Catania is an Italian city on the east coast of Sicily facing the Ionian Sea, between Messina and Syracuse. It is the capital of the Province of Catania, and is the second-largest city in Sicily and the tenth in Italy. Catania has had a long and eventful history, having been founded in the 8th century BC. In the 14th century and into the Renaissance period, Catania was one of Italy's most important cultural, artistic, and political centers.

Castello Ursino, also known as Castello Svevo di Catania was built in the 13th century as a royal castle of the Kingdom of Sicily, and is mostly known for its role in the Sicilian Vespers, when it became the seat of the Sicilian Parliament. The castle is in good condition today, and it is open to the public as a museum.

Duomo di Catania dedicated to Saint Agatha, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Catania. It was the seat of the Bishops of Catania until 1859, when the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese, and since then has been the seat of the Archbishops of Catania.

Teatro Massimo Bellini named after the local-born composer Vincenzo Bellini. It was inaugurated on 31 May 1890 with a performance of the composer's masterwork, Norma. Throughout its history, the opera house has performed almost all of Bellini's work. From its beginnings, a wide variety of operas have been performed by some highly renowned singers.

Basilica della Collegiata (also known as Santa Maria dell'Elemosina) is a church in Catania. Finished in 1768, it is an example of Sicilian Baroque. The church was built in the early 18th century, after the earthquake of 1693 that had destroyed most of the city.

San Benedetto is a church in Catania dedicated to St. Benedict of Nursia. It was built between 1704 and 1713. The church is part of a complex including also the Badia Maggiore and the Badia Minore, connected by a covered bridge over the road.

The Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolo l'Arena in Catania is one of the largest monasteries in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as a part of Val di Noto World Heritage Site). Its foundation goes back to the XVI century and today it hosts the Department of Humanities of the University of Catania. It shows architectonical integration of many styles through different centuries.

Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe, the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy, one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is an almost constant state of activity. According to Adrian Room's book "Place-names of the World", the name Etna originated from the Phoenician word "attuna" meaning "furnace" or "chimney". Tours are available.

Right on the Piazza Stesicoro, along the Via Etnea are the remains of the the Roman Anphitheatre. It was built around 300 B.C. from on an older theatre built in the 500 B.C. facing the sea. The anphitheatre is one of the largest in Italy after the Colosseum.

The roman theatre of Catania was one of most great of the Antiquity in Sicily. The theatre was once located on the southern slope of the former Acropolis. It was rebuilt by the Romans into a Roman theatre system with a connected Odeon. Since the Roman theatre was later partially obscured by baroque buildings, it is difficult to discern from the outside. The entrance is at Via Emanuele 266.