Best viewpoints to visit in Catania, Sicily

Last Updated on March 5, 2026 by Laura

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Catania. The queen of Baroque architecture. The city that boast some of the best views in Sicily. On the one side, the Ionian sea. On the other the Mount Etna. The place where I was born and grew up. Catania has many hidden gems that even who has lived there great part of his life has still to discover! In this blog you can find the best viewpoints in Catania where to see the city from a totally different perspective. Here, you can find all the information useful to add these stunning viewpoints on your upcoming Catania itinerary.

New to Sicily travel? You perhaps want to check these readings too:

• Travel Guide to Sicily. All you need to Know
• The city under the volcano. An insider guide to Catania
• East Sicily. 15 places to inspire your wanderlust
• Explore Taormina like a local
• 5 Stunning unusual places to visit in Sicily

My Catania

After all these years living abroad and travelling, I feel privileged to have grown up surrounded by so much beauty. Returning in Catania for only a short length of time every year, allowed me to see my home town with different eyes. Indeed, I start exploring places that I wouldn’t probably visit if I was still living there. This because, you know, when you live in a place stably, you think you have all the time in the world to do certain things. Then, you move to another country and all the things you wanted to do “one day” suddenly end up on a bucket list to use every time you return.

So, I promised myself to explore a bit of the Catania I still don’t know every time I will be there. During these years, I kept my promise and collected hundreds of photos of places in Catania I never dreamed to visit during the times I lived there. I think it’s time to use them for a good purpose!

Planning a trip to Sicily? Read my complete guide here!

Best viewpoints to visit in Catania

In this blog, I decided to show you three of the best viewpoints in Catania. With best rooftops/viewpoints, I don’t mean rooftops bars in Catania or private hotel terraces that have a view. Indeed, I mean places that are open to everyone and possibly not well known to tourists (and even residents!). Read below to discover more!

The rooftop of the Cammino di Gronda (Gutter Walk) on the Church of San Nicolò l’Arena

The Cammino di Gronda (translated literally as Gutter Walk) is located inside the Church of San Nicolò l’Arena near the ancient Benedictine Monastery that now hosts the University of Catania. It is known that this is the highest rooftop in Catania and on a clear day you can see even the coast of Syracuse from the terrace. The Church of San Nicolò l’Arena is well recognisable in Piazza Dante as it looks more like a fortress than a church with its 105 mt high walls.

The current church dates back to the start of 1700 (partially left unfinished because of the Great Earthquake of 1693) but this was built over the medieval fortification of the city and former church. The access to the San Nicolò L’Arena is free but you have to pay a €3 ticket to visit the Cammino di Gronda and show your Green Pass. Then you have to climb the 141 narrow steps leading up one of the towers to reach the rooftop.

Until some years ago the rooftop was accessible only with a guided tour on specific occasions, but now you can visit on your own when the church is open.

Information for your visit

• Location: Piazza Dante Alighieri, 12, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
• Price: € 3 – Visit to the church is free
• Opening times: Mon-Sat 9.00-19.00 / Sun 9.00-13.00
• Best time to visit: Late afternoon or early morning

The Rooftop on the Badia di Sant’Agata Church

Opened to the great public only in 2015, the rooftop at the Badia di Sant’Agata Church (Abbey of St. Agatha) offers one of the most impressive views of Catania. The rooftop includes a series of beautiful terraces that, until 2015, were accessible only to the cloistered nuns of the nearby monastery. The abbey (that belongs to the monastery) dates back to 1620.

To access the rooftop you have to pay a €5 ticket but the access to the abbey is free. The rooftop is located at the highest point of the building and offers a 360° view of Catania at a 40 mt height. Furthermore, this is the only “public” terrace from where you can see the colourful stained glass window of the Collegiata Church (that is not visible from the ground). As this is not enough, from here you can have also a different view of Catania’s Cathedral.

Information for your visit

• Location: Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 182, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
• Price: € 5 – Visit to the abbey is free
• Opening times: Mon CLOSED/ Tue 9.30-12.30 / Wed – Sat 9.30-12.30 and 16.00-19.00 / Sun 9.30-12.30 and 18.00-20
• Best time to visit: Late afternoon or early morning

The terraces in the Museo Diocesano

The rooftop at the top of the Museo Diocesano, known also with the name Porta Uzeda Terrace (because of the proximity with the historic gateway) is one of the best hidden gems in Catania. Indeed, not many tourists knows about it because if you don’t visit the museum you would never know this exists and is accessible to tourists!

The peculiarity of this rooftop is that you are walking in part of the Cathedral roof and also of the historic Porta Uzeda. From here, you can have a bird eye view of Via Etnea and take stunning pictures with the Mount Etna when visible on a clear day. The only downside is that, if you are not very passionate of the Christian religion, the museum might not be very interesting for you. Nevertheless, I think it’s worth a visit in any case because of the unique pieces of art that are displayed.

Moreover, the all-inclusive museum ticket gives you access also to the Roman Terme Achilliane beneath the cathedral.

Information for your visit

• Location: Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 182, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
• Price: € 7 for the rooftop/museum – € 10 museum + terme achilliane
• Opening times: Mon – Sat 9.00-13.00 and Tue and Thur 15.00-18.00
• Best time to visit: Morning
• Website: Museo Diocesano

The terraces of the Church of Saint Julian

Recently opened to the public, the terraces (yes there is more than one!) of the Church of Saint Julian are arguably one of the best viewpoints in Catania with a 360 degrees view of the city. Wrongly attributed to Sicilian Baroque master Vaccarini but actually crafted by the architect Giuseppe Palazzotto, the church was built between 1739 and 1751. It’s deemed as one of the four most important Baroque churches in Catania and, until recently, has been very difficult to visit.

This because the church, during the modern age, has been part of the female section of the nearby Benedectine Monastery. This means that both the church and the adjacent complex were at the exclusive use of the resident cloistered nuns. During the years, the church and its terraces was briefly visitable with a guide on the day of the St. Agatha celebrations. However, I never had the chance to visit.

Finally, after years of seclusion, the church and its terraces are now fully open to public and for a small fee you can get to visit one of the best viewpoints in the city!

The church has 3 different terraces, one at a lower level with a view on a nearby beautiful cloister. The second one is inside a circular loggia. Here you can find a 360 degrees view of the city but some of the windows are covered to avoid the pigeons ruining the architecture. If you circle the loggia, you will find a small opening with a very steep staircase. Climb that staircase and you’ll find yourself on the top of the church dome. Here you can have one of the best views in Catania! On a clear day you can even see Mt Etna dominating the city (I didn’t have this luck during my visit!).

Information for your visit

• Location: Via Crociferi, 36, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
• Price: € 5 for both the church, crypt and terraces
• Opening times: Mon – Sun 10:00-5.30
• Best time to visit: Morning and Before sunset
• Website: N/A

Planning a trip to Catania and need inspiration? Read my Catania insider guide here!

Bonus spot: best Catania rooftop bar

I usually love to dine or have a drink in places with lovely views. Catania is no exception because it has certainly some very nice rooftop bars that you can add to your list for both photography, food and leisure experience.

For a stunning sunset cocktail (maybe followed by a delicious dinner) I recommend the lovely Etnea Roof Bar & Restaurant. This is located inside the central UNA Palace Hotel but it’s open to anyone who wish to enjoy a lovely atmosphere and beautiful view over Mt. Etna.

Another chic terrace where to enjoy a sunset aperitivo is the one within the lovely Palazzo Sangiorgio. This place is much more intimate and the view is limited compared to Etnea Roof Bar. However, the aperitif was still good and the atmosphere is worth a visit. Particularly on a summer night.

Catania viewpoints map

If you want to visit all the viewpoints and rooftops in Catania, the map below will help you navigate the city in the easiest way.

Where to stay in Catania

As one that works in travels for quite a few years now, I have to say that the hospitality sector in Catania (as well as in many part of Sicily) is still in development. The concept of luxury accommodations is still lacking some of its basic concepts and services. Moreover, there is an absurd number of B&B and named “hotels” which are just random houses in the city centre. Because both me and my husband have a whole family who lives in Catania, I can always return to our parent’s homes when I visit. However, when when we want to go for a weekend out, I always have troubles in finding a place I really like because of my standards. I did quite a little research specific for this blog and I manage to find out a few places I liked. However, keep in mind the following:

• Most luxurious accommodations are out of Catania, mostly in the Paesi Etnei (Etna’s small villages). You’ll definitely need a car to reach them unless they have a shuttle service.
• There is a huge discrepancy in prices between top-choice accommodations and medium/low range ones.
• If you have are travelling on a budget and want to opt for a B&B or rented accommodation be sure this is not located in one of the no-go zones mentioned above.

Luxury Accommodations in Catania

Paesi Etnei accommodations

Manifesting here one dream stay of mine, Monaci dalle Terre Nere is high on my list! This exquisite accommodation is located in Zafferana Etnea, very close to Mount Etna. Is famous for being a Eco wine resort located in a carefully restored 1700 mansion. Prices are quite expensive for the area starting at $550 per night.

Another place which is high on my list of accommodations to visit, is the lovely Palazzo Previtera. This is a 1600 house/museum carefully curated in each single detail. Also this place is located near Mount Etna in the lovely village of Linguaglossa. Prices start at $200 per night.

A last place I do recommend, not properly in Paesi Etnei but in a good location to reach both Mount Etna, Taormina and Catania is Donna Carmela Resort. As we stayed here during last visit in Catania, you can read everything about our stay here. Price start at $400 per night in high season.

Catania centre luxury accommodations

If you prefer to stay in the city centre rather than going to the countryside the following accommodations have a more luxurious feeling and perfect location to explore Catania.

Rising in one of the most famous and historical squares of Catania Asmundo di Gisira is the perfect location to experience the Sicilian Palazzo life. Prices start at $200 per night.

Palazzo Marletta Luxury House has probably one of the best view you can have in Catania right on the Piazza Duomo. Located in a historical Baroque Palace, this lovely accommodation has a great potentiality and a perfect location to explore Catania. Prices start at $200 per night. Please note there is another accommodation with a similar name nearby, don’t confuse the two!

Lastly, an accommodation that I recently found and looks stunning is Bastio’ Private Suites. Centrally located too this secluded accommodation offer some special rooms inclusive of lava stone walls and even en-suite hammam! Prices start at $300 per night.

Budget friendly accommodations in Catania

For a more budget-friendly experience but without renouncing to aesthetic and quality, Habitat seems a great option. For a cheaper Baroque palace experience Naca Suite does the job. I’m slightly confused by the jacuzzis next to each bed, but I can forgive this unusual choice for that beautiful ceiling! Moreover, this place has excellent reviews and a very good central location.

Lastly, they have only a few reviews but this B&B called Biscari Home looks very nice and in a lovely location to explore the city! I’m pretty sure they will become soon very popular!

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