Via Etnea Tours

Taking its name from Mount Etna, the imposing volcano that looms over the city, Via Etnea is one of Catania’s most important thoroughfares, lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés. A lively destination both day and night, Via Etnea connects two of the city’s top attractions—Piazza Duomo and Villa Bellini.
The Basics
Via Etnea runs almost 2 miles (3 kilometers) through the heart of the city, and a guided walking or Segway tour along its length is the best way to appreciate its many historical sights and monuments. From Via Etnea, many small-group tours head to other nearby city highlights such as Ursino Castle and Monastero dei Benedettini.
At the southern end of Via Etnea is Piazza Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Fontana dell’Elefante—symbol of Catania—at its center. The square is also home to the grand Palazzo degli Elefanti, a number of baroque palaces, and the Cathedral di Sant’Agata (Duomo). Heading north up Via Etnea, you’ll pass Piazza Università and Piazza Stesicoro, which houses the ruins of a Roman amphitheater and a monument to local composer Vincenzo Bellini. From here, it’s a short walk to the busy central market in Piazza Carlo Alberto and Villa Bellini, the city’s main park.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Via Etnea is a great place to rub elbows with locals, who flock here to dine, shop, and take an evening passeggiata (stroll).
- If you’re joining a walking tour of Catania, comfortable shoes and a sun hat are recommended.
- The thoroughfare is lined by sidewalks and accessible to wheelchair users.
- With its many cafés and restaurants, Via Etnea is where you can stop for anything from a light snack to a full meal.
How to Get There
Via Etnea runs directly through the heart of Catania’s historic city center from Piazza Duomo to Villa Bellini, an easy walk from the Catania Centrale train station.
When to Get There
Catania, like all Sicilian cities, can be uncomfortably hot in the summer months. Do as the locals do and stroll the length of Via Etnea in the cooler morning or evening hours, saving indoor sights such as Ursino Castle and the cathedral for the hottest hours of the day.
Villa Bellini: A Garden Oasis
A hub for shopping and socializing, Via Etnea is always bustling, but on Saturdays and around major holidays it can be very crowded. After seeing the sights and browsing the shops, you can escape the chaos at nearby Villa Bellini (also known and Giardino Bellini), Catania’s delightful public park. Relax in the shade on one of the many inviting benches and admire the 19th-century landscaping and views of Mount Etna.
Address: Catania, Italy
6 Tours and Activities to Experience Via Etnea
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Godfather Private Tour from Catania: Savoca and Forza D'Agro with options of Food, Wine tasting and Dinner
13
Experience Sicily through the eyes of The Godfather on a private tour with stops at the movie’s iconic film locations, from the Church of Santa Lucia to Forza D’Agro. In addition to navigating for you, your guide provides snacks, drinks, admission tickets whenever necessary, and a wealth of stories often unheard by visitors. Upgrade to include lunch and/or dinner at a classic Sicilian restaurant.
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From
$129.92
Price varies by group size
From
$129.92
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Catania Private Walking Tour with Option of Food and Wine Tasting
5
Catania has a world of offerings for travelers: UNESCO World Heritage sites, fascinating history, street markets, and a cuisine that is the envy of the Mediterranean. It can be a challenge to pack it all in one day, but this private half-day walking tour—which pairs the city’s top sights with traditional street food and wine—allows you to do just that. Upgrade to end the tour with a wine and food tasting at a local restaurant.
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From
$165.81
Price varies by group size
From
$165.81
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Private tour from Catania: Etna Volcano and Lunch at Etna Winery
3
Explore the Mount Etna region on a full-day private tour from Catania. Learn about Europe’s highest active volcano and the folklore from your informative guide. Drive through mountain villages, visit a local honey farm and the Cyclops Cave, and drive up to Rifugio Sapienza at 2000 meters above sea level to admire the beautiful views. Then head to a local winery to enjoy a delicious lunch complete with local wines.
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From
$258.61
Price varies by group size
From
$258.61
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Best Sicilian Offer: Private Tour of Etna - Alcantara - Godfather - Food and Wine from Catania
See some of the top sights of Sicily without having to worry about car hire or navigation on a private day trip from Catania. You'll see Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorges, and have the chance to taste local items such as olive oil, honey, jam, wine, and spirits. Plus, exploring with a private guide means that you'll benefit from undivided attention throughout the day.
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From
$247.47
Price varies by group size
From
$247.47
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Private Horseback Riding Tour in Sicilian Countryside with Lunch at a historic Farmhouse
2
Experience life in the Sicilian Countryside on a private tour of a working farm founded in the 1800s. See picturesque vineyards, olive and citrus groves, and farm animals and then learn to ride a horse with a professional instructor. Finish the tour with a traditional Sicilian lunch of locally produced cheeses, salami, prosciutto, traditional Sicilian relish Caponata, Parmigiana, olives, vegetables, domestic olive oil and home-made bread, with red and white wines from Etna vineyards.
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From
$260.01
Price varies by group size
From
$260.01
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Catania Duomo, via Etnea & Caltagirone
Catania is the most advanced city in Sicily and Caltagirone is famous all over the world for its ceramics. Passengers will travel with us as if they were longtime friends.
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From
$849.03
per group
From
$849.03
per group
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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