Italy
Things to do in Taormina & Catania (Etna)
27 places22 stories3 routes
Sightlore has 27 places to explore in Taormina & Catania (Etna), and 22 of them come with a 60-second story in 5 languages. Point your camera at a landmark to learn its name and story, and earn points and badges at the places you actually visit.
Taormina & Catania (Etna)'s must-sees
The city's most important places. In the app you see how many you've visited and earn a badge when you've seen them all.
- 1
Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena
The Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena in Catania, Sicily, is a former Benedictine monastery located at Piazza Dante 30. Together with the Palace of Mafra, it ranks among the largest Benedictine monasteries in Europe.
- 2
Fish market of Catania
The old fish market of Catania; since at least the early 19th century its stalls have stood in the tunnel under the Seminary palace and the walls of Charles V.
- 3
Catania Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Agatha, usually known as the Catania Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.
- 4
Mount Etna
Mount Etna, or simply Etna, is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania.
Read its story → - 5
Roman amphitheatre of Catania
The Amphitheatre of Catania is a Roman amphitheatre in Catania, Sicily, Southern Italy, built in the Roman Imperial period, probably in the 2nd century AD, on the northern edge of the ancient city at the base of the Montevergine hill.
- 6
Castello Ursino
Castello Ursino, also known as Castello Svevo di Catania, is a castle in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.
- 7
Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari
The main place of worship of medieval origin in Taormina's historic centre, on Piazza Duomo along Corso Umberto near Porta Catania; a cathedral basilica dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Bari.
- 8
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is a small island near Taormina, Sicily, southern Italy.
- 9
Castello di Monte Tauro
Castle perched on the rock of the same name at almost 400 metres above Taormina, overlooking the Ionian coast from the Strait of Messina to the slopes of Etna.
- 10
Elephant Fountain
The Elephant Fountain is a monument located in the center of Piazza del Duomo in the Sicilian city of Catania, designed by architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini between 1735 and 1737. Its main element is a black basalt statue of an elephant, commonly called u Liotru, which…
Discovery routes in Taormina & Catania (Etna)
Visit the stops in any order and tap "Check in" at each one; finish the route to earn points and its own badge.
Taormina: From the Ancient Theatre to Castelmola
From San Pancrazio to Palazzo Corvaja and Santa Caterina, the Ancient Theatre and the public gardens; past Sant'Agostino and Taormina Cathedral to the Castle of Monte Tauro and Castelmola.
From Isola Bella to the Alcantara Gorges and Etna
From Isola Bella to the Alcantara Gorges, Mount Etna and the Silvestri Craters.
Catania: From the Benedictine Monastery to the Roman Amphitheatre
From the Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena to the Roman Theatre, Castello Ursino and the fish market; the Piazza del Duomo with the Elephant Fountain and the Cathedral of Sant'Agata; then the Teatro Massimo Bellini, Via Etnea and the Roman Amphitheatre.
Places to visit
Historic sites
Corvaja Palace
Palazzo Corvaja (sometimes spelt Palazzo Corvaia) is a medieval palace in Taormina, Sicily, Italy.
Ancient theatre of Taormina
The ancient theatre of Taormina is an ancient Greek theatre in Taormina, Sicily, built in the third century BC.
Castello di Monte Tauro
Castle perched on the rock of the same name at almost 400 metres above Taormina, overlooking the Ionian coast from the Strait of Messina to the slopes of Etna.
Castelmola
Castelmola is a comune in the Province of Messina in the Italian region Sicily, located about 170 kilometres (110 mi) east of Palermo and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southwest of Messina.
Roman Theatre of Catania
The Roman Theatre of Catania (Teatro Romano di Catania) consists of the ruins of two open-air semicircular ancient Roman theatres, located between Piazza San Francesco, via Vittorio Emanuele, via Timeo, and via Teatro Greco in the center of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.
Castello Ursino
Castello Ursino, also known as Castello Svevo di Catania, is a castle in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.
Fish market of Catania
The old fish market of Catania; since at least the early 19th century its stalls have stood in the tunnel under the Seminary palace and the walls of Charles V.
Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo is the main city square in Catania, Italy, flanked by both the centers of civic (city hall at Palazzo degli Elefanti) and religious power (Duomo or Cathedral of Saint Agatha).
Teatro Massimo Bellini
The Teatro Massimo Bellini is an opera house located on Piazza Vincenzo Bellini in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.
Via Etnea
The main street of Catania's historic centre, running straight from south to north for about 3 km from Piazza del Duomo to Tondo Gioeni.
Roman amphitheatre of Catania
The Amphitheatre of Catania is a Roman amphitheatre in Catania, Sicily, Southern Italy, built in the Roman Imperial period, probably in the 2nd century AD, on the northern edge of the ancient city at the base of the Montevergine hill.
Museums
Casa Cuseni
Monumental complex in Taormina housing the house museum of the English painter Robert Hawthorn Kitson and the English writer Daphne Phelps.
Places of worship
San Pancrazio
Catholic church on the Salita San Pancrazio in Taormina, dedicated to Saint Pancras the Bishop, the town's patron saint.
Santa Caterina church
Catholic church next to Palazzo Corvaja on the central Corso Umberto in Taormina's historic centre.
Sant'Agostino
Church and adjoining Augustinian convent just outside the Clock Gate on Piazza IX Aprile in the historic centre of Taormina.
Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari
The main place of worship of medieval origin in Taormina's historic centre, on Piazza Duomo along Corso Umberto near Porta Catania; a cathedral basilica dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Bari.
Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena
The Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena in Catania, Sicily, is a former Benedictine monastery located at Piazza Dante 30. Together with the Palace of Mafra, it ranks among the largest Benedictine monasteries in Europe.
Catania Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Agatha, usually known as the Catania Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.
San Giuseppe
Catholic church just outside the Clock Gate on Piazza IX Aprile in the historic centre of Taormina.
Sant'Antonio di Padova
Catholic church in the Cappuccini quarter of Taormina, forming a complex with the convent of the Capuchin friars.
Visitazione
Catholic church on Via Conte Ruggero at the Piazzetta del Varò in Taormina's historic centre, also known as the Varò church.
Monuments
Elephant Fountain
The Elephant Fountain is a monument located in the center of Piazza del Duomo in the Sicilian city of Catania, designed by architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini between 1735 and 1737. Its main element is a black basalt statue of an elephant, commonly called u Liotru, which…
Nature
Villa comunale
A public garden in Taormina, Italy.
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is a small island near Taormina, Sicily, southern Italy.
Gole dell'Alcantara
Gorges on the Alcantara river in Sicily, up to twenty metres deep, carved over thousands of years into lava rock from nearby Etna.
Mount Etna
Mount Etna, or simply Etna, is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania.
Monte Silvestri
Two cones formed north of Nicolosi at about 1,900 metres on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Explore Taormina & Catania (Etna) with your camera
Hear the stories on the spot, complete routes, collect badges. Sightlore is coming soon to the App Store.