Sicily’s capital promises more adventure than your average island city break. Its wonderfully worn buildings, on slightly chaotic streets, show the architectural marks of the island’s many inhabitants, who’ve passed through this crossroads of a city on the edge of Europe. Many of the best places to stay in Palermo today are found in the old historic centre, amongst the domes, cupolas, Baroque churches and Gothic palaces. Some of our recommendations have been converted from a single building, a palazzo or villa, while others are clusters of buildings. In Palermo we favour the smaller properties, and have a great list of B&Bs and guesthouses, as well as elegant, historic hotels, and a handful of very family-friendly options.

If Palermo seems busy, that's because there’s a lot going on here! But once you’re past the main streets you’ll be rewarded by a less uniform pattern of lanes and piazzas, where it’s possible to come upon a market as fragrant and colourful as a souk, or a chapel filled with wonderfully detailed mosaics. Most of our favourite hotels here are located between Palermo’s grand and patterned cathedral and the sea; within these few neighbourhoods you can also find the city's impressive opera house, palace, its giant fountain, and a magically varied collection of religious buildings. This is also a fantastic area for eating and drinking well, with piazzas and streets lined with both old and new places to try out.

Palermo is lively and fun and full of not only great history and architecture, but also wonderful places to eat, drink and just hang out. If you can be bothered to hop on the bus for 20 minutes, you'll also find a superb beach in Mondello.

However don't forget that this is an incredibly busy place during the peak summer months. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Palermo in July or August, you'll need to get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to stay in Palermo

For Central Palermo

• Palazzo Natoli is a small and stylish B&B in central Palermo, with nine, bright, spacious rooms, decorated to complement the palazzo’s charming original features. Think white walls, French windows, and floors tiled in grey. The breakfast is a generous spread, and guests are well located for visiting local bars and restaurants, and for exploring the city.
• The Palazzo Arone dei Baroni di Valentino is a stunning historic 'residence d'epoca' located just steps from the famous Quattro Canti. A private noble house and boutique B+B, its eight elegant rooms and suites and beautifully preserved salons are furnished with antiques and priceless cultural collections. 
• The B&B Il Giardino di Ballaro is a centrally located B&B, with plenty of character to its five rooms and suites, and plenty of individuality too. Think quirky art, unusual antiques and wonderful original features. The citrus-scented courtyard is the hub of the B&B, a place for an al fresco breakfast, or an evening drink, or a dip in the hot tub. Families are welcome, with babysitting easily arranged, and lots of different room configurations to choose from, but this can also be an intimate spot.

For Romantics

• The Principe di Villafranca is a stylish choice in the heart of town, a short stroll from bars, restaurants, and the Politeama and Massimo theatres. Its 32 rooms and suites are simply decorated, with plenty of white, parquet flooring, the odd Sicilian antique, and contemporary art and design pieces to make a statement. The hotel often hosts art exhibitions in the communal areas, which include a beautiful lobby and a lounge and library. The hotel’s restaurant is a cosy affair with a typically Sicilian menu, and there’s also a bar, and gym.

For Families

• The Palazzo Brunaccini is a chic hotel on a pretty piazza in central Palermo. Its 18 rooms are individually laid out and decorated, but all come with a neutral colour scheme and contemporary furnishings, accented with contemporary art and the odd antique. The contemporary simplicity makes a good contrast with the building’s original beamed ceilings, arched doorways, and large windows. The most romantic rooms have four-poster beds and private balconies. The family rooms are spacious, with lots of living room. The restaurant is cosy and welcoming for both couples and families.
• L'Hotellerie Easy Suites has been converted from a large and shapely, 16th century villa, right in the heart of historic Palermo. This property has bags of charm both inside and out. Its ten rooms and suites have all been individually designed and decorated, with contemporary additions making the most of the original features. Expect exposed stone, pillars, vaulted ceilings, stone and marble fireplaces, and huge windows. Outside is a lovely sun terrace with a view, and a small pool. There’s no restaurant, but they serve an excellent buffet breakfast, and there are plenty of eateries nearby. Perfect for families — the superior doubles and suites all comfortably accommodate four.

For Great Value

• Considering its location in the heart of the old town, the B&B Delle Vittorie has very contemporary decor. Each of the five rooms and suites has been individually decorated, and features square-edged wooden furniture, sophisticated colour schemes, and large, comfortable beds. Some rooms have four-poster beds. The service is warm and friendly, and they offer a babysitting service if you need one.

Best B&Bs

• The BB22 Palace is a small, boutique-style B&B, converted from a beautiful palazzo in central Palermo. There are only five rooms; each has been individually decorated, based on its own merits, so that some are crisp and contemporary, and some cosier and more traditional. All have large bathrooms and high-quality linens. Breakfast is served on the terrace when possible, and it’s a wonderful place for drinks in the evening too.
• Sister of the BB22 Palace, the original BB22 is also an excellent boutique-feeling B&B, also converted from an elegant old building in central Palermo. The BB22 has five rooms and a suite, all decorated with contemporary flair, think bold wallpapers, plush furnishings, and creative use of lighting. Each the rooms is uniquely decorated, but the larger rooms, and the suite, have stand-alone bathtubs too.

For a Private apartment or private villa

• If you're travelling as a family or a group of friends it may be a better option to book a villa or apartment. For a wide range of properties for all tastes and budgets we recommend you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Palermo has its own airport, Palermo Airport, which is about 20 minutes from the centre of Palermo by taxi, 25 on the bus, or around 40 minutes on the train. You can also reach Palermo by ferry.
• If you want to hire a car, we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Sicily, unlike some Italian destinations, remains open all year round. That doesn’t mean it’s equally nice all year round, it’s definitely chilly in winter. If you do come between November and February expect the daylight hours to impact opening hours too. Spring, or March through June, is one of our favourite times to visit Sicily, because the weather is sunny and mild, and the festival and events calendar is packed with activity leading up to Easter. July and August are properly hot, the beach and sea are very pleasant, and there are lots of food and music festivals held around Palermo at this time — so it can be expensive. But the Scirocco winds also bring a good amount of rainfall to Palermo in summer, so don’t expect clear skies all the time. Visitor numbers tail off in September, though the sea is still warm and pleasant. October is a good pick if you’re planning to visit the museums and palaces, and admire the architecture. We recommend September and October, and April and May, if you're planning a walking holiday.

Still not sure which to book?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay on Sicily
• Or consider refining your search by the type of holiday you’re planning and focus on the best beach hotels on Sicily, our Gurus’ collection of Sicily’s great rural hotels or Sicily's best wine hotels
• You could also drill down by location, and focus on the best hotels near Mount Etna or the best hotels near Agrigento
• Alternatiely, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.