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

Should you visit Volos or Catania?

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 Volos and Catania can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a vibrant, youthful, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Catania

Catania is a lively, youthful, and fun port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Volos and Catania: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volos or Catania?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Catania than Volos. While Volos is larger than Catania, Catania has more sights and attractions for tourists. Catania is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and hiking, while Volos is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Catania is more touristy than Volos and is popular for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. Also, Catania is famous for Mount Etna. Volos is well known for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty.

How is Volos different from Catania?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Catania is very good for its museums and history. However, Volos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Catania offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Volos offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

Is the Food Better in Volos or Catania? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Catania is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Dining out in Volos is an experience not to be missed. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Is Volos or Catania Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Volos and Catania.

Volos has a large number of nightlife venues. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

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.

Is Volos or Catania Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Volos 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 Volos. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Catania is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Volos or Catania Better for Beaches?

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

Volos is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

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 Volos or Catania Better for its Old Town?

Catania is very good for its old town. However, Volos does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Catania. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Volos does not have a historic old town.

Is Volos or Catania Better for Hiking?

Catania is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Volos is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Catania. 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.

Volos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Catania?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Volos and Catania.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Volos. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Many visitors go to Catania to go shopping. 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 Volos or Catania Better for Families?

Catania is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Catania is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Volos. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

Is Volos or Catania Better for Couples?

Both Volos and Catania are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Volos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

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 Volos or Catania Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Catania is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Catania. 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.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Catania Better for Students?

Catania is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Catania is very popular with students. 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.

Volos is popular with students. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

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

Catania is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Catania can get you to some places easily. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Volos, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that travels around town.

Is Volos or Catania a more walkable city?

Volos and Catania are very good when it comes to walkability.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore 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 Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Catania Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Catania or Volos?

How long in Volos or Catania?

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

Families should spend more time in Catania than Volos. 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 Volos. 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 Volos 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 Volos or Catania?

In Volos, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

In Catania, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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.

A weekend in Volos or Catania?

In Volos, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volos has to offer.

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.

Five days in Volos or Catania?

Volos 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.

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.

A week in Volos or Catania?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Volos. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Volos. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the fun 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, 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 Volos and Catania, we can see that Catania is more expensive. And not only is Volos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volos 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 Volos.

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

Which is Bigger, Volos or Catania?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Catania. When comparing the sizes of Volos 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 Volos 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 Volos or Catania in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Volos as well as Catania. The summer months attract visitors to Volos because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

Volos is around the same temperature as Catania in the summer. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 26°C (78°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 Volos this time of the year. In the summer, Volos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Catania. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets more rain in July than Catania. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Catania in the Autumn?

Both Catania and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Volos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Catania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Volos is cooler than Catania. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Volos in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Catania averages at about 19°C (67°F).

Volos usually receives less sunshine than Catania during autumn. Volos gets 165 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, Volos usually receives less rain than Catania. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volos or Catania in the Winter?

Both Catania and Volos during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Volos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Catania in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Volos is generally much colder than Catania. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 6°C (42°F), and Catania fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the winter, Volos often gets less sunshine than Catania. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 153 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in January than Catania. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Catania receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Catania in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Catania. Many visitors come to Volos in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Catania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Volos is around the same temperature as Catania in the spring. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 14°C (56°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 Volos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Volos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Catania during spring. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Volos usually receives less rain than Catania. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Catania and Volos