Cruise port
Cruise to Catania (Sicily, Italy)
This walking tour of Catania leads from Piazza del Duomo along Via Etnea to the amphitheater and Villa Bellini; the harbor shuttle and excursions beyond the city are separate options.
From the harbor to Piazza del Duomo
In Catania, cruise ships dock at the Sporgente Centrale pier along the commercial waterfront. Piazza del Duomo is about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the harbor exit. It’s the starting point for an easy-to-combine tour of the compact old town. At a cruise terminal, access ashore, passenger processing, and the route to the ship may be in separate areas. Whether the ship arranges a shuttle to the harbor gate depends on the berth.
The first thing you’ll notice in the piazza is the Elephant Fountain, the city’s symbol carved from lava stone. The Cathedral of Sant’Agata stands right beside it. La Pescheria, the historic fish market, begins just behind the square. These three sights are close together and make a good short introduction before you decide whether to go farther.
Via Etnea and the old town
From the piazza, Via Etnea runs north through the city center. It’s a main street lined with shops and historic buildings. The remains of the Roman amphitheater lie directly across from Piazza Stesicoro; farther north, Villa Bellini offers shady paths and green spaces. This lets you extend your time ashore without leaving the center.
If you’re short on time, you can stick to Piazza del Duomo, the market, and part of Via Etnea. With more time, a detour to the amphitheater and Villa Bellini makes a pleasant addition to the walk. Mount Etna, Taormina, and Syracuse are destinations outside the city; visiting them requires a different plan for the day than exploring Catania on foot. On an organized shore excursion from the ship, the cruise line and local operator may have different responsibilities.
Choose the right focus
Catania combines an easily accessible city center with excursion destinations in eastern Sicily. So decide in advance whether you’d like to explore the city on foot or use your time ashore to visit somewhere farther afield. The waterfront is a working area, not really a place for a stroll; allow extra time for the walk to and from the harbor exit. When returning, be sure to follow the ship’s all-aboard time, which is set for its guests.
Shore Visits and Excursions in Catania
Catania Port Map
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On shore
Excursions around Catania (Sicily, Italy)
Etna
The excursion begins with a drive through the rocky landscape, sculpted by volcanic activity, to the famous volcano of Etna. The tour leads up to the "Rifugio Sapienza" refuge hut, situated at 1900 m above sea level and boasting panoramic views.
Taormina
The excursion begins with a one-hour drive to the town of Taormina, high above the sea. The highlight of the tour is the visit to the Greek theatre from the third century BC. There follows a visit to a noble palace, the Palazzo Corvaia. Free time to stroll around the pedestrian area of Taormina.
Syracuse
The excursion begins with a one-hour drive from Catania to Syracuse. A visit to the archaeological park with its Greek amphitheatre. Tour of the S-shaped cave hewn out of the cliffs, the "ear of Dionysus", where there is an unusual echo. The trip continues to the old city of Syracuse, which is accessible via the Ponta Nuevo bridge. The tour is rounded off by a trip round the harbour and a visit to the Spring of Arethusa.
