At 'Piscaria (Catania Fish Market), Catania (must see)

Catania Fish Market has operated continuously since the early 19th century and remains inseparable from the rhythms of the sea. Part of the market unfolds beneath the Tunnel of Charles V, a 16th-century stone passage dug under the Palace of the Seminary of the Clerics and the former defensive walls built during the reign of Emperor Charles V. The vaulted tunnel amplifies sound and smell alike: vendors’ shouted prices echo against lava-stone walls, while the scent of saltwater and fresh fish lingers in the air.

From early morning, stalls spill into surrounding streets, piled high with seafood from the Ionian Sea: swordfish, tuna, sea bass, shrimp, anchovies, clams, mussels, and sea urchins, some of it still moving as it is cleaned and cut on the spot. Vendors compete for attention with loud shouted calls in a lively contest for attention, while water is constantly thrown across the pavement to keep the fish fresh.

In recent years, the Fish Market has also become a place where visitors can actively take part in Catania’s food culture. Travelers often wander through the stalls to watch fishmongers skillfully clean swordfish or open sea urchins, sometimes offering a quick taste of the bright orange roe. Small counters nearby prepare seafood on the spot, frying anchovies, calamari, or shrimp and serving them in paper cones for an easy snack while walking through the market. Some vendors also shuck oysters or slice raw fish for simple tastings. Arriving early in the morning gives visitors the best chance to see the market at full energy, when the stalls are busiest and the day’s catch is still being sorted and sold.