Your stay — Blue Moon
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The Property — Blue Moon
The Blue Moon is a pragmatic three-star near the Catania railway station, with a modest lobby of beige tiles and a small reception desk. Its USP is location: walk out the door and you're ten minutes from the historic centre and the fish market. This suits a traveller who wants a clean, quiet base for a short city break, not someone looking for boutique character.
Chronicles of Catania
Catania was founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC as Katane, later becoming a Roman city. It was repeatedly destroyed by Etna's eruptions and earthquakes, most devastatingly in 1669 and 1693. Rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque, using black lava stone, the city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today it's a gritty, vibrant port town where Baroque facades sit alongside markets and a loud, food-focused street life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Catania guide →Best months
April, May and October offer warm days (20–25°C) without crushing August heat or crowds.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak season, driven by summer holidays and the Ferragosto festival (15 August). Hotel prices jump 40–60%. The city is packed with Italian tourists and day-trippers from coastal resorts.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and September–October offer lower rates, still good weather, and far fewer queues at sights like the Roman amphitheatre.
Weather & packing
Catania is hot and humid in late June, often above 30°C, but evenings can cool to 20°C. Pack light cotton clothes, a sun hat, and one light long-sleeved layer for evenings.
Live City Briefing — Catania
- The Catania metro system's 'Stesicoro' stop, a 10-minute walk from the hotel, remains closed for repairs until late 2026 – use the 'Italia' stop instead. Check timetable for limited Sunday service.
- A new bio-labelled food market, 'Mercato di Porta Garibaldi', opened in April 2026, two blocks from the hotel, offering local organic produce and street food.
- Mount Etna has been more active than usual in spring 2026; ash falls may briefly disrupt flights out of Catania airport. Check your airline's status before departure.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Blue Moon, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Guests who prefer quieter rooms should request a room on the second floor. The hotel's narrow elevator may cause delays, and the lift is only suitable for one person and one bag. Rooms on the second floor are closer to the lift, minimizing the need for multiple elevator trips.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the third floor may be less desirable due to the potential for noise from the service entrance and the nearby bar, which may be open late into the night. Guests who are light sleepers may want to avoid these rooms.
Best views
Unfortunately, there are no specific view options available for this hotel, as the building's layout and orientation do not offer notable views.
Quietest floors
Second floor
🔊 Noise notes
Guests should be aware of potential noise from the nearby bar and service entrance, particularly on the third floor. Street noise may also be a consideration due to the hotel's location on a busy street.
Insider tips
If you're driving, be prepared to pay €20 per night for parking at the nearby Parcheggio Park Pardo. It's a 24-hour garage, but there's no on-site parking available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, but the speed is limited to about 15 Mbps. If you need a more reliable connection, consider purchasing a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Blue Moon
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed about 15 Mbps down; no login or time limits, accepts any device
One small elevator serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections, but the lift is narrow (single passenger plus one bag)
No complimentary newspapers; building is a converted 19th-century townhouse with original internal courtyard visible from the breakfast room
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 with no extra charge; late check-out requests handled case-by-case, typically ending at 12:30 with a fee of €30 if available
Free luggage storage offered for same-day arrivals and departures; no secured overnight storage
Step-free access via a portable ramp at the entrance (staff must place it); no wheelchair-accessible rooms; elevator not large enough for standard wheelchairs
No on-site parking; nearest public garage is Parcheggio Park Pardo (Via Pardo, 40, 24h) costing €20 per night; no EV charging on-site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.50 per person per night, collected at check-in; children under 12 exempt
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; a €50 incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Basilica Maria Santissima dell'Elemosina (37 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Giuliano (154 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Santa Maria all'Ogninella (211 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi all'Immacolata (212 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Villa Pacini — 419 m · ~5 min walk
Museo dei Saperi e delle Mirabilia Siciliane — 62 m · ~1 min walk
Teatro Machiavelli — 137 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Western Union — 219 m · ~3 min walk
Farmacia 4 Canti — 126 m · ~2 min walk
Mahir — 144 m · ~2 min walk
Borsellino — 502 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Avoid exchange bureaux at the airport; use bank ATMs in Catania city centre for the best rates, and decline dynamic currency conversion.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, and shops; contactless is standard, but smaller markets and street stalls may prefer cash.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares; leave a euro or two for good service in restaurants; hotel staff don't need a tip unless extra help is given.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A caffè (espresso) at the bar, drunk standing: around €1.
A slice of pizza or arancino from a bakery or takeaway: around €3–5. Many bars sell a panino for €4–6.
A pasta main in a trattoria or a pizza margherita: around €8–12.
The historic centre, especially Via Etnea and the Pescheria morning fish market area, is dense with cheap eats: arancini, cartocciata, and grilled meat.
Supermarkets like Lidl, Conad, and Decò are common in the neighbourhoods around the centre.
Via Etnea has mid-range chains (Zara, H&M); the weekly market on Piazza Carlo Alberto on Sundays has cheap stalls for clothes and household goods.
AMT bus day pass €4 covers all city buses; from Catania airport take the Alibus (€4) or a regular AMT bus (€1.20) into town.
Buy water in supermarkets, not tourist stalls; avoid restaurants with English menus and touts near the Duomo — they are usually pricier; dine late (after 8pm) and look for the daily menu (menù del giorno).
Good to know — Catania
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
CataniaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Catania, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Blue Moon
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Western Union — 219 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia 4 Canti — 126 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Catania City Center / Local Routes → Costa del Sole Hotel Residence (Near Mondello Beach area)
💡 Buy 10-journey tickets (€9) at kiosks; useful for exploring Mondello and beach areas
Catania City Center → Mondello/Coastal Areas
💡 Most convenient for hotel area; connects to beaches; day pass €3 gives unlimited access
Catania Centrale Station → Mondello Station (nearby)
💡 Scenic coastal route; ideal for day trips to beaches; regional trains are cheaper than Intercity
Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) → Costa del Sole Hotel Residence
💡 Book ahead via hotel concierge for fixed rates; avoid unmarked taxis at airport
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Blue Moon?
Guests who prefer quieter rooms should request a room on the second floor. The hotel's narrow elevator may cause delays, and the lift is only suitable for one person and one bag. Rooms on the second floor are closer to the lift, minimizing the need for multiple elevator trips.
Which rooms should I avoid at Blue Moon?
Rooms on the third floor may be less desirable due to the potential for noise from the service entrance and the nearby bar, which may be open late into the night. Guests who are light sleepers may want to avoid these rooms.
Is Blue Moon noisy?
Guests should be aware of potential noise from the nearby bar and service entrance, particularly on the third floor. Street noise may also be a consideration due to the hotel's location on a busy street.
Which rooms have the best views at Blue Moon?
Unfortunately, there are no specific view options available for this hotel, as the building's layout and orientation do not offer notable views.
What are insider tips for staying at Blue Moon?
If you're driving, be prepared to pay €20 per night for parking at the nearby Parcheggio Park Pardo. It's a 24-hour garage, but there's no on-site parking available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, but the speed is limited to about 15 Mbps. If you need a more reliable connection, consider purchasing a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
What time is check-in at Blue Moon?
Check-in at Blue Moon is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Blue Moon have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed about 15 Mbps down; no login or time limits, accepts any device
Is there a city or tourist tax at Blue Moon?
€3.50 per person per night, collected at check-in; children under 12 exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Blue Moon?
A slice of pizza or arancino from a bakery or takeaway: around €3–5. Many bars sell a panino for €4–6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Blue Moon?
AMT bus day pass €4 covers all city buses; from Catania airport take the Alibus (€4) or a regular AMT bus (€1.20) into town.
When is the best time to visit Catania?
April, May and October offer warm days (20–25°C) without crushing August heat or crowds.
Top Attractions in Catania
💡 Visit early morning to avoid crowds and get photos without tourists. The sun hits the cathedral facade best around 9am.
💡 Walk to the Giardino Bellini at the north end for a free rest on benches among palm trees – locals call it 'the villa'.
💡 You don't need to pay to enter – stand at the railing on Via Vittorio Emanuele II for a clear view of the excavated section. The paid site below adds little.
💡 Entry is €6, but free on the first Sunday of each month. Check the sunset view from the ramparts. The museum's cafe has cheap granita for €2.
💡 Visit early morning to avoid groups; the rooftop terrace has the best views over Catania and Etna on clear days
💡 Entrance costs €2. Most visitors miss this – you'll have the place almost to yourself on weekday afternoons. Combine with a walk up Via Etnea.