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Ursino Castle

Ursino Castle: Our most recommended tours and activities

Catania: City Highlights Walking Tour

1. Catania: City Highlights Walking Tour

See another side to Sicily as you discover the natural beauty of Catania on this walking tour. Admire the Ursino Castle, walk around the squares and plazas and discover the famous sites. Meet your guide before departing on your adventure. Stroll the city center with your local guide who will fascinate you with the city's history. See monuments built centuries ago that are still standing to this day. Many of the structures you will witness date back to the Greek colonization of the city back in the 8th-century B.C. Enjoy this tour and see the following landmarks: the piazza Duomo, Pescheria, Castello Ursino, piazza San Francesco, via Teatro Greco, piazza Dante, via Gesuiti, scalinata Alessi, piazza Università, piazza Vincenzo Bellini, and the piazza San Placido. If you are in Catania, this tour is simply a must-do.

Catania: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings

2. Catania: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings

Meet your expert guide, then set off on your 3-hour tour around Catania. Visit some of the city’s most popular food spots, as well as hidden gems that only the locals know about.  Follow your guide as you walk through the atmospheric city streets, soaking up the sights and smells all around you. Then, pass by the famous Piazza Federico di Svevia and Castello Ursino. Along the way, sample a selection of traditional dishes and delicacies, and learn about the history of each dish. Highlights of the tour include a delicious arancini al ragu, spicy anchovies, and baked cipollina. You’ll also enjoy a fruit seltz drink and beer toast.  End the tour with a tasty brioche or ricotta minnuzza cake.

3-Hour Catania Segway PT Authorized Tour

3. 3-Hour Catania Segway PT Authorized Tour

Situated between the Ionian Sea and the slopes of Mt Etna, the town of Catania is rich in folklore, history, and beauty. On this guided Segway tour, you will be able to visit the entire Old Town. Start from the meeting point, where you'll learn how to use your Segway. From here we glide into the heart of the city to reach Piazza Duomo. Taking via Etnea, cross Piazza Università. From here, head to Piazza Vincenzo Bellini where there is the wonderful lyrical theater named after Vincenzo Bellini. Going along Via Etnea, you'll reach Piazza Stesicoro to see the ruins of the Roman amphitheater and the monument to Vincenzo Bellini; Catania’s Swan. Having covered another piece of vibrant Via Etnea, cross the green area of a public garden to reach the town's highest point where you can admire San Nicola church and the Benedictine’s Monastery. After that, continue riding your Segway to Piazza Federico di Svevia, where you will find Ursino Castle; a 13th-century structure that is the only surviving remnant of the medieval town.

Catania: Private Tour with Arancino Tasting

4. Catania: Private Tour with Arancino Tasting

Join this guided tour and see Sicily's hidden gems. Discover the rich history of the picturesque town, Catania. Visit the Ursino Castle, the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, and the most famous theatre in Italy. Start your tour from the 13th-century Ursino Castle. Make sure you have your camera as you don't want to miss taking a snapshot of the superb architecture, a creative mix of Eastern and Western design. Pass by the Via Auteri, the Roman baths, and you will see Catania's fish market. Marvel at the array of sea creatures as you walk along. From the fish market, you will head to the Piazza del Duomo. Admire the Baroque buildings and the elephant fountain.  Next, you will visit the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, built-in 1090 above the Roman baths of Achille. After the earthquake of 1693, the Cathedral was completely rebuilt. Inside, see the tomb of the famous composer Vincenzo Bellini and many Aragonese kings.  Feeling hungry? No worries, enjoy some famous Sicilian arancino, a specific product in the shape of a drop and filled with rice and meat sauce, to be eaten strictly with the hands holding it from the bottom end. Continue walking to the Bellini Theater, which stages the Opera. Admire the magnificent building. Make sure you take pics as you will want to get this impressive building on your Instagram feed.  Next, stroll along to the Via Vittorio Emanuele. Finally, the tour will end at the Benedictine monastery and the Church of San Nicolò.

Catania: Ursino Castle and Bellini Theater Private Tour

5. Catania: Ursino Castle and Bellini Theater Private Tour

Discover the beautiful architecture and ancient history on this guided tour of Catania. Visit the Ursino Castle and the stunning Cathedral of Sant'Agata. Commence your guided tour of Catania from the iconic Ursino castle. Admire the grounds of this architecturally unique structure and learn about its role in Sicilian history.  Stroll to the Via Auteri, which is in front of the ruins of the Roman baths, and you will then reach the fish and food markets of Catania, often considered to be the city's beating heart.  Pass by the fish market and head to the del Duomo. Here, you can discover its numerous Baroque buildings and the Elephant Fountain.  Next, visit the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, built-in 1090. Marvel at the tomb of the famous composer Vincenzo Bellini. Continue to the famous Bellini Theater. After taking photos, you will pass the Roman Theater and continue along Via Vittorio Emanuele, where the tour will end at the Benedictine monastery and the church of San Nicolò.

Catania: Private Walking Tour with Arancini Tasting

6. Catania: Private Walking Tour with Arancini Tasting

Discover the beautiful architecture and ancient history of Catania on this guided tour. Visit the Ursino Castle and the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage.  Start your day with a pickup, meet your local guide, and set off to explore the sites of Catania. First, you will visit the fish market - the biggest and the most colorful fish market in Sicily. Next, walk to Ursino Castle and be sure to take photos. Continue to Via Etnea and visit one of the oldest and most famous rosticceria bars. Taste Sicilian arancini's - delicious rice balls stuffed with meat ragout and peas. Stroll along until your reach Duomo Square. See the Elephant Fountain and visit the famous Cathedral - the most important church in Catania with a statue of the city's patron saint, Sant'Agatha.  Finally, you will walk around Piazza Stesicoro and see the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater.

Catania: Private Family-Friendly Walking Tour for Children

7. Catania: Private Family-Friendly Walking Tour for Children

Visit the highlights of Catania with your family. A three hours interactive tour in the city centre. The visit will be carried out on foot (path suitable for strollers). A play-kit will be given to the children, so they can follow the visit and play in the same time. The guide will involve children with stories, legends, games, using terms adapted to the ages. Several stops are expected to follow the needs of kids.

Other Sightseeing Options in Ursino Castle

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What people are saying about Ursino Castle

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 192 reviews

A very good introduction to history of Catania under the shadow of Etna Our tour guide Matteo really gave us a really good idea of why Scicily is how it is today. We had the tour in English and a mixed age group we all seem to get exactly what we wanted from it without leaving anyone out.

Mateo is a treasure and we enjoyed our tour so much. He is a natural storyteller and his passion for the region is contagious. The tour was right on time, well organized, and interesting and entertaining from start to finish. The perfect introduction to Catania and Sicily; grazie, Mateo!

Angela was a great guide. You can tell she was passionate about her work and very experienced. We learned a great deal about Catania and actually we now appreciate it more. Definitely recommend the tour!

Mattias is a friendly and knowledgeable guide you get to see more in 2 1/2 hours now than you would in a day exploring on your own.

She did an amazing tour. She has a lot of knowledge of history