What to do and see in Catania, Sicily: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

April 14, 2022 Fernanda Pittenger

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. Private 8 Days Tour of Sicily: Highlights

Sicily Activities
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover Sicily in a  Private Tour. 8 Days / 7 Nights visiting Taormina, Godfather Villages, Mt. Etna, Noto, Syracuse, Agrigento and Palermo. Enjoy the best highlights of Sicily: Greek Theatre, Temples Valley, Baroque Towns, Cathedrals Discover Sicilian Culture, History, Lifestyle, Food & Wine. 7 Tours/Activities with Licensed Local Guide. Accommodation options in 3* 4* or 5* Hotels.  Overnights in Taormina, Syracuse & Palermo. All ground Transfers in 8 seats A/C Mercedes Minivan or Mercedes Car and licensed driver, including Pick up and drop off to Airport. 24 hours coordination from arrival to departure.

Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Dinner, Lunch, 7 NIGHTS IN 4 STARS HOTEL, PRIVATE DRIVER FOR EVERY TRANSFER INCL. AIRPORT TRANSFERS, 8 BREAKFASTS IN HOTEL, 4 LUNCHES DURING ACTIVITIES, ALL OTHER FOOD AND WINE TASTINGS MENTIONED IN ITINERARY, TAORMINA WALKING TOUR & GREEK THEATRE VISIT, GODFATHER VS MAFIA TOUR WITH LIGHT LUNCH , ETNA TRIP UNTIL 1900MT WITH LUNCH IN ETNA WINERY, NOTO WALKING TOUR WITH LUNCH , ORTIGIA WALKING TOUR, TRIP TO AGRIGENTO, GUIDED VISIT OF TEMPLE VALLEY AND LUNCH, PALERMO WALKING TOUR

Exclusions: OPTIONAL ETNA ASCENT UNTIL 3000MT;, ENTRANCE FEES TO MONUMENTS;, CITY TAX (2-3€ per person per night) TO BE PAID IN HOTEL;

Reviewed By Lulu8London

2020 was a difficult year to travel, but if you can make it, it is all worth it! Given the various restrictions imposed on tourism during this period, Activity Sicily still delivered a rich and smooth programme: food was great, tours are interesting, hotels are comfortable and in great locations, and the cooking class is particularly fun. We focused on the food and wine aspects in this tour, the knowledge behind the food provided great insight into Sicilian people, history and culture. Massimo was hands-on all way through the tour to make sure everything went well, and all the guides are professional, knowledgable, and helped us to make the most of the trip during this difficult time. That said, the bonus is -- with hardly any tourists around, we really got to see the place as it is! Thanks Activity Sicily.

2. 3 Days TREASURES OF THE EAST - with Local Guide -Private Excursions from Catania

Mimmo Sicily Tours
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- Exclusive Tours for personalized itineraries and flexibility - Led by a licensed LOCAL GUIDE for undivided attention - Comfortable Transport from your hotel by Top Class Mercedes Minivan - Customizable tours according to your interests - Available also starting from Taormina - SYRACUSE - NOTO - AGRIGENTO - TAORMINA - CYCLOPS COAST - CATANIA - ETNA  Visiting Sicily is exciting and enriches the soul. The central position of the island in the Mediterranean has for centuries made it the ideal place for the integration of Mediterranean culture. Just think of the Carthaginian, Greek and Roman colonizations, when usages and customs of the Siculi, Elimi, and of the Sicani blended with those of the peoples who came from beyond the sea.

Inclusions: Private Guided Tours in archeological areas and towns, Transportation by Mercedes V-Class Minivan, Bottled water, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Winery Visit & Tasting, Food and drinks, Accommodation in Catania (booked by traveler), Gratuities, Entrance fees

Reviewed By amongthecastelli

Mimmo is a superb driver and guide. Informed, considerate and kind, he drove us across Sicily and revealed the character and mystery of Sicily to us along the way with intelligence, good cheer and humor. His English is impeccable. When we return, we will certainly use his services again. We loved Sicily, and Mimmo was a big part of the experience.

3. Etna & Taormina private car and guide

Etna Sicily Touring
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• Catania pick-up and drop-off in your accomodation PRIVATE CAR WITH GUIDE  • Welcome kit • Stroll past ancient lava flows • Reach the Rifugio Sapienza or Rifugio Citelli • Trekking around the Silvestri Craters or Sartorius Craters • Explore a lava flow cave with helmets and lamps • See the Valle del Bove  • Savor the tasting of typical products • Stroll in the historic center of Taormina LASTS ABOUT 8 HOURS

Inclusions: Welcome kit, Insurance, Transport by private car, Professional naturalistc guide, Pickup and drop-off from your accomodation, Taste of honey and oil, Helmet and Torch, Snacks

Exclusions: tips and optional personal purchases, Everything that is not written in INCLUDED

Reviewed By PhillipK967OU

Terrible!!! This enterprise is not trustworthy. Cancelled our trip the night before without any reason. Unfriendly by text messaging and

4. Private Tour Etna and Taormina from Catania

porto di Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy Sicily Best Tour
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Experience the landscapes of the largest active Volcano in Europe recognized as Unesco heritage, taste the flavors of typical Sicilian products and be fascinated by the Greek Roman history that Taormina offers us.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Driver or Hostess speaking the language of the tour you have chosen for explanations on the mini van, Bottled water

Exclusions: Entrance fees to museums, theaters, food and drinks, entrance to the cable car, Tips (optional), Authorized Tour Guide

Reviewed By Diana Z

Sicily is beautiful and very different. Definitely a place to return. Though would not advise to stay in Giardini Naxos, the only benefit being sandy beaches.

5. Noto - half day tour (departure from Syracuse)

Grand Hotel Villa Politi, Via M, Via Maria Politi Laudien, 2, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy Wellsicily - All colours of Sicily
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Noto, a city of art rich in charm that has earned the title of “Stone Garden” as well as the Sicilian capital of Baroque. In 2002 it was named UNESCO as a World Heritage Site along with all Baroque cities of the Noto Valley. Starting from Porta Reale, you will pass through the main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, where on both sides you can admire baroque churches and palaces then passing for the jewel of Baroque par excellence: the Cathedral.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Multilanguage guide

Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes

6. Mount Etna and Taormina Tour fom Palermo

Mondello Palace Hotel, Viale Principe di Scalea, 90151 Palermo PA, Italy Tour of Sicily - Day Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Multilanguage tour who will take you to Mount Etna up to 1900 meters. Short stop on the way climbing up the Volcano. Continuing our climb we will reach the ski resort Rifugio Sapienza (1900 meters a.s.l.). Here you will have free time to walk on the Silvester Craters, to explore the area and to relax. Lunch and ascent to the top (over 1900 meters) are not included, to purchase on your own. To ascent to the top (optional) you can buy cable car tickets directly on the spot, weather and volcanic conditions permitting. After your independent ascent to the top or hiking around Rifugio Sapienza, meet again your Driver and transfer to Taormina, the most glamorous town in Sicily. Here time at leisure to stroll around or visit on your own the Greek Theatre. At the end of the tour get back to Palermo. Please Note: this is a very long day tour (approx. 11vhours and half) which involves the team to drive for around 3 hours each way.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Multilingual tour escort or driver-escort, Pick-up & Drop-off at meeting point in Palermo, Visits as per itinerary

Exclusions: Meals and beverages, Gratuities, Etna ascent fees (if you wish to climb above 1900 meters), Entrance fees

Reviewed By person1987

Great sites and tour - enough time to explore sites at own pace. Driver / guide very nice and helpful. I was on a tour with just one other person, and our driver was flexible in light of small group size. Everyone wore masks.

7. My sailing tour in Catania

Port WINTER Coffee, Banchina Centrale, Via Cardinale Dusmet, 95121 Catania CT, Italy My Personal Tour
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

It will be an opportunity to see the naturalistic beauties of the Baia dei Ciclopi such as the Faraglioni of Acitrezza or the Natural Reserve of Vendicari. You will have the opportunity to take a bath in crystal clear waters, to fish with the rod or doing underwater fishing. Depending on the weather conditions and the time available, it may be possible to see the dolphins or the magnificent backdrops. A professional skipper will also teach you the first elements to be able to learn to drive a boat in total safety. Thanks to the presence of a skipper with twenty years experience, the tour takes place in compliance with absolute safety conditions.

Inclusions: Use of Snorkelling equipment, Lunch

Exclusions: Private transportation

Reviewed By jenniesusan

We had a great time at Nonna Amalia's home cooking experience. The cooking class was hosted by Valeria at her gorgeous home and the kitchen was fully equipped. We choose to cook homemade pasta (tagliatelle) with tomato sauce and ravioli filled with pureed eggplant. It all turned out being great! For the dessert we made paste di mandorla! Everything was delicious and we really enjoyed the experience. I can really recommend this cooking class if you are looking to learn some Sicilian home cooking.

8. Tour Sicily BAROQUE

Catania Fontanarossa Airport, Via Fontanarossa, 95121 Catania CT, Italy Insolita Travels │Tours SICILIA
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

This is a free tour that allows you to visit the jewels of Sicilian baroque from Syracuse to Noto, from Modica to Ragusa Ibla passing through Scicli and Catania.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Assistance during the trip

Exclusions: Scheduled flights, Rental cars, Anything not mentioned in "included"

9. Etna and Taormina Full-Day Tour from Catania

Etna Tribe
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4.8 based on 353 reviews

This full-day tour goes from Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, to the beautiful and characteristic town of Taormina in the afternoon. In the first part of the excursion, submerge in nature and visit old craters and lava flow caves, enjoy breathtaking views, and taste the typical local products. In the afternoon, before visiting Taormina, you will stop and see the beautiful "Isola Bella".

Inclusions: Shuttle bus (return), Multilingual guide, The kit for visiting the Cave, Sampling, Trekking shoes (on request), INFANT price - Baby seat and baby carrier included

Exclusions: cableway + 4x4 minibus + alpinist guide to reach 3000 m € 66.00 (to pay on the spot), Authorized tourist guide in Taormina (on request), 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!

10. Giardini Naxos, Taormina and Castelmola Half-Day Tour from Catania

Etna Tribe
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4.8 based on 21 reviews

See the coast where Greeks first landed in Sicily, and admire the medieval architecture of Taormina whose palaces and monuments witnessed a long and meaningful history. Enjoy the panoramas which overlook the Ionian sea and on Nebrodi mountains from the high Castelmola, a natural balcony on Taormina. See traditional products of the artisanal shops and the elegance of the boutiques which make Taormina a little jewelry box.

Inclusions: Shuttle bus (return), Multilingual guide, INFANT - Baby seat

Exclusions: Authorized tourist guide in Taormina (on request), 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!

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