Catania, Sicily

Catania, Sicily

Discover Catania — Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Overview

Catania is Sicily's second largest city and was founded in the 8th B.C. by Greek colonists. It was hard hit by earthquake in 1169, by volcanic eruptions in 1329, 1381 and 1669 and modern Catania stands as a testament to the trial the city has been through in terms of both natural and economic disaster, the later predominately the result of government neglect..
 
Catania is in need of considerable renovation, and though it offers visitors glimpses at superb architecture, enthralling fish markets and stunning views of Mt. Etna, most travelers agree that Catania has little more to offer than oranges and lemons.
 
Traffic flows in ever-increasing volume and adds to the smog from the industrial zone between Catania and Siracusa, many buildings are run down and the streets are wide and un-charming.  There is no beach front appropriate for swimming, as the entire area hosts numerous streamliners and industrial equipment.
I
We understand that travelers, despite the city's defects, that many travelers will use Catania as a point of convergence for travel in Italy.  For this reason, we are working hard to bring you more information about staying in Catania. 
 

Gallery

Harbor in Catania
Harbor in Catania
Mount Etna craters with a group of hikers at a peak
Mount Etna craters with a group of hikers at a peak
Catania City
Catania City
Catania, Italy
Catania, Italy
Cyclopean Isles in Aci Trezza near Catania, Sicily, Italy
Cyclopean Isles in Aci Trezza near Catania, Sicily, Italy

Map

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Secrets of Sicily: Unesco Sites, Wineries, Food and Beaches

Secrets of Sicily: Unesco Sites, Wineries, Food and Beaches

This is a totally private and exclusive tour of Sicily with an expert driver-guide, which departs from Catania and includes many of Sicily's World Heritage sites like Siracusa, Mt. Etna and her wineries, Taormina and the Greek Amphitheater, Noto, Pal...

Small Group
8 Days / 7 Nights
STARTING FROM
€3,600 per person
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Harvest Time in Sicily: Experience a Sicilian Wine Journey - 7 Days of Vino, Volcanoes & Villages

Harvest Time in Sicily: Experience a Sicilian Wine Journey - 7 Days of Vino, Volcanoes & Villages

Embark on a luxurious and immersive weeklong journey through Sicily’s most storied wine regions—where dramatic landscapes...

Private
7 Days / 6 Nights
PRICING
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Private Tour of Sicily's Unesco World Hertiage Sites, Food, Wine and Magnificent Coastal Towns

Private Tour of Sicily's Unesco World Hertiage Sites, Food, Wine and Magnificent Coastal Towns

This is an exclusive tour of Sicily with an expert driver-guide, departing from Catania and including many of Sicily's World Heritage sites like Siracusa, Mt. Etna and her wineries, Taormina and the Greek Amphitheater, Noto, Palermo, Monreale, Erice...

Private
8 Days / 7 Nights
STARTING FROM
€2,950 per person
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Hotels

Villas

Apartment

Explore Towns and Cities in Sicily

Discover the charming cities and towns that make Sicily unique

Aeolian Islands
Aeolian Islands
Agrigento
Agrigento
Castellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo
Catania
Catania
Cefalu
Cefalu
Enna
Enna
Erice
Erice
Forza D'Agro
Forza D'Agro
Giardini Naxos
Giardini Naxos
Island of Favignana
Island of Favignana
Island of Ustica
Island of Ustica
Marsala
Marsala
Messina
Messina
Modica
Modica
Mondello
Mondello
Monreale
Monreale
Noto
Noto
Palermo
Palermo
Pantelleria Island
Pantelleria Island
Piazza Armerina
Piazza Armerina
Porticello
Porticello
Ragusa
Ragusa
San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo
Savoca
Savoca
Scala dei Turchi
Scala dei Turchi
Sciacca
Sciacca
Segesta
Segesta
Selinunte
Selinunte
Siracusa
Siracusa
Taormina
Taormina
Termini Imerese
Termini Imerese
Tindari
Tindari
Trapani
Trapani
Aeolian Islands Agrigento Castellammare del Golfo Catania Cefalu Enna Erice Forza D'Agro Giardini Naxos Island of Favignana Island of Ustica Marsala Messina Modica Mondello Monreale Noto Palermo Pantelleria Island Piazza Armerina Porticello Ragusa San Vito Lo Capo Savoca Scala dei Turchi Sciacca Segesta Selinunte Siracusa Taormina Termini Imerese Tindari Trapani

Our Featured Properties

Villa del Bastione Italy,Sicily,Trapani
Villa

Villa del Bastione

3/4 Beds 2 Baths 6/10
Air Conditioning +15 more
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Villa Avvenente Italy,Sicily
Villa

Villa Avvenente

4 Beds 4 Baths 8
Air Conditioning +14 more
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Villa Recupero Italy,Sicily
Villa

Villa Recupero

5 Beds 5 Baths 9
Air Conditioning +14 more
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Villa Della Pace Italy,Sicily
Villa

Villa Della Pace

4 Beds 4 Baths 8+2
Air Conditioning +13 more
From €12,640 / night
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Villa Mondello Italy,Sicily,Mondello
Villa

Villa Mondello

6 Beds 6 Baths 15
Balcony +10 more
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Villa Sussurro delle Onde Italy,Sicily,Palermo
Villa

Villa Sussurro delle Onde

5/6 Beds 6/7 Baths 10/13
Air Conditioning +14 more
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Villa Sontuoso Italy,Sicily
Villa

Villa Sontuoso

5/6 Beds 6/7 Baths 11/14
Air Conditioning +13 more
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Villa Calmo Italy,Sicily
Villa

Villa Calmo

3 Beds 2 Baths 6
Air Conditioning +12 more
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Villa Sole di Marsala Italy,Sicily,Marsala
Villa

Villa Sole di Marsala

7 Beds 6 Baths 14
Air Conditioning +16 more
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Villa Eccezionale Italy,Sicily
Villa

Villa Eccezionale

7 Beds 6 Baths 17
Air Conditioning +14 more
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Popular Transfer Routes in Catania

Most requested private transfer services across the region

Italy Vacation Specialists provides licensed private transfer services throughout Italy, including Catania and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our professional English-speaking drivers offer both Business Class and Luxury Class vehicles for airport transfers, city-to-city rides, and full-day chauffeur services. All vehicles are fully insured, well-maintained, and operated by vetted local drivers who know the roads, traffic patterns, and best routes across the region.

Rome Florence
Private Transfer
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Rome Naples
Private Transfer
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Rome Venice
Private Transfer
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Florence Venice
Private Transfer
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Catania

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.”
[Read More] Leon and Michele
“I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings!”
[Read More] Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons
“Jesse & Giuseppe, Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.”
[Read More] Bob & Sandy
“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there, like in every place”
[Read More] Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA
“We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date.”
[Read More] Carol Carson
“I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and flying to Rome where honestly 4 days is NOT enough. They keep saying to spend more time and we could not agree more! You need to spend more ti”
[Read More] Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan
“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friends!”
[Read More] Lucretia Brower
“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on our trip. There was n”
[Read More] Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group
“Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative and effervescent per”
[Read More] Jo Ann West
“Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we were p”
[Read More] Ron and Deb Crosby

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