Catania, Sicily's second-largest city, provides the perfect springboard from which to explore destinations like Mount Etna, Agrigento, Taormina and Syracuse. But Catania itself should not be overlooked, with the city boasting a number of attractions and authentic Sicilian experiences.

One of the best ways to discover the city’s treasures is with the help of a passionate guide — as they accompany you on a free walking tour in Catania. Not only will you visit all of the most important sites, you’ll do so with the help of a local who’ll grant you unfettered insight into the Sicilian way of life.

Here's all you need to know about free walking tours, one of the most engaging sightseeing tours in Catania.

How do free walking tours work?

Free walking tours in Catania have become increasingly popular in recent years as they provide tourists with an affordable and authentic way of experiencing this incredible city.

These tours are completely free to book and participate in, but it is encouraged that you tip your tour guide at the end of the tour. The amount you decide to tip is completely up to you.

How much should you tip?

When deciding how much to tip, think about the effort that your guide put into the tour and how much you enjoyed the tour overall. Most tour participants tend to tip between €10 and €15 per person, but some people tip as much as €50 for outstanding tours.

What are the best free walking tours in Catania?

Here is a summary of the most popular and worthwhile free walking tours in Catania:

Historical Catania free walking tour

Catania is one of Sicily’s oldest cities with it being only 5 years younger than ancient Syracuse. As such, the streets, buildings and alleyways have ancient tales woven into their very fabric.

This free walking tour in Catania aims to explore those stories — with your passionate guide shining a light on them as you venture through the city streets.

This tour stays within the borders of Canania’s old town and examines the traces that the city’s litany of previous rulers left behind — from the Greeks, Romans and Carthaginians to the Normans, Spanis and French.

During your exhibition, you’ll visit attractions like Piazza Duomo, Castello Ursino and the Benedictine Monastery. The tour is perfect for travelers looking for an introduction to the city’s history, with the aim of delving more on their own later on.

Catania’s nightlife free walking tour

Catania is, by and large, the most lively of Sicily’s cities and it features a lively bar and restaurant scene waiting to entertain travelers. This tour aims to help you make sense of Catania’s bustling streets, showing you where to go and what to expect.

Think of it as a type of Catanian orientation, after which you’ll be able to navigate the city’s amber-lit night streets with confidence.

While this tour might start off at Via Etnea it explores the surrounding area rather than the famous street itself. From here, your tour leader will help you to orientate yourself in Catania, with the ultimate aim of “having you walk like a local.”

Along the way, you’ll discover some of the city’s best bars and restaurants — while taking in sights like the famous fish market, Via Crociferi and the Roman Amphitheater. The tour ends at the Piazza Teatro where you’ll go your own way.

Small group free walking tour in Catania

A small group tour is usually incompatible with a free walking tour, with these tours usually accommodating a minimum of 10 persons. This outing breaks the mold, with it only accommodating 5 travelers at a time — making it perfect for a family or a group of friends.

The low number of participants comes with its own drawbacks, however, with the tour in high demand and filling up quickly. Book your tickets online to confirm your spots.

This small group free walking tour offers an intimate glimpse into the cultures and traditions of one of Italy’s most idiosyncratic cities. Your guide will show you how Catania is a city built on contrasts — reaping the rewards of Mount Etna’s fertile soil while living in the shadow of its volatility.

Your journey into discovery starts from the Piazza Universita and makes its way to Piazza Stesicoro, nearby the amphitheater.

Catania free walking tour with street food exploration

Catania and Sicily are famous for their culinary delights, with a number of Italian delicacies originating from the island. This tour explores a number of these tasty morsels, while also helping you understand local culture.

The only real difference between this outing and a Catania food tour is that you’ll have to pay for your own meals on this one — but it also means you’ll get to choose what you eat and pay for.

This free walking tour is all about following your nose, while also learning more about this stunning city’s history. Starting off from the Piazza Duomo, you’ll venture to the Roman amphitheater and towards the Via Dei Crociferi. Your end destination is the historic fish market where you can further sate your appetite if you’ve not done so yet.

In which languages is it operated?

The language of your free walking tour in Catania depends on the tour you select as well as the tour guide assigned to that tour slot. Don’t fret, these free walking tours are available in a number of languages, and most travelers will be accommodated.

Free walking tours in Catania in English or Spanish are the most common types of tours — but there are a number of free walking tours available in Italian and German as well.

Where does it start?

The starting point for Catania’s free walking tours differs from tour to tour, but as a rule, they generally depart from the city center.

Free walking tours that focus on the city’s rich history usually depart from Piazza Universita and tend to stay within the bounds of Catania’s Old Town. Tours delving into Catania’s nightlife start from Giardino Pacini, the park in central Catania near the harbor.

Most of the remaining free walking tours tend to depart from Piazza Duomo — a spot from where most city tours and Catania’s famous Godfather tours depart.

How long does last?

Catania’s free walking tours usually last between 2 and 3 hours, with 2.5 hours being the most typical tour duration. Free walking tours rarely specialize in the same manner that premium walking tours or city tours do — making 2.5 hours long enough to obtain a general feel for the city.

When is the best time to join a free walking tour in Catania?

The best time for a free walking tour in Catania is at the very start of your visit — as it will enable you to explore the city more on your own later in your stay. The best time of day greatly depends on what you want to see, with different sides of the city on display at different times.

Should you book tickets online?

Free walking tours in Catania is one of the more popular activities and as such you should consider booking your tickets online. Most of these tours are limited to a small number of participants, so they tend to fill up quickly.

Free Walking Tours in Catania