Catania holidays

And don't be put off by the grey tinge on some of the city's grand buildings. This is a very clean place and it's just the volcanic dust that Etna coughs up every now and then. The buildings themselves are a fine mix of Baroque-style mansions and imposing structures, such as the Cathedral of Catania. The 13th-century Castello Ursino is worth exploring, and there are a handful of churches that are perfect for cooling off in, whether you're interested in architecture or not. San Giuliano and San Nicolo are two lovely examples.

Roman and Greek history in particular have played their part in Catania, and you can't go far without stumbling across yet another relic of ancient history. The Roman odeon and amphitheatre should be seen, and you should definitely discover the history of the elephant statue in Piazza Duomo - it has an interesting tale to tell.

Beach lovers will find a number of sandy stretches of coastline just to the south of the city, but Catania is mostly a great city-break destination. If you crave more time on the sand, there are many excellent beaches dotted around Sicily, and car hire is a great idea if you fancy taking off from your base in Catania to find some of the island's beach gems.

Catania is also a wise choice as a base to explore the coastal cities and towns of Sicily. The beaches of popular Taormina and Syracuse are nearby, plus the harbour town of Augusta. Messina is a busy bustling port with shopping and great eating out. You'll also find ferries from here over to the mainland or out to the Aeolian Islands.

You can fly directly into Catania from the UK, with flights arriving into Catania-Vincenzo Bellini Airport (CTA). The flight time is around three hours.

All types of holidaymakers will love pretty Catania, though city-break and history lovers will forge extra special memories in this popular Italian destination.

Car rental is a cheap and great way to get around. Find out more on our Catania car hire page.