Getaways with Gabby

I choose to stay at Palazzo Sisto Exclusive Suites for their central location, great reviews, and a nice price! A small Bed and Breakfast with only 6 guest rooms. It’s a hidden gem located in the heart of Catania and only an 8-minute walk (0.3mi/0.5km) to the main square – Piazza Del Duomo.

It’s located in a residential building and a staff member met us upon arrival and showed us to our room! 

Piazza del Duomo is in the heart of Catania. The beautiful Cathedral of Saint Agata and famous elephant fountain are located in this main square. 

The Baroque style church is located in the famous piazza and named after the Patron St. Agatha who was born in Catania. She is most known for her miracle which involved her veil blocking lava from destroying the city one year after her death. 

The church was originally built in the 11th century and required several rebuilds following Etna eruptions with the famous rebuild taking place in the 18th century. 

Located next to the cathedral is Chiesa Badia di Sant’Agata. I highly recommend paying the small fee to hike up the dome to the rooftop for panoramic views of the city, harbour, and the best view of Mt. Etna. The steps are steep but an elevator is available.

Built in 1736, the fountain is made out of lava and the elephant carries an Egyptian-style obelisk on its back. It is commonly called uʻ Liotru, from its Latin name.

The elephant symbolizes protection, resilience, and rebirth for the city, because of all the Etna eruptions.

The elephant is significant and appears on the city’s coat of arms and part of the logo of the city’s soccer team, Catania FC. 

Another famous square in the city is Piazza Vincenzo Bellini, home to the Teatro Massimo Bellini.

In the center of the piazza, is “Fontana dei Delfini”, an 18th century Baroque style fountain that was placed in the square in 1952. 

The theater, like the Piazza, is named after the famous composer, Vincenzo Bellini who was originally from Catania.

The theater opened in 1890 and has over 1200 seats. The theatre hosts opera, ballet, and symphony performances.

Tickets to tour the theater and see a performance are available on their website.

Walk along via Etna to reach the famous public park, Giardino Bellini (or Villa Bellini). It features gardens, paved paths, fountains, a botanical clock, a rotunda, views of Mt Etna, and plenty of benches to rest your feet and enjoy the fresh air. 

Located in the historic district is a beautiful display of colorful umbrellas providing a canopy over the street.

There are many restaurants, bars, and gelato shops located on the side streets near the main Duomo square. Under the umbrellas is the perfect place to sit and enjoy different flavors.

We had a late dinner al fresco at Tantìkkia after walking around the city some more. They have many fish and pasta dishes to choose from, I had their spaghetti in a creamy lemon sauce.

Along the way the the base camp, we saw a house that was completely destroyed by lava from a pervious eruption .

The tours to reach the summit are run by Funiva Dell’Etna. I found the views and experience worth it! I was surprised that the hike didn’t include a tremendous amount of walking. The cable car brings you up to 2,500m starting from Rifugio Sapienza sitting at 1900m, and the 4×4 leads you up 400 more meters. The full trip to the summit takes only about 2.5 hours roundtrip! 

What to pack: athletic clothing, hiking boots (our tour supplied), layers of clothing, water and snacks. I did not pack a snack and I remember being hungry when we got back to Catania at the end of the tour, but there are food options at the base camp! 

The last stop of the tour was at Enoteca Dell’Etna which provided a tasting of local flavors including olive oils and spirits. We then headed back to Catania and were provided with hotel drop off. 

Before dinner, we visited Monastero Dei Benedettini Di San Nicola.

Located in Catania’s historic center is this monastery. It was founded in 1558 and required reconstructions in the 18th century following the Etna eruption in 1669 and a large earthquake in Sicily 1693. It is also known for its Baroque style architecture. 

After a busy day exploring more of Catania and visiting Mount Etna, it was time for dinner! We got a table at L’Isak, a Sicilian restaurant in the center of the city. (Umbrella Piazza!)

When in Catania, you must try Pasta Alla Norma, the famous pasta dish that originated in the city. It is so simple, but so delicious – Pasta, tomato sauce, fried eggplant, fresh basil, and topped with a heavy portion of Ricotta Salata. 

A traditional Sicilian Summer breakfast is a Granita con Brioche. A granita is a frozen treat, think Italian ice slushy with flavors such as lemon, strawberry, pistachio, etc. You can get it at many cafes at breakfast time in Sicily and it’s traditional to pair it with a warm fresh brioche and to eat them together by dipping the brioche into the granita. Order a cappuccino with the breakfast for an authentic Sicilian summer breakfast! Kim

Catania is known for its famous fish market where restaurants and locals buy the fresh catches of the day. It’s an open-air market located in the historic district and just behind the Amenano fountain. We did not purchase fish but it was cool to see parts of the Sicilian market culture. It is important to note that it’s closed on Sundays.