Where to stay in Catania: best areas and neighborhoods

Catania is divided into 6 municipalities, but from a tourist perspective, the most relevant are Centro, Ognina-Picanello, and Borgo-Sanzio. Here are the main attractions and most of the accommodation and tourist services. Here are all our tips on where to stay in Catania!

In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay

Not recommended areas: mainly the neighborhoods of San Cristoforo, San Giovanni Galermo, and especially Librino, the latter is particularly known for criminal activities.

If you are visiting Catania for the first time or have only a few days, the best solution is to stay in the Centro, close to the main attractions of the city. Here, depending on your needs, you can choose from different areas: via Etnea is ideal for young people and those looking for nightlife, via Crociferi and Corso Italia are slightly quieter, preferred by families.

If you want to save money, opt for Borgo-Sanzio and Ognina-Picanello. Further from the center, they offer more deals and competitive prices, and are ideal for those traveling by car. Ognina-Picanello also includes the waterfront area and San Giovanni Li Cuti, perfect if you want to enjoy the beach.

Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, b&bs, and hostels in Catania. Check out our recommendations and book on Booking

If you are in Catania for work or as a stopover for other destinations, consider staying near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com

Via Etnea (Centro), for young and nightlife

Centro is definitely the best neighborhood to stay in Catania, especially if you are visiting the city for the first time. Within it, we can identify different areas suitable for different needs and the first area is via Etnea, the heart of the historic center. Stretching for 3 km, it runs from Piazza Duomo to the former Tondo Gioeni. It is full of baroque buildings and hosts several attractions such as the Duomo di Catania, the Basilica della Collegiata, or the Roman Amphitheater.

The street and its immediate surroundings are especially recommended for young people and those looking for nightlife: if via Etnea is cheerful and lively during the day thanks to the presence of numerous shops, in the evening it becomes one of the nightlife hotspots thanks to the many clubs present.

Finally, staying here, you can move around easily on foot, especially if you stay in the Duomo area. Alternatively, you can get around by the numerous bus lines.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €70.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Via Crociferi (Centro), best for forst-timers

Remaining in the center, not far from via Etna, we find via Crociferi, considered by Catanese the baroque salon of Catania! Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, here are 4 of the city's most beautiful churches: the Church of San Benedetto, the Church of San Francesco Borgia, the Collegio dei Gesuiti, and the Church of San Giuliano.

It is a slightly quieter area in the evening compared to via Etnea. For this reason, it is recommended for families and those who want to relax. Here you can find many charming B&Bs, it will almost seem like going back in time.

Finally, even in this case, you can move around easily on foot. Piazza Duomo is in the immediate vicinity, as is via Etnea or Castello Ursino.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €70.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Corso Italia (Centro), best for families

The area of Corso Italia is more modern compared to the previous ones, full of hotels and apartments. From here you can also reach the sea.

It is a street recommended mainly for families and those seeking tranquility: straddling the historic center and the waterfront, it is particularly lively during the day also thanks to the presence of numerous offices, but much quieter in the evening.

Staying here you can move either on foot or by public transport. Piazza Duomo is about 25 minutes on foot, alternatively, you can use the numerous bus lines (on average 15 min).

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €70.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Borgo-Sanzio, to stay on a budget

Borgo-Sanzio, a residential area today with numerous public buildings and commercial areas. It does not have any particular attractions, but the southern part of the district is near the Orto Botanico dell'Università degli Studi di Catania and Villa Bellini.

It is an ideal district for those who want to save money: here you will find apartments, guest houses, and B&Bs. Moreover, it is a perfect base if you arrive by car. Many accommodations have private parking.

Staying here you will need to move mainly by public transport. If you need to reach the historic center, it is better to leave the car parked and use the buses, even though they are not always punctual (on average 30 min to reach Piazza del Duomo).

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €40.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Ognina-Picanello and Catania waterfront, to stay close to the sea

Ognina-Picanello, situated between Borgo-Sanzio and the coast. Here you will find the wonderful waterfront of Catania, the best area to stay in this district. Here you will be right in front of the sea and not far from, for example, the San Giovanni Licuti beach.

This district is mainly recommended for those who want to stay close to the sea: on the waterfront and nearby you can find numerous hotels and B&Bs. If you want to save money, instead, we recommend looking for accommodation inland, where there are also apartments and guest houses.

Finally, staying here you will need to move by public transport. If you arrive in Catania by car, leave it in your accommodation's parking lot and reach the center by bus (on average 30 minutes).

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €60.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Places to stay near Catania

If you are visiting Catania for the first time or staying only for 2 or 3 days, the best solution is certainly to stay in the historic center. This way you will be close to the main attractions and will not have to worry too much about getting around, especially since urban transport is not always efficient and punctual.

But if you stay for a few more days and have a car, it might be convenient and, above all, characteristic to stay in some towns in the immediate vicinity of Catania. Specifically, the best towns to stay not far from Catania are:

• Aci Castello (10 km / 20 min): seaside village ideal for a quieter stay, a few steps from the sea and without the city traffic. Direct train Catania Centrale-Cannizzaro 15 min - compare the accommodation on booking
• Acireale (15 km / 30 min): wonderful baroque city ideal for a stay immersed in art and tranquility, without Catania's traffic. Direct train Catania Centrale-Acireale 16 min - compare the accommodation on booking
• Nicolosi (16 km / 30 min): the main town on the southern side of the Etna Park. Ideal as a base if the main purpose of the trip is to explore Etna and its park. For children, there is also an Adventure Park at the foot of Etna - compare the accommodation on booking
• Belpasso (20 km / 30 min): if you are with family, you can take advantage of a day at the Etnaland amusement park, just a few minutes from Belpasso. Also, the facilities are cheap and the location strategic for excursions on Etna - compare the accommodation on booking
• Taormina (56 km / 1 h): although further away, consider staying in the famous town known for its history and Isola Bella. Ideal for a characteristic stay with splendid views and a few steps from the sea. You can also reach Catania for a visit by direct train Catania Centrale-Taormina Giardini 1 h - compare the accommodation on booking

Catania accommodation price map

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