The best Settlers of Catan variants⎇ and versions 2025

The Settlers of Catan will be 25 years old in 2020. In this list we have picked out the best Catan variants 2025 for you. With these variants⎇ or spinoffs, every Settlers game will be different.

Looking for a good Settlers expansion?

Besides the completely independent Settlers variants, there are of course expansions for the Catan Basic Game. We created an extra list for you: The best Settlers of Catan expansions.

Which is the best Settlers version?

Which one do you think is the best Settlers of Catan version? Write us at tibi+brettspiele@cephea.de.

List with the best Settlers variants⎇ 2025

Enclosed now our overview with the best Settlers of Catan versions 2025:

This list was last updated on March 19, 2025. We compared 43 board games for this list and selected the top 21. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. CATAN: Seafarers

    All details for the board game CATAN: Seafarers and similar games

    Catan: Seafarers is an expansion to the popular board game CATAN, adding new elements and strategies to the base game. This expansion focuses on exploration and building across water, introducing shipping lanes and various water-based scenarios.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for CATAN: Seafarers
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for CATAN: Seafarers

    • YouTube Review for the game "CATAN: Seafarers" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  2. CATAN: Cities & Knights

    All details for the board game CATAN: Cities & Knights and similar games

    Embark on a strategic journey in CATAN: Cities & Knights, an expansion that enriches the classic Settlers of Catan experience. Two major additions elevate gameplay - the creation of knights to fend off barbarian invasions and the construction of city improvements providing unique benefits. As part of the Catan Series, this expansion introduces tactical complexity and extends the game length.

    More details for CATAN: Cities & Knights
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 150 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  3. Catan: 5-6 Player Extension

    All details for the board game Catan: 5-6 Player Extension and similar games

    The Catan: 5-6 Player Extension is an expansion that allows you to add up to two additional players to the base game of The Settlers of Catan. This expansion broadens the scope of the original game, making it suitable for larger groups and family gatherings.

    More details for Catan: 5-6 Player Extension
    • 5 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  4. CATAN: Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers

    All details for the board game CATAN: Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers and similar games

    This expansion pack provides additional materials for scenarios that could previously only be played with some modifications. It includes components for various scenarios and a new scenario called "Setting Off into the Unknown." The expansion also offers enough materials for a larger game of Catan without needing a second base game.

    More details for CATAN: Treasures, Dragons & Adventurers
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Catan Geographies: North Rhine – Westphalia

    All details for the board game Catan Geographies: North Rhine – Westphalia and similar games

    The edition of Catan - North Rhine-Westphalia is part of a series of historical regional map expansions for the classic Catan line. It features the area of North Rhine-Westphalia, known for its industrial region along the Rhine, including the city of Essen, famous for its gaming fair.

    More details for Catan Geographies: North Rhine – Westphalia
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • Easy to learn
  6. Catan: Seafarers Scenario – Legend of the Sea Robbers

    All details for the board game Catan: Seafarers Scenario – Legend of the Sea Robbers and similar games

    The scenario "Legend of the Pirates" offers four interconnected scenarios celebrating the 20th anniversary of Catan: Seafarers. Players can enjoy each scenario individually while aiming to collect ten victory points, and they can also track their scores at the end of each scenario, influencing the next game. This expansion requires both the base game of Catan and the Seafarers expansion.

    More details for Catan: Seafarers Scenario – Legend of the Sea Robbers
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Catan: Seafarers – 5-6 Player Extension

    All details for the board game Catan: Seafarers – 5-6 Player Extension and similar games

    The Catan: Seafarers – 5-6 Player Extension expands the possibilities of the original Seafarers of Catan game, allowing for 1-2 additional players to join in. This extension maintains the ease of play of the original game while introducing ten new scenarios, designed to enhance the experience of seafaring, exploration, and trade in the world of Catan. With this expansion, 5-6 players can now engage in the strategy and adventure of settling mysterious islands near Catan.

    More details for Catan: Seafarers – 5-6 Player Extension
    • 5 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. Die Siedler von Catan: Der Schokoladenmarkt

    All details for the board game Die Siedler von Catan: Der Schokoladenmarkt and similar games

    Ritter Sport, a German chocolate manufacturer, introduces a mini-expansion for the Settlers of Catan. Players can trade five new goods: cocoa, sugar, milk, grapes, and hazelnuts. With the right combination, they can produce one of five special chocolates to earn new materials, cards, or victory points.

    More details for Die Siedler von Catan: Der Schokoladenmarkt
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 75 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. CATAN: Traders & Barbarians

    All details for the board game CATAN: Traders & Barbarians and similar games

    CATAN: Traders & Barbarians is the third major expansion for The Settlers of Catan, offering a collection of various small expansions and scenarios. This expansion adds new dimensions to the base game, providing players with more variety and strategic options. It is compatible with the base game and can be combined with other expansions like Seafarers and Cities & Knights.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for CATAN: Traders & Barbarians
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  10. Catan: Cities & Knights – 5-6 Player Extension

    All details for the board game Catan: Cities & Knights – 5-6 Player Extension and similar games

    Catan: Cities & Knights – 5-6 Player Extension expands the beloved Catan series, allowing up to six players to engage in the strategic building and trading game set in the world of Catan. This extension not only accommodates more players but also enhances the depth and complexity of the Cities & Knights expansion by adding new dimensions to the gameplay.

    More details for Catan: Cities & Knights – 5-6 Player Extension
    • 5 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  11. Catan: Cities & Knights – Legend of the Conquerors

    All details for the board game Catan: Cities & Knights – Legend of the Conquerors and similar games

    Catan: The Legend of the Conquerors includes three new scenarios that expand the gameplay of the Cities & Knights expansion. Players will experience a new chapter in Catan's history through these interconnected scenarios, which require deep strategic thinking and present the toughest challenges yet.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Catan: Cities & Knights – Legend of the Conquerors
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • Medium difficulty
  12. Catan Geographies: Bayern Edition

    All details for the board game Catan Geographies: Bayern Edition and similar games

    Die Siedler von Bayern is a historical regional expansion for the Settlers of Catan series, showcasing famous medieval regions of Germany where Celts, Romans, and Germans intermingled. It features cities like Regensburg, Munich, and Passau on a fixed game board, with geographical features mirroring their real-life counterparts. The rules are similar to standard Catan but include unique elements, such as building constraints based on city proximity and simplified harbor usage.

    More details for Catan Geographies: Bayern Edition
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. De Kolonisten van Catan: De Koloniën

    All details for the board game De Kolonisten van Catan: De Koloniën and similar games

    Players explore a large island filled with exotic resources, aiming to profit from them. They must transport these resources to the coast and then overseas, creating a logistical challenge. The expansion, based on a scenario from the Catan book, complements the original game and requires the Seafarers expansion.

    More details for De Kolonisten van Catan: De Koloniën
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Catan: Seefahrer – 20 Jahre Jubiläums-Edition

    All details for the board game Catan: Seefahrer – 20 Jahre Jubiläums-Edition and similar games

    Players explore water routes in a new expansion for Catan, incorporating sea witches and various maritime scenarios. The 20th Anniversary Edition introduces four new scenarios under "The Legend of the Sea Robbers," which feature a connected narrative about pirates arriving in Catan and brings a fresh gameplay experience to the Catan universe. Additional scenario expansions will be available separately in select stores.

    More details for Catan: Seefahrer – 20 Jahre Jubiläums-Edition
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  15. Die Siedler von Catan: Historische Szenarien II

    All details for the board game Die Siedler von Catan: Historische Szenarien II and similar games

    This expansion takes players to the time of the Great Wall of China and the era of the Trojan War. It utilizes a fixed board and components from the base game along with the 5&6 Player Expansion, introducing new elements and playable in about 90 minutes.

    More details for Die Siedler von Catan: Historische Szenarien II
    • 4 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. CATAN: Explorers & Pirates

    All details for the board game CATAN: Explorers & Pirates and similar games

    Catan: Explorers & Pirates is the fourth major expansion for the game, featuring five scenarios and three missions, with some scenarios utilizing missions while others do not. Players explore three islands, starting on one known island, then building ships and settlers to discover new lands. Instead of cities, players can construct harbor settlements that provide resources, and when lacking resources during production, they receive gold as compensation, which can be exchanged for resources or used to escape pirates.

    More details for CATAN: Explorers & Pirates
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  17. Catan Scenario: Crop Trust

    All details for the board game Catan Scenario: Crop Trust and similar games

    In this scenario, players balance their individual needs for crop yields with a shared goal of storing and conserving seeds in a seed cellar. Those who harvest too much risk threatening seed diversity and could lead Catan to mass extinction and a collapse of the food supply.

    More details for Catan Scenario: Crop Trust
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Catan Scenario: Crop Trust

    • YouTube Review for the game "Catan Scenario: Crop Trust" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  18. Die Siedler von Catan: Atlantis – Szenarien & Varianten

    All details for the board game Die Siedler von Catan: Atlantis – Szenarien & Varianten and similar games

    A box expansion for Settlers of Catan, it collects, revises, and adds some new small expansions. It was bundled for free with the 10th anniversary Gold Edition of Settlers. The expansions included are Atlantis, Catan Event Cards, In the Jungle, Volcanoes on Catan, The Specialists, City Walls, Castles on Catan, The Great River, The Harbourmaster, and The Magical 7.

    More details for Die Siedler von Catan: Atlantis – Szenarien & Varianten
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. Catan: Traders & Barbarians – 5-6 Player Extension

    All details for the board game Catan: Traders & Barbarians – 5-6 Player Extension and similar games

    Five to six players dive into new adventures on the island of Catan. The expansion includes new scenarios and offers up to six players paths to even greater wealth or bitter poverty.

    More details for Catan: Traders & Barbarians – 5-6 Player Extension
    • 5 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  20. Die Siedler von Catan: Historische Szenarien

    All details for the board game Die Siedler von Catan: Historische Szenarien and similar games

    This is an expansion featuring two scenarios: Cheops and Alexander the Great. The first scenario involves building pyramids, while the second focuses on the imperial expansion of Alexander.

    More details for Die Siedler von Catan: Historische Szenarien
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  21. Catan: Explorers & Pirates – 5-6 Player Extension

    All details for the board game Catan: Explorers & Pirates – 5-6 Player Extension and similar games

    This expansion allows a fifth and sixth player to join in building, trading, colonizing, fishing, sailing, battling pirates, and spice trading in Catan: Explorers & Pirates. It adds components for two additional players to the game, enhancing the experience of this fourth major expansion for the Settlers of Catan series.

    More details for Catan: Explorers & Pirates – 5-6 Player Extension
    • 5 - 6 Players
    • 120 - 150 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

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