Enna stands in the centre of Sicily on a high rocky promontory at an altitude of 931 metres above sea level. It is the highest provincial capital in Italy and offers some of the best views of the Sicilian hinterland.

The historic centre is known as Enna Alta. Below, near the motorway, lies modern Enna Bassa, which serves mainly as a transport and university district. Most of the sights, viewpoints and tourist accommodation are located in Enna Alta.

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Thanks to its strategic location and abundant water supply, the area was settled long before the arrival of the Romans.

Ancient Henna was an important centre of the cult of the goddess Demeter, and in the 2nd century BC it was the scene of a major slave revolt led by the Syrian Eunus.

Is Enna worth a visit?

Yes, particularly as a 3- to 4-hour stopover on a road trip between Palermo and Catania.

Enna doesn’t have as many sights as the better-known Sicilian towns, but it stands out for its views, peaceful atmosphere and location away from the most popular holiday resorts.

A separate full-day trip is particularly worthwhile if you don’t have a car or if you’re visiting the archaeological museum. We recommend staying overnight if you’re combining a visit to Enna with Villa Romana del Casale or other inland destinations.

Your itinerary	Recommendations
Travelling by car between Palermo and Catania	Stop off for 3 to 4 hours
Travelling without a car	Set aside a whole day
Combining a visit to Enna with Villa Romana del Casale	Ideally, spend one night in Enna Alta
You only have 5 to 7 days for your first visit to Sicily	Only include Enna if it’s on your route

Sights and attractions

• Castello di Lombardia – Enna’s main attraction and one of the largest medieval fortresses in Italy. The highlight isn’t the interiors, but the view from the Torre Pisana tower. Standard admission is 3 eur
• Rocca di Cerere – a rocky viewpoint just behind the castle, associated with the ancient cult of the goddess Demeter. A visit takes about 20 minutes and entry is free
• Enna Cathedral – founded in 1307, the cathedral is a few minutes’ walk from the castle. The richly decorated interior and the carved wooden ceiling are particularly worth seeing. Entry is free
• Belvedere Francesco Crispi – an easily accessible viewpoint right in the centre, offering views of the surrounding hills and the town of Calascibetta
• Torre di Federico II – a free-standing octagonal tower 27 metres high. There are 98 steps leading to the top and the standard admission fee is 3 eur
• Museo Interdisciplinare di Enna – an archaeological museum in the Palazzo Varisano opposite the cathedral. We particularly recommend it to those interested in the history of the Sicilian hinterland. Admission is 4 eur

Enna in 3 to 4 hours

The most practical walking route starts at the Castello di Lombardia and continues through the historic centre towards the Belvedere Francesco Crispi viewpoint.

1. Castello di Lombardia and Torre Pisana – allow 45 to 60 minutes
2. Rocca di Cerere – it takes just a few minutes to walk from the castle to the viewpoint
3. Enna Cathedral – the cathedral is about a 10-minute walk from the castle
4. Via Roma – stroll along the main street of the historic centre
5. Belvedere Francesco Crispi – round off your visit at the viewpoint, with cafés nearby

The Torre di Federico II lies off the main route, about 2 km from the castle. A visit there will add at least an hour to your itinerary. The Archaeological Museum will add a further 60 to 90 minutes.

It is easy to explore Enna without a guide. Larger groups may also opt for a two-hour private tour of the historic centre. For one or two travellers, a self-guided tour is usually the best option.

Where to stay in Enna

Most tourists do not stay overnight in Enna. However, it makes sense to stay for one night if you arrive late in the afternoon, want to enjoy the evening without the day-trippers, or are continuing on to Villa Romana del Casale the following day.

For a sightseeing visit, choose only Enna Alta, ideally around Via Roma, the cathedral or the Belvedere Francesco Crispi.

From your accommodation, you can walk to restaurants and the main sights.

Enna Bassa is only more practical if you’re travelling by car on the A19 motorway or because of its proximity to the university. When booking, check the parking options, as the phrase ‘parking nearby’ may not mean a dedicated parking space directly at your accommodation.

View accommodation in Enna

Well-located accommodation options include:

• Al Duomo – accommodation right next to the cathedral
• Dimora del Duomo – ideal for a stay in the historic centre
• Enna Inn Centro – popular mainly for the views from the terrace

How to get there

Enna is situated near the A19 motorway linking Palermo and Catania. A car is the most practical option, but there are also direct buses to the historic centre.

Transport	Who it’s suitable for	Journey from Catania	Disadvantage
Car	A tour of Sicily and nearby sights	about 1 hour	Parking and narrow streets
Bus	Full-day trip without a car	about 1.5 hours	Fewer services at weekends
Train	Only if the timetable is suitable	about 1.5 hours	The station is located deep beneath the city

By car and parking

It takes about an hour to drive from Catania to Enna, and just under 2 hours from Palermo.

For sightseeing, the most convenient place to park is at the Castello di Lombardia. In the town, you’ll find both paid blue parking spaces and free white ones. Always follow the signs and the information on the parking meter, as conditions may change.

Do not drive into the narrow streets around Via Roma unless you live there. During events or in the evening, some parts of the town centre may be closed off. You can find an overview of car parks on Enna’s official tourism website.

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By bus

Direct buses operated by Flixbus orSAIS Autolinee run to Enna from Palermo, Catania, Catania Airport and Caltanissetta.

• Palermo – the journey takes 1.5 hours, tickets cost from 10,30 eur
• Catania – the journey takes about 1.5 hours; tickets cost from 8 eur
• Catania Airport – there are direct services, with fares usually between 8 and 10 eur
• Caltanissetta – the journey takes 30 to 45 minutes, with tickets costing from 3 eur

Flixbusalso operates direct services to cities such as Messina and Trapani.

When searching, select the Enna stop, whose main coach station is on Viale Diaz near the historic centre. Do not automatically select Enna Bassa, which is located below the town.

From the terminal, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the Belvedere Francesco Crispi and 25 minutes to the castle. Timetables vary depending on the day of the week, so we recommend buying your ticket online in advance.

By train

Trains run directly from Catania in particular. The journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes and tickets cost from 8,80 eur. The journey from Palermo takes longer, and some services require a change.

One drawback is that the station is situated about 4 km from the historic centre and several hundred metres below the town. We do not recommend walking from the station, especially with luggage.

SAIS city buses connect the station with Enna Alta. A ticket costs 1,20 eur, but departures do not always connect with all trains. You can check train connections on the Trenitalia website.

What to combine a visit to Enna with

• Villa Romana del Casale – a Roman villa with famous mosaics, situated near Piazza Armerina, about a 40-minute drive away
• Morgantina and Aidone – archaeological sites and a museum, less than an hour’s drive from Enna
• Palermo and Catania – Enna is a natural stop-off on the A19 motorway
• Mount Etna – on the way towards Catania, you can combine a visit to Enna with a subsequent trip to the volcano

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