Catania is awakening to new life. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the Baroque streets, Mount Etna watches majestically over the city, and in the evenings, the vibrant life on Piazza Duomo beckons. But as in many Italian metropolises, visitors will have to dig deeper into their pockets for this experience starting in 2026. The city of Catania has increased its tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno) as of January 1, 2026. Here’s what to expect and how you can plan your travel budget.

Why a tourist tax?

The tourist tax is common practice in Italy and is levied by cities to generate funds for improving tourist services, preserving cultural monuments, and maintaining the cleanliness of public infrastructure. In short: it is intended to help keep the cities attractive and livable for visitors.

The new tourist tax in Catania from 2026: Rates at a glance

The city administration of Catania has decided to increase the levy from January 1, 2026. The goal is to raise revenue from the current approximately 4 million euros to around 5.2 million euros in 2026 in order to generate additional funds for urban development.

Here are the new rates, which apply per person per night. Unlike in other cities, the tax in Catania is only due for the first four nights of a stay.

• 5-star hotels: The levy increases to €5.00 per night.
• 4- and 3-star hotels: Here the rate increases to €3.50 per night.
• Other accommodations (e.g., B&Bs, vacation rentals): For this category, a tax of €3.50 is due.

The tax is payable per person per night. There are often reductions or exemptions for children and adolescents. This information was not included in the available sources and should be inquired about when booking the accommodation.

Criticism of the increase

The city’s decision is not without controversy. Local politicians and consumer advocates, such as the president of Confconsumatori, Calì, sharply criticized the measure in advance. They fear that the higher financial burden could deter families with several children in particular and weaken tourism in Catania overall. According to critics, the revenue must absolutely be channeled into improving tourist offerings and infrastructure in order to create added value for visitors.3

What does this mean for your travel planning?

Stay calm: The increase is within reason compared to other European metropolises.

Factor it in: Firmly calculate the tourist tax into your travel budget. It is usually due on site at the hotel or vacation rental in cash.

Ask in advance: When booking, you can ask the landlord or hotelier directly about the exact rate and the duration of the levy to avoid unpleasant surprises when checking out.