Catania Cruises, Sicily
Built out of limestone and lava, this black and white city’s the second biggest in Sicily. Think palazzo-lined boulevards, shop-fringed squares and designer bars stuffed into Baroque buildings. An ancient port, it comes with a history dating back to the 8th century BC. Plus, it’s got a reputation as the hottest spot in Italy, and it’s not just the 40-degree summers that earn it the title. It also sits at the foot of Mount Etna – Europe’s tallest active volcano. In fact, Catania’s been buried by sizzling hot lava flows more than once. One of its eruptions even gained Hollywood credentials – it featured in Star Wars: Episode III.
- Call in at Ursino Castle. It’s one of the few Medieval buildings still standing – its moat diverted the lava flow from a volcanic eruption – and it’s now home to the city’s Civic Museum.
- Enter a timewarp at the Greco-Roman amphitheatre. It bears a passing resemblance to Rome’s magnificent Colosseum, and you can easily imagine gladiators locked in battle in the arena.
- Take a daytrip to Mount Etna and fill your camera with snaps of cones, craters and red-hot lava streams. You can catch a cable car, which will whisk you up to over 8,000 feet.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions

Venture up the Mount Etna volcano
Today, you’ll head up the slopes of Europe’s tallest volcano, the 3,350-metre-high Mount Etna. From the port, you’ll be taken on a 90-minute panoramic drive through the countryside to the Crateri Silvestri, a giant crater 1,950 metres above sea level. Up here, you can take in views of the city of Catania down on the coast, as well as the surrounding gulf. After a photo stop, your guide will help you get your bearings, after which you’ll have free time to explore. You can hike along the former lava streams, and there’s a restaurant that serves snacks and soft drinks. Before the return journey back to the port, you’ll have a chance to visit the souvenir shop for some trinkets made out of volcanic rock, too.

Historic highlights of Syracuse
This tour’s one for history fans, because you’ll tick off two of Sicily’s most impressive ancient sights. You’ll kick things off by travelling to Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse, where you can explore 240,000 square metres of ancient ruins. During your visit, you’ll pass a giant 16,000-seater Greek amphitheatre. Afterwards, you’ll head to Ortygia, an old city that’s packed with so many important historical points of interest that the whole place has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will point out some of the main attractions, then you can explore the area at your own pace. The go-to spot’s Piazza Archimede – the water fountain here’s one of the biggest in the city. Plus, the Cathedral of Syracuse is a five-minute walk away. This giant sandstone-coloured building sits on the ruins of a former temple that was built in the 5th century. Inside, you can take a look at the 500-year-old statue of the Virgin Mary that was made by Antonello Gagini, a famous Renaissance-era sculptor.

Snapshot of Taormina
You’ll hit the streets of Sicily’s most visited town during a trip to Taormina, passing Mount Etna on the way. Taormina’s in a clifftop spot, so the drive up to its centre serves up great views of the coast. When you arrive, you’ll follow your guide for a tour of the city’s standout sight, the Teatro Greco. It’s a 5,400-seat ancient Greek amphitheatre. From the top of the seating area, you can take in panoramic views of Mount Etna and the Gulf of Catania in the distance. After you’ve taken some photos, you’ll then have some free time to wander around on your own. Taormina’s main public park is a 10-minute walk away, and it offers up plenty of spots that are ideal for a picnic. You can grab some food from the nearby supermarket. There’s also an 18th-century church a 10-minute walk away, too, which has a golden Baroque-style altar that’s worthy of a few photos. After a chance to shop for some authentic Sicilian almonds, you’ll then head back to the port.