Catania Warnings Or Dangers Tips by rsleisk Top 5 Page for this destination

Catania-Fontanarossa Airport

The airport had been recently remodeled but had not fully opened so when we arrived we were taxied to the main terminal. I went to claim my baggage along with everyone else thinking it would be fairly quick because there were no other flights. Boy was I wrong!

I waited and decided to use the restroom which was a mess getting into because of the tiny corridor you had to enter to get to the restroom. You had to walk by the Ladies room which had a long line and then fight your way back out the corridor.

Anyway, I kid you not it took almost 2 hours to get my luggage! We would sneak a peek through the flap where the bags are suppose to enter and see the baggage guys smoking and talking. There was also noone from the airport to complain to in the baggage area. So be warned, don't expect to get your bags quickly!

Traffic

Driving through the streets of Catania is quite an experience and not for the weak of heart. There are few rules and many one way streets and essentially no street signs unless you can read the plaque on the side of the building while keeping your eyes on the road. It seems that you need to know where you are going prior. We had the help of a satellite navigation system but those have their faults too.

Pedestrians look at you and if you see them then they dart out in front of you. Motorcyles, scooters (Vespas) have no rules and ride on the sidewalks and zoom inbetween cars, it is always a safe bet that there is one at either side of you at all times trying to get in front of you. We learned that you cannot be hesistant or you will never get anywhere, you just have to muscle your way through the streets.

We saw this accident as we were walking (see photo). The woman seemed at fault and the guy she hit was pleading his case to every bystander he could find. Other cars showed no mercy as they honked incessantly.

All in all the driving here was not half as bad as it was when we were in Naples, so say to yourself it could always be worse.