Benvenuto a Catania

Destination airport: Catania-Fontanarossa Airport CTA

Flight duration: 2 h 10 min

1,170 km as the crow flies

Culinary specialities

Arancini
Arancini are crispy, fried rice balls, often filled with ragù or cheese. In Sicily, they are a popular snack and, in shape and colour, resemble small oranges, hence their name.

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Did you know?

Catania Airport is the largest in Sicily and is named after the famous composer Vincenzo Bellini. It is located just around 5 km south of the city and serves as the gateway to the eastern regions of the island. The airport is particularly popular with holidaymakers looking to explore Mount Etna or the beaches of the east coast. Inside the terminal, you'll find numerous small cafés serving traditional Sicilian cannoli and arancini.

Places of interest

Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, rises majestically above Catania, offering spectacular views as well as numerous opportunities for hiking and guided tours – an impressive natural experience and at the same time a constant companion in the cityscape.

At the heart of the city lies the Piazza del Duomo, the central square with the famous Elephant Fountain, the symbol of Catania. Surrounded by Baroque architecture, cafés and the Duomo, it is a popular meeting point and an ideal starting point for explorations.

Just a few steps away is the Teatro Romano di Catania, an ancient Roman theatre situated right in the centre of the city. Surprisingly well-preserved and nestled within the surrounding buildings, allowing history and the present day to meet directly here.

Also worth seeing is the Castello Ursino, a medieval fortress dating from the 13th century, which today houses a museum. Originally situated right on the sea, it now stands a little further inland due to earlier lava flows – an impressive example of Etna's power.

Useless knowledge

• The vendors shout like opera singers. You want prawns, but you get a singing performance thrown in as well.
• Mount Etna only shows itself when it fancies. Selfie planned? Tough luck – it’s wearing clouds again. A diva, after all.
• A lava stone elephant, said to have been able to fly in the past. Today he chills in the main square, acting like nothing happened.