A catalytic composition is described for the alkylation and/or transalkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons consisting of beta zeolite, as such or modified by the isomorphous substitution of aluminum with boron, iron or gallium or by the introduction of alkaline and/or earth alkaline metals following an ion-exchange process, and an inorganic ligand, wherein the extrazeolite porosity, i.e. the porosity obtained by adding the mesoporosity and macroporosity fractions present in the catalytic composition itself, is such that a fraction of at least 25% is composed of pores with a radius higher than 100 .ANG., said composition being characterized by a total volume of extrazeolitic pores greater than or equal to 0.80 ml/g.