PALERMO OR CATANIA: BEST CITY TO START YOUR SICILIAN ADVENTURES.
Choosing between Palermo and Catania really depends on the type of experience you’re after. Most people rave about Palermo but stick the boot into Catania – our feelings were totally opposite to this. I don’t know if it’s just us subconsciously wanting to go against the grain, but Catania just tickled our fancy a lot more than Palermo. Certainly at first glance anyway.
In this blog post, you’ll find out more about our experience of visiting Palermo and Catania, and which one we think is better.
Palermo or Catania: a little quiz
Just for a little bit of fun, here’s a short quiz – Palermo versus Catania.
Which city has the most Michelin-starred restaurants?
a) Catania
b) Palermo
The answer is, they both have two Michelin Star restaurants. Although, Palermo has marginally more restaurants mentioned in the Michelin guide – 9 to Catania’s 7. People often think that Palermo is better known for fine dining, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
Which city is known for having the most churches?
a) Palermo
b) Catania
The answer is Catania. Many people have heard of Palermo’s famous Cathedral. But Catania is famous for its Baroque architecture, and it is home to a large number of churches, especially in its historic center, many of which were rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake.
Which has the oldest building, Palermo or Catania?
a) Catania – Greek-Roman Theatre
b) Palermo – Norman Palace
The answer is Catania. Catania’s Greek-Roman Theatre dates back to the 2nd century AD, making it one of the city’s oldest structures, still partly preserved and visible today.
Which city is closer to a UNESCO World Heritage site?
a) Palermo
b) Catania
The answer is Catania. Catania is located near Mount Etna, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its geological importance and volcanic activity.
Palermo or Catania: where to fly into
Both Palermo and Catania are well-connected by flights from many European cities, and each has its advantages depending on where you want to explore. Palermo’s airport, Falcone Borsellino (PMO), is situated around 35 km from the city center and is ideal if you plan to explore western Sicily, including destinations like Cefalù, the Aegadian Islands, and the ancient ruins of Segesta.
Catania’s airport, Fontanarossa (CTA), is Sicily’s busiest and lies just 7 km from the heart of the city. Catania is a better option if you’re looking to explore the eastern side of the island, including Mount Etna, Taormina, and Syracuse. Flights into Catania can be more convenient due to the airport’s proximity to popular tourist spots, making it an easier option for those without a hire car.
Palermo or Catania: Things to do
Palermo is great if you love history and architecture. You can wander through the imposing Palazzo dei Normanni, home to the stunning Palatine Chapel, or visit the Teatro Massimo, Italy’s largest opera house. Not to mention the quite spectacular Palermo Cathedral, complete with roof top tour. For something more unusual, head underground to the Catacombe dei Cappuccini, where mummified monks line the walls.
A day in Palermo would be incomplete without visiting one of its vibrant markets, such as Ballarò or Vucciria. These markets are impressive, but the balance of authenticity versus touristic, has perhaps slipped too far in the wrong direction.
Catania is just as captivating, if not more, when it comes to things to do in a day. Start with a visit to the Piazza del Duomo, home to the iconic elephant fountain and the grand Saint Agatha cathedral. Venture up Via Etnea, a shopping street that leads toward Mount Etna, and make sure to explore the Baroque churches along the peaceful Via Crociferi.
We also adored the two markets in Catania. The sprawling Mattutino di San Gaetano, a market selling all and sundry, with a few fun clothing stalls. The bonus – it actually seems to be a market that locals visit, so it feels much more genuine than those in Palermo.The second market is the fish market – a fun, if not overwhelming experience for the nose.
If you’re interested in day trips, you can easily visit Taormina, Mount Etna, or the spectacular Aci Castello and Aci Trezza without needing a car.
Find our guide to day trips from Catania here and a post detailing how to spending one day in the city here.
Our verdict: Palermo.
Palermo or Catania: for foodies
If you love street food, Palermo will resonate with you. Try arancini, panelle (chickpea fritters), or a traditional spleen sandwich, known as ‘pani ca meusa.’ For a sweet treat, grab a cannolo or cassata, both of which Palermo claims as its own. It’s easy to grab something on the go or book a street food tour for a more interactive experience we recommend The Secret Food Tour in Palermo.
For restaurants, we found Palermo a little hit and miss. There are some great places to eat, but you have to pry yourself away from the centre of the city, where staff eagerly try to lure you into their (mediocre) restaurants. We’ve got some recommendations in our Palermo guide here.
Catania is known less for street food, and more for fantastic restaurants and the famous dishes they serve.Pasta alla Norma—made with tomatoes, eggplant, and ricotta salata. Don’t miss the fresh seafood, particularly swordfish and sardines, which you can enjoy at local restaurants. Personally, we also loved the number of more modern fusion restaurants found around Via Gemmellaro.
Our verdict: Catania.
Palermo or Catania: Nightlife
After about 18:00 Palermo practically turns orange, the colour of Aperol Spritz. Aperitivo is a popular pastime in the city – head for a quiet piazza and away from the main streets for a better experience.
After dark, the nightlife leans more toward casual drinks and intimate bars, though you’ll still find a scattering of nightclubs in the Vucciria or La Kalsa areas for those seeking a livelier night.
Catania is a more energetic city after dark. The university brings a younger crowd with a hipster flair, and many flock to the area around the castle or to Via Gemellaro after sunset. Catania has more late-night spots and clubs compared to Palermo, with some staying open well into the early hours.
One thing that we loved about the nightlife in Catania, is that it felt self-contained within one or two areas, meaning you didn’t have to wander far to find somewhere decent to grab a drink.
Our verdict: Catania.
Palermo or Catania: for beaches
Although there is not a beach in the city centre, Palermo offers a beautiful and welcoming urban beach: Mondello Beach. Just a 20-minute drive or bus ride from the city center, Mondello is known for its clear blue waters and golden sands. This beach is perfect for a relaxing day, with beachside restaurants and cafes offering fresh seafood dishes. A little further afield is the charming harbour town of Cefalu.
Catania city is not known for it’s beaches – the city beach is best avoided. But nearby, you can find some spectacular stretches of coast – Aci Trezza and Aci Castello, Taormina and Syracuse are not too far away from the city. But, you won’t find the sandy beaches similar to Mondello close to Catania.
Our verdict: Palermo.
Palermo or Catania: Day trips
From Palermo, you can easily explore the surrounding region by public transport. Take a trip to Cefalù, a picturesque coastal town known for its Norman Cathedral and sandy beaches. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is another must-see, showcasing some of the best-preserved ancient Greek ruins.
From Catania, you can explore Mount Etna, the island’s active volcano, or visit the historic town of Taormina for stunning views and the impressive Ancient Greek Theatre. Syracuse, with its Greek and Roman ruins, is another excellent day trip, or you can unwind at the charming fishing villages of Aci Trezza and Aci Castello. These can all be done without a hire car, making Catania a convenient base for day trips.
Our verdict: Catania.
Palermo or Catania: which city is best overall
Palermo, the island’s capital, has an almost regal aura with its Norman architecture, baroque churches, and lively street markets. It has a heavy Spanish influence, most notably seen at Palermo Cathedral.
Palermo took us a little longer to warm up to compared to Catania – we were initially put off by the sprawling pedestrianized streets of Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele. Both seem to have been created specifically to funnel tourists along the road – with the occasional car deciding to drive down and cause utter chaos. The streets, which are central to Palermo, feel generic – without sounding like a bit of a travel snob – we felt that we had seen it all before. Palermo mostly lacked the rawness that I had expected to find. But, if you get away from the main drags – you can find some hidden gems – more on that in our Palermo guide here.
Catania, however, gives you a completely different feel. With Baroque buildings a plenty and the drama of Mount Etna looming over it. Catania feels grittier but is also full of life, with a youthful energy thanks to its university and arts scene. It’s less polished than Palermo but somehow more dynamic, with a coarseness that were found quite attractive but others may see as a turn off.
While some may say that it doesn’t have the grandeur of Palermo (although surely anyone who has stood in front of Saint Agatha Cathedral would disagree), it’s a more practical base for those looking to explore eastern Sicily and the coast.
Our verdict: Catania.
Where to next in Sicily?
We’ve got loads of similar guides to help you explore Sicily more. Find them below:
- One day in Palermo: A guide to seeing the best bits
- Visiting Mondello Beach from Palermo
- One day in Cefalu: A day trip from Palermo
- One idyllic day in Syracuse & Ortigia
- Palermo or Catania: Where should you start your Sicily adventures?
- One day in the city of Catania: An unexpected gem
- Day trips from Catania: 9 of the best
- Best things to do in Modica for the day
- A guide to Ragusa: things to do and where to stay
- Modica or Ragusa – which is better?
- Pozzallo Beach – the traditional sandy beach town dream
- Best things to do in Sutera, Sicily
- Walking in Sicily on the Magna Via Francigena
- A two week itinerary in Sicily – how to travel without a car
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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