Although it is not the most popular tourist destination in Sicily, Catania is worth a visit not only as a starting point for Etna but also because of its pleasant Baroque air, and a few historical sites. It is more industrial, cleaner and more orderly than Palermo, and visitors are enchanted by the authentic hospitality of its people.

Catania was colonized by the Chalcidians from Naxos in 729 B.C. In 263 AD it was conquered by the Romans and a period of prosperity ensued thanks to the brisk trade over sea. During the Middle Ages Catania was an important harbour, although less prominent than its eternal rival, Messina. It was ruled by the Normans, the Swabian dynasty and the Aragonese dynasty. An earthquake in 1169 nearly destroyed the city, and then it was slowly and gradually rebuilt

Two Roman amphitheatres have been preserved in Catania. The smaller one was built over an earlier Greek theatre and seated up to 6000 spectators, while the larger one (2nd Century) could accommodate as many as 14,000.

Ursino Castle was once a coastal fortress before the volcano eruptions changed the coastline. Built by Richard de Lentina in the 13th Century on the orders of Emperor Frederick II, it served as residence of the Aragoneses in the 14th Century, was badly damaged by the eruption in 1699 and the earthquakes in 1693 and 1818, underwent restoration, was temporarily used as a prison, and is today a museum featuring interesting mosaics, paintings and sculptures, as well as a valuable collection of ivory and bronze items. The building is square in plan, with semicircular towers in the middle of each wall. The Swaboan coat-of-arms stands above the entrance.