Sicily

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About Sicily

It’s a travel-writing cliche to say that a destination is unlike any other, because every destination is unique, but Sicily is really, really unique. It’s an island, but a really big island; and part of Italy, but geographically very close to north Africa; and with its oft smoking volcano, bright blue coastline, and incredible variety of endemic species, it looks something like the way a childrens’ book illustrator might depict paradise. Our recommendations for the best places to stay on Sicily are as varied as the island itself, ranging from cutting-edge wine estates, to grand Baroque palazzos, stone cottage conversions, to elegant beach resorts, and villas in all shapes and sizes.

Some of our Sicilian Collections

Sicily’s size increases its potential for varied terrain — this island has a number of large centres, and numerous memorable beach resorts, old harbour towns, and hilltop charmers. If your idea of the perfect destination involves architectural treasures, then glamorous Palermo, or Baroque masterpieces Noto or Modica might be ideal. If you’re looking for an idyllic beach break consider Taormina or Marsala; if you’re here to uncover historic treasures try seeking them in Agrigento or Syracuse; and if you’re looking for an island escape try one of the islands off Sicily’s southwestern coast — serene Favignana or dramatic Pantelleria.

Sicily’s variety means this is a destination we recommend to many different types of travellers. It's great for families, foodies, walkers, city breakers, island escapers, history buffs and beach lovers. So there’s plenty of reasons to assume that one of the best places to stay on Sicily will probably pique your interest too! The list below is just a few of our favourites.

The Best Places to Stay in Sicily

For a Special Occasion

Q92 Noto Hotel is a boutique hotel converted from an ornately beautiful, 17th century Baroque palazzo in the centre of Noto. Its nine rooms and suites have been individually designed and decorated; some have hand-painted murals, sculptures, marble floors, while others have original artworks, grand balconies, and original tiles. We recommend you look at each of the rooms before deciding. Outside is a beautiful terrace, a small pool and a pretty garden, and inside is a chic lounge where drinks and snacks are served throughout the day. Breakfast can be served inside or out.
You’ll find the Monaci delle Terre Nere on the slopes of Mount Etna, a deep pink villa looking down over vineyards and the ocean. Traditional on the outside, inside it’s simple, with stone walls, wooden beams and whitewashed walls, against which are set bold art works and contemporary lighting. There are 19 rooms and suites, some in the main house and some scattered around the grounds in converted farm buildings, or new builds. The hotel also has a cinema room and games room, tennis courts, a chic pool, and an excellent restaurant.

For the Architecture

Casa Talia is a collection of stone cottages renovated into a ten room hotel, with a charming courtyard and beautiful shady garden. It's located on a hillside, and the views of Modica from the terrace are wonderful! The decor mixes rustic chic with plenty of glass and contemporary Italian design pieces to great effect. Peaceful and great for families.
The Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel is certainly full of charm! It’s just back from the sea, a pleasing blend of period and contemporary features and comforts — think parquet and tile floors, plenty of exposed stone and marble, ornate beamed ceilings, and a pretty courtyard with a fountain. The most impressive suites have private roof terraces and hot tubs. The Sicilian restaurant is one to remember. Despite the air of romance, this is a great option for families, with spacious suites designed with kids in mind.

For an Historic City Break

Converted from an historic, 18th palazzo opposite the cathedral in Noto’s medieval heart, Seven Rooms Villadorata, is a grand collection of rooms, suites, apartments and studios, which inexplicably adds up to nine, rather than seven. Each of the rooms has been individually designed and decorated, incorporating the palazzo’s original, luxurious features, but adding tasteful antiques and all the modern comforts. Some of the rooms have private balconies overlooking the cathedral, while others have incredible tile-work, or tall French doors. Some of the rooms are huge, suitable for families, but all have romantic decor. The restaurant specialises in Mediterranean cuisine.

For a Beach Break

Hotel Kalura has all the features you’d expect from a classic seaside hotel, and then some extra ones. It’s just one hundred-odd steps from its own private beach, an idyllic cove that’s a haven for families and snorkelers — the hotel has its own in-house diving school, plus snorkelling, fishing and canoeing facilities. There’s also a fleet of hotel bikes, a pool with diving boards, a ping pong area, tennis courts, and a playground! The hotel has excellent views over its cove too, from many of the 72 rooms, suites and self-catering apartments — which are also excellent for families. The restaurant has a charming terrace with a view, and a menu offering plenty of local specialities.
The Siracusa Resort is a small and stylish resort, with just eleven rooms, one suite, and three self-catering apartments, and the only private stretch of beach in Syracuse. The decor is chic, with charming, traditional elements, like arched doorways, beautiful tiled floors and exposed stone in pale shades. The restaurant is excellent, and serves meals on a terrace overlooking the sea where possible — including gourmet suppers and buffet breakfasts. And there’s complimentary canoe and bike hire if you want to do a bit of exploring.

For an Island Escape

Favignana’s Il Baglio sull Acqua is a ten room hotel converted from a charming old stone building just a short stroll from the beach. Olive groves and low-lying vegetation are the only things between you and the water, except for the impressive hotel pool and hot tub! The decor is smart and simple, with black and white tiled floors and a minimal approach to detail. The bistro is known for its local specialities, and sunset views. And the family suites are a good size.
Pantelleria Dream is an collection of square, stone dammusi, peacefully arranged over four hectares of hillside overlooking the ocean on Pantelleria, and surrounded by succulents, vineyards, and wonderfully fragrant citrus groves and rosemary. The dammusi villas come in different shapes and sizes, but whatever you choose it will be light and spacious, with minimalist details, and a private terrace overlooking the sea. There are two pools, both beautiful, and a fantastic restaurant. Relaxed and idyllic.

For a Rural Retreat

The Cavanera Etnea Resort is a peaceful wine resort siting at the foot of Mount Etna, surrounded by lush vineyards and forest. Converted from a country estate, the building has some wonderful original features, including a working wine press and a vast cellar! But the interiors are contemporary, simply styled with black-lava tiles, stone-colorer walls and white linens. We love the pool surrounded by grape vines. There’s an excellent restaurant, and there’s an impressive wine bar where they also run tastings and start tours.
Baglio Occhipinti is a gorgeous Italian style, 19th century villa, set within its own vineyard, just outside Ragusa and just 15 minutes from the beach. There are five guest rooms, all large, with exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings, tiled floors and white linens, and a collection of elegantly inviting living spaces. Outside there is a beautiful, mature garden, with a kitchen garden complete with fruit tress, that serves the restaurant, and a pool.

For 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 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 restaurants nearby. Bars and cafes too. Perfect for families, because the superior doubles and suites all comfortably accommodate four.

For Romantics

The Hotel Villa Ducale is a charming, clifftop villa conversion, with magnificent views of Taormina's bay. Most of the 19 rooms and suites have private terraces with fantastic views, but there’s also the pool terrace, a roof terrace, and the dining terrace — which has views of Mount Etna too. The spa doesn’t have a view, but the gardens do. There’s the added bonus of a shuttle down to the hotel’s private beach.
The Grand Hotel Timeo is incredibly positioned between Taorimina’s historic Greek amphitheatre, and the town itself, so the panoramic views are really, really something. Add to the location an elegant, villa-style building, with 70 rooms and suites decorated in timeless Sicilian style, and beautiful antiques, and you have a really special place to stay. Some of the rooms have stunning views from their private terraces, while some have their own hot tubs. To share are the impressive spa and restaurant, and the beautiful pool-with-a-view. They have a complimentary shuttle to take you down to the beach, and complimentary boat trips along the coast.

For Great Value

The Hotel Gutkowski is an unfussy Syracuse villa turned waterside hotel, with 26 simple rooms — the best with French windows and wonderful sea views. As well as admiring the sea from the rooftop terrace, you can also admire the rooftops of the whole peninsula.
The San Giorgio Palace Hotel is a wonderfully designed collection of spacious rooms and suites, which seems to grow out of Ragusa’s original, sandy-coloured stone walls. In all there are 29 rooms, and they’re all decorated with contemporary square lines, down lights, and a colour scheme to complement the stones of the exterior. The location is very convenient, the breakfasts are indulgent, and there’s a welcoming bar. A great choice for families, but also for couples.

Best B&Bs

Il Leone Blu is a four room B&B in the centre of Catania, close to the Urbino Castle and the Roman Theatre, with fantastic original features, and excellent views. Several of the rooms can be doubles or triples, and one can even be a comfortable family suite. Our favourites have original plaster moulded ceilings featuring flowers and musical instruments, and the King Suite has a wonderful private balcony with a view. There’s a shared lounge and a breakfast room, and there are restaurants just moments from the doorstep.
The B&B Il Giardino di Ballaro is centrally located in Palermo, 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 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 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

Sicily has four airports: Palermo Airport, which is in Punta Raisi, about 35kms outside Palermo, and Catania Airport, which is about 5kms outside Catania; both are international airports with flag-carrier and low-cost airlines. Plus there's Trapani Airport and Comiso Airport, which are both favoured by European no-frills carriers.
If you plan 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 chillier in winter and if you do come between November and February expect the daylight hours to impact opening hours too. Spring, or March through June, really, 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 and the beaches, and beach resorts, get busy. Visitors tail off in September, though the sea is still warm, but this is when the humidity rises; the Scirocco winds bring a good amount of rainfall in September. October is a good pick if you’re planning to visit Sicily’s museums and palaces, and admire the architecture, and we recommend September and October, and April and May, as the best times to visit for a walking holiday.

Still not sure which to book?

You could refine your search by location, and search for just the best places to stay in Palermo, Catania, Marsala or Cefalù
Or consider refining your search by the type of holiday you’re planning and focus on the best beach hotels on Sicily, Sicily’s great rural hotels or Sicily's best wine hotels
You could also focus on the best hotels near Mount Etna or the best hotels near Agrigento
Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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The best hotels in Sicily

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Relais San Giuliano

Sicily (Sicily)

Relais San Giuliano is an all-singing, all-dancing pocket rocket, small but perfectly formed with 12 rooms, a spa, infinity pool and restaurant 'I Palici' serving mouth-watering Sicilian dishes. Great for all the family. Just a few miles from Catania it's within easy reach of the airport.

Sights nearby - Etna is 30 minutes away and personal hikes can be arranged. Nearby beaches are only 15 minutes away.
Hideaway - With just 12 rooms it's the perfect hideaway.
Boutique - The rooms are invididually designed.
Spa - Jacuzzi, Hammam and Treatments.

from $200 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Q92 Noto Hotel

Noto

Q92 is a new boutique hotel in Sicily that opened in May 2022. A baroque palazzo in one of the best locations in Noto, Sicily. Nine rooms, a pretty garden with a small pool, private and romantic. A little hidden gem.

Sights nearby - Noto is known for its baroque architecture, including the 18th-century Cathedral.
Swimming Pool - There's a mini pool in the internal garden.
Boutique - Just 9 rooms and suites.
Designer

from $293 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Hotel Villa Ducale

Taormina

Hotel Villa Ducale is a romantic boutique hotel full of character and charm with jaw-dropping sea views. Rooms and suites are decorated with exquisite Italian style, some come with private terrace. There's a lovely garden with pool, and a stunning roof terrace. The perfect choice for a honeymoon.

Luxury - Traditional luxury including frescoed walls, brightly painted walls, trailing roses, hot tubs.
Romantic Break - Hotel Villa Ducale is the most romantic hotel in Taormina.
Views - The terraces offer sensational bay views.
Restaurant - Light lunches and candlelit dinners on the terrace. Traditional and delicious Sicilian cuisine.

from $346 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees