The best hotels in Catania

What are the best hotels in Catania?

Spectacularly positioned on a beautiful Ionian bay, Catania offers a wonderful collection of villas and historic buildings which have been turned into chic hotels, converted palazzos and charming B&Bs. We favour the centre of town for a base as it’s the prettiest area and our top picks include Il Leone Blu and Elle Dimora di Sicilia. Both feature character in spades — Il Leone Blu's original frescoes are a delight, while adults-only Elle Dimora di Sicilia oozes romance with art-filled suites and rooftop views.  

Situated on Sicily's eastern coast, right underneath the classic volcano-silhouette of Mount Etna, Catania comes out of the shadows with its beautiful Baroque buildings giving the arguably more obvious choice of the northern coast's Palermo a run for its money. Sightseeing opportunities abound here, with exhilarating hikes and stunning nature on the doorstep. Whether you prefer a historic gem, chic contemporary design or a good value B&B, scroll down the page for our full selection of recommended hotels in Catania. Or, for a look at different areas, read our guide to The best hotels in Sicily.

The Best Places to Stay in Catania

For City Chic

• 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.
• A slice of 18th-century Sicilian grandeur in the heart of Catania, Palazzo Marletta is a very regal retreat with Baroque splendour and luxe comforts. Discover a gorgeous blend of historical elegance with chic, contemporary design — think ornate ceiling plaster and vibrant fabrics. Bespoke walking tours bring the local area to life.
• A chic art-filled boutique hotel on the edge of the famous Pescheria street market, Asmundo di Gisira offers a unique stay where interiors fuse mythological charm with contemporary design. The Bellini suite, dedicated to the composer Vincenzo Bellini (who came from Catania), even features a grand piano for you to play in the sitting room!

For the Romance

• Step inside Elle Dimora di Sicilia and you immediately feel a sense of calm. Soft tones, sculptural art and a charming rooftop make this adults-only guesthouse a lovely couples' choice. Three beautifully designed rooms, each with its own private entrance, ensure the perfect intimate stay.

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 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 Agrigento
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.