Cities & Culture
Catania – Between lava, baroque, and markets
Vibrant, intense, contradictory — Catania is a city you love instinctively. Nestled between sea and volcano, built on lava stone and shaped by baroque architecture, it’s a place where history and daily life merge into a contagious energy. Strolling along Via Etnea, your gaze drifts between elegant dark stone palaces, imposing domes, and the silhouette of Etna rising in the background.
The heart of it all is Piazza del Duomo, with its lava stone elephant — the city’s symbol — and the cathedral dedicated to beloved Saint Agatha. But Catania is also colourful markets, like the famous Pescheria, where the voices of vendors, the scent of the sea, and the colours of fresh produce create an unforgettable sensory experience.
And then there are theatres, Roman ruins, hidden gardens, and a young, creative spirit that shows itself through music, street art, and historic cafés.
Don’t miss in Catania
- Piazza Duomo and Saint Agatha’s Cathedral
- The Pescheria fish market
- The Roman Theatre and Amphitheater
- The Benedictine Monastery (UNESCO site)
- An aperitivo on Via Santa Filomena
Taormina – Beauty suspended between sky and sea
Elegant, romantic, scenic — Taormina is the “Pearl of the Ionian Sea,” perched between hills and coast, with a timeless charm. Wandering through its flower-filled alleys feels like stepping into a Mediterranean dream — wrought iron balconies, the scent of jasmine, and breathtaking views.
The true heart of the town is its Greek Theatre, a masterpiece suspended between history and panorama: from here, you can gaze at smoky Etna and the endless blue sea. Nearby, elegant boutiques, cafés with sea-view terraces, ancient churches, and hidden corners where time seems to stand still.
Taormina is perfect for a day trip filled with beauty, or for a romantic dinner under the stars — perhaps after a swim at nearby Isola Bella, a natural reserve and coastal jewel.
Don’t miss in Taormina
- The Ancient Theatre overlooking Etna
- Corso Umberto and its alleyways
- The Duomo and Piazza IX Aprile
- The cable car to Isola Bella
- A pistachio granita with brioche
