Via Etnea
Catania’s main north-south shopping street, linking the cathedral square, University Square, and Villa Bellini, with Mount Etna visible at its far end.
Via Etnea runs straight north from the cathedral square for about 3 km. Lined on both sides by baroque palaces, churches, and shops in alternating bands of lava stone and white limestone, it offers views of Mount Etna at its far end on clear days. Along the way, University Square has four bronze lamp posts that tell Catania’s legends, and the northern section connects to Villa Bellini. It is also where locals stroll in the evening to enjoy coffee and granita with brioche. It makes a good part of a walking route that takes in other sights in the old town.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Via dei Crociferi
- Roman Amphitheatre of Catania
- Badia di Sant'Agata
- Piazza del Duomo & Elephant Fountain, Catania
- Terme Achilliane
- Teatro Massimo Bellini
- Museo Civico Belliniano
- La Pescheria, Catania