Sicily’s second largest city, after Palermo, Catania is located in the east of the Italian island. Just 40 kilometers from the Etna volcano, Catania has a lot to offer. So it’s important to know where to stay in Catania.
In this article, you’ll find the main areas and types of accommodation to stay in Catania. Whether you’re visiting Etna, the region or as a stopover on a road trip, we’ll see that the city is well worth spending one or more nights in.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Catania, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Catania:
- $ This accommodation in the center of Catania, offering very attractive prices,
- $$ This 4-star hotel, located on the edge of the historic center,
- $$$ this establishment in the heart of Catania, with spacious, fully-equipped rooms.
Map of different areas of Catania to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Catania, you’ll find on the map below all the Catania accommodation recommendations we’re going to share in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Catania
Where to stay in and around Catania
Let’s take a look at the main areas where we recommend staying in Catania.
Accommodation in and around Catania's historic center
The heart of Catania revolves around the famous Via Etnea. This is the main street, home to numerous boutiques and a lively nightlife for tourists. It's also around this famous alley that you'll find some of the city's must-see sights, including :
- the elephant fountain
- piazza del duomo
- theRoman amphitheatre
- sant'Agata Cathedral
Via Fiorintina, just a few meters away, is the perfect place to have fun and discover tasty treats. In fact, this is where the district's restaurants, cafés and bars are concentrated. So if you're looking for a place to have fun and enjoy a festive atmosphere, this is the place.
Indeed, the historic core is the best place to stay in Catania during your stay. All the main sights are within easy reach, and the atmosphere is incomparable. As far as accommodation is concerned, you'll easily find a place to stay on a reasonable budget. In fact, despite its central location, the price per night is very affordable.
Via Emanuele and Via Garibaldi take you quickly to the heart of Catania. Along the way, you'll come across the Porta Garibaldi and the Roman Theater. Accommodation is sometimes cheaper, but be warned: it's a pretty noisy area! If you're looking for peace and quiet but still close to the center, consider staying in Corso Sicilia, near the main railway station. Prices here are lower and public transport services are excellent.
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This is a very good place to stay in the central area of Catania at a really attractive price.
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This bed and breakfast offers excellent value for money. It has a bar and rooms with balconies.
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Located in the heart of Catania, this 4-star establishment offers spacious, well-equipped rooms. Family suites, a spa and private parking are also available.
Staying in Borgo-Sanzio
Located in an area to the north of the historic center, the Borgo-Sanzio district is a good alternative for accommodation in Catania. Less lively, this residential district offers a quieter way to discover the city. Staying in Borgo-Sanzio means staying in a quieter area within easy reach of all Catania's attractions.
Although most of Catania's attractions are concentrated in the central district, you'll also find some interesting sights here, such as the Botanical Gardens of the University of Catania, Piazza Cavour, the Fontaine dei Malavoglia and theChurch of Sant Agata.
Borgo-Sanzio is home to a large number of restaurants and cafés. Even so, the evenings are much less lively than in the center. Accommodation in this district consists mainly of apartments, bed & breakfasts and hotels. Accommodation in this district can be an interesting way to enjoy a more tranquil atmosphere, while still being in close proximity to the historic heart of the city.
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As part of a guest house, this accommodation is an interesting choice for staying in Catania. It offers modernly decorated rooms and family suites.
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This 4-star establishment is located on the edge of Catania's historic center. It features a restaurant, bar and fitness area.
Accommodation near the beaches, north of Catania
If you're looking for seafront accommodation and still want to take advantage of the city's liveliness, opt for accommodation to the north, in Cannizzaro. This district is about 30 minutes' walk from the center and is a good alternative for enjoying the sea air while remaining close to the heart of Catania. It's a very lively area in the evening, with numerous bars and restaurants.
If you're looking for a seaside resort atmosphere, head north and stop at Aci Castello, on the east coast. After twenty minutes or so, you'll find yourself immersed in a charming fishing and farming village. It's the perfect place to stay to enjoy the sea in the Sicilian city. It also boasts a number of interesting tourist attractions, including the Castello d'Aci and the Castello Normando, which offer superb views over Catania. It's also the ideal place to swim in the region's crystal-clear waters. It's even possible to take boat trips to discover islands such as the Cyclops.
This is not where you'll find the most beautiful beaches on the coast, but they are the most popular and sought-after. Indeed, in summer, the area is transformed into a major tourist resort. If you're a fan of seafood and fresh fish, the many restaurants in the area specialize in it! What's more, once night falls, the area is very lively and will appeal to the most festive. As far as accommodation is concerned, you'll be able to find a good place to stay without breaking the bank.
Further north is the small town of Acireale. This is a very historic area, with many churches and other monuments steeped in history. Santa Maria La Scala is the fishermen's area and provides access to the sea. The accommodation on offer in this area is quite convincing, even though it's clearly a long way from the heart of Catania.
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In Aci Castello, this bed & breakfast represents an excellent choice of accommodation north of Catania. The establishment is close to the beach and features an outdoor swimming pool, as well as private parking.
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Located in Acireale, this 4-star hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar. The hotel is ideally located between Catania and Mount Etna, the latter being just 30 km away.
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On the seafront in Cannizzaro, this 4-star resort features an outdoor pool, wellness center and bar. Sea-view and family rooms are available.
Accommodation around Playa di Catania
Located in the southern part of Catania, the Playa di Catania is Catania's main public beach. A vast expanse of fine sand, it stretches for around 5 kilometers. If you want to enjoy the seaside during your stay in Catania, it's worth staying nearby.
It's important to know, however, that only a few accommodations are actually located directly on the beach. The majority of accommodations are a little further inland, just a few minutes' walk from the sea.
Just a 25-minute walk from the historic center, accommodation in this area south of Catania may be a good choice if your stay is for at least 3 days. You'll be able to intersperse your time on the water with cultural visits and gastronomic delights within the city. Last but not least, the beach is in the immediate vicinity of Catania's international airport, which could be a good place to stay if you're flying in.
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Just 500 meters from the beach, this establishment features spacious guest rooms. It also features a restaurant, outdoor pool and free private parking.
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This resort offers comfortable rooms and suites with terraces overlooking the garden. Located on the seafront, it also features a restaurant, bar and outdoor pool.
Summary
As you can see, there are many interesting alternatives when it comes to choosing where to stay in Catania. And, as you’ll have guessed, this choice depends above all on the main reason for your visit to this city.
In short, for its atmosphere and culture, the central areas are the best places to stay. Conversely, to enjoy the beaches, accommodation in the district around the Playa di Catania, as well as in the north of the city, are the best places to stay.
In all cases, we advise you to book your accommodation as early as possible. This city, like the rest of Sicily, is very popular with tourists