With a population of 290,927, Catania is a must-see destination in Sicily, Italy. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Catania deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Catania in August, when the average temperature is 26 °C, and the highest can go up to 32 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 5 °C, with an average temperature of 11 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in October, when precipitation is around 106 mm. In contrast, July is usually the driest month of the year in Catania, with an average rainfall of 5 mm.
When flying to Catania, you’ll arrive at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), which is located 5 km from the city centre. The shortest flight to Catania from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 40h 35m.
Trenitalia is the only carrier operating train routes to Catania. The train journey from Catania to Palermo takes 5h 28m and costs around $39 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Rome, expect to pay about $97 for a 7h 13m trip. Located 0.5 km from the city centre, Catania Centrale is the busiest station in Catania. Another popular train station is Catania Ognina, located 4 km from the centre.
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Catania, including FlixBus, Itabus and Bus. From Palermo, the bus ride to Catania takes 233 km and will cost you around $26. From Trapani, the ticket costs about $47 for a journey of 459 km. The most popular bus station is Catania Autostazione, located 0.4 km from the city centre of Catania. Catania La Rena Est is also a commonly used station, and is 3 km from the city centre.
From 5-star hotels such as the Romano Palace Luxury Hotel to great affordable options like the Asmundo di Gisira, Catania offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $134 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $170 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Le suites del duomo house and B&B Palazzo Cerami.
Expect to pay $3.21 per litre in Catania (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $38.46 and $51.28. The most frequently booked car type in Catania is Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Opel Karl or similar) is, on average, 89% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.