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5 Balconi
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Avg. £57 /night, 12/7 - 12/8
£66
per night
£61
per night
£56
per night
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5.0
#3 of 317 B&Bs in CataniaLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Cristina (Sicilian) and Rob (English) welcome you to the "5 Balconi Bed & Breakfast," a sunny palazzo built in the 1800's, with lots of color, character and charm. We are situated in the historic heart of Catania, in the quarter of the famous fish market and right above the 13th Century Ursino Castle, which dominates the piazza and gardens of Federico di Svevia. Here you can wine and dine "al fresco" on delicious typical dishes at very reasonable prices, while soaking up the atmosphere of an authentic Sicilian quarter. We offer elegant & luxurious rooms to accommodate singles, doubles, triples, with inter-connecting family rooms for up to 5 people. All have 5 metre high domed ceilings and chandeliers, very comfortable beds with mosquito nets, duvets in winter and flowering balconies of iron and marble.NB: Fresh linen/towels, air conditioning & heating are standard in all the rooms.Wi-Fi, iron & ironing board, a fridge, chilled mineral water, organic biscuits & tea/coffee making facilities are also available for guests, any time and free of charge. We also provide a list of our recommended restaurants, local information & book excursions to the volcano.Our breakfasts are nutritious and delicious and can be taken in your room or in the communal dining area.NB: We serve locally produced organic oranges, bread & marmalades. Savoury breakfast alternatives are available for guests who don't have 'a sweet tooth'. We are only 10 mins. By bus/car from the airport, a 20 min. Walk to a golden sandy beach and a convenient base for exploring the East coast of the island (Taormina, Etna, Siracusa, Pantalica & Enna are all within 1 hours drive).Parking is free, infront of the B&B and in the surrounding streets. We are situated on the 2nd floor and have a lift for our guests comfort and convenience. A City Tax of €1-00 per person, per night, up to a maximum of 3 nights, is payable on departure.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Breakfast available
Baggage storage
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Air conditioning
Interconnected rooms available
Sofa
Clothes rack
Iron
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Italian
Location
Via Plebiscito 133, 95121 Catania, Sicily Italy
Name/address in local language
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 89 out of 100
89
89 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
302Reviews5Q+A34Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
A fantastic small bed & breakfast located within easy walking distance to all central spots of interest in Catania. The very welcoming and vivacious hosts Cristina and Rob made us feel as if we were staying with friends, and provided a wealth of local intel to enhance our visit on many levels. Breakfast was spot on with fresh fruits, yogurt, delicious bread, cereals, and coffee or tea as requested. The room was spotlessly clean and comfortable with a small balcony overlooking the bustling street below, but perfectly quiet when closed up for a lengthy rest. A casual, fun vibe and a most enjoyable experience enhanced by the very accommodating hostess and host. Highly recommended!
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Be aware than many local businesses are closed on Mondays (in April at least).
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent two nights in catania before moving on and this was a perfect choice. Christina was very helpful with local attractions and gave us some good recommendations for meals out. Very clean and welcoming and good air conditioning which is essential in Sicily mist of the year! Grazie
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Closing the windows and shutters quieted the busy street below. I heard nothing all night, not even a siren.
Breakfast was wonderful and the hosts had tips for the day and future Sicilian travel.
I was there 4 days and loved the B&B and the location.
Breakfast was wonderful and the hosts had tips for the day and future Sicilian travel.
I was there 4 days and loved the B&B and the location.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â The room closest to the bathrooms is best.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
All the reviews are right on! Rob and Cristina are fantastic hosts of a very quirky B&B. Rooms are great. Breakfast is personalized - we had yogurt, fruit and cornettos. Another couple was served cheese and charcuterie. Rooms are very comfortable. Bathrooms are shared. 5balconi is in a very authentic area. Arriving at night we thought we had wandered onto a Fellini set. Catania is a walkable city and 5balconi is great for those who enjoy getting involved in a place, not just touring. The best pizza in Sicily is two blocks away. Cristina or Rob will point the way.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Parking in the area but can be hard to find. Suggest using the app Easypark.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent one night at 5 Balconi. Rob and Cristina were super kind and helpful during our whole trip. They recommended perfect restaurants. The breakfast was really delicious and a good opportunity to meet with lovely guests from different part of the world. (The croissant with pistachio was the best in my entire life)
Rob, Cristina thank you for all of your help and kindness!
Rob, Cristina thank you for all of your help and kindness!
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Had a great few days staying at the 5 Balconi. The penzione has four rooms, prettily decorated with high ceilings, huge windows and balconies. The price is kept ultra low by the two shared bathrooms, but these are kept spotlessly clean and there was never a wait in the days I was there. A great breakfast (with freshly baked croissants) is included in the price, and there's an area where you can help yourself to tea, coffee and water all day.
The penzione is near the castle and five minutes' walk from the Piazza del Duomo. (Don't miss the incredible fish market, nearby). Best of all though, is the treatment you get from owners Rob and Cristina, who are completely charming - they can help with all kinds of questions, lend you guidebooks and maps, and find out bus times.
Catania itself is much more beautiful than the guidebooks give it credit for, and dotted with baroque churches and pleasingly rundown piazzas - it can only be a question of time before the city council realises it's sitting on a goldmine and gentrifies everything, but for now it's still a pocket of authentic, unspoilt Sicily, with excellent and cheap restaurants and a population that's largely oblivious to tourist interest.
The penzione is near the castle and five minutes' walk from the Piazza del Duomo. (Don't miss the incredible fish market, nearby). Best of all though, is the treatment you get from owners Rob and Cristina, who are completely charming - they can help with all kinds of questions, lend you guidebooks and maps, and find out bus times.
Catania itself is much more beautiful than the guidebooks give it credit for, and dotted with baroque churches and pleasingly rundown piazzas - it can only be a question of time before the city council realises it's sitting on a goldmine and gentrifies everything, but for now it's still a pocket of authentic, unspoilt Sicily, with excellent and cheap restaurants and a population that's largely oblivious to tourist interest.
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Date of stay: November 2013Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at the 5 balconi again and it is as awesome and incredible as it always was before.
Christina and Rob are the perfect hosts. They serve the breakfast with everything you wish for and have tips for nice restaurants and cool bars.
The rooms (I stayed in 2 different rooms because Catania was the start and the end of my trip) are very clean and all have air-condition. Also the 2 shared bathrooms are very clean and provide shower gel and shampoo.
The street outside is very loud, so close the windows or take earplugs. I love the sound of the street and love to sit on the balcony and watch the Sicilian life...
The B&B is in walking distance of all the sights in Catania (fish market, duomo, via etna, castello ursino).
If you don't rent a car you can reach the city beach easily by bus and the airport also by bus or by taxi.
I really recommend this B&B and hope to stay there again!
Christina and Rob are the perfect hosts. They serve the breakfast with everything you wish for and have tips for nice restaurants and cool bars.
The rooms (I stayed in 2 different rooms because Catania was the start and the end of my trip) are very clean and all have air-condition. Also the 2 shared bathrooms are very clean and provide shower gel and shampoo.
The street outside is very loud, so close the windows or take earplugs. I love the sound of the street and love to sit on the balcony and watch the Sicilian life...
The B&B is in walking distance of all the sights in Catania (fish market, duomo, via etna, castello ursino).
If you don't rent a car you can reach the city beach easily by bus and the airport also by bus or by taxi.
I really recommend this B&B and hope to stay there again!
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Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pros:
Cristina was an amazing host. I arrived late at night and was taken aback a bit by the location (my own fault for not reading the reviews closer), so had a bit of a panic. She was very warm and calming and really made me feel better about the situation. She offered to help call around to other locations, but in the end I chose to just stay. I don't regret it, as their hospitality is wonderful. Her recommendations were spot on and really made my trip. Everything was spotless and charming. The breakfast was a lovely and everything was delicious (even if I didn't eat much because i had ruined my appetite on their amazing homemade organic sesame cookies). The place is only a 5-10 min. walk to the bus stop on the Alibus from/to the airport and on the long-distance bus lines. And it is in walking distance to the main tourist sites, as well as a good base for going further afield. WIFI good.
Cons:
The B&B is on an incredibly busy and loud street, more so than your average city street. All the rooms front the street, and the windows don't really block out much of the noise. And the cobblestoned street means that you can almost feel the cars. If you are a light sleeper, this might be a problem, as it was for me. But Sunday morning was not so loud, so I ended up sleeping okay. The breakfast table is right outside the rooms, so if you are a light sleeper, you also might be woken up by other guests having their breakfast. The bathroom that I shared was incredibly tiny, the shower like a phone booth. Luckily I'm quite tiny, but if you're not this might also be an issue.
Cristina was an amazing host. I arrived late at night and was taken aback a bit by the location (my own fault for not reading the reviews closer), so had a bit of a panic. She was very warm and calming and really made me feel better about the situation. She offered to help call around to other locations, but in the end I chose to just stay. I don't regret it, as their hospitality is wonderful. Her recommendations were spot on and really made my trip. Everything was spotless and charming. The breakfast was a lovely and everything was delicious (even if I didn't eat much because i had ruined my appetite on their amazing homemade organic sesame cookies). The place is only a 5-10 min. walk to the bus stop on the Alibus from/to the airport and on the long-distance bus lines. And it is in walking distance to the main tourist sites, as well as a good base for going further afield. WIFI good.
Cons:
The B&B is on an incredibly busy and loud street, more so than your average city street. All the rooms front the street, and the windows don't really block out much of the noise. And the cobblestoned street means that you can almost feel the cars. If you are a light sleeper, this might be a problem, as it was for me. But Sunday morning was not so loud, so I ended up sleeping okay. The breakfast table is right outside the rooms, so if you are a light sleeper, you also might be woken up by other guests having their breakfast. The bathroom that I shared was incredibly tiny, the shower like a phone booth. Luckily I'm quite tiny, but if you're not this might also be an issue.
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Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This B&B is a beautiful apartment with 4 nice decorated and very clean rooms and two shared bathrooms (also very clean) which is perfectly located in the heart of Catania.
The street can be very noisy (day and night) so please bring earplugs. And the driving in Catania by your own car can be very challenging but I love it.
You can go there easily by car from the airport (15 minutes drive) or by cab or by bus (the bus station is at the end of the street) and it's in walking distance from the duomo and via etna and all the other sides of Catania.
The owners Christina (from Sicily) and Rob (from England) are the most friendly people. They make a great breakfast and will provide you with tips for good restaurants and bars and trips and all the other questions you may have.
I stayed there for three times already (in three years) and whenever I'm going to Catania I will stay there again!
The street can be very noisy (day and night) so please bring earplugs. And the driving in Catania by your own car can be very challenging but I love it.
You can go there easily by car from the airport (15 minutes drive) or by cab or by bus (the bus station is at the end of the street) and it's in walking distance from the duomo and via etna and all the other sides of Catania.
The owners Christina (from Sicily) and Rob (from England) are the most friendly people. They make a great breakfast and will provide you with tips for good restaurants and bars and trips and all the other questions you may have.
I stayed there for three times already (in three years) and whenever I'm going to Catania I will stay there again!
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Date of stay: November 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We recently stayed 5 nights at the slightly quirky but very clean '5 Balconi', situated maybe 6 kms from the airport and 10 minutes leisurely walk into the central historical parts of town.
The owners, Christina and Rob were very friendly and so helpful every time we needed help or local advice. Their knowledge of local cuisine and "Guide to local restaurants and bars" were very useful.
Breakfast was exclusively local produce, simple but delicious! Bathroom is shared nut there are two of them, so I never had a problem finding a slot to put on my make-up....
View over the street was great, you can watch all of Sicilian life pass by....not too noisy either, with glass and full-length shutters.
Would recommend without hesitation - you will have a thoroughly enjoyable stay here!!!
The owners, Christina and Rob were very friendly and so helpful every time we needed help or local advice. Their knowledge of local cuisine and "Guide to local restaurants and bars" were very useful.
Breakfast was exclusively local produce, simple but delicious! Bathroom is shared nut there are two of them, so I never had a problem finding a slot to put on my make-up....
View over the street was great, you can watch all of Sicilian life pass by....not too noisy either, with glass and full-length shutters.
Would recommend without hesitation - you will have a thoroughly enjoyable stay here!!!
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Date of stay: July 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â All have great views!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we took a short taxi ride, this is the easiest solution by far, about 25 euros each way.
Sorry, can't help with that, we only went to Sicily and flew from UK then hired car there. Question seems to be directed to the wrong person.
Buongiorno,
sebbene in centro storico non siamo in zona ZTL. Il parcheggio gratuito e' possibile in strada proprio sotto in nostri balconi . Per un parcheggio privato custodito a 200m metri Pollina park offre un prcheggio ad un costo giornaliero di euro 10
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PRICE RANGE
£54 - £59 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
ItalySicilyProvince of CataniaCataniaCentro Catania
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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Frequently Asked Questions about 5 Balconi
Which popular attractions are close to 5 Balconi?
Nearby attractions include A' Piscaria Mercato del Pesce (0.3 miles), Basilica Collegiata (0.3 miles), and Museo Civico Castello Ursino (0.1 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at 5 Balconi?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and baggage storage.
Which room amenities are available at 5 Balconi?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a mosquito net, and a sofa.
What food & drink options are available at 5 Balconi?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to 5 Balconi?
Conveniently located restaurants include I Capricciusi, Il Gambero Pazzo, and Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at 5 Balconi?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Italian.
Are there any historical sites close to 5 Balconi?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Palazzo Biscari (0.4 miles), Saint Biagio Church - Sant'Agata alla Fornace (0.7 miles), and Piazza del Duomo (0.3 miles).