About Catania, Italy

Located on the east coast of Sicily, Catania is the capital of the Province of Catania. Since it was founded in the 8th century BC, Catania has had a long and eventful history. The city is one of the Italy’s most important political, artistic and cultural centers. Catania has a Mediterranean climate with long and hot summers as well as wet and mild winters. The city is also known as the second industrial and economic hub of Sicily, being particularly famous for its petrochemical industry as well as the extraction of sulphur.

Popular Destinations in Catania

Looking for activities once your private jet arrives in Catania? Well known for its Baroque buildings, the city attract millions of tourists every year. Here are some of the attractions you can look into:

Piazza del Duomo: The city has a number of lovely squares, but the Piazza del Duomo is the most spacious and gracious of all. The cathedral square successfully preserves the Baroque appearance which was conferred on it since the early 18th century. Another notable feature to look out for includes an elephant that is made of black lava. It is called Fontana dell’Elefante and was inspired by Bernini’s elephant obelisk in Rome.

Basilica Cattedrale Sant’Agata: According to tradition, the cathedral is situated on the spot where Saint Agatha died a martyr’s death back in 251AD. The three-aisled cross-shaped basilica was constructed with a combination of ancient buildings and the remains of Achilles’s Roman springs. Visitors here often make it a point to see the impressive interior of Catania’s pantheon. And then there is the Cappella di Sant’Agata which features a marble triptych on the altar and was created by a 16th-century artist named Antonello Freri.

San Nicoló l’Arena: Situated on the site of the Greek acropolis, lies the Church of San Nicoló. Work on the church began since 1702 and continued to the end of the 18th century. However, the church was never finished. Hence, its incomplete facade possesses a strange but almost forbidding appearance. It features massive columns that are built on raised plinths that end abruptly. Visitors can request access from the sexton to enter the dome to take in the beautiful view that stretches as far as Mount Etna.

Monastero dei Benedettini: This is regarded as one of the biggest Benedictine monasteries in Europe. Since construction begun in the 1500s, the construction process managed to incorporate different styles of several eras, adding to its uniqueness. The late Baroque façade features sculptured window decorations, rusticated pilasters as well as two lovely inner courtyards.

Porta Garibaldi: Erected in 1768, this is the monumental gate of Porta Garibaldi. It was created in honor of King Ferdinand IV and his consort Maria Carolina, who was the daughter of the Empress Maria Theresa. The architects were Stefano Ittar and Francesco Battaglia who designed an eye-catching gate that features dramatic horizontal layers of black lava and white limestone.

Luxury Lodging in Catania

Seeking luxury accommodations once your private jet has arrived in Catania? Although there are currently no hotels that are located directly in Catania, there is a good array of accommodation options in the nearby regions, including:

• Armani Hotel Milano
• Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea
• Capri Palace Hotel
• Carlton Hotel Baglioni
• Excelsior Palace Hotel Rapallo
• Four Seasons Hotel Florence
• Grand Hotel Baglioni
• Grand Hotel de la Minerve
• Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
• Hotel Caesar Augustus
• Hotel Il Salviatino
• Hotel Romazzino
• Le Sirenuse
• Palazzo Montemartini
• Palazzo Victoria
• Rome Cavalieri
• Seven Stars Galleria

Airports In or Nearby Catania For Private Jets

Interested in chartering a private airplane to Catania, Italy? Catania has one main airport serving it but there are also several airports that are located in surrounding regions. Here are some of the available airports to choose from:

• Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA): Located less than three miles southwest of Catania, the international airport is a base for major airlines such as Air Berlin, Lufthansa and Alitalia. The airport has a single asphalt runway that is designated in the 08/26 direction.
• Comiso Airport (CIY): Located approximately 57 miles away from Catania, the airport is open for both general aviation and commercial flight operations. The airport sits at an elevation of about 620 feet above mean sea level and has a single asphalt runway in the 05/23 direction.
• Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF): Located approximately 136 miles from Catania, Lamezia Terme International is the main airport of Calabria. It is operated by Sacal S.p.A. and is open for public use. The airport has a single asphalt runway that is in the 10/28 direction.
• Malta International Airport (MLA): Located 3.1 miles southwest of Valletta, the international airport’s air terminal operations is able to provide general aviation services. The airport also has two asphalt runways in the 13/31 and 05/23 direction.
• Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO): Located 22 miles west northwest of Palermo, this is a government-owned airport that is open for public use. The airport currently resides at an elevation of 65 feet above mean sea level and has two bitumen runways (07/25 and 02/20).
• Reggio Calabria Airport (REG): Located approximately 78 miles away from Catania, Reggio Calabria is an airport that serves mainly the provinces of Messina and Reggio. Also known as Aeroporto dello Stretto, the airport provides both general aviation operations and commercial airline activities. The airport has two asphalt runways that are designated in the 11/29 and 15/33 directions.
• Sigonella Airport (NSY): Established in the early 1950s, the military airport serves as an Italian Air Force base and is located 18 miles away from Catania. The airport has two asphalt paved runways that are in the 10R/28L and 10L/28R directions, and sits at an elevation of more than 79 feet above mean sea level.