Fantastic Day Trips from Catania you do not want to miss when traveling to Sicily
Are you looking for a great day tour from Catania? You have come to the right place!
During our 14-day vacation in Sicily, we were based in Catania and set off on different day trips every day. We climbed Mount Etna, visited the archaeological treasures of Agrigento and explored the beautiful towns of Taormina and Syracuse.
Some tours can easily be done by rental car or even by public transport. For others, I highly recommend an organized and stress-free tour.
Read on to find my recommendations for some fantastic day trips from Catania, including information how to get there best.
My favorite Day Trip from Catania
Fantastic day trips from Catania
1. Mount Etna
Mt. Etna is the highest, most active volcano in Europe and the main reason why Sicily is that famous! I recommend visiting and exploring the mountain with a rental car and do an organised day trip from Catania to reach the summit.
When arriving to Sicily by plane, you will already see it from far. Today, its height is given as around 3357m above sea level, although this is constantly changing due to cinder cones and destructive eruptions.
Hiking on Mount Etna was without a doubt the very best activity during my entire holidays in Sicily. I spent a total of 3 days on various hikes on the flanks of Mount Etna.
How to best visit Mt. Etna from Catania
If you have a rental car available, I recommend that you plan at least 2 days for excursions on Mount Etna: one day independently, exploring the western flank and lava caves and a second day with an organized tour to the summit.
⇨ Keep in mind: You are not allowed to attempt a summit hike on your own, without a local guide. The volcano is too active and too dangerous.
In order to reach the summit or highest possible point on Mount Etna I recommend the following organised tour:
Guided Volcano Summit Hiking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours
That tour to the Etna summit is perfect if you are based in Catania, as pick-up from your Hotel within the city is included.
You will be taken to Rifugio Sapienza in Nicolosi, on the volcanos south site. The cable car ride up to 2500 meter about sea level is also included in the tour.
After a 1,5hrs hike uphill with an expert guide who speaks English, you will be reaching the main crater or the highest point allowed, with fantastic views over Catania.
Even hiking gear for the 3,5hrs hike on the volcano is provided!
“The tour was amazing, we were able to see a lot of different places and I always had the feeling the guide knows what he is doing and talking about. I didn’t have a lot of hiking experience before but due to several breaks along the way I was able to catch my breath.” – Lena (Read more reviews)
2. Taormina (and Castelmola)
Taormina is one of the most beautiful towns on the Island, and needs to be on your to-do-list. I recommend public transport or a rental car for your day trip from Catania to Taormina in order to avoid the crowds where possible.
The town is not only beautifully situated on the mountainside with picturesque views of the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna, it also has outstanding sights. The main attraction is the Greek Theater.
Built in the 3rd century BC, it is the 2nd largest Theater in Sicily with seating for 5400 spectators!
My tip: Buy your Greek Theater Ticket online in advance to avoid the long queues
The rest of Taormina is postcard pretty, but has the accompanying tourist factor and higher prices than elsewhere in Sicily. A popular Instagram spot is for example in front of Isola Bella, a small peninsula connected to the Taormina coastline by a sandbank.
How to best visit Taormina from Catania
Explore Taormina individually in order to bypass the crowds. If you have a rental car, I recommend avoiding the parking chaos of Taormina and parking in Castelmola. That small village, located above Taormina is one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”.
The Taormina Castelmola Walk, a beautiful one-hour hike is connecting both scenic towns, combining 2 highlights in one day trip from Catania.
Should you not have a car, I would suggest taking the public bus instead of paying for an organized tour. Travel time from Catania to Taormina is a little over one hour. Price per ticket is only €8,50 for the return trip and the buses run frequently during the day (⇨ bus timetable).
3. Valley of the Temples & the Scala dei Turchi
The excursion to the world-famous Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is going to be a full and long Catania day trip, no mater how you do it.
You won’t be able to accomplish it by public transport, only a rental car or organised tour will manage the 150km distance.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes a collection of well-preserved temples dating mainly from the 5th century BC.
Outstanding temples include the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Concordia, the best-preserved temple on the site, and the Temple of Zeus, which was once one of the largest temples in the ancient world.
How to best visit Valley of the Temples & the Scala dei Turchi from Catania
This Catania day trip can easily be done by rental car if you are happy exploring the Sicilian driving style for 2 hours per way. The temples and the impressive cliffs are only about 15 minutes drive apart.
For a daily rate of €5,00 we parked our car at the Parcheggio Porta V Valle dei Templi.. From there you can take a shuttle at €3.00 per person to the top entrance in order to walk back down to the parking, bypassing all temples.
As the drive is quite long, you may want to consider an organised day trip from Catania and I do recommend the following:
Valley of the Temples and Turkish Steps
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 9-9,5 hours |
This full day trip from Catania is perfect for everyone who is used to explore sights on own but has no transportation to get there.
Pick-up is very conveniently directly from your hotel. The first stop will be briefly in the small town of Agrigento.
Afterwards, you will be able to explore the impressive Valley of the Temples completely on your own and at your own pace. You won’t be bothered with long talks as you do not have a guide but “only” a bus driver.
Please be aware that the entry ticket for the UNESCO Heritage Site is not included in the price of the day trip.
The tour includes a snack for lunch and some local wine. During the afternoon you can relax at one of the most famous beaches in Sicily: The Scala dei Turchi is a white rock formation, rising from the clear blue sea-like giant steps.
“Extraordinary excursion, the Valley of the Temples fills you with emotions that recall the past with its colossal gigantic works, transporting you to ancient times!!!! The Turkish staircase is immensely wonderful!!!! Our guide Dario was very good at illustrating and explaining all the details of the trip!” – Anna (Read more Reviews)
4. Syracus & Ortigia
The Catania Day Trip to Syracuse is another excursion you can easily do by public transport or rental car.
Syracuse (it. Siracusa) offers two main attraction: The fantastic ancient Greek city of Neapolis and the beautiful old town on the island of Ortigia (or Ortygia).
Within the archeological park, I recommend following the blue route. It will take you about 90 minutes to complete and passes all highlights such as the “Ear of Dionysius” and the impressive Greek Theater.
Complete your day by exploring the Syracuse old town on the island of Origigia. Just stroll along the coastline and enjoy the small and narrow streets.
How to best visit Syracuse from Catania
There are trains and public buses connecting Syrcause and Catania regularly. Every 30 minutes there is a bus connection with a travel time of 1:15hrs and a ticket price of €6,20 per person.
Trains need the same amount of time, do not run that frequently and are a little more expensive.
Travel time by car from Catania is about the same as public transport. We did park our rental car on the Parcheggio Molo Sant’Antonio, half way between the archeological park and Ortigia and explored all sights on foot from here.
5. East Coast Excursion (Road trip or boat trip)
There are 2 fantastic option for discovering the beautiful eastern Sicily coast: Do a roadtrip if you have a rental car or join a boat trip from Catania in order to discover the beautiful coastline from the sea.
The stunning shore offeres great beaches, small coves and beautiful villages like Giardini Naxoss or Aci Trezza. There are hidden gems and lost places like the Torre Saracena Santa Tecla to discover while you head north.
One of my favorite stops on that day trip from Catania was the visit of the Castello Normanno in Aci Castello which offers great views on the sea, the village and rocky coastline.
If you do not have a rental car or prefer to change the viewpoint, I recommend this full day sailing trip including lunch.
Catania Coastline Sailing Trip with Aperitif and Lunch
⭐️ RATING: 4.9/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours |
Starting point for that fantastic day trip from Catania is the port where you will go on a sailing boat with a very small group of other travelers.
During your 6 hour sailing trip along the beautiful coastline you will see exciting places such as lava caves, the old Castello Normanno castle near Aci Castello, and the Cyclops Islands.
There will be swim stops, aperitif with prosecco and fresh pasta cooked on board. I really appreciate that you can help sail if you are interested!
“The time on the Sofia was fantastic, from the swimming stop to the explanations about sailing to the delicious appetizers, the pasta, the sunbathing… the skippers were in a great mood and we had a wonderful day on the water! Highly recommended and worth every penny.” – Lea (Read more Reviews)
More day trips from Catania
Alcantara Gorges
The stunning Alcantara Gorges are made of black lava walls which are up to 50 meters high. I totally enjoyed the various hiking trails this natural gem offers.
A more relaxed option is heading down into the gorge to the pebble beach and swim in the clear and cooling waters of the river Alcantara.
I recommend a visit to the gorges by rental car. Make it a full day trip from Catania by combining this natural site with a stop to the Etna north flank. If you do not have a car, join this small group tour with the same itinerary.
Noto
Noto is one of the most important cultural highlights in Sicily. After a devastating earthquake in 1693, the town was completely rebuilt and is now considered one of the most outstanding examples of Sicilian Baroque.
Highlights include Noto Cathedral and the town hall in Palazzo Ducezio.
Many suggest to visit Noto in combination with Syracuse but I do not recommend that as you need a full day already for Syracuse. Alternatively you could combine Noto with the small towns of Modica and Ragusa and make it a full baroque tour.
If you are not up to drive about 260km for that extensive tour, I suggest booking that small group tour with the same itinerary.
Villa Romana Del Casale
Villa Romana Del Casale is a remarkable excravation site of a Roman villa near the town of Piazza Armerina. It is famous for its extensive, well-preserved mosaics showcasing daily life in the 4th century.
The UNESCO world heritage site is not easy to reach by public transport and I only recommend visiting it if you have a car. You could perfectly combine it with a visit to Enna, a historic town perched atop a hill with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Check and compare car rental prices
Be sure to compare the rental car providers (price, insurance and other services) before you make a final decision as you have lots of options.
FAQ’s
Got Questions? I have got Answers! Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about day trips from Catania.
How many days should you spend in Catania?
If you only want to visit Catania, I would suggest 2 days. But Catania is also a great starting point for excursions to Mount Etna and Sicilies East coast. Therefore you can easy stay 2 weeks if you use Catania as a base.
Can you do a day trip to Taormina from Catania?
Taormina is most like the easiest and most done Catania day trip. You can reach Taormina by bus, train or own car in around one hour travel time.
What is the best day trip from Catania?
Catania is the most popular starting point for trips to Mount Etna as the Etna south entrance is only a one hour drive away.
Final Thoughts on day tours from Catania
From your base in or around Catania, you’re perfectly positioned to explore some of the region’s most remarkable sights, attractions, and highlights.
Do not miss out on my favorite excursion from Catania and book your unforgettable Guided Volcano Summit Hiking Tour
A visit to the majestic Mount Etna is a must, but don’t miss the chance to explore beautiful towns like Syracuse and Taormina.
These gems are easily accessible, offer a rich blend of history, culture, and stunning landscapes and are only a day trip away from Sicily’s second-largest city.
