Getting In and Around Without Melting Your Wallet
From the Airport
Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is only 6 km from the city. Skip taxis and take the Alibus (€4 one-way), which gets you to the city centre or train station in about 20 minutes. Tickets can be bought on board.
Local Transport
Catania’s centre is walkable (hello, baroque strolls), but if your legs give out, hop on an AMTS bus—a daily ticket costs just €2.50. For Etna or coastal escapes, trains and intercity buses from the Stazione Centrale are easy and cheap. Bonus: the city’s Metro is air-conditioned and costs only €1 per ride.
Free & Nearly-Free Wonders
Piazza Duomo & Elephant Fountain
Start with the beating heart of the city: Piazza Duomo. This sweeping square is framed by ornate palazzi, baroque façades, and the imposing Cattedrale di Sant’Agata—free to enter and filled with history. Don’t miss the Fontana dell’Elefante, a whimsical lava-stone elephant topped with an Egyptian obelisk, and beloved as Catania’s quirky symbol. Hang out by the fountain in the early evening when the square fills with locals enjoying their nightly passeggiata.
La Pescheria – The Fish Market
Just steps from the Duomo, Catania’s wild daily fish market is a theatrical spectacle. Expect shouting vendors, glistening swordfish heads, and the pungent aroma of the sea. Even if you’re not buying, the energy is contagious. Go early for the full experience, and keep an eye out for surrounding stalls selling fresh fruit, nuts, cheeses, and street eats like fried anchovies or arancini. Bonus: some of the side alleys lead to hidden trattorie perfect for a €6 lunch plate.
Via Etnea & Villa Bellini
Walk Via Etnea, the city’s lava-stone spine, flanked by majestic buildings, buzzing cafés, and regular glimpses of snow-capped Etna in the distance. The people-watching is elite. As you head north, you’ll reach Villa Bellini, a romantic park with a grand staircase, shaded benches, tropical plants, and panoramic views. In summer, you might catch an orchestra rehearsal or pop-up art exhibit—all for free.
Monastero dei Benedettini
This vast Benedictine monastery, now part of the University of Catania, is a baroque marvel and one of Europe’s largest monastic complexes. Wander through the cloisters and sun-dappled courtyards (free entry), or join a guided tour (€8) to explore underground lava channels, 18th-century kitchens, and secret passageways. A must for architecture nerds and history lovers alike.
Ursino Castle Courtyard
Castello Ursino, built in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II, is one of the few structures to survive Catania’s many earthquakes and eruptions. The €6 ticket gets you inside the museum, but the inner courtyard is free to enter and makes for a dreamy, stone-walled escape. During festivals or summer evenings, it often hosts concerts, craft fairs, or open-air cinema nights—many of them free or donation-based.
Budget Eats Worth Their Salt
Arancini
These deep-fried, rice-stuffed wonders are the street food GOAT. Crunchy on the outside, molten on the inside—pure comfort in a cone shape. Get yours for €2–3 from local favourites like Spinella, Savia, or Pasticceria Privitera. Try the classic ragu or pistachio-and-mozzarella combo, or branch out with butter ham and béchamel or spicy ‘nduja variations. Locals often eat them standing at the counter with a paper napkin and a coffee—join the club.
Panino alla Catanese
A late-night legend. This grilled meat sandwich is most often made with horsemeat (don’t knock it ’til you try it), onions, spicy cheese, and maybe even mushrooms or fries stuffed inside the bun. Found mainly at food trucks or paninerie parked around **Piazza Dante is the go-to meal stop after a night out. Head to Panineria da Angelo or Tram Tram for a greasy, glorious bite of true Catanese soul food. Bonus: they’re often open until 3–4am.
Granita & Brioche
Catania’s breakfast game is next level. For under €3, you get silky granita—a semi-frozen delight in flavours like almond, lemon, coffee, pistachio, or wild strawberry—served with a pillowy brioche col tuppo. Locals dunk the bread into the granita (yes, even the coffee one). Go to Café Prestipino, Comis Ice Café, or the old-school Caffè Europa. It’s also a perfect cool-down option on hot afternoons.
Street Food Markets
Explore Mercato di Piazza Carlo Alberto, a bustling daily market that’s a feast for all senses. Beyond olives and cheeses, you’ll find panelle (chickpea fritters), cipolline (puff pastry with ham, onion, and tomato), cartocciate (stuffed baked bread rolls), and sfincione (a Sicilian-style pizza with onion and anchovy). Expect prices between €1–3. Come hungry, and don’t be afraid to point and try.
Bonus Bites
- Tavola Calda: Try Catania’s version of Sicilian snacks in bakeries—mini pizzas, spinach rolls, and sausage calzones.
- Rosticcerie: Grab hot ready-to-eat bites from rosticcerias like 7+ or Martina for a quick meal under €5.
- Takeaway Pasta: Some casual restaurants offer takeaway pasta for €4–6—look for signs that say “primi piatti da asporto.”
- Desserts: Don’t miss cannoli, cassate, or minne di Sant’Agata for €2–3 each. Many bakeries do small versions perfect for sampling more than one.
No matter where you wander, budget-friendly eats are around every corner—delicious, messy, and uniquely Catanese.
Culture on a Dime
Teatro Romano & Odeon
Two Roman-era theatre ruins hidden among alleyways. Tickets are €6, but often discounted for EU citizens or free for under-18s. Bring water—it gets toasty.
Museo Belliniano
This museum dedicated to Catania’s opera superstar Vincenzo Bellini costs just €4 and offers a dramatic crash course in Sicilian musical flair.
Free Cultural Events
Check listings at Palazzo della Cultura—there are often free art exhibitions, film screenings, and festivals, especially in spring and summer.
Churches Galore
Many of Catania’s stunning churches are free to enter. Don’t miss San Benedetto for its ornate staircase or the richly decorated Chiesa di San Giuliano with its theatrical façade and quiet atmosphere. These sacred spaces are peaceful, art-filled respites from the city bustle—and ideal for architecture lovers on a budget.
Weird & Wonderful
Lava Caves & Lava-Stone Everything
Catania’s black basalt streets and baroque buildings clad in lava stone are daily reminders that Mount Etna is more than a pretty backdrop. You’ll find remnants of past eruptions across the city—basalt walls, lava slabs embedded in piazzas, and fountains that seem to pour out of volcanic rock. For an immersive experience, book a guided tour to the Grotta di Giovanni XXIII, a lava tube just outside the city centre (often around €10). Some natural caves like Grotta delle Palombe open to the public during cultural festivals or Etna Walking Days—keep an eye on local listings.
The Underground City
Catania is like an archaeological layer cake. Underneath the bustling streets lie Roman roads, thermal baths, and bits of aqueducts—evidence of the ancient city swallowed and buried by lava. You can peek under Piazza Stesicoro, where parts of the Roman Amphitheatre are visible, and visit the Terme Achilliane, underground thermal baths accessible via the Diocesan Museum (entry ~€5). Many tours combine these subterranean stops, and some churches even offer access to crypts with eerie frescoes and old tombs.
Black Sand Beaches
Catania’s coastline is one of the most unique in Italy thanks to its volcanic origin. San Giovanni Li Cuti is a small beach with distinctive black pebbles and lava cliffs, popular with locals for sunset dips and gelato strolls. For more sand and space, head to La Playa, a long stretch of beach just a bus ride away, with both free sections and lido rentals (sunbed + umbrella ~€5–10 if you want to splurge). In summer, these beaches turn into lively nightlife spots, with beach bars offering free-entry DJ nights and sunset aperitivi. Don’t forget to pack flip-flops—the dark sand gets hot.
Chill Corners for Broke Bohemians
Libraries & Study Spots
The Biblioteca Ursino Recupero (inside the monastery!) is stunning, with antique books, high-arched ceilings, and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for journaling or quiet reading. Architecture fans will geek out over the ornate woodwork and frescoes.
Need something more laid-back? Head to Biblioteca Regionale Universitaria near Piazza Università—its inner courtyard is shaded, breezy, and often dotted with students sipping espresso. Entry is free at both spots, and they occasionally host free lectures or exhibitions.
For a more caffeinated kind of study, try Café SAG (inside Monastero dei Benedettini) or Café Opera near Via Etnea—both have Wi-Fi, outlets, and students hunched over thesis drafts for authentic background ambience.
Sunset Views & Local Hangs
Golden hour in Catania hits differently. Piazza Dante is a mellow, slightly bohemian hangout with Etna views and a front-row seat to crumbling grandeur. There’s often a busker or two, and nearby bars like Nievski offer aperitivo specials with free snacks (think bruschetta, olives, and mini pizzas).
Another gem is Via Crociferi, a UNESCO-listed baroque street glowing orange at dusk. Locals perch on church steps with takeaway beers or grab spritzes from tucked-away spots like Vico Santa Filomena, which turns buzzy in the evening.
Also worth the detour: the rooftop terrace of San Nicolò l’Arena, one of the largest churches in Sicily. Though unfinished, it offers a raw, dramatic charm and access to panoramic views over Catania (sometimes open during special events or with a guided tour).
Bonus: Etna on a Budget
Want to see Etna without burning through your funds? You can skip the pricey full tours and go DIY:
- Take the AST public bus from Catania to Rifugio Sapienza (Etna South) for about €6.60 one way. It departs from Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII.
- Once there, hike the Silvestri Craters—totally free and otherworldly.
- Avoid the expensive cable car and jeep tours unless you’re truly craving summit views (€70+).
- Bring snacks and layers; weather can change quickly.
Don’t Miss: Festa di Sant’Agata
Every February (3–5), Catania bursts into full-blown devotion during the Festa di Sant’Agata, one of Europe’s largest religious festivals. Expect candlelit processions, traditional music, food stalls, fireworks, and a million-strong crowd of locals honoring their beloved patron saint. It’s beautiful, emotional, and totally free to experience—just arrive early and wear comfy shoes!
Catania by the Numbers
Food: Street eats €2–5, sit-down meals €10–15
Coffee or Granita: €1–3
Transport: Bus/metro €1–2, Alibus €4
Accommodation: Hostels from €20, budget hotels from €35
Arrivederci, Etna Explorer
Catania proves that you don’t need to spend big to experience big. With crumbling grandeur, explosive flavours, and lava-drenched charm, it’s a city that gives back to those who roam with wide eyes and light wallets. Buon viaggio!