Day trips from Catania without a car

The AST bus leaves the station square in the morning and climbs to Rifugio Sapienza, on the southern side of the volcano; it returns in the afternoon. There are only a few departures and they may change in winter: always check them the day before.

From Rifugio Sapienza you can walk around the extinct Silvestri craters, or take the cable car and continue with the off-road vehicles and authorised guides towards the summit area.

Our tip: if you can, go up to 3,000 metres with a guide. Seeing Catania and the sea from up there is unforgettable. Bring a jacket even in summer: it's cold at altitude.

Taormina-Giardini station is by the sea, below the town: the bus up to the historic centre stops in front of the station. Alternatively, direct coaches to Taormina leave from the long-distance bus terminal near the Central Station.

Don't miss: the Ancient Theatre with Mount Etna in the background, Corso Umberto, the public gardens and, down by the sea, Isola Bella.

Our tip: check the time of the last bus from the centre down to the station, as services thin out in the evening.

By train you arrive at Siracusa station, from where Ortigia, the historic centre on the island, is a 15–20 minute walk or a short city bus ride.

Don't miss: the Cathedral and Piazza Duomo, the Fountain of Arethusa, the Ortigia seafront and, on the mainland, the Neapolis Archaeological Park with the Greek Theatre.

Our tip: leave early, spend the morning at the Neapolis and the afternoon in Ortigia, and end the day on the seafront at sunset.

Two seaside villages a few kilometres from Catania, along the lava rock coast. Line 434 starts from the Central Station and runs every day, more often on weekdays.

Don't miss: the Norman castle of Aci Castello, built on a lava rock, and the Cyclops Islands off Aci Trezza, the village of Verga's novel I Malavoglia.

Our tip: stop for a granita and brioche on the Aci Trezza seafront and, in summer, swim from the rocks.

La Playa is the long sandy beach south of the city, with beach clubs and stretches of free beach. In summer the circular line D leaves from the Central Station and runs along the whole beach road.

Our tip: on summer weekends the buses are full: leave early in the morning and enjoy the sea before the heat.