Please note that in Sicily we work in partnership with Win Rent. You will find the Win Rent office is clearly signposted and just a short walk from the arrivals terminal of Catania Fontanarossa Airport. Once you have the keys to your rental vehicle, it is a straightforward drive of around fifteen minutes to Catania city centre.
Sicilians like all Italian drivers have a reputation for fast driving and Catania itself presents a confusing array of narrow, congested streets and poor signposting. A little forward planning and a Sat Nav should help you avoid the worst of the problems. Once out of the city the main roads are fast, reasonably well-maintained and generally empty while country roads provide some wonderful scenery.
Catania has metered pay and display parking zones marked with blue lines as well as a secure multistorey car park in the centre of the town.
A drive around Catania reveals its historic past that stretches back to the Ancient Romans and Greeks as well as the beautiful sandy beaches that lie just a couple of miles outside of town. A tour of Catania should start in the Piazza del Duomo with its Baroque buildings and Elephant Fountain, the symbol of the town. Originally built as a fortified church, Catania Cathedral dominates the square. More impressive buildings line Via Vittorio Emanuele which runs towards the coast. On this road, you can see the Roman Teatro Antico and Thermal Baths.
Take a tour of the 17th-century Palazzo Biscari before visiting the Museo Belliniano, the birthplace of Vincenzo Bellini who sculpted the Elephant Fountain. The town was protected at the seafront by the austere Castello Ursino, now home to the Civic Museum. When you are ready for a break from sightseeing in the Sicilian sun then head to one of the family-friendly beaches. The nearest is La Plaja where you can swim, sunbathe and enjoy freshly caught fish and seafood.