Catania is spectacularly positioned on a beautiful Ionian bay, right underneath the classic volcano-silhouette of Mount Etna. Second only in size to Palermo, Catania is an historic city, but a working city too, and while it doesn’t have the glamorous atmosphere of Palermo, it is lively with its style. Its broad, Baroque piazzas lined with striking palazzos are some of the best places to stay in Catania: traditional, but also comfortable and functional. We favour the centre of town for a base, it’s the prettiest area and our picks for the best places to stay in Catania are a collection of converted palazzos, villas and historic buildings, turned into surprisingly large hotels, contemporary design offerings, and charming B&Bs.

In addition to being built under a volcano, much of Catania has been built using volcanic materials, from the Roman amphitheatre to the duomo and its piazza, all of the black stone is solidified lava. A heart-wrenching fresco in Catania Duomo records the eruption of 1693, which covered the city and surrounds with flames, and, just 24 years later, much of the original heart of Catania was destroyed by a volcanic earthquake, which led to most of the Baroque construction you see today. Close to the duomo is the La Pescheria Market, brimming with seafood, and more of Catania’s history, and the Museo Belliniano (dedicated to composer Vincenzo Bellini), and to the north are the Roman ruins. There’s much to see here! Sicily is awash with incredible towns, but Catania really holds its own when it comes to sightseeing opportunities.

Catania is a less obvious choice than Palermo, but in many ways it’s more memorable, especially if the weather allows you to walk up Mount Etna! However don't forget that this city will be incredibly busy during the peak summer months. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Catania in July or August, get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Catania

For a City Break

• The Duomo Suites & Spa is a surprisingly contemporary hotel, within a charming old building in the heart of historic Catania. Its 12 rooms and suites are varied, but share white walls, plenty of light, and chic design elements on a cinematic theme, with works by local artists. Some of the rooms boast original features, like the colourfully, patterned ceramic tiles, beamed ceilings, or wrought iron balconies. Our favourite rooms have fantastic city views; the roof terrace also has a view of the dome of the duomo. The spa features a hammam and sensory shower, and while there’s no restaurant, there are plenty in the local area, and the hotel does offer breakfast.

For Families

• Il Principe is a larger hotel in a central spot in Catania, converted from a beautifully aristocratic residence. The 80 rooms and suites are all very spacious and light, from the simplest to the grandest. All are done in shades of chocolate, with plenty of white and wood floors, and the fancier rooms have elegant parquet floors and whirlpool baths. The breakfasts are generous, service is excellent, and the family suites are extra spacious.

For Great Value

• Il Leone Blu is a four room B&B in the centre of town, close to the Urbino Castle and the Roman Theatre, with fantastic original features, excellent views and very competitive room rates. Several of the rooms can be doubles or triples, and one can even be a comfortable family suite. Our favourites have original plaster moulded ceilings featuring flowers and musical instruments, and the King Suite has a wonderful private balcony with a view. There’s a shared lounge and a breakfast room, and there are restaurants just moments from the doorstep. 

For a Private apartment or private villa

• If you're travelling as a family or a group of friends it may be a better option to book a villa or apartment. For a wide range of properties for all tastes and budgets we recommend you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Catania has its own airport, Catania Airport, which is an international airport, with routes flown by flag-carrier and low-cost airlines. It’s only just outside town, so any taxi journey is going to be minutes. Palermo Airport is Sicily’s other major international airport, and might have better connections from your home airport. It’s about two and a half hours drive from Catania, or about four hours by public transport.
• If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• Sicily, unlike some Italian destinations, remains open all year round. That doesn’t mean it’s equally nice all year round, it’s definitely chillier in winter and if you do come between November and February expect the daylight hours to impact opening hours too. Spring, or March through June, really, is one of our favourite times to visit Sicily, because the weather is sunny and mild, and the festival and events calendar is packed with activity leading up to Easter. July and August are properly hot in Catania, and the beaches — even 18km long Spiaggia della Plaia — get busy. In August Catania hosts a tango festival. Visitors tail off in September, though the sea is still warm, but this is when the humidity rises; the Scirocco winds bring a good amount of rainfall in September. October is a good pick if you’re planning to visit Sicily’s museums and palaces, and admire the architecture, and our we recommend September and October, and April and May, as the best times to visit for a walking holiday.

Still not sure?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay on Sicily
• Or consider refining your search by the type of holiday you’re planning and focus on the best beach hotels on Sicily, Sicily’s great rural hotels or Sicily's best wine hotels
• You could also drill down by location, and focus on the best hotels near Mount Etna or the best hotels near Agrigento
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.