Badia di Sant'Agata
A baroque masterpiece beside the cathedral, where you can climb to the dome’s outer gallery for a 360-degree view of the old city rooftops, the sea, and Mount Etna.
The Badia di Sant’Agata was designed by Vaccarini, and its elegant, bright white oval interior sits on the east side of Piazza del Duomo. Its highlight is the climb up the stairs to the roof and the outer gallery of the dome, which offers panoramic views of the cathedral, the Elephant Fountain, and lava-stone rooftops. On clear days you can look north toward Mount Etna and east toward the Ionian Sea, making it one of Catania’s best viewpoints. Climbing requires a ticket (about €6–8). The stairs are narrow, so those with a fear of heights should take care.
Opening hours
About 9:30 am–1:00 pm, 3:00–7:00 pm (hours change with season)
Nearby sights
- Terme Achilliane
- Piazza del Duomo & Elephant Fountain, Catania
- La Pescheria, Catania
- Teatro Massimo Bellini
- Palazzo Biscari
- Via Etnea
- Museo Civico Belliniano
- Via dei Crociferi