The Beach of Catania
The beach from Catania, called by locals la Plaia (or la Playa), stretches along the southern part of the city, from the port toward Agnone Bagni, covering about 18 km on the Ionian Sea. It runs along the state road SS114 (Viale Presidente Kennedy), near Fontanarossa Airport.
The beach is about 2.5 km from the city center (Piazza del Duomo). You can reach it either on foot, in a 30-40 minute walk (though the area you cross is not among the most attractive parts of the city), or by taking bus D, whose schedule is rather approximate and the bus is usually so crowded that it can be difficult to get on unless you are at the start of the line (especially when returning from the beach). It is more convenient to go by car, using Uber or a taxi. If you choose to rent a car, we recommend reading the article What You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Sicily.
The name la Plaia, also seen as la Playa, might seem to have Spanish origins. However, it actually derives from the Sicilian dialect word pràia, which translates as "shore" or "coast".
Catania Beach, popular with many locals, is wide and beautiful, with very fine golden sand. The water gradually deepens, and the view of Mount Etna is a bonus.
The season lasts from around mid-June to the end of September.
Three areas of the beach - one near the port and two close to its end toward the town of Syracuse - are free (spiaggia libera), and you can simply use your own towel without paying anything. Other parts are private beaches, with a fee - so-called lidi - which provide sunbeds, umbrellas, and bars. Often, the separation between these areas is not very clear, and it may happen that you are asked to pay to place your towel in certain parts of the beach.
Unfortunately, the biggest drawback of the beach from Catania is the dirtiness, especially in the area near the port. From overflowing trash bins to plastic bottles and scattered papers on the beach and in the water, you feel surrounded by litter.
The southern end of the beach is generally cleaner, so if you choose to go to the beach in Catania, we recommend heading toward the Oasi del Simeto nature reserve.
Our recommendation (supported by most tourist reviews) is not to choose Catania for a seaside vacation. Sicily has many beaches that are more beautiful and cleaner. If you want a beach holiday, you could stay, for example, in Giardini Naxos, which has sandy beaches, and nearby Taormina, with the beautiful pebble beach at Isola Bella.
You can see Catania's main attractions on a 2-3 nights city break (depending on how thoroughly you want to explore the city). If you stay for several days, take the opportunity to visit the surroundings. With a rental car, you can easily reach Taormina and Isola Bella, Aci Trezza and Aci Castello, Syracuse, or Mount Etna. If you don't have a car, you can book one of the many organized excursions.
