A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Catania vs. Milan for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Attractions

Should you visit Catania or Milan?

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 Milan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Catania

Catania is a fun, historic, and lively port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Milan

Milan is a trendy, chic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Catania and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Milan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan than Catania, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Milan is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Catania is known for its beaches and hiking. Catania is more touristy than Milan and is popular for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. Milan is popular for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo.

How is Catania different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Milan 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 Milan?

Milan 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 Milan specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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 Catania or Milan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Catania and Milan offer amazing local cuisine and restaurants.

Catania has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Milan is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

Is Catania or Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.

Milan is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

Catania has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Catania or Milan Better for Music?

Milan is very popular for its live music scene. However, Catania is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Milan The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Catania is not a live music destination.

Is Catania or Milan Better for Beaches?

Catania is a port city with good options for the beach. However, Milan is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Catania. 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.

Milan is not a beach destination.

Is Catania or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Milan is very popular for its old town. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Milan has a world-famous historical area. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Catania has an old town worth visiting. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Is Catania or Milan Better for Hiking?

Catania is great for hiking. However, Milan is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Catania for the hiking trails. 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.

Milan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Milan?

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

The abundance of shops in Milan make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

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 Milan Better for Families?

Catania is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Catania. 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Catania or Milan Better for Couples?

Milan is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Milan is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

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

Is Catania or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Catania and Milan are superb destinations for backpackers.

Catania is a great port city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

Is Catania or Milan Better for Students?

Milan is very popular for students. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Milan. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

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.

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

Milan is very popular for its public transit. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Milan has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

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.

Is Catania or Milan a more walkable city?

Milan is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Milan on foot. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Milan or Catania?

How long in Catania or Milan?

In either Catania or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Catania because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Catania, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Milan than Catania 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 Milan.

One day in Catania or Milan?

In Catania, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this lively destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the food. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Because Milan is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Catania. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Because Milan is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Milan has to offer.

Five days in Catania or Milan?

Catania is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Catania. Lots of people come for the food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Milan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Milan has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Catania or Milan?

You'll find food and shopping around the lively destination of Catania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milan. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Milan. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Milan, we can see that Milan 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 Milan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Milan 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 Milan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Catania or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Catania. When comparing the sizes of Catania and Milan, 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 Milan?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Catania or Milan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Catania as well as Milan. Many travelers come to Catania for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Milan in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Catania is a little warmer than Milan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Catania in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Milan averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In the summer, Catania often gets more sunshine than Milan. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets less rain in July than Milan. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Milan in the Autumn?

Both Milan and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Catania in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Milan for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Catania is generally a little warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 19°C (67°F), and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Catania usually receives more sunshine than Milan during autumn. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Milan. It's quite rainy in Catania. In October, Catania usually receives more rain than Milan. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Catania or Milan in the Winter?

Both Milan and Catania during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Milan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Milan can be very cold. Catania is much warmer than Milan in the winter. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Catania often gets more sunshine than Milan. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun.

Catania usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Milan. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Milan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Milan. The spring months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

In the spring, Catania is a little warmer than Milan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Catania in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Milan averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Catania usually receives more sunshine than Milan during spring. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Catania usually receives less rain than Milan. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Milan and Catania