Catania

[[file:]] Catania is a city on the eastern coast of Sicily at the foot of Mount Etna and the biggest volcano in Europe, and is the second largest city in Sicily with the metropolitan area reaching one million inhabitants, a major transport hub, economic centre and a university city where you will enjoy a busy downtown and an active nightlife. Catania is also well known for its particular baroque architecture and urban design (the downtown area is a UNESCO_World_Heritage_List#Italy|World Heritage Site, along with all the Val di Noto area), consequences of the great earthquake of 1693 after which the city had to be rebuilt, like most of eastern Sicily.

Catania Halal Travel Guide

Catania Fontana Elefante - U Liotru — the symbol of Catania — at the Piazza del Duomo

The city has a history dating back 2,700 years, dominated by several different cultures (Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, (Spanish), etc.) and was a rich commercial centre, mainly due to its port. Again, since the 1970s and the city economy is growing as the urban area and the suburbs, making Catania a large metropolitan centre, mainly between the volcano and the sea. Today, even if you can find there most of the biggest commercial centers in Europe (especially Etnapolis) and the 17th-century downtown area is still the center of the day-to-day life.

Catania sits under the most major active volcano in Europe and has been destroyed many times in the past. As a result, Catania is a city where you can find a great variety of landscape and architecture, a lot of dirty buildings and also a lot of abandoned houses, especially in the mountains. However, since the city is a World Heritage Site, a lot of renovations have been made.

Today, you will feel in Catania a mix of nostalgia and joie de vivre, especially at night or during festivals.

Sicilian Baroque

The major feature of this city is its architecture, which is predominantly baroque.

The major characteristic of Baroque architectural is its theatricality. This style dominated Europe in the 17th century as a result of the reformation/counter-reformation where the statement given was one of grandeur. The preceding style was Renaissance, while the succeeding was Neoclassicism. The three major features are a near excessive amount of detail (statues, lots of Gold, columns and pilasters, garlands and wreaths etc.), façades which are taller than the nave (to fool the viewer of the size) and frescoes often featuring trompe-l'œil.

Baroque from Catania has several unique features such as use of dark lava stone (basalt) and the Bell in the façade itself and grotesque masks and putti.

Tourist information

• Bureau Turismo via Vittorio Emanuele II, 172 37.5029560237711, 15.088611245155334 ☎ +39 095 742 55 73 800 841 042 Opening from Monday to Saturday 08:00-19:15, Sunday 08:30-13:30 The Tourist Bureau of the city.

• Catania (province)#Tourist information|Info point of the province of Catania at the via Etnea.

• Catania Pass - Personal: 24 hours €12.50, 72 hours €16.50, 120 hours (5 days) €20.00 - The city of Catania promotes a tourist bundle which combines a transport pass for the city with some discounts to a handful of the city's museums. See yourself if you need one of them: Museo Civico "Castello Ursino", Museo Belliniano, Museo Emilio Greco, Museo Diocesano and Terme Achilliane are free, plus Monastero dei Benedettini is €4 instead of €7.

Local Language in Catania

Sicilian used to be the common language here for centuries, as the Sicilian culture it isolated on an island. Even in Catania, you will notice Italian and Sicilian (as Palermo, Catania has its own dialect) in some neighborhoods, especially in inner areas, while most people speak mainly Italian in the downtown.

How to travel to Catania

37.50441|15.08812 layer=W -

Fly to Catania

• Catania-Fontanarossa Airport IATA Flight Code: CTA Vincenzo Bellini Airport | 37.470226, 15.065904 ☎ +39 095 723 9111 - Catania–Fontanarossa Airport - Aeroporto di catania, veduta etna The airport is on the coast kilometers 5 south of central Catania. There are frequent Flights to Rome FCO; other domestic destinations include Bastia, Bologna, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Perugia, Pisa, Turin, Venice and Verona. International destinations (some seasonal) include Barcelona, Berlin, Bucharest, Madrid, Malta (frequent), Manchester, Paris and Stuttgart. Arrivals: exit straight ahead for the Alibus stop and taxi rank. Turn right (east) through Arrivals hall for vehicle hire desks, TIC (+39 095 723 96 82; Monday to Sat 08:00 to 19:15) and intercity buses & ticket booths. There's also a cafe, shop, currency exchange, ATMs and (handy, this) a pigeon trap. The airport hotel is 200 m north. Departures: airside is a large hall with shops and two cafes. The non-Schengen area (gates 19-22) is small: there's toilets and a shop but no cafes, so don't go through passport control until an hour or so before your departure.

The simplest way to reach central Catania is on the Alibus - ☎ +39 095-7519111 800 018696€4 (available on board, valid 90 min. including urban bus lines) This bus runs daily 05:30 to 00:00, every 25 min. From the airport via sea-port to the train station takes 25 min. Coming back allow 30 min, as from the train station the bus makes a downtown loop before returning to the station roundabout. So if you see a red & blue Alibus standing at the station plaza, take it, otherwise go to the junction of Martiri della Liberta and Viale della Liberta, no marked bus-stop, just leap out waving as the bus approaches.

Because the airport is so close and the inter-city buses running to Catania also call here, so you can get a direct connection: see listings below. Buses to nearby towns and villages (run by AST) mostly don't call here, so you'll have to go downtown to change. However the local buses to Donnalucata, Modica and Carlentini do call here, as the airport happens to be on the route. Buy bus tickets from the kiosks by the east exit of the Arrivals hall.

Travel on a Bus in Catania

The transport hub of Catania is the big roundabout Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII (that's "Pope John 23rd" for non-Latins). The metro station is right here, as is the main train station, and just north is the bus station

• Stazione AST 37.5082, 15.0981 - The main bus terminal is South side of Via Archimede (corner with Viale della Liberta.) But there are no facilities here, and you need to buy your ticket from the ticket offices along Via D'Amico, a short block north. Coach parking lots sprawl over adjacent blocks but the only other active pick-up / drop-off areas are for some SAIS long-distance services, facing Via D'Amico.

The main bus companies running from here are:

• A.S.T. - Azienda Siciliana Trasporti - ☎ +39 095 746 1096 - These run from the city to nearby small towns including Acireale, Caltagirone, Carlentini, Grammichele, Lentini, Modica, Nicolosi for Mount Etna, and Siracusa. They don't run to Taormina.

• Interbus - Etna Trasporti | Via D'Amico 187 ☎ +39 095 532 716 - These run from city & airport to Taormina and Giardini Naxos (every couple of hours, 90 min), Messina (one per day, 4 hours), Ragusa (frequent, 2 hours) and Siracusa (frequent, 70 min). Also to Agira, Avola, Catenuova, Leonforte, Nicosia, Nissoria, Noto, Pachino, Portopalo, Priolo, and Regalbuto. Interbus is part of a conglomeration of Sicilian bus companies. Around Catania the main operator is Etna Trasporti, with blue buses.

• SAIS Trasporti Via D'Amico, 181 ☎ +39 095 536 168 - These make overnight runs from city and airport to Bari (8 hr), Naples (9 hr), and Rome (10 hr). They also run frequent buses across Sicily via Caltanissetta and Canicattì to Agrigento.

• SAIS Autolinee 181 Via D'Amico ☎ +39 095 536 168 - These run from city and airport to Enna (6 per day, 75 min), Messina (hourly, 2 hr) and Palermo (hourly, 2 hours 30 min). At Messina they connect with buses by Giuntabus Trasporti to Milazzo and the ferry port for the Aeolian Islands.

Travel by train to Catania

Trains run roughly hourly along the east coast via Taormina-Giardini to Messina (90 min to 2 hr). Three of these per day are direct services to Naples (7-8 hours) and Rome (10 hours), via the Straits ferry. Five trains per day run inland via Enna (1 hour) to Palermo (3 hours). 12 trains a day run south to Syracuse (Sicily) | Syracuse (one hour); two of these connect with onward trains to Pozzallo (2 hours 30 min). The scenic inland route to Caltagirone is suspended indefinitely for engineering works: a replacement bus runs once a day.

• Catania Centrale Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII 37.506667, 15.1 10 minutes walk east from the downtown - Catania Centrale train station Stazione di Catania 93710 Small cafe & tobacconist here. Wheelchair access to platforms 2-5 involves lumping over the tracks. The nearest Left Luggage service is 500 m away at Atripical, Piazza Duca di Genova, 6; open daily 09:00-19:00.

There are two small stations to the north, Catania Europa and Catania Ognina. Visitors are unlikely to use them. To the south and the railway runs very close to the airport terminal, but there isn't a stop.

By ferry

Most travellers from mainland Italy use the 20-minutes shuttle between Villa San Giovanni and Messina; there are also frequent ferries from Reggio to Messina. A vehicle ferry runs every night between Naples and Catania: it's run by TTT lines and takes 12 hours. Other ferries sail from the mainland to Palermo.

A vehicle ferry runs twice daily between Pozzallo (90 kilometers south of Catania) and Valletta, Malta. It's run by Virtu Ferries and takes one hour 45 min, return fare €80 low season rising to €160 mid-summer. Day-trips are feasible from Malta every day, and from Sicily on Wednesday and Friday. On Friday, Saturday and Monday there's a connecting coach between Catania and Pozzallo. Thit is timed for daytrips from Malta, so if you want to day-trip from Sicily you need to make your own way to Pozzallo.

How to get around in Catania

File:Mappa ferr Circumetnea - Ferrovia Circumetnea

By foot

Catania has a compact centre and it is most convenient just to walk around.

Travel on a Bus in Catania

To reach outlying lodging or the university, you'll need the bus, run by

• AMT - Azienda Metropolitana Trasporti Catania - Single €1 (valid 90 min), Bus+Alibus €4, Bus+Metro €1.20 (valid 120 min), Day pass €2.50 (bus only) Use their interactive map to find bus lines.

Travel by train to Catania

Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) is a narrow-gauge railway that loops around the west flanks of Etna then back to the coast and mainline at Giarre-Riposto, 28 kilometers north of Catania. The terminus in Catania is Borgo, with a metro connection to Centrale train station and downtown. Trains run from Catania Borgo Monday to Sat hourly, all as far as Paterno, most as far as Adrano, and eight per day reach Bronte and Randazzo (2 hours) where these south-side trains terminate. To complete the circuit, you change to the north-side train Randazzo-Linguaglossa-Giarre-Riposto, taking 70 min. There are 3 or 4 of these per day in summer but only one or two in winter. At Giarre the Circumetnea and mainline stations are side by side, with Circumetnea trains continuing for a final kilometers to terminate at Riposto. There is no Sunday or public holiday service on the Circumetnea line.

Catania - mappa metropolitana (schematica).svg|Catania Metro

Visitors to Catania are only likely to use the metro Logo metropolitana di Catania.svg|22px to reach the Circumetnea railway. It's possibly the shortest metro in the world, just under 9 kilometers long, and it's run by the same company. The line starts from Stesicoro in midtown Catania, runs east to the transport hub of Giovanni XXIII and then turns west. Get off at Borgo for the Circumetnea railway. The metro line ends at the suburb of Nesima, which has Park & Ride. The metro runs Monday to Saturday 06:50-21:00 every 10-15 min; no service Sundays or public holidays. Single ticket €1 (valid 90 min), Bus+Metro €1.20 (valid 120 min), Day pass €2 (metro only).

An extension west from Nesima is under construction: it's expected to open as far as Fontana in Nov 2023, and Misterbianco in 2022. They also plan to extend south from Stesicoro to the airport.

How to travel to Catania by car

Driving in the centre is difficult because of congestion, one-way systems and pedestrianised areas. There are ten main parking lots around the town, and a slew of others serving the airport. Park & Ride is available at the airport, and at Nesima metro station west of the city.

What to see in Catania

World Heritage Sites

Catania - Piazza Duomo (2544850701) - Piazza del Duomo

• Piazza del Duomo 37.5025, 15.0872 - Piazza del Duomo, Catania - Catania BW 2012-10-06 09-52-47 An attractive, lively baroque square. Here you can find the Fontana dell'Elefante (Elephant Fountain) or U Liotru - the symbol of the city. 3 building located there are World Heritage Sites. The square is also an entrance to the elegant via Etnea and the main shopping street.

Catania BW 2012-10-06 11-37-00 - Interior of the Duomo (Cattedrale Sant' Agata)

• Cattedrale di Sant'Agata - Duomo | Piazza del Duomo 37.5025, 15.088056 - Opening from Monday to Saturday 07:00-12:00, 16:00-19:00; Sunday 07:30-12:00, 16:30-19:00 Catania Gothic Church - Catania BW 2012-10-06 11-32-08 2 fj -Q99188 - An imposing cathedral, well worth visiting. Also see for #Terme Achilliane|Terme Achilliane and #Museo Diocesano|Museo Diocesano which are located there.

• Museo Diocesano - Diocesan Museum | Via Etnea 8 37.502074, 15.087259 ☎ +39 095 281635 Opening Hours: Monday Wednesday to Friday 09:00-14:00, Tuesday Thursday 09:00-14:00, 15:00-18:00, Saturday 09:00-13:00 €7; Museum, Terme Achilliane, Benedictine Monastery €12 - Logo MuseoDiocesanoCatania - - The collection of the museum contains various religious artefacts from the Gothic Church and some other churches around. It's ticket office also sells tickets to the #Terme Achilliane|Terme Achilliane.

• Palazzo degli Elefanti - Palazzo Municipale | 37.503056, 15.086944 - Palazzo degli Elefanti - Catania BW 2012-10-06 09-52-47 -QQQ838
• Palazzo dei Chierici - Palace of Clerks | 37.5019, 15.0873 - Catania Palazzo Chierici24235
• Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata Via Vittorio Emanuele 184 37.503056, 15.088056 - Opening Hours: Guided Tours in Catania by ehalal.io (email for prices) to the dome and the terraces: Tuesday 09:00-12:00, W-Sa 09:30 -12:30, 15:30-17:30; Sunday 09:30-12:30, 19:00-20:30 €3 Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata =2895 - Catania - Giov. Batt. Vaccarini - Chiesa della Badia di S. Agata (1767) - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 4-July-2008 67599
• Castello Ursino - Castello Svevo di Catania | Piazza Federico Di Svevia 37.498889, 15.084722 ☎ +39 095 345830 Opening Hours: 09:00-19:00 (last admission 18:00) €6 Castello Ursino - CastelloUrsino1CT 48850 - A 13th-century castle near center. It hosts Museo civico (Civic Museum).

• Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena - The Benedictine Monastery | Piazza Dante, 32 37.504167, 15.079722 ☎ +39 095 7102767 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00, Saturday 08:00-14:00. Guided Tours in Catania by ehalal.io (email for prices) scheduled on hour 09:00-17:00 (Aug 11:00-18:00) €7 Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena - Catania ExmonasteroBenedetti - It is the oldest one in Sicily and it is one of the biggest monasteries in Europe. It hosts now the Faculty of Literature of the University of Catania.

• Chiesa di San Nicolò l'Arena Piazza Dante 37.504172, 15.080409 adjacent to the Benedictine Monastery ☎ +39 095 7159912 Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-12:30 the church: free; Path Gronda €3 - Catane San Nicolo It is an unachieved church which was supposed to be the biggest one in Sicily.

• Via Crociferi 37.504972, 15.084833 - VillaCeramiVillaCT It's a centre of an ecclesiastical architecture in Catania: in no more than 200 meters there are 4 churches, 3 monasteries and a college are located there.

• Monastero di San Benedetto 37.503694, 15.084472 entrance from via Teatro Greco, 2 ☎ +39 095 7152207 Opening Hours: Tuesday Friday Sunday 10:00-17:00 €5 (guided tours only) San Benedetto, Catania - Catania Chiesa San Benedetto234232 - - A splendid baroque monument.

• Chiesa di San Francesco Borgia Via Crociferi, 17 37.503944, 15.084528 ☎ +39 095 310762 Opening from Monday to Saturday 09:00-19:30, 1st Su/month 09:00-19:30, 3rd Su/month 09:00-13:30 Free admission Chiesa di San Francesco Borgia - Chiesa di San Francesco Borgia a Catania Today the church used for various cultural events. Next to the church is a former Jesuit college.

• Chiesa di San Giuliano Via Crociferi, 36 37.5044, 15.0851 ☎ +39 095 7159360 - ChiesaSGiuliano
• Villa Cerami Via Cerami 37.506722, 15.084667 at the norther end of the Via Crociferi

Villa Cerami - VillaCeramiVillaCT 86597 - A Baroque villa. It hosts Faculty of Law of the University.

• Basilica Maria Santissima dell'Elemosina - Basilica della Collegiata | Via Etnea 23 37.504222, 15.086528 - Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 09:00-12:00, 17:00-19:00 Free admission Basilica della Collegiata - Catania BW 2012-10-06 11-23-47 09136
• Palazzo Biscari Via Museo Biscari, 10 - 16 37.502222, 15.090278 ☎ +39 095 7152508 Opening Hours: Daily 07:00-13.00, 15:00-19:00 Palazzo Biscari PalazzoBiscariCT -QQ9750 It is one the most interesting baroque palaces in Catania. The palace is privately owned. Check with the tourist office to arrange a visit.

CataniaTheater - The old theater

Ancient Roman and Greek

• Teatro Romano e Odeon - arianna/la-citt-antica-l-et-greca-romana-e-bizantina/teatro-romano.aspx Roman Theatre and arianna/la-citt-antica-l-et-greca-romana-e-bizantina/odeon-romano.aspx Odeon | Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 266 37.5030, 15.0835 ☎ +39 095 7150508 Opening from Monday to Saturday 09:00-19:00; Sunday 09:00-13:30 €6; 1st Su/month free (09:00-17:00) The theatre is dating back to the 1st century when it was built on the remains of the Greek theatre it used to hold up to 7000 spectators. Odeon, a smaller theatrical building, was built next to it in the 2nd.

• Terme della Rotonda - ult/database/page_musei/pagina_musei_eng.asp?ID=261&IdSito=33&IdC=&IdS=&IdAS= Rotonda Thermal Baths | Via della Rotonda 37.504056, 15.08275 ☎ +39 095 7150508 Opening Hours: West Sunday 09:00-13:00 Free admission - TermeRotondaCT - the remains of ancient Roman Baths.

• Anfiteatro Romano - arianna/la-citt-antica-l-et-greca-romana-e-bizantina/l-anfiteatro.aspx Roman Amphitheatre | Web: &IdS=&IdAS= Piazza Stesicoro 37.507361, 15.085417 ☎ +39 095 7472268 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 09:00-13:30, 14:30-17:00 Free admission - Catania anfiteatro romano2423 - Some modest remains amidst the square.

• Terme Achilliane - Achillean Baths | Via Etnea 8 37.502406, 15.087403 check with the ticket office at the Museo Diocesano - Opening Hours: Monday Wednesday to Friday 09:00-14:00; Tuesday Thursday 09:00-14:00, 15:00-18:00; Saturday Sunday 09:00-13:00; €5 Terme Achilliane - HWScan - The remains of a small part of a large ancient baths located underground is open for the public. It's located under the Catania's Gothic Church square. Some parts of mosaics and marble floor as well as some remains of decorated walls. The remains are still quite impressive.

Catania BW 2012-10-06 11-26-20 - Palazzo dell'Università

Other notable attractions

• Teatro Massimo Bellini Piazza Vincenzo Bellini 37.504167, 15.09 ☎ +39 095 7306111 - Teatro Massimo Bellini - Catania BW 2012-10-06 11-11-06 -QQ9352 A 19th-century opera theatre named after the Catania-born composer Vincenzo Bellini. The square before the theatre is said to be a popular meeting place among the local young people, so its neighbourhood is very lively and busy by night.

• Palazzo dell'Università Piazza Università 37.503556, 15.086528 - Catania BW 2012-10-06 11-26-20
• Palazzo Della Cultura - ex Convento S.Placido, aka Palazzo Platamone | Via Vittorio Emanuele 121 37.5029851, 15.0905478 ☎ +39 095 7428038 Opening from Monday to Saturday 09:00-19:00, Sunday 09:00-13:30 Free admission - A former monastery, it's now a venue for various exhibitions. It also hosts the access point, an information office of the municipal museums (Monday to Saturday 09:00-13:00)

• Palazzo Gravina-Cruyllas Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi, 3 37.502716, 15.084368 ☎ +39 095 7150535 Opening from Monday to Saturday 09:00-19:00, Sunday 09:00-13:00 €5 Palazzo Gravina Cruyllas - Catania - Palazzo Gravina Cruyllas - It is known to been the birthplace of Vincenzo Bellini. Two museums are located there.

• Museo Belliniano - Bellini Museum - A museum devoted to Vincenzo Bellini, a famous Italian composer.

• Museo Emilio Greco - co-catania Emilio Greco Museum | 1st floor A museum devoted to Italian artist Emilio Greco.

• Quattro Canti - Four Corners | 37.504986, 15.086819 - Quattro Canti, Catania - Catania Piazza Quattro Canti - A square at the intersection of Via Etnea with Via di Sangiuliano. It is somewhat reminiscent to the other octagonal squares in Italy: Quattro Canti at the piazza Vigliena in Palermo, Quattro Canti in Catania_(province) | Paternò, and Quattro Fontane in Rome, next to the church of San Carlino by Francesco Borromini.

• Porta Garibaldi - Porta Ferdinandea | Via Garibaldi 37.499639, 15.073889 at the E end of Piazza Palestro - Il Fortino - Porta Garibaldi Catania The gates erected in 1768 in honor of King Ferdinand IV and his family.

Parks and gardens

• Giardino Bellini - Villa Bellini | 37.511028, 15.083389 NE of centre, multiple entrances - Opening Hours: Always open Giardino Bellini - Catania Park1 Charming 19th-century park. The oldest part of it and the Prince of Biscari's Maze or Laberinto Biscari, dates back to the 18th century.

• Orto Botanico dell'Università di Catania - Botanical garden | Via Etnea, 397 37.515739, 15.083576 just north of Villa Bellini; it backs onto other streets but you can only enter by V Etnea ☎ +39 095 430901 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday (winter) 09:00-17:00, (summer) 09:00-19:30; Saturday 09:00-14:00 Free admittance Orto Botanico dell'Università di Catania Orto botanico di Catania 101145 Small botanical garden of the o-botanico/ University of Catania.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Catania

• GPS 37.50570, 15.08665* Via Etnea - Walk the main shopping avenue, running north from the Piazza del Duomo has most of the city's imposing building and is busy throughout the day and evening. Lots of churches. This road is the equivalent of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, so in the evenings the local people put on their Sunday clothes and walk at a relaxed pace along this avenue.
• La Plaja, sandy beaches south of the city along the bay
• The Riviera dei ciclopi, a rocky, volcano coast north of the city, stretching almost to Taormina
• Visit a minor religious festival, but avoid Sant'Agata on the 5th February due to the excessive crowds.
• A vintage self-drive excursion or a themed tour on a classic Fiat 500, starting from Catania or Taormina/Giardini Naxos. The most popular excursions are themed on the Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather movie and on the Etna Wines Road. You can reach villages like Savoca, Forza D’Agrò and Taormina. Contact 500 Vintage Tour - Classic vehicle hire & tours - Taormina - ☎ +39 3497234906 - Email: @intagetour.com - Website: 500vintagetour.com 500 Vintage Tour

EtnaWay ☎ +39 3281977919. Guided excursions on mount Etna, with transfer from Catania, Giarre or Taormina by jeep and 4x4. Visit of summit craters and most stunning locations of the volcano.

Study in Catania

• Federico II - School of Italian language and culture - via Garibaldi 9 first building on via Garibaldi, close to the Amenano fountain in piazza Duomo ☎ +39 095 9890689 €170 The school is hosted in a Baroque building located downtown. The school offers year-round intensive language courses, full immersion classes for all levels, while the afternoon provides a program of cultural activities to learn the culture and training the language. The cultural themes of the lectures are: cinema, art history, songs and music, traditions and mythology, visits to museums and monuments, food and tasting. During the summer the school offers the Summer School program, which includes language classes in the morning, and in the afternoon a cooking class, a visit to a monument, and three sports or recreational activities, taking place in beach clubs having an agreement with the school.

Shopping in Catania

Pizzo means protection money extorted by the Mafia. Addiopizzo Catania is a movement of shopkeepers who refuse to pay - please support them by shopping in their stores. They also run educational and cultural outreach activities.

Every morning except Sundays, try haggling at:

• Fera 'o Luni Piazza Carlo Alberto 37.509428, 15.088343 - Opening from Monday to Saturday morning A bustling food and clothes market. The main historic market of Catania.

• La Piscaria Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto 37.5018, 15.0869 - Opening from Monday to Saturday morning A large fish, fruit & veg market just off Piazza Duomo.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Catania

Catania is proud of its specialities. A famous speciality is pasta alla Norma which consists in Pastas (generally macaroni) dressed with tomato Sauce and topped with fried eggplant slices, grated ricotta salad and fresh basil. The fish is also good, as Catania is a large port. The city is also known for horse Meat, especially in some areas around the "Benedictine Monastery".

Typical Catanese pastry include the world-wide famous cannolo alla Ricotta, cassatella di Sant'Agata (a small cassata) and pasta di Mandorla (based on almond meal).

Fast food

Like in most of Sicily, you can get a freshly made cold panini in a salumeria, where you choose whatever you want to put in (prosciutto cotto/crudo and Cheese are probably the most popular ones), for €1-3. Don’t forget that most of salumerias are closed 13:00-16:00 and on Sunday afternoon.

You can also have some tavola calda (“hot bite”) meal, most of them made with Cheese and Meat, fried or baked. You will normally pay €2.90 for one piece.

Another Sicilian speciality is arancino, which are deep fried Rice balls with various fillings, Meat or eggplant or spinach, that sell for €2.90 at most places. They make a good lunch Snacks.

Also, especially in the evening, some big kiosks sell hot, tasty and fat panini, some even even horse Meat filling. Most people add fries into the sandwiches. Usually, it’s about €2.50-3.00 and they are very popular among teenagers. Because its quite cheap and there is normally confusion at these kiosks.

In summer, a typical breakfast consists of "Granita" (a kind of sorbet of almond or black mulberry) served with a brioscia (sweet round small loaf): it is a nourishing and refreshing combination that can be found in almost any bar of the city.

• Spinella Pasticceria 292 Via Etna 37.510711, 15.085655 ☎ +39 095 327 247 Opening Hours: Daily 07:30-22:30, Saturday Sunday to 23:30 Sicilian cakes, cannolis, arancini, espresso. Outdoor seating.

• Etoile d'Or Via Cardinale Dusmet 7/9 37.501515, 15.087316 - Opening Hours: 24/7 Pasticceria open all hours.

• Camelot 73 Piazza Federico di Svevia 37.499455, 15.083802 near Castello Ursino - Okay for the Meat lover, fish is from frozen.

• Trattoria Il Mare - 7 Via San Michele ☎ +39 095 317 024 Tuesday - Sunday 12:30-15:00, 19:30-23:00 Delicious seafood. Casual atmosphere.

• L'Angolo dello Chef 21 Via Grimaldi 37.498823, 15.086235 corner of Via Plebiscito . Humble home cooking joint. Traditional Sicilian dishes from caponata to polli alla brace.

• Dopo Teatro Via Coppola 4 37.505175, 15.090156 ☎ +39 349 435 4002 Opening Hours: Open 7 days, 19:30 till very late Panineria with tables. Known for grilled meats.

• Sicilia in Bocca alla Marina Via Beato Cardinale G.B. Dusmet, 35 37.502106, 15.088413 ☎ +39 095 2500208 . Typical Sicilian food and Pizzas. There's another restaurant in town with this name: it's on Piazza Pietro Lupo but it's not recommended. And there's yet another 10 kilometers north up the mountain.

• Trattoria di Fiore 26 Via Pietro Antonio Coppola 37.505404, 15.089759 ☎ +39 095 316 283 Opening Hours: Closed Monday Classic Sicilian food in a small family trattoria.

• Trattoria da Antonio - Via Castello Ursino 59 37.500121, 15.084038 ☎ +39 095 218 4938 Opening Hours: Lunch Tuesday - Su; dinner daily 19:00-00:00 Reasonably priced fresh seafood.

• Al Cavalier Roxy 51 Piazza Federico di Svevia ☎ +39 095 340 418 Opening Hours: Daily lunch, dinner 19:30-00:00 Sicilian cuisine.

• Trattoria U Fucularu 20 Via Euplio Reina 37.504015, 15.088394 ☎ +39 393 385 5925 Opening Hours: closed Tuesday Antipasto buffet, grilled meats.

You'd find all kinds of kiosks in the city which sell various refreshments, such as Coffee, limoncello or popular local drinks such as seltz al limone (soda water with fresh-squeezed lemon juice) or mandarino al limone (soda water with tangerine syrup and fresh-squeezed lemon juice).

• Barrique Club Via S. Guliano, 242 ☎ +39 3206103478 - Great atmosphere, good bar with Italian and international drinks, excellent Snacks and cakes. At night live jazz and Sicilian music.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Catania

Catania - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Catania, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Catania. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Catania and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Catania. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Catania. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Catania: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Catania.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Catania: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Catania, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Catania.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Catania, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Catania, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Catania and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Catania, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Catania, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Catania without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Catania is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Catania.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Catania is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Catania, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Catania Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Catania

eHalal Group Catania is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Catania. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Catania.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Catania ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Catania. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Catania, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Catania are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan 2024 Celebration in Catania

Ramadan 2025 in Catania

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels/Resorts

In Catania

• Agora Hostel 6 Piazza Curro ☎ +39 095 723 3010 Beds in a dorm rooms from €18 In a backstreet under the Duomo, it's lively and can fill up even out of season.

• Ananda Bed & Breakfast - Via Muscatello 7 Near Piazza Roma ☎ +39 095 446 760 €30 Bed & Breakfast in the centre, walking distance from the Bellini Gardens, Via Etnea and the Market.

• Suite Inn Catania - BMoDe | Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 108 37.50324, 15.09109 central ☎ +39 095 715 9383 Check-in: 12:00 / Check-out: 11:00 €45 Clean & central b&b.

• Bed & Breakfast Opera Via Antonio di Sangiuliano, 129 37.50504696694728, 15.09183257818222 Catania centre ☎ +39 337 492 714 Check-in: 11:00-22:00 / Check-out: 10:30 €60-80 for double room Central b&b, rooms have balconies, bathroom, hairdryer, TV, air conditioning, minibar. Free Wi-Fi.

• Hotel Etnea 316 - ☎ +39 095 250 3076 +39 095 250 3076 €35 Bright and airy 3-star guest house ideal for young travellers.

• Hotel Valentino 39 Piazza Turi Ferro ☎ +39 095 715 1712 €75 double Central 3-star hotel with friendly staff and a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere.

• BAD: Bed and Breakfast and Design - Via Cristoforo Colombo 24 near Duomo ☎ +39 095 346 903 €45 Simple hostel, striving to be funky.

• Hotel Rigel 8 Viale della Liberta ☎ +39 095 534 911 +39 095 534 911 €45 Clean and comfortable 3-star hotel very near bus station.

• Hotel Villa Romeo 8 Via Platamonte ☎ +39 095 534 714 +39 095 530 257 €50 Clean, comfortable 3-star hotel very near the railway & bus stations.

• Bed & Breakfast Globetrotter Catania - Vicolo della Lanterna, 14 37.500342, 15.084812 200 m from Duomo ☎ +39 095 281 802 Check-in: 12:00 / Check-out: till 11:00 €30 An antique building that has been recently renovated. Bed & Breakfast (also rents independent apartments) with fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, air conditioning, TV, DVD, HiFi, internet Wi-Fi and hairdryer.

Around Catania and Etna

• Agriturismo San Leonardello 165 Via Madonna della Liberta, San Leonardello On SS114 20 kilometers north of Catania ☎ +39 095 964 020 - Rustic farmhouse off highway close to Etna, Taormina and the beach resorts of Riposto and Acireale.

• La Pietra Antica O Munti Via Andronico, Puntalazzo Off SP 155 in mountain village above Giarre, 40 kilometers north of Catania ☎ +39 095 782 4035 +39 095 968792 - Farm lodging on flanks of Etna.

• Agriturismo Arrigo C.da Arrigo Soprano, Linguaglossa 50 kilometers north of Catania. Follow SS120 to Linguaglossa then SP 59 iv, signs for Hotel Neri ☎ +39 095 643 612 +39 095 777 4518 - Farmhouse on flanks of Etna.

• Villa Etelka 5 Via Prof Enrico Sagone, Valverde Valverde is 20 kilometers north of Catania ☎ +39 095 525 872 Villa with sea view and swimming pool.

Mid-range to high

• Hotel Agathae 229 Via Etnae on main drag through town ☎ +39 095 250 0436 +39 095 715 2668 - 3-star lodging

• Gresi Hotel 28 Via Pacini Off Via Etnea close to post office ☎ +39 095 322 709 €75 without breakfast Clean, AC, bathroom, balcony, high arched ceilings with paintings.

• The Parco degli Aragonesi, Viale Kennedy, on beach (Tel. +39 095 723 4073) and the Catania Centro, 13 Piazza Trento, downtown (Tel. +39 095 316 933), are the two NH hotels in Catania .

• Hotel il Principe - 24 Via Alessi ☎ +39 095 250 0345 +39 095 325799 - Boutique hotel in a restored aristocratic building, very central near Gothic Church.

• Hotel La Ville Via Monteverdi, 15 very central near train station ☎ +39 095 746 5230 +39 095 746 5189 - One of the oldest hotels in Catania, it's a large 3-star family run establishment. Self catering apartments also available.

• Hotel Nettuno Viale Ruggero Di Lauria 121 off coastal SS114 east of downtown ☎ +39 095 712 2006 +39 095 498 066 - Modern 4-star beach hotel with open air swimming pool, restaurants, health spa and meeting facilities. For families and corporate travellers.

• Luxury Hotel Romano Palace Viale Kennedy 28 on coast 2 kilometers south of downtown ☎ +39 095 596 7111 - Beach resort, very close to airport, with Jacuzzi, private beach and restaurant.

• Four Points by Sheraton Catania - Via Antonello da Messina 45, Cannizzaro on coast 4 kilometers east of downtown ☎ +39 095 711 4111 Hotel & conference centre with 162 rooms and 7 suites. With sea-water swimmingpool and beach access.

• Villa Cibele 17B Via Francesco Marletta 37.51692, 15.06308 Off Via Cibele 3 kilometers west of centre ☎ +39 095 351 480 - The hotel is in an elegant early 19th-century building edge of town. Clean & quiet, good if you're touring with your own car.

• Grande Albergo Maugeri @maugeri.it 27 Piazza Garibaldi, AcirealeAcireale is 15 kilometers North of Catania ☎ +39 095 608 666

Eco Hostel Via Fornai 44 GPS 37.4986884,15.0875885 near Ursino Castle☎ +39 095 7233077 From 24€. A modern hostel.

Stay Safe

Be careful not to look conspicuously tourist, exposing jewelry, large bags or photo gear that might entice fast pickpockets or robbers. They are abundant all around the town and they recognize instantly anyone who is not from around here.

Also and there will be A LOT of people that WILL stop you and aggressively ask you for money.

As in any other city avoid the station area, expecially at night.

San Cristoforo is the most dangerous neighborhood in Catania and is located near the downtown, at the end of Via Plebiscito. Do not wander the streets alone. Another dangerous neighborhood is Librino, but of no interest for a tourist.

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Catania

• Mount Etna is an eerie volcanic landscape, with a black terrain of pumice ash and rivers of solidified lava. The top is 3329 m high, so it's always cold, and if the city weather is iffy and then it will be beyond miserable up there. There is a daily bus service via Nicolosi to Rifugio Sapienza ("Etna Sud") and the usual approach to the summit. You need your own vehicle to reach the northern approach at Piano Provenzana ("Etna Nord"). You can also explore the surrounding villages on the narrow gauge Catania_(province)#By train|Circumetnea train, but you can't approach the summit that way.
• The Riviera dei Ciclopi is a chain of three villages on the coast north-east of Catania. In Homer's legend, Odysseus / Ulysses landed here but a one-eyed giant trapped him and began eating his crew; Odysseus got the giant drunk, blinded him and escaped. The furious giant hurled rocks blind at the escaping ship, narrowly missing.

In Aci Castello see

• Castello di Aci - Castello Normanno | 37.5542, 15.1492 - Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-13:00 plus winter 15:00-17:00, spring 15:00-19:00, summer 16:30-20:30 3 euro Castello Normanno (Aci Castello) - Aci Castello Sicily Italy - Creative Commons by gnuckx (5085398127) - A medieval castle perched on a giant rock, right over the sea. Contains a small civic museum.

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Aci Trezza is a little fishing port known for Isole dei Ciclopi — giant rocks offshore, supposedly those thrown by the Cyclops at Ulysses.

Acireale has a big carnival end of Jan to beginning of Feb. Riserva naturale orientata La Timpa is located along the rocky coast of the village. There are a few panoramic trails across the reserve - check their site.

Aci Castello and Aci Trezza are in a 30-min bus ride from Catania. Take #Get around|AMT urban bus 534 (Catania – Acicastello) which starts from Piazza Borsellino or #By bus|AST regional bus from Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII. For Acireale take either AST, Interbus or Zappalà & Torrisi buses (50 min).

• Further afield by public transport you can day-trip to Taormina and Syracuse (Sicily) | Syracuse. With your own vehicle you can day-trip to Modica and Ragusa, Piazza Armerina, Enna, Militello in Val di Catania, Caltagirone, and Agrigento.

To reach the north coast and the quickest way is to blat along the autostrada A18, or take the A19 past Enna. A more attractive route SS185 winds through the hills from Taormina, with views back over Etna, and through the picturesque medieval town of Novara di Sicilia. On the north coast either turn west for Palermo, or go a little way north to Milazzo the port for the Aeolian Islands, or turn east to the ferry port of Messina.

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