15 Best Games Like Catan to Play in 2026
Looking for more games like Catan? We found the best games with trading, building, and fun backstabbing for your next game night.
15 Best Games Like Catan for Board Game Fans: If you love games like Catan, you’ve come to the right place. We wanted to find board games that mix clever trading, building, and a bit of luck, just like Catan does. When picking these games, we focused on fun, easy rules, and plenty of player interaction. Whether you want to build, trade, or talk your way to victory, this list has something for you. Grab your friends and get ready to find your next board game addiction that scratches that same Catan itch.
On this list:
15 Ticket to Ride
We had a blast building train routes and blocking each other’s paths, just like in games like Catan where you race for the best spots. Ticket to Ride has simple rules but can get quite mean and strategic. Planning routes and stealing connections from friends feels oh so satisfying. This game is good for families or anyone scared of complicated rules. Plus, the map is pretty and the little trains are fun to play with, until someone blocks your path and you consider never inviting them over again.
14 Carcassonne
Tile-laying chaos! If you want games like Catan but shorter and with more castles and roads, Carcassonne is your jam. Every turn gives you a new piece to place on the board, making cities bigger or stealing farms from friends. There’s real tension when you fight over fields. We ended up with some weird-looking towns and lots of laughs. Good for new players, but still tricky enough to make you think. Bonus points for people who love tiny wooden people (meeples)!
13 Stone Age
We love Stone Age because it has that resource-gathering fun like Catan. Instead of sheep, though, you’ll be sending your tribe to hunt, gather wood, and make babies (yes, really). Rolling dice to see how much you get always gets the table groaning or cheering. Planning ahead but praying for luck is just the right amount of stress. It looks great on the table and never gets too mean, so it’s safe for family night. If you like the resource trading of games like Catan, this is a winner.
12 Lords of Waterdeep
Ever wanted to be the boss sending adventurers on quests? Lords of Waterdeep does that, but also scratches that games like Catan itch with worker spots and sneaky blocking. We fought over spaces every turn, and someone always managed to steal what we needed at the last second. The game is simple to explain, but you’ll soon find yourself plotting like an evil mastermind. It’s quick, it’s clever, and it looks great on your shelf.
11 7 Wonders
Building a civilization is fun, especially when you don’t have to beg for sheep. In 7 Wonders, you pick cards, build wonders, and collect resources, all while squinting at what your neighbors are doing. It plays fast and fits big groups, which is perfect for game night when everyone shows up. We always end up arguing about whether science or armies are better. There’s enough luck to keep things interesting, and you always want to play again.
10 Pandemic
This classic brings the same teamwork and tension as games like Catan, except you fight diseases instead of each other. We had to work together or lose together, which switches things up from the usual backstabbing. It can get intense, especially when you’re one move away from disaster. It’s tricky, and we lost more than we won, but it’s so satisfying when you finally win. If your group fights too much, try this for a change.
9 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King
Isle of Skye has lots in common with games like Catan—building up your land, trading money, and making clever choices. The cool part here is the tile bidding. We spent way too long guessing what each person would buy. Sometimes you get stuck with your own tile and regret it forever. The scoring changes every game, so it never gets old. If you want Catan’s feel but with more Scottish hats and less sheep, this one’s for you.
8 Power Grid
Power Grid scratches the same brainy itch as games like Catan. You buy resources, compete for spaces, and try to outguess your friends. The auction for power plants might sound boring, but trust us, the table gets heated fast. Money gets tight, and you’ll find yourself staring at the board, wishing you’d planned better. It’s a bit more thinky, but pulling off a perfect power network is the best feeling. If you like math and shouting, Power Grid is for you.
7 Bohnanza
Nothing says games like Catan quite like trading, and in Bohnanza, the whole game is about that. You’re stuck with the cards you have, but bargaining and bluffing with friends will make you laugh (and maybe ruin friendships). We tried every sneaky trick to get rid of the stinky beans. The rules are simple but clever and it’s just the right length. Perfect for people who like Catan but want more deals and less dice.
6 Tokaido
Tokaido is a chill choice for fans of games like Catan. You move along a path, picking up souvenirs, eating food, and having a lovely (and sometimes competitive) stroll through Japan. We spent half our time playing nice, and the other half blocking each other from hot springs. The game is relaxing and pretty, with just enough strategy to keep things interesting. If your group needs a break from fighting over sheep, Tokaido is a peaceful change.
5 Castles of Burgundy
If you want games like Catan but with even more options, Castles of Burgundy is a great pick. There are dice, tiles, and more ways to score points than we could count. It looks a bit dull, but don’t let that fool you—the game makes you feel clever every turn. We spent ages planning the perfect move, and then someone took the tile we needed. It’s a brain burner, but so rewarding when things work out. Not for the impatient, but perfect for planners.
4 Concordia
Concordia is much loved by fans of games like Catan. You spread across ancient Europe, collecting resources and building trade networks. The rules are simple, but you’ll spend the game wondering if you should have copied your friend’s moves instead. Our group always ends up with completely different scores and strategies, but it still feels fair. The card play is clever, and you’ll be hooked after a game or two. You feel like a genius when you get the rhythm right.
3 Tiny Towns
Tiny Towns gives that same build-your-own-place feeling as games like Catan, but on a smaller and cuter scale. You’ll collect resources and try to fit buildings onto a tiny grid. It’s all about planning ahead until someone calls a resource you can’t use, and then you curse under your breath. It’s really easy to learn, but we kept wanting to play ‘just one more’ to beat our high score. Fast, fun, and adorable.
2 Splendor
Splendor lets you collect shiny things and race to build the best engine, similar to games like Catan. The game is easy to learn, hard to master, and sneaky. We spent almost every turn guessing what gems others would take. It’s quick and always feels close. You may not talk as much, but the tension is real when someone snags the card you needed. Bling has never been so stressful.
1 Terraforming Mars
We put Terraforming Mars at the top because it’s the king for fans hunting for games like Catan. You’ll collect and trade resources, build cities, and race to shape Mars. The table fills up with cool tiles and ridiculous card combos. It scratches every itch: trading, growing your engine, and blocking your friends. Our group saw epic victories, crushing defeats, and way too many cubes. It’s deep, but you learn as you go. If you only buy one game, this is it—it has everything great about Catan, plus space plants.
