Elevation
[?]
Elevation of a city refers to the height above sea level at which the city is located, measured in meters.
7
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
298700
Real Population (5km)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
511200
Air Quality Rating
[?]
Based on PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone levels. Higher scores indicate cleaner air.
100
Region
Sicilia
Walkability
Walker’s Paradise
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
High
Avg Download Speed (Mbps) / Avg Upload Speed (Mbps)
304
/ 183
Climate Description
Mediterranean climate: mild winters, warm summers, abundant sun, no snow, moderate rain.
Catania
Sicilia
Sicily’s second-largest city, noted for Baroque architecture, active culture, and proximity to Mount Etna.
Summary
Catania, located on Sicily’s eastern coast, is the island’s second-largest city and a vibrant hub for expats seeking a unique living experience. The city’s blend of Baroque architecture and active street culture is epitomized by Via Etnea, lined with shops and cafes. Notable attractions include Palazzo Biscari and Teatro Massimo Bellini, showcasing Catania’s rich historical tapestry. The local community passionately celebrates the festival of Saint Agata, marked by grand processions featuring intricately carved floats, reflecting deep cultural devotion.
Living in Catania entails being in proximity to Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, which can pose safety concerns due to its history of eruptions. Nonetheless, residents exhibit an admirable acceptance of such risks, intertwining their daily lives with a resilient spirit amidst the unpredictable nature. While the city offers excellent walkability and strong cultural traditions, potential bureaucratic delays and occasional administrative challenges warrant consideration for newcomers.
✅ Pros
– Mild climate with warm summers and mild winters.
– Rich cultural and historical heritage throughout the town.
– Good healthcare quality with accessible medical facilities.
– Reliable public transportation options for easy commuting.
– High air quality ensures a healthy living environment.
– Integration opportunities within the local community are plentiful.
– Reasonable cost of living compared to larger cities.
– Vibrant local markets and authentic Sicilian cuisine.
– Beautiful landscapes and proximity to Mount Etna.
– Active expat community for social support and connections.
❌ Cons
– Higher unemployment rate than the national average is concerning.
– Limited educational facilities may not meet all expat needs.
– Public services can be slow and less efficient at times.
– Internet connectivity may lag in some residential areas.
– Tourist influx can disrupt local life during busy seasons.
– Infrastructure aging may lead to occasional maintenance issues.
– Limited recreational activities for those seeking varied entertainment.
– Local bureaucracy can be frustratingly slow and complex.
– Parking can be a challenge in busy areas.
– Some neighborhoods may lack the charm of historical center.
Catania Demographics
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
298700
Real Population (5km band)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
511200
Births Per 100 Deaths
70.0
Population Data Source
ISTAT,2023
Estimated Unemployment Rate
Touristy Index
[?]
Calculation of tourist density index for the city, comparing its total tourist number to the overall average tourist number of the region
relative to its own population.The index indicates how a location’s tourist density compares to the average, with values above
100 representing higher-than-average density and values below 100 representing lower-than-average density.
Some Tourism
Income per capita (2023)
[?]
This is an estimation of average income per resident for this town, based on 2023 data from the Italian Ministry of Finance.
20500
Income rank in Italy (2023)
[?]
This is a ranking of the town's average income per resident, against the full list of townships in Italy.
3882 out of 7901
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Closest Airport
Name
Catania Fontanarossa (Catania)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
7
Driving Time
8min(s)
Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is situated in Sicily, Italy, and serves as a significant air travel hub in the Mediterranean. This airport facilitates connections to numerous European cities such as Rome, Munich, Amsterdam, and London, with key routes including Catania to Rome, one of Italy’s busiest. Notably, it accommodates low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air, making it accessible for budget travellers and providing direct flights to leisure destinations. Recent terminal expansions enhance passenger experience, although the airport experienced a temporary disruption in July 2023 due to a fire in the terminal.
2nd Closest Airport
Name
Tito Minniti (Reggio Calabria)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
6
Driving Time
84min(s)
Reggio Calabria Airport, also known as Tito Minniti (IATA: REG), is located in the southern part of Calabria, Italy, approximately 7 km from Reggio Calabria city centre. As one of the busiest airports in Calabria, it offers regular flights within Italy to destinations like Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino, and international seasonal services to Tirana. Known for serving as an access point for the Strait of Messina region, the airport connects travellers primarily through ITA Airways and Ryanair, catering to both domestic and select European routes.
3rd Closest Airport
Name
Falcone Borsellino (Palermo)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
9
Driving Time
107min(s)
Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO) is located in Cinisi, about 35 km northwest of Palermo, the capital of Sicily, Italy. It is the second largest airport on the island, handling over 8 million passengers annually. The airport primarily serves destinations across Europe and offers seasonal flights to New York City. Notable airlines include Aeroitalia, Ryanair, and Volotea, indicating a strong focus on budget-friendly travel options.
Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Bicocca
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
7
Driving Time
5min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Bicocca includes two main rail operators: Trenitalia and Italo. The station connects to several key destinations with a mix of direct train services. The main rail lines that stop at Bicocca consist of regional and intercity services, but high-speed trains are not a feature of this station.
**Key Destinations Connected by Direct Trains:**
– Milan Central Station
– Catania Centrale
– Taormina-Giardini
– Siracusa
– Catania
– Milan Malpensa Airport
**Frequency of Departures:**
Departures are quite frequent, especially to Catania and Taormina, with:
– Catania Centrale: 24 trains per day
– Taormina-Giardini: 23 trains per day
– Siracusa: 14 trains per day
– Catania: 26 trains per day
– Milan Central Station: 12 trains per day
– Milan Malpensa Airport: 9 trains per day
Typically, trains operate from early in the morning (around 5:45) until later in the evening (around 20:00) for these destinations.
Overall, Stazione di Bicocca offers a vital connection within the regional rail network but focuses more on regional and intercity services rather than high-speed connections.
2nd Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Catania Centrale
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
9
Driving Time
15min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Catania Centrale includes:
– **Rail Lines**: Major lines include connections to Messina, Siracusa, Palermo, Taormina, and Giarre.
– **Key Destinations**: Direct train services connect to Messina (1h 20m), Siracusa (1h), Palermo (2h 50m), Giarre-Riposto (20m), and Taormina-Giardini (35m).
– **Train Operators**: The primary operators are Trenitalia and Italo, providing both regional and intercity services.
– **Frequency of Departures**: Departure frequencies vary by destination; there are up to 32 departures daily to Taormina-Giardini, 25 to Messina Centrale, 14 to both Siracusa and Palermo Centrale, and 36 to Giarre-Riposto.
– **Type of Services**: Catania Centrale offers a mix of regional, fast regional, and Intercity trains, accommodating various speeds and service types.
3rd Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Lentini
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
6
Driving Time
19min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Lentini includes several key points:
– **Rail lines that stop here:** The station is served by regional trains primarily on the route connecting Catania and Siracusa.
– **Key destinations connected by direct trains:** Major destinations include Catania Centrale, Siracusa, and Palermo.
– **Train operators:** The primary operator at this station is Trenitalia, which runs the regional services.
– **Frequency of departures:** Trains typically depart every 30 to 60 minutes, varying by time of day and route.
– **Train types:** Stazione di Lentini primarily services regional trains, without high-speed train services.
Infrastructure & Amenities
Within 10km
Auto Repair Shops
159
Bars
306
Cafes
94
Cinemas
104
Dentists
163
Golf Courses
0
Gyms
205
Health Clinics
132
Hiking Trails
120
Historical Sites
271
Libraries
35
Museums
178
Parks
148
Pharmacies
104
Restaurants
496
Shopping Centres
333
Supermarkets
288
Spas
258
Beach
Name
Viale Kennedy 91
Driving Distance
7mins
Water Quality Rating
1 - Excellent
Mountain Resort
Name
Etna Sud - Nicolosi
Driving Distance
26mins
Healthcare
Healthcare Score
[?]
Evaluates hospital/clinic access, drive time to care, and regional quality rankings. Higher scores mean better healthcare.
67
Nearest Hospital Name
Osp. Garibaldi-P.S. Ostetr. Pe
Drive Time to Nearest Hospital
12 minutes
Hospitals and Clinics Within 10km
132
Local Public Healthcare Provider
ASP CATANIA
Healthcare Quality Description
In this area of Sicily, the health services exhibit a mixed performance. While overall quality is above average nationwide, local hospital care is notably suboptimal. Emergency treatment for severe conditions varies, with heart attack and heart failure readmissions being low but swift STEMI intervention being moderately effective. Orthopaedic emergency care is handled adequately, and postoperative stays are generally brief. However, the response to specific cardiac emergencies is limited. Surgical approaches to breast cancer incorporate some advanced techniques but remain less than optimal. Potential residents should carefully evaluate these aspects against their healthcare needs when considering relocation to this region.
Safety
Seismic Zone (risk of earthquakes)
[?]
Official seismic zones classify areas based on earthquake risk.
Moderate Earthquake Risk
Road Accidents Rate per 10k Inhabitants
[?]
Calculation of road accidents per 10,000 people based on the number of deaths and injuries registered in roads for year 2022 for the city.
18
Percentage of Population at Landslide Risk
[?] Percentage of the population in high or moderate landslide risk zones. Higher values indicate greater environmental risk.
0
Percentage of Population at Flood Risk
[?] Percentage of the population in high or moderate flood risk zones. Higher values indicate greater environmental risk.
6
Car Insurance Price Index
[?]
The car insurance price index is a measure of how a city's average car insurance premium compares to the national average,
expressed as a percentage. A value of 100 indicates that the city's premium is equal to the national average.
Values above 100 show higher premiums, while values below 100 show lower premiums.
105.288
Housing & Property Market
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
High
Property Prices per m²
[?]
Calculation of property sale prices per square meter for apartments, houses in the city.
Median (50th Percentile): The midpoint price, where half the values are above and half below.
First Quartile (25th Percentile): The price below which 25% of properties fall.
Third Quartile (75th Percentile): The price below which 75% of properties fall.
First Quartile
893
Median
1290
Third Quartile
1729
Connectivity & Digital Access
Walkability Description
Walker's Paradise
Education
Avg Schools Ranking (All Criteria)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking at all the indicators provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year. Note that figures are only provided by the ministry at the school catchment area level, and therefore several schools may be grouped together.
Bottom 40%
Avg Schools Ranking (Standardised Tests)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking the students' results in national standardised tests. The data is provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year.
Bottom 30%
Counts of School
Climate & Weather
Precipitation
[?]
Based on daily climate data for precipitation from OPEN-METEO this parameter indicates how a city's annual precipitation compares to others
in terms of percentage, with values ranging from 0 (lowest) to 1 (highest). For example, a percentile rank of 0.75 means the city's
total precipitation is higher than 75% of other cities.
Above Average (51st-60th percentile)
Sunshine
Above Average (51st-60th percentile)
Snowfall
Very Low (Bottom 10%)
Climate Description
Catania, situated on the east coast of Sicily, enjoys a Mediterranean climate known for its mild winters and warm-to-hot summers. The city experiences abundant sunshine throughout the year, contributing to its allure among expats and retirees. Despite its southern position, Catania does not receive snow, offering residents a year-round mild weather environment perfect for outdoor activities. Rainfall is moderate but well-distributed across the seasons, ensuring lush landscapes without the inconvenience of excessive wet periods. This climatic balance makes Catania an enticing locale for those from colder or more variable climates, seeking a steady and pleasant weather pattern.
Annual Temperature Chart (Min)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Annual Temperature Chart (Max)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Sunny Days By Month
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Environmental & Air Quality
Classifications
PM10
[?]
PM10 levels indicate Good air quality at 0–20 µg/m³, Fair at 20–40 µg/m³, Moderate at 40–50 µg/m³, Poor at 50–100 µg/m³, Very Poor at 100–150 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 150–1200 µg/m³.
Good
PM2.5
[?]
PM2.5 is Good if PM2.5 levels are between 0–10 µg/m³, Fair between 10–20 µg/m³, Moderate between 20–25 µg/m³, Poor between 25–50 µg/m³, Very Poor between 50–75 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor between 75–800 µg/m³.
Good
NO2
[?]
NO₂ levels are considered Good at 0–40 µg/m³, Fair at 40–90 µg/m³, Moderate at 90–120 µg/m³, Poor at 120–230 µg/m³, Very Poor at 230–340 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 340–1000 µg/m³.
Good
SO2
[?]
SO₂ levels indicate Good air quality at 0–100 µg/m³, Fair at 100–200 µg/m³, Moderate at 200–350 µg/m³, Poor at 350–500 µg/m³, Very Poor at 500–750 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 750–1250 µg/m³.
Good
O₃
[?]
For O₃, the air is Good at 0–50 µg/m³, Fair at 50–100 µg/m³, Moderate at 100–130 µg/m³, Poor at 130–240 µg/m³, Very Poor at 240–380 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 380–800 µg/m³.
Fair
Air Quality Rating
[?]
Based on PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone levels. Higher scores indicate cleaner air.
100
Air Quality Description
Catania, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, offers an air quality that is generally favorable for both expats and retirees, ensuring a comfortable living environment. The concentrations of particulate matter, including both PM10 and PM2.5, are within good levels, minimizing potential respiratory discomfort. Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, pollutants primarily from industrial activities and vehicles, also remain low, contributing to the overall cleanliness of the air. However, ozone levels do loom in the fair category, suggesting some room for improvement on hotter days. Overall, Catania provides a breathable and pleasant atmosphere for its residents.
Catania, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, offers an air quality that is generally favorable for both expats and retirees, ensuring a comfortable living environment. The concentrations of particulate matter, including both PM10 and PM2.5, are within good levels, minimizing potential respiratory discomfort. Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, pollutants primarily from industrial activities and vehicles, also remain low, contributing to the overall cleanliness of the air. However, ozone levels do loom in the fair category, suggesting some room for improvement on hotter days. Overall, Catania provides a breathable and pleasant atmosphere for its residents.
Town Descriptions
Getting There
Catania is well-connected by air and rail. The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa, 8 minutes from the city center. Two train stations nearby offer robust connectivity, supported by good road access via the A18 and A19 highways, facilitating efficient travel to regional and national destinations.
Getting Around
Local Cuisine
Catania boasts a rich culinary scene heavily influenced by Sicilian traditions. Traditional dishes include arancini, pasta alla Norma, caponata, and involtini di pesce spada, reflecting the region’s reliance on fresh seafood and local produce. The city offers a diverse array of dining options, from casual street food to upscale restaurants, emphasizing Sicilian ingredients and flavors. Notable Michelin-starred establishments enhance the dining landscape with innovative cuisine, while various international dining options are also available, catering to diverse palates.
Shopping Overview
The shopping landscape features various categories, including supermarkets, local markets, and boutique stores. Major shopping streets host high-street and designer brands, while vibrant markets offer local produce and artisanal goods. Notable shopping centres include a large mall with a supermarket and diverse retail outlets, as well as another complex that combines shopping, dining, and entertainment options. This structure accommodates both international brands and local crafts, ensuring a broad shopping experience for residents and visitors alike.
Neighborhoods
Green Areas and Parks
Catania offers diverse outdoor activities, essential for retirees seeking tranquil and active lifestyles. Prominent green areas include the Giardino Bellini and the Botanical Garden, providing botanical exploration and leisurely strolls. The Natural Reserve “Oasis Simeto” and the Etna Regional Park offer extended hiking opportunities in natural landscapes. Lachea Island and La Timpa Natural Reserve present unique coastal experiences. These areas provide ample outdoor engagement options, suitable for individuals aiming to maintain active and healthy living conditions.
✅ Pros
– Mild climate with warm summers and mild winters.
– Rich cultural and historical heritage throughout the town.
– Good healthcare quality with accessible medical facilities.
– Reliable public transportation options for easy commuting.
– High air quality ensures a healthy living environment.
– Integration opportunities within the local community are plentiful.
– Reasonable cost of living compared to larger cities.
– Vibrant local markets and authentic Sicilian cuisine.
– Beautiful landscapes and proximity to Mount Etna.
– Active expat community for social support and connections.
❌ Cons
– Higher unemployment rate than the national average is concerning.
– Limited educational facilities may not meet all expat needs.
– Public services can be slow and less efficient at times.
– Internet connectivity may lag in some residential areas.
– Tourist influx can disrupt local life during busy seasons.
– Infrastructure aging may lead to occasional maintenance issues.
– Limited recreational activities for those seeking varied entertainment.
– Local bureaucracy can be frustratingly slow and complex.
– Parking can be a challenge in busy areas.
– Some neighborhoods may lack the charm of historical center.
FAQs
Related Posts
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