Sitting at the foothills of Mount Etna, Catania is the second-largest city in Sicily.
It’s cherished for its rich history, Baroque churches, and buzzing atmosphere. While most tourists only pass through this Sicilian gem when embarking on their treks up to Mount Etna, everyone who’s around this area of the Italian island needs to spend 1 day in Catania.
Even though I live in Sicily, I repeatedly fall in love with Catania every time I visit. The excitement I get when I walk around the bustling Piazza Carlo Alberto never gets old, and the adorable charm of Via Santa Filomena always lures me back for more.
While some may say that a day in Catania isn’t enough time, I don’t believe this. By following this itinerary I’ve put together, you can cover a variety of key attractions while truly connecting with the city.
So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, grab a pen and some paper, and let’s plan your 24-hour visit to Catania.
Take a relaxing walk in Villa Bellini
This 1 day Catania guide has to be started with one of the city’s most famous attractions: Villa Bellini; it’s the oldest of all the parks in the city center and is free for the public to enter.
There’s something about the sense of serenity here that pulls me in every time; you’ve got the tranquil water features and vibrant foliage that spreads across the grounds.
The 18th-century statues of notable Italian figures are a fantastic addition, too. But what really does it for me is the view of Mount Etna when the sky is clear; it’s like something from a postcard.
If you’re coming here for peace and quiet, beware that some events are hosted here at various times throughout the year. So, you might need to look elsewhere if you’re seeking some uninterrupted you-time.
Feel the Morning Energy at Piazza Carlo Alberto
Before you start your day of sightseeing in Catania, head to Piazza Carlo Alberto, where you can embrace the morning hustle the city is known for.
Piazza Carlo Alberto is a famous square located a short walk from the Villa Bellini. This square comes alive in the mornings, with vendors setting up stalls filled with delicious breakfast bites, locally sourced fruits and veggies, and crafty souvenirs.
Walking around here in the morning will definitely get you going for the day ahead. Your senses will be exhausted with intriguing aromas as you see the vendors cooking up their stock and communicating with their customers to negotiate a fair price for their goods.
Remember, Sicilians are tough people, so if you’re looking for a bargain, you best be prepared to fight for it.
Tour the Castello Ursino
One thing we have in Sicily is an abundance of castles; one in particular you’ll love is the Castello Ursino.
Castello Ursino was constructed between 1239 and 1250 to protect Catania from foreign attack. The architect Riccardo da Lentini was the brain behind the operation. The strategic location at a high point above the sea appealed to him and Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor.
Behind the walls of the Castello Ursino is a three-floor exhibition called the Museo Civico, which houses fabulous archaeological artifacts belonging to the Benedictine Fathers and the Biscaris.
Entry to the Castello Ursino only costs €6, giving you access to the castle’s grounds and the three floors of the Museo Civico.
See the Teatro Romano and Odeon With Your Own Eyes
The Teatro Romano and Odeon are among the best things to see and do in Catania. Put on your walking shoes and venture up to Viale Vittorio Emanuele II to catch a glimpse of this set of Roman amphitheaters dating back to the 2nd century AD.
When I visited here, I started at the Teatro Romano; it’s a little over 80 meters in size and features an orchestra pit, which I walked down into as far as I could. It felt like I was thrown back into time when I looked back up at the rounded seating area, which could hold over 7000 people back in the day.
Next, I took a short walk to the Odeon, which was a lot smaller than the Teatro Romano but a little higher and equally impressive. It was interesting to learn that it’s still being used for various concerts and musical performances today.
The tickets to enter Teatro Romano and Odeon only cost 6 euros, and this includes access to both sites. Plus, kids go free!
Relax in the Orto Botanico of Catania’s University
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle that Catania is notorious for, visit the Orto Botanico Dell’Università DI Catania, the city’s botanical gardens.
Catania’s botanical garden is an enchanting floral heaven. It features a collection of tropic palm trees, rare exotic plants, including dragon trees, and the lush Sicilian vegetable garden. We all know how exhausting the city can get, especially in the Sicilian heat; this is an excellent spot for a coffee and a break.
Visitors don’t have to pay anything to enter the Orto Botanico. However, tours can be taken with an experienced guide, who will give you a more in-depth breakdown of the plant species. They only cost €7.50 per person.
Get Your Photo Taken at Porta Garibaldi
There’s no doubt you’ll come across Porta Garibaldi (Garibaldi Gate) during your one day in Catania. This Baroque-style arch has been a symbol of the city since its construction back in 1768 and is still revered among Sicilians to this day.
I’ll never forget when I was younger, and I was brought to Porta Garibaldi every time my family were in the city. I was in awe the first time I saw the majestic black-and-white stone structure with the clock on top and the depictions of Ferdinand I and his partner.
You won’t spend too long at the Gates of Porta Garibaldi. Just have a little walk around, grab some photos, and take it all in; you won’t be disappointed.
If you’ve some time on your hands, be sure to pop into La Caffetteria Del Fortino. It’s a delightful little cafe down the street, which does some seriously good cannoli, from the crispy fried dough to the velvety ricotta on the inside; they’re utterly delicious.
Admire Via Santa Filomena
Via Santa Filomena should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Catania. It’s an alluring hidden street lined with lush greenery on both sides and is home to some of Catania’s best restaurants and bars.
You could say this is my go-to spot for an aperitivo in the evenings. Curtigghiu has some of the best wines, and Mr Hyde Pub always has a great atmosphere, no matter what day of the week it is.
Feeling peckish? You can’t go wrong with the focaccia at L’ Horloge or the juicy burgers in FUD Bottega Sicula.
I’ve sent so many people I know to Via Santa Filomena, and one thing they all come back to tell me is that they found it hard to find. So that you don’t have this issue, put Chiesa Santa Caterina del Bargo into Google Maps, head down that street, and you’ll be on Via Santa Filomena.
Find the Fountain of the Elephant
Awh, the Fountain of the Elephant is one monument everyone wants to try to locate on their day trip through Catania’s city centre. It’s pretty easy to find, as it’s at the Piazza del Duomo, but it can be easily missed if you don’t know what you’re looking out for.
The basalt-made elephant stands on top of a fountain in the Piazza del Duomo; there’s evidence that the fountain dates back to the 18th century.
You’re probably asking yourself the same question I asked myself when I was a kid: “What’s so special about this elephant?” Well, locals believe that the elephant protects Catania from future eruptions from Mount Etna since the city has already survived many of them.
There’s also a theory that it can prevent future eruptions from taking place. Whether you believe the logic or not, the Fountain of the Elephant is worth a stop at when you’re in Catania for one day.
Finish your day at Monastero Dei Benedettini Di San Nicolò l’Arena
Anyone who’s a history buff and wondering what to see in Catania in one day, the Monastero Dei Benedettini Di San Nicolò l’Arena is bound to pique your interest.
Step into the past of the Benedictine order’s influence in Catania at the Monastero Dei Benedettini Di San Nicolò l’Arena. The construction of this monastery can be traced back to 1703; it’s one of the biggest in all of Europe. You’ll be amazed by its size when you see it in person.
The monastery is made up of a fascinating library and two impressive cloisters. The best way to see all of it is with a local guide on one of the guided tours available to book online in advance. They offer them for €10 and will give you an amazing insight into the history of the grounds.
If guided tours aren’t your thing, you don’t have to pay anything because entry is free for everyone.
That’s How You Spend One Day in Catania!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my foolproof one-day in Catania itinerary. I’ve made it my mission to include my local expertise while including a nice mix of activities so there’s something in here that everyone will like.
Catania is worth visiting; it will be an amazing experience to tick off your Sicily bucket list. Don’t get turned by the noise from the crowds and the beeps from the Vespas. I understand it can be intimidating at first, but once you get used to it, you’re in for an extraordinary day trip.