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.

Morning: Spend the morning exploring "a Muntagna." Reach the Rifugio Sapienza on Mount Etna (by car or bus). From here, you can hike to the Silvestri Craters (inactive craters that are easy to reach) and enjoy a lunar landscape overlooking the sea. If you want to climb higher, take the Etna cable car.
Lunch: Return to the city and enjoy Catania's signature dish: Pasta alla Norma (tomato sauce, fried eggplant, and salted ricotta) in one of the traditional trattorias near the Teatro Massimo Bellini.
Afternoon: Relax in San Giovanni Li Cuti, the small seaside village famous for its sandy beach and black volcanic rocks. It's the perfect place for a stroll along the seafront at sunset. In the evening, the area around Castello Ursino (an ancient Norman fortress that survived the lava flows) comes alive with bars and nightlife.

Morning: Stroll along Via Crociferi, considered Catania's most beautiful Baroque street, lined with churches and convents that have served as film sets. Visit the sumptuous Palazzo Biscari, the city's most important private palace: its Rococo halls are breathtakingly ornate.
Lunch: For a bold and authentic experience, head to Via Plebiscito. Here, horse meat is the order of the day: order horse meatballs or a roasted slice straight from the embers lit on the sidewalk.
Afternoon: Spend the last few hours shopping and enjoying a sweet treat. Head back to the city center and treat yourself to a granita with brioche col tuppo (almond and coffee or mulberry are the classic flavors). If you have time, visit the Roman Theater and Odeon nestled among the modern buildings, another incredible testament to this city's rich history.