Eylul 
A trip to Italy is always a good idea, visiting an island is even better! Sicily will greet you with its friendly and welcoming atmosphere so get ready to eat delicious food, discover Baroque architecture and amazing beaches!
Sicily is one of the most popular islands in Italy and has so much to offer to travelers in terms of history, culture, and entertainment. You will definitely be impressed with its incredible architecture and cultural heritage but apart from being a very picturesque island, you will also find amazing restaurants, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife. I know for sure that there is a lot to discover for every type of traveler in Sicily!
Sicily is one of the biggest islands in Italy and every part of the island has its own unique vibe. I highly recommend you to rent a car on the island because it will help you to get around more easily and you can even take some nice day trips to other great places.
There are so many places to stay in Sicily but as it is a touristy destination, make sure to book your place in advance to make sure you don’t miss out on your perfect accommodation. Most of the hotels have a free cancellation policy, so do not worry if you change your mind. It is also a good idea to split your holiday between the south and north coast and spend a few days in different cities. Luckily for you I will give you some great, hand picked options for both!
Let’s get started to discover this beautiful island and find an answer to where to stay in Sicily!
Contents
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Here are some of the best places to stay in Sicily sorted by price, all of them have fabulous reviews and great location too!:
Here is a map about where to stay in Sicily with all the 6 neighborhoods I will be talking about in this post, so you can easily visualize them:
- Palermo: for first-timers
- Cefalu: for beach lovers
- Taormina: for the nightlife
- Syracuse: for the coolest area
- Agrigento: for history lovers
- Catania: on a budget
1. Palermo – where to stay in Sicily for the first time
Located in the northwest part of the island, Palermo is the capital of Sicily and it is the best place to stay if you are visiting for the first time. Here you will discover amazing baroque buildings built by kings, historical churches, charming palaces, museums, and art galleries. You can easily explore the main landmarks in the old town on foot so if you love history, Palermo has a lot to offer to you!
Even if you’re not that much into history, you can also enjoy views of the impressive streets from a number of very nice local restaurants, bars, and trendy nightlife. After a long sightseeing day just pick a quirky cafe and enjoy the view while having a nice wine and a delicious Sicilian meal. I’m already jealous of your future holiday!
There are so many hotels in Palermo from luxury to budget. Before talking about them I would like to remind you of the importance of making a booking in advance for this super popular city. As this is a very touristy area, hotels can fill up so quickly, so it is better to be safe than sorry! Whilst you’re planning your Italian getaway, I can highly recommend these hotels in Rome and the Amalfi Coast if you have more time!
Let’s find a nice place to stay in Palermo:
One of the best luxury hotels in the area. The beautiful hotel is located at the heart of Palermo around upscale shops and restaurants. Grand Wagner Hotel features a nice bar, fitness center, and private parking. The hotel rooms have amazing interior designs that featured in the famous Italian film ‘The Leopard’.
Other accommodation options in Palermo
The nice resort offers a sauna, Turkish bath, a small hydromassage pool, a bar, and a restaurant
Located around popular restaurants and bars, the hotel offers breakfast and an airport shuttle
Self catering Airbnb that has easy access to the city center. The apartment has rooms with great city views
Things to do in Palermo
- Visit spectacular Royal Palace of Palermo
- Go shopping at Vucciria market for crafts, clothes, and fresh food
- Visit the Cathedral of Monreale which has an amazing baroque architecture
- Check out cool shops and restaurants at Via Principe di Belmonte
- See the UNESCO listed Arab-Normal Palermo Cathedral
- Spend some time at baroque square Quattro Canti
- Visit one of the largest opera house in Europe – Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele
- If you have the courage visit the Capuchin Catacombs to see mummified corpses
2. Cefalu – if you love spending time at the beach
Cefalu is located 60km (40 miles) east of Palermo. It is a very charming town by the sea and the best place to stay in Sicily if you want to be close to the beaches. Cefalu has a very laid back vibe with pristine sandy beaches. Take your towel, pick a nice place on the beach and enjoy swimming in crystal clear water!
In this cute fishing town, you will find very good local seafood restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. At the center of the Cefalu, you will see a historic church and you can easily discover the surroundings on foot. If you want to spend most of your trip by the beaches having lazy days with a laid back vibe, Cefalu is one of the best places to stay in Sicily and is sometimes compared to the incredible landscapes of Malta!
Here you will find limited hotels so don’t forget to make your booking in advance once you find your ideal place!
This amazing hotel is set right on the beach at Cefalu. The luxury resort offers a swimming pool, a spa, a nice bar, and free parking. The resort rooms have amazing sea views and family friendly rooms are available too making it one of the best luxury resorts in Sicily for beach lovers.
Other accommodation options in Cefalu
A nice villa just on the beach which features rooms with balconies. Airport shuttle is available too
A beautiful villa-style accommodation which offers a nice swimming pool and rooms with an amazing view
Airbnb with a perfect location for exploring the city and nearby beaches. Restaurants are within walking distance
Things to do in Cefalu
- Explore local shops, bars and restaurants at Corso Ruggero
- Have nice dessert at Pasticceria Pietro Serio
- Have a walk to La Rocca and explore the Temple of Diana with an amazing view of the harbor
- Devote a day to spend at the beach and enjoy swimming in the turquoise water
- Have a stroll along the coast at the harbor and experience local people’s life
- Check out the seafood restaurants in town and have a fresh food
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3. Taormina – where to stay in Sicily for nightlife
Taormina is located on the east coast of the island and is a 1-hour drive from Catania Airport. It is a very picturesque town with beautiful buildings covered with flowers, medieval castles, and a nice beach. Here you will find a bit of everything but I recommend going to the hilly part of Taormina by cable car and enjoy amazing beach views from there – they are incredible!
In Taormina, there are so many nice restaurants, trendy bars, and cafes, meaning nightlife is very vibrant in this part of the island. After discovering the beauties of the area you can pick a nice Sicilian restaurant to have a delicious meal then check out the night scene. Make sure to have a look out for some fun beach parties too! If you are looking for a place to stay in Sicily with vibrant nightlife, you will love Taormina.
Here are the best hotels in this area:
The luxury hotel features a rooftop terrace with a cocktail bar, an exclusive 260 m² spa area with a sauna, a Turkish bath, therapy showers as well as an outdoor swimming pool. The city center is within walking distance and an airport shuttle is available too.
Other accommodation options in Taormina
A nice boutique hotel with a private beach. Also offers a good breakfast, free wifi, and an airport shuttle
Right on the Taormina seafront, the hotel features free WiFi a good breakfast daily, and a café on-site with sea views
The beautiful villa has a spacious room with an amazing view. Restaurants and bars can be found nearby
Things to do in Taormina
- Check local bars and restaurants of Taormina at Mazzarò
- Watch a performance at ancient greek theatre – Teatro Antico di Taormina
- Spend time at Panasia Beach and join the party when it gets dark
- Visit historical village Castlemola which has an amazing view of Mount Etna
- Sign up for a tour to explore Mount Etna
- Join a boat tour to volcanic Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands
4. Syracuse – the coolest town in Sicily
Located on the east coast, Syracuse is 1-hour drive from Catania Airport and ~3 hours away from Palermo by car. It is a very nice historic town which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best way to discover this area is simply having a walk along the medieval streets, checking amazing buildings, and spending some time in nice cafes on the cobbled streets. You will be amazed by the historic atmosphere of this town full of baroque architecture!
In Syracuse, you will find many cool shops, restaurants, and bars. It is also a great base to discover the east coast of the island. Here you will feel like you are traveling back in time while you will also have access to modern facilities and to the beach. Can it get any more perfect? So get your camera ready because this one is full of amazing instagrammable locations!
The luxury boutique hotel has rooms with balconies overlooking the sea. Hotel Henry’s house offers a great breakfast, a bar, and private parking. The nearby Neapolis Archeological Site is just 3 km (1mile) away and this beautiful hotel is also a great place for families.
Other accommodation options in Syracuse
Located in the historic center the hotel offers en suite rooms with air conditioning, free WiFi, and a nice bar
Featuring city views and free WiFi, the hotel is centrally located in Siracusa. An airport shuttle and private parking is available
A charming apartment in the city center. This Airbnb has a spacious room with great amenities
Things to do in Syracuse
- Have a stroll along with the old town and discover hidden gems of the island
- Visit Neapolis Archaeological Park and learn about the area’s history
- Go shopping at the market in Ortigia and check out some nice souvenirs
- Visit Castello Maniace and enjoy the great view
- Spend time at sandy beaches at Ortigia
- Visit the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria Delle Colonne
5. Agrigento – where to stay in Sicily for history lovers
Agrigento is located on the south east coast of Sicily and 2 hours drive from Palermo. It is an archeological area and home to the most popular tourist attraction in Sicily – the Valley of the Temples. Here you will find ruins from 3000 years ago with Hellenistic and Roman ancient settlements, temples, as well as archaeological museums.
If you are into history you will absolutely love your time here discovering these ancient sites! Don’t forget your camera – there are also a number of cool statues and sculptures scattered throughout the area!
As these historic sites are very popular, Agrigento is visited by tourists all year round. That’s why in this area you will be able to find more than enough restaurants, cafes, and bars. There are also very nice accommodation options in Agrigento so here are some of the best hotels to stay in Sicily:
This elegant 5-star hotel is located in Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The luxury hotel features a wellness center, an outdoor pool, free parking, and Wifi and certainly is a magical place to stay in Agrigento.
Other accommodation options in Agrigento
The hotel overlooks the Valley of the Temples and is a 15-minute walk from Agrigento archaeological site
Located in the center of Agrigento, the hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with free wifi
A beautiful Airbnb with a swimming pool. Guest can use bikes of the apartment
Things to do in Agrigento
- Visit the historical Valley of the Temples
- Learn about Sicilian history at the Agrigento Regional Archaeological Museum
- Go shopping at Agrigento market on Fridays
- See historic buildings and churches at Agrigento Old Town
- Visit the beautiful Torre Salsa Nature Reserve
- Enjoy beach time at Capo Rossello
- Visit the spectacular Scala Dei Turchi which has stairs carved by the sea
6. Catania – where to stay in Sicily if you’re on a budget
Catania is located on the east coast of Sicily and it is the second-largest city of Sicily. Catania Airport is just 7km (5 mi) from here. In this city, you will be able to see the famous volcano Mount Etna. Etna is the most active volcano in the world which increases its popularity among tourists and every year many travelers come just to hike to the volcano. How cool is that!? You should experience this nice hike during your Sicily trip as the sights from the top are definitely well worth it!
In the center of the city you will find many ancient Roman and Greek sites. You can easily explore these historic places on foot. Being a popular city, Catania offers a great number of nice restaurants, coffee shops, and wine bars and has vibrant nightlife too! So even if you just like history a little bit, you will still find plenty of other ways to fill your days.
In this city, there are more accommodation options compared to other parts of the island. That’s why here you will be able to find more budget places to stay and hotels with a better deal. Also, thanks to the many different attractions, Catania is a nice area to stay for families where you can find more space for your money.
Here are the top 4 hotels that I picked for you in this area:
Duomo Suites & Spa is located in the city centre of Catania and offers a luxury stay in Sicily. The spacious hotel rooms feature air conditioning, a Smart TV, and free wifi. Guests can rent a bike from the hotel to discover the city. Piazza Duomo and Catania Cathedral are a few minutes walk and Catania Airport is just 4 km (2 miles) from the hotel.
Other accommodation options in Catania
The centrally located hotel has beautifully decorated rooms. Free Wi-Fi, and parking available on site
The nice hotel offers free Wi-Fi, modern rooms with a private bathroom, and a convenient location
The luxury house located in the heart of the historic city center and features fully furnished rooms
Things to do in Catania
- Visit Basilica Cattedrale Sant’Agata
- Explore the former home of Sicily’s most famous composer at Museo Civico Belliniano
- Try delicious Sicilian pasta at Trattoria La Norma
- Take a trip to Aci Castello and enjoy the great view
- Climb to the highest peak of Teatro Romano and the Roman Odeon for views of Catania
- Join a guided tour at UNESCO heritage Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena
- Attend guided Mt Etna hiking tour to explore Etna’s lava flow caves
- Take a day trip to see the Val di Noto
| 👑 Luxury price: | €150 |
| 💵 Mid-range hotel: | €70 |
| 🛏️ Budget : | €30 |
| 🏠 Airbnb: | €60 |
| 💰 Accommodation prices: | Low |
| 📍 Best Area: | Palermo |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Grand Hotel Wagner |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | La Casa Di El |
BONUS 1: 3 amazing day trips from Palermo
In Sicily, many beautiful attractions are spread around the island and all of them are worth including in your vacation itinerary as day trips. The easiest way to discover these places is to rent a car. No matter where you stay in Sicily, I highly recommend you spare a couple of days to check out some of these incredible day trips. Whilst it’s possible to do any of these day trips from either side of the island (if you’re willing to have a long day), I am going to assume you would stay in Palermo, the capital.
Each of these day trips are within a couple hours drive from Palermo in the northern part of Sicily.
1. San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo is situated in the north western part of Sicily and around 1 and a half an hour drive from Palermo. Here you will find one of the best sand beaches in Sicily! In summer time you can even do boat tours to enjoy the beautiful coast.
Here you will also see the gorgeous Monte Monaca which is a popular hiking destination. If you want to have a break from sightseeing and spend some time swimming in the crystal clear water and enjoying nature, you should definitely make a day trip to San Vito Lo Capo.
2. Trapani
Located at the north west edge of the island and about 1 and a half an hour drive from Palermo, Trapani is one of the most romantic towns in Sicily. Imagine strolling through the cute historic buildings by the seaside which offer a spectacular view with your partner.
There is also a very nice beach in Trapani just next to the historic town making this the perfect romantic escape. If you have time, I recommend you take a cruise in Trapani to discover the surroundings of this stunning coast!
The beauty of Trapani is you can both enjoy beach time and also go sightseeing in the medieval city center on the same day. Then, finish off the evening by watching the sunset with a glass of wine in one of the seaside restaurants in Trapani. I don’t know if you can beat enjoying Sicilian food with a beautiful view! If you stay in Palermo Trapani is one of the nicest day trip options you should do in Sicily.
3. Parco delle Madonie
For those of you who love the outdoors, this one’s for you! In just under 2 hours driving east you will reach Parco delle Madonie where you will find expansive protected land, perfect for hiking. The park is home to the Madonie mountain range which boasts some of the highest peaks in Sicily so don’t forget your camera! You might even get to spot some of the island’s adorable animals on the ancient rocks here.
This is also a great place to see what rural life is like in Sicily as there are many traditional farms and old castles in the area. There is no public transport available to the park so you will need to rent a car or take a bus to Cefalù to join a tour.
BONUS 2: How to get around in Sicily
In Sicily, distances can be long between cities. That’s why renting a car is the best option to get around on the island. It will also give you the freedom to visit more remote areas. However, If you don’t want to drive a car here, there are some other transportation options that will help you to get around in Sicily.
Driving in Sicily
The most convenient way to get around on the island is renting a car, especially if you are planning to stay a long time and make stops in different towns. It is easy to drive in Sicily among major cities but keep in mind that you might get caught in traffic jams in some areas. In order to avoid that, choose early hours in the morning or the middle of the day to hit the road.
By train
All main cities in Sicily such as Palermo, Catania, Messina, Syracuse, Agrigento, Taormina, and Trapani have good train connections. There are 2 train operators in Italy, Trenitalia (or Ferrovie Dello Stato FS) and InterCity, you can check timetables on their website. I recommend booking train tickets in advance as the price sometimes goes up the closer you get to the date.
By bus
Bus fares are generally less than train tickets and are even cheaper when you buy a round trip. The biggest bus company on the island with the largest network is AST and Interbus. You can check the routes and timetables on their website and buy the tickets online.
Frequently asked questions about Sicily
🗺️ What is the best part of Sicily to stay?
Palermo is the best place to stay in Sicily if you are visiting for the first time as you will have easy access to the main attractions of Sicily and be able to reach nice beaches easily.
🏖️ What is the nicest part of Sicily?
Palermo, Cefalu, Taormina, and Catania are the nicest parts of Sicily.
🏡 Which side of Sicily is better?
Even though there are many nice parts of the island, the southwest part of Sicily offers beautiful beaches and historic sites.
🏝️ Where should I base in Sicily?
On the east coast, Catania is a good base to discover surrounding areas and also to go to Mount Etna. In the southwest, Palermo is a great place to explore historic sights and beaches.
⏱️ How many days should I stay in Sicily?
Sicily is a very big island so if you want toexplore many parts of the island you should stay for 4-5 days at least.
🤔 What should you not miss in Sicily?
Some of the things that should not be missed in Sicily are the Aeolian Islands, Mount Etna, the Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina, and the Valley of the Temples.
Conclusion
Sicily is one of the best islands in Italy so I am sure you will have an amazing time during your trip. I hope this blog post helped you understand the best areas and you already found a nice hotel.
In this post, I covered the best places to stay in Sicily and mentioned the top hotels as well as Airbnbs in each area. Sicily is visited all year round by travelers so I highly recommend you make a reservation now if you have already found your ideal home away from home.
As it is a big island it might be difficult to make a choice among the many best areas. If that is the case I would suggest you rent a car and spend a few days in different cities to experience different parts of the island and discover different attractions and beaches.
To sum up, here are the best hotels to stay in Sicily in the nicest areas where I would definitely recommend you to stay. They both have good locations and great reviews too!
- Grand Hotel Wagner – A very nice luxury hotel at the heart of Palermo with elegant features
- Villa Gaia Hotel – A beachfront hotel with a great location in Cefalu and good facilities
I am curious to know about your experiences in Sicily, so don’t forget to leave a comment below if you have any other suggestions or questions about Sicily or Italy! I’ll be happy to leave a reply!
Have a nice holiday,
Eylul
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