The Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reaction of benzaldehyde with ethanol in the liquid phase in the presence of basic catalysts consisting of magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, and mixed oxides obtained by calcination of layered double hydroxides, was studied. The catalysts were characterized using various techniques including X-ray diffraction and gas adsorption (viz nitrogen physisorption to determine textural properties and carbon dioxide chemisorption to elucidate surface basic properties). The catalyst consisting of calcium oxide, which was that possessing the highest density of basic sites, was found to be the most active in the process; the MPV reaction was accompanied by two other, competing reactions (viz aldol condensation and the Tishchenko cross-reaction). The MPV reaction of benzaldehyde with other alcohols was also examined, the highest conversion being obtained with secondary alcohols as hydrogen sources.