Sicily walking route: Catania to Via Bel
Explore southeast Sicily centered around Catania, a 39.4 km route showcasing the region's unique blend of Greek, Roman, and Arab influences. This area is renowned for its Sicilian Baroque architecture, volcanic landscape dominated by Mount Etna, and vibrant local culture shaped by centuries of Mediterranean history.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Catania Southeast Sicily
- End
- Via Bel
- Stops
- 2
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Catania Southeast Sicily
- Via Bel — Main street in Catania district with historic wine bars and trattorias serving traditional Sicilian snacks and sweet wines.
Useful for your trip
- Food
- Try pasta alla norma, a typical Catanese dish of spaghetti in tomato ragu with eggplant and ricotta salata (salty ricotta).
- Food
- Visit the fish market in Catania to see fresh Mediterranean fish. Vendors indicate freshness by showing the fish head.
- Food
- Try eggplant caponata (eggplant, peppers, potatoes with sauce and capers) at local tratorias in Catania.
- Food
- Try horse meat burgers, a Catania specialty, at local restaurants.
- Food
- Visit Via Bel on Sundays to experience a typical local scene where people drink sweet wine and eat boiled eggs.
- Food
- Try Nero d'Avola red wine, the famous wine from Southeast Sicily, at local wineries in the Noto region.
- Food
- In Ortigia, try raw Mazara prawns and grilled swordfish at seafood restaurants in the market area.
- Tip
- Book a local street food tour with a guide to learn about local culture and food traditions. GetYourGuide offers such tours.
- Tip
- Visit the Palazzo Nicolaci in Noto to see intricate Sicilian Baroque architecture and balconies with curved iron railings.
- Tip
- Visit the Cathedral of Syracuse, built on a 2,000-year-old Greek temple dedicated to Athena, featuring original Greek columns.
- Tip
- Explore the Archaeological Park of Syracuse to see the ancient Greek amphitheater and the largest Roman amphitheater in Sicily.
- Transport
- The seafront in Catania is quite far from the city center; use a taxi to reach it from downtown.