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Catania is one of the most underrated places in Sicily, in my opinion. Most people will tell you that it’s barely worth a visit, but I completely disagree! I absolutely love Sicily’s second largest city and I’m so excited to help you decide where to stay in Catania.
If you’re not already familiar with what makes Catania so great or why I disagree with those who say to only make the city a short day trip, I recommend starting with my guide The Most Exciting Things to Do in Catania. Once you’re properly convinced that Catania is worth a longer visit, then come right back here and we can discuss all of the best Catania hotels!
Delve into Sicily
Don’t forget to check out the rest of my Sicily posts and guides if you’re still planning your perfect trip!
Short on time? TL;DR:
If you’re booking your Catania hotels last minute or just want a quick summary of where to stay in Catania – look no further!
Here are the top Catania hotels for any budget or requirement:
- Luxury: Bastiò Private Suites
- Boutique: Asmundo di Gisira
- Mid-Range: Dome
- Budget: Lex Suites
- Hostel: The Yard Hostel
- Holiday rental: Belle-Etages Apartment
- Great for a group: Maison d’Artiste
Accommodation for Any Budget
When deciding where to stay in Catania, you’ll have plenty of options at every possible budget from the most luxurious of hotels to simple but functional hostel rooms to amazing vacation rentals (for those who prefer a more independent or local experience). I’ve tried to hand-pick properties and hotels within a nice variety of price points, so no matter what your budget this list will have something for you.
The ranges of each budget category in this article are as follows (all prices in USD):
- €€€: $200+/night
- €€: $100 to $200/night
- €: Under $100/night
Keep in mind that prices fluctuate significantly between high and low seasons, but these ranges should be roughly accurate most of the time.
Planning Cheat Sheet: Every Link You Need in One Place
P.S. When you book using my links, you help support Rachel IRL at no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Most asked questions about staying in Catania
Is it worth staying in Catania?
It is absolutely worth staying in Catania! There is plenty to do, see, eat, and experience in Catania and it is definitely worth spending a bit of time there.
I think the reason many people overlook staying in Catania is that there is not a very strong tourism infrastructure in the city. Whereas Rome or Florence often feel “built for tourists” in many parts of the city center, Catania has a much more local, authentic feel to it. These days, not many places on the beaten tourist track still have that vibe, so I highly recommend taking advantage of it while you can!
Which part of Catania is best to stay in?
Most tourists opt to stay in the historic center of Catania, and for good reason – its architecture and the pace of city life there are absolutely stunning! All of the things to do in Catania for tourists are located within a walkable distance from the center as well, making it the most convenient place to stay in Catania.
Those looking for a more relaxed stay vey close to Catania can opt to stay in Aci Castello, Aci Trezza or Acireale. These seaside villages just north of the city center are the perfect mix of proximity to city life and relaxing beach vacation!
What is the prettiest part of Catania?
Catania is not “pretty” in the traditional sense – but that doesn’t mean it’s not pretty in its own way! In my opinion, Via Crociferi is the prettiest part of Catania. Crossing under the Arco di San Benedetto into Via Crociferi, you will see several of Catania’s most stunning 18th century churches all lined up down this quiet but beautiful street.
It’s important (and interesting!) to know that Catania was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. It was later reconstructed using volcanic rock from Mt. Etna – Europe’s largest volcano which overlooks the city. For that reason, Catania’s buildings are a gorgeous array of earthy colors that, to make, make it a uniquely beautiful city. That’s just one of the reasons I highly recommend staying in Catania!
How many days should I stay in Catania?
Of course it completely depends on how long you have to travel around Sicily, but 2-3 days based in Catania would be perfect.
You definitely need at least one day to see all of the major sights in Catania, and if you plan to explore Mt. Etna, Bronte, or Aci Trezza then basing yourself in Catania makes a lot of sense. Then, I would recommend having a little bit of downtime in the city to spend the day like a local – window shopping, checking out the street markets, visiting the Sicilian Museum of Contemporary Art, stopping for coffee and granita whenever you feel like it, etc.
The 10 Best Catania Hotels (& Vrbos!)
Best Catania Hotels: Luxury & Boutique
€€€ | 4 Star | Artsy & Curated | Unique
This hotel located right in the center of Catania is also a literal art gallery. We stayed here for two nights on our first trip to Sicily and – wow! Just wow. The hotel has two floors of rooms each with its own unique theme. In addition to the exceptional care taken with design, this hotel includes daily breakfast on the most luxurious terrace overlooking a lively square, a roof terrace where you can sip delicious cocktails before dinner, and potentially the most amazing hotel bathroom I have ever experienced. Stay here if you can – you won’t regret it.
Photo: Booking.com
€€€ | 4 Star | Prime Location | Traditional
You can’t beat this hotel’s location on the Piazza del Duomo (Catania’s central square) – especially if you can snag a room with a balcony! Almost every review raves about the friendly staff as well, so you know you’ll be well taken care of at this gem of gems of Catania hotels.
Photo: Booking.com
€€€ | 4 Star | Swanky | Sleek & Modern
Another gorgeous hotel located perfectly just steps away from Piazza del Duomo and the famous fish market. If you’re looking for a bit of urban seclusion – mixing high design with grounded architecture then this is your place. With an on-site hammam, hot tub, and bicycle rentals available, Bastiò will certainly make your stay in Catania memorable.
Photo: Booking.com
Best Catania Hotels: Mid-Range
€€ | 4 Star | Modern | Comfortable
We had actually booked this hotel for our visit to Catania before deciding to splurge on Asmundo di Gisira (above). However, I’m still sort of bummed we didn’t get to experience this round bed, the daily in-room breakfast, its location right off Via Etnea, or the amazing owner’s on-site restaurant. Guess I’ll just have to return and stay at Quattro Canti soon.
Photo: Booking.com
€€ | 4 Star | Peaceful | Minimalist
Dome, located fittingly just meters away from the Sant’Agata Cathedral and Piazza del Duomo, is a brand new boutique hotel opened in 2022 with Scandi-chic design vibes and the ability to book excursions to Savoca, Taormina, Etna and more directly with reception. That’s a lot of perks for a shockingly small cost relative to how nice this place really is.
Photo: Booking.com
€€ | 4 Star | Prime Location | Great for Families
If you’re lucky enough to book an apartment with a balcony at this hotel, you’ll be directly across the Piazza del Duomo from the Sant’Agata Cathedral – talk about a romantic way to wake up every morning! Plus, this hotel has suites that sleep up to 4 people comfortably – making it a great option for budget-conscious travellers and families.
Photo: Booking.com
Best Catania Hotels: Budget
€ | 3 Star | Beautifully Decorated | Friendly Staff
At this budget hotel in Catania you can fall asleep under a gorgeously ornate Baroque ceiling and then wake up to have coffee on your own private balcony for less than $100 per night. Such a great balance of experience and price doesn’t pop up in every city, so if I were trying to maximize my experience and minimize what I was paying I would stay here in a heartbeat. Rooms are also air conditioned and the hotel is located very centrally (though on the opposite end of the city center from Piazza del Duomo).
Photo: Booking.com
€ | Design-Forward | Great Social Spaces
The Yard is an excellent hostel with rooms ranging from 10-person dorms to private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. While the rooms themselves are pretty nice, what really makes this pace amazing is the outdoor patio area out back and the amazingly cheap prices as low as $20/night.
Photo: Booking.com
Best Places to Stay in Catania: Vrbo
€ | Charmingly Gaudy | Central Location
Ok, honestly this apartment would be my first pick (maybe even above the hotel options in the same price range) for cheap places to stay in Catania. Located right off the Piazza del Duomo, this 1-bedroom apartment that can easily be made up for 4 people is less than $100/night and will make you feel like a true local. Plus, it’s decorated with a careful Sicilian grandma-chic eye, so what’s not to love?!
Photo: Booking.com
€€ | Unique | Spacious & Comfortable
Ok I am 100% considering booking this apartment for like two months next winter and pretending like I live in Catania full time! This place has a gorgeous loft/reading area, built-in bookshelves, and dreamily high ceilings. It’s also centrally located and sleeps up to 9 people! Now, I think this might be a little cramped, but it would definitely suit a big family or two smaller ones. I say you should run, not walk, to book this place.
Photo: Booking.com
Planning Cheat Sheet: Every Link You Need in One Place
P.S. When you book using my links, you help support Rachel IRL at no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Where in Catania will you stay?
Let’s face it – in a city full of so much history and beauty, the answer to where to stay in Catania is an easy one. There are so many great options for where to stay in Catania, in fact, that I wasn’t even able to include all of them here.
I hope this list has helped you locate one or two options for the Catania hotels of your dreams.
And while you’re at the planning, why not check out my other city guides for eastern Sicily?! Ciao ciao x
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