Gay Guide to Catania
Italy recognized same-sex civil unions in 2016 but not same-sex marriage. Catania, sprawling below Mount Etna on Sicily's east coast, is widely considered one of the most open and gay-friendly cities in southern Italy.
The scene is small, a few bars and a sauna, but out in the open, gathered in the Centro Storico around historic meeting spots like Nievski, with beach-club DJ nights in summer.
Catania Pride each July marches down Via Etnea, the long, straight avenue that points directly at Etna's smoking peak, a well-established and well-attended event.
The city's famed warm hospitality makes it a place where LGBTQ+ visitors quickly feel at home.