Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Catania?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Catania or Playa de las Americas?
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 Playa de las Americas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Catania or Playa de las Americas?
Catania
Located on the east coast of Sicily, Catania is at the base of Mount Etna, which is the largest volcano in Europe. It's also the island's second largest city and a major transportation center for the area. With almost one million residents in the metropolitan area, the city serves as an important economic base and university town for Sicily. It's a vibrant city with a young population, a lively downtown, and an excellent nightlife. The city has an abundance of Sicilian Baroque architecture and the downtown area, where much of it is this architecture is concentrated, has been declared a World Heritage Site.
Playa de las Americas
If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCatania €120Playa de las Americas €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Catania is €120, while the average daily cost in Playa de las Americas is €195. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Catania and Playa de las Americas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCatania €65Playa de las Americas €115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCatania €130Playa de las Americas €230
Compare Hotels in Catania and Playa de las Americas
Looking for a hotel in Catania or Playa de las Americas? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Catania Hotel Prices and Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Catania €20Playa de las Americas €56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catania
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Catania:
- From 1-Way Private Airport Transfer to Palermo: $775
- Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Palermo by Car: $722
- TAXI Transfer from CATANIA to Capo d'Orlando (or vice versa): $421
- From Catania Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Agrigento: $373
- Private TAXI transfer from Catania to Agrigento or viceversa: $332
- Catania Airport to/from Verdura Resort Transfer: $321
- From Private transfer to Agrigento Temples: $320
- Private Transfer from Catania to PORTOROSA marina yachting: $310
- Private Transfer From Catania to Palermo or vice versa: $256
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from CATANIA to PALERMO (or VICEVERSA): $233
- Private TAXI transfer from CATANIA to MESSINA or viceversa: $230
- Private TAXI Transfer from Catania to Comiso (or viceversa): $214
Is it cheaper to fly into Catania or Playa de las Americas?
Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas and Catania change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCatania €41Playa de las Americas €45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Catania
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Catania.
- Catania Street Food Tour: Fish Market & City Centre: $38
- Catania Street Food Tour: $52
- Cooking class & visit to the Catania Historical market: $59
- Patisserie Food tour: $60
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $63
- Food tour of Catania by night: $64
- Catania Street Food Tour: $67
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $73
- Aci Trezza boat tour with dinner on board: $85
- Cooking Class Tiramisù: $95
- Cooking Class Arancini in Catania: $96
- Cooking class Pizza: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Catania €19Playa de las Americas €30
Tours and Activities in Catania
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Catania are as follows:
- From Catania, Syracuse and Taormina: fly fishing experience: $240
- Taormina and Castelmola private tour with traditional lunch: $272
- 2 hours guided tour of Catania: $40
- 3-Hour Catania Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Agrigento and Piazza Armerina day tour: $131
- BOAT TOUR WITH APERITIF ON BOARD IN THE CYCLOPS ISLANDS: $64
- Baroque shades of Sicily (Noto, Modica and Ragusa day tour): $120
- Benedictine Monastery of Guided tour in English: $11
- Boat tour to the Ulysses caves with swimming guide: $84
- Boat trip and tour Savoca and Taormina: $142
- Catania : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $49
- Catania Bike Tour with Tasting food: $182
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCatania €18Playa de las Americas €8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Catania
Also in Catania, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Volcanic Wine Tasting in a Metropolitan Market: $48
- Wine Tasting in the South Slope of Etna: $50
- Etna: Urban Winery, Vineyards Walk & Wine Tasting at Sunset: $62
- Wine tour in Catania: $102
- Mt Etna and Wine tasting tour from Catania: $116
- Full-Day Etna and Wine Tour from Catania: $126
- From Mt.Etna picnic and wine tasting: $128
- Guided Tour of Etna with Wine Tasting & Appetizers: $139
- Etna trekking and wine tasting: $147
- Tour Etna & Wine Tasting: $158
- Etna Tour and Lunch in a Winery with Wine Tasting: $265
- From Catania/Taormina: Mount Etna Private Wine Tasting Tour: $433
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Catania and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Catania or Playa de las Americas?
Catania has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Catania and Playa de las Americas, 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 Playa de las Americas?
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 Playa de las Americas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Catania as well as Playa de las Americas. The summer months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Catania is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas in the summer. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa de las Americas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In the summer, Catania often gets more sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun.
Catania usually gets more rain in July than Playa de las Americas. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCatania 26°C (79°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Catania or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?
Both Playa de las Americas and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Catania this time of year.
In the autumn, Catania is cooler than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Catania in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa de las Americas. Catania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas during autumn. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Catania. In October, Catania usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCatania 19°C (67°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Catania or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?
Both Playa de las Americas and Catania during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Catania is generally much colder than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 10°C (51°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the winter, Catania often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun.
Catania usually gets more rain in January than Playa de las Americas. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCatania 10°C (51°F)Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Catania or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Playa de las Americas. Many visitors come to Catania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Catania is cooler than Playa de las Americas in the spring. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa de las Americas this time of the year. In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Catania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas during spring. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Catania usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCatania 15°C (58°F)Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Catania
| Catania | Playa de las Americas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (74°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.