6 Areas & Hotels W. Price (2024)

Preparing for your Sicilian adventures? Then hop on this guide on where to stay in Catania, an ancient port city that sits at the foot of Mount Etna. 

I visited Sicily a while back and came back with some tips on how to make the best out of your trip! So come along as we’ll discover the best areas in Catania and some of the top hotels (for all budgets) in each of those neighborhoods.

In short, Centro Storico is the best area to stay in Catania, as that’s where you’ll find the main attractions and some fab accommodations. But if you’d prefer something different then check out the other 5 areas I included below. 

Catania is the second-largest town in Sicily as well as one of the most visited places, so I’d recommend booking your hotels here in advance, especially if you’re coming during the high season (June to August). 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you’re in a hurry to book your accommodation, then check out the best hotels in Catania Sicily below:

Check out this map where you can see all the best places to stay in Catania, that I’ll talk about in this post:

1. Centro Storico – where to stay in Catania for first-timers

What better place to start your adventures than Catania’s Centro Storico?

This bustling area, which is a 10 min drive from Catania airport, encompasses the old part of the city and it boasts Baroque architecture, stunning churches, markets and plenty of other attractions that you’ll definitely want to visit!

Here you’ll also find 2 of the most important avenues in the town (which you’ll hear lots of people mention) called Via Etnea (map) and Via Crociferi (map). On Via Etnea you’ll find countless shops, bars and restaurants. This street becomes super alive at night when everyone goes out to dinner or to enjoy some drinks.

Via Crociferi is the perfect place to explore for those who want to admire the town’s Baroque buildings! There are lots of old buildings here, as well as many churches dating back to the 18th century, like the Church of Saint Julian (map) and the Church of Saint Benedict (map).

There are many other sites though that you should check out in Centro Storico like the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata (map), Piazza Università (map) where you can find more Baroque buildings, the Greek – Roman Theater (map) and Ursino Castle.

Centro Storico is home to the town’s train station (map), which has connections to other places in Sicily and also to the port area (map). By the way, if you’re planning to visit more towns on the island, check out our post with the best places to stay in Sicily. 

NOTE: You can easily get around the town by bus or metro! Yep, Catania has a metro system, so you don’t really need a car to get around the town, unless you’re renting one to explore the whole island. 

Other accommodation options in Centro Storico

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Since lots of people stay in Centro Storico, especially in places like Via Crociferi and Via Etnea, I wanted to offer 3 more hotel options: 

• Palace Hotel Catania – enjoy the stunning views from the rooftop terrace of this hotel that has family rooms, a restaurant and a bar. 
• Crociferi B&B – grab your coffee and drink it on the rooftop terrace of this hotel that offers breakfast and private parking. 
• The Uncle’s House – an affordable accommodation that has air-conditioned rooms with a flat-screen Tv. 

Things to do in Centro Storico 

• Snap a pic at Catania Piazza Duomo & the Cathedral of Saint Agatha
• Explore Villa Bellini & Villa Bellini Park (map)
• See the Roman Theatre
• Check out the Baroque churches on Via Crociferi
• Admire the views of Mount Etna from this spot (map)
• Visit Ursino Castle
• Catch a show at Teatro Massimo Bellini (map)
• Shop all day on Via Etnea 

2. Borgo Sanzio – best place for the local vibe

Set a 30 min walk away from Centro Storico, this area is perfect for those looking for a more local and residential atmosphere. 

This is a pretty big area so I’d recommend booking hotels that are located closer to the Centro Storico so you can just walk there. Still, you could use the metro or the buses. Borgo Sanzio is home to 2 metro stations: Milo (map) and Borgo (map). 

You won’t find as many attractions here as you will in Centro Storico, but you’ll definitely have a great time exploring the streets, getting to see the locals in their element and you’ll also stumble across some small trattorias where you can indulge in the iconic Sicilian food, like Trattoria Don Mimmo (map)

Still, there are a few spots that you can check out here like Orto Botanico di Catania (map) and Polo Tattile Multimediale Museum.

Other accommodation options in Borgo Sanzio

Things to do in Borgo Sanzio

• Eat delicious Sicilian food at Trattoria Don Mimmo
• Explore the Orto Botanico di Catania 
• Visit the Polo Tattile Multimediale Museum
• Go on a walk around the streets of Borgo Sanzio

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3. Ognina-Picanello – where to stay for relaxation

Looking for a nice, tranquil area on the coast where you can enjoy your time chilling on the beach?

Then Ognina-Picanello, which is located a 40 min bus drive away from Centro Storico, may be for you! I’d recommend this area to those who’ve been to Sicily before and want to discover something else, rather than the Center, or to those who just prefer quieter spots.

While here you can enjoy that perfect island weather at Spiaggia San Giovanni Licuti (map), go hiking along the Lungomare di Catania (map) and explore around the coastal part of Ognina-Picanello.

If you love gelato and Sicilian desserts as much as I do, definitely check out the ice cream shops here like Gelateria Caffetteria di Calogero Tiziana (map) and Gelateria Bar Ernesto (map).

Other accommodation options in Ognina-Picanello

Things to do in Ognina-Picanello

• Enjoy the sun on Spiaggia San Giovanni Licuti 
• Admire the views while hiking along Lungomare di Catania
• Eat some yummy ice cream at Gelateria Caffetteria di Calogero Tiziana
• Check out the Grotte laviche di Ulisse (map)

4. Aci Castello – where to stay in Catania for sea lovers

Aci Castello is a small town on the East coast of Sicily, just 9 km (6 miles) north of Catania. 

This is a great place to stay in Catania for those who want to enjoy the beach and sea to the fullest! I would also recommend it for those who are exploring Sicily with a car, since you can easily head to Centro Storico by car from here as it only takes 20 min (you could also use public transport but it takes around 1h 30 min to get there, which is a bit much).

By the way, if you are renting a car, check our post on how to rent a car in Italy. I’ve included lots of tips there from when I rented a car, the last time I visited the country.

This area is also known for Castello Normanno, a coastal castle built in 1076 by the Normans, which looks pretty iconic! Definitely a good spot for pics.

For those looking for some fab beaches, make sure you head to Lido Aquarius (map) and also to La Scogliera (map) from where you can admire some stunning views!

Other accommodation options in Aci Castello

Things to do in Aci Castello

5. Nicolosi – best place to stay for outdoor activities

Located a 30 min drive away from Centro Storico, this area is perfect for those adrenaline junkies who want some outdoor adventures!

I’d definitely recommend this area for those with a car, as you won’t really find any buses that connect Nicolosi to Centro Storico, so the only way to get there would be by car. 

Nicolosi is called the “gateway to Mount Etna” and that’s because it’s super close to the volcano, set approximately right at the base.

Did you know that Etna has been an active volcano for more than 2.5 million years? There are lots of legends surrounding it, including one about Hephaestus, the god of fire, and the Cyclops, a one-eyed giant who apparently created the volcano!

Here, you can spend your days exploring the Etna – Monti Rossi National Park (map) which is also home to an amusement park called Adventure Park Nicolosi where you can have fun climbing things!

The area is home to some cute B&Bs and local restaurants where you can enjoy some yummy food like Osteria Garibaldi (map). 

Other accommodation options in Nicolosi

Things to do in Nicolosi

• Have fun at Monti Rossi Adventure Park
• Join a guided combo tour of Mount Etna
• Go hiking in the Monti Rossi National Park
• Enjoy a yummy meal at Osteria Garibaldi 

6. Acireale – where to stay in Catania for food lovers

We’re ending this amazing guide with another great area for those who are visiting Catania and Sicily with a car.

Acireale is located a 30 min drive away from central Catania and 1h 20 min away by public transport. You can use the buses as well but it’s a bit of a journey so I don’t know if it’d be very convenient for those of you who want to spend most of their time in the center. 

This is sort of a town on its own so you’ll find lots of attractions here like Basilica Collegiata di San Sebastiano (map), Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata (map) and Piazza Duomo (map).

Acireale is also known for its amazing restaurants! Yep, the food scene is pretty big and you should definitely try all the traditional Sicilian food in places like Le caveau (map) and Trattoria U Puttusu (map).

Other accommodation options in Acireale

Things to do in Acireale

• Admire the architecture in Piazza Duomo 
• Visit the Basilica Collegiata di San Sebastiano 
• Enjoy a yummy dinner at Trattoria U Puttusu
• Check out the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata

FAQs about where to stay in Catania

🏅 What is the best area to stay in Catania?

🏰 Is it worth staying in Catania?

Yes! Catania is a very beautiful destination in Sicily, with some great beaches, hiking areas and plenty of historical landmarks.

⛔ Where not to stay in Catania?

Avoid the areas of Librino, Stesicoro as these are not very safe for tourists. 

🤔 Is it better to stay in Taormina or Catania?

It depends. Catania is great for history lovers while Taormina is a paradise for nature lovers who’d like to explore the trails and see some iconic cliffs.

☀️ When’s the best time of year to visit Catania?

I would say pick April to May and late September to late October if you want to avoid the huge tourist crowds, high costs and super high temperatures. If however you’re fine with that you can visit during the high season, from June to August. 

📅 How many days should you spend in Catania?

I’d recommend spending around 2 days if you’re staying in other areas in Sicily or around 5 if you’re just staying here and taking day trips. 

🚶‍♀️ Is Catania a walkable city?

The areas are pretty walkable, but you might need public transport to go between the neighborhoods if they’re too far apart.

🌃 Is it safe to walk around Catania, Italy at night?

Yes, but I’d avoid walking alone on super-empty streets. As long as you’re in touristy spots, everything should be okay!

Final thoughts on where to stay in Catania

Who’s already dreaming about all that yummy Sicilian food, gorgeous beaches and stunning attractions? I know the feeling!

I hope this guide on where to stay in Catania, Sicily, helped you decide which area and hotel to pick for your holiday!

If you’re still not sure, here are my top-rated favorite hotels, both set in Centro Storico: 

Remember that Sicily is a super popular holiday destination, so book your Catania hotel in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the high season (June to August).

Have fun exploring this gorgeous city and don’t hesitate to drop me any comments you have, in the section below!

Buon Viaggio, 

Yulia

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