Catania Airport or Catania Vincenzo Bellini Airport as it is also known, is the busiest airport in Sicily and the 6th busiest in Italy. It is named after the opera composer, who was born in Catania. With car hire at Catania Airport, the city of Catania is just 4.5 km away and a 15 minute drive and an excellent way to explore the pretty and historical island of Sicily.
Catania Airport has one terminal building with 22 gates and many facilities for passengers. There is a bank and ATMs as well as currency exchange bureaus for all your money services. In arrivals, you will find a flight information office for all your airport enquiries and there is also a tourist information office, to help you make the most out of your stay in Sicily. A business centre is available for passenger use and it has Wi-Fi access. The Bellini VIP Lounge is reserved for the use of business class passengers with Alitalia. There are coffee bars in departures and arrivals, if you need a snack and for something more substantial, head for the restaurants in departures that have panoramic views. The airport has a small number of shops including a newsagents and a duty paid shop as well as outlets selling souvenirs and travel goods.
Catania is a city on the shores of the Ionian Sea with a backdrop of Mount Etna. It is a university city with unique Baroque architecture and thriving nightlife. In the city, you can start at the Piazza del Duomo and see the Main Square, Cathedral and the 17th Elephant Fountain. There are ancient roman ruins and theatres to be seen near the Via Vittorio Emanuele. To find out more about Catania’s history visit the Castello Ursino, with its castle and museum. Browse the bustling markets near Piazza del Duomo and Via Etnea. You can visit the baroque palace of Palazzo Biscari and the Teatro Massimo, a popular meeting place in the evenings.
Out and about with your car hire in Catania, head for the beach and sunbathe and swim at La Plaja or drive the volcanic coastline of Riviera dei Ciclopi. Take to the slopes of Mount Etna for views all over the island. The pretty fishing village of Acitrezza is worth a visit too, for its rocky harbour and little cafes. Take a drive out to Taormina, an ancient medieval town perched on top of a mountain.
