The island of Sicily is a geographical and cultural phenomenon and the region of Catania bears the evidence of several ruling cultures since its foundation as the Greek colony Katane in around 730 BC. The Romans, the Spanish, the Saracens, even the Normans came here and left their mark, from the ruins of amphitheatres and Roman baths to the spectrum of diversity in the appearance of Sicilian people – from dark and swarthy to tall, blonde and green-eyed.

The great city of Catania is the second city in Sicily after Palermo, the capital, on the north coast of the island. Its nucleus is the great Duomo of the Cathedral of Saint Agatha – the patron saint of Catania who was martyred in the 3rd century AD. The cathedral was originally built in the 11th century but was devastated by a great earthquake in 1693 and almost completely rebuilt.

But regardless of the multitudes of invaders from far-off lands, the inhabitants of Catania have always lived under the threat of a far more fearsome form of destruction - Mount Etna. Europe’s largest volcano looms over the city and much of the surrounding region. Tours up the volcano take a whole day and leave from Catania city centre. Here at the Hotel Gresi Catania we’ll be more than happy to arrange it all for you.

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Where We Are

The Hotel Gresi is located on the corner of Via Etnea and Via Pacini in the very heart of the city. From the Catania Centrale Train Station a taxi should cost no more than €10.

Print out the map above to assist you.

If you’re arriving at Catania (Fontanarossa Airport), which is about 10 km away from the city, you can take the ‘Alibus’ Service 457 to Catania Central Station. The journey takes about half an hour.