Fantastic baroque theatre that maintains its 19th century charm. In places it it dated but the 4 stories of loggias are spectacular. The acoustics are fantastic. If you have a chance, also visit the upstairs room that is spectucularly decorated with gold colored plaster ceilings, ornaments and pillars!

Fantastic symphony experience. Recommend getting tickets at the box office rather than online, better options. Beautiful and well maintained historic theater. Orchestra was fabulous and powerful with complex Mahler 5th. No breaks just like Mahler would expect.

Teatro Massimo Bellini is one of Catania’s most distinguished cultural treasures, a theatre that radiates elegance, history, and artistic passion. Named after the renowned composer Vincenzo Bellini, the opera house stands as a proud tribute to the city’s musical heritage. Its grand façade, richly decorated with ornate details and classical influences, immediately sets the tone for the experience inside. Upon entering, visitors are met with an atmosphere of opulence. The interior showcases plush red seating, intricate gold accents, and a lavish ceiling fresco that adds both drama and beauty to the auditorium. The design creates a sense of intimacy despite the theatre’s size, ensuring that every performance feels both personal and immersive. The acoustics are exceptional, offering clear, resonant sound that enhances the impact of operas, concerts, and orchestral events. Beyond its visual and acoustic qualities, Teatro Massimo Bellini stands out for its cultural vibrancy. The programming often features a thoughtful blend of traditional opera, classical music, and contemporary performances, appealing to both enthusiasts and newcomers. Attending a show here feels like stepping into a world where artistry and tradition blend seamlessly. The area surrounding the theatre also adds to the experience. Situated in a charming square, the theatre is framed by cafés and restaurants, making it easy to enjoy a relaxed evening before or after a performance. Whether you come for the architecture, the atmosphere, or the music itself, Teatro Massimo Bellini offers a memorable and enriching cultural experience. It remains an essential stop for anyone wishing to appreciate the artistic soul of Catania.

Theatre Bellini is an amazing building! This classical building has been built to mark the Catania born composer Vincenzo Bellini. We couldn't see the inside sadly as there weren't any performances while we were visiting Catania in Sicily.

Beautiful opera house with lots of leg room in the stalls. Prices very reasonable. Staff very helpful.

Wanted to buy a concert ticket but the website was down. You can go inquire it 2 hours at the entrance before the concert to see if there are any concert tickets left.

Am amazing theatre, beautiful. Staff are very cordial too

Castello Ursino is a fascinating medieval fortress in Catania, Sicily, built in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II. Surrounded by lava stone and rich in history, it now houses a museum with captivating art and archaeological exhibits. The mix of Norman architecture and volcanic surroundings makes it truly unique. A peaceful, historic spot that offers insight into Sicily’s complex past—definitely worth a visit when exploring Catania.

Ursino Castle offers a rewarding blend of historical architecture and curated artifacts—ideal for those who appreciate medieval history and Sicilian culture. It’s especially suited to visitors seeking depth in a less crowded museum, but those expecting curated, modern exhibitions may find its layout and presentation modest

Great place to visit just before sunset, the colors work well with the site

Still closed, but even so the surrounding area and the outside are worth visiting. It’s almost all on volcanic rock and there are lizards, birds and wild cats all around the area. It’s a popular meeting point for tours and the area felt very safe.

Decent enough museum but the €6 entrance is honestly too steep. That said I enjoyed the meander around and the collection of artifacts on the ground floor. The second (first floor in the U.K.) is mostly paintings. It’s no Louvre but some are striking, such as Love and Death and the Sicilian Vespers. All captions are translated into English. Nice views of the city from the roof terrace. Have to agree that unfortunately bathrooms were gross 😷

We visited Caravaggio paintings exposition and ticket lady proposed purchase also tickets to Ursino Castle for just 1 Euro more, so it was a no brainer. I think it's worth seeing and as you can see at the photos you will be able to see a lot of paintings, the whole interior of the castle and beautiful views from the top.

6€ per person to get in. Sort of boring to be honest, paintings and sculptures but I really wanted to see and learn about the castle. The outside and the middle part is the best. Only two vending machines on the top floor with a small seating area. Bathrooms were disgusting!

The Benedictine Monastery in Catania is a very special and well maintained piece of history in Catania. I took a group of Americans from my yoga retreat here as part of a cultural excursion to Catania and it was absolutely fabulous. The tour was about an hour long and covered so much history and interesting parts of the property to explore. Our english speaking guide was so passionate and enthusiastic about the history he was sharing with us. He invited questions from the group through out our experience and he was a fountain of information and knowledge. I would recommend this tour to history buffs and skeptics alike.

We really enjoyed our guided visit to the Monastero dei Benedettini (10€). It was fascinating to walk through 2000 years of history, and it’s truly remarkable that such a historic place is now home to a university. It’s one of the most beautiful university campuses I’ve ever seen !

We accidentally stumbled across the monastery whilst sightseeing in Catania and managed to join a guided tour. The monastery blew us away and the guide was amazing. Being able to see the evolution of the site from its Roman beginnings in the basement library to the various rebuilding of the earthquakes and eruptions of Etna was fascinating. Of all the churches and sites in Catania, I’d put this on the top of the list.

A tour guide is definitely necessary here. Our tour guide Nicola was so funny and informative. You got all kinds of funny stories and history about this place from 2nd century AD to current time. We even got into the usually not open area thanks to our guide. (Also this museum shop has the best designed souvenirs I have seen so far in Sicily)

One of the largest monastery in Europe, full of interesting historical sites and ancient ruins; make sure to visit along with a guide; there is 1 every hour and the whole tour takes around 1:20 hours and it’s really worth it.

You can't judge a book by its cover nor can you judge this magnificent monastery but the outside. Once inside of this church that is for the monks of the order it is unbelievably beautiful. I highly recommend visiting it if you come to Catania.

Words cannot express how amazing our tour was!!!!!! Our guide in English was sooooooo GREAT!!!!! He had such a passion for the history. Really really great!!! Definitely a MUST SEE IN CATANIA. The building was incredible!!!

Very nice street! Lots of churches!

Via Crociferi is a beautiful quiet street to walk on.

Very beautiful street with impressive baroque architecture churches of centur you have to see !!!

Old town street. Several churches and monasteries.

The famous road rich in baroque style buildings, including churches and monasteries. There are 4 churches from 18th century. The Church of San Benedetto and connected to the convent of B doctrine nuns by the arch of San Benedetto, the Church of San Francesco Borgia, the Church of San Giuliano and the Church of San Camilla. There are to much beauty in one place, because it’s very difficult to concentrate your attention, you want to consider every detail on this baroque buildings and don’t cross and don’t miss anything.

If it ain’t baroque, don’t fix it

Neat streat but not that impressive

Typical traditional local restaurant with a classic touch. Nice dining area with style ,but nothing too extraordinary. The actual food is simple and quite plain. Do not expect any exceptional experience. Service is slow as is to be the kitchen itself.

We had a delicious lunch of traditional Sicilian dishes. Everything was seasoned perfectly and the service was very good. During our time in Sicily we paid much more for meals of lower quality.

The restaurant its beautiful, its all about food once you see their kitchen with the chefs hustle and the products on display. The squid quality was extremely good. Tender, fresh and nice flavor to it. The pistachio fish, on point. The fish steak was juicy, thick, with nice crust and full of flavor (my favorite). Good if you want more of a confortable meal. Now the anchovy pasta for me was not as special as the anchovies could have a bit more flavor/saltyness to it, but well to others on the table it was by far the best of the night. Their prices are very good, with really friendly service. I could say maybe the only thing it lack of its a bit of background music, seems a bit stale and quite to my preference.

This was such a surprise. We stumbled on this place by chance. On my top 3 restaurant list in Cantania. Their concept of traditional and slow food is captivating . Their mission statement is on the menu and is clearly their north star. We loved it so much, we booked dinner for the next day. The staff is so friendly and professional. Made sure one of us got everything gluten free as asked. Went above and beyond. My favorite thing was the wine and cheese combo. Indescribable. Eat at least a meal here. You won’t regret it!

The best traditional Italian restaurant in Catania. The food is outstanding, the dishes are prepared with high quality local ingredients. Highly recommended it.

Me Cumpari Turiddu: Where the Locals Eat (and What That Actually Means) There are restaurants for tourists, and then there are restaurants where the tourists have not yet arrived—or have arrived, looked at the menu, and promptly left. Me Cumpari Turiddu in Catania falls decisively into the latter category. This is where the locals go. One knows this not from any sign or advertisement but from the atmosphere itself: that particular vibe of a place that exists for its own community, that has no interest in explaining itself or apologizing for what it is. The wine list confirms this—local reserves, the kind that never make it onto international lists because they’re drunk here, by people who know. We ordered with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. The menu offered local fare, which is to say: food that comes from this specific place and no other, whether or not the wider world is ready for it. Donkey, for instance. We did not order the donkey. This is not a judgment, merely a confession. Every traveler has their limits, and ours, apparently, do not extend to equines, however traditionally prepared. What we did eat: salads and vegetables that were divine—this word is not hyperbole but accurate description. Things pulled from Sicilian soil have a different quality than things pulled from elsewhere. The tubular meats (I leave the specific taxonomy to others more versed in Italian charcuterie) were excellent. The local cheeses—creamy, tangy, perfect against the local bread—reminded us that cheese is not a monolith but a conversation between milk, time, and place. And then: my fresh grilled tuna. It tasted, if I’m honest, a little off. Not dangerously so—I’m still here to write this—but off. That slight edge that suggests the fish was perhaps not as fresh as advertised, or had been held slightly too long, or had been handled in some way that compromised it. These things happen, even in Sicily, even in restaurants where locals eat. The Nero d’Avola helped. It always does. A good Sicilian red can wash down a multitude of sins, culinary and otherwise. At the end we waited for the waiter to bring the check which never came. We watched the locals who when done stood up and paid at the front. As did we. Would we return? Yes, though perhaps we’d order differently. The pleasure of Me Cumpari Turiddu is not perfection but authenticity—that increasingly rare quality of a place that refuses to be anything other than itself. This is what we travel for, isn’t it? Not the sanitized, the safe, the guaranteed. But the real, the local, the challenging. The meal that reminds us we are somewhere particular, eating what the people here eat, for better and occasionally for worse. The Nero d’Avola, I should mention, was superb.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Extraordinary restaurant with unique dishes and great combinations of parfurms and culinary traditions. Simply the best restaurant we tried in Sicily. Without any doubts.

This small fish fast-food spot is right in the city center, on a street near the main square where during the day there’s a fish market. The smell of fish is noticeable, but you can get used to it. The place had many positive reviews and always seemed busy, so I decided to try a fish’n’chips style cone. The staff was very friendly. The first time I went, I was told they didn’t serve fries, but I could get the fried cone on its own, which was fine. My order arrived within a minute or two, and it came with a plate, napkins, and lemon wedges. The fish was fresh, the batter crisp, and the quality of the seafood was excellent. Even as someone who normally doesn’t enjoy fish and seafood, I liked everything I tried. It was so good, that a few days later I went back. The cone was just as good as the first visit, served the same way. This time there were more small octopus pieces, which slightly dominated the mix compared to shrimp or calamari and other fish, but it was still very tasty. Overall the food is fresh, high quality, and consistently well prepared. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to try some seafood in a casual, fast-food style setting.

We saw a travel blog recommending this place. Had a lunch meal on our first day and it was great. The boneless seafood cone was awesome and the arancini were great. We were so impressed we went back for dinner on our last night. Easy ordering and they call your name out (loudly) with your order when its ready. Great quality food and worth the visit.

The food is pretty much perfect. They have a variety and they have as much as you need for a quick fish meal. A big con however is its location, Catania is kinda known for being dirty and smelly but this location was so bad. It smells really really bad, I was there at summer. Overall though it’s nice, it is kinda self service, you order to the counter and lay and they bring it to you. Nothing special, but the food is delicious!! (Sorry for the messy videos, they are from Live Photos and I need my points lol)

I tried octopus salad, sword fish/aubergine salad and boneless cone. If ı have chance to come again ı will the choose same three, no hesitation a perfect seafood place! I also got the couscous salad but I am not a big fan of it.

Had boneless cone, lemon mayo, bread and beer. Cold beer & fried food in the heat never goes wrong. The seafood was well cooked - soft inside and crispy outside. Light & thin fry. Well seasoned that I felt that I did not need anything else (not even lemon). I would not recommend the bread though. The lemon mayo also had a lot of mint - which I enjoyed, but it was unpleasant surprise for my husband who does not like mint. Could be better if they clearly stated in the menu that there were mint also. We sat outdoors. Some fishy smell from the fish market nearby, but got used to it quickly that it did not bother much.

Pretty cool way to try Catania’s seafood. I tried the boneless cone while my friend went for the fish cakes. Mine was decent, slightly salty and not too remarkable, but the fish cakes stood out, with flavors that were unique and nicely balanced. The staff were friendly too

Good spot for lunch and snacks. Somewhat of a wait around lunchtime - maybe 15-20 minutes on a Saturday. While you wait in line, a table becomes available. Service is friendly and quick. Had the fennel/orange-salad and the fried cod fingers - both were great and delicious!

Although a bit on the expensive side, the food is authentic and the service is top notch. Could get crampy because of the tight orientation of the tables. The calamari and mussels were so good. Although the mixed fish fry was a miss. Great wine collection and u can only get the whole bottle.

Overpriced and tourist trap! The vegetables were not grilled properly and they were raw/cold and there was no olive oil in the salad. Plates and cutlery were low quality. Waiters were extremely arrogant - terrible service and atmosphere. You can find better fish and fish restaurant in Sicily for a better price and atmosphere.

Worth to visit I’ve been looking for seafood restaurant in Catania, then I booked for dinner for two. Everything was perfect, especially caramari e gamba fritters and squid ink pasta were impeccable. In addition, I wanted to do something for my friend’s birthday here. The hall staff Luigi listened to me very carefully and he helped a lot!!!!! We have had a good time. I strongly recommend this restaurant!

Perched right next to the fish market, this restaurant obviously serves the freshest seafood. It was too hot to sit outside on the terrace and the interior was nice and cosy. I started with the selection of cooked and raw seafood accompanied by an excellent local Rosé followed by the Spaghetti Vongole. Overall and excellent meal. Service was also exceptional.

Dining at Osteria Antica Marina felt like stepping straight into the heartbeat of Catania. Tucked inside the city’s lively fish market, the place buzzes with energy — fishermen shouting, people laughing, the scent of the sea floating through the air. It’s chaotic in the best possible way, and that chaos gives the restaurant its charm. I started with a plate of mixed crudo — raw shrimp, tuna, and squid so fresh it almost melted in my mouth. Then came the pasta with sea urchin, one of the best I’ve ever had: creamy, briny, and perfectly balanced. Every bite tasted like the Sicilian coast itself. My grilled fish was chosen directly from the counter, and the waiter suggested a crisp Etna Bianco that paired beautifully. The service was warm and unpretentious, exactly what I love in a local trattoria. They didn’t rush me, even though the restaurant was full, and their genuine enthusiasm for the food was contagious. It’s not a quiet place — the market noise seeps in constantly — but that’s part of the magic. Osteria Antica Marina isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience. If you want to taste the real soul of Catania, this is where you should go.

We ordered oysters and it was a worst experience ever. The oysters came dry and smelly, faster than drinks. I could definetely tell it wasn’t fresh and opened much before we placed the order. After I complained they replaced them to new ones but those didnt seemed to be fresh neither. No sorry or anything from the staff and got a 5 euros compulsary service charge added to the bill. Skip this place if possible

The spaghetti with red shrimp tartare was disappointing and terrible. Idk if it’s inspired by Japanese food, with bonito flakes, but it’s under seasoned and it’s just weird combination. The scampi tagliolini was not as a nightmare as the other one, but the seafood was not fresh. The food was generally overpriced. Definitely a trap :( The staff were super unfriendly, especially the one standing in the counter

Go early in the morning for the freshly hand-made cannoli. I usually have to take them outside to eat, because the wait for a empty table can be long in the busy season. If you have the time eat them at a table with a nice expresso. The green filled cannoli's are my favorites, I always miss that great taste when I do find one in a Paris bakery.

I LOVED this cafe. Yes, it was very busy and hard to find a table…. But that’s for good reason. They have great pastries at great prices. I didn’t try their savory, but I’m sure it is also very good. I got their cannoli and a large rum baba filled with pastry cream. Both fantastic! The cannoli had a lighter shell than most I had, which didn’t really make it better or worse in my mind. Just different. The rum baba- oh wow. So delicious! Super moist and flavorful. It’s huge for the price too.

If you want to experience the real Sicily — where tradition, flavor, and soul come together — Savia in Catania is the place to go. From the moment you step inside, the aroma of freshly fried arancini fills the air — golden, crisp on the outside, and perfectly creamy within. These aren’t just snacks; they’re a piece of Sicilian history, made just as they should be. Every bite reminds you that you’re tasting the original, authentic flavor that locals have loved for generations. And it doesn’t stop there. For something sweet, pair a soft, buttery brioche with the rich, velvety granita — the perfect Sicilian breakfast duo. Add a strong espresso, and you’ll understand why this region’s culinary traditions are so revered. At Savia, every flavor feels like it’s feeding your soul. It’s not just food — it’s heritage, passion, and love served on a plate. Whether you come for the arancino or stay for the dessert, this is a stop no true food lover should miss in Catania.

This place was recommended to us. Busy with locals, it’s a great place to grab an arancini or cannoli. Get yourself in line to pay first, then wait for your ticket number to be called.

Loved the granita (chocolate and pistachio) and the brioche buns here, super soft with a lovely hint of citrus. We ended up coming back twice just for the granita and brioche! The arancini catanese was good, though the pistachio one was a bit bland despite being freshly made. The wait for a table can take a bit, but the waiters were kind.

It was recommended to me by my hotel. It was a very good selection of tasty Sicilian food like Arancini, Croissant, sweets, coffee, any many more. I really liked the Cafe al Ginsing, Spinach Arancini, and Pistachio Croissant. Just one drawback is that as this is very popular place, there is sometimes a waiting queue where people sometimes need to stand for say 20mins in peak hours, but it is worth it. Waiters service is good and they speak English. Card payments are accepted.

Best cannoli and pastries, both sweet and savory. The arancini were great also. However, the service we received was not the very best. Our waiter seemed more distracted by friends than to pay attention to us.

One of our favorites during time in catania, so much so that we came back twice!! service is good, food appetizers are also very good and v reasonably priced, we also kept asking for vermouth reccs and they always delivered!! I also loved the vermouth fizz if u prefer something lighter, & honestly can’t go really wrong with whatever food u choose to order! Seems like lots of locals go as well so it can get crowded past 7pm with reservations so recommend getting there 6-7pm

Aperitivo done well and at very fair prices. We ordered mixed olives, aubergines, artichokes, smoked buffalo mozzarella, dry sausage, and goat cheese, plus house white wine at only €2 per glass. Portions are small, but that makes it easy to try several dishes. A casual and lively bar to enjoy before dinner, and very popular with locals.

Very cool spot for drinks, meats, cheeses, tostadas. Everything was delicious. Not mindblowing food, just very good and comforting. It’s also fairly cheap. 10/10 for the vibes. There was a short wait for a table on a Saturday night. The service was brisk and efficient. Negronis were great (and strong!)

We loved Vermut and found ourselves going back again during our time in Catania. It’s a busy place so don’t be put off if you need to wait for a table. The vermouth cocktails are delightful and the 7 year aged chilli was a highlight on the food menu. It’s a super laid back and relaxed venue, the staff seem to be happy working there which always makes it a more enjoyable experience as a customer.

A truly fantastic place, not only for its delicious food and carefully selected vermouth, but above all for its unique atmosphere. Every detail feels authentic and inviting, making it the perfect spot to enjoy Catania at its best. Highly recommended to anyone visiting the city.

Absolute gem ! Came here more than once during our stay. Raw wines and good cocktails. Vibes are great, local, and authentic. It’s always full so if you want to sit at a table I recommend you come early. If not they have a window bar on the side where you can order and stand by a table. Incredible, would 100% recommend.

Service was slow, especially when it’s getting crowded. Great snacks and cocktails. We ordered Negroni and they used different Vermouth in the mix for the second order without asking or telling us. For snacks, we had 7 years chili pepper with Pepato cheese and fresh ricotta with anchovies. Despite the service isn’t excellent at that time, we’ll be back again to enjoy other delicacies.