Location: Catania
Top Things to do in Catania
Things to do in Catania, Sicily: The Best Tours
Catania has been a prize of many empires over the centuries, from Greeks to Romans to Arabs to Normans to Spaniards (to name a few). But its citizens have a more dangerous enemy right in their backyard—Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, which destroyed the city with earthquakes and lava flows in 1693. Look closely at the baroque buildings dating from after the eruption—you'll notice a creative use of lava.
Restaurants in Catania
1. Etna and Alcantara Full-Day Tour from Taormina
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
This full-day tour allows you to go from a morning visit to Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, to the beautiful and surprising valley of Alcantara river in the afternoon. In the first part of the excursion, you will submerge in nature and visit old craters and lava flow caves, enjoy breathtaking views, and taste typical local products. In the afternoon, before seeing the famous basaltic canyon named Gorges, you will walk next the river Alcantara through a lush vegetation until to visit the Gurne, little lakes created by the same river.
Inclusions: Shuttle bus (round trip), Multilingual guide, The kit for visiting the Cave, Sampling, Trekking shoes (on request), INFANT price - Baby seat and baby carrier included
Exclusions: Cableway to reach 2500 m € 30.00 (to pay on the spot), Cableway + 4x4 minibus + alpinist guide to reach 3000 m € 66.00 (to pay on the spot), All that is not specified under “the cost includes"
Reviewed By Jololo37
Perfecto! Guide really friendly! Interesting tour with children. Etna is beautiful! If you are near Catania, do this tour!
2. Taormina, Castelmola, Giardini Naxos, Isolabella (max 20 pax)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Enjoy the beauties of the most beautiful coast of Sicily, visiting 4 amazing sites: Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Isolabella and Castelmola, with a special stop to take pictures of the coast and Isolabella with its breathtaking views.
Inclusions: Professional English - speaking driver (or other language you prefer), Transportation by Mercedes luxury AC vehicle, all taxes and parking fees., Port pickup and drop-off, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Bottled water
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities
Reviewed By Trench50
Tour knew our port was changed right when we did and adjusted the itenirary. Guide was very knowledgeable about the different areas. She also went out of her way to take us to the theatre in Taormina. Was one of the top days on entire trip.
3. Etna quad tour - half day
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Discover the highest active volcano in Europe: the Etna volcano, with its boiling heart. Join us on a quad excursion and experience the Etna volcano in a unique way. ✔ 90% Off-road driving! ✔ Visit a lava cave ✔ Discover old lava streams
Inclusions: Helmet and underhelmet, Fuel, Experienced guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch
Reviewed By f1_dzy
We did the half day tour. Great experience, combining off-road quad biking with seeing parts of Etna away from the tourist trail. Took a little while to get used to the quad off road, but after that it was great fun. Don't underestimate the note about dust - old clothes essential!
4. Half-Day Small-Group Etna Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Trek past volcanic craters, ancient lava flows that give the volcano a lunar landscape. Visit a volcanic cave, a local company and having a free tasting of delicious honey, oil, and wine is a great Etna Experience with me. I do my tours with all my passion and my experience is flexible, can be tailored to suit your needs, including the extras but I need to plan it. Write me in advance.
Inclusions: Helmet and light - Hiking poles, Soda/Pop
Exclusions:
Reviewed By andreav291
I couldn't have asked for a better guide to show us around Etna! Saro is so knowledgeable about the volcano and its history! He walked us through the different ages with their characteristics and eruptions. And not only that! He also guided us off the touristic track to show us the hidden wonders of the Etna (always putting our safety first, which we loved)! His passion is so contagious - he made us fall in love with the volcano and with Sicily! What a wonderful person he is!
5. Etna tour at sunset
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
An afternoon to go up the volcano and visit unique places, taste local specialties exploring sites and natural beauty; having reached an altitude of 2000 meters, you can admire the last lights of the day and the unique colors of these landscapes.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Helmets and torches for visiting the cave
Exclusions: Lunch / dinner, snacks or water are not included, which we recommend to bring with you
Reviewed By dariusm817
Amazing!!! Was a fantastic trip. Luca is a Great Guide. We went till the crater. Always felt save with him.
6. Etna and Wine Tour from Catania
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 57 reviews
See a different side of Sicily with this tour of Mt. Etna that departs from Catania. Enjoy breathtaking views and taste the wines of one of the best wineries of the area, all while on the highest active volcano of Europe. This excursion journeys to old craters and lava flow caves, and is perfect for adventurous travelers.
Inclusions: Shuttle bus (round-trip), Multilingual guide, Trekking shoes (on request), The equipment for visiting the cave, Sampling of wine and visit to the wine cellar, INFANT price - Baby seat and baby carrier included
Exclusions: cableway to reach 2500 m € 30.00 (to pay on the spot), cableway + 4x4 minibus + alpinist guide to reach 3000 m € 66.00 (to pay on the spot), All that is not specified under “the cost includes
Reviewed By Jololo37
Perfecto! Guide really friendly! Interesting tour with children. Etna is beautiful! If you are near Catania, do this tour!
7. Etna & Wine Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 50 reviews
Explore Mount Etna on tour from Catania! You will be introduced to the landscapes and geology of the Volcano from our naturalistic and passionate guide. Following a hiking route up to 2000 meters, you will have the chance to admire forests, craters, lava formations, and scenic views of the mountain. Snowshoes are provided during the winter season. You will visit a volcanic cave using the equipment provided from us (helmets and torches). At lunchtime we will stop in a nice local Winery. You will have lunch with a rustic appetizer, a first course of typical pasta, tasting three Sicilian DOC wines. During the afternoon we will move to Zafferana Etnea for the visit of a local farm to taste genuine products (honey, creams, marmalades). The tour will be in English and Italian. Upon request also in French or Spanish.
Inclusions: Lunch, Transport service via Jeep or minibus from Catania, Live commentary on board, Professional guide, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Alcoholic Beverages, Trekking shoes, wind jackets, helmets and torches
Exclusions: Souvenirs
Reviewed By 545albertor
We decided to go visit Mt Etna and it was one of the highlights of our trips to Sicily. The booking of the excursion itself was easily done with the help of Andrea who provided us with all the requested information. On the day itself we met our guide Janet who first brought us to collect the necessary gear and then took us to commence our adventure on Mt Etna. Janet is a passionate geologist/vulcanologist who showed us some very interesting things during the walk, and helped us understand the different stages of eruptions as well as the different types of lava and the ways they present itself. A packed lunch and water was provided for us by Etna Experience. The whole day we saw stunning views at different altitudes, combinations of colors in the sorrounding forrest and the famous cave "Grotta dei Lamponi". It was a very informative and fun experience, I would recommend it to anyone visiting Sicily.
8. Catania Street Food Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 106 reviews
Welcome to the very first food tour launched in Catania! Enjoy our food experts in an intense 3-hr walk around the benches of Pescheria fish market and its backstreets. On this tour you will sample the best daily selection of street food and have some cheerful toast in places hung out by locals. We select places based on quality and authenticity of the recipe! You will try the best baked cipollina in Catania! Your local guide will unveil the secrets of the Sicilian cuisine sharing historical info and recipes. In the colorful market We will show you what you wouldn't notice on your own. You will also have the chance to enter a secret lava tunnel situated downtown but unknown among the tourist mass. This is a small-group food experience designed for passionate foodies and curious travelers. You will have the chance to interact with your Sicilian guide anytime you want. Along the walk we guides discuss many topics, such as history, arts, traditions, social and controversial issues.
Inclusions: Licensed Local guide service, Seasonal street foods and dessert (replaces a full meal), glass of wine, Local fruit selz
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, whatever is not mentioned in the inclusions
Reviewed By 976amyy
Highly highly recommended! Sonia was our guide and she was excellent - super passionate and knowledgable about Catania from it's people to its history to its food (of course) she showed us some touristy things but mostly local areas and gave so many great suggestions. I will definitley do another Streaty tour 10/10
9. Classic Experience Etna and Alcantara
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 67 reviews
Explore Mount Etna on tour from Catania! You will be introduced to the landscapes and geology of the Volcano from our naturalistic and passionate guide. Following a hiking route up to 2000 meters, you will have the chance to admire forests, craters, lava formations, and scenic views of the mountain. You will visit a volcanic cave using the equipment provided from us (helmets and torches). After the trekking, you will stop at a nice Chalet, where you will enjoy a rustic lunch made with local products (starter and first course) together with a good glass of Sicilian red wine. It is possible to arrange, upon request, a suitable dish to vegetarians and coeliacs. Then we will move to the amazing Alcantara River Gorges to discover more of Sicily's natural beauty. The tour is in Italian and English. Upon request also in Spanish and French.
Inclusions: Beverages, Lunch, Transport service via Jeep or minibus from Catania, Live commentary on board, Professional guide, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Trekking shoes, jackets, helmets and torches, Entrance ticket for Alcantara Park
Exclusions: Souvenirs
Reviewed By amsterdamninja
The tour was beautiful! Janet took us on a lovely excursion hike through Mt. Etna’s stunning landscapes. Her passion and experience in geology made the hiki even more fascinating, packed with all the inner workings of volcanos and how they impact the surroundings. The wine tour afterwards was lovely as well. Really friendly, knowledgeable wine makers with a clear passion for their wines (and delish food pairings). Grazie mille a tutti!
10. Off-road excursion
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 9 reviews
The excursion consists of an off road tour in a 4x4 jeep at the ancient lava language of the 2002 eruption. Continue through the Ragabo pinewood until reaching Piano Provenzana where the tour continues on foot along the 2002 side craters. Visit to a lava flow cave.
Inclusions: Use of trekking equipment, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Mrbredalhansen
Best guide ever, he took us to volcano that was good. But after that it went from good to amazing. We went to a whine-yard with the most welcoming family that served us the best whines and food we ever tasted. We bought 15 bottles and the only thing I regret is that we didn’t buy more. Thank you so much and one thing is for sure that we gonna come and visit again.
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