travel42 Port Guide: Catania

travel42 Professional Cruise Port of Call Review

Catania, Sicily, is the second largest city on the island, after Palermo. Located on the east coast of Sicily facing the Ionian sea, it sits at the base of Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have forced the city to rebuild many times, leaving a unique blend of styles in the churches, palaces and squares in the historic center.

Like many other Sicilian cities, Catania was founded as a Greek colony. The volcano's ashes and lava have produced particularly...