A method and catalyst for producing an alcohol, which method includes supplying water and a C2-C5 olefin to a reactor and performing hydration in a gas phase using a solid acid catalyst. The solid acid catalyst is one in which a heteropolyacid or a salt thereof is supported on a silica carrier. The silica carrier is obtained by kneading a fumed silica obtained by a combustion method, a silica gel obtained by a gel method, and a colloidal silica obtained by a sol-gel method or a water glass method; molding the resulting kneaded product; and calcining the resulting molded body.