Sicily - shall we skip Catania?

We ended our RS tour in Catania and I honestly would have preferred to skip it. There are many places in Europe that I have felt that way about the first time including Paris, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi coast. That said, I have returned to Paris, Florence, the Amalfi Coast and Venice at least a dozen times since the first and have fallen in love with them all.

I’m looking forward to going back to Catania and seeing what it is that I missed the first time so that I can fall in love with it.

We don’t really know much about what you are doing on your vacation (where and what else you’re doing) and what you and travel party enjoy.

Do you like the idea of an adventure? Mt Etna would be unlike most other experiences you’d have. For me, there are much better locations than Catania but Mt. Etna is there.

Sorry, didn’t want to be too long and boring! Older couple so we’ll be enjoying the history and nature more than partying🤪. We will have time in Palermo, Agrigento, Syracuse/Ortigia and Taormina before this, so will def get to Mt Etna area.

We enjoyed staying in Catania a couple of years ago before flying onward. We were in upper 60s and 70s and are ok with rough around the edges places. We especially enjoyed the fish market there. It is gritty but we didn't feel unsafe. We had really good food but unfortunately don't remember the place.

Taormina is pretty for sure but for us it was too inundated with tourists and especially cruise passengers to be very enjoyable. Everyone has different interests. We like streets and markets and experiencing the local scene generally more than "sights" and sometimes are less impressed by tourist magnets such a Taormina. But there is mo right or wrong answer. Go with what draws you either way and you will be fine.

I wasn't that thrilled by Catania compared to the other places where you are planning to stay. I cannot really pinpoint, basically because it is the place I remember the least. In any case, if you really want to visit, a day trip from Ortigia or Taormina is easy with a car. Perhaps better from Taormina: if you drive up Mount Etna (to Refugio Sapienza), you can drive down towards Catania to check it out for a few hours on the way back.

We were in Sicily a year ago and ended our time there in Catania. We spent one day in Taormina and I share MA Traveler’s opinion.

We liked Catania, it didn’t seem dirty to us, or unsafe (we are in our late 50s, early 60s). One day we just wandered around, lots of churches, down some pretty side streets. The next day we woke up early to watch the fish market, and grabbed some canary melon (yum) and a few charcuterie type items to enjoy later at the B&B we were staying at (we had use of a large shared refrigerator). Late morning we went to the Allied Landings in Sicily 1943 Museum, and then a late lunch in the market where we had the best pasta dish of our trip.

The B&B we stayed at was In Leone Blu. Nothing fancy, but clean, quiet and comfortable.

We spent a day in Catania on our 2018 trip simply because I wanted to see if it had changed much since the late 1970s. It looked like time stood still. We were staying at a military facility nearby and took the bus into the city. We drove the remainder of the trip. With limited time it could easily be skipped in favor of other more interesting places around the island.

Catania has no must see sights. It has some ruins, but there are better ruins on the island. The streets were clean and much of the grit comes from the ash from Mt. Etna eruptions. Since you’ll be driving, you’ll see more trash along the roads outside of towns than in town.

To start, I don’t think safety is the issue with Catania. Feeling unsafe is, in my opinion, a function of the traveler’s’ perceptions. Many Americans live in very insular places - - far flung suburbs, even gated communities - - and are intimidated by noisy, crowded urban environments. That being said, Sicily is overflowing with wonderful sights. I don’t see any reason to spend time in a place that everyone admits has no special attractions.

we traveled over most of sicily two years ago. Loved Cefalu, Syracusa, Marsala,Taormina, Agrigento. Would definitely skip Catania. I was not a fan of Palermo either. we found that to be dirty

I'd pick one of Palermo or Catania to visit. Neither has a lot of sites of interest to tourists. Palermo has a nice archeological museum and Monreale cathedral, Catania has an interesting museum about the Sicily landings. Both have stretches of pedestrian-only streets and a fish market.

Just for your information:
In addition to the Palermo attractions mentioned above by John, there is the magnificent Palazzo dei Normanni. You haven’t indicated how much time you have, but Monreale (a must-see!) is a bit out of town. Adding in the transportation time, it will take up the better part of a day.

What amazing help you have all been! Thanks so much. I’ve now booked all my flights/hire car etc. so now will be down to fine tuning the journey. I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions…. 😀

Palermo has a lot to see and do. I highly recommend. Beyond what has been mentioned, head to the Quattro Canti, walk through the markets, see the Cathedral in Palermo proper, you can check out Mondello, the opera house (famous for Godfather 3), Fontana Pretoria. Also catacombs. Also has some of the best food you will get. Make sure to get gelato, arancini, panelle, cannoli.

Enjoy!

Two towns to look at if you don’t use Catiana, ACI Castello and ACI Terrazzo
15-20 minutes by car.

Yes, skip Catania.
Palermo has many historic sites to visit! The top one is Monreale but there are many other “ don’t miss” ones too.

Hello,

I LOVED Catania!! I stayed at a beautiful Air BnB apartment that was in walking distance of everything! So much to see and do and great restaurants! Via Etnea a large shopping boulevard, The Duomo, The Elephant Statue Piazza (I forget the actual name) Castle Orsino...a small open-air train that takes you on a tour of the city for a few euros- Roman ruins, a bustling port, stay in this Air Bnb you won't regret it! Clean beautifully furnished with a wonderful host!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/28537611?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=9e156879-2de5-4194-8c99-1fce15ed3a0e

I felt perfectly safe walking around and was there in December for the Holiday celebrating The Blessed Mother where they carry a statue throughout the streets it was beautiful and amazing and a highlight of my trip! I also ate in great restaurants while I was there and thought there were many things to see and do, yes, it is a gritty City, but it was clean, and I had a fantastic time!

I didn’t find anything that appealed to me in Catania including the food, although it didn’t seem unsafe.