Day 1: The Baroque Heart and the Fish Market

Morning: Start early in Piazza Duomo, the city's living room, to admire "u Liotru," the lava stone elephant symbolizing Catania, and the splendid Cathedral of Sant'Agata. Immediately afterwards, immerse yourself in the fascinating chaos of the Pescheria (A Piscaria), the historic fish market located just behind the square: an open-air theater of shouts, colors, and intense aromas that will make you feel the true soul of the city.
Lunch: Stick around the market area for authentic Catania street food. Sample a cone of fried fish or, unmissable, an arancino (here strictly male and pointed) with ragù or pistachio at the historic rotisseries on Via Etnea.
Afternoon: Walk up Via Etnea, the main street that always faces the volcano. Stop at the ruins of the Roman Amphitheater in Piazza Stesicoro and then climb up to Villa Bellini for a stroll amidst the greenery. End the afternoon by visiting the majestic Benedictine Monastery (San Nicolò l'Arena), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second largest monastery in Europe, a jewel of late Baroque architecture.