The production of nanomaterials has been developing rapidly as an attractive option for a variety of applications such as electronic devices for storage and energy conversion, chemical and biological sensors, as well as catalysts and catalyst supports. Among these materials, carbon nanotubes have attracted increasing scientific and technological interest due to their fascinating properties. Since its discovery in 1991, many studies have been addressed to their synthesis, purification and characterization as well as their applications. In catalysis, these materials exhibit  a great potential for application due to their excellent chemical and textural properties, which include mainly small size, mesoporosity and high specific surface area, as well as their electronic properties, high adsorption capacity and the presence of functional groups on the surface. These properties make them promising candidates for application both as a support and as active phase in a great variety of reactions such as ethylbenzene dehydrogenation, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, hydrogenation of alkenes, oxidation of methanol, methane decomposition and removal of organic compounds in wastewater, among others. By considering the importance of these materials for catalysis, this review aims to describe critically and concisely, some of the fascinating properties of carbon nanotubes and their relationship with catalysts. In addition, some key catalytic applications will be reported in order to highlight the importance of these materials in catalysis field, referencing recent work by authors with experience in the area.