Politically and territorially, the great volcano Mount Etna belongs entirely to the district of Catania and is specifically divided among 17 municipalities. But at least two other provinces feel they have some claim—at least a “tourist” one —to Etna and its panoramas: the districts of Messina and Enna. These two territories overlook the volcano, although they do not rule over it, and offer tourists the same magic as the Catania area. Let’s explore Etna’s three districts in detail, starting with Catania, of course.
Catania: the dynamic city
The district of Catania, now renamed the Metropolitan City of Catania, has over one million inhabitants divided into 58 municipalities. The territory extends from the north (bounded by the Alcantara River and the municipality of Calatabiano) to the Hyblaean Mountains in the far south, bordered by the villages of Santo Pietro and Borgo Ventimiglia. It includes, in addition to Mount Etna, the Simeto, Alcantara, and Dirillo rivers, as well as an unspecified number of underground streams—including the Amenano Creek, which flows to the surface in Catania’s main square, from a baroque fountain!
Life in the territory revolves around Catania, the largest and most dynamic city. This city is the most modern in Sicily, thus earning the nickname “Milan of the South.” Its typical port-city mentality has made Catania a place open to the future, open-minded, and home to a youthful and vibrant tourism scene, as well as its cultural scene.
Visiting the District of Catania
Catania is served by Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), the railway, and two highways: the A18 to Messina and the A19 to Palermo. A highway connecting it to Syracuse was recently added. Getting around the area is therefore very easy, and you can admire several interesting places. To name just a few: Acireale, splendid baroque city (large photo above); Aci Castello, which includes the famous village of Aci Trezza; the city of ceramics, Caltagirone; the medieval towns of Paternò, Adrano, Grammichele, San Pietro Clarenza, Castel di Judica, and Militello.
Because it is a vast area, a thorough visit to every tourist destination would require at least a month! If you want a shorter vacation in the Catania area, dedicate at least three full days. The quickest and most convenient one-day tours are: Etna, Catania, and Caltagirone, or Etna, Catania, and the Aci towns.
Catania and Etna
As mentioned, Mount Etna belongs entirely to Catania, and at least 17 municipalities have territory that extends almost to the summit craters. The “Etna” municipalities are: Zafferana Etnea, Trecastagni, Milo, Sant’Alfio, Piedimonte (to the east) – Linguaglossa, Castiglione, Randazzo, Maletto (to the north) – Bronte, Maniace, Adrano and Biancavilla (to the west) – Paternò, St. Maria di Licodia, Belpasso, Nicolosi (to the south).
The closest towns to the volcano’s summit are Nicolosi, Milo, Sant’Alfio, and Maletto. If you’d like to admire Etna from the province of Catania, staying in one of these four towns is ideal, although Bronte, Randazzo, Zafferana, and Linguaglossa are also well-equipped for volcano tourism.
The most beautiful views of Etna can be enjoyed from: Catania, Acireale, Milo, Bronte, Belpasso, Paternò, Nicolosi, Linguaglossa, and Randazzo. From a specific corner of Zafferana’s main square, you can photograph the famous glimpse of the summit craters behind the church’s twin towers… fantastic during eruptions! If you want to admire Etna while sunbathing on the beach, one of the best views is from the Lidi Playa in Catania or from the coast of Fondachello and Sant’Anna in Mascali. (PHOTOS BY GRAZIA MUSUMECI)