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

Should you visit Chania or Catania?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Catania, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a historic, idyllic, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

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.

Chania and Catania: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Catania?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Chania than Catania. While Catania is larger than Chania, Chania has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Chania is more popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Catania is known for its nightlife. Chania is popular for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also home to The Venetian Harbor. Catania is popular for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna.

How is Chania different from Catania?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chania 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 Chania specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

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 Chania or Catania? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Chania and Catania both to be terrific destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

Many restaurants in Catania have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Is Chania or Catania Better for Nightlife?

Catania is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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 Chania has a few options to choose from. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

Is Chania or Catania Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Catania is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Catania is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Catania Better for Beaches?

Chania is very popular for the beache. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beach.

With world-famous beaches, Chania is a very popular vacation destination. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

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.

Is Chania or Catania Better for its Old Town?

Chania is notable 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Chania. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

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 Chania or Catania Better for Hiking?

Chania and Catania are both places where visitors can find excellent hiking trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chania. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Catania?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Catania and Chania.

Many visitors go to Chania to go shopping. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

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 Chania or Catania Better for Families?

Chania and Catania are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Chania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

Catania is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Chania or Catania Better for Couples?

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

Chania is a very popular place to visit for couples. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

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

Is Chania or Catania Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania and Catania are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chania is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

Catania is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Chania or Catania Better for Students?

Catania is well known for students. However, Chania is not popular with students.

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.

Chania is not popular with students.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Catania. 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 Chania offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

Is Chania or Catania a more walkable city?

Chania and Catania both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Catania or Chania?

How long in Chania or Catania?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chania or Catania to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chania than Catania because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 1-2 days is enough time in Catania.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chania 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 Chania.

One day in Chania or Catania?

In Chania, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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 Chania or Catania?

In Chania, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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 Chania or Catania?

Chania is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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.

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 Chania or Catania?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chania. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Chania. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 lively 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 Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in 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 Chania and Catania, we can see that Catania is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania 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 Chania.

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Catania?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania 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 Chania or Catania in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Catania. Most visitors come to Chania for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chania is generally around the same temperature as Catania. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 26°C (80°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 Chania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Catania during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chania usually receives less rain than Catania. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chania or Catania in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chania as well as Catania. The autumn months attract visitors to Chania because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

Chania is around the same temperature as Catania in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Catania fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In the autumn, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Catania. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Catania. Chania usually gets less rain in October than Catania. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Catania in the Winter?

Both Catania and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Catania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Chania is a little warmer than Catania. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chania in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Catania averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Chania usually receives less sunshine than Catania during winter. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Chania. In January, Chania usually receives more rain than Catania. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Catania receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chania or Catania in the Spring?

Both Catania and Chania during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chania for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Catania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Chania is generally a little warmer than Catania. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 17°C (62°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 Chania. In the spring, Chania often gets more sunshine than Catania. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in April than Catania. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Catania and Chania