This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Catania.
Catania, a lovely city on the east coast of Sicily, has as its background the Ionian Sea, and on the opposite side you can see the bad-tempered Mount Etna. The city may look a bit touristic in some streets and a little bit too busy and overcrowded -- it is one of the largest cities in Italy -- but you will love it after starting to explore! The city is well developed and is a busy, touristic place, mostly in summer (July and August).
The city is nice to explore, so take a walk to the center of the city and be amazed with the many historical buildings -- the Baroque city center of Catania is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- and if you like churches, in Catania you can find dozens of them. Although, one of the most remarkable place lies just outside the city -- the Roman ruins, with an amazingly well-preserved amphitheater.
Nearby is Mount Etna, a still-active volcano that has a history of eruptions, earthquakes, and destruction of neighboring cities -- it is definitely worth a visit. When you get to Mount Etna, there is a really steep, rocky road that marks the beginning of the best trekking path in the area; it will allow you to go to the crater rim and have an amazing view of the lava flows, other small cones in the main cone -- some of them still active -- and the surroundings of this impressive volcano. It's the must-do in this area.
The easiest way to get to Catania is by car and booking a rental car in advance is something you should consider, especially in summer because there can be a shortage of cars on the entire island.
Since it's one of the biggest cities on the island, it won't be a problem to find hostels in Catania. You can expect staff with good English and good facilities. Catania's hostels are also a good place to ask information about the best way to go to Mount Etna and can give you some valuable insight about the city.
Written by local enthusiast for Catania hostels
CoffeeMarks
