What to Do at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)

Restaurants & Cafés

Caffè / Espresso Bars (Terminal A & C) - for a quick taste of home in Italy, get a cappuccino or espresso, which goes great with a cornetto (that is an Italian Croissant). Great for a morning departure or a quick refreshment before boarding.

Relay & small kiosks (Arrivals Hall) - For a quick sandwich, snack or bottled drink right after landing, the RELAY kiosk also sells public transport tickets - a handy first stop before heading to the city.

Light cafés/snack bars (Airside) - In the air terminals, we have compact snack bars great for when you’re between flights. Portion size is on the small side, but we make up for it with speedy service.

Shops & Duty-Free / Lifestyle Stores

Duty-Free & Travel Retail (After Security)- International travellers will find a range of products which include perfumes, cosmetics, wine, Sicilian specialities (which may include local olive oil, wine, sweets), souvenirs and accessories. Also, a great place to pick up that last-minute gift or provision before you leave.

Souvenir & Local Speciality Shops (Airside)- They have Sicilian ceramics, local delicacies, wines, packaged foods, and small travel souvenirs here great for gifts or cultural mementoes.

Convenience & Essentials Stores (Arrivals & Landside) - ATMs, currency exchange desks, a small kiosk which is great for drinks and snacks and also basic travel supplies, very useful for travellers that have just arrived or are transiting.

Duty-Free Shopping

At Catania Airport (CTA), you will find a great range of Sicilian products, which also includes international brands. The store has a large open plan, which at times may seem overwhelming for passengers, but in fact works to its advantage during holiday seasons. Our staff are very approachable, they help out with product comparisons and also will put forward local specialities which make great presents. We have a lot of travellers who purchase gifts for international destinations. Also, we have our duty-free free which we have designed to reflect the energy of Sicilian culture while still providing the latest in retail ease, which turns shopping into a travel experience, not an afterthought.

Lounges / Relax Spots

VIP Lounge “Angelo D’Arrigo” - Airside, near Gates 5-6

This lounge is accessible via lounge membership, day pass, or through airline/VIP programmes. It offers seating, drinks and light snacks, Wi-Fi and a quieter ambience away from crowded gate zones.

“Piazza Vincenzo Bellini” Lounge (for ITA Airways / eligible passengers)

Operated by the local carrier, this lounge provides a modest selection of refreshments and a calm wait area for eligible passengers - a good choice for frequent flyers or those flying with ITA.

These lounges are especially useful during busy summer periods when general seating is cramped; they offer peace, charging points, and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Other Services & Essentials

Catania Airport provides a broad range of traveller essentials: Free Wi-Fi in the terminal, currency exchange desks, ATMs, car rental desks, information desk, luggage wrapping and storage services also available, and we have accessible toilets for passengers with reduced mobility.

For transport, the public Alibus service runs between the airport, downtown Catania, and the railway station, which it does very frequently. Taxis and rental-car desks are conveniently located outside arrivals - useful for onward travel across Sicily.

Suggested Layover Itineraries

3-Hour Layover - Stay Inside the Airport

Grab some coffee or a snack at a cafe after you pass security. In the duty-free and souvenir shops, look for Sicilian olive oil, sweets or presents. If you have access do relax in the Angelo D’Arrigo lounge with Wi-Fi and refreshments. Check the flight screens in case of gate changes. With the compact layout, everything is within a 10-minute walk, perfect for a quiet, stress-free wait.

5-6 Hour Layover - Quick Catania City Visit

Take the Alibus shuttle or taxi to Catania’s city centre (about 15 min). Wander through the very alive old town, and may stop for a quick lunch or gelato at historic Via Etnea. Back at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight, CTA is near the city, but summer traffic may slow you down. Use AirportAssist fast track on your way in to get through security.

8+ Hour Layover - Explore Catania & Surroundings

With a longer layover, explore Catania’s Baroque centre: Visit the cathedral, walk the old town’s narrow streets, and also enjoy a Sicilian lunch. Also, you may leave the city for a bit to check out coastal towns and nearby spots. Return to CTA well ahead of your flight and enjoy a relaxed lounge wait before boarding.

Etna Half-Day Excursion (for longer layovers / early morning arrivals)

Rent a guided tour or a private shuttle and travel to the nearby foot of Mount Etna (30 1:00 hours’ drive), which is a wonderful opportunity for some sightseeing or a short walk. This is perfect if you have over 8 hours of layover at the airport and you are looking to experience the volcanic scenery of Sicily before your flight.

Sicilian Food & Relax Mix

Spend some hours in town trying out the local food, go for the fresh seafood, Sicilian pastries or wine by the coast, then head back to the airport, wrap up in the lounge and board your flight. Great for foodies who want a short cultural hit without the long-distance travel.

Ground Transportation Guide

Transport at Catania Airport (CTA) is very well organised, which in turn makes it easy to get around in eastern Sicily. We recommend the ALIBUS shuttle for getting into the city centre from the airport. It is very frequent and stops at main points of interest, which include the train station and central squares. Taxis are easy to find right at the terminal and also have set prices, which makes them a great choice for going to places like Taormina, Syracuse or the Etna area. For a more personal touch, some may choose to pre-book a car service, which will take you directly to your hotel or out to more remote areas. Also very popular at CTA is the car rental, which is a great option for seeing all that Sicily has to offer, which includes its beautiful coastal roads, archaeological sites, and hilltop towns.

Quick Facts - Catania - Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), Italy

Category Details
Airport Code CTA (Catania Fontanarossa Vincenzo Bellini Airport).
Location Catania, Sicily, Italy - a 4 km distance from the city centre.
Terminals 2 terminals - Main terminal (Terminal A), Selected low cost carriers (Terminal C)
24/7 Services Core airport operations run 24/7, also essential services are also available during late-night/early-morning flight times.
Wi-Fi Free Wi-Fi in both terminals.
Wheelchair/PRM Access Fully at your service, we have dedicated PRM assistance, elevators, ramps, and priority paths.
Public Transport Alibus buses to Catania city every 20-30 minutes.
Closest City Attractions Catania Cathedral, Via Etnea, Bellini Garden, and coastal promenades

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