Sicily is a place unto itself, with its own culture, architecture, decor, cuisine, and take on the Mediterranean lifestyle. It’s also got an incredible landscape that you can’t possibly imagine the variety of before you encounter it. So Sicily, more than other destinations, is somewhere to opt for a B&B over a larger hotel. Sicily’s best B&Bs offer wonderfully personalised service and recommendations, as well as comfortable rooms, memorable surroundings and great breakfasts. And here, more than other places, our Gurus can’t stress enough how much your Sicilian adventures will benefit from local recommendations. So don’t overlook our list of the best B&Bs in Sicily, we have some really super hotel-esque choices too, as well as wonderful masserias and fantastic traditional Sicilian dwellings.
The Best B&Bs for a Beach Break
- Taodomus, an intimate, colourful, ten room B&B in the centre of Taormina, is one of our Sicilian favourites, ticking numerous B&B boxes. Firstly it’s got sea views, from a fantastic roof terrace, but also from the private balconies of some of the best rooms, but it’s also got wonderful views of bustling Taormina. Our Gurus also like the individually styled rooms with their memorable, Sicilian feeling decor and hand-crafted soft furnishings. We also like the quirky details served with breakfast. And the romance of it.
- The Villa U Marchisi B&B is within a short walk of Ragusa’s coast, and close to town too. Intimate and colourful inside with brightly coloured bedding, traditional tiled floors and exposed beams, the five rooms are arranged around a large pool and garden. As well as the daily breakfast, this B&B also has a shared kitchen if you want to do some of your own cooking.
- Lemon House is like the private, and extremely elegant, villa belonging to a friend of your parents, where you’re most welcome, but not really obliged to do anything. There are just four rooms, all of them impeccably smart with a classical contemporary aesthetic. Think tiled floors, four-poster beds and a muted colour palette of pale greys and greens. Outside there’s a pool and bougainvillea-filled garden and terrace. Breakfast is served in the conservatory, and, while you’re still three kilometres from the coast, the villa has a private beach are which you can use. Well, your parent’s friends would too…
For a Rural B&B
- Baglio Giammaccaro is a charming rustic chic, five room B&B with mountain views from the front of the property and a sea view from the back. Within the borders of the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve, this is an exceptionally beautiful bolt-hole, and it’s not just because of the views and pristine surrounds, inside there are hand painted tiles and carefully restored antiques, an extremely elegant sitting room, and an impressive traditional kitchen. There’s also a glorious garden of local flora. Breakfast is served al fresco on the terrace.
- Sicily has some fantastic converted farmhouses and farmstay options, and the Dimora dell'Olivastro is a sort of glamorous, eco-friendly version, surrounded by 32 hectares of its own organic farm on the picturesque island of Favignana just off the coast. Almost entirely self sufficient, from the solar panels to the sea-facing vineyards, the decor is just as carefully planned. There are six rooms, all different but all stylish, with rooms that echo the landscape, from the ocean to the drier, redder interior. All the rooms have a private patio, but some have an outside bed too, and a private plunge pool. This is a real haven from pretty much everything.
The Best City Break B&Bs
- Chic and contemporary, the five rooms of the B&B Delle Vittorie make a great base in the heart of the old centre of Palermo. This is a B&B along the lines of a boutique hotel, offering carefully, and individually decorated rooms and suites with nice touches like four-poster beds and generously proportioned bathrooms with arty tiles. The best rooms also have fantastic views. And you’re surrounded by bars and restaurants, as well as being close to the cathedral and museums.
- The Palazzo Natoli runs along similar lines, wth nine elegant, individually designed rooms with just the right amount of antiques, and just the right fabrics to complement them. Bright and spacious, and within easy walking distance of the heart of Palermo, and the many bars and restaurants within, this is a romantic choice too.
- The B&B Il Giardino di Ballaro is a charming little B&B in the historic heart of Palermo. It has just five rooms which open out onto a citrus-filled central courtyard, all of them spacious, with individual details like an antique wireless or daring artwork on the walls. The building itself has some beautiful original features to appreciate: stone archways and beautifully detailed plaster on the ceilings. Some of the rooms would suit families, and they can arrange babysitting if you need it.
For a romantic stay
- There’s an argument to say that Henry's House’s incredible Mediterranean views should bump it into the beach category, but it’s not a very beachy B&B, more an historic bohemian beauty. On the island of Ortigia, off Syracuse, famous for its architecture, this 12 room rabbit warren of a B&B, has a fabulous collection of furniture, art works and objets d’art, with great wallpapers and wrought iron beds. They serve a typical Italian breakfast on the terrace, where you can also have sundowners at the other end of the day. And you’re just a short stroll from some really charming cafes. Family owned and run in the best possible way.
- Noto’s San Carlo Suites is a collection of just five suites converted from a very elegant townhouse in the historic centre of town. This is the sort of place to stay if you love original, quirky details: floors have wonderful original tiling, and there are exposed sections original walls, and arched doorways. The best rooms have Baroque-style balconies where you can enjoy breakfast al fresco with views of the Basilica of San Nicolò.
- There are many charming features to La Dimora del Castelluccio, but the headliner probably needs to be the incredible roof terrace with views of Mount Etna. Second to the views is probably the charming medieval village that surrounds it, Castiglione di Sicilia, and a very close third must be the three cosy, carefully decorated rooms themselves, with their perfect blend of traditional features and modern design, along with added extras like fine linens and elegant living areas. It’s also friendly and intimate. This is a wonderful base for local exploring.
- Taormina’s Casa Turchetti is a six room B&B that’s elegant and intimate enough to make a really great honeymoon spot. Within a 19th century townhouse in the heart of town, close enough to the water to have panoramic sea views from the roof terrace, this is the sort of B&B with wonderful original features that you’ll really remember. As well as original tiled floors, period furnishings and intricate linens, the best suites also has a four-poster bed and a private balcony.
The Best B&Bs for Families
- Very affordable, but also stylish and well positioned in the centre of Marsala, the B&B Nonno Gino is a good choice if you want to be within striking distance of the beach, but would prefer to be in town. These three rooms, simply decorated, but with some clever touches, have views of the Arch of Garibaldi rather than the ocean — the best have views from their own private balconies. You’re within walking distance of the port and the lively fish market, as well as the centre of town and its museums, and there’s a white, sandy beach about four kilometres away.
- For a rural escape for you and your family consider the Masseria Cianciò, a rustic stone farmhouse dating from the 19th century, converted into a collection of family suites and self-catering apartments. Surrounded by olive trees and set within beautiful dry stone walls, this masseria is quintessentially southern Italian, with wooden beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls, cobbled floors and country-style decor. There are three apartments and five suites, plus a large pool and a sunny terrace where breakfast is served. You’re about five kilometres from the beach, and the owners will organise a picnic if you’re heading out to the beach for the day. Though there are plenty of cafes around too.
For great value
- One of the best value B&Bs in historic Catania, Il Leone Blu is just steps from the Urbino Castle, the Ursino Palace, the Bellini Garden and the Roman Theatre, some of this pretty centre’s key attractions. And it’s historic itself, occupying a carefully renovated historic building of its own, with four bright rooms complete with fantastic frescoes and modern amenities. Some are large enough for families. Plus there’s a good range of restaurants nearby.
- If you’re hunting down a great value choice in the heart of Marsala try the SLO Design House, which has seven rooms and a fabulous roof terrace with views of the Duomo. The best rooms have the same view, and all have chic modern ‘design’ style decor and indulgently proportioned bathrooms. You’re within walking distance of the Promenade and about four kilometres from a white, sandy beach.
Still not sure which one to book?
