Top guide to get your best Catania holidays and book cheap hotels

July 23rd, 2007 · No Comments

Need information to find cheap holidays in Catania?

Then read these simple guide to help you understand what are the main attractions to visit and how to find bargain accommodations.

In you follow these simple tips you could save up to 30% on your hotel or city tour reservation.

General description of the City

This is one of the most important city of the south of Italy. The city is extended between the Ionian sea and the Mount Etna.

It was founded by Greeks in the 729 a.C. Here can be found the rests of ancient dominations like Greeks, Romans, Normans and Arabs. The city was destroyed 4 times by the Etna eruptions and the earthquakes. The reconstruction saw the birth of a wonderful historical center in baroque style.

How to find and choose the best accommodations in Catania

The cheapest hotels in catania are located in the heart of its historic center. These are XIXth century residences of baroque style made of lavic stone and white limestone.

Hotels are more expensive than other types of accommodation like b&b or apartments. They are indicated for business men or rich vacationers.

They have a range from five-stars to one stars and are provided of many facilities according to the number of stars.

The rooms are furnished in a practical and comfortable style. Every room is complete with facilities and services ( bathroom, mini fridge, tv, air conditioning, telephone) Most of them are equipped with all services such us bar 24 hours a day, Restaurant , Fast laundry, an ample guarded parking. Rooms are provided with services, hair dryer, TV, direct dialing telephone, heating, e-conditioner.

These hotels boast an enviable position, opposite the famous sandy beach of Catania or the cliff, and far away from the chaotic city center. In these private parks water plays and large swimming pools with Jacuzzi contribute to create a calm atmosphere. The hotels offer Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk, Non-smoking Rooms, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled. De-luxe suites and rooms, all equipped with private terrace and the most exclusive comforts.

Price for hotels can be from 100€ a night to 400€ a night for a suite.

If you want to stay on a budget it’s better to choose a Bed and breakfast or an house for rent. Average price depends on the season. It can starts form 25 € a day to 50 € day in high season (price for 1 people a day)

Here an example of possible city sightseeing tour in Catania that you could experience…

The center has some beautiful buildings and interesting museums. All of the main sights are accessible by walking. For orientation, the main roads of Via Etnea and Via Vittorio Emanuele II meet at the Piazza del Duomo. To the South, through the Porta Uzeda, is the port of Catania, to the north Via Etnea is the more urban part of the town.

In Cathedral square is situated also the symbol of Catania, the 18th century Elephant Statue made of lava stone supporting an Egyptian obelisk on its back. One of the place you can’t miss in the sunny catanese mornings is the Fish Market.

CATANIA

Villa Bellini relieves the grey and black of lava stone with the green of vegetation. This is really a large park, dedicated to the famous Catanese composer. There are amusements for children, fields for gaming, and the occasional snack vendor to complement the colored and picturesque daytime atmosphere.

Roman amphitheater is Its most interesting thing to see even though it is invisible, in fact the Roman amphitheater withstood destruction caused by lava and earthquakes.

catania

Via Etnea is the main street to promenade on a Sunday afternoon and night. Families, couples, groups or teenagers and so on stroll gently down the street. The thing I find fun is strolling all around the streets behind via Etnea where are situated many pubs crowded with young people and sitting in a café drinking and people watching.
catania

The main attractions to visit are:

Via Etnea (Etnean street)
The Dome and Fountain of the Elephant
The Cathedral
Castello Ursino (Ursino Castle)
The “fish market�? and “A fera o luni�?
The Museum Giovanni Verga
Museum of the Sea
Paleontological museum
Diocesans museum
Piazza Dante and the Benedictine abbey
Roman rests ( Teatro Romano , Oden, Terme dell’Indirizzo)
Piazza Stesicoro
Via Crociferi
Piazza Teotro Massimo and the Bellini Teather
University square

For a Complete tour of the City and a guide you can download this free podcast here:

Here the map of the itinerary:

Map of Catania

How to arrive in Catania?

Catania is one of the most reachable cities of Sicily.

By Car you arrive here from Messina (or Taormina) by the A18 highway and from Palermo by the A19 Highway. From Syracuse you can arrive here by the SS 124 and the SS114.
By Bus using the services provided by the AST (Azienda Siciliana trasporti)
By Ferry you can arrive from Naples, Malta and Ravenna
By Train: From Messina and Syracuse. (If you come from the main land of Italy you can take the rout from Naples or Rome: Eurostar)
By Airplane you can search for flights on the “Fontanarossa - Vincenzo Bellini” Airport.
Once you arrive in the airport you can take a Taxi (a bit expensive), a bus provided by the AMT that connects the airport with the railway station or rent a car.

Shopping guide

The Main shops are located in Etna street and Umberto Street. There are all type of shops. Shopping hours are from 9:00AM to 1:00PM and from 5:00PM to 8:00PM from Monday through Saturday.

Shops are closed:

January 1st-New Year’s Day
January 6th- Epiphany
February 5th- St. Agatha’s Day
Monday following Easter- Pasquetta
April 25th- Liberation Day
May 1st- Labor Day
June 2nd- Republic Day
August 15th-Ferragosto
November 1st. -All Saints’ Day
December 8th- Immaculate Conception
December 25th- Christmas
December 26th- St. Stephen’s Day

Now you have a complete view of the city. Book your next holiday in Catania is simple. All you have to do is to contact us, write your requests and start enjoy your vacation.