A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Catania for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Aegina or Catania?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Aegina or Catania? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aegina

Aegina is a relaxing, vibrant, and fun island. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Catania

Catania is a youthful, fun, and historic port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Aegina and Catania: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Catania?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Catania. Although Aegina and Catania are both popular with visitors, Catania has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Catania is more popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while Aegina is known for its museums and small town charm. Aegina is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. Catania is popular for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. It is also home to Mount Etna.

How is Aegina different from Catania?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Catania and Aegina. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aegina or Catania?

Aegina is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Aegina specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Catania. There are many examples of beautiful architecture around town including Basilica Cattedrale Sant'Agata and Monastero dei Benedettini. You can also visit Castello Ursino. The main square in town is Piazza del Duomo.

Is the Food Better in Aegina or Catania? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Catania is an amazing port city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Catania is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city's food scene is excellent. Dishes are influenced by both the sea and the land, and you'll find a large and popular street food setting. If you're sampling the street food, make sure you try the arancino (rice balls). Pasta dishes are also popular and many use a variety of cheeses. You'll also find plenty of fresh vegetables incorporated into many dishes.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Aegina or Catania has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Aegina know how to have a good time. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

The nightlife in Catania has something for everybody. The city has a reputation for its great nightlife scene that spreads beyond Sicily. The large student population and popularity with tourists mean you can find a party most nights of the week. There are many bars and clubs to check out, many of which are found in the old town center.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Aegina and Catania are good choices.

Aegina is a good option for a beach vacation. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Many people head to Catania to enjoy the beach. The best time to visit the beach is between April and October. There are sandy beaches to the south of town that span a few kilometers and beaches to the north tend to be rocky. Many beaches are also accessible by public transit.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for its Old Town?

Catania is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Catania offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for Hiking?

Catania is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Aegina is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Catania. Many people visit Mt. Etna as a day trip. You can take the bus to Sapienza Refuge to begin your climb. While it's a doable hike for many people, it can be steep and requires some determination. Unless you're a very experienced hiker, a guide is a must as the trail disappears for large sections. There are also buses and cable cars that take people up sections of the mountain.

Aegina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Catania?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Catania and Aegina.

Many visitors go to Aegina to go shopping. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Catania. The city has a number of shopping malls where you can pick up anything you may need or might have forgotten. Check out Catania Shopping Center or Etnapolis.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for Families?

Catania is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Catania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a toy museum as well as the Polo Tactile Multimedia Museum which kids and adults alike will enjoy. A highlight of a visit to the city is a trip up Mt. Etna, which can be done either by hiking, bus, or cable car. The city also has many plazas, gardens, and parks that kids will enjoy exploring. Another fun activity is to spend the day at the beach.

Aegina offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Aegina and Catania make for a good place to visit.

Aegina is a good island for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Catania is a nice destination for couples. With interesting architecture, a pleasant urban beach, and plenty of outdoor space, this is a nice couples destination.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Catania is a very popular port city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's a large number of hostels around town and the city is generally affordable, so backpackers often enjoy spending some time here. There's also a great social scene.

Aegina is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for Students?

Catania is a great destination for students. However, Aegina is not popular with students.

Catania is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. This is a university town with a very social atmosphere. Students love the wide variety of activities around town as well as the frequent night time parties.

Aegina is not popular with students.

Is Aegina or Catania Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Catania is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Catania offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are many buses around town that offer access to most places. If you drove you can park and take Line 504M to the historic center. You can also take a bus from Piazza Giovanni XXIII to Rifugio Sapienza if you're going to Mt. Etna. It leaves every morning at 8:15 and returns at 4:30 in the afternoon. The city also has a metro, which has one line and ten stops.

While Aegina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Is Aegina or Catania a more walkable city?

Catania is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Catania is a very walkable destination. Many of the city's main sights are close together in the center of town, making them easy to access on foot.

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Aegina Worth Visiting? and Is Catania Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Catania or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Catania?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Aegina or Catania to fill your time. In our opinion, Catania has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Catania than Aegina. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Catania than Aegina. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Catania, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Catania than Aegina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Catania that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Catania than Aegina if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Catania.

One day in Aegina or Catania?

In Aegina, you'll find nightlife and food. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Catania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Aegina or Catania?

In Aegina, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Aegina has to offer.

Catania is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Aegina or Catania?

Aegina is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Catania. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Aegina or Catania?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aegina. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun destination of Catania. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aegina and Catania, we can see that Catania is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Catania would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Catania than you might in Aegina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aegina Expensive? and Is Catania Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Catania?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Catania, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Aegina or Catania?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aegina or Catania in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Catania. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Aegina this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Catania for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aegina is generally around the same temperature as Catania. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 27°C (81°F), and Catania fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Catania during summer. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aegina usually receives around the same amount of rain as Catania. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aegina or Catania in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Catania. Many travelers come to Aegina for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, many visitors come to Catania in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Aegina is around the same temperature as Catania in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Catania fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aegina this time of the year. In the autumn, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Catania. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Catania. Aegina usually gets less rain in October than Catania. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Catania in the Winter?

Both Catania and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Aegina in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Aegina is around the same temperature as Catania. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aegina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Catania averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Aegina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Catania during winter. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Aegina usually receives less rain than Catania. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Catania receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aegina or Catania in the Spring?

Both Catania and Aegina during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Aegina for the beaches and the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Aegina is generally around the same temperature as Catania. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 16°C (60°F), and Catania fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aegina. In the spring, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Catania. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in April than Catania. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Catania and Aegina