A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Catania vs. Brescia for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Catania or Brescia?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Catania and Brescia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Catania

Catania is a youthful, fun, and historic port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Brescia

Brescia is a under-rated, historic, and undisovered city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Catania and Brescia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Brescia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Catania than Brescia. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Catania is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while Brescia attracts visitors for its shopping and impressive beauty. Catania is more touristy than Brescia and is known for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. It is also well known for Mount Etna. Brescia is famous for its historic and archeological sights.

How is Catania different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Catania and Brescia.

Catania offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Brescia. There are some great museums and historic sights around town such as the Museum of Art and History, Tempio Capitolino, the Roman Theater, and Duomo Nuovo.

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

Catania is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Catania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Brescia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Much of the cuisine has its roots in peasant recipes, but many have been incorporated into fine dining and specialty experiences. The dishes come from the countryside and use many local ingredients. Bigoi Col Pestöm (a local pasta), Casoncelli Alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta), and polenta are all favorites in the area.

Is Catania or Brescia Better for Nightlife?

Catania is well known for nightlife. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Catania is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Brescia has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

Is Catania or Brescia Better for Beaches?

Catania is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Brescia is not a beach destination.

Catania has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Brescia is not a beach destination.

Is Catania or Brescia Better for its Old Town?

Catania is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Brescia does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Catania to see the historical old town. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Brescia does not have a historic old town.

Is Catania or Brescia Better for Hiking?

Catania is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Brescia 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.

Brescia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Brescia?

Brescia is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

Brescia is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's a small city, but there are a number of fashion brands found around town. Via Gramsci, Corso Magenta, Via Mazzini, and Via X Giornate are among the best shopping streets.

Catania has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Catania or Brescia Better for Families?

Catania is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Brescia is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Catania is 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.

For families, Brescia is not always the best place to visit. There are several parks and swimming pools that the kids will enjoy as well as a castle and lots of archeology.

Is Catania or Brescia Better for Couples?

Both Catania and Brescia are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Catania makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With interesting architecture, a pleasant urban beach, and plenty of outdoor space, this is a nice couples destination.

Brescia is a good port city for couples to visit. It's location near Lake Garda and its rich history and plethora of archeological sites make this a nice destination for couples.

Is Catania or Brescia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is well known for backpackers. However, Brescia is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Catania. 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.

Brescia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a particularly popular backpacker destination but there are some affordable guesthouses.

Is Catania or Brescia Better for Students?

Catania is well known for students. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Catania is a great port city to visit as a student. 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.

It's common for students to visit Brescia. This is an affordable and interesting city for students. It's also in a beautiful setting, which makes for a nice experience.

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

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

Visitors to Catania can move around easily with public transportation. 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 Brescia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.

Is Catania or Brescia a more walkable city?

Catania is well known for its walkability. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Brescia is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are easy to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Brescia or Catania?

How long in Catania or Brescia?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Catania than Brescia 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 Catania or Brescia?

In Catania, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

A weekend in Catania or Brescia?

In Catania, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Catania has to offer.

In Brescia, 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 Brescia has to offer.

Five days in Catania or Brescia?

Catania is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Brescia 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.

A week in Catania or Brescia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Catania. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Catania. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Catania and Brescia, we can see that Brescia is more expensive. And not only is Catania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Catania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Catania 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 Brescia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brescia than you might in Catania.

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

Which is Bigger, Catania or Brescia?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Brescia. When comparing the sizes of Catania and Brescia, 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 Catania or Brescia?

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 Catania or Brescia in the Summer?

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

In July, Catania is generally around the same temperature as Brescia. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 26°C (79°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brescia this time of the year. In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Catania usually receives more sunshine than Brescia during summer. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Catania usually receives less rain than Brescia. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Catania or Brescia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Catania as well as Brescia. Many travelers come to Catania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Brescia in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Catania is a little warmer than Brescia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Brescia fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Catania often gets more sunshine than Brescia. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 137 hours of full sun.

Catania receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Catania usually gets more rain in October than Brescia. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Brescia in the Winter?

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

Brescia can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Catania is much warmer than Brescia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Catania in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Brescia averages at about 1°C (35°F).

Catania usually receives more sunshine than Brescia during winter. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Catania usually receives more rain than Brescia. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Catania or Brescia in the Spring?

Both Brescia and Catania during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Catania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Brescia because of the natural beauty.

In April, Catania is generally a little warmer than Brescia. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 15°C (58°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Catania. In the spring, Catania often gets more sunshine than Brescia. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 169 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets less rain in April than Brescia. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brescia and Catania