Highlights
Pick up from your Accommodation
Private Transfer with driver
Visit of Catania center
Stop in Acicastello
Stop in Acitrezza
Tour duration: about 6 hours
Catania is the second largest metropolitan city of Sicily. Over the centuries, it has faced earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, it has undergone alternating dominations and urban transformations. Today is a lively and vibrant city, where you can experience the real Sicilian hospitality and traditions.
Our driver will pick you up from your accommodation at your most preferred time and drive you to Catania center. You will have free time to stroll in the chaotic Fish Market, the ideal place to immerse yourself in the local catanese culture. Continue your visit from Piazza del Duomo, the heart of the city. Standing in the center of the square, you can admire the city’s emblem: The Elephant’s Fountain (“u Liotru” in Sicilian dialect). This fountain depicts an elephant carved in black lava, topped by an Egyptian obelisk. Behind the fountain is Catania Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Agatha, a young virgin tortured after refusing the amorous advances of a Roman prefect.
This Christian martyr became the patron saint of the city, celebrated with devotion every 5th of February. Its relics are located inside the cathedral. Inside the cathedral, you can also see the tomb of Vincenzo Bellini, the famous classical composer. The “Norma” is his masterpiece. From Piazza del Duomo take the Via Etnea, the main street where you can do some shopping, have an ice cream or enjoy a pastry. Halfway in Via Etnea, you will find Villa Bellini, the public gardens of Catania. You can stroll around the large trees and many fountains or simply sit on a bench in the shade. Don’t miss to try the authentic Catania street food: it includes traditional Arancini and Tavola calda, horse-meat meatballs, fried fish and cipollata (spring onions wrapped with bacon)
After your visit in Catania, the driver will drive towards the coastal road and you will have a stop both in Acicastello and Acitrezza, two beautiful fishing villages. In Acicastello you can admire the homonymous Norman castle. The Castle is situated on a ridge of lava, dominating the surrounding square. Acitrezza has inspired the Homer for his Odyssey and also hosted the setting of the novel Malavoglia by Giovanni Verga. The landscape is dominated by the 8 faraglioni (volcanic stacks) and lava cliffs. According to the myth of the Odyssey written by Homer, it was the Cyclops Polyphemus who hurled these large boulders at the vessels of Ulysses.
