Skip to content
APARTHOTEL.com

Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Catania

10 stays · 5 aparthotels and 5 serviced apartments

Aparthotels and serviced apartments in Catania suit travellers who want a kitchen and extra room while they use the city as a base on Sicily's east coast. Catania sits on the Ionian Sea at the foot of Mount Etna, and its markets make self-catering easy: there is a large fish, fruit and vegetable market just off Piazza Duomo, so a kitchen gets real use. Families, groups sharing a stay and people working in the city for a few weeks tend to find more space and a washing machine more useful than a standard hotel room.

10 stays

Where to stay in Catania

Centro storico and Piazza Duomo

  • first-time visitors
  • walkers
  • food

The historic centre is built around Piazza del Duomo, where the Elephant Fountain stands, and the baroque streets around it form part of the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto UNESCO listing. The fish market is just off the square, and the main shopping avenue starts here. Staying in this area means most sights are a short walk away, and the Alibus airport shuttle passes through the historic centre.

Stays in or near Centro storico and Piazza Duomo

Via Etnea and Piazza Stesicoro

  • shopping
  • metro access
  • city breaks

Via Etnea is the main shopping avenue, running north from Piazza del Duomo past churches and baroque buildings. Piazza Stesicoro is where the metro line starts, so this is a practical base if you want rail links as well as shops and cafes on the doorstep.

Stays in or near Via Etnea and Piazza Stesicoro

Catania Centrale station area

  • train travel
  • short stays
  • business travel

Catania Centrale is the main railway station, and the Alibus airport shuttle runs between it and the airport. Regional trains connect it with the airport station. It suits onward travel by train or an early departure, though the historic centre is a further walk or bus ride away.

Stays in or near Catania Centrale station area

Ognina

  • sea views
  • quieter stays
  • longer stays

Ognina lies on the coast north-east of the historic centre, in the Picanello-Ognina-Barriera-Canalicchio part of the city. It is a good option if you prefer a residential, seaside feel to the busier centre and are happy to use a bus or taxi to reach the main sights. Self-catering travellers will find it convenient for a settled routine over a week or more.

Stays in or near Ognina

San Giovanni Li Cuti

  • seafront
  • couples
  • relaxed stays

San Giovanni li Cuti is a small seaside village in the eastern part of the city, known for a black volcanic sand beach reached over lava rocks, and it belongs to the same city district as Ognina. It offers a more local, coastal base while remaining within the city of Catania. Check the walking route into the centre against your plans before booking.

Stays in or near San Giovanni Li Cuti

Getting around Catania

Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is about 5 km south of the centre, according to Wikivoyage. The AMTS Alibus runs between the airport and Catania Centrale with 15 stops, passing the port and the historic centre; the Sicilian tourist board describes a journey of around 20 minutes with buses roughly every 25 minutes. The airport also has its own railway station, Catania Aeroporto Fontanarossa, served by regional trains to Catania Centrale and other Sicilian cities, with a free AMT shuttle bus between the terminal and the station. The tourist board gives 11 to 22 minutes for the train journey to Catania Centrale, depending on the service.

Within the city, Catania has a metro, local AMT buses and the Circumetnea railway that circles Mount Etna. The metro line starts at Stesicoro in the centre and runs east to the Giovanni XXIII hub before turning west. Wikivoyage notes that the compact centre is most convenient to explore on foot, so one well-placed base often removes the need for transport on most days. Guided excursions on Mount Etna with transfers from Catania are offered by local operators.

Living in Catania for longer

For stays of a few weeks, the market culture is a practical advantage. La Piscaria, the fish, fruit and vegetable market just off Piazza Duomo, is the obvious place for fresh produce, and Wikivoyage lists Fera 'o Luni, a food and clothes market at Piazza Carlo Alberto, which it says runs Monday to Saturday mornings. A serviced apartment with a full kitchen makes the most of both.

Choose between central and coastal districts according to your routine. The centre and Via Etnea put shops, cafes and the metro within reach on foot. Districts such as Ognina and San Giovanni li Cuti give a calmer residential setting but rely more on buses. If you are relocating for work, our guide to serviced apartments for relocation has a checklist for choosing between stay options.

When to visit Catania

Catania has a Mediterranean climate. Wikipedia describes hot summers, among the hottest in Italy, with temperatures that can exceed 40 degrees Celsius, and mild winters, with most rainfall between October and March and summers that are virtually dry. For sightseeing on foot, the cooler months outside high summer are the more comfortable choice, and the beach season suits the warmer months.

The city's biggest annual event is the Festival of Saint Agatha in early February, according to Wikipedia. Wikivoyage warns that it draws very large crowds, so book accommodation well ahead and expect busy streets if your dates fall in that month.

The centre is compact and most convenient on foot, which means your choice of area matters more than the size of the apartment. Below we cover the main places to base yourself, how to reach the city from Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, and what to expect through the year. If you are weighing the formats, our guide to aparthotels versus hotels explains the differences, and you can browse the wider region on the Italy page.

Long-stay tips for Catania

Of the 10 properties here, 5 offer an in-apartment washing machine, 1 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 5 include some form of housekeeping and 1 have a 24-hour front desk. Each property page has a facts box, so you can compare apartments before you book.

9 properties list a full kitchen and 1 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.

Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 50 m².

Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.

Other cities in Italy

Travelling further? See aparthotels in Rimini, Milan, Rome, Florence, Trieste, Riva del Garda, Naples and Vieste.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Catania?

For first-time visitors, the historic centre around Piazza del Duomo and Via Etnea puts the main sights, the fish market and the metro within walking distance. Ognina and San Giovanni li Cuti suit those who prefer a seaside setting.

How do I get from Catania airport to the city centre?

The AMTS Alibus connects the airport with Catania Centrale via the port and the historic centre, and the tourist board gives a journey time of around 20 minutes. The airport railway station, reached by a free AMT shuttle, has regional trains to Catania Centrale.

Is Catania a good base for Mount Etna?

Yes. Catania sits at the base of Mount Etna, and local operators offer guided excursions with transfers from the city. The Circumetnea railway also circles the volcano.

When is Catania busiest?

Early February is very busy because of the Festival of Saint Agatha. Summers are hot and dry, so book ahead if you plan a beach-focused stay.

How many aparthotels are there in Catania?

We currently list 10 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Catania.

Do aparthotels in Catania have kitchens?

10 of the 10 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.

Which aparthotels in Catania have a washing machine?

5 properties list an in-apartment washing machine. Use the facts box on each property page to check.

Sources

Last updated