The Ultimate 3 Days in Catania: Slow Travel Itinerary
Slow travelling is not about hastily moving from site to site ticking off all the tourist hotspots, but about taking your time to absorb a new destination, immersing yourself in its history, the rhythm of local lives and culinary gems. This is your ultimate guide on how to spend 3 days in Catania. Your perfect slow travel itinerary to immerse yourself in local culture, with style and savviness. Not to mention it’s the culinary gems you will uncover in the city!
Catania, the second-largest city in Sicily, ticks all the boxes! In the shadow of Mount Etna, this vibrant city is rich in history, culture and a foodie’s dream is waiting for you to explore.
This guide is designed to help you create the slow travel itinerary in Catania for your next holiday. Leisurely discovering the hidden gems and it’s profound beauty, one day at a time.
I can’t think of a better way to explore Catania. Can you? 🙂
Catania was the first destination of our 14-day Sicily vacation. From not intending to visit to being our top 3 favourite cities in Sicily. I will go back to Catania in a heartbeat.
We spent 3 days in Catania and here is the Savvy Lady’s guide to the best slow travel itinerary in Catania.
Sicily has been on our bucket list for a long time and we finally ticked it off last December. We had 14 amazing days to see the best of Sicily, starting from Catania, to Syracuse, Noto, Taormina, Palermo and Cefalu.
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Embracing the slow travel philosophy
Slow travel is a style that embraces quality experience over quantity. It’s about connecting more deeply with the destination. Give yourself enough time to immerse in the sites, one at a time, and make time to indulge your epicurean senses.
In Catania, this means people watching at Piazza Del Duomo, strolling through the bustling fish markets, discovering authentic Sicilian cuisine, and learning about their traditions and ways of life.
Slow travel is not about trying to fit everything in the three days you have there. But it is finding joy in the things you get to do.
I recently stumbled on a new concept called JOMO – the joy of missing out and completely changed my outlook in life, for the better! You should try it some time.
Planning your slow travel itinerary in Catania
For slow travel experience in Catania, it is best to visit during low / shower seasons when its less crowd, April and June, September and October when the weather is more pleasant or in winter if you don’t mind the cold.
We were there during Christmas & New Year period and it was incredibly beautiful. In my opinion, it was the best time to visit!
The best explore the city centre is on foot. If you have a car, my recommendation is to leave it in a hotel parking lot.
Driving in Sicily, particularly in Catania, is not for the faint-hearted. Parking in the city centre is a nightmare. And it’s not very slow-travelesque.
How to spend 3 culturally immersive days in Catania?
Day 1: Discover Catania’s Heart and Soul
Start your journey by exploring the city centre. Take a leisure stroll around the city to discover the heart of Catania and soak in its soul.
Begin at Piazza del Duomo, admire the rich architectural heritage, explore the historical fish market, freeze time at the Greco Roman Theatre, and of course indulge in their exquisite food in between.
If you happen to be there in December, wander through pockets of intimate and cozy Christmas markets.
I have listed 11 the best things to do in Catania to help you add them to your self-guided walking tour. You are welcome!
Day 2: Exploring the Surrounding Areas
Take a guided tour or day trip to explore the surrounding areas of Catania. If you only have time for one tour, make it Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano!
We booked this small group tour with Get Your Guide that took us up to Mount Etna, hiked through the craters. Spent the afternoon sampling wine in a local winery and explored the Alcantara Gorges.
The Bonus: On the way back, we got to see the red lava streaming down Etna amidst the darkness. It was an unforgettable experience!
Day 3: Cultural Immersive Experience
Your journey is incomplete without cultural immersion in the local food scene. To my surprise, Catania is a foodie’s heaven! Check out What to Eat in Catania guide for everything you need to know about traditional Catania dishes.
From street food to fine dining, arancini to grandma’s pasta alla norma. From granitas to mouth-watering pastachio cannoli.
Why not sign up to a cooking class to learn all about Sicilian cuisines? Take the skills home with you to recreate your favourite Sicilian flavours.
What is Catania really like? Is it worth visiting?
You bet it is! It’s perfect city for a slow travel itinerary actually. Because you really need to take the time to uncover the city’s charm.
At face value, I thought Catania was gritty and rough around the edges. Its narrow passageways were decorated with graffiti.
The city was full of black cobblestoned streets that looked dirty at first glance, but they were made from volcanic rocks of Mt Etna.
Abandoned beautiful baroque buildings in desperate need of a deep clean. Not to mention my anxiousness about the city due to their mafia past.
However, once you look through the aged facade, you will quickly realise Catania is not what meets the eye. It is a travellers’ paradise. Filled with hidden gems and centuries of history waiting to be uncovered.
A city that takes you back hundreds of years in history yet integrated with the modern world. You just need to take it slow and immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture.
Unlike its counterpart, Palermo, Catania is not as touristy… yet! The streets are buzzing with locals going about their day.
Here you will find the ‘real’ Sicilian experience! Eat where the locals eat and hang where the locals hang. You can’t get anymore immersive than this.
And the best part is, you don’t have to break the bank to travel in style here. OK, we did splurge on our accommodation, (because this was the view!) but everything else was relatively affordable.
Best 11 Things to Do in Catania for Your Slow Travel Itinerary
1. Take a leisurely stroll through Piazza del Duomo Catania
Every Italian city has a duomo. It’s like the heart of the city. Typically it’s a huge square surrounded by historically significant buildings.
Great for people-watching! So this is where I like to start my city tour.
This was a 5 minutes walk from our hotel. It is located at the intersection of Via Etnea, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi and Via Vittoria Emanuele II, three of the most important roads of Catania!
2. Admire the elegant architecture around the Piazza del Duomo
One side of the Piazza stands the beautiful Cathedral of Sant’Agata. The other side is the baroque palace, Palazzo del Seminario dei Chierici, and the Palazzo degli Elefanti, the Town Hall.
I absolutely love staring at the details of ancient architecture. It is full of personality, including the sky! Can you believe these photos were taken within 10 minutes of each other?!
3. The Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell’Elefante)
Right in the middle of the Duomo is the Elephant Fountain. The elephant is the official symbol of Catania.
According to an old legend, during the Upper Paleolithic Times, a dwarfed elephant lived in Sicily. According to the legend, this elephant protected the first population of Catania from all fierce and dangerous animals. People from Catania erected a statue in honour of this elephant. They called it u Liotru. Source: Etna Experience
4. A trip back to Roman times at the ancient Greco-Roman theatre
The next stop on our list of things to do in Catania was to walk down Via Vittorio Emanuele II road to this ancient Greco-Roman theatre, just a 5-10 min walk from the Duomo.
This amphitheatre is a bit hidden away, but worth the visit. It’s tucked behind what appears to be residential buildings.
You need to pay a small entry fee but you’ve not been to Catania until you’ve seen this ancient theatre! Not to mention we had the whole place to ourselves. That is another benefit of travelling here during off-peak!
5. Take a tranquil stroll to admire the baroque architecture along Via Crociferi
From the Greco, head towards Via Crociferi for a tranquil stroll – keep your camera out as you’re going to want to take photos of every building here! It’s so beautiful and elegant!
Via Crociferi is one of the most elegant streets in Catania and is known for its close-knit baroque churches and monasteries. There are four churches within 200 metres of each other!
It’s a very interesting street. Some churches and buildings appeared to be either closed or abandoned. I couldn’t help but wonder what it might look like inside… which brings me to this next hidden gem!
6. Check out the most attractive baroque church, Chiesa di San Guiliano
We actually stumbled upon this one when we were strolling down Via Crociferi.
After telling Alan how amazing would it be to have a peak inside, we stumbled upon the Church of San Guiliano. I jumped with joy when I saw that they were open for business! I later read that this is considered the most attractive baroque church in Catania.
7. Enjoy this spectacular views of Catania
You can climb up to the rooftop of the church to enjoy this spectacular view of Catania! Undisturbed view and undisturbed viewing point.
8. Explore the boisterous fish market
After you’ve had enough of the spectacular view of Catania, or perhaps your tummy is calling out, it’s time to hit the fish market for a deliciously fresh seafood lunch.
Carry on walking till the end of Via Crociferi, you will see a staircase. Go down the stairs. You will be greeted by this pretty street. This will connect you back to Via Etnea, which will take you back to the Duomo.
Once you’re back at the square, walk behind the Amenano Fountain (Fontana dell’Amenano). You have arrived at the fish market!
If you want to see the real Sicilian butchery and fishmongers, get here in the morning. We got there just after midday, so most of the stalls were closed. But I was happy to miss the fishy smell… hehe…
I wouldn’t say that was the most elegant things to do in Catania, but it certainly is a truly authentic Catania experience.
Stay here for the freshest seafood pasta and some wines, before continuing with the rest of the city tour!
9. Explore the prettiest university in Sicily
The next elegant destination on our list of things to do in Catania is the Benedictine Monastery of “San Nicolò”, which is now part of the University of Catania hosting the Department of Humanities.
This is a must-see oldest university in Sicily.
This is also the prettiest university ever! In my opinion anyway. The marble, sculptures, murals, and every little detail were meticulously executed and in perfect symmetry, like in all Italian architecture and designs!
10. A day trip to the surrounding areas of Catania
Catania is surrounded by beautiful towns and villages. Most of these places can be done on a day trip. So if you only have a few days to spend in Sicily, Catania is a good base. I highly recommend adding the following destinations to your itinerary:
- A trip to Mount Etna and wine tasting
- Explore the baroque capital, Noto
- Relax in Syracuse and Otigia
- Spend a day in Taormina and Castelmola
On our third day, we joined a private tour to Mount Etna. The tour guide took us to hike inside old craters of Mt Etna. Then we have lunch at a local winery and explore the Alcantara region. It was a great day. On the way back, we saw the volcano eruption. It was pretty spectacular!
Having said that, if you have extra days, I highly recommend spending a few days in Syracuse and/or Taormina. You will not regret it!
11. December bonus! Soak up the Christmas magic at the Christmas markets
One of the best things about being in Europe during December is the festive vibes. The streets are adorned with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations. My favourite thing to do is explore the Christmas markets!
Just off the Main Street os Catania, Via Etnea, you will find pockets of Christmas-themed stalls selling local gifts, Christmas decorations and the best of Sicilian delicacies.
There is also a Christmas Village in the piazza Università. Kids can take photos with Santa’s sleigh and his raindeers. It wasn’t as elaborate as those in Cologne or Strasbourg however, it was equally magical here.
What to wear in Catania in December?
Italians are known for their effortlessly chic style and they certainly take a lot of pride in how they look and how they present themselves. Dressing for the occasion is something they take a lot of pride in.
Even for a regular night out, people made an extra effort to dress elegantly and appropriately. Sicilians are no different. I remember attending the New Year’s Eve concert in Palermo, a lot of gentlemen were wearing suits and tuxedos, whilst the ladies were in nice dresses and even evening gowns.
So if you don’t want to stick out like a typical tourist, then you need to think about the things you want to do and places to go in Catania, and then plan your outfits accordingly.
Having said that, you don’t need to go with 3 suitcases full of clothes. You just need a bit of plan and cconsideration while packing for Catania. Have I mentioned, we travelled around Sicily for 14 days with a cabin bag? The key is to choose your colour palette and items that you can mix and match to create different looks.
We might’ve just got lucky with the weather in December, but the temperature was quite mild in Catania. It was warm during the day when the sun was out. But it does get quite cold in the early mornings and late at night. So layering is key!
One more thing, as you’ll be walking a lot, comfortable shoes are a must. I pretty much lived in my limited-edition Adidas sneakers (similar here)! I also packed a pair of ankle boots for the dressier looks.
During the day, I wore a summer dress (old) (similar here and here) and layered it with a black Karen Millen top (similar here and here).
Learn how to style this summer dress for winter in multiple ways here.
In the evening, I like to be more dressy as we go to restaurants for a meal. I love these pair of wide leg trousers. I paired them with these Zimmerman silk blouse (old, similar here, here and this Angalise broderie one (at 40% off!)) and these transitional boots from Stuart Weizman.
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Where to Stay in Catania
Deciding on where to stay in Catania is, IMO, the key to enjoying your slow travel adventure and choosing the right accommodation will significantly elevate your experience.
There are many accommodation options in Catania, from 5-star boutique hotels to Airbnb to budget-friendly hostels. When I look for where to stay, I prioritise location then comfort. This means finding the most comfortable and luxurious accommodation within my budget.
When choosing where to stay, I like to be close to historical sites and in the heart of the city centre because I like to walk everywhere. I don’t like wasting time commuting, especially when I’m only there for a few days.
I find that it really enhances my experience when I can just pop in and out of my hotel throughout the day, whether it’s for a rest, to drop off my shopping, pick up a coat or just simply freshen up for dinner.
Having this flexibility is something I’ve come to appreciate, especially in Italy, having travelled around Europe for 10+ years.
So where to stay in Catania?
It is perfectly located, right in the centre of Catania, just 300m from Catania Piazza Duomo and walkable to everywhere else! It is surrounded by cafes and restaurants. You won’t go hungry here! Not to mention waking up to the view of Basicila della Collegiata and the tip of Mount Etna on clear days.
We loved our hotel and I highly recommend staying here! Although off the main street, their soundproofing was top-notch with comfortable beds. So be prepared to drown in the giant beds for a good night’s sleep!
How long do you need in Catania?
Catania city is pretty compact, so you can cover everything in one day, even at our leisurely pace. However, I’d still recommend spending at least 3 days here because 1) to indulge in the plethora of excellent food, pastries and wines, and 2) there are plenty of day trips you can do to see other parts of Sicily from here, more on this later.
How to get to Catania?
There are direct flights into Catania from most major cities in Europe. Once you arrive at the airport, there are taxis, buses and trains to take you into the city centre.
If you happen to fly to Palermo like us, getting to Catania was a bit of a mission. But luckily it wasn’t complicated.
There are a lot of options to get from Palermo to Catania. You can travel via trains, coach, taxis and of course a private transfer (it was a three-hour drive, so spending money on taxi and private transfer wasn’t my kind of splurge).
We opted for the bus option because it was direct and trains were proven to be more hassle. But we first had to get from the airport to the Palermo Central Station.
We took a shared taxi service (I didn’t know shared taxi was a thing) for €8 each. Within 15min, we arrived.
We then went to the SAIS coach ticket office and got a one-way ticket to Catania. It turned out to be a very nice and relaxing way to travel. I highly recommend SAIS coaches.
It was clean, the seats were comfortable and most importantly it was punctual! However, if you are travelling during peak time, I recommend booking your tickets in advance via their online shop.
Once we got to Catania, we made our way to our hotel, in the city centre. It was about a 20-minute walk through the neighbourhoods. A nice way to be introduced to the city.
When to travel to Catania?
Sicily is a popular summer holiday destination because of its beautiful beaches. So flights and accommodation will be more expensive.
If you’re not fussed about getting into the water, I recommend travelling during the off-peak or shower seasons between April to June and September to October. Less crowd and more economical. Win-win.
If you’re not afraid of the cold, December is my favourite time to visit Catania.
The best way to experience Catania is to slowly lose yourself and immerse in the local culture
My favourite thing to do in Catania (and anywhere) is to get myself lost roaming around the city. We’ve discovered so many hidden gems. So I highly recommend planning free time with a less packed agenda and taking your time to absorb the local culture.
That is part of the adventure and experience!
— Shop my Catania wardrobe —
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