PURPOSE: To produce a cyclic alcohol economically, in high conversion, by the catalytic hydration of a cyclic olefin in the presence of a catalyst comprising a mordenite, faujasite or ferriorite zeolite having a specific molar ratio of silica to alumina.

CONSTITUTION: A cyclic alcohol is produced by the catalytic hydration of a cyclic olefin using a catalyst comprising a mordenite, faujasite or ferriorite zeolite wherein the molar ratio of silica to alumina is ≥20. The objective compound can be produced economically in an industrial scale, in extremely high conversion and selectivity compared with conventional process. Since the catalyst exhibits high activity even at a relatively low temperature, the side reactions such as isomerization and polymerization of the cyclic olefin can be suppressed, and the catalytic activity can be maintained stably for a long period under the condition of high conversion. The catalyst can be synthesized relatively easily at a low cost.