Rooster99

Hi folks - my wife and I will be in Catania for a week mid/late September. Any suggestions re accommodation, activities, or places to eat would be welcome.

As background, I'm in my mid-60s and my wife is in her mid-50s. We're both very active, fit, and enjoy food, wine, music, art, history and people. We're fairly stylish, engaged in the world around us, and appreciate the offbeat and quirky. We definitely want to soak up the local culture - most touristy stuff won't be a fit for us, and we don't want to be part of a large tour at any point.

For accommodation a smaller, more boutique independent hotel or apartment would be a good fit for us, as we're not fond of large chains when we're travelling for pleasure. We want something quiet, good internet access is mandatory as we'll be working while travelling, and my wife prefers a bathtub while I prefer a shower. We have a strong preference for a king size bed but could make do with a queen size if everything else is a knockout..

TIA - R.

bilboburgler

Catania has an interesting garden full of plants brought from around the world

rialtogrl

Mm Street Food in the fish market… SO good.
https://www.facebook.com/mmstreetfood/

Get the seafood hot dog. You will not regret it.

I have a casual friend (she works at a winery I go to) who opened a B & B in Catania, but I’ve never stayed there. If you don’t get a lot of recs I can look it up. Also her husband has a restaurant, but I’ve not been there either.. the seafood hot dog is too compelling.

geetika

We spent 3 nights at this lovely Airbnb in Catania. Three flights of stairs with no elevator, but there’s a rooftop terrace with stunning and sweeping views of Etna on one side and the sea on the other. Just above the Pescheria or fish market with lots of small restaurants, though I don’t remember any specific names.

You could make a day trip to Etna with a winery visit, several operators offer small group tours, or you could hire a taxi to take you. We looked into this option, not much more expensive than a tour, but we’d been to Taormina and hiked up Etna on a previous visit and decided to pass.

The cathedral is an impressive structure, built over Roman baths, you can also go up to the roof for gorgeous views. Also worth a visit are Castello Usino and the amphitheaters.

https://abnb.me/kWdKZoBGSBb

ekscrunchy

What is the general price range for a hotel?

Rooster99

Many thanks for the tips, folks! Love street food AND cathedrals!

Itinerary question - current plan is below. Is this feasible, or any other recommendations/tips? We have a week in Sicily, don't want to rent a car, and have to fly into Catania then off to Panzano for a week with friends.

Catania - 5 nights/4 days, including day trips to Mount Etna, Taormina and the Villa Roma del Casale plus 1 day touring Catania

Ortigia - 2 nights/1.5 days, all touring Ortigia/Siracusa

Thanks again - R.