Destinations near Catania in Sicily, including Mount Etna just north of the city, Taormina going up the coast to the north, Syracuse further south along the coast, going down towards the south-eastern tip of the island, or the Monti Iblei region to the south-west, heading inland.
A Mediterranean limestone plateau The limestone mountain plateau of the Hyblaean Mountains extends across part of the provinces of Catania, Syracuse and Ragusa. It is a region renowned for its olive oil and for its natural and archaeological beauty, and its peaceful villages.The highest peak is Monte Lauro, at 987 metres, others well known are […]
The powerful Greek city of Syracuse was founded in the 8th century BC. Its heritage is exceptional, with remains from several eras, from Greek and Roman antiquity to the Baroque, in the historic heart of its island of Ortygia, or in the archaeological park of Neapolis, etc.
The second most populous city in Sicily after Palermo, Catania has faced terrible earthquakes and volcanic eruptions over the centuries, undergoing numerous urban transformations and seeing several cultures pass through its lands. Located between Etna and the Ionian Sea, the volcano still influences its urban planning, where black lava stone is often found in the […]
Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe with its 3,330 metres. With its vast park it is a remarkable site for its lush landscapes at its feet, or austere and lunar at altitude, with its volcanic and geological formations such as its many craters, including the Bocca Nuova at the summit, and its regular eruptions.
A charming tourist destination Located in a magnificent setting, between sea and mountain, on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea from 200 metres above, and dominated by the majestic Etna volcano, Taormina is undoubtedly the most famous Sicilian seaside resort.Thanks to its beauty and its heritage, Taormina was mentioned by Goethe in his Italian Journey […]
Along the coast north of Catania, the “Riviera dei Ciclopi” (Riviera dei Ciclopi in Italian) stretches for about 12 kilometers between Aci Castello and Aci Trezza, extending north to Acireale. This stretch of coastline combines landscapes shaped by the volcanic activity of Etna, with basaltic promontories, lava cliffs, pebble or volcanic rock beaches, and coves […]
Upstream of the valley, on a series of hills overlooking the Simeto, lies Centuripe, an ancient city already inhabited in the 5th century BC. Its urban layout extends over five hills connected by small valleys, offering remarkable views of Etna and the valley. Renowned since Antiquity for its pottery production, the town still perpetuates this […]
Set in the hills between the plain of Catania and the north of the Hyblaean Mountains, the beautiful town of Militello is one of the eight municipalities inscribed by Unesco among the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. Historical overview The name of Militello comes from “Militum Tellus” (land of soldiers in Latin), […]
Lentini is a Sicilian town located in the province of Syracuse, in south-eastern Sicily, on the first slopes of the Hyblaean Mountains. It owes its fame to its history, founded in the 8th century BC by Greeks from Chalcis who called it Leontinoi.Besides the religious buildings of the historic centre, resulting from the Baroque reconstruction […]
A few kilometres further north of ancient Megara Hyblaea, Augusta was founded on an isthmus in the 13th century by Frederick II.The town of Augusta is not a tourist destination, yet it retains a harmonious historic centre on the island, a fortress of Swabian origin and beautiful churches.To the north, Brucoli is a beautiful natural […]
West of Catania, the Simeto valley forms a vast region still little visited by tourism. The river, about 113 km long, rises on the south-western slopes of Etna and cuts through spectacular volcanic rock gorges before reaching the Ionian Sea, south of the Catania plain. This valley has always been a strategic passage between the […]
The Circumetnea is an opportunity for an original discovery of the Etna region by train, which runs along an old railway line over much of the circuit around the volcano, between the Catania Borgo station in Catania and the one in Riposto. It allows you to discover beautiful landscapes with old lava flows, and passes […]
Megara Hyblaea was one of the first cities founded by the Greeks in Sicily in the 8th century BC, but it did not survive the Roman conquest.A few kilometres further north, Augusta was founded on an isthmus in the 13th century by Frederick II.Further south, 12 km away, on a small peninsula, lies the archaeological […]
Mount Etna (overview) In the environs of Catania, the Etna park offers a spectacular discovery of the highest active volcano in Europe, with its lunar landscapes and the surrounding unspoiled nature.One of the “gateways” to the park is Nicolosi, a village at the foot of Etna near Catania. → See the section dedicated to Mount […]
