4-day
Specific Tour
Unlimited
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Catania is the second-largest city in Sicily and one of the most distinctive and energetic cities in Italy. Built on the shores of the Ionian Sea, right at the foot of the imposing Mount Etna (the largest active volcano in Europe), Catania is a city forged by its own history: it has been destroyed and reborn seven times by eruptions and earthquakes. Its hallmark is its dazzling late Baroque architecture, with buildings made of black volcanic stone and white marble, which has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is a destination full of colours, intense aromas, Mediterranean temperament and an authentic Sicilian atmosphere that captivates the visitor.
Catania has deep Greek roots, as it was founded in 729 BC by colonists from Chalcis under the name Katane. In Roman times it developed into one of the island’s most important commercial centres. In the centuries that followed, it passed through the rule of the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Normans and the Spanish. The most decisive moment in its history came in 1693, when a devastating earthquake destroyed almost the entire city. Catania, however, was rebuilt from scratch in the “Sicilian Baroque” style, with wide streets and grand squares, acquiring the unique architectural face we admire today. It was incorporated into the unified Italian state in 1860.
The tour begins at the impressive Piazza del Duomo, the city’s central square. At its centre stands Catania’s landmark, the Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell’Elefante), a sculpture of black volcanic stone that the locals call Liotru. On the same square stands the magnificent Cathedral of Saint Agatha (Cattedrale di Sant’Agata), the city’s patron saint. A short distance away is the Teatro Massimo Bellini, the beautiful opera house dedicated to the great composer Vincenzo Bellini, who was born here. For history lovers, the Roman theatre (Teatro Romano) and the medieval Ursino Castle (Castello Ursino) — once by the sea but now surrounded by solidified lava — are essential sights. Finally, a stroll along the grand Via Etnea offers wonderful shopping and a unique view: at the end of the street, the snow-capped peak of Etna always looms.
Catania’s cuisine is a triumph of Sicilian gastronomy, based on fresh seafood, vegetables and juicy citrus fruits. The city’s most famous dish is Pasta alla Norma (pasta with a rich tomato sauce, fried aubergines, fresh basil and grated salted ricotta), named in honour of Bellini’s opera Norma. In street food, the undisputed king is the Arancino (breaded, deep-fried rice balls stuffed with meat ragù and mozzarella, which in Catania have a distinctive conical shape inspired by Etna). For an authentic experience, visit the historic fish market La Pescheria, where you can enjoy fresh fried fish on the go. For dessert, try authentic Cannoli with ricotta cream, and in summer enjoy a refreshing Granita (Sicilian granita) in almond or pistachio flavour, accompanied by a warm brioche, as the locals do for breakfast.
Thanks to its large university (one of the oldest in Italy), Catania has one of the liveliest and most intense nightlife scenes in the whole country. The fun begins in the late afternoon with aperitivo and continues in the streets until the early hours. The heart of the nightlife lies in the lanes around Piazza Università, Piazza Vincenzo Bellini (also known as Piazza Teatro Massimo) and Via Sangiuliano. There you will find hundreds of bars, pubs, open-air tables and alternative hangouts, where people enjoy themselves outdoors over a cocktail or a local beer. During the summer months, the action moves to the open-air clubs and beach bars along La Playa beach, for dancing right by the waves.
The currency in Catania is the Euro (€), so no currency exchange is needed for travellers from eurozone countries. Catania is one hour behind Greece, and Italy’s international dialling code is 0039. The city is served by Catania Fontanarossa International Airport (CTA), the largest and busiest airport in Sicily. It lies extremely close to the city (just 5 kilometres south-west), and the connection to the centre and the main railway station (Stazione Centrale) is very easy and cheap with the Alibus express bus, departing every 25 minutes. The airport also now has its own railway station (Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa) for easy access by train.
The trip runs for 4 days and starts from €385 per person, departing from Athens. You pick the dates — there is no fixed departure.
The price includes: flight tickets, 1 cabin bag up to 10 kg (and 1 personal item), airport taxes, fuel surcharges, 3 nights in a centrally located hotel, VAT.
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From €385 per person
Price per person for 2 people sharing a double room, in low season, with flights from Athens.
This is a starting price. The final price depends on your dates, flights and hotel, and we confirm it in the personal offer we send you. No payment is needed when you send your request.
With this trip you earn about 385 Loyalty points per person (1 point per €1, worth about €4 off a future trip). Points double for bookings completed in January and February. About Lia's Loyalty Club
Add whatever you need around this trip and send us one request. We reply with one final price for the whole trip.
Price and availability last updated: 18 May 2025
No account needed. We will let you know if anything worth knowing happens.
Optional tours, tickets and activities you can book for your days there. We arrange the trip — these you choose yourself.
Activities, experiences and local guides — book ahead and keep your days free of queues.
Compare prices from all major car rental companies, with free cancellation on most offers.
Attraction tickets, airport transfers, rail passes and day trips, booked in advance.
These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.
This is a made-to-order trip, so you choose the dates. We are happy to advise on the best season for this destination and on how the weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.
The main inclusions are:
The full list of what is and is not included appears in the "Included / Excluded" section on this page.
It depends on the season and the destination. Many trips do have a direct flight, but depending on your dates the airlines may not have a direct connection available for that period, in which case the trip may involve one stopover. We will tell you the exact flight routing clearly in your quote, before you proceed with the booking.
Not necessarily. The "From €X" price is the lowest price available today, based on current flight and hotel availability for that destination. Because availability changes daily, the final price for your specific dates may differ. We'll send you a firm, written quote before anything is charged, once you tell us the dates you have in mind.
Flight and hotel prices change daily depending on season, demand, day of the week, and how far in advance you book. That's why the price shown is indicative — the earlier you tell us your dates, the easier it is for us to secure the best possible price.
The single-room supplement varies by hotel and destination, and is included in the quote you'll receive for your specific dates. If you're travelling alone, let us know from the start so the quote already reflects the correct single-room price.
Payment is due in full at the time of booking. For certain hotels that have their own payment policy (for example a deposit or a specific payment deadline), we'll let you know clearly before you proceed, so you know exactly what applies.
Yes — once your booking is confirmed, the price is fixed and won't be affected by later changes in flight or hotel prices. Availability and price can only change before your booking is finalised.
Several trips offer the option to depart from a city other than Athens (for example Thessaloniki), usually with a small additional charge. If this applies to a specific trip, it will be noted on the page or mentioned when we send your quote. This trip is also available departing from Larnaca (Cyprus) — the flight price difference is calculated in your personal quote.
For destinations inside the European Union and the Schengen area, Greek citizens travel with a new-type national ID card bearing Latin characters, or with a valid passport. We recommend carrying your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as well. Minors must carry their own travel document, and a valid driving licence is required if you are hiring a car. Entry rules change, so please confirm the current requirements with us before you book.
Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and suppliers booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure you are and on the fare rules of each booking. Tell us as early as possible and we will look for the least costly option. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.
Travel insurance is not included in the price unless the "Included" list on this page says otherwise. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the EU, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange a policy for you — just ask when you book.
Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary and no coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the number of nights, the class of hotel, add or drop destinations and arrange transfers, car hire or private guides.
Send us a request through the form on this page, call us, or drop by the office. We will come back with availability and a written quotation before anything is charged. The trip as shown runs for 4 days.
Departure from: Athens · Thessaloniki · Larnaca.
Flights: Direct or with one connection, depending on the season.
Visa (Greek citizens): No visa needed.
Earliest departure: At least 7 days after booking.
Best time to go: May–October.
Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.
Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.
