15 best hotels in Sicily, from Palermo to Catania
If you've been left with a The White Lotus-shaped hole in your heart ever since Tanya McQuoid, the Di Grasso trio and Portia's divisive wardrobe exited our screens, the “best hotels in Sicily” has likely been hovering at the top of your list of recent Google searches. Or maintaining pole position.
You can hardly be blamed. The White Lotus Hotel (that's the San Domenico Palace in Taormina, FYI), offers beautiful scenery aplenty and filming locations that would make any The White Lotus fan swoon. But ~way before~ its White Lotus renaissance, Sicily has been delighting travellers looking for a slice of la dolce vita.
Best hotels in Sicily at a glance:
- Best overall: San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel
- Best hotel in Sicily for families: Verdura Resort, A Rocco Forte Hotel
- Best hotel in Sicily for couples: Verdura Resort, A Rocco Forte Hotel
- Best hotel in Sicily Taormina: Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel
- Best hotel in Sicily on a budget: Donna Carmela
Get ready…
Sicily offers picturesque coastlines, historic towns, delicious Sicilian cuisine, as well as beautiful olive groves and vineyards that blend a myriad of Roman, Greek and even Arabic influences – thanks to its sun-drenched location at the bottom of Italy’s boot.
Sicilian capital Palermo is full of life and a great place to get lost, while clifftop town Taormina boasts some incredible views of the Ionian Sea. Noto (yes – that Noto) is a stylish Italian village filled with luxe boutiques and palazzos, while the historic towns of Agrigento and Syracuse (with its historical centre Ortygia) are great spots for culture vultures. Elsewhere, UNESCO World Heritage town Modica is world famous for its baroque Sicilian architecture.
Rustic coastal towns such as Salina, Cefalu, Ragusa and Trapani are great for day trips, while the Aeolian Islands — a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea — have some of the best beaches in Europe. So – whether you want to recreate your favourite The White Lotus scenes in San Domenico Palace, go on a yacht trip or indulge in a delicious Cannoli – then we’ve got the very best Sicily hotels for every style and budget so you can holiday Jennifer Coolidge style. Five star hotels, luxury hotels, stylish boutique hotels, 18th-century villas, charming B&Bs and rustic masserias included.
After something else? Shop the best travel pillows and book into one of the best hotels in Tenerife, best hotels in Santorini, best Mallorca hotels and the best hotels in Cancun for a girls' holiday of your dreams.
Ahead, the best hotels in Sicily to check into in 2023.
1. Best for: White Lotus fans
San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel
Why we love it: While the San Domenico Palace, in the gorgeous hilltop town of Taormina, has risen to pop culture fame thanks to the latest season of White Lotus, this 14th-century palace has been raising the luxury hospitality bar in Sicily since 1896. A Four Seasons Hotel, San Domenica Palace offers stunning views of Mount Etna and is just a quick walk away from Taormina’s ancient Greek Theatre and vibey town centre. Expect bougainvillea-covered gardens, beautiful sea views, modern luxe décor, and of course the five-star hospitality of any Four Seasons hotel. Book a treatment in the wellness centre, do some laps in the cliffside infinity pool, enjoy a cocktail in the Grand Cloister Bar, or dine in the Michelin-starred Principe Cerami Restaurant – it really is one of the best luxury hotels in Sicily.
Price per night: £1,500 per night in the low season and £1,775 per night in the high season.
Address: Piazza San Domenico, 5 98039 Taormina, Sicily, Italy.
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2. Best hotel in Sicily for families
Verdura Resort, A Rocco Forte Hotel
Why we love it: Occupying a vast 570 acre estate, the Verdura Resort is one of the biggest hotels on our list with so much on offer that you’ll never want to leave. Located in Ribera, Verdura Resort foregoes the traditional palazzo/masseria style aesthetic of most Sicilian hotels and instead opts for a look that’s more modern. There are plenty of activities that will entertain the whole family, making up for the hotel’s remote location. This includes a gargantuan 40,000 square foot spa (which has everything from private treatment rooms to thalassotherapy), three golf courses, free WIFI throughout, large outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a running track, kids club and every water sport under the sun. The hotel’s 20 three and four bedroom villas are perfect for big families, with each boasting its own private pool. The hotel also has 150 free electric bikes and golf cart rentals to help guests navigate its vast property with ease.
Price per night: From £497.
Address: Ss 115 Km 131, 92019 Ribera, Italy.
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3. Best hotel in Sicily for couples
Why we love it: Dimora delle Balze is located in Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage recognised group of historic baroque towns in Italy. Val di Noto comprises eight towns, Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa and Sicili and each one is a baroque-lovers dream. All are within driving distance from Dimora delle Balze. Occupying a 19th-century masseria, Dimora delle Balze is all about rustic elegance, with much of the masseria’s original farmhouse architecture remaining intact. This is countryside chic at its finest, with every room inspired by a different Sicilian book or film. Lounge by the pool or have an Aperol Spritz from the chic Limonaia Lounge and Bar – it’s all about barefoot elegance here and we’re all for it.
Price per night: From £469.
Address: ss287 al km 6.3, 96017 Noto, Italy.
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4. Best hotel in Sicily Taormina
Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel
Why we love it: Sister property to the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, and accessible by hourly shuttle services between both hotels, the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo offers some of the best views of the Sicilian coast and the Ionian Sea. Both hotels share their facilities, so you get the best of both worlds — hilltop views in Grand Hotel Timeo and private beach access at Villa Sant’Andrea. The Grand Hotel Timeo is just a quick walk away from the historic Greek amphitheatre with beautiful views of Mount Etna. Inside, timeless interiors reigns supreme and like any Belmond property – the service is simply exceptional. With 70-ish rooms complete with private terraces and balconies and Ortigia toiletries, you won’t need for anything here.
Price per night: £1,284.
Address: Teatro Greco 59, 98039 Taormina, Italy.
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5. Best hotel in Sicily on a budget
Why we love it: Just a quick drive away from Catania Airport, amidst the lush Mediterranean landscapes of Mount Etna, is the eco-friendly villa Donna Carmela. While the Donna Carmela does have swish bungalows and suites complete with private plunge pools, it also has double rooms starting from just £156 – perfect for travellers who don’t want to break the bank. Donna Carmela’s unique location in Mount Etna means guests can embark on amazing excursions exploring the volcano. This includes four-wheel drive adventures, vineyard tours, and daytrips to nearby Syracuse and Taormina. The menu makes the most of the on-site vegetable garden, olive grove and orchard, which really puts a stamp of authenticity on the hotel’s farm-to-table dining concept.
Price per night From £156
Address: Contrada, Via Grotte, 7, 95018 Carruba CT, Italy.
6. Best five star hotels in Sicily
Why we love it: Located in the idyllic historical town of Agrigento, surrounded by manicured gardens and olive groves, the appropriately named Hotel Villa Athena is the best hotel choice for history buffs. With only 27 individually-designed rooms and suites, the Hotel Villa Athena has every luxury amenity a modern traveller requires – yet still retains the baroque grandeur you’d come to expect from any Sicilian hotel. Picture marble bathrooms, hot tubs, stylish Italian furnishings, private terraces, and some pretty incredible temple views. The Hotel Villa Athena is a great base for exploring the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where history buffs will enjoy checking out the Temple of Heracles, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Temple of Concordia. Plus, it’s not too far from the beach too.
Price per night: From £699.
Address: Via Passeggiata Archeologica 33, Agrigento, AG, 92100.
7. Best winery hotels in Sicily
Wine Relais Feudi Del Pisciotto
Why we love it: The Wine Relais Feudi Del Pisciotto is a wine lovers paradise located on a hilltop of a 44-acre vineyard in the South-eastern coast of Sicily. This sprawling estate may not be close to most of Sicily’s other cultural sites but offers plenty to feast on for the gastronomically inclined. The rooms are farmhouse chic – with a mid-century modern touch and exposed stone walls. The star of the show, of course, is the vineyard where guests can go on cellar tours, wine tastings and cooking classes. In the winter months, dinner is served in the palmento overlooking the wine barrels below.
Price per night: From £176.
Address: Contrada Pisciotto, 93015 Niscemi, Italy.
8. Best boutique hotel in Sicily
Why we love it: Occupying a Mussolini-era post office, the Ortea Hotel stands proud in the centre of Ortigia’s waterfront, offering incredible views of Mount Etna and the sea. The hotel, despite its Fascist history, is a luxury oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the Ortigia street market just outside. Inside, the Ortea hotel boasts breezy light-washed interiors, contemporary yet unfussy luxury furnishings and of course plenty of Sicilian touches. White marble is the main feature across the 75 rooms and 46 suites, with some boasting free-standing baths in the middle.
Price per night: From £358.
Address: Riva Nazario Sauro, Ortigia, 96100 Siracusa, Italy.
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9. Best B&B in Sicily
Why we love it: This quirky B&B in Catania is great if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary. The B&B is more gallery than hotel, and the choice of art is surprising to say the least. (This is evidenced by the Spiderman sculpture perched on the 17th-century building’s exterior). Inside, animé portraits meet giant flamingos as both local and international artists come together to transform the former Palazzo Asmundo into a truly unique hotel. Located beside Catania’s famous Pescheria street market and the elegant Piazza Mazzini – you’ll be at the centre of all the hustle and bustle when you stay at the Amundo di Gisira.
Price per night: From £134.
Address: Via Gisira 40, 95125 Catania, Sicily, Italy.
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10. Best hotel in Sicily for feeling like Italian royalty
Why we love it: Occupying a former prince’s home in the Val di Noto region, the Hotel Il San Corrado di Noto is a Relais & Châteaux property that will make you feel like Italian royalty from the moment you check-in. Once home to Prince Nicolaci, the hotel is now an idyllic, environmentally conscious resort where lush interiors, excellent service and a delicious food and drink offer come together to inspire a sense of well-being and relaxation.
Price per night: From £539.98.
Address: Contrada Belludia SP51 Presso: Il San Corrado Resort, 96017, Noto Italy.
11. Best new hotel in Sicily
Why we love it: This chic museum with rooms recently opened on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily after 10 years of painstaking restoration by descendants of the family that built the house in 1649. The 12-room luxury palazzo holds over 500 years of Sicilian history, which can be felt in the carefully maintained interiors. Breakfast is served in the painstakingly restored garden, which was originally built on the site of a lava cave dating back to 1190. It is truly a sight to behold.
Price per night: Ranging from €150-€250.
Address: Via D. Alighieri, 95015 Linguaglossa, Italy.
12. Best hotels in Sicily on the beach
Why we love it: Situated right on the waterfront in Taormina, you simply can’t get closer to the beach than the Mazzaro Sea Palace. Perfect for fly and flop travellers, this contemporary seaside escape has everything from a picturesque outdoor pool, beach bar, on-site spa and plenty of beach sun loungers to spare, so you never have to fight for a spot under the sun. If you can manage to pry yourself away poolside, the Mazzarò Sea Palace is also walking distance away from many of Taormina’s main cultural attractions including the Taormina Cable Car, Isola Bella, Spisione Beach and Lido Mazzarò.
Price per night: From £410.
Address: Via Nazionale 147, Taormina, ME, 98039.
13. Best palazzo hotel in Sicily
Villa Igiea, A Rocco Forte Hotel
Why we love it: Located on the Gulf of Palermo and overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Villa Igiea is our favourite Italian palazzo-style hotel in Sicily. This gorgeous hotel is just a ten-minute drive away from all the cultural attractions of Palermo and has everything from a swish spa to a fabulous restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Fulvio Pierangelini. Villa Igiea was originally built for the Florio family and was acquired and totally revamped by Rocco Forte Hotels. Today, the interiors are Sicilian chic blending stylish Italian furnishings with antiques and artefacts that pay homage to the villa’s history. For those who want to venture beyond the hotel walls, Villa Igiea offers bespoke tours to many of Palermo’s historic centres and UNESCO World heritage sites.
Price per night: From £840.
Address: Salita Belmonte, 43, 90142 Palermo PA, Italy.
14. Best hotel in Sicily for eco travellers
Why we love it: The Monaci delle Terre Nere, situated in between Taormina and Catania, offers a stylish countryside retreat for those who really want to leave the hustle and bustle of daily life behind. This beautiful hilltop hotel has its own 15-acre Etna winery, which boasts some incredible vintages thanks to its dark, lava-rich soil. It also has a swish lava stone pool and a delectable organic food menu in the Locanda Nerello restaurant, perfect for foodies who love to wine and dine. Monaci delle Terre Nere is also one of the only Eco-Bio certified hotels in the whole of Sicily, making this an ideal choice for eco-conscious travellers.
Price per night: From £643.
Address: Via Pietralunga / Via Monaci , 95019 Zafferana Etnea, Italy.
15. Best luxury hotel in Sicily
Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel
Why we love it: Ideally located in a gorgeous sandy beach in Taormina, the Villa Sant’Andrea is your best choose for an understated luxe stay. Like any Belmond Hotel, Villa Sant’Andrea expertly combines modern luxury amenities and an effortlessly elegant aesthetic while still respecting the history of the 19th-century villa it occupies. Guests at the Villa Sant’Andrea will enjoy its beautiful beachside location and the luxurious atmosphere from the moment they check-in. Sicilian brand Ortigia’s ‘Prickly Pear’ scent greets you throughout all the public spaces, which feel expensive without being ostentatious. There is also a sun lounger-lined heated outdoor pool, a beach bar and a wellness centre complete with Turkish bath and a relaxing menu of spa treatments. We recommend hopping on one of Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea’s free boat tours where you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the Sicilian coast.
Price per night: From £609 in the high season.
Address: Via Nazionale 137, Taormina, 98030, Sicily, Italy.
