A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Piazza Armerina vs. Catania for Food, Attractions, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Piazza Armerina or Catania?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Piazza Armerina and Catania. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina is a historic, charming, and authentic town. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Catania

Catania is a historic, lively, and youthful port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Piazza Armerina and Catania: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Piazza Armerina or Catania?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Catania than Piazza Armerina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Catania is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Piazza Armerina is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Catania is more touristy than Piazza Armerina and is known for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. Also, Catania is famous for Mount Etna. Piazza Armerina is well known for it's local atmosphere and its premiere historic sight - the Villa Romana del Casale.

How is Piazza Armerina different from Catania?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Piazza Armerina or Catania?

Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Most people head to town specifically to visit Villa Romana del Casale, which is a few kilometers away. It's a beautiful Roman villa that can be explored in a few hours. Also in town is an Aragonese Castle and an 18th century Duomo.

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 Piazza Armerina or Catania? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Catania is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Catania, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Piazza Armerina is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most visitors pass through town, stopping to visit Villa Romana del Casale. There are some pizzerias and other casual restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is Piazza Armerina or Catania Better for Nightlife?

Catania is notable for nightlife and partying. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its evening party scene.

Catania has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Piazza Armerina doesn't offer many options. While many tourists pass through town with the intent of visiting the Villa Romana del Casale, most don't linger long enough appreciate the town at night.

Is Piazza Armerina or Catania Better for Beaches?

Catania is a good destination for the beache. However, Piazza Armerina is not a beach destination.

Catania offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a beach destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Catania Better for its Old Town?

Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina. The old town has a bit of authenticity that is missing from some of the more popular Sicilian cities. While it may feel a little worn to some people, those who like to get away from the souvenir shops will appreciate a visit.

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 Piazza Armerina or Catania Better for Hiking?

Catania is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Piazza Armerina is not a hiking destination.

Catania is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Piazza Armerina or Catania?

Catania is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Catania offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Catania Better for Families?

Catania is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Catania is a very kid-friendly port city. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not always a place people visit with their families. Most people head to the town to explore the Villa Romana del Casale. The beauty and history may not thrill all kids, but if your kids enjoy a bit of history they will likely appreciate a visit. The town also has an Aragonese Castle that you can visit.

Is Piazza Armerina or Catania Better for Couples?

Piazza Armerina and Catania both notable destinations for a couple.

Piazza Armerina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For history enthusiasts, this is a popular place to visit. Like most visitors, couples will appreciate a visit to the town's main attraction Villa Romana del Casale.

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

Is Piazza Armerina or Catania Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is notable for backpackers. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Piazza Armerina is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's a popular tourist destination, there are a limited number of hostels in town.

Is Piazza Armerina or Catania Better for Students?

Catania is notable for students. However, Piazza Armerina is not popular with students.

Many students visit Catania. 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.

Piazza Armerina is not popular with students.

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

Catania is notable for its public transit. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Catania has some very good public transit options. 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.

Piazza Armerina has some public transit options. You can reach the town by bus and once there it's possible to explore on foot.

Is Piazza Armerina or Catania a more walkable city?

Piazza Armerina and Catania both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Piazza Armerina is a very walkable town. You can explore most of the old and new towns on foot.

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 Piazza Armerina Worth Visiting? and Is Catania Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Catania or Piazza Armerina?

How long in Piazza Armerina or Catania?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Catania than Piazza Armerina. 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 Piazza Armerina. 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 Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina or Catania?

In Piazza Armerina, you'll find food and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The historic destination of Catania offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Piazza Armerina or Catania?

In Piazza Armerina, you'll find museums and food. 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 Piazza Armerina has to offer.

The port city of Catania offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Piazza Armerina or Catania?

Piazza Armerina is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Catania is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. This port city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Piazza Armerina or Catania?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Piazza Armerina. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Piazza Armerina. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Catania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy, and The Best Adventure Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Piazza Armerina and Catania, we can see that Catania is more expensive. And not only is Piazza Armerina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Piazza Armerina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina.

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

Which is Bigger, Piazza Armerina or Catania?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Piazza Armerina. When comparing the sizes of Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina 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 Piazza Armerina or Catania in the Summer?

Both Catania and Piazza Armerina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Piazza Armerina for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Catania in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Piazza Armerina is around the same temperature as Catania in the summer. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Catania fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Catania. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piazza Armerina. Piazza Armerina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Catania during summer. Piazza Armerina gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Catania. Piazza Armerina gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Catania in the Autumn?

Both Catania and Piazza Armerina during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Catania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Piazza Armerina is around the same temperature as Catania. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Piazza Armerina in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Catania averages at about 19°C (67°F).

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

Catania gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in October than Catania. Piazza Armerina gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Catania in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Piazza Armerina and Catania. Most visitors come to Piazza Armerina for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Catania because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Piazza Armerina is generally around the same temperature as Catania. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 10°C (51°F), and Catania fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

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

In January, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Catania. Piazza Armerina gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Catania receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Catania in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Piazza Armerina as well as Catania. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

Piazza Armerina is around the same temperature as Catania in the spring. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Catania fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Catania. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Piazza Armerina this time of the year. In the spring, Piazza Armerina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Catania. Piazza Armerina gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Catania. Piazza Armerina gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Catania and Piazza Armerina