Where to Stay in Catania: My Selection of the Best Accommodations

Wondering where to stay in Catania? Looking for the best areas and districts?

You’re at the right place!

As I know Catania very well, I have created this guide of:

• Catania’s best areas for your stay (with details about the best places to visit and nearby attractions)
• For each area and district, the best hotels depending on your budget

Let’s find your dream hotel now!

My favorite hotels in Catania

Here’s a quick summary of my favorite hotels in Catania, in case you don’t have time to read my detailed article.

Simply click on the hotel names in orange to access details and rates:

• Where to stay in Catania for the first time: Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze, right on the famous Via Etnea or Habitat Boutique Hotel (a bit cheaper)
• Where to stay in Catania close to the sea: Grand Hotel Baia Verde, with a stunning swimming pool
• Best 5-star hotel in Catania: Palazzo Sangiorgio in the city center or Romano Palace Luxury Hotel, near the beach
• Where to stay in Catania on a budget: Ostello degli Elefanti
• Where to stay in Catania with family: Airone City Hotel
• My favorite hotel in Catania for a romantic stay: B&B Palazzo Cerami or Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze

In Catania Historic Center (Centro Storico)

The historic center of Catania, or Centro Storico, is the heart of the city, at the foot of Mount Etna.

Much of the district is a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing stunning Baroque architecture built from the local volcanic stone.

It’s the best area to discover the city’s must see attractions easily.

You should stay in this district:

• For a first time stay, especially if you want to explore Catania’s best places to visit on foot.
• To enjoy the city’s nightlife, with countless bars, restaurants, and trattorias.
• For a trip full of culture and history.

This is the perfect area to see:

• Piazza del Duomo, the city’s main square with the iconic Elephant Fountain and the Cathedral of Sant’Agata.
• La Pescheria, the historic fish market
• Via Etnea, the main shopping street, offering incredible views of Mount Etna.
• Teatro Romano, the ruins of an ancient Roman theater
• Castello Ursino, a massive 13th-century fortress that now houses the civic museum.
• Via dei Crociferi, a street famous for its Baroque churches.
• Monastero dei Benedettini di San Nicolò l’Arena, one of Europe’s largest monasteries and a stunning example of late Sicilian Baroque.

Where to Stay in Catania Historic Center?

• B&B HOTEL Catania City Center: Located in a central position. Modern and comfortable double rooms starting at 105€, breakfast for 7.90€. Strong points: great location for exploring, friendly staff, clean and modern facilities.
• Habitat Boutique Hotel: A stylish hotel in a prime location. Spacious, well-designed double rooms from 140€, breakfast included. Strong points: beautiful interior courtyard, exceptional staff, quiet despite the central location. A great choice for its excellent value for money.
• B&B Palazzo Cerami: Set in a restored noble palace on the famous Via Crociferi. It offers luxurious suites with elegant decor, starting from 180€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the building’s historic charm, exceptional central location, beautifully designed rooms, and excellent service. A perfect choice for a luxurious stay in the heart of Catania.
• Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze: A prestigious hotel on Via Etnea. Modern and refined double rooms from 200€, breakfast at 25€. Strong points: incredible rooftop terrace with views of Mount Etna, central location, professional staff. My favorite hotel for a romantic stay in Catania’s historic center.
• Palazzo Sangiorgio: Located just a stone’s throw from Piazza del Duomo. This hotel offers chic, modern rooms inside a beautifully renovated historic palace, starting from 270€, breakfast included. Strong points: perfect location for sightseeing, the charm of the old building combined with modern comfort, attentive staff. The Best luxury hotel in Catania city center!

In Ognina, the Seaside District

Ognina district, stretching along the coast north of the center, is Catania’s charming seaside area.

This area offers a more relaxed, local atmosphere centered around its fishing harbor and beautiful lungomare (seafront promenade).

Staying in Ognina allows you to enjoy the sea breeze and excellent seafood restaurants while still being well-connected to the city center.

You should really stay in Ognina if you want:

• To be close to the sea and enjoy beautiful coastal walks.
• To experience a more authentic, residential part of Catania, away from the main tourist crowds.
• To eat at some of the city’s best seafood restaurants.

This district is perfect for discovering:

• Porto di Ognina, a picturesque fishing harbor where you can see local life unfold.
• Lungomare di Ognina, the seafront promenade perfect for an evening stroll.
• San Giovanni li Cuti, a small beach with black volacnic sand and rocks, with a few seafront houses
• Boat tours, as many depart from the port to explore the Cyclopean Isles just up the coast.
• The rocky coastline, with many spots where locals go for a swim

Here are my favorite hotels in Ognina district

• Hotel Nettuno: A resort with a private beach area. Spacious and clean double rooms start at 130€, breakfast included. Strong points: the private beach platform, sea-view pool, great service.
• Plaza Hotel Catania: Right on the seafront. Comfortable, modern double rooms with sea views from 150€, breakfast included. Strong points: fantastic location across from the sea, rooftop terrace, helpful staff
• Grand Hotel Baia Verde: Set on a cliff overlooking the sea, just north of Ognina. Elegant double rooms from 160€, breakfast included. Strong points: stunning sea views, a beautiful saltwater pool, and a private rocky beach. The best hotel for a relaxing seaside stay in Catania!
• Four Points by Sheraton Catania Hotel: A large hotel on the coast just north of Ognina. It offers modern double rooms from 180€, breakfast included. Strong points: large swimming pool with a sun deck, a private beach club, spa facilities, and great sea views.

Spiaggia della Plaia, Catania’s Main Beach

La Plaia is the main beach area of Catania, known for its long stretch of golden sand.

Located just south of the city center, it’s the ideal spot to mix a beach holiday with cultural excursions into town.

You can stay in La Plaia:

• If your main priority is a beach holiday, with easy access to the historic center.
• For a family trip
• For a laid-back vacation, away from the city’s hustle but still close to the airport and main attractions.
• If you enjoy beach clubs and seaside nightlife, as the area is very lively in summer.

Best things to see and do around La Plaia:

• La Plaia Beach, an 18-km coastline perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.
• Lidos, private beach clubs offering sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants, and often swimming pools.
• Bosco della Plaia, a pine forest behind the beach
• Oasi del Simeto, a nature reserve at the southern end of the beach, great for birdwatching.
• Catania city center, easily reachable by a short bus ride.

The Best Hotels to Stay Near Catania’s Beach

• Le Dune Sicily Hotel: Located right on La Plaia beach and close to the airport. Bright, clean double rooms from 145€, including breakfast. Strong points: private beach access, lovely pool, friendly atmosphere.
• NH Catania Parco degli Aragonesi: A modern hotel with a private beach. Spacious, well-equipped double rooms start from 190€. Strong points: large swimming pool, beautiful gardens, convenient airport proximity.
• Romano Palace Luxury Hotel: A 5-star hotel set in a large park right by the beach. Luxurious, elegant double rooms from 280€. Strong points: beautiful swimming pool, excellent restaurant, top-level service, and private beach access. The best hotel for a high-end stay at La Plaia beach!

Where to Stay in Catania on a Budget

If you’re traveling on a budget, here are a few great hotels for a stay in Catania without spending too much:

• Ostello degli Elefanti: A hostel located in a historic palace just steps from Piazza Duomo. Beds in dorms from 30€, private double rooms from 80€. Strong points: unbeatable location, rooftop bar with great views, social atmosphere. This is the best choice for a cheap stay in Catania.
• Eco Hostel: Located a 15-minute walk from the center. Clean and modern double rooms from 75€. Strong points: friendly staff, shared kitchen available, great value.
• Hotel Gresi: Situated in the heart of the historic center. Simple, clean double rooms from 90€, breakfast included. Strong points: fantastic location for sightseeing, helpful staff, traditional building. A great budget option in central Catania.

Where to Stay in Catania with Family

• Airone City Hotel: Located in a quieter residential area but still close to the center. Modern family rooms and suites available from 155€. Strong points: seasonal outdoor pool, private parking, very spacious rooms.
• Pietranera Apartments: In the city center, offering spacious, high-end apartments. Family apartments with full kitchens and separate bedrooms start from 160€. Strong points: the privacy and convenience of an apartment, stylish design, and a prime location
• Tàga Suites: Located in the heart of the city. Offers modern and stylish family suites and apartments, some with kitchenettes, starting from 190€. Strong points: spacious rooms, self-catering facilities, excellent location for exploring. My favorite option for its excellent value for money!
• Terrazza Sangiuliano: Situated right in the historic center. Offers quadruple rooms perfect for families from 230€. Strong points: beautiful shared terrace, unbeatable central location, clean and comfortable rooms. Perfect fort a high-end family stay in Catania!

What is the best hotel in Catania?

If you are looking for the best hotel in Catania, I recommend you the Palazzo Sangiorgio.

And if you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still luxurious in the city center, you should book a night or more at Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze.

The B&B Palazzo Cerami is also an excellent choice!

Where to stay in Catania: The best hotels

To give you a better overview of the best hotels in Catania, whether in the city center or elsewhere, I’ve prepared a table summarizing all the ones I talk about in this article.

You can sort them by price or by district!

Hotel	District	Price (from)
B&B HOTEL Catania City Center	Historical Center	105€
Habitat Boutique Hotel	Historical Center	140€
B&B Palazzo Cerami	Historical Center	180€
Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze	Historical Center	200€
Palazzo Sangiorgio	Historical Center	270€
Hotel Nettuno	Ognina	130€
Plaza Hotel Catania	Ognina	150€
Grand Hotel Baia Verde	Ognina	160€
Four Points by Sheraton Catania Hotel	Ognina	180€
Le Dune Sicily Hotel	La Plaia (Beach)	145€
NH Catania Parco degli Aragonesi	La Plaia (Beach)	190€
Romano Palace Luxury Hotel	La Plaia (Beach)	280€
Ostello degli Elefanti	Cheap Hotels	30€
Eco Hostel	Cheap Hotels	75€
Hotel Gresi	Cheap Hotels	90€
Airone City Hotel	Hotels for families	155€
Pietranera Apartments	Hotels for families	160€
Tàga Suites	Hotels for families	190€
Terrazza Sangiuliano	Hotels for families	230€

Sicily travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Sicily guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Sicily guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling in Sicily? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Sicily: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Sicily are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to Do in Sicily – The ultimate bucket list!

• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (East + West)
• Itinerary: 1 week in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (East coast)
• Itinerary: 10 days in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (West coast)
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (Full Sicily tour)

• Agrigento: The 10 best things to do in and around the city
• Palermo: The 15 things to do in the capital
• Syracuse: The 15 best things to discover
• Taormina: Top 10 things to do and must-see!
• Trapani: The 10 best things to do

• Agrigento Valley of the Temples: visit the archaeological site with my detailed guide!
• Zingaro nature Reserve: All my best tips to enjoy this wonderful hike