Catania Car Rental

Located on the eastern coast of Sicily, right at the foot of Mount Etna, Catania is a city with a very long history. Its origins date back to 729 BC when it was founded by the Chalcidese.

Over the millennia, Catania has faced earthquakes, eruptions, invasions and looting that have razed it to the ground nine times. It has been destroyed nine times, and has been rebuilt nine times.

This spirit has always pervaded the city and its inhabitants, and it is no coincidence that the inscription on Porta Garibaldi reads, “Melior de cinese surgo” or “I rise from my ashes more beautiful.”

Following the terrible earthquake of 1693, Catania was rebuilt on the ruins of buildings giving the city the Baroque style and appearance that we admire today.

Catania attractions: the city centre and the beaches

Whether you are travelling with family or friends, a car is the best way to see Catania and its surroundings. It allows you to plan a itinerary to suit your needs and to reach the island by plane.

To rent a car in Catania you can turn to Maggiore, a reliable and experienced company with three different locations, one at Fontanarossa Airport, and two in the city centre.

With its rental fleet of 12,300 cars, Maggiore offers customers the widest selection of quality vehicles, which are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised after every rental. It also offers a range of additional services available on site.

We recommend you start your tour of the city centre from Piazza Duomo, where you will find the famous “O Liutru”, or the Elephant Fountain, considered to be the emblem of the city.

All around are beautiful palazzos and monuments, such as the Catania cathedral, which houses the tomb of the composer Vincenzo Bellini, the adjacent Palazzo dei Chierici and Palazzo degli Elefanti.

Just behind Piazza Duomo is La Pescheria, the city’s famous fish market, from which you can easily reach Via Etna, the main shopping street filled with numerous buildings in Baroque style.

Also worth visiting in Catania is the magnificent Massimo Theatre, built in 1890 and dedicated to Bellini, the Roman Theatre, which offers a unique view, the University Palazzo and Palazzo San Giuliano, both recognisable by their beautiful facades.

Your visit to the city centre can end at the Monastero dei Benedettini, one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe, and the Castello Ursino, a Norman fortress that is now home to the Civic Museum.

Catania is art and history, but also sea and sun, so you can’t miss the most beautiful beaches in and around the city.

The first one to visit is La Playa, an 18-km-long beach with shallow waters.

To the south, is located the 200-hectare Simeto Oasis Nature Reserve.

Once back in the car, there are plenty of beaches near Catania to discover.

Some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Catania are Aci Trezza, about 25 minutes away from the city, an oasis of peace bathed by the crystal clear waters of the sea and surrounded by “faraglioni” (rock stacks), Foce Simento, located inside the reserve of the same name, Mulino di Acireale, located on the cliff of Timpa, Santa Maria La Scala, not far from the magnificent cave of Palombe, and Praiola di Giarre, a beach of volcanic origin with a unique panorama.

Beaches in Catania and around the city

With a rental car you can easily set off to discover the most characteristic sights around the sicilian city.

One of the first things to do is to take a tour of Mount Etna, a place with a unique charm that can be visited at any time of the year.

Then you can head to the Gole dell’Alcantara, a magnificent natural canyon made of lava walls, and take a walk to explore the beautiful natural environment or enjoy a water sport, such as rafting.

To the north of Catania is another natural treasure, the Riviera dei Ciclopi, between Aci Castello and Acireale.

This 12-km stretch of coastline is known not only for its natural beauty but also for its legends, such as that of Polyphemus and Aci who were in love with Galatea, a beautiful sea nymph.

After immersing yourself in these natural treasures, you can set off again in search of charming villages that will give you just as much pleasure and enjoyment.

Among the places to visit near Catania are the villages of Savoca and Castelmola.

The first is known not only for its historical beauty, which led to its inclusion in “The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”, but also for being the site where some scenes from the movie “The Godfather” by Francis Ford Coppola were shot, while the second is known for its picturesque location overlooking the sea and the beautiful medieval centre.

Your itinerary of places to see around Catania can end with a visit to Aci Castello, a characteristic village perched on the cliffs, and to the Castle of Calatabiano, an ancient Byzantine fortress that can be reached with a panoramic lift.

Therefore, a car is the best way to enjoy all that Catania and its surroundings have to offer, as it allows you to take a journey of discovery and fun.