Dear Pinmapples,
since I didn't really get into the Hive and Pinmapple community at the beginning, I would like to share my Sicily posts in English with you in the next few days. This is especially important to me because I still have a fourth part to go and I would like to share the whole travelogue with you. I hope you enjoy reading...
I recently spent a few days in Catania. The first stop on our Sicily trip and a city that brings many contrasts with it, which make a quick judgment not so easy. In this post I want to take you on a journey past beautiful buildings, delicious food, Italian flair, sea air but also traffic noise, hustle and bustle and some not so nice corners. But let's start from the beginning....
Our arrival
Before we set off for Sicily, some preparations were made, of course. The hotels and rental car were booked and so was the approximate itinerary. Once we landed in Catania, we had a plan: collect our suitcases, pick up the car and head to the hotel. So far so good. The airport is very clear and the suitcases arrived quickly. When picking up the rental car, however, there is a trick depending on the provider: behind the somewhat secluded Terminal C is a separate area where many rental car companies have set up shop. You should know this so that you don't walk through the small arrivals area several times, as we did, only to find that the rental car company doesn't have a booth here at all. After the first orientation problems, however, we were able to receive our rental car and make our way in the direction of the hotel.
The traffic
The car ride to the hotel was honestly the first stressor of the vacation for me. The Sicilians have a very interesting driving style. Few people are interested in lanes here, around Catania they like to run red lights (but most of them are off anyway), in traffic circles and at intersections as well as when trying to change lanes you have to push in and hope that the car stays intact. It is crowded, noisy and chaotic. Many streets are narrow and densely parked. In addition, you can see that most cars have already had one or two (small) accidents. This did not exactly reassure me. Here you have to keep a cool head and adapt to the Sicilian driving behavior as best as possible. Otherwise, the car is not the right choice as a means of transportation here, at least in the cities.
A trip through Catania
There is good news, though: Even if the hotel is located a bit outside, as in our case, you can leave the car for the discovery tour in Catania relatively central in small parking garages and see the sights in the city very well on foot. Here you have a wide choice of options and can arrange the sightseeing of the city according to your preferences. Whether you simply want to stroll through the small streets, discover art and culture, relax in the park, enjoy delicious food or go to the beach, is entirely up to you. Basically, everything is possible in Catania. However, I would like to present you my highlights and explain why one or the other activity did not make it to the list of recommendations.
What should you not miss?
I can recommend you to start your tour through Catania at the Piazza dell Duomo with the Fontana dell'Elefante. From here you can first go to the Badia di Saint'Agata. This is the smaller of the two churches, but in this more inconspicuous church you have the opportunity to climb the dome for 5 euros per person and experience an all-round view of the entire city up to Mount Etna.
Once you've gotten your first overview here and marveled at Etna from afar, you should also go to the Basilica Cattedrale di Saint'Agata just across the street. The large cathedral is in a really nice condition and is rich in decorations and paintings.
To experience the hustle and bustle of the city among the beautiful ecclesiastical buildings, be sure to walk from the piazza toward Fontana dell'Amenano. Right behind the baroque fountain starts the famous fish market La Pescheria di Catania. Here you can buy fresh fish, try oysters with lemon or order fresh fish dishes from the small stalls and eateries around. In addition, there are some fruit and vegetable vendors who also offer their wares here. Perfect as a small fresh snack in between.
Equipped with some fresh fruit, you can now stroll along the Via Etnea. The main shopping street in Catania where you can find many stores. If you just follow the street, you will pass Piazza Universitá and Piazza Stesicoro and after a short walk you will arrive at Parco Maestranze with Villa Bellini and Chiosco di Villa Bellini. Be sure to go up to the pavilion and enjoy a few quiet minutes on one of the benches.
When you leave the park and head back towards the center, you can now stroll a bit through the side streets. Here you will discover one or the other beautiful alley and can reach one of my personal highlights: the Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicoló l'Arena in which the University of Catania is now located. The former monastery is really impressive. The building is in a great condition, the two courtyards are very nicely designed and I could hardly get enough of the building.
What didn't end up in my highlights?
First, the Teatro Antico greco-romano di Catania. The old theater is without question beautiful and has its own charm lying in the middle of the city. However, the often poor state of maintenance of the beautiful buildings, also by looking out of the theater, is very consciously brought before one's eyes here. We visited the theater during the day. My recommendation, if you do not want to miss a visit to the theater: There are regular performances in the ancient theater. I think in the dark, with the attached indirect lighting and a performed play, the theater can captivate you much more and convince you with its ancient charm.
On the other hand the Castello Ursino. The castle from the 13th century is unfortunately not very spectacular from the outside and inside. However, for the entrance fee you pay here, you will be presented with an exhibition of paintings and archaeological objects. So if you are an art lover, the castle is certainly worth a visit.
And where is the culinary now?
Besides the fish market, there are of course other culinary recommendations that I can give you:
directly in the city center you will find the restaurant A Putia Dell'Ostello. Here you can enjoy delicious Sicilian dishes at fair prices, for example, at the end of your exploration of Catania. A special highlight: In the evening, you can not only eat outside in front of the restaurant, but also one floor below in an underground lava cave.
a little outside in Aci Castello you will find the Bon Appétit. A small, very inconspicuous delicatessen where you can both eat on site and take away food. Here you will find a selection of freshly prepared Sicilian specialties, antipasti, pizzas and pasta dishes at outrageously low prices. You really shouldn't miss it.
also just outside Catania in Aci Castello is Mama Sea. A really nice restaurant with a view of the sea. Here you will find a partly special cuisine at somewhat higher but still fair prices. We had a fish variation as a starter and pizza as a main course. Both were an absolute recommendation and also the drinks are not to be neglected.
