Where to Stay in Catania: The Best Hotels and Neighborhoods
Choosing Catania as a base to explore Sicily is a great idea. It’s a beautiful midsized city, well connected to other first-class destinations. To enjoy your trip to the max, choose well where to stay in Catania. We’ve been to Catania several times, and know the best neighborhoods and hotels.
Catania is best known around the world for its unique baroque city center. Its lavish churches and palaces were built after the devastating earthquake that destroyed most of the city in 1693. Luckily, several ancient sites survived the earthquake, including a Roman Theater and a medieval castle.
The mighty Mount Etna provides the perfect backdrop for such a gorgeous city. Europe’s most active volcano attracts millions of people to Catania. You will spend your days admiring architecture and nature. Thus, choose the hotel and neighborhood in Catania that suits you. You will love the city as much as we do!
Between Via Crociferi and Via Etnea
The best place to stay for first-timers is the historical center. We are talking about a small area between Via Crociferi and Via Etnea. Catania’s most spectacular sights and most charming streets are all here. Granted, it’s full of tourists and quite pricey, but it’s also the city’s most beautiful neighborhood.
The Piazza del Duomo is Catania’s main square. The imposing Cathedral of Catania is on the plaza. Though its current appearance is mostly from 1711, the original structure is from the 11th Century. The center point of the square is the unique Elephant Fountain. We know that the fountain is from the 18th Century. However, locals believe that the elephant is from Roman times.
People flock to University Square on Etnea Street to hang out. Two of the city’s most impressive baroque palaces are here. The City Hall and the University Building were built after the earthquake. Walk to the Basilica della Collegiata, the Church of Saint Benedict, and the Abbey of St Agatha nearby.
The Best Hotels in the Area
Palazzo Marletta Luxury House Hotel – luxury hotel
Duomo Suites & Spa – luxury hotel
Meo Design Suites & Spa – luxury apartments
Near the Opera
We believe experienced travelers should stay here. We are talking about the small neighborhood between Via Etnea and Via Monsignor Ventimiglia. In particular, around Via Antonino di S. Giuliano. You’ll be next to the center, but not too far from the train station.
The star of the neighborhood is the charming Vincenzo Bellini Square. Visit Catania’s Opera House, Teatro Massimo Bellini, on the plaza. It took almost 200 years to complete this lavishly decorated theater. It finally opened in 1890 with Bellini’s masterpiece Norma. You can check here for concerts and shows. The inside of the theater will take your breath away.
The area south of Via Antonino di S. Giuliano is baroque central. The small neighborhood opposite is totally different. Bars, restaurants, and shops line its streets. What used to be a run-down area is now the city’s coolest nightlife district: San Berillo. Visit during the day for coffee and shopping. At night, have a glass of wine and listen to live music.
The Best Hotels in the Area
Habitat – midrange hotel
B&B Palazzo Perrotta – midrange apartments
Scene Suites Apartments – midrange apartments
Near the Train Station
Stay near Catania’s Central Train Station if you plan to travel around Sicily. Though it might not be the city’s nicest area, it’s decent enough. Besides, you can walk to the city center in minutes. Some of the best cheap hotels are here.
Catania’s Train Station is one of the main stations in Sicily. Trains from many destinations across Italy stop here. You can be in Palermo in 3 hours. To Taormina and Syracuse, it is just over an hour. You can even catch a night train to Naples and Rome. Book a hotel here, leave your luggage, and spend the last day exploring Catania.
Another great reason to stay in this area is Le Ciminiere center nearby. This cool post-industrial art center got its name from the tall chimneys of the giant former industrial complex. The Museum of Film, the Museum of the Liberation of Italy, and the Zo Contemporary Cultural Center are here. You can check their website for fairs, exhibitions, concerts, and shows.
The Best Hotels in the Area
B&B Oblò – budget apartments
Hotel Centrum – midrange hotel
Art & Jazz Hotel – budget hotel
Near the Villa Bellini Park
There are several nice hotels in the area north of Piazza Stesicoro. This elegant neighborhood surrounds a fabulous tailored park, Villa Bellini. Palaces, lush green parks, and cute pedestrian streets dot the neighborhood. Food lovers should stay here. The area is packed with the best restaurants in the city.
Giardino Bellini, also known as Villa Bellini, is Catania’s nicest park. The park used to be the private garden of a local prince. Luckily for us, it’s been a public park since 1882. Several different gardens, tiny squares, shaded areas, fountains, and a monumental staircase decorate the park.
Walk to the Roman Amphitheater on Piazza Stesicoro. Though it is the largest in Sicily, you can only see a small section. Walk 10 minutes to the University Botanical Gardens. The massive park holds thousands of plants from all over the world. Head to Carlo Alberto Square to check Catania’s largest open-air market.
The Best Hotels in the Area
Palace Catania Una Esperienze – luxury hotel
Liberty Hotel – luxury hotel
Magione del Re – budget apartments
Near the San Nicolò l’Arena Church
If you are looking for an authentic experience stay here. Since the University of Catania is near, the area is full of young people. Besides, the bars and restaurants here cater to a local crowd. Thus, this is one of the most affordable areas in central Catania.
The neighborhood starts at Via Crociferi to the east and ends at the imposing San Nicolo l’Arena Church to the west. The original church dates back to the 17th Century. The one we can see today was built after the earthquake. It has a monastery next door. It’s the Human Sciences Department of Catania University. The city’s nicest courtyard is here.
To the south of the neighborhood stands Catania’s most important ancient site: the Teatro Greco-Romano. The structure we see today is mostly from Roman times (2nd Century AD). It’s a reconstruction of an older structure from the Greek era. Don’t miss the remains of the Roman Odeon and a Roman Bath a few steps away.
The Best Hotels in the Area
Il Principe Hotel Catania – luxury hotel
Dimora de Mauro – budget hotel
Palazzo del Verga – midrange apartments
Near the Ursino Castle
If you rather stay in private accommodation, this area has some of the best apartments in the city. We are talking about the area southwest of the Cathedral after the busy fish market. There are no crowds here! It’s an authentic neighborhood with lots of character.
Ursino Castle (Castello Svevo di Catania) is the area’s top attraction. The castle is huge, with tall walls and a lovely garden all around. It was the royal residence of Sicilian Kings during the 13th Century. Afterward, it was the seat of the Sicilian Parliament. Today, it is the Museo Civico di Catania.
A short walk from the castle is the Antique Puppet Shop. In 1921 the Napoli family founded a puppet theater company. They moved to this cute house in the 1970s. They have a puppet museum and a small theatre. Locals love the shows. Check their website for shows and directions. From there, walk to the monumental Porta Garibaldi from the 18th Century.
The Best Hotels in the Area
Moresco – luxury apartments
Asmundo di Gisira – luxury apartments
Ursino’s Luxury – budget apartments
On the Coast
You can also stay in one of the hotels by the beach. That said, don’t expect spectacular beaches like those in Ibiza or anything like that. The closest beach to the city center is San Giovanni Li Cuti, north of the train station. It is a black pebbled public beach with several private beach clubs.
South of the train station and the city center we find Catania’s longest beach, locally known as La Plaja. It starts at the port in the north and ends in the south by the Natural Reserve Oasi del Simeto. It’s a long stretch of sand with several private areas. Lido Azzurro and Lido America are the two most popular parts. The only 5 star hotel in Catania is next to the beach.
As you will notice, Catania doesn’t excel on beaches like Crete or other Greek islands. However, there are two lovely towns on the coast to visit. Aci Castello is some 5 miles (8 km) north of the city. The old town is brilliant, and the views of the sea are amazing. Further north, we find Acireale, another cute little coastal town.
The Best Hotels on the Coast
Plaza Hotel Catania – midrange hotel
Romano Palace Luxury hotel – luxury hotel
Grand Hotel Baia Verde – luxury hotel
How Long to Stay in Catania
We fell in love with Catania the first time we visited. Its baroque architecture, ancient monuments, and gorgeous parks are amongst the nicest in Italy. On top of that, the coast and the green hills are beautiful. Let’s not forget imposing Mount Etna, the perfect backdrop for such an incredible city.
To our surprise, Catania is not overly touristic. Some tourists visit on their way to other Sicilian attractions, like Taormina or Syracuse. Others spend a day in the city on their way to Mount Etna. That’s why the city feels very local, even during the high season. You can easily spend weeks in Catania!
However, due to time constraints, you may be wondering how many days you need in Catania to cover the basics. We believe you should spend at least three days in Catania visiting the main sights. If you have more days, go on a day trip to other beautiful destinations in Eastern Sicily. There are quite a few!
