Experience in Catania, Italy by Giulia

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

Catania is a city full of life. There are always a lot of people on the streets, and they will always help you if you have any problems (even if most of the people don't speak english, you have to be lucky to find a person who speack a good english. Young people is preferable) The city is always full of cars so it's a bit polluted, and this is a consecuence of the lack of public transports. There are a lot of bus that go through the city, and you can see their itinerary on the "AMT" website. For traveling outside the city I would recommend you to take the train, beacuse there aren't that much buses that go outside the city; if you make friends with people of Catania there is a consistent possibility they will take you outside the city to some nice places. You won't find many bikes, beacuse Catania doesn't have a flat surface.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Catania?

Students in Catania have some facilities to buy books, to go to the cinema (not everywhere), to visit museums. They also have some facilities if they make a subscriction to public traspostations. It's not that bad in the end, but it coud be better. Anyway people is really friendly, you will not have probles to make friends. If they see you are a stranger they will probably approach you even if you don't approach them. Don't be shy!

How much does it cost to live in Catania?

600 euro per month will be enough to cover the expenses of food and lodging. You have to add that you will go outside a lot, and eat outside a lot, and go to a lot of parties (if you want). If you go out a lot you can also count 30 euro per week for food and drinks outside.

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

it's not difficult al all, there are a lot of places that rent rooms besides the university dorms. If you don't rent university room you could meet people that wants to make you pay under the table ol of the rent or only a part of it (beacuse there are a lot of taxes). It's up to you to decide what to do. People that don't rent illegally have higher prices. Up to you.

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

Food is absolutely the best thing in Catania. There are a lot of delicious dishes. Arancini, crispelle, zeppole, pizza, burgers. EVERYTHING is good in Catania, beacause people is very selective when it comes to food. Bars and places that don't make good food close don't succeed.

We eat a lot of pizza (obviously) and both savoury and sweet dishes.

I heard from foreign people from Germany that our beer has a bit more alcohol than the usual.

What places would you recommend visiting in Catania?

Well the historic center is nice, Piazza Teatro (that is where everyone goes at night, after 22. You HAVE TO go there too to see what it is like), and there is Castello Ursino, the cathedral, Bellini park, Via Etnea, etc.

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

My favourites spost are:

1. 7even: It's a fast food place that only uses local products and makes the best hamburger in Catania. It is also open for lunch.
2. Gourmet burger: delicious hamburgers with different king of meat (boar, salmon, deer, horse, pork, etc... ).
3. Fud: delicious hamburgers, pizza and desserts. It only uses the best local products, and it's not pricey at all.
4. Savia: it's a bar in Via Etnea, one of the best and one of the oldest in Catania.
5. There are a lot of japanese, chinese and thai reastaurants (Chan Sushi Bar for example).
6. C&G (its name comes from "cioccolato" and "gelato"): a place that only makes dessets, one of the best but a bit expensive.
7. Lindt: You don't really need explanation for this one.
8. Vicolo: One of the best pizzas in Catania.

Well if you ask people they will tell you a lot of other places that I don't remember right now.

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

Nightlife is fantastic in Catania. There are night events every night, in the weekend there are events in lots of places. You can have dinner outside and then (at 23-23:30) go party wherever you want. There are a lot of events for university students. Catania never sleeps!

What advice would you give future students heading to Catania?

Have fun, don't be shy: you are foreigners, people will naturally be kind to you. Be friendly and nice, smile a lot. We usually greet with two kisses on the cheek, and they will probably greet you this way. If you don't like it just say so, they won't take it to heart. Try horse meat, it's delicious.