Your stay — Hotel Benny
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The Property — Hotel Benny
Hotel Benny is a straightforward, family-run three-star in the modern part of Catanzaro, a ten-minute walk from the main shopping street. The lobby is small, tiled in beige marble, with a desk staffed by someone usually happy to give bus timings or a local tip. There’s no restaurant, but breakfast is included and the rooms are clean, if dated. It suits a budget-conscious traveller using Catanzaro as a base to explore Calabria rather than someone seeking resort-style amenities.
Chronicles of Catanzaro
Catanzaro was founded in the 10th century – according to tradition by a Byzantine general – and later became Norman. It grew rich on silk manufacturing in the Middle Ages, and a few old trade streets still survive on the hilltop above the modern grid. The lower town was rebuilt after the 1783 earthquake, so most architecture is 18th- and 19th-century. Today it’s the administrative capital of Calabria, known more for bureaucracy and the large university than for tourism. Its cultural identity is proudly local, with a slow rhythm that can frustrate impatient visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Full Catanzaro guide →Best months
May, June and September – warm enough for the beaches at nearby Catanzaro Lido, but not as sweltering as July and August. Crowds are thin and accommodation is easier to find.
Peak / festival surge
August – the whole coast fills with Italian holidaymakers, and the city gets an influx for the Ferragosto festival on 15 August. Hotel prices in Catanzaro Lido double, but Hotel Benny in the city centre may only nudge up 10–20% because it’s away from the beach. The main driver is summer holidays, not a specific event in town.
Budget shoulder season
April and October – cooler, quieter and noticeably cheaper, with daytime highs around 18–22°C. You’ll miss the beach season but get the city largely to yourself, and room rates drop 20–30%.
Weather & packing
Catanzaro sits on a cliff, so the breeze can drop the temperature sharply in the evening, even in July. Pack a light jacket or a pashmina – you will need it for dinner outdoors.
Live City Briefing — Catanzaro
- The main bus stop for Catanzaro Lido and the train station (Magna Graecia) is Piazza Stocco, a 5-minute walk from Hotel Benny – but timetables have been reduced in 2025, so check the company 'Azienda Trasporti Catanzaro' app the night before.
- The new pedestrianised stretch on Corso Mazzini (the city's main shopping street) is now fully open, so walking to the Piazza Prefettura area is easier, but parking near the hotel remains tight – book a spot if driving.
- Several restaurants on the historic upper town (Sala) are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in July, so plan dinner locations in advance.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Benny, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the inner courtyard if available. Upper floors reduce street noise and offer better air circulation in summer.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any directly above the bar or restaurant. Rooms at the front on floors 1-2 suffer from street noise on Catanzaro's narrow, traffic-heavy roads.
Best views
Upper rooms at the front may have views over the city rooftops towards the Sila mountains, but if the hotel is on a main road, the inner courtyard is quieter with a limited but pleasant outlook.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 — furthest from the ground-level activity and lift motor hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Catanzaro's historic centre has narrow roads with mopeds, street talk, and early morning deliveries. A side/rear room is essential for light sleepers.
Insider tips
Request a courtyard-facing room when booking by phone or email — online requests often overlook this. If driving, confirm parking in advance; street parking is tight and metered.
- 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 — Hotel Benny
Free for all guests. Speed approx 30 Mbps download. No login constraints beyond accepting terms
One lift serves all 4 floors (ground to 3rd floor); no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newspapers via PressReader app. No physical newspapers. Building is a modern 1970s design with a small rooftop terrace
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag-drop from 08:00 at reception. Late check-out until 12:00 free; after 12:00 €30 until 18:00
Free at reception. No lockers available
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance. Lift to all floors. One adapted room on ground floor (room 103). Narrow doorways in original 1970s section may limit wheelchair width
Free on-site parking with 20 spaces (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: Parcheggio Centro (Via G. Marconi, 200m) €1.50/hour or €12/night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night (up to 5 nights, children under 14 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: €50 per room credit card pre-authorisation at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Sant' Antonio (854 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista (990 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di Santa Maria del Mezzogiorno (992 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: S. Angelo de Siclis (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Gazebo del Rione De Filippis — 746 m · ~9 min walk
Museo delle arti di Catanzaro — 878 m · ~11 min walk
Teatro Politeama — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Postamat — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk
Parafarmacia d.ssa Leone — 745 m · ~9 min walk
Catanzaro Pratica — 864 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs inside actual banks for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Lamezia Terme airport and tourist spots near Piazza Matteotti.
Contactless cards and Apple Pay/Google Pay are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants and shops; small cafes and market stalls often prefer cash under €10.
Tipping is not expected. For good service at a restaurant, rounding up the bill or leaving a couple of euros is fine. Taxi drivers and hotel staff don't expect a tip.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A caffè al banco (espresso at the counter) in any local bar – around €1.00.
A panino or pizza al taglio from a bakery or deli – €5–€7.
A pizza margherita or a plate of pasta in a trattoria – €8–€12 for a main.
Via Milano and Corso Mazzini have several bakeries, friggitorie and kebab shops selling arancini, pizza slices and fried seafood for €3–€6.
Conad, Eurospin and Lidl are the main budget chains in and around Catanzaro.
Corso Mazzini and the area around Piazza Prefettura have affordable high-street shops like OVS, Bershka, and local discount stores.
A single bus ticket costs €1.30; buy a 10-ticket 'carnet' for €12. The cheapest way from Lamezia Terme airport is the shuttle bus to Catanzaro (about €5–€6).
Buy coffee and pastries at the counter, not at a table. Get a bus carnet for multiple trips. Avoid eating at restaurants directly on Corso Mazzini – walk a street back for better prices.
Good to know — Catanzaro
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Catanzaro112 is the single European emergency number for Italy, covering police, ambulance, and fire. 118 is the direct medical emergency line. For non-urgent police matters, dial 113.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Catanzaro, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Benny
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Postamat — 1.2 km · ~14 min walk — pharmacy · Parafarmacia d.ssa Leone — 745 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Catanzaro City Centre (Piazza Matteotti) → Near Agriturismo Il Lago del Passante (Località Passante)
💡 Alight at the 'Passante' stop and walk 800 metres downhill—the agriturismo’s sign is easy to miss. This bus doesn’t run on Sundays or public holidays, so plan accordingly.
Lamezia Terme Centrale Train Station → Catanzaro Lido Station
💡 Take a shuttle bus from the airport to Lamezia Terme Centrale (free with train ticket). At Catanzaro Lido, catch bus #1 or #2 up to the city centre, then a taxi to the agriturismo—no direct local services to the accommodation.
Lamezia Terme Centrale Station (5 min shuttle from airport) → Catanzaro Lido Station
💡 Check for direct trains to Catanzaro Lido; some require a change at Catanzaro Marcellinara. Avoid delays in summer when tracks get heat-affected.
Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF) → Catanzaro City Bus Station (Piazza Stazione)
💡 Get off at Piazza Stazione, not the Lido stop. From there, take a local taxi or call the agriturismo for a pickup—it’s a 15-minute drive up into the Sila hills.
Lamezia Terme Airport (SUF) → Catanzaro Lido (bus stop on Via Lungomare)
💡 Get off at Catanzaro Lido, then walk 10 minutes or take a short taxi (€5) to the resort; buses run less often on Sundays.
Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF) → Agriturismo Il Lago del Passante
💡 Book ahead with a local taxi service like Taxi Lamezia to avoid surge pricing. The drive winds through hills, so request a driver familiar with the route to the agriturismo—some sat-navs miss the turnoff.
Lamezia Terme Airport (SUF) → Marina del Marchese Beach Resort
💡 Book through the hotel's concierge to avoid overpriced drivers; fixed rates to the resort are common.
Catanzaro Lido Station → Marina del Marchese Beach Resort
💡 Taxis are scarce after 21:00; pre-book via app or call +39 0961 123456. The walk along the beach promenade is pleasant if you have light luggage.
About Catanzaro
Wikipedia ↗
Catanzaro (US: ; Italian: [katanˈdzaːro] or [katanˈtsaːro]; Catanzarese: Catanzaru [katanˈtsaːɾʊ]), also known as the "City of the two Seas" (Italian: Città tra i due Mari), is an Italian city of 86,183 inhabitants (2020), the capital of the Calabria region and of its province and the second most p...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Benny?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the inner courtyard if available. Upper floors reduce street noise and offer better air circulation in summer.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Benny?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any directly above the bar or restaurant. Rooms at the front on floors 1-2 suffer from street noise on Catanzaro's narrow, traffic-heavy roads.
Is Hotel Benny noisy?
Catanzaro's historic centre has narrow roads with mopeds, street talk, and early morning deliveries. A side/rear room is essential for light sleepers.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Benny?
Upper rooms at the front may have views over the city rooftops towards the Sila mountains, but if the hotel is on a main road, the inner courtyard is quieter with a limited but pleasant outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Benny?
Request a courtyard-facing room when booking by phone or email — online requests often overlook this. If driving, confirm parking in advance; street parking is tight and metered.
What time is check-in at Hotel Benny?
Check-in at Hotel Benny is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Benny have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speed approx 30 Mbps download. No login constraints beyond accepting terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Benny?
€2.00 per person per night (up to 5 nights, children under 14 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Benny?
A panino or pizza al taglio from a bakery or deli – €5–€7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Benny?
A single bus ticket costs €1.30; buy a 10-ticket 'carnet' for €12. The cheapest way from Lamezia Terme airport is the shuttle bus to Catanzaro (about €5–€6).
When is the best time to visit Catanzaro?
May, June and September – warm enough for the beaches at nearby Catanzaro Lido, but not as sweltering as July and August. Crowds are thin and accommodation is easier to find.
Top Attractions in Catanzaro
💡 Walk across on foot at sunset – the light on the stone arches is dramatic. Watch for traffic; no dedicated pedestrian lane.
💡 Go around midday when the crypt light hits the mosaic best. The bell tower climb costs €2 but gives panoramic views.
💡 Bring binoculars – the view stretches to the sea on clear days. Best in late spring when the flowerbeds are out.
💡 Check their Facebook page for temporary exhibits – photography shows and ceramics often pop up. Quiet, good for reading.
💡 Knock on the door of the adjacent convent office if the church is locked — they usually let you in. The cloister is free, though they accept small donations.
💡 Free entry only on the first Sunday of the month. Other days it’s €4, still good value. Allow 45 minutes.
💡 Best view is from the Parco della Biodiversità (opposite hillside) or from the road down in the valley. Walk it early morning before traffic picks up.
💡 Check their Facebook before visiting — hours can be erratic. The curated thematic exhibitions (e.g., Pink Floyd or Italian prog) change every few months.