Sights
Catania Cathedral (Sant'Agata)
The cathedral of the city's patron saint, Agatha, rebuilt in baroque style after the 1693 earthquake, with the tomb of the composer Bellini inside.
- You can't walk freely inside the port: a shuttle bus takes passengers from the ship to the port gate.
- Etna trips depend on the volcano: activity, wind or snow can close roads and upper areas at short notice, so book with an operator who can change plans.
- La Pescheria fish market is a morning affair and does not trade on Sundays.
- There is no luggage storage at the cruise terminal.
Where ships dock
Ready-made days
4hours
Piazza del Duomo and the Elephant Fountain → Catania Cathedral (Sant'Agata) → La Pescheria fish market → Via dei Crociferi
6hoursPiazza del Duomo and the Elephant Fountain → Catania Cathedral (Sant'Agata) → La Pescheria fish market → Via dei Crociferi → Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena → Roman Theatre and Odeon
8hoursMount Etna (south side → Piazza del Duomo and the Elephant Fountain → Catania Cathedral (Sant'Agata)
Add your ship's times above to see what fits in your time ashore.
Practical
Bureau Turismo (city tourist office)
The council's tourist office just off the cathedral square, open daily (Sunday mornings only), for maps and transport advice.
Sights
Piazza del Duomo and the Elephant Fountain
Catania's main square, centred on a lava-stone elephant carrying an Egyptian obelisk, the city's much-loved symbol.
Food & drinkClosed Sundays
La Pescheria fish market
A noisy, colourful morning fish market just behind the cathedral square, with small trattorias around it serving the catch at lunchtime.
Sights
Castello Ursino (Civic Museum)
A square 13th-century castle built for Emperor Frederick II, now the city museum. Lava flows from 1669 once reached its walls.
Sights
Roman Theatre and Odeon
The remains of a Roman theatre and a smaller odeon, half-hidden among the houses of the old town. Open every day.
Sights
Via dei Crociferi
A short, elegant street packed with baroque churches and convents, entered under the arch of San Benedetto.
Sights
Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena
One of Europe's largest monasteries, now part of the university, built over Roman remains. Guided tours run daily, with set English-language times.
Beaches & parks
Aci Trezza and the Cyclops Riviera
A fishing village on a rocky lava coast facing the sea stacks that legend says were hurled by the Cyclops. Good for a seafront lunch and a swim from the rocks.
Beaches & parks
Villa Bellini gardens
The city's main park, at the top of the Via Etnea shopping street, with terraces, a bandstand and a view towards Etna on clear days.
Boat & day trips
Mount Etna (south side, Rifugio Sapienza)
Europe's most active volcano. The road ends near 1,900 m among old craters, where a cable car and off-road vehicles go higher when conditions allow.
Boat & day trips
Taormina and its ancient theatre
A clifftop resort with a Greek-built, Roman-rebuilt theatre looking out to Etna and the sea, plus a lively main street and gardens.
Map
Your ship's times
Type your ship's arrival and departure times at the top of this page and everything here is marked for your day. Your times are on your cruise documents or in the cruise line's app.
Catania publishes its cruise calendar: see the port's schedule ↗
Sources we checked on 2026-10-21: cataniacruiseport.com cataniacruiseport.com cataniacruiseport.com cataniacruiseport.com turismo.comune.catania.it parchiarcheologici.regione.sicilia.it museocivicocastelloursino.comune.catania.it officineculturali.net