Is it better to stay in Catania or Palermo?

Catania has more of a city feeling and in this respect, I like it slightly less than Palermo. But it's the perfect destination for a visit to the Etna and the lovely and charming Taormina, besides the unique Noto. Mondello Beach in Palermo is, however, so beautiful and unmissable if visiting in summer.



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Palermo and Catania have very similar climates, with warm summers and mild winters. Both cities reach temperatures of 90°-100°F in the summer, and temperatures rarely dip below 45°F in the winter. Catania tends to be slightly warmer than Palermo due to it being closer to the equator.

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For those that haven't yet committed to a flight, there are some key differences between west and east Sicily that you should consider first: Western Sicily has the best beaches. Eastern Sicily has the prettier towns (particularly in the south east corners, such as Noto).

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It is steeped in history, with Greek and Roman ruins standing side-by-side in the heart of the city. All in all, Catania is an incredible city that should definitely be on your itinerary if you're visiting Sicily. It has something to offer for everyone! Is Catania Worth Visiting?

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Yes, absolutely. The historic center of the city is pretty compact, and many of the must-sees are within walking distance of each other. But beware, the city has some hills and some sidewalks can be a little narrow or rough, so it might not be the best choice for those with mobility issues.

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Staying 2-4 days in Palermo is the perfect amount. With 1 or 2 days, you'll be able to fit in all the highlights, but your days will be long and busy. In my experience, 3-4 days is the sweet spot. It's enough time to get a solid feel for the city without rushing through your days.

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Enna. Enna in one of Sicily's best-kept secrets. The city, which lies in central Sicily, is rarely visited by tourists, as most prefer to focus on the coastline or larger towns. It's a truly wonderful setting, situated 3083 feet above sea level and filled with rolling green hills and tiny clusters of houses.

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The 10 most beautiful places in Sicily: simply unmissable sights
  1. Taormina. Also called “the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea”. ...
  2. Etna. The highest active volcano in Europe. ...
  3. Ortigia. It is located on a small island connected to the mainland by three bridges. ...
  4. Ragusa Ibla. ...
  5. Valle dei Templi. ...
  6. Favignana. ...
  7. Erice. ...
  8. Segesta.


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Located in the northwest part of the island, Palermo is the capital of Sicily and it is the best place to stay if you are visiting for the first time. Here you will discover amazing baroque buildings built by kings, historical churches, charming palaces, museums, and art galleries.

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How Many Days Do You Need in Catania? We think either one or two nights is the perfect amount of time for exploring Catania itself, depending on how much time you have. If you want to use it as a day trip to either Taormina or Mount Etna, add a day for each one.

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Getting Around. Catania is a very walkable city, with many of the main sights close to each other in the city center. Most of the area is also prohibited from vehicles. This is great as you can peacefully explore all the historic streets and side alleys.

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Yes, Palermo is very walkable and pedestrian friendly. The main streets such as Via Maqueda or Via Vittorio Emanuele are pedestrian areas and the city center is closed to cars without the city pass. Hence, you will be better off walking around Palermo rather that driving through it by car.

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If you're only headed to Palermo, you can enjoy a comfortably-paced trip in about five days. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as four days.

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Both Palermo and Catania are considered safe cities for travelers, though it is always important to practice caution when visiting a new place.

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How long does the train from Palermo to Catania take? The average journey time by train between Palermo and Catania is 4 hours and 32 minutes, with around 17 trains per day.

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Catania, a baroque city with a gritty energy. At the foot of Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano and overlooking the eastern coast of Sicily, is the city of Catania, the undisputed capital of Sicilian Baroque.

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“Better” is very subjective…. Most find Siracusa more tourist-friendly, especially the charming ancient island of Ortigia. If you can get to Catania, can you visit Taormina. If not, Siracusa.

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