Experience in Catania, Italy by Alessia

What is it like to live in Catania? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Catania is a very beautiful city, full of monuments, history, different types of landscape: you can visit mount Etna or go to the beach. There are lots of festivals and cultural events throughout the year. People are generally friendly but I suggest to stay clear from certain zones who are not so safe. The weather is great and you can go out almost every night and you will always find people in the street, eating, hanging out for drinks, having fun in some club.

What is the student lifestyle like in Catania?

Students can have the time of their lives. Catania has one of the oldest university of Europe, with a Lotus of faculties and lots of students from all over the world. Especially during wednesdays, there are the students night with special events to go to or to hang out in piazza teatro massimo, the quarter of the movida, full of people especially on the weekends

How much does it cost to live in Catania?

Catania is a very cheap city. You can find very affordable accomodation. You can eat street food at 1, 2 euros and have a drink with few euros. Catania is famous for the horse meat, his typical desserts and "tavola calda" like arancini but also granita and cannoli. There are buses and a subway line ti help you move in the city, although buses are not that frequent but tickets are very cheap. Most of the museums are free, except temporary exhibitions.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Catania? Is there any advice you can give?

It is quite simple. You must be careful ti choose central area or places near your university as means of transport are not that good and be careful with landlords and contracts. Avoid the bus station area cause at night is not safe walking alone

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food is really great. You can have pasta, all kinds of fish and meat, oranges and all Kind of things. Pistachio is a very key element in Catania's tradition and I recommend to try It. You can also have street food such as horse meat or track sandwiches. Tavola calda as pizza, arancini, cipollina, bolognese. Desserts such As cannoli, cassata, granita, ICE crema and almonds sweets. You can also have thai, sushi, indian, mexican, french and hawaian plates since there are plenty of international restaurants

What places would you recommend visiting in Catania?

The city center, of course. All of the churches and the baroques buildings near via Etnea. Monastero dei benedettini and Ursino Castle. Palazzo della cultura if you like art and bellini theatre

Is it good to eat out in Catania? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Absolutely! For a very good pizza you can try Gisira or corte dei medici. A very good street to find restaurants is via santa Filomena but also via coppola. I suggest the ostello, where you can find lots of students hanging while eating or sipping a beer. You can have An "aperitivo" at Magri' or an ice cream at c&g. You can also enjoy a tea and a piece of cake at chocofusion lindt (try the "cuore caldo" there, you won't regret it. And Many many more. There are characteristic beverages called "sciroppi" or seltz water with lemon that are a must. You can buy them at the numberous "chiosco" troughout the city at 1 euro or so. Very refreshing and tasty drinks

Is the nightlife good in Catania? Where is good to go?

Nightlife is great. We are famous for our movida. The major areas are piazza teatro and ostello. But It depends form season. During the summer there are lots of dance nights in the lidos at playa and you can also go to acitrezza or ognina for a walk in the waterfront

What advice would you give future students heading to Catania?

Enjoy the city, you'll love It. Be careful As there are some areas that are not that great, especially for tourists, so watch out for robberies but I don't want to scare you. Aside from this minority, the city is friendly and very lively. You will find lots of young people and students