Here a short Catania travel guide to help discover the best attractions and how to do a city tour
The first thing to do is to establish the period during which going on journey according to what you want to do in your vacation. If you want to
hike mount Etna and walk around its surroundings, you are very free as to the period of the trip because Etna tour is appreciable to all the year. You can practice different touristic activities. In winter months you can practice different winter sport. Nevertheless, the best period to enjoy the
Etna mountain is from March to October.
Weather condictions...In Catania there is a generally stable weather. So you don’t need particular dress or other similar but you have to consider that during winter our climate is hot respect other european countries . Rain is concentrated during November-December only for few days. Etna climate is different: in summer is easy to hike mt etna and find temperatures very low and fast change of atmosphere conditions. So before climbing be sure to have a look at weather conditions and have the right equipment for this adventure.
Suitcase...An important thing to do is to pack a suitcase that could satisfy your wish for Sicily tour walking on mount etna and visiting her woods and hills according to the period, the weather and to how many nights are you going to stay. So be careful while choosing your equipment when climb on the summit. Besides a comfortable and warm jacket, trouser socks and athletic shoes and socks, you may need:
- Backpack From At least 50 Liters
- Video or digital Camera
- Impermeable dress
- Trekking boots
- Jacket To Heavy and Light Wind
- Wool Cap
- Knife Multipurpose and Battery Lamp
- Bottle of water
- Lighter
Detailed plan...In addition you should plan in detail your trip according to how long will your vacation last. If you want only a mount etna visit guided on the summit it takes max 5 hours. If you choose a complete Etna tour of its surroundings such us the most beautiful but unknown Nicolosi, Piedimonte e Santa Venerina, it can take to 5-10 days.
Things to visit in Nicolosi are:- The mother Church
- Volcanological museum
- North Nicolosi in Rifugio Sapienza place, the base for the summit craters excursions
Randazzo things to see are:- The Svevo castle
- Archaeological museum Vagliasindi
- The Alcantara River and Nebrodi Parks
Zafferana Etnea attractions are:- The Church mother
- The Etna's park natural itineraries
- The honey producers and the food festivals in october
- Archaeological sites are open from 9-12 AM and 4-7 PM on Monday to Friday, and 9-12 AM on Saturday; summer hours may be longer.
- Museums are open from 9-1 Tuesday to Saturday, and some weekday afternoons. Some are closed on Mondays.
- Churches are open in the morning from 8 till 12, and some are open after 4 PM.
Everyday activities...As far as daily activities are concerned you can go for shopping whenever you like, there is plenty of shops at your disposal in every country. Usually in Catania all type of stores are opened all the week days, but Monday morning, from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 21:00 o’clock.
Some shops are closed during the last two weeks of August and also in these days of the year:
- 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
Travel tips for Sicily 
