Excellence Luxury Villas · Catania
Luxury Villa Rentals in Catania
Villas on the slopes of Etna and apartments by the sea, a short drive from Sicily's liveliest baroque city
As featured in
A baroque city built from its own volcano
Catania is the city that Etna keeps rebuilding. Lava reached its walls in 1669, an earthquake flattened it in 1693, and each time the Catanesi built it again, much of it in the dark volcanic stone that gives the baroque centre its sober, handsome look. That centre is now part of the Val di Noto UNESCO listing, and the volcano still smokes on the skyline, as if to remind everyone who is in charge.
Our Catania collection runs to 45 properties. Most are villas with pools on the green lower slopes of Etna around Viagrande, Zafferana Etnea and Ragalna, where the evenings are cooler and the views run down to the sea. Nearer the water there are apartments with sea views in Ognina, and a cottage or two among the vineyards.
What follows covers the city, the volcano, the coast and when to come.
Catania at a glance
- Villas
- 45 villas and apartments, with up to 10 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,800 to £6,700 a week, from around £2,300
- Best areas
- Viagrande and Zafferana Etnea on Etna's eastern slopes, Ragalna to the south, Ognina by the sea
- Best time
- May, June, September and October; Sundays in October for the Ottobrata in Zafferana
- Airport
- Catania Fontanarossa, a few kilometres south of the city centre
Browse all 45 villas in Catania
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Ceruleo Grotta San Giovanni La Punta: Luxury 8-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Catania8 bedrooms
Le Graste Italy6 bedrooms
Villa Sul Mare | 8-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Acireale8 bedrooms
Casa Scirocco Catania: Luxury 8-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Catania8 bedrooms
Black stone, pale stone and a very loud market
Start in Piazza del Duomo, where a lava-stone elephant carrying an Egyptian obelisk, known locally as u Liotru, has become the emblem of the city. A few steps away, the fish market of La Pescheria fills the mornings with swordfish, sea urchins and some of the most theatrical salesmanship in Italy.
Via Crociferi is the place for a slow walk past baroque churches and convents, and Castello Ursino, built for Frederick II and surrounded by the 1669 lava, now houses the civic museum. Vincenzo Bellini was born here, and the opera house that bears his name is worth a night out.
Explore the Val di Noto
Vineyards, lava fields and cooler evenings
Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, its summit somewhere well above 3,300 metres depending on its latest eruptions, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. Its lower slopes are surprisingly gentle: vineyards, orchards, chestnut woods and stone villages such as Viagrande and Zafferana Etnea, both a short drive above Catania.
Ragalna, on the southern flank, is closer to the road up to Rifugio Sapienza and the cable car. Above 2,920 metres the park allows visits only with authorised volcanological guides, and access changes with the mountain's mood. Our concierge can book guides and keep an eye on conditions.
Browse villas in Ragalna
The Cyclops' rocks and two great day trips
North of the city, the coast turns to black lava rock. Ognina has a small harbour, and beyond it Aci Castello's Norman castle sits on a lava outcrop above the sea. At Aci Trezza, the sea stacks are said to be the rocks the blinded Cyclops hurled at Odysseus. Swimming here is from rocks and bathing platforms; for sand, La Playa runs south of the city.
Taormina, with its Greek theatre above the bay, and Syracuse, with Ortigia and its ancient ruins, are each around an hour away by road.
Browse villas near Taormina
Pasta alla Norma, granita and an October feast
Catania eats well and without fuss. Pasta alla Norma, with aubergine and salted ricotta, is named after Bellini's opera, arancini are shaped into cones here, and breakfast in summer is almond granita with a warm brioche. On the slopes, Etna wines made from Nerello Mascalese are among the most interesting in Italy, and Bronte's pistachios grow on the western flank.
July and August are hot, so May, June, September and October are the best months. Zafferana's Ottobrata fills every Sunday in October with honey, grapes, chestnuts and mushrooms, and the feast of Sant'Agata takes over the city in early February. Our concierge can arrange Etna excursions, winery visits, boat trips and restaurant tables.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Catania
Palazzo Etna Catania: Exquisite 4-Bedroom Chateau Apartment with Pool & Seaview – Catania4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,901 a week
Villa Etna | 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Ragalna CT Ragalna5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £5,733 a week
Villa Vulcano | 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Catania Sicily4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £4,796 a week
Villa Barri | 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Sicily5 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £4,653 a week
Villa Nerello | 8-Bedroom Villa in Castiglione di Sicilia CT Sicily8 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £4,594 a week
Villa Sirocco Viagrande: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Catania4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £4,459 a week
Villa Ambrato Grotta Borgo: Luxury 2-Bedroom Apartment – Catania Italy2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £4,410 a week
Villa Rossi | 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Zafferana Etnea5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £4,360 a weekWhy book your Catania villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Around Catania a few hundred metres of altitude change everything, from the evening temperature to the view, and we know which slopes suit a family summer and which are best for wine and walking. With 45 properties in Catania, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Etna excursions with volcanological guides, winery visits on the slopes, boat trips along the Riviera dei Ciclopi, private chefs, restaurant tables in the city and transfers from Fontanarossa. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay near Catania?
Viagrande and Zafferana Etnea, on Etna's eastern slopes, suit those who want a villa with a pool, cooler evenings and views to the sea, within easy reach of the city. Ragalna is higher and quieter on the southern side, while Ognina puts you by the sea close to the centre.
When is the best time to visit Catania?
May, June, September and October are the most comfortable months, warm enough to swim but without the full heat of July and August. October brings the Ottobrata food festival to Zafferana Etnea every Sunday, and the feast of Sant'Agata fills the city in early February.
Can you visit Mount Etna from Catania?
Yes. The southern side of Etna, with the cable car from Rifugio Sapienza, is a drive of around an hour from the city. The summit area above 2,920 metres can only be visited with authorised volcanological guides, and access depends on volcanic activity, so our concierge can book guides and check conditions.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Catania?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Catania cost?
Across our 45 villas in Catania, weekly rates typically range from £2,800 to £6,700, with the most affordable from around £2,300 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How do I get to Catania?
Catania Fontanarossa airport is a few kilometres south of the city, with direct flights from the UK. Most villas on the slopes of Etna are a short drive away, and our concierge can arrange car hire or private transfers.
Are there villas in Catania for large groups?
Yes. Our Catania collection includes properties with up to 10 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
Explore More Destinations
Find your villa in Catania
45 villas and apartments around Catania and Etna, booked direct with our concierge on hand