We will be on a cruise in Oct., stopping for a day in Catania. Would you recommend spending the entire day there? Morning there and afternoon in Taormina? Entire day in Taormina? Thanks.

If you decide to visit Catania, go in the morning when the incredible fish market is open. Catania doesn't have the WOW setting that Taormina does and is not a touristy destination. Catania does have some great seafood restaurants and minor attractions which make for a fun day if you enjoy eating and wandering. Taormina is tourist central for its great views and ancient theater. I would definitely see Taormina although Catania was a more interesting town to actually spend time in.

Thank you. If we do spend the morning in Catania, do the buses to Taormina run regularly? We would want to be back at the ship by 4pm

If you have to be back by 4, I would forget Catania. You have to allow lots of time for unexpected travel times when the boat or plane can leave without you. Enjoy Taormina!

That's what I am thinking. Taormina will probably be it. Is it easy to go to and from by bus or should we take the ship's tramsfer? I think they give you 4 hours.

There are buses and trains between the two, but I have no idea whether there are stops convenient to the ship dock. The train puts you in lower Taormina and it's a 12€ cab ride up or you can take a bus up. We took the train to Taormina and then took the bus from Taormina to Catania.