Catania (Sicily, Italy)

Catania is the cruise port to Etna. This port city is located along Sicily Island's northeast coast, and on the Gulf of Catania. The port's services include handling commercial (including ro-ro and cargo) ships, fishing vessels, ferries, yachts and cruise ships. It also has a small shipbuilding yard.

The town was destroyed several times by Mt Etna's eruptions and an earthquake in 1693. Today it is graced by lush parks, spacious piazzas and wide boulevards. Tourists may choose from the medieval power of 11th-century cathedral and Castello Ursino, Baroque fantasy of San Nicolo, or return to city's ancient origins with a visit to Greek theatre. The Greek glories of Taormina featuring unforgettable views of Mount Etna are just a short drive up the coast.

Port Catania

Port Catania covers over 1 km2 (0,4 ml2), which includes land and water areas. Land area is approx 0,47 km2, and includes as infrastructure storage facilities (0,28 km2) and 26 berths (total lenght 4,2 klm). The port serves 6 Italian provinces and has a close proximity to highway junctions, railway station and Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (island's first airfield / opened in 1924, serving both international and domestic flights).

The airport is close to the city (4,3 km / 2,5 km southwest), to motorway A19 (linking to Palermo) and to E45 road (linking to Syracusa). Airport's shuttle buses go to downtown Catania and its Central Train Station. Regularly scheduled buses to other parts of Sicily also depart directly from the airport.

In 2014, the port was visited by a total of 232,954 cruise passengers. Their number in 2013 was 390,457. In 2016, the seaport was included in the schedules of Costa Cruises and Royal Caribbean, following the inauguration (July 2015) of the man-made multipurpose turning basin.

• Wet Basin's completion resulted in increased shipping traffic (mainly RO-PAX ferries and container ships).
• The approved in 2014 port development project also included improving port's security and efficiency (consolidation of docks, max anti-seismic standards, strengthening breakwater's rocks), road connections development (improving cargo and passenger transportation between seaport-airport), also improving the port-city integration as routes and interconnections.

Catania cruise terminal