A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa Blanca vs. Catania for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Playa Blanca or Catania?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Playa Blanca and Catania can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Playa Blanca or Catania?

Playa Blanca

Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Catania or Playa Blanca?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Playa Blanca is €155, while the average daily cost in Catania is €120. 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 Playa Blanca and Catania in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Playa Blanca 81
    Catania 65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Playa Blanca 162
    Catania 130
Compare Hotels in Playa Blanca and Catania

Looking for a hotel in Playa Blanca or Catania? 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.

Hotels in Playa Blanca


Hotels in Catania


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: Playa Blanca Hotel Prices and Catania Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Playa Blanca 49
    Catania 20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catania

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Catania:

  • airport transfers throughout Sicily: $163
  • Transfers from Catania airport to Noto : $105
  • Transfer servizio taxi da Catania aeroporto/città a Scicli: $198
  • Transfer service from Catania to Ispica or surrounding area: $188
  • Transfer from Catania Airport to Syracuse-Ortigia: $158
  • Transfer Catania to Agrigento : $187
  • Transfer Catania / Agrigento Airport: $196
  • Taxi transfer from CATANIA (everywhere) to MILAZZO (or viceversa): $147
  • Taxi Transfer from Catania to Giardini Naxos (or viceversa): $154
  • Taxi Catania Airport with transfer to Syracuse or Taormina: $76
  • TAXI Transfer service from Catania to Marzamemi or viceversa: $214
  • TAXI Transfer from CATANIA to Capo d'Orlando (or vice versa): $421

Is it cheaper to fly into Playa Blanca or Catania?

Prices for flights to both Catania and Playa Blanca 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Playa Blanca 45
    Catania 41

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Playa Blanca 20
    Catania 19

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Playa Blanca 9.29
    Catania 18

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 Playa Blanca and Catania, we can see that Playa Blanca 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 Blanca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca Expensive? and Is Catania Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Playa Blanca or Catania?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca or Catania?

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 Playa Blanca or Catania in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Playa Blanca as well as Catania. Also, most visitors come to Catania for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Playa Blanca is cooler than Catania in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa Blanca averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Catania fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Catania. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In the summer, Playa Blanca often gets less sunshine than Catania. Playa Blanca gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun.

Playa Blanca usually gets less rain in July than Catania. Playa Blanca gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Playa Blanca 23°C (73°F) 
    Catania 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Catania in the Autumn?

Both Catania and Playa Blanca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Catania because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Playa Blanca is a little warmer than Catania. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa Blanca in October average around 22°C (72°F), and Catania averages at about 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. Playa Blanca usually receives more sunshine than Catania during autumn. Playa Blanca gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Catania. In October, Playa Blanca usually receives less rain than Catania. Playa Blanca gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Playa Blanca 22°C (72°F) 
    Catania 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Catania in the Winter?

Both Catania and Playa Blanca during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

In January, Playa Blanca is generally much warmer than Catania. Daily temperatures in Playa Blanca average around 17°C (63°F), and Catania fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. In the winter, Playa Blanca often gets more sunshine than Catania. Playa Blanca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 153 hours of full sun.

Playa Blanca usually gets less rain in January than Catania. Playa Blanca gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Catania receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Playa Blanca 17°C (63°F) 
    Catania 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Playa Blanca or Catania in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa Blanca and Catania. Furthermore, many travelers come to Catania for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Playa Blanca is a little warmer than Catania in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa Blanca averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Catania fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa Blanca usually receives more sunshine than Catania during spring. Playa Blanca gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa Blanca usually receives less rain than Catania. Playa Blanca gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Playa Blanca 19°C (66°F) 
    Catania 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Catania and Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca Catania
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 17°C (63°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 10°C (51°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Feb 17°C (63°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 15°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in) 26°C (79°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 26°C (79°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 22°C (72°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 18°C (64°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)


Related Articles for Playa Blanca
Related Articles for Catania