An Accessible day in Catania, Sicily

For the second part of our wheelchair accessible trip to Sicily, we stayed in Catania on the East coast of the island. This location served as our base to explore Taormina, Syracuse, and of course, Catania itself.

Discovering Catania: A Wheelchair Accessible Gem

Catania is situated at the foot of Mount Etna, one of Europe's largest and most active volcanoes. The city has a rich history, marked by a major eruption in 1669 that devastated it, followed by an earthquake just 24 years later. As you stroll through the streets, you’ll notice that many buildings are constructed from lava stone, which adds a unique charm to the city. The lava paving is quite smooth, making it easier to navigate in a wheelchair.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Rooms alcentro Catania, which was about a 40-minute walk from Catania Centrale Station. The hotel was lovely, spacious, and modern. We booked a room with an accessible bathroom, which was great but might be better suited for smaller wheelchairs due to the limited space between the shower tray rim and the toilet.

Our hostess, Roberta, was incredibly helpful. We could contact her via WhatsApp whenever we had questions or needed assistance during our stay. It made everything so much easier!

Visit this link to book your stay at the Rooms alcentro Catania. Please note that not all of the hotels shown in this map will be accessible. Always check the accessibility of a hotel and the availability of an accessible hotel room before booking.

Dining Delights

Almost every night during our stay in Catania, we visited the same pizzeria called Taverna Peppino. The pizza was simply AMAZING! The restaurant is just a five-minute roll from the hotel, making it a perfect spot to grab a quick bite after a long day of exploring.

Getting Around

We hoped to use the Metro as a quick way to get into the city from our hotel, but unfortunately, the lifts were out of order. If rolling the distance into the city isn’t an option, there’s a bus stop just a short roll away from the hotel that can take you directly to the train station.

To ensure a stress-free train journey, be sure to book your assistance with Sala Blu. You can arrange for someone to meet you at the station, and they will help you board the train. It’s a great way to make your travel experience smoother!

Exploring Catania

Catania is a lovely place to visit on a more relaxed day, as there’s less to see compared to other towns and cities in Sicily. You can take a bus up to Mount Etna, but when we were there, it only ran once a day. We were a bit worried about getting stuck if we missed the bus back! There’s also a regional train that goes around the foot of the mountain and through charming little villages. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great during our visit, so we couldn’t take that trip either. If you’re planning on this adventure, be sure to check that the stations are accessible first by contacting FCE.

However, we did discover a few places to visit and some delightful treats to try!

Piazza Del Duomo

The Piazza Del Duomo is the central square of Catania. Around the square, you’ll find the Cattedrale di Sant'Agata and many baroque-style buildings, along with lively bars and restaurants. The square is flat and accessible, making it easy to navigate. In front of the Cathedral, there’s a sculpture of an elephant made from lava stone. Unfortunately, it was covered up during our visit, so we couldn’t see it!

Parco Archeologico Greco Romano di Catania

This Roman amphitheatre is located in the centre of a residential neighbourhood and is estimated to have been built in the 2nd Century. The ground level is flat and accessible, with pathways and ramps that make it easy to explore.

Giardino Bellini

While staying in Catania, we walked past Giardino Bellini every day and thought we should visit it. The park is spacious and accessible, providing a lovely place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Of course, if you visit a park, you need to try some local delicacies, right? We picked up a 'Cassatella di sant'Agata'. These traditional Sicilian pastries are made to honour Saint Agatha, a Catholic martyr who faced a brutal fate. Despite the story behind them, they are absolutely delicious!

Final Thoughts

Overall, we found Catania to be a slightly hilly but smooth city to visit in Sicily, with good wheelchair access. It served as a great base for our day trips from the train station to other locations on the island. However, our hotel was a bit far for daily travel. The bus was a fantastic option, and staying near Via Etnea provided us with a direct route into the city.

Want to discover more accessible places to visit in Sicily? Visit our page with all of the destinations we travelled to by train!

Let’s keep exploring together!