The best hotels in Sicily

This small B&B sits in the Kalsa neighborhood, a short walk from the Palazzo Abatellis and the waterfront. Rooms are simple but kept very clean, with tiled floors typical of old Sicilian buildings. The owner is genuinely helpful with restaurant tips and transport advice. Breakfast is basic but included in the price. A solid no-frills choice for budget travelers exploring Palermo on foot.

Hotel Moderno is located on Via Gioeni in central Agrigento, about a 10-minute drive from the Valley of the Temples. Rooms are dated but spacious, and the beds are comfortable enough for a two or three night stay. Parking is available on site, which matters here since the area is not walkable from the temples. Staff are efficient and can arrange guided temple tours at a fair price. The included breakfast has good local pastries.

The hotel is directly opposite the Teatro Massimo opera house on Via Maqueda, making it one of the best-positioned hotels in the city. Rooms on the upper floors have direct views of the theater facade, which is spectacular at night. The interior is elegant without being over the top, with original architectural details preserved throughout. Street noise can be an issue on weekends so request a courtyard room if you are a light sleeper. Breakfast is good and the terrace catches morning sun.

Villa Schuler has been run by the same family since 1905 and the personal touches show throughout. It sits just above Corso Umberto, the main street of Taormina, with gardens that look out toward Etna and the sea. Rooms vary in size but even the standard ones have good balconies. The garden is genuinely beautiful and quiet, a real contrast to the tourist bustle a few minutes downhill. Guests consistently praise the warm and attentive family service.

This boutique hotel is carved directly into the limestone rock of Ragusa Ibla, the baroque lower town, and the architecture alone makes it worth staying here. Rooms have exposed rock walls and modern furnishings that work together surprisingly well. The hotel restaurant is one of the best in the region and has earned serious recognition for its Sicilian tasting menus. Ragusa Ibla itself is far quieter than Taormina or Syracuse, which appeals to travelers wanting a slower pace. The rooftop terrace has unobstructed views over the Iblean hills.

Hotel Gutkowski sits right on the seafront promenade of Ortigia, the historic island at the heart of Syracuse, with rooms that look directly over the Ionian Sea. The design is modern Mediterranean, using local materials and a calm color palette. Some rooms are small but every one is thoughtfully arranged with good storage and quality linens. The hotel has no restaurant but the surrounding streets of Ortigia are packed with excellent places to eat. Book a sea-view room early as these sell out months in advance.

This resort sits on the coast between Taormina and Messina, with direct access to a private beach and a large outdoor pool area. It works well for families because the beach access is easy, the grounds are spacious, and there are activity programs for kids during summer. The rooms in the main building are larger than average and most have sea-facing terraces. Food at the on-site restaurant is reliable and portions are generous. Taormina itself is about a 15-minute drive, so a car is useful if you want to explore.

This resort is set in the countryside south of Ragusa, surrounded by almond trees and vineyards near the Donnafugata Castle. It has two 18-hole golf courses, a large spa, and multiple pools, which makes it genuinely self-contained. The rooms and suites are spread across low-rise buildings and are decorated with Sicilian crafts and ceramics. The food program leans heavily on local producers and the wine list focuses on Nero d'Avola and Grillo from nearby estates. Getting here without a car is essentially impossible, but once you arrive there is little reason to leave.

Therasia Resort sits on the island of Vulcano in the Aeolian archipelago, accessible by hydrofoil from Milazzo. The location on a clifftop above the sea is genuinely spectacular, with views across to Lipari and on clear days to Etna. The spa incorporates the volcanic thermal waters of the island, and treatments here feel unlike anything on the mainland. Rooms are decorated with clean lines and local stone, and the larger suites have private infinity pools. The two restaurants serve excellent seafood with an emphasis on Aeolian island traditions.

The Verdura Resort sits on a private stretch of the southern Sicilian coast near Sciacca and is one of the finest resort hotels in Italy. It has three golf courses, six restaurants, four pools, and a large thalassotherapy spa that uses seawater from the Mediterranean directly below the property. Rooms and suites are enormous, decorated in a refined coastal palette, and every one has an outdoor terrace or private garden. The food across all the restaurants is excellent, with a strong commitment to Sicilian ingredients and producers. This is a destination hotel where guests rarely feel the need to leave the grounds at all.