The Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), also known as the Vincenzo Bellini Airport, is the busiest airport in Sicily, and a major international hub for the island. It is located a short distance from the city of Catania, only 4km, and has a good range of facilities that passengers can access. There are ATMs, a few food outlets, a number of shops, a first aid service, and there is WiFi available throughout the main terminal.
Trains, buses and taxis operate transport services between the city and the airport, with the latter mode costing around 25EUR ($35).
Make your way to Catania with airlines like Qantas, Alitalia, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines.
Why visit Catania?
Catania is Sicily’s second largest city, and you’ll find lots of restaurants, cafes, bars and entertainment venues across this vibrant metropolis. When the sun sets, Catania is the place to be. However, there’s plenty of historical features to enjoy here too; having seen the rise and fall of two ancient nations, the Greek and the Roman, Catania, and by extension Sicily, is a treasure trove of attractions, and staying here will put in the path of some of Italy’s best sites.
Things to do in Catania
Staying in Catania means a packed itinerary of sightseeing, with a number of impressive buildings to cross off your list. Start with the lovely Baroque cathedral of Catania set in the Piazza del Duomo. Then see is the 16th century Benedictine monastery, which stands next door to the San Nicolo l’Arena. This secondary house of worship was built a little later, so architecture students can compare the styles easily on this site. San Nicolo’s plain façade doesn’t immediately give away why this church is such a hot attraction in the city, but if you climb the cupola, you will be rewarded with an impressive view of Mount Etna.
If you fancy seeing the mount up close, it’s only a day trip away from Catania. As the only active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna sees its fair share of tourists. But don’t worry, this site is well equipped to handle visitors, with cable cars and hiking routes up to its summit, any age group can enjoy this natural wonder.
Then tour the medieval Castello Ursino, an impressive fort, and home to the Civic Museum, which has artefacts from as far back as the Roman era right up until the 18th century. Finally, don’t forget to visit the Roman theatre of Catania. This structure is almost 2000 years old, and carved from lava! And seeing this landmark will evoke sense if deep time, when the Roman Empire once ruled this island.
Best time to visit Catania
· Sicily is best in the months surrounding the summer ones, meaning May through to June on one side, and September and October on the other. Highs sit around 19-24°C.
· July and August can often see 30°C, and this is peak tourist season, where you will be vying for a place on the beach, for tables at restaurants and for rooms at hotels. If you book in advance though, this can be a rewarding time to stay.
Arriving in Catania
· It is typical on a route to Catania that you will be diverted twice if you fly from Australia, usually in destinations like Doha (DOH), Bangkok (BKK), and Rome (FCO).
Currency
· Euro (EUR).
Visa requirements
· Australians do not need a visa for Italy and can travel in the country for up to 90 days. For more information on restrictions, or any change to the conditions go to the Smart Traveller website page on Italy.
Please note that information is correct as of November 2016
