Cheap car rental at the Catania Fontanarossa airport with many offers for Smart ForTwo, Fiat 500, convertible cars like Peugeot 307 Convertible and Citroen DS3 Cabriolet. Remember that in order to succeed with your car rental booking you have to own a valid driving licence and a valid credit card (not debit) with adequate limit to cover the excess.
As a choice for car rental Catania makes a lot of sense, as it is ably served by an efficient road network, has excellent rail links and is also home to Catania Airport, an international air station used widely by tourists visiting Sicily.
It cannot be stressed too strongly how convenient renting a car to explore the towns, villages and many other delights surrounding Catania can be, as there is much to enjoy in what is one of the most beautiful regions of the island. Just use the form you find in this page and make a free quote.
We also rent7 seater van/minivans like Ford Galaxy and Seat Alhambra with automatic transmission and 9 seater minivans like Mercedes Vito Traveliner with Free GPS included in the price of rental. These minibuses are the ideal solution if you are planning to visit Sicily with a large number of people or with your family. If you need more room for your luggage we suggest renting a 9 passenger van like the Citroen Jumper 9 Seater where you can store up to 5 suitcases.
Just two and a half miles from the city itself, Catania Fontanarossa international airport (CTA) is ideal for those visiting both Catania and other regions in Sicily, it handles in excess of six million passengers a year, with regular flights to and from many important cities across Europe, including London, Paris and Madrid, as well as lesser known destinations, this adding to the convenience. Catania Airport is a very convenient place from which to pick up your hire car and begin your exploration of this delightful island.
The airport itself has a long history, having first seen operation in the 1920’s as a commercial airport, then been used by the US Air Force as a base during the conflict of World War Two. Notably, it was quickly returned to civilian use following the end of the war, and has been developed almost constantly ever since. Today it sees more than 50,000 aircraft movements every year, and offers easy access to most of the islands main attractions.
Close to the A19 motorway, the airport is handily placed for both Catania and the capital, Palermo, which is reached by following this road, while the E45 takes drivers to north and the city of Syracuse, plus surrounding towns and villages. Many of the smaller towns and destinations around Catania are easy to reach using a hire car from the E19 or E45, following the well-signposted routes to the likes of Valverde, Nicolosi, Pedara and many more charming, historic towns, each of which offers a unique insight into Sicilian life both then and now.
Address: Via Fontanarossa, 95121 Catania CT, Italy | Phone: +39 095 723 9111
A.P.T. Tourist Information: +39.095.7306266/77/88
The second largest city on Sicily, Catania is located on the east coast of the island on the Ionian Sea, and is party to a climate that gives it the hottest summers in Italy.
It is not just the weather that attracts tourists to the town, but also the local culture, history and cuisine; an ancient town with probable Greek origins, Catania is a delight to explore, and it is recommended that visitors book car on car rental Catania airport for collection at the local airport on arrival. Not only is this an affordable way of travelling around the region, it also means that you and your family can plan your exploration in your own time, and discover the many attractions that may be otherwise missed.
Mount Etna
Perhaps the most famous aspect to Catania, and one that dominates the nearby skyline, is its proximity to the famous volcano, Mount Etna. One of Sicily’s most famous landmarks, Etna has not erupted in any serious form for many centuries, and its distinctive profile is immediately recognisable. Catania played a major part in the Renaissance in the 14th century, the cultural revolution that embraced Italy, and is still an important centre for the arts today, while visitors can enjoy a number of museums and galleries featuring some important works.
Catania elephant - "u Liotru"
One of the most significant sights in Catania is ‘u Liotru’, a magnificent sculpture of an elephant by the celebrated local artist Vaccarini, which has become the acknowledged symbol of the city. The elephant is significant through many channels in the history of Catania. If historic buildings appeal then there are few cities more worthwhile; the 2nd century Greek Roman theatre is represented by remains having been destroyed by volcanic activity, and many other Roman ruins pepper the city.
More complete are the various impressive churches, including the Cathedral that as rebuilt in the 1600’s after an eruption, while other interesting structures include a variety of palaces, each with its own unique aspects and all typical of the region.
The pageant of St Agatha
Catania is a major industrial city yet tourism has taken a hold, and close by is Etnaland, a popular theme park that is one of the biggest such facilities in Italy. Culturally, the city has a thriving arts scene including modern music acts, film-making and sports teams, and is home to the spectacular pageant of St Agatha on February 5th each year, an event that attracts both locals and visitors alike.
As with all Italian cities it is impossible to write a guide without mentioning the local food; being a port the city is popular with seafood restaurants, yet the typically Mediterranean local delicacy is Pasta all Norma, a dish using aubergines and tomato sauce that is very popular in the local restaurants and cafes. With a lively nightlife including a number of bars, and a rich sense of local custom and tradition, hiring a car for a stay in Catania is a wide choice if you wish to get the very best out of your Sicilian holiday, and it could not be easier.
