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Explore Catania with a camper

Your road trip through Sicily

Sicily is home to many popular holiday destinations, but few allow you to do it all like Catania. Home to the largest airport in Sicily, Catania is a natural starting point for visitors to the island, especially those looking to experience the rich history and culture of the ancient port city.

Motorhome rental locations in the city, courtesy of motorhomebookers.com, ensure that you can see the rest of the island up close and personal with the comforts of home.

Below, we have created a guide to Catania and other Sicilian attractions to help you when planning your next holiday with a camper rental.

Top 5 facts about Catania

  1. Thanks to its airport, Catania is easy to visit, and it's also especially easy to navigate with the help of the Catania Metro, seaport, Catania Centrale and the Sicilian motorway system.
  2. The “old town” of Catania, which features highly decorative Baroque architecture, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  3. Catania lies at the foot of Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes and one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe.
  4. The Mediterranean climate in Catania gives the city one of the hottest summers in the whole of Italy, with temperatures regularly surpassing 40 degrees Celsius.
  5. You can drive from Catania to Palermo, Sicily’s tourism capital, via the popular Autostrada A19 motorway in just over three hours.

These highlights await you when you rent a camper van in Catania

The Piazza del Duomo is Catania’s most beautiful square and is located in the heart of the city. Here you’ll find many of Catania's most iconic landmarks, including Palazzo degli Elefanti, or city hall, and the Cathedral of Saint Agatha. In the very centre is the Fontana dell'Elefante, the symbol of the city and possibly the most photographed feature of the square.

A five-minute walk east will lead you to the ornately decorated Palazzo Biscari, a private palace: now the setting for elegant events and receptions. Still home to the descendants of the Biscari family, you can view the highly-decorative interior from the Sicilian Baroque period by scheduling a guided tour.

This makes Catania particularly suitable as a starting point for your road trip

After exploring Catania, a motorhome trip is the best way to experience the rest of Sicily. Because most other major destinations and attractions lie on the coasts of the island, you can drive the perimeter of Sicily with stops at cities like Taormina, Marsala, Syracuse and the capital city of Palermo in a matter of days.

To reach Palermo from Catania directly, the Autostrada A19 motorway takes you to the capital in just over three hours, during which you can see landmarks like the Cattedrale di Palermo and Norman Palace. Drive a few minutes north, and you can enjoy the beautiful Italian weather and swim at Mondello Beach.

Camper van rental: Useful information for your trip to Catania

To rent a motorhome or camper van in Catania, you must be at least 21 years of age. You’ll also need a valid driver’s licence and a major credit card to qualify for a rental.

A camper rental will allow you to travel to the island of Sicily. Perhaps you wish to visit Lipari, the largest of the Aelian Islands off the northern coast. In that case, it’s important to check with your motorhome rental company to determine whether you can take your vehicle on one of the island ferries.

Rent a motorhome now and discover the region around Catania

When you begin a motorhome holiday in Catania, you’ll experience the best Sicily has to offer. From the ancient port, you can reach the island’s other most popular destinations conveniently and comfortably at your own pace.

To rent a motorhome in Catania for your next holiday, visit motorhomebookers.com, where you’ll find tools to compare pricing and vehicle availability on select dates.