Self-Guided Tours in Catania

Catania is a black-lava city best read at street level. The stops of the game range from the Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Stesicoro to the Greek-Roman theatre, which sits hidden among apartment blocks. Between them lie Piazza Università, Teatro Massimo Bellini, the cathedral of Sant'Agata, Porta Uzeda, a gate in the old city walls, and Castello Ursino. Beyond the city, the south-east needs a car: Syracuse is 70 km away, with Ortigia's cathedral built into a Greek temple, and the baroque towns of Modica and Ragusa lie further south.

The walking game takes about two hours with ten or so stops. It runs from an app, with GPS, optional audio narration and a finish wherever you choose. There is no start time and no guide. The other route is a seven-day south-east loop, collected and returned at Catania airport. It spends one night in Catania, three in Syracuse and two in Ragusa. The days go to Ortigia, then Scicli and Marzamemi, then the Vendicari reserve with its old tuna plant and beach, then Modica, known for chocolate, and Ragusa Ibla.

Practical. The game can be paused overnight and finished the next day, and a rainy day can be swapped for another. For the loop you need an international licence. The car is manual, with a 29-minute grace period when you return it, and drivers under 25 may pay extra. Fuel is not included. Daily legs run 70 to 200 km. August afternoons average about 31C, so carry water at Vendicari.