Catania is history, culture, great food, but also sea and nature. A city to absolutely visit! If you are planning a visit, the best solution is definitely to stay in the historical centre, along the main streets of the city, within walking distance of the must-see attractions. Here are all our tips on where to stay in Catania!
Useful tips: the best districts to stay in
If you are visiting Catania for the first time or have only a few days available, the best solution is to stay in the centre, close to the city's main attractions. Here, depending on your needs, you can choose between different areas: Via Etnea is ideal for young people and those in search of movida, while Via Crociferi and Corso Italia are slightly quieter and preferable for those travelling with families.
If you want to save money, opt for Borgo-Sanzio and Ognina-Picanello. Further from the centre, they have more offers and more competitive prices, as well as being ideal for those travelling by car. Ognina-Picanello also includes the waterfront area and San Giovanni Li Cuti, to be chosen in case you also want to enjoy the beach.
Suggested areas tosave money: Borgo-Sanzio, Ognina-Picanello
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: via Crociferi (Centre), Corso Italia (Centre)
Suggested areas foryoung people: via Etnea (Centre), Ognina-Picanello (Seafront)
Bestaccommodation: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Catania. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
If you are in Catania on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com
Catania Area Guide
Catania, the main city in eastern Sicily, is located not far from Mount Etna and faces directly onto the sea. Since 2020, by resolution of the City Council, the city is no longer divided into Circumscriptions, but into 6 Municipalities: First Municipality (Centre), Second Municipality (Ognina - Picanello - Barriera - Canalicchio), Third Municipality (Borgo Sanzio), Fourth Municipality (S. Giovanni Galermo - Trappeto - Cibali), Fifth Municipality (Monte Po - Nesima - San Leone - Rapisardi) and Sixth Municipality (S. Giorgio - Librino - S. Giuseppe la Rena). From a tourist point of view, the best Municipalities to stay in are those of Centro, Ognina-Picanello and Borgo-Sanzio, where the main attractions (especially in Centro) and most of the accommodation and tourist services are located.
Areas to avoid: mainly the neighbourhoods of San Cristoforo, San Giovanni Galermo and especially Librino, the latter being particularly notorious for crime episodes.
Via Etnea (Centre)
Photo by Luca Aless. The Centro is definitely the best district in which to stay in Catania, especially if you are visiting the city for the first time. Within it we can identify different areas suitable for different needs and the first area is Via Etnea, the beating heart of the historical centre. A good 3 km long, it runs from Piazza Duomo to the former Tondo Gioeni. It is full of baroque palaces and hosts several attractions such as the Cathedral of Catania, the Basilica della Collegiata or the Roman Amphitheatre.
The street and its immediate surroundings are especially recommended for young people and those in search of movida: if Via Etnea is cheerful and lively during the day thanks to the presence of numerous shops, at night it becomes one of the hubs of nightlife thanks to the many clubs present.
Finally, if you stay here, you can easily get around on foot, especially if you stay in the Duomo area. Alternatively, you can get around with the numerous bus lines.
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
B&B with rooms equipped with balcony, parquet floors, flat screen TV and private bathroom. Ideal for couples and families | |
Hostel with communal terrace, WiFi connection, bar and pets allowed. Dormitories for 3 to 8 people, including women. Ideal for young people | |
Hostel with garden, lounge and communal kitchen. Rooms with shared bathroom and shower. Free Wifi | |
Flats with private bathroom, TV and desk. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, oven, hob, kettle and coffee maker. Free WiFi | |
Flat with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen and towels, TV , dining area, fully equipped kitchen and balcony overlooking the garden. |
Via Crociferi (Centre)
Photo by Urban~commonswiki. Remaining in the centre, not far from Via Etna we find Via Crociferi, considered by the Catanese to be Catania's Baroque living room! Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, four of the city's most beautiful churches can be found here: the Church of San Benedetto, the Church of San Francesco Borgia, the Jesuit College and the Church of San Giuliano.
It is a somewhat quieter area in the evening than Via Etnea. For this reason, it is recommended for families and those who want to relax. Here you will find many charming B&Bs, it will almost feel like going back in time.
Finally, again, you can get around easily on foot. Piazza Duomo is in the immediate vicinity, as is Via Etnea or the Ursino Castle.
Average prices in the district range from around €60.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Bed & breakfast offering accommodation with balcony, flat-screen TV and private bathroom with bidet. There is a fridge and a kettle in the room. | |
Air-conditioned flat with 2 bedrooms, TV, dining area and kitchen with dishwasher and microwave. Free WiFi and private pool | |
Flat with fully equipped kitchenette, dining area and private bathroom. Free WiFi | |
Luxurious rooms with balcony, free WiFi and tablet. Extra-large beds and hearty breakfast. | |
Rooms with balcony, air conditioning, flat-screen TV and private bathroom. Fridge, traditional oven, microwave, kettle and coffee machine are available. Buffet breakfast | |
Rooms with parquet floors and elegant furnishings. American piano bar and continental breakfast |
Corso Italia (Centre)
Photos by Ji-Elle. The Corso Italia area is more modern than its predecessors, full of hotels and flats. From here you can also reach the sea.
It is a street recommended mainly for families and those seeking peace and quiet: straddling the old town and the seafront, it is particularly lively during the day thanks to the presence of numerous offices, but much quieter in the evening.
Staying here you can get around either on foot or by public transport. Piazza Duomo is about 25 min on foot, alternatively you can use the numerous bus lines (average 15 min).
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
4-star hotel, air-conditioned rooms, 24-hour reception, free wifi. Italian and à la carte breakfast | |
Hostel with bar, shared lounge and kitchen, tour desk, garden and free WiFi. Private rooms or dormitory beds. Ideal for young people | |
B&B 2.5 km from Spiaggetta Lognina and 1.4 km from Piazza Duomo. City views, free WiFi and Italian breakfast | |
Air-conditioned flat with 3 bedrooms, living room, fully equipped kitchen with microwave and kettle and 3 bathrooms. Free WiFi | |
Air-conditioned accommodation with flat-screen TV, living room with sofa and well-equipped kitchen with dining area. Free WiFi and seating area | |
Flat with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, TV, fully equipped kitchen and balcony with sea view. |
Borgo-Sanzio
We now leave the centre for the Borgo-Sanzio district, now a residential area with numerous public buildings and shopping areas. It has no particular attractions, but the southern part of the district is close to the Botanical Garden of the University of Catania and Villa Bellini.
It is an ideal district for those who want to save money: here you will find flats, room rentals and B&Bs. Moreover, it is a perfect base if you arrive by car. Many accommodations, in fact, also have private parking.
Staying here you will have to get around mainly by transport. If you need to get to the historical centre, it is better to leave your car parked and use the buses, although they are not always punctual (on average 30 min to reach Piazza del Duomo).
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
B&B near Villa Bellini with balcony, air conditioning, TV and a private bathroom. Free wifi and buffet breakfast | |
B&B with city views. Rooms come with a balcony, air conditioning, TV and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi and buffet breakfast | |
One-bedroom flat with a TV, fully equipped kitchen with fridge and oven, washing machine and 1 bathroom. Bed linen and towels are included. Free WiFi | |
Apartment with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, shared kitchen and living room. Free WiFi and private parking | |
Holiday home with garden, air conditioning and free WiFi. The house includes one bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom |
Ognina-Picanello and waterfront of Catania
Photo by Davide Restivo. Finally, we recommend the Ognina-Picanello district, located between Borgo-Sanzio and the coast. Here, in fact, is Catania's wonderful seafront, the best area to stay in. Here you will be right in front of the sea and not far from, for instance, the beach of San Giovanni Licuti.
This district is mainly suitable for those who want to stay close to the sea: on the seafront and in the immediate vicinity you will find numerous hotels and B&Bs. If you want to save money, on the other hand, we recommend that you look for accommodation inland, where there are also flats and room rentals.
Finally, if you stay here, you will have to get around by transport. If you arrive in Catania by car, leave it in the car park of your accommodation and reach the centre by bus (average 30 min).
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | escription |
|---|---|
B&B just one minute from the beach. Room with TV, fridge and private bathroom. WiFi, car rental service and reception always open | |
B&B with sea view. Rooms equipped with private bathroom. Italian breakfast | |
Residence with flats equipped with kitchen with oven and fridge, satellite TV, safe, ironing set, lounge area and private bathroom. Ideal for couples and families | |
4-star hotel 4 min walk from the beach. Terraces with sea views, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples | |
Nice, comfortable and clean B&B. Accommodation with shower, air conditioning, TV and fridge. |
Countries near Catania where to stay
If you are visiting Catania for the first time or only staying for 2 or 3 days, the best solution is definitely to stay in the historic centre. This way you will be close to the main attractions and you won't have to worry too much about travelling, also because urban transport is not always efficient and punctual.
But if you are staying for a few more days and are equipped with a car, it could be convenient and, above all, characteristic, to stay in some places in the immediate surroundings of Catania. In detail, the best villages in which to stay not too far from Catania are:
Aci Castello (10 km / 20 min): an ideal seaside village for a quieter stay, a few steps from the sea and without the city traffic. Direct train Catania Centrale-Cannizzaro 15 min - compare accommodations on booking
Acireale 15 km / 30 min): wonderful Baroque town ideal for a stay immersed in art and tranquillity, without the traffic of Catania. Direct train Catania Centrale-Acireale 16 min - compare accommodations on booking
Nicolosi (16 km / 30 min): main town on the southern side of Mount Etna Park. Ideal as a base if the main purpose of the trip is to discover Mount Etna and its park. For children there is also an Adventure Park at the foot of Etna - compare accommodation on booking
Belpasso (20 km / 30 min): If you are with your family, you can take advantage of a day at the Etnaland amusement park, just a few minutes from Belpasso. In addition, the facilities are inexpensive and the location convenient for excursions to Mount Etna - compare accommodations on booking
Taormina (56 km / 1 h): although further away, you will want to stay in the famous resort known for its history and Isola Bella. Ideal for a quaint stay with beautiful views and a short walk from the sea. Tours to Mount Etna also depart from here. You can also reach Catania for a visit by direct train Catania Centrale-Taormina Giardini 1 h - compare accommodation on booking
