of action Not what the picture really tells. Final area honors Nazis along with Allied dead.. no difference
On that note the museum is well laid out with interactive elements.

5. A' Piscaria Mercato del Pesce

Via Mulino Santa Lucia, 95121 Catania, Sicily, Italy +39 095 989 0689
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 553 reviews

A' Piscaria Mercato del Pesce

Reviewed By Marjorie I - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom

I am a market fan and so its a must to see the local market in whatever country I am visiting. This mainly fish market did not disappoint and was full of noise and fantastically fresh food. As others have said the fish was probably caught overnight. What always makes it for me as seeing locals doing their everyday shopping and the market not just being yet another tourist attraction. Yes of course tourists were there(I was one of them) but the feeling was much more local. As well as fish and shellfish the market holds fruit and veg stalls as well as bread cheeses cooked meats.....And a grilled artichokes stall which has to be seen and smelt! We weren't there too early but I can imagine the market is a sight to behold first thing. I didn't buy anything but it was great to have a wander round and just take it all in

6. Piazza del Duomo di Acireale

Piazza del Duomo, 95024, Acireale, Sicily, Italy +39 095 891999
Excellent
69%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 102 reviews

Piazza del Duomo di Acireale

Reviewed By Whizzo040 - Catania, Italy

For sure a focal point for a relaxed stroll through Acireale. Doesn't matter if your are about to go out for dinner or finished with shopping. It's a perfect meeting place with lots of interesting buildings and people to see. Great place to be during carnival or to start your weekend visit to the market.

7. I Faraglioni Di Acitrezza

Lungomare Di Acitrezza, Catania, Acitrezza, Aci Castello, Sicily, Italy +39 335 779 0671
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 551 reviews

I Faraglioni Di Acitrezza

Reviewed By Abigail A - Paola, Malta

My second time in Acitrezza, and I must say that it won't be the last! Beautifully set and lovely place to be... Both in Winter and Summer is recommended to visit. Very clean Promenade and ample places to eat, drink and relax... Worth a visit and easy reachable both from Messina to the north and Catania to the south!

8. Piazza Duomo

Piazza Duomo, Catania, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
60%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Piazza Duomo

Reviewed By Bucefalo_Simi - rome

if you visit Catania this main square is where you'll be roaming the most ! Here youc an find Duomo, Fontana dell'amenano, , fish market " fontana dell'elefante... just everything ! From there you you can start your stroll in Via Etnea ! Square itself looks amazing and with all these attractions is really a must !

9. Basilica di San Sebastiano

Piazza Leonardo Vigo, 95024, Acireale, Sicily, Italy +39 095 601313
Excellent
63%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 120 reviews

Basilica di San Sebastiano

Reviewed By Magellano81 - Tortona, Italy

Acireale is the most famous city for its beautiful churches, in fact it is true. I was here one evening after dinner, of course the church was already closed so I could admire it only from the outside, it was enough to understand that this beautiful baroque style church was something exceptional.

10. Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte

Caltagirone, Sicily, Italy
Excellent
62%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 828 reviews

Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte

Reviewed By FamilyofthreeSydney - Sydney

We spent an hour and a half exploring the appealing old town of Caltagirone on our way to Noto. Many of the buildings are decorated with ceramic tiles, and shops spill their vivid ceramics on to the pavements and stairs making it wonderfully vibrant. Yes you must climb the 142 steep steps of the Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte and visit the Cathedral. We a delicious panino mid-way on the stairs and watched the world go by.

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