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Where to stay in Sicily

Lajnhart updated 22. 09. 2026
Sicily

Sicily is too big to explore the whole island comfortably from a single hotel. If you hire a car, you’ll have greater flexibility in choosing cheaper accommodation outside city centres.

For the ideal trip, we recommend the following (click on the city name to view accommodation options on Booking.com):

If you already know your travel dates, it’s worth comparing offers as soon as possible. Well-reviewed accommodation with parking in Taormina, Cefalù or San Vito lo Capo sells out first.

Compare accommodation across the whole of Sicily

Quick comparison of the best locations

Location Best for Do you need a car? Prices Main drawback
Catania Day trips, the city and lower prices No € Not suitable for beaches
Taormina Atmosphere, views and luxury No €€€ High prices
Giardini Naxos The beach and excursions around the east No €€ Less of a historic atmosphere
Syracuse Sights, romance No €€ Parking in Ortigia
Palermo Sights, food and nightlife No €€ Noise and heavy city traffic
Cefalù The best combination of beach and town No €€€ High prices in summer
Trapani Western Sicily and the Egadi Islands No € A rather mediocre town beach
San Vito lo Capo Sandy beach and families with children Rather yes €€€ Poorer accessibility and high prices
Ragusa and Modica Baroque towns and a circular route Yes €€ Hilly terrain and longer journeys
Agrigento Valley of the Temples and the southern coast Mostly yes € One night is usually enough

One place to stay, or several bases?

For a stay of up to 4 nights, choose just one part of the island.

Trying to combine Palermo, Catania, Agrigento and Taormina over a long weekend means spending a large part of the trip in the car.

Length of stay Number of bases What we recommend
3 to 4 nights 1 Choose only the east, west or a single beach area
5 to 7 nights 2 Combine two neighbouring areas or a town with a beach
8 to 10 nights 3 You can explore most of the island without long daily journeys
11 to 14 nights 3 to 4 A round trip across the whole of Sicily makes sense

The following combinations, for example, work well:

  • The east without a car: 3 to 4 nights in Catania and 2 to 3 nights in Syracuse
  • East with beaches: Taormina or Giardini Naxos, followed by Ortigia
  • The west: Palermo and Trapani, Cefalù or San Vito lo Capo
  • Road trip: Catania, Syracuse or Ragusa, Agrigento and Palermo
  • City and relaxation: Palermo and Cefalù or Catania and Giardini Naxos

Having more bases means more packing, but it saves considerably more time than travelling back across half the island every day.

Details on roads, trains and buses are set out in the chapter on transport in Sicily.

Compare car hire prices

Where to stay in Sicily without a car?

If you don’t have a car, we recommend staying in a town with a train or coach station. The most practical options are Catania and Palermo, depending on which part of the island you want to explore.

  • Catania is the best base for trips to Taormina, Syracuse and Mount Etna
  • Palermo is ideal for the west of the island and train trips to Cefalù
  • Syracuse is compact, easy to explore on foot and has a direct connection to Catania
  • Cefalù offers a beach, sights and a railway station all within walking distance
  • Taormina can be visited without a car, but the train station is down by the coast and you’ll need to take a bus or taxi to reach the historic centre

Without a car, we wouldn’t choose San Vito lo Capo, Enna, Ragusa, Modica or the rural areas around Mount Etna as our main base. You can get there by public transport, but day trips will be considerably more complicated.

Where to stay in Sicily near the beach?

Not every well-known coastal town is a good choice for swimming. Neither Catania nor Palermo are classic beach resorts, and historic Taormina sits high above the sea.

We consider the following to be the best beach bases:

  • Cefalù – the best combination of a long beach, a historic centre and transport options without needing a car
  • San Vito lo Capo – one of the best sandy beaches on the island, particularly suitable for families
  • Giardini Naxos – a good choice for beaches and day trips to Taormina, Catania or Mount Etna
  • Letojanni – a quieter and often cheaper alternative to Taormina
  • Avola – beaches, lower prices and a good location for exploring the south-east
  • Lido di Noto – a smaller resort suitable for a quieter holiday
  • San Leone – beach facilities not far from Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples

If you’d like to stay by the sea near Taormina, look for hotels in Mazzarò, near Isola Bella or in Giardini Naxos. From a hotel in Taormina’s historic centre, you’ll take the cable car or a bus down to the beaches.

The best areas and specific hotels

These are the areas I choose every time I visit Sicily. We’ve tried most of them out for ourselves at least once.

Catania – the most practical base in the east

Catania is the best choice if you’re travelling without a car, arriving late in the evening or want to combine a city break with day trips.

Trains and buses run from here to Taormina, Syracuse and other destinations on the east coast, and organised trips to Mount Etna depart from the city centre.

For your first visit, choose the area around Piazza del Duomo, Via Etnea or the Teatro Massimo Bellini.

The area around the main railway station is more practical for day trips, but it’s less pleasant in the evening than the historic centre.

Accommodation tends to be cheaper than in Taormina or Cefalù. However, Catania is not ideal for travellers who want to walk to a lovely beach every day.

Taormina, Giardini Naxos or Letojanni?

These three places are close to one another, but offer completely different types of stay.

ChooseTaormina for its historic centre, restaurants, evening atmosphere and views of Mount Etna. It is the most beautiful, but also the most expensive. The centre is predominantly pedestrianised and parking can be tricky.

Giardini Naxos is better for a classic seaside holiday. Hotels are generally cheaper, the beach is right in the town, and it’s easier to find parking here. You can get to Taormina by bus.

Letojanni is a quieter beach resort north of Taormina. It offers fewer sights and less nightlife, but often more affordable prices.

Which hotels did I choose?

And as a bonus, I can’t fail to mention one of Italy’s most famous hotels, made famous, amongst other things, by the filming of the series *The White Lotus*. A hotel I’d love to stay in one day, but given its prices, I’ll need to work a lot harder – the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace!

Syracuse and Ortigia – the loveliest evening atmosphere

The historic centre of Syracuse is situated on the small island of Ortigia. If you’re looking for narrow streets, seaside restaurants and evening strolls, look for accommodation right here.

The downside of Ortigia is restricted car access and more difficult parking. If you’re doing a road trip, it might be more practical to stay on the mainland between the railway station and the bridges to Ortigia. You can still walk to the historic centre.

For a car-free stay, Syracuse is one of the best bases in Sicily. There are direct trains and buses from the city to Catania and Noto.

Etna and Nicolosi – one night right at the foot of the volcano

We recommend staying on the slopes of Mount Etna as an experience or for an early morning ascent. However, it is not a practical base for exploring the whole of eastern Sicily.

The town of Nicolosi offers the widest range of accommodation, restaurants and services. Further up, you can stay right by the boarding point for the Etna Sud cable car.

If you don’t have a car, it’s better to stay in Catania and take an organised trip up Mount Etna.

Noto, Avola, Ragusa and Modica – a base for exploring the south-east

For visiting the Baroque towns, we recommend 2 to 3 nights and a car. The distances aren’t huge, but public transport doesn’t allow you to visit multiple places efficiently in a single day.

Noto has a beautiful town centre and a pleasant evening atmosphere, but you can see the town itself fairly quickly. Avola or Lido di Noto are better options if you want to combine sightseeing with beach visits.

Ragusa Ibla offers the most impressive setting for an overnight stay. Do bear in mind, however, that there are hills, steps and more challenging parking. Modica is a good alternative and also a good base for exploring the surrounding towns.

These are the two hotels I’d choose if I were travelling to this area myself:

Palermo – the best base in the west/north

Choose Palermo if you’re after sights, markets, restaurants and nightlife. Without a car, it’s also the best base for exploring the northern and western parts of the island.

For a first visit, we recommend three areas:

  • Politeama and Ruggero Settimo – the best balance between the city centre, transport links and a quiet evening
  • Quattro Canti and Monte di Pietà – the historic centre, with most sights within walking distance
  • Kalsa – an atmospheric neighbourhood close to the waterfront, restaurants and the main railway station

The immediate vicinity of the main railway station tends to be cheaper and more practical for day trips, but it is also noisier and less pleasant late in the evening.

Choose Mondello for a beach holiday, not as a base for daily sightseeing in Palermo. You’ll need to travel into the city centre.

Cefalù – the best combination of town and beach

We’d recommend Cefalù if you want to stay in one place, spend your days at the beach and your evenings in the historic centre. It’s also one of the best beach destinations for a car-free holiday.

In the historic centre, you’ll mainly find smaller apartments and guesthouses. There are more traditional hotels along the seafront promenade, and the main beach is just a few steps away.

Hotels in the hills or by Caldura Bay offer views, swimming pools and more private beaches, but you’ll need to make your way into the centre.

In summer, Cefalù is one of the most expensive places in Sicily. Book well-located accommodation several months in advance.

Trapani and Marsala – the best bases for western Sicily

Trapani is more practical without a car. Ferries to the Egadi Islands depart from the harbour, the cable car to Erice starts near the centre, and the town offers a range of restaurants and transport links.

Marsala is better suited for those travelling by car and for trips to the vineyards and salt pans. It offers a quieter atmosphere, but isn’t as practical for exploring western Sicily without your own car.

Neither town is ideal for a purely beach-based holiday. You’ll usually have to travel to the beaches. These are affordable hotels ideal for exploring:

San Vito lo Capo or Castellammare del Golfo?

ChooseSan Vito lo Capo for the best classic beach holiday. The town is compact, the beach has a gentle slope into the sea, and you can get around on foot for most of your stay. The downsides are high prices in summer and poorer transport links to other parts of the island.

Castellammare del Golfo is more practical if you’re touring the island by car. It’s closer to Palermo, Segesta, Scopello and the southern entrance to the Zingaro Nature Reserve. It offers a wider selection of cheaper self-catering accommodation, but the main beaches aren’t located right in the historic centre.

These are my favourite hotels:

Agrigento and San Leone – one night near the Valley of the Temples

If you’re visiting the Valley of the Temples, we recommend staying in the area for one night. Agrigento itself is situated on a hill, whilst the archaeological site and the seaside resort of San Leone are located below.

If you don’t have a car, choose accommodation in the centre of Agrigento near the railway station. You’ll be close to restaurants, and you can reach the temples by bus or taxi.

If you have a car, it’s more practical to stay at a hotel between the town and the Valley of the Temples, or in San Leone. You’ll find it easier to park and can then head to the beaches or Scala dei Turchi.

Enna – a night in the heart of Sicily

Enna isn’t really the sort of place for a week-long stay. However, spending one night there makes sense when travelling between the east and west of the island or when combining your visit with a trip to Villa Romana del Casale.

Choose accommodation exclusively in the historic Enna Alta area around Via Roma, the cathedral or the Belvedere Francesco Crispi. Enna Bassa is convenient for the motorway and the university, but it isn’t close to the main sights.

  • Al Duomo – situated right next to the cathedral
  • Enna Inn Centro – ideal for the views and a stay in the centre

Aeolian Islands – Lipari or Stromboli?

For a longer stay on the Aeolian Islands, Lipari is the most convenient option. It offers the widest choice of hotels, restaurants, rental services and ferry connections to the neighbouring islands.

It’s worth staying overnight on Stromboli for the evening volcano viewing and the atmosphere once the day-trippers have left. However, there are fewer accommodation options and they fill up quickly in peak season.

Use Milazzo mainly as a stopover before your morning ferry or after a late return from the islands.

Accommodation near the airport

A hotel near the airport is worth it if you have a very early departure or a late arrival. Otherwise, it’s more practical to stay overnight in the town itself.

Catania Airport

The airport is close to the city centre and is well served by frequent bus services. For standard arrival times, we therefore recommend a hotel in Catania.

For early morning departures, you can use hotels right next to Catania Airport. Some accommodation is within walking distance, but always check the actual route and whether late-night arrivals are possible.

Palermo Airport

Palermo Airport is located some distance from the city centre. For very early departures, look for accommodation in the vicinity of Cinisi or Terrasini.

Trapani Airport

Accommodation options near Trapani Airport are limited. Depending on your flight time, it’s usually best to stay in Trapani or Marsala and book a transfer.

Hotel, flat or agriturismo?

For one or two nights, a hotel or guesthouse is usually more practical. With apartments, cleaning fees and strict key handover times can make a short stay more expensive.

An apartment is worth considering for a stay of 3 nights or more, particularly for families or on longer trips. A kitchen and washing machine can be more useful than a daily hotel breakfast.

We recommend agriturismo, or rural accommodation, in the areas around Mount Etna, Noto, Ragusa and Agrigento. These often offer a swimming pool, peace and quiet, and free parking, but you will almost always need a car.

Accommodation prices in Sicily

Prices vary significantly depending on the time of year and location. The following figures show average prices per night for two people.

Season Budget hotel Well-reviewed hotel Taormina and seaside resorts
November to March from 60 eur 90 eur 160 eur
April to June and September to October from 80 eur 120 eur 240 eur
July and August from 90 eur 180 eur 350 eur

Taormina, Cefalù and San Vito lo Capo tend to be the most expensive. You’ll find cheaper options in Catania, Trapani, Enna, Agrigento or smaller towns further inland.

Expect the highest prices and the least choice in August. Conversely, in winter, hotels in towns are cheap, but in purely beach resorts, some restaurants and services may be closed. We describe this in more detail in the section on the weather in Sicily.

A local tourist tax may be added to the price. The amount varies depending on the town, the category of accommodation and the length of stay.

View hotel prices in Sicily

When to book accommodation?

For July and August, book your accommodation several months in advance, especially if you require parking, a family room or a beachfront location.

In April, May, June, September and October, there is usually a wider choice, but the best-rated hotels in Taormina, Cefalù and on the islands also sell out well in advance.

If you don’t have a finalised itinerary yet, choose an offer with free cancellation on Booking.com. You can change your accommodation later if you adjust your route or find a better price.

What should you look out for when booking?

  • Air conditioning – consider it essential in summer
  • Lift – many guesthouses are located in older buildings without a lift
  • Check-in time – smaller apartments do not have a reception and require a pre-arranged check-in
  • Cleaning fee – for short stays, this can significantly increase the final cost of the flat
  • Distance from the beach – the term ‘Taormina’ may refer to a hotel high above the sea or right on the coast
  • Private beach – sun loungers and parasols may not be included in the room price
  • Parking – the phrase “parking nearby” does not mean the hotel has its own car park
  • ZTL – the historic centres of Palermo, Taormina, Ortigia, Ragusa and other towns have restricted access

In our view, the best all-round choices are Catania for car-free trips, Cefalù for a mix of beach and town, Ortigia for its atmosphere, and Palermo for exploring the west. If travelling by car, split your stay between several locations and choose hotels with confirmed parking.

View current accommodation prices in Sicily

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