Catania Fontanarossa International Airport, also known as CTA, is located on Sicily’s eastern coast and provides a convenient arrival and departure point for exploring some of the island’s most remarkable destinations.
For international travelers, particularly those arriving from North America, Australia, and the United Kingdom, flying into Catania allows you to begin your Sicilian adventure close to several of the island’s most celebrated attractions.
From Catania Airport, you can discover:
- Taormina: Sicily’s elegant hilltop resort, celebrated for its ancient Greek Theatre, charming streets, and spectacular coastal views.
- Mount Etna: Europe’s famous active volcano, offering breathtaking scenery, volcanic landscapes, and distinctive food and wine experiences.
- Siracusa & Ortigia: Ancient Greek history, beautiful Baroque architecture, waterfront promenades, and authentic Sicilian atmosphere.
- Noto: An outstanding example of Sicilian Baroque architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage destination.
- Ragusa Ibla & Modica: Historical towns, traditional cuisine, and the unique flavors of southeastern Sicily.
- Palermo & Western Sicily: With a longer itinerary, explore Sicily’s vibrant capital, fascinating cultural heritage, ancient archaeological sites, and beautiful western coastline.
Our travel philosophy is simple: spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying Sicily.
Depending on your selected tour or private package, our services can include airport transfers, comfortable transportation, sightseeing arrangements, local experiences, and assistance from our Sicily-based team.
One of the most important decisions when planning your vacation is how much of Sicily you can comfortably explore without spending too much time traveling between destinations.
At Tour of Sicily, we believe that the quality of your experience matters more than the number of places you visit.
5 to 7 Days in Sicily: Focus on Eastern and Southeastern Sicily
If you have between 5 and 7 days, our recommendation is to concentrate primarily on eastern and southeastern Sicily.
This allows you to enjoy a more relaxed and rewarding journey while discovering some of the island’s most memorable destinations.
Recommended places to explore:
- Taormina and its enchanting historical center
- Mount Etna and the surrounding volcanic landscapes
- Siracusa and the Island of Ortigia
- Noto and its beautiful Baroque architecture
- Ragusa Ibla and Modica
- Optional authentic experiences involving Sicilian cuisine, wines, and local traditions
For a short stay, we often suggest combining Taormina and Siracusa/Ortigia as your two main overnight bases.
This itinerary can be arranged as a small group experience or developed as a customized private journey.
Our recommendation: Do not try to see the entire island in just a few days. Sicily deserves to be experienced, not rushed.
8 to 10 Days in Sicily: Discover Eastern, Southern & Western Sicily
If you can dedicate approximately 8 to 10 days, your itinerary can be expanded to include Palermo and other fascinating destinations across western and central Sicily.
With additional time, you can enjoy a journey connecting different regions of the island.
Recommended highlights include:
- Taormina and Mount Etna
- Cefalù, with its beautiful coastal setting
- Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant capital
- Monreale and its magnificent Norman heritage
- Erice and the Marsala region
- Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
- Siracusa, Ortigia, Noto, and the southeastern Baroque towns
Our longer itineraries can be organized as a round-trip journey starting and ending at Catania Airport, providing a convenient solution when your flights arrive and depart from the same airport.
Our recommendation: If Palermo and western Sicily are important parts of your travel plans, consider allowing at least 8 days, with 9 or 10 days offering a more comfortable pace.
Discover Sicily in a Small Group of No More Than 7 Guests
Forget crowded motor coaches and large tour groups.
Our Small Size Group Tours of Sicily have been designed for travelers who appreciate a more personal and comfortable way of discovering the island while enjoying the convenience of a prearranged itinerary.
What makes our Small Size Group Tours special?
- Maximum 7 guests: Travel in a genuinely small group.
- Twice-weekly scheduled departures: Choose from fixed departures according to your selected itinerary.
- Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 participants, subject to booking conditions.
- 5, 8 & 10-day itineraries: Choose the duration that best suits your vacation.
- Catania Airport round trips: Arrive and depart from Catania Airport.
- Local expertise: Travel with the support of a Sicily-based tour operator.
- Flexible accommodation options: Hotel arrangements can be requested according to the available package.
- Private upgrade available: Our itineraries can also be quoted as fully customized private tours.
Our scheduled small group journeys follow established programs. Travelers looking for different hotels, alternative sightseeing, additional experiences, or their own departure dates can request a private version.
Eastern & Southeastern Sicily | Catania Airport Round Trip
Scheduled departures: Wednesday & Saturday
Perfect for travelers looking for a short but memorable introduction to Sicily.
Spend two nights in Siracusa and two nights in Taormina, combining Greek and Baroque heritage, beautiful coastal towns, and authentic Sicilian experiences.
Tour highlights:
- Arrival at Catania Airport
- Siracusa and Ortigia
- Noto and Ragusa Ibla
- Traditional chocolate tasting in Modica
- Taormina at leisure, with optional experiences
- Departure from Catania Airport
This 5-day itinerary focuses on eastern and southeastern Sicily, without requiring a journey across the entire island.
Ideal for: First-time visitors, couples, independent travelers, and guests combining Sicily with a longer Italian or European vacation.
View Our 5-Day Small Group Sicily Tour
Eastern, Western & Southeastern Sicily | Catania Airport Round Trip
Scheduled departures: Monday & Friday
An excellent option for travelers who want to experience both sides of Sicily within one well-organized vacation.
This journey combines the elegance of Taormina, the vibrant cultural heritage of Palermo, and the ancient beauty of Siracusa.
Tour highlights:
- Arrival at Catania Airport
- Taormina and its surroundings
- Cefalù
- Palermo and Monreale
- Marsala and Erice
- Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
- Siracusa and Ortigia
- Departure from Catania Airport
Overnight bases: Taormina, Palermo, and Siracusa.
Ideal for: Travelers who want to discover Sicily’s main highlights within one week, with a comprehensive itinerary across the island.
View Our 8-Day Small Group Sicily Tour
A More Complete Sicily Experience | Catania Airport Round Trip
Scheduled departures: Thursday & Sunday
If you have more time, our 10-day small group journey offers the opportunity to explore Sicily’s diverse landscapes, rich heritage, and local traditions in greater depth.
Travel from eastern Sicily to Palermo and western Sicily before continuing towards Agrigento and the beautiful southeast.
Tour highlights:
- Arrival at Catania Airport
- Taormina and Mount Etna
- Mount Etna 4×4 Jeep experience with lunch
- Cefalù
- Palermo and Monreale
- Marsala and Erice
- Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
- Siracusa and Ortigia
- Ragusa Ibla, Modica, and Noto
- Departure from Catania Airport
Overnight bases: Taormina, Palermo, and Siracusa.
Ideal for: First-time visitors wanting an extensive introduction to Sicily, as well as travelers who appreciate discovering history, landscapes, local food, and culture.
View Our 10-Day Small Group Sicily Tour
Your Dates. Your Interests. Your Pace.
While our Small Size Group Tours operate on scheduled departures and established itineraries, all three programs can serve as the starting point for a fully customized Private Sicily Tour.
If you prefer traveling exclusively with your partner, family, or friends, we can adapt the journey according to your personal requirements.
Your private itinerary can be customized with:
- Your preferred arrival and departure dates
- A different number of nights in Sicily
- Private transportation and driver services
- Additional sightseeing with licensed local guides
- Accommodation suited to your preferences and budget
- More time in Taormina, Palermo, or Siracusa
- Food and wine experiences, cooking classes, and winery visits
- Archaeological sites, cultural experiences, and charming villages
- A slower pace or additional leisure time
- Special interests, celebrations, or family heritage experiences
For example, a traveler arriving at Catania Airport for five nights might choose to stay in Taormina and Ortigia, while guests planning ten or more nights could explore eastern, southern, and western Sicily with carefully selected overnight stops.
Our private tours are individually quoted and designed around your specific travel plans.
Whether you would like to follow one of our published routes or design an entirely new journey, our local Travel Experts can help.
For many travelers from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, flights are one of the first elements to consider when organizing a trip to Sicily.
Some visitors arrive through European connecting airports, while others may find direct connections depending on their departure city, airline, and travel season.
Whatever your route, using Catania Airport for both arrival and departure can simplify your travel arrangements.
You do not necessarily need to organize a different departure airport to discover western Sicily. Our 8 and 10-day itineraries are designed to visit Palermo and other western destinations before returning to eastern Sicily for your flight home.
Arriving at Catania Airport (CTA)
Depending on your selected package, our team can arrange your transfer from Catania Airport to your first hotel.
Your itinerary may begin in Siracusa or Taormina, depending on the program and travel dates.
Departing from Catania Airport (CTA)
At the end of your tour, a transfer to Catania Airport can be arranged according to the services included in your package.
We recommend providing your flight details during the planning process, particularly if you have an early morning departure.
Want to Arrive Earlier or Stay Longer?
No problem.
If your international flight schedule does not coincide exactly with the beginning or end of your preferred tour, our team can assist you with requesting additional nights and suitable transfers.
For private tours, the entire itinerary can be designed around your actual flight schedule.
Local Knowledge, Personal Service, and Over Two Decades of Experience
Tour of Sicily has been creating and coordinating travel experiences in Sicily since 2001.
Unlike generic travel websites, we are a locally based Sicilian tour operator with first-hand knowledge of the destinations, services, and experiences that make a journey memorable.
Our team works with international travelers and travel professionals looking for reliable local expertise and carefully organized holidays.
We believe that exploring Sicily should be about more than simply visiting famous attractions.
It should be about discovering the culture, meeting local people, tasting traditional food, enjoying beautiful landscapes, and experiencing the island at a pace that works for you.
Whether you join one of our intimate scheduled group tours or book a fully personalized private journey, our mission is to help you discover the true essence of Sicily.
Can I fly into Catania and depart from Catania after touring Sicily?
Absolutely. Our 5, 8, and 10-day Small Size Group Tours are designed as Catania Airport round trips. You can also request a customized private tour starting and ending at Catania Airport.
Is 5 days enough to visit Sicily?
Five days are enough for an enjoyable introduction to part of the island. We recommend focusing on eastern and southeastern Sicily, including Taormina, Siracusa, Ortigia, Noto, and Ragusa, rather than attempting to explore the entire island.
Can I visit Palermo if I fly into Catania?
Yes. Palermo can easily be included in a longer itinerary from Catania. Our 8 and 10-day scheduled group tours both include Palermo, allowing travelers to discover eastern and western Sicily during the same vacation.
How many people travel on your Small Group Tours?
Our Small Size Group Tours accommodate a maximum of 7 guests, with scheduled departures guaranteed from a minimum of 2 participants under the published booking conditions.
How often do your Small Group Tours depart from Catania?
Each itinerary has two scheduled departure days per week. The 5-day tour departs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the 8-day tour on Mondays and Fridays, and the 10-day tour on Thursdays and Sundays. Please check the individual tour page for current dates and availability.
Can I customize a Small Group Sicily Tour?
Our scheduled small group tours operate according to predefined itineraries. However, each itinerary can be used as a starting point for a private tour that can be modified according to your interests, dates, accommodation preferences, and required services.
Are hotels included in the Sicily tour packages?
Our published Small Size Group Tours offer ground-services packages, with accommodation available on request. We can provide options for suitable hotel arrangements based on the selected program.
Can airport transfers be included?
Yes. Airport transfers are included in our published 5, 8, and 10-day small group itineraries. For customized private tours, we can include suitable arrival and departure transfers in the quotation.
Is Catania or Palermo the better airport for a Sicily holiday?
Both airports can be suitable, depending on your flights and planned itinerary. Catania is particularly convenient for travelers focusing on Taormina, Mount Etna, Siracusa, and southeastern Sicily. For longer itineraries, it is possible to explore both eastern and western Sicily while using Catania Airport for arrival and departure.
Do you work with travel advisors from the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK?
Yes. Tour of Sicily works with international travel advisors and travel professionals, offering scheduled small group tours and customized private travel arrangements. Advisors can contact our team for assistance with suitable itineraries and B2B arrangements.
Make Your Flight to Catania the Beginning of an Unforgettable Sicilian Journey
Whether you have 5 days, 8 days, 10 days, or longer, Tour of Sicily can help you find the right way to explore the island.
Join one of our Small Size Group Tours with a maximum of 7 guests and twice-weekly scheduled departures, or let us design a fully customized private journey just for you.
Tell us your arrival and departure dates at Catania Airport, how many people are traveling, and what you would most love to experience.
Our Sicily-based Travel Experts will help you turn your travel plans into a memorable vacation.
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TOUR OF SICILY — Local Experts Since 2001
Discover the True Essence of Sicily.
