east coast sicily: my 4-day base in catania 🇮🇹🗺️

for this trip i stayed in catania and did simple day trips. easy trains, buses, and tours from one base (＾▽＾)ﾉ

day 1 — catania
lava-dark streets, baroque facades, and a very alive fish market. i spent the first day just in catania: museums, churches, and getting used to the rhythm of the city.
• airport → catania: local bus or alibus to the center, around 20–30 min depending on traffic.
• once in town you can mostly walk. the historic center is compact (｡•‿•)っ

day 2 — siracusa day trip
siracusa feels calmer: mix of ancient greek stones and cute island streets on ortigia. perfect for one day.
• catania → siracusa: regional train from catania centrale, usually about 1 h 10–20 min. buses are similar or a bit longer.
• from siracusa station you walk or take a quick local bus to ortigia and the archaeological park.
i came back to catania in the evening and still had time for dinner near the duomo.

day 3 — etna volcano
one full day for etna. black lava, old craters, and views over the coast if the weather is kind.
• easiest from catania: organized tour or bus to rifugio sapienza on the south side, around 1 h 30–2 h up the mountain
it is cooler up there, so layers are important and shoes with a bit of grip help on the ash.

day 4 — taormina day trip
taormina is a balcony above the sea: greek theatre, narrow streets, and views to etna on clear days. very scenic and also quite busy.
• catania → taormina: regional train from catania centrale to taormina-giardini, about 45–60 min.
• from the station you either take a local bus or taxi up the hill to the historic center.
i spent the day between the theatre, small streets, and a slow coffee with a view before returning to catania.

this catania base worked well: no hotel changes, just simple day bags and return every night. in the next posts i will share more detailed ideas for what to see and do in catania, siracusa, taormina, and around etna (╹◡╹)

#sicily #sicilia #catania #siracusa #ortigia #taormina #etna #volcano #eastcoast #italy #italiatravel #traintrip #daytrips #itinerary #citybase #mediterranean #history #architecture #greektheatre #baroque #travelguide #traveldiary #tripcom