What to see when visiting East of Sicily? Travel guide to Catania & Taormina. Recommendations & tips to inspire you to visit Italy.

What to see in East of Sicily?

Catania

What to see & do in the second-largest city in Sicily?

Street of Churches

Via Crociferi is a street of Churches. The whole length of the street there are churches one after another. Church of St. Camillus, Chiesa di San Giuliano, Chiesa di San Francesco Borgia through the Arco di San Benedetto to Church of Saint Benedict & Church of St. Francis of Assisi’all’Immacolata‘.

Staying on the topic of churches. Just a few streets away from Via Crociferi you can visit Monastero Dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l’Arena.

Piazza del Duomo & everything nearby

The most famous square in Catania is Piazza del Duomo. On which you can see the Elephante fountain, Cathedral de Santa Agatha & Porta Uzeda. From this place you have five ways to go:
1. Via Etnea & Piazza Università,
2. to Porta Garibaldi,
3. by the Fontana dell’Amenano into Catania Fish Market (La Pescheria di Catania),
4. through Porta Uzeda into Giardino Pacini where old Italians are playing cards every siesta,
5. lastly by the Sant’Agata Gardens

As in most Italian cities, Catania has its own Greek-Roman theatre. When you’re on the Via Etnea be sure to take a turn and see this monument.

Massimo Bellini was a famous Sicilian compositor & named after him, were two worth seeing places: Teatro de Massimo Bellini & Villa Bellini (Park in City Center with beautiful antique architecture)

Culture & Relax

If you want to visit a museum, try Castello Ursino, it has exhibitions of antique sculptures, renaissance paintings & temporary exhibitions on the highest floor. It also has a viewpoint on top of one tower & the building itself is worth seeing.

In Catania, there are two types of beaches: sand – Playa di Catania, & a stone beach – Lungomare di Catania. If you have time I would recommend visiting both of them.

When it comes to gastronomy you should go for the best Cafe Fredo to VANCU, try arancini in Munnu Arancinu & with your coffee order pistachio iris at Cafe Europa.

Taormina

What to see & do in the small city on the hill by the sea?

Taormina-Giardini is probably where you’ll start your journey – the train station, from there you need to get up the hill into the centre of Taormina. You have a few options:
1. hike Trailhead to Taormina (Goethe path),
2. uber/taxi,
3. bus,
4. Taormina – Mazzaró Cable Car (with a walk to the station)

Villa Comunale di Taormina is a park perfect for cooling down on a hot day, there you can see the Monumento ai Caduti as well as much amazing greenery.

Even though Taormina is a small town it also has its own Teatro Antico di Taormina & Odeon. I would say that it’s in better shape than the Catania one.

The most famous place that serves granita & brioche called Bam Bar, is placed in the heart of Taormina. Their fame is well earned because the granita there is truly the best.

Piazza IX Aprile can be cold a main square of Taormina. Here you’ll see a beautiful view of the sea and Torre dell Orologio e Porta di mezzo & Chiesa di San Giuseppe. Walking through Porta di mezzo & furder Corso Umberto you’ll see Porta Catania.

When you’re visiting Taormina don’t forget a swimming suit. Isola Bella is a small island connected with the seashore only with a thin, sand pathway. It’s a perfect place to relax and swim. The best way there from the city centre is through Stairs to Taormina which have an amazing view of Isola Bella & the shore.

What to eat in Sicily?

• Cafe Fredo – sweet iced espresso which you can order with almond granita as milk.
• Arancini – Sicilian fast food: fried rice ball with filling
• Pistachio – East Sicily is known for the best pistachio, so ordering pistachio sweet with your coffee is a must there.
• Granita & brioche – common sicilian breaksaft. This frozen dessert & slightly sweet bun make a perfect combination.
• Cannelloni – fried shortcrust pastry with ricotta filling. It can be extremely sweet but it’s worth it. You should try at least one on your trip.
• Pasta Alla Norma – Sicilian pasta with tomato & eggplant sauce

You need to be aware of…

“Italians drive like animals”

Even Italians warn tourists about their driving style. Be aware of this as a driver but also as a pedestrian, if you’re not used to chaotic driving better stick to public transport & walking. Remember that red light isn’t always interpreted correctly.

Trashy walks

Catania is a large city with beautiful antique architecture, but unfortunately, it’s neglected. Bags full of trash & trash bins stay on the streets for days. Every corner of the road is dirty & pieces of garbage are following on the sidewalks. In more tourist areas it’s in better condition but in poorer neighbourhoods, it’s a big problem.

Plastic water

Tap water in Sicily isn’t drinkable. A reusable bottle with a filter is a perfect solution if you don’t want to buy water in plastic. But be prepared that you may need to buy bottled water & it’s all right.

Stone beaches

Most of the beaches in East Sicily are covered in stones. It creates a beautiful sea view but it can be difficult to go into the water without cutting your foot. So if you choose this destination remember to pack water shoes.

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