To provide a new method for producing 1,3-propanediols which are important compounds as raw materials for polyesters, urethanes, etc., in a simple production step by using readily available and readily handleable raw materials.

This method for producing 1,3-propanediols represented by the general formula (1): HO-CH(-R1)CH(-R2)CH2-OH (wherein R1 and R2 represents each hydrogen atom or methyl group, with the proviso that at least one of R1 and R2 is hydrogen atom) comprises reacting (meth)allyl alcohol or crotyl alcohol with water in the presence of a ruthenium-based catalyst, a tin-based catalyst, a ruthenium-tin-based catalyst, a zirconium-based catalyst, a magnesium-based catalyst or a mixture thereof or supported catalyst thereof.