One of our best experience in Catania was the (English) guided tour of the monastery (well, university). You can not really visit without the tour, specially during the summer when the University is closed. The tour costs 9 euros and lasts a out 1h20m. If you go on Saturday (maybe Sunday as well, don't remember), you can also visit the director's office which is not available during weekdays. There is a bunch of really nice information about the monastery/university but also about the city itself that the guide does a very good job to share with everyone. Highly recommended.

Best attraction in Catania! It's still called a monastery, but today it's the house of the University of Catania, Faculty of Humanities, home to 900 lucky students. The monastery, 3rd in size in Europe, was built by 50 opulent rich monks, who wanted to live a flourishing life. The building went through a lava eruption event in 1669, and a huge devastating earthquake in 1693. The monks used to opportunity to rebuild it 15 times bigger. The university discovered lots of rooms and architectural treasures such as a mosaic floor of an Ancient Roman house, and an even older Greek house structure, on which the monks built the monastery, or the fountain which had also been lost at some point, and just rebuilt in 2007 using a sketch made by a French architect that the university managed to find in Paris. The current library is located in the old celler underneath the monastery, and above the ancient Roman and Greek findings. It's amazing that the students have access to such precious surroundings every day, and it's due to the University's culture and values, believing that such treasures must be shared, enjoyed and cherished (as opposed to most universities located in historical buldings where students only have access to the modern parts, while the historical parts house the offices). The headmaster's office is also an amazing historical room, and if you visit during the weekend, you get to see it too. The monastery may be visited only with a guided tour, there's several groups daily both in Italian and English, everything available on their website. It costs 10 EUR and it's worth every penny. You get to visit everything and learn its amazing story from a super nice, charming and passionate guide. ♥️ Buy the tickets in advance, especially for the English tour, as it's usually fully booked. Strongly recommend!

Take a guided tour - it's so worth it. Our tour guide was amazing. There's plenty of history in these walls and a lot to see and learn. Highly recommended.

The Monastery is a remarkable cultural and educational institution. It not only serves as a historical landmark but also houses the University of Catania, making it a center of learning and knowledge. The monastery's architectural grandeur is evident in its stunning Baroque design and intricate details. Inside, visitors can explore the monastery's beautiful cloisters, impressive libraries, and ornate chapels. The combination of historical charm and the lively atmosphere of a university campus creates a unique and vibrant experience. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, or academic pursuits, the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò 'Arena offers a fascinating and enriching visit.

Step in and touch the history...This ancient monastery which has survived and earthquake, then rebuilt; reached by the lava of Etna and survived; taken by the state and turned into gym, school, barracks, university etc. And still standing proud in Catania! Don't hesitate and take a guided tour - it is €8 per person, takes around 70 minutes and you would be able to understand more behind each hall and the story behind it. From the different garden and their meaning up to the underground and the kitchen area! Worth seeing it!

Great former monastery with an interesting history. I strongly suggest to pay the few Euros for the guided tour. Our guide spoke very good english, knew a lot about the place, was able to get us even more interested in the place and at the end even showed us some of the rooms normally closed to the public. A visit here is strongly recommended.

If you're looking for a unique and fascinating experience in Catania, look no further than the Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena. This ancient monastery has been through it all, surviving earthquakes, lava flows from Mount Etna, and even being repurposed over the years as a gym, school, barracks, and university. Yet, even after all of that, it still stands tall and proud in the heart of Catania. I highly recommend taking a guided tour of the monastery to truly appreciate its history and significance. For just €8 per person, you'll receive a 70-minute tour that will take you through each hall and help you understand the story behind it. From the different gardens and their meanings to the underground area and kitchen, you'll get a glimpse into the past and how the monks lived. Overall, the Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena is definitely worth visiting. Don't hesitate, step in and touch the history of this incredible place.

Great architecture and good place to walk around, same square as Fontana dell'elefante and Fontana dell'amenano, and Via Etna is nearby as well

The katedral is beautiful made and is very peaceful. So much history.

Bazilica has some awkward working hours but basically at night it’s always open. If you’re lucky you’ll be part of some ceremony and there are a lot of weddings happening here. Entrance was free. Basilica inside is really nice but as the rest of the city everything is ruined by the smell of the garbage that is all around the main city Square and it’s streets.

The most beautiful point of view of Catania. Don’t forget to go to the Diocecian Museum just net to the Carlos V door. With the ticket you can access to the Achiles Bath ruins just under the Cathedral. If you look carefully, a little river falls into the sea under the fountain. The Cathedral itself is build over the rest of an antique Roman (Greek?) bath. Who know how big this structure was…

Excelent, rafinated architectural baroc site, probably the most visited location in the city. Here lies burried Vincenzo Bellini, one of the most proeminent musicians of melodramma italian operas, among other, like Donizetti and Rossini. Situated in central plazza, you can visit it till late hours. There are anticovid measures inside.

Wow, beautiful and special is how I can describe my visit to this magnificent cathedral. You can't (like the etna) miss this cathedral. When I entered, I was staring my eyes out. There was also a church service going on at that time.

Incredible views of both the city and etna, we went at sunset in Friday so mass was on when we came back down. Something to be aware of and be respectful as you leave.

Good place to walk and rest in this small but calm park. Near the fountain, one can see two needles of a watch displaying accurate time. In between the fountainn and top of the park, one can see and appreciate the date, months and year crafted on the grass.

Loved this park when I was staying in Etna Suit and had view of this Garden. It was stunning views from Garden to Mt Etna as well as unforgettable sunset that I had pleasure watching in this park. Highly recommend visiting this park

Make sure to spare sometime for this hidden gem. The kids loved it, and we enjoyed our walk as a family. Unfortunately not much history is explained so you need to do some reading before you go. You can enjoy your food and drinks on one of the many shaded benches in the park.

Large, beautiful, well maintained park. The walkway to the top is small stones laid in intricate patterns. Excellent craftsmanship. From the top you can walk further into the park for serenity. Art objects and benches along the pathways.

Its good to walk here from dirty and noisy city. When it's good visibility it's possible to see Etna volcano. It's seems to be taken care of and probably every month there is a change in lawn, I was in April. There are a lots of bench and sometimes you can see a lizard 🦎

Lovely park in the middle of catania. Best chance to leave the world of stones and see some green. Really relaxing and some nice views. At the main gate there are some little shops with sweets and maybe some live music (there was always a saxophon player infront when we went there). Best place to escape the heat or the crowded streets)

It’s not huge park but vegetation is very varied. A lot of kind of trees and bushes. Good place for walk with a dog, chill and relax. To much rubbish in some places. Really worth to visit.

Nice place with tropical trees and plants. Peace of nature in the stone city. Recommend to visit if you are in Catania. Free entrance.

A hidden gem, well worth the 4 Euro entry, I wish there was mor English information, but the visit was still enjoyable. Be sure to sit in the bomb shelter simulator, it ads to the experience.

Amazing, immersive experience especially at the bomb shelter (though higher quality speakers would make the experience even better!). They truly put effort into sourcing real weapons and making everything feel real.

It is a very interesting museum! It is worth to spend some hours in there. Information in italian and english. It is like to experience what people felt during that 38 long days of war. Don't lose the exposition of war pics of Phil Stern concerning the landing in Gela and other stories through his objective...

One of the best Military Museums I have ever visited. Tells the story of the Invasion of Sicily in WWII from the Allied point of view, the Axis point of view and the population of Sicily. It's a little hard to find and the Museum workers don't speak much English, but worth the effort!

This is a museum and recreation of the allies battle to take back Sicily and to launch the European campaigns in WWii. Complete the bomb shelters and simulated air raids 3d maps of advanced. Uniforms of allies weapons. Like a DISNEY-Style learning adventure. Very moving and informative.

Very interesting museum that present a lot of original uniforms, weapons, documents and is giving you the mood of what was the life in Sicily before and after the allies bombing.

A very interesting place which I definitely recommend. This museum is filled to the brim with artifacts, recordings, weapons and uniforms (even letters and diaries, which I am quite fond of) all hailing directly from the front lines of 1943 Sicily. It is very well kept and it was truly a pleasure to visit. Something I wasn't expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed, was the bomb shelter immersive experience. Overall a wonderful experience.

One of the best museums I've ever been to as a foreigner. One of the ladies at the entrance gave us even a short tour for our tickets, which was filled with interesting information. Definitely visit if you want a real lesson of history.

Like other before us, we consulted the opening hours although the official programm states that is open Tuesday till Sunday, from 09 - 17. Well, surprise on us, as Saturday at 14, it was very, very closed, with no sign of activity. It's such a shame, as having visited many war museums across Europe, we were really excited to visit this one as well, to broaden our perspective. A very beautiful city not taken care well by it's people. Maybe, next time we will be more lucky 🫣

Though mostly in Italian, all subtitles are in English, and some of the documents have English translation. Very interactive and gives a good sense of the time

The website said the museum was open. We walked in the rain when we got there. A man at the gate told us the Museaum was closed because it was raining. I’m not sure why it would be close because it’s raining. It’s an indoor museum big waste of time. These people don’t care about keeping it together. filthy place garbage everywhere. He told us the pen museum was open and we could go in that part. It doesn’t make sense.

Very interesting place. You can buy old antic ?! things, food prepared on the place and other thinks. Yes you can buy some fish as well.

It is a very interesting place to visit and see all the actions. Many stalls selling almost anything from sea food to vegetables, chicken and etc but as a tourist, the person selling the fish wasn’t honest, it was clearly listed as €6 per kg but try to charge us at €20, after some haggling, he reduced it to €14. I refused and walked away. Nice to visit but don’t think they are honest enough.

Interesting fish market located in central Catania. Very close to other sights in Catania. Handicap ♿️ doable. Be aware of stairs. Restrooms 🚻 unavailable. Recommended

Incredible! We stood on the elevated walk (to avoid the wet area) and watched the action - the customers selecting their fish, the sellers cutting it to order, the hubbub of a very active market. Great experience!

A Great experience for a foreigner! Tons of fresh fishes being cut in front of you. You can also purchase fresh oysters and eat them right there.

Loved this place. Would recommend a visit evene if you are not planing on buying fish, as you can have fresh mussels with lemon right there.

You can see the rush and tranquility at the same time, sellers are chill and don’t mind if you don’t buy anything. There is also a stand that fries fish , calamari and paws , we has the calamari for 5€

In the heart of beautiful Catania there is La Pescheria, fish market where you can buy fresh fish and other sea product... It's not so big but when you come inside you can feel real Catania and their citizens... Always full of people who sell their fish, Catania people and tourist who come to buy something or just take some nice pictures or videos... You always hear high noises of sellers😀... I was here few times and always I buy something fresh to prepare and speak some words with sellers... They work until 2pm and tommorow come early again... All recommendations for visit and take some nice pictures or videos if you in Catania 👌

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Fud Bottega in Catania, and I have to say, it was a fantastic experience. I ordered the bufalo burger, and it was excellent. The patty was cooked to perfection, not so juicy (I forgot to ask) but full of flavor, and the toppings were all fresh and delicious. But it wasn't just the burger that impressed me - even the beer Red Salt that came with my fries was a standout. The attention to detail and quality of ingredients really shines through in every dish. On top of that, the service at Fud Bottega was top-notch. The staff were friendly, attentive, and happy to answer any questions I had about the menu. Overall, I can't recommend Fud Bottega highly enough. If you're looking for a great burger in Catania, this is the place to go.

Came here 2 & half years ago and went twice during that visit as I loved it there so much. Came back to Catania last week and went again... still amazing! The onion rings with curry sauce was something new and loved it. The burger was delicious and just packed so much flavour! Going back tomorrow night for one last meal before my flight back to the UK on Monday. Catania doesn't only offer great pizza guys, you MUST visit this place if you like your burgers. Get there before 9pm though as they don't take reservations and will have a queue due to being so popular! Also, they have a great selection of beers! I wish they had this restaurant in the UK!

The location, atmosphere and staff is great, however the burgers are somewhat mediocre at best - they look like 5 star burgers but the taste and texture is a 3 star (I tried 4 different burgers in the past 4-5 months). The burgers are not juicy, not a lot of sauce goes in the bun and the bun itself is somewhat dry, even though it looks promising and good. Also, they used to have really good French fries but recently replaced it with generic fries, which is a shame... still looking for a good burger place in the area. *I will probably try them again in the coming weeks to see if anything has changed and will update.

By far a must have as an American in Catania. Really like their spelling on the menu. Had a horse burger spelled Orse. Wife had pork hot dog and daughter a cheese(CIS) burger. We've tried onion rings and bacon cheese fries. Daughter always saves a spot for tiramisu. Their beer selection is good. Have not been disappointed here. You tired of italian dishes and want a good burger, come here.

The hamburgers are huge, difficult to eat them but we did not like it. The bread was old and the meat had bery little taste. They do not have any fresh juices or drink without bubbles for kids. Potatoes were really nice and the location its very nice too. Unfortunately we will be not coming back.

Very popular place in a vibrant street filled with bars and restaurants.  We visited on a Friday evening nabbed a table. There's pretty much a constant queue to get in. We opted for 2 chicken burgers with a curry sauce.  It was tasty but the chicken burger was minced and pressed meat and quite soft/mushy as opposed to being pure breast or thigh meat.  Had I known I'd have opted for a beef burger with the blue cheese. We shared a portion of wedges with ham and cheese. One between 2 with a burger is enough. Dessert we shared Key lime pie. Light meringue top and good pastry and curd.  The cheese cake looked amazing but didn't have room. Great beers on draft i tried the X salt red beer and my husband tried the blonde beer  blonde. 2 large beers each.  Total EUR61.50

The restaurant offer a very nice concept of adding cream cheese filling in your crust. While the crust is very good and filling, the topping of the pizza is underwhelming. The tomato sauce is very mild and could be improved, the toppings could be more balanced to have a better harmony as the "eat" had too much rocket and was overwhelming

Dined here on the recommendation of my Airbnb location. The service is very friendly. They have an extensive menu with different types of pizza and a special pizza that is typical of Sicily. On the recommendation of the employee in the service, I chose this one. I had the etneo pizza. It was very tasty, but I would just go for a normal pizza next time. Those look very tasty too :). For dessert, I had a pistachio cake. This one was very tasty. For the pizza, drink (coke zero) and dessert I spent 20 euros including tip.

Probably the best pizza in Catania. The pizziolo, pizza and dessert were absolutely PERFECT. Flavors, texture, amount of ingredients, size - everything was precise. The staff was the nicest we found (after 5 days in Catania!), Our gorgeous waitress gave us the best recommendations, and spoiled us with dessert and liquor at the end of the meal. Thank you!

Glad we did our research and ended up here on our trip to Catania! The pizza and Pizzola are both wonderful, and the topping combinations are endless while still using locally sourced ingredients. The staff is all super friendly and speak great English, so even though the menu is all in Italian (a great sign in itself) they can help you out. If you're in Catania, you gotta visit here!

"Eating at the pizzeria in Catania was a great experience. The pizzas were delicious and definitely deserve 4 stars. However, the waiting time was quite long. Overall, if you're willing to wait a bit, it's definitely worth trying these tasty pizzas

On point. We went here twice for dinner. Once we only had the Quattro Formaggi pizza to share and the house wine. The pizza is thin and has great taste. The white wine surprised us as it was very good! Second time I wanted to try the Pizzoli, so went with a classic Buffala, which was great! We also tried the Margherita pizza, which didn't dissapoint at all. Also the staff was very nice and helpful.

That was very nice end of the day. We got quattro formaggi and pizza in the shape of the star, at ends we had a cheese backed in the dough👍😋do recommend.

Edit: First time review: Good pizza and great service. Loved the stuffed crust with cheese. Second time review: This is now our number one pizza place in Catania. Super attentive service, great beer and excellent Gorgonzola and Tropeu pizza. We met Giuseppe the owner when we were paying and not only did he give us a 2€ discount but offered us an ice cold Lemoncello before we left. Looking forward to coming again.

Great place to come with friends enjoy fresh fish + pasta, drink some wine and be merry. We arrived for a 21:15 dinner reservation and the place was still bustling both outside on the terrace and inside. The interior is well styled with bright wood panels, catches of the day display case, and wine bottles. The staff were also very lovely folks who accommodated our party of 4 even though we reserved for the following night. Food was super fresh and tasty! Highly recommend! Located in the city center and easy to go for drinks after, which we did.

The food at this cute little restaurant next to the fish market was great! Service was super friendly and the atmosphere was very cozy. Our food was great but the big Italian table next to us knew what to order and their food (which was mostly raw to our surprise) looked even better! Would def go back again and recommend to any friends visiting catania!

Perhaps one of the best fish restaurants in the whole of Catania. Freshness, no question. The friendliness of the team, no question. Ambience 100%. To be based in the middle of a fish market and deliver food of this quality with this atmosphere and the friendliest service there is, deserves a shout out! While I am at it, let me commend Enzo for making us feel at home, thank you.

This place is a must in Catania! Our group had a grilled fish (you get to pick it out from a case), carbonara with mussels and swordfish and squid ink ravioli. It was the best food we've had so far in Italy. Bravissimo!

Overrated place with ultra expensive food and wines, recommended by a local taxi driver but it is a very touristic place, american prices. We have tried much better places in Sicily for less. Food looks amazing, waiters are friendly, but taste is not great.

Must try their really fresh carpaccio platter. Do not doubt, they are just located in the fish market! Also had the local appetiser platter, the arancino and octopus are tasty. Ordered also the clam spaghetti and squid ink spaghetti, totally recommended. The white wines served are pairing well with the seafoods we ordered. A must visit spot in Catania

Lovely lunch. They were kind enough to serve us although we got there at 14:40 (they were closing at 15). The service was fast, food was delicious and the rates are not (imho) higher than any other place we ate at in southerni Italy in the past 2 weeks. I attached a photo of our bill for reference

Great restaurant with fair prices and excellent service. There is a idyllic mini square where are the outside tables. The staff is very attentive and kind. Here, you can try typical Sicilian dishes. I recommend grilled horse meatballs, grilled swordfish and pork rolls. At the end, don't miss the delicious mini cakes you can choose from (2 euro a piece). The prices are very good: 5 euros for half a liter of wine, the dishes are between 8-12 euros. We paid about 60 euros for two people.

Beautiful outdoor seating. Delicious food. Such good prices. And lovely staff. Went twice during our stay because we enjoyed it so much. Pistachio pasta is a must try

HANDS DOWN, I would say this is the BEST pasta I have ever eaten so far on my trip in Sicily! I love it so much I had it for dinner and for breakfast. The pasta is AL DENTE! The flavour are packed with a punch. Well presented and serving portion served. Any one coming to Sicily, please please try this place! Besides the amazing food, service was impeccable.

The food at this place was authentic and super delicious! We had an amazing appetiser plate, pasta and fish! The staff was quite helpful and polite! Recommend it 100%!

We passed by this nice restaurant and found that it was open and at a different location, despite Google indicating it otherwise. Google says it only opens after 7:00pm, which is untrue if you just walk by it. 10/10 would recommend, very good local restaurant. Legume soup: delicious and hot, great for winter. Has a homey feel to it. Horse meatballs: very juicy, and full of the meaty taste of horse Mussels in tomato sauce: the sauce was so good, the mussels super fresh and tasty. Definitely the highlight for us, we almost finished two baskets of bread because of the sauce Pasta Norma: very fresh ingredients, pasta cooked to perfection. Delicious The owner of the place has a very stern look though, thought we did something wrong

It is my first time to try pasta alla norma and my boss recommended this restaurant. It was lovely the restaurant and staff is really nice. I was alone to dine here however the waitstaff is really friendly and always checking up on me if everything is good. I will certainly recommend this restaurant to try in Catania! Keep it up!

Very nice place on a small square, a good vibe location. We had a mixed Sicilian starter, it's a good starting pack on your first days here. Norma pasta was okay, the pistachio pasta was very interesting and very nice. Desserts are a bit too sweet. Had a bottle of Syrah, it was 7/10 (I'm picky on wine, this is quite a good score). Service was fast and professional, maybe a bit more smile from the guys could not hurt. Overall surely recommended, even if it's not fine dining.

one of the best foods you can find in Catania! atmosphere, foods, desserts, house wine, and the rest of the things are awesome! pistachio pasta and grilled swordfish are must-try. don't forget to make a reservation, otherwise, you may have to wait ~30 mins as there are always long queues, especially after 8 pm.

Amazing tipico dinner experience. Good prices. Food is amazing. House wine also good. We tasted the bianco wine. Fish is fresh, pasta al forma is a delight. The atmosphere in the garden is great. Just make sure to book one day prior, using the booking system from Google. Otherwise you might wait too much in line as at evening gets really crowded.

Very well located in the heart of the vibrant Via Santa Filomena, this typical Sicilian restaurant has plenty of local dishes with a creative touch sometimes. The quality of the food was pretty good and tasty, however the service was really slow that evening! I'm sure it's not always like that but it affected the overall experience.

I had my best pizza here and the softest octopus ever. It really is a great restaurant with delicious food and extremely careful, polite and quick servers. This definitely deserves 2 Michelin stars.

Exactly how I expected it to be from the previous reviews. Service was good and my Octopus was light, soft and delicious. One of the best Octopus dishes I've had in Europe and I've tasted from over 15 countries.

Amazing restaurant with fantastic food and wine. This is the best restaurant we found in Catania. It was so good that we visited it three times during our two-week stay. We tasted most of the vegetarian meals and several of the suggested wines and all of them were excellent. Highly recommended not only vegetarians, of course.

Food was good. Beef, tuna and flatbread were great but the lamb ribs tasted plane instead of the beer infused glacé. There were a lot of different wines and even a few local beers. Atmosphere is nice and price is reasonable. Since my dish was not that great I would love to give it a 4,5 but now stuck at 4 due to the Google rating…

In-depth Review for “Sale” via Santa Filomena: Nestled in the heart of the city, “Sale” via Santa Filomena beckons the discerning diner with a promise of an extraordinary experience, and it unequivocally delivers on every count. Upon entering, one is immediately struck by the restaurant’s refined ambiance. It’s clear that every design choice has been made with meticulous precision, offering a backdrop that marries contemporary aesthetics with classic elegance. Soft, ambient lighting complements the sophisticated decor, casting a warm glow that invites patrons to relax and truly savor the experience. The menu, while replete with tantalizing options, led me to opt for the Sicilian pizza and focaccia. The pizza, a veritable canvas of vibrant colors and textures, presents a tantalizing interplay of flavors that dance on the palate. Each bite is a testament to the chef’s commitment to sourcing the freshest ingredients and crafting dishes that resonate with authenticity. The focaccia, meanwhile, is a revelation in its own right. The exterior provides just the right amount of crunch, giving way to an interior that’s the epitome of softness – a balance that speaks volumes of the skill in the kitchen. Service, often an overlooked aspect of dining, is where “Sale” truly shines. The staff embodies the very essence of hospitality, moving with a graceful efficiency that never feels intrusive. Their deep knowledge of the menu and attentiveness to diners’ needs ensures that every guest is treated with a level of care that’s become increasingly rare in today’s dining landscape. What’s even more remarkable is that such a top-tier experience comes at a price point that belies the sheer quality on offer. It’s a testament to “Sale’s” philosophy of making exceptional dining accessible, a gesture that’s sure to be appreciated by gourmands and casual diners alike. In sum, “Sale” via Santa Filomena isn’t just about food, service, or ambiance in isolation. It’s about the alchemy of these elements coming together to craft an unforgettable dining narrative. It’s a must-visit, not just for those in search of a meal, but for those seeking a story to tell.

They have menu in English in a form og QR code- quite simple. The prices were much better than expected- 17 euros for an octopus arm that was sooo good. My bf had a ribeye steak and it was very similar to wague - so fat and delicate. Good wine list with very reasonable prices too. I would definitely go back.

No words to describe the amazing experience I had there. Wonderful food! For four days in Catania we tried most of the menu. Each time fresh and delicious. Pizzas are maybe the most delicious I've tried. Very thin dough with amazing edges! Very rich variety of wines all kept properly and served with professional touch. Perfect service from everyone in the restaurant. Highly recommend this place if you want to remember your stay in Catania!

Went there before Covid-19 and returned last April. The food was plentiful and perfectly cooked. Had a few Negroni’s before and after dinner. For our main course we opted to share an enormous juicy tomahawk steak, garnished with potato wedges and a grilled burratina. Absolutely amazing place at very fair prices.

I could not recommend this place more highly. Terrific food, beautiful sophisticated decor and attentive service. Had the Sicilian pizza and focaccia which were both phenomenal. Very reasonable prices especially for this outstanding experience.