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), facades which are taller than the nave (to fool the viewer about the size) and frescoes often featuring trompe-l'œil.
Baroque from Catania has several unique features such as use of dark lava stone (basalt), the Bell in the facade itself and grotesque masks and putti.
Some of the best feature of Catania's area are
* The Baroque architecture, mainly in the centre
* Every morning, except Sundays, two fascinating markets are held:
: - a large fish market in a beautiful setting off Piazza del Duomo
: - a bustling food and clothes market off Via Etnea
* [wiki=d1c488f40c97c667ffc8af85ceb3bf0f]Mount Etna[/wiki], which has reshaped the city several times
* The kiosks which act as social area for the locals by selling refreshments, such as coffee, Lemoncello or popular unique 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).
* The Elephant Fountain, from the 17th century, in Piazza Duomo
* 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
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport [url=http://www.aeroporto.catania.it/]] with scheduled and charter planes arriving from destinations throughout Italy and Europe.
From the airport, there are half-hourly buses (ALIBUS) to Catania's bus station (just in front of main train station: Catania Centrale). The trip takes about 20 minutes. Tickets are sold on-board (4 euro). Do not forget to validate your ticket once you are inside the bus.
If going to the Duomo, the nearest stop is called "ARCHI", a few meters away.
At 400mt from the International Airport Vincenzo Bellini “Fontanarossa” of Catania we have Catania International Airport Hotel [http://www.cataniainternationalairporthotel.com/[/url]
Frequent buses run to [wiki=e01585f07dba8bd0e6a1e3c2e14bf208]Taormina[/wiki], [wiki=1569f8f32be7ae04898403c550b47b82]Messina[/wiki], [wiki=46dd89e9d05db53fac0bd798b3d2527d]Enna[/wiki], [wiki=beab412f04248feeefd91ec5e9ae5de5]Caltanissetta[/wiki], [wiki=5e257bfe3f70d446cb1b8076406b8992]Ragusa[/wiki] and [wiki=961174d7a62e6304244ccca4ea15b28c]Syracuse[/wiki]. Less frequent buses run to local destinations, [wiki=866f0aee219a317e89a5909c9cc9e541]Naples[/wiki], [wiki=1f49f770adc6c84629f50ce3ca2a2109]Rome[/wiki] etc. The main bus station is opposite the railway station and 10 minutes walk from the city centre.
Frequent trains run up the east coast to and from [wiki=e01585f07dba8bd0e6a1e3c2e14bf208]Taormina[/wiki] (but the station in Taormina is a long walk below the town, at [wiki=1d574940d40a3867a5f907e4250c83cf]Giardini Naxos[/wiki] better to take the Bus) and [wiki=1569f8f32be7ae04898403c550b47b82]Messina[/wiki], then on to [wiki=866f0aee219a317e89a5909c9cc9e541]Naples[/wiki] and [wiki=1f49f770adc6c84629f50ce3ca2a2109]Rome[/wiki] etc. Trains also run to [wiki=46dd89e9d05db53fac0bd798b3d2527d]Enna[/wiki], [wiki=8191692ba6c002b14b07549113e62125]Palermo[/wiki] (slower than the buses) and [wiki=961174d7a62e6304244ccca4ea15b28c]Syracuse[/wiki]. A scenic route runs inland to [wiki=b78c64e2a584c49412229ce51772e958]Caltagirone[/wiki] and [wiki=e3f41a1bd0eebd9d491613db5feedcd5]Gela[/wiki]. There is one daily train to [wiki=27bb8a59c01e1f9f7484aaf9fafa2ca1]Agrigento[/wiki]. The railway station is 10 minutes walk from the city centre.
Several Ferries run from mainland Italy to Catania. There is an overnight car ferry that runs daily between Naples and Catania as well as ones from Genova and Civitavecchia. One can also get a ferry to/from [wiki=273f6693d870c9cde56a939fe5876545]Valletta[/wiki], [wiki=92468e8a62373add2b9caefddbcf1303]Malta[/wiki].
Catania has a compact centre and it is most convenient just to walk around. Travelling by public transport may be quite problematic, (watch out for your wallet too), due to the long waiting times for buses (even more than 1 hour). The city also boasts a very short metro line, which is still under construction; it runs from the Port (Porto station) to the Circumetnea train station (Borgo station), from where you can reach villages on the slopes of Mount Etna.
When driving around in a rented car, you may have to put up with heavy, slow, messy, unruly traffic jams. Be careful not to look conspicuously touristy, exposing jewelry, large bags or photo gear that might entice fast pickpockets or robbers.
If you want to get along the coast ([wiki=d681694f2cd40d95df312f506d134778]Acicastello[/wiki], [wiki=2b146ca07b3307ec6a96b7c098ec79bc]Acitrezza[/wiki], [wiki=9a0ae7516a67e76251347f91752c469c]Acireale[/wiki]), you better drive or call for a taxi (they are several at Piazza Duomo). You could also use the train or one of the bus.
To get up [wiki=d1c488f40c97c667ffc8af85ceb3bf0f]Mount Etna[/wiki], you can take the private train line ([url=http://www.circumetnea.it/]Circumetnea[/url]) at Borgo metro station or a shuttle from the central station that reaches Rifugio Sapienza(usually leaving in the morning and return the evening) from where you can get to the top of the mountain (spring/summer only, regardless of the summer heat the summit will be cold so do bring a jumper).
Please note that the metro and the train to Mount Etna are closed on Sunday.
The baroque Piazza del Duomo is attractive, lively and contains the Elephant Fountain - the symbol of the city and the entrance to the elegant via Etnea, the main shopping street.
* The adjacent Norman Cathedral (Duomo) is imposing and worth a visit
* The food and fish markets just below the Piazza del Duomo are a lively and colourful place to visit. This fish market is the busiest and most exotic of all over Sicily and has been described by the British TV chef Rick Stein as the best fish market in the world. Monday to Saturday morning only.
* Via Etnea - 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 [wiki=550d05ab240ec337038af814ff0de287]Barcelona[/wiki], so in the evenings the local people put on their Sunday clothes and walk at a relaxed pace along this avenue.
* Piazza Stesicoro, the original centre containing ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre. It is also the entrance to the main market (Mercato de la Fiera) which is worth a visit. Additionally it is one of the main bus hubs.
* Teatro Massimo, a 19th century opera house in Piazza Teatro, which is the main meeting for the local young people. So its neighbourhood is very lively and busy by night.
* Taormina, a world famous city, being both beautiful and the quintessential medieval town on a mountain top.
Castello Ursino, a great medieval construction near centre that hosts the Civic Museum.
* The Greek/Roman Theatre and the Odeon, still in good condition.
* Palazzo Biscari, the most beautiful baroque palace of Catania (you can't visit).
* The Villa Bellini, a great urban park of the 19th century
* The Benedictine monastery that host now the Faculty of Literature of the University of Catania, the oldest in Sicily. That building used to be one of the biggest monasteries in Europe.
* The adjacent unfinished church of San Nicolo, which was supposed the be the biggest in Sicily.
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 is probably the most popular), for €1 to €3 . Don’t forget that most of them are closed between 1-4PM and on Sunday afternoon.
You can also have a tavola calda which mean “hot bite”, most of them made with cheese and meat, fried or baked. You will normally pay €1,50 for one piece.
There is also the Sicilian specialty of Arancino, which are deep fried rice balls with various fillings, meat or eggplant or spinach, that sell for €1,50 at most places. They make a good lunch snack.
During the evening, food trucks that sell hot, tasty Panini with even horse meat inside. Most people add fries into the sandwich. Usually, it’s about €2,50-3,00 and they are very popular among teenagers. Because its quite cheap, there is normally confusion at these kiosks. The last few years Kebab shops have popped up all the city around €3-4.
*Etoile D'or is just off the Doumo Square near the fish market. Arancini, Panzerotti, Pizza, Pastries and Sweets. Locals swear by the this place for fresh, hot food any time night or day. Open 24hrs.
*Sicilian cakes, Cannoli, Arancini, espresso. Outdoor seating.
Sicilia in bocca, Via Beato Cardinale G.B. Dusmet, 35. Tel “+39” 095 2500208, [http://www.siciliainbocca.it]. To try typical Sicilian food and pizza.
*Beware that there are in fact two restaurants called Sicilia in bocca. The second one has very poor food quality, long waits, smoky outside section, and bad attitude towards foreigners (along with a different menu). When going to Sicilia in Bocca by taxi, be sure to specify the address.
* In the proximity of Ursino Castle, there is a good selection of restaurants. Good food quality and decent prices. Camelot is great for the meat lover, Roxy has standard Sicilian/Italian food for a decent price with friendly staff.
*Humble homecooking joint. Traditional Sicilian dishes from caponata to polli alla brace. Not for the posh, but great for lovers of street food.
Aga Hotel Catania - V.le Ruggero di Lauria 43, - 95127 Catania, Italy [url=http://www.agahotel.com/]]Telephone + 39 095 8362406 • Fax 39 095 8362385. The Aga is a four star hotel of Catania. Its bedrooms are divided in single, twin, double and junior suite. The services include the TV LCD, private bath, mini bar, safe, telephone, air conditioning Wi-Fi internet connection and Jacuzzi.
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* Hotel Agathae, Via Etnea 229, Phone: 095 2500436 (Fax: 0957152668), [url=http://www.hotelagathaecatania.com[/url].] 3 star accommodation on the main drag running through Catania.
* Gresi Hotel, Via Pacini 28. Off Via Etnea close to the post office. Tel:+39 095 322709, email:hotelgresi@tin.com, [url=http://www.hotelgresicatania.com[/url].] Shiny clean, AC, bathroom, balcony, high arched ceilings with paintings. €75 without breakfast.
*Hotel il Picchio Golf Resort , Via Nazionale, S.S. 120, 135 - 95012 Rovittello, Castiglione di Sicilia. - Ph. +39.0942.986426 - Fax +39.0942.986323 [url=http://www.ilpicchiogolfresort.it[/url].]“Il Picchio Golf Resort” is immersed in the most fascinating scenery in Sicily, in the Alcantara Valley, a true oasis between Mount Etna and Catania. Double rooms from €140 to €220.
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* The Parco degli Aragonesi [url=http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/italy/catania/nh-parco-degli-aragonesi.html[/url],]Viale Kennedy. Località La Playa, Tel. +39 095 7234073 and the Jolly Hotel Bellini [url=http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/italy/catania/jolly-hotel-catania-bellini.html[/url],]Piazza Trento, 13, Tel. +39 095 316933, are the two NH hotels in Catania [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/italy/catania.html[/url].
*Hotel il Principe, Via Alessi, 20/26, Tel. +39-095-2500345 (Fax +39-095-325799), [http://www.ilprincipehotel.com]. Hotel Il Principe, boutique hotel located in a recently restored aristocratic building in the baroque heart of the historical centre.
* One of the oldest hotels in Catania, this large 3 star family run establishment is well designed in a calming and refreshing liberty style and offers a homely welcome as well as business facilities. Self catering apartments also available.
* Modern and spacious four star hotel on the beach of Catania with full facilities, including open air swimming pool, restaurants, health spa and full meeting facilities. Ideal for families as well as corporate.
*Beach resort few minutes away from Catania historical center, very close to airport, with Jacuzzi, private beach and restaurant.
*Luxury hotel with 162 rooms and 7 suites, that can be reached through two charming and panoramic lifts, are coloured in perfect harmony with the surrounding Mediterranean environment; each room grants our clients the highest quality and safety standards according to the Sheraton life style:
air-condition, balcony/terrace, cable TV, wake-up service, minibar, safe, hairdryer, smoke detector & sprinklers
*The hotel is in an elegant early 19th century building. The villa was restructured and has reached the old time majesty and elegance.
In it the villa emerge the ancient and the modern following by a logical line of design and colours.