Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Catania?

Q: Is one day enough time in Catania?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the lively port city of Catania, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, take a hike, enjoy an evening out, and swim at the beach. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Catania?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Catania, Italy? Most people spend one to two days in Catania during their visit. After all, the lively port city will let you enjoy a meal at a restaurant, take a hike, enjoy an evening out, and swim at the beach.

Catania is the second largest city in Sicily. It has a large student population that keeps the nightlife scene active and fun. There are also many historical sights around the small old town. Many visitors also take a day trip to Mt. Etna which is a truly unique Sicilian experience.

Do you have one or two days to visit Catania? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Catania?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the lively port city of Catania, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, take a hike, enjoy an evening out, and swim at the beach. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Catania

When visiting Catania, you can't miss Mount Etna as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

The delicious food of Catania is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this port city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The city's food scene is excellent. Dishes are influenced by both the sea and the land, and you'll find a large and popular street food setting. If you're sampling the street food, make sure you try the arancino (rice balls). Pasta dishes are also popular and many use a variety of cheeses. You'll also find plenty of fresh vegetables incorporated into many dishes.

A few tour suggestions include:

Private Tour of Mount Etna with Etna Doc Wine Tasting ($226)
Etna trekking and wine tasting ($148)
Mt Etna and Wine tasting tour from Catania ($117)

Catania is a very walkable city. With only a day in the port city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Many of the city's main sights are close together in the center of town, making them easy to access on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Catania?

Two days or a full weekend in Catania is often considered the right amount of time to spend here, as many tourists take around one to two days for their trip in the area. A 2-day trip would usually give you enough time to check out the cuisine, the hiking, the nightlife, and the beaches. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

Catania and Mt. Etna

How to spend 2 days in Catania

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Catania will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the port city.

Known for it's hiking, Catania sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Many people visit Mt. Etna as a day trip. You can take the bus to Sapienza Refuge to begin your climb. While it's a doable hike for many people, it can be steep and requires some determination. Unless you're a very experienced hiker, a guide is a must as the trail disappears for large sections. There are also buses and cable cars that take people up sections of the mountain.

A few tour suggestions include:

Etna Volcano: South Side Guided Summit Hike to 3340 mt ($66)
Etna trekking and wine tasting ($148)
Hiking at 2800m on Mount Etna ($82)

This port city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has a reputation for its great nightlife scene that spreads beyond Sicily. The large student population and popularity with tourists mean you can find a party most nights of the week. There are many bars and clubs to check out, many of which are found in the old town center.

Public transit in Catania is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the port city quite easily. There are many buses around town that offer access to most places. If you drove you can park and take Line 504M to the historic center. You can also take a bus from Piazza Giovanni XXIII to Rifugio Sapienza if you're going to Mt. Etna. It leaves every morning at 8:15 and returns at 4:30 in the afternoon. The city also has a metro, which has one line and ten stops.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Catania, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.