21 of the best hotels in Sicily for 2025

Times

5 days ago

If you've been inspired to visit Sicily after watching back-to-back episodes of The White Lotus or Inspector Montalbano, then you'll already know it's a place full of plot twists. Those coming in search of luxury will certainly find it here — in the grande dame, riviera-style resort hotels of Taormina, or the historic palazzos at baroque towns of the southeast like Syracuse, Ragusa, Noto and Modica.
But there's another side to this rugged, volcanic island, too: a timeless world of olive farms, vineyards, traditional villages and hill towns way off the tourist track, where many locals still speak their own dialects and rarely make it out to the glitzy, developed coast. And then there's the Aeolian archipelago, where you can walk on black sand beaches, watch the fireworks from one of Europe's most active volcanoes, and stay at exclusive island havens on Panarea and Salina, frequented by the Italian jet set.
Our favourites include family-friendly stays, rustic retreats, hotels with spas and pools, and those with great food. Here are the best hotels in Sicily.
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££ | Best for playing an eccentric patron of the arts
To stay at Palazzo Previtera is to experience all the atmosphere of a living museum. This newly restored guest house may only have three bedrooms alongside two cottages in the grounds, but the place oozes culture: there's a 12-room museum and library charting over 500 years of Sicilian history, a contemporary art gallery and a thriving programme of acclaimed artist residences. Built in 1649 on the slopes of Mount Etna for the Previtera family, who kickstarted the wine industry in Sicily, you can expect a riot of frescoed ceilings, antique floor tiles and traditional Sicilian furniture mixed with contemporary art. While here, join an embroidery lesson or a Sicilian cookery class, or head to the library for a peep at its 1758 limited edition of Milton's Paradise Lost.
££ | SPA | POOL | Best for masseria living with all the mod cons
This chic boutique eco-hotel in the heart of the Val di Noto is surrounded by vineyards, orchards, orange groves, olive and carob trees and offers an upmarket agriturismo break within easy reach of Noto, one of Sicily's most dramatic baroque towns. A traditional Sicilian manor house with gorgeous internal courtyards and squishy sofas set in mature gardens, its 22 rooms have a cool, restful palette and fabulous views. Dine alfresco at the poolside grill or on the restaurant's open terrace; unwind in the heated infinity pool and spa, enjoy open-air movie nights or grab a bike and explore the spectacular countryside — you won't want to leave.
££ | POOL | Best for baroque views from a boutique bolt hole
Modica looks so ravishing that it could be a film set — a jumble of honey-stone houses tumbling down a steep hillside towards its centrepiece baroque cathedral. Indeed, you may even recognise it from Inspector Montalbano. A complex of renovated cottages, Casa Talia offers a grandstand view, particularly enjoyable in the warm glow of sunset — repayment perhaps for the steep, thigh-taxing hike up from the centre. Each of its rooms and suites has distinct character, from stone floors to patterned-tile walls and bamboo ceilings, and comes with a private balcony or terrace overlooking a sweep of the city. Breakfast is served in a little courtyard garden under a glorious fig tree, and somehow there's even space for an infinity plunge pool.
££ | POOL | Best for stylish solitude and farm-fresh food
On a working olive farm half an hour's drive from Agrigento, Mandranova offers the chance to experience Sicilian agricultural traditions — with a splash of style thrown in. The farmhouse offers 14 rustic, cosy rooms, some of which overlook the olive trees or garden; or for added exclusivity there's a three-bedroom stone cottage in a former mill. Mandranova's olive oil is prized across the island and further afield, and the owners, Giuseppe and Silvia, will happily take you on a tour of the estate, with their dogs in tow — or you can just chill beside the pool. Much of the farm's produce finds its way to the table — the restaurant serves fantastic, home-style Sicilian food with a modern twist. The surrounding area is largely farmland, which means that rates are pretty reasonable and it's fairly quiet. The elegant town of Agrigento, with its famed temples, is an easy day trip, and there are several quiet beaches within driving distance.
£ | Best for an affordable slice of ancient Syracuse
This smart seaside hotel has to be one of the best bargains in otherwise pricey Syracuse — if not in the whole of Sicily. Plonked in a perfect spot on the eastern edge of Ortigia island, you really couldn't ask for a better base from which to explore the old town. The 26 rooms, spread over a pair of shuttered buildings, are furnished simply but comfortably, and it's worth upgrading to one with a balcony and a sea view (although note that this will also mean some street noise from passing scooters, as a road runs between the hotel and the seafront). The terrace is perfect for breakfast, taken with views of the rooftops and a sparkling blue sea.
££ | POOL | Best for picnics and cookery classes on an organic farm
If you're more of a country than coast person, this farmstay between the Gela Plain and Ragusa is the perfect place to get to grips with the fundamentals of Sicilian living, with good food, good wine and good times. It's a working organic farm and offers many activities, including vineyard aperitifs, wine tasting, yoga and cookery classes in which you can knock out fresh pasta, scacce Ragusane (local stuffed buns) and classic cannoli. The rooms and suites are lovely and traditional, framed with solid stone and old beams, and the views over gardens, orchards and vineyards are dreamy. Cool off in the outdoor pool, beside centuries-old citrus trees.
£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for hanging out at the beach bar
This resort hotel enjoys a spectacular setting over a rock that winds down to the sea between the Baia delle Sirene and perennially popular Taormina. The best rooms face the sea and come with generous private terraces — and let's face it, what can be better than falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves? All have cool colour schemes and contemporary decor, and you've also got access to a fabulous pool carved out of a natural terrace on the rocks, an extensive wellness centre, a gym and two restaurants serving Sicilian cuisine with a modern twist. In essence, a relaxing pad for exploring Taormina and its coastline.
Read our full review of Atlantis Bay
£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for swapping culture for the spa
If you're not particularly fussed about baroque towns or medieval ruins and instead crave convenience and comfort, opt for Verdura Resort. It's located in the west of the island and has more facilities and activities than anywhere else, including a colossal spa and two 18-hole golf courses. You'll also find swimming pools, four restaurants, tennis courts and a hammam. The historic coastal town of Sciacca is only a 25-minute drive along the coast.
Read our full review of Verdura Resort
£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for an exclusive stay with a panoramic terrace
Many, many visitors to Sicily pack into the pretty clifftop town of Taormina, but precious few stay at Belmond's Grand Hotel Timeo. This exclusive property has what must be one of the most envied locations anywhere on the island, with timeless views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. The terrace overlooking the Bay of Naxos has welcomed a long list of luminaries, including Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, and often hosts alfresco concerts in the summer, with a cool breeze rising up from the shore below. Sister hotel Belmond Sant'Andrea makes its private beach available to guests at either property.
££ | SPA | POOL | Best for star-gazing, grapes and Greek ruins
Check into this 14-room wine hotel and prepare for a striking view of rolling vineyards that lead to the shores of the Mediterranean. Gorgeous Sicilian meals are served outside when the weather allows, or down at a private beach house by request. Here you're away from any large towns, and the sky at night is often filled with stars. During the day, hiring a car will allow you to explore more of the local area, including the incredible Greek ruins at Selinunte only 20 minutes away.
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££ | POOL | Best for classy cave dwelling
Ragusa Ibla is part of a Unesco world heritage inscription that covers a large and beautiful region of southern Sicily. Consequently, Locanda Don Serafino has plenty of competition nearby, but the hotel, which is partly built into a cave and has a Michelin-starred restaurant on site, still attracts its fair share of guests. Parts of the hotel date back to before the 1693 earthquake that flattened many of the towns in the area, while others eschew traditional stone walls in favour of a more modern design.
££ | Best for a grand palazzo on a great piazza
Part of the V Retreats Group, this pastel-pink palace was built in 1880 and sits in the heart of the city's oldest area, the island of Ortigia: a maze of shady streets, baroque palazzos and ancient remains. Next door on an adjacent piazza is the city's cathedral, constructed in the 7th century on the site of a Greek temple, where you can still see the Doric columns built into the walls. Palazzo Artemide, meanwhile, is an elegant affair made from cool, creamy limestone. Some rooms face onto an interior courtyard, others onto Piazza Minerva or Via Roma, while the restaurant is housed in a handsome vaulted cellar built from distinctive tufa stone.
£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for fine dining in the Aeolian Islands
North from the main island of Sicily, the Tyrrhenian Sea's Aeolian Islands offer big, volcanic rewards for anyone willing to make the extra journey. Most famous of all is Stromboli, one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, but down on the ominous-sounding Vulcano island there's a slice of luxury too. Located at a secluded spot on the outcrop's north coast, this resort has impressive views — on a clear day all the Aeolian Islands can be seen from here. Making the most of this extraordinary panorama is the resort's Michelin-starred Il Cappero restaurant.
££ | POOL | Best for coastal walks to burn off the cannoli
Lying just west of the beautiful coastal town of Cefalu, the Calanica Resort has enviable real estate on Sicily's north shore. Guests are assigned a bungalow facing out to sea, with the sound of the Mediterranean lapping against the sandy beach in the hotel's private bay below. There's ample opportunity to relax in their pool if you prefer, but if you're feeling energetic, Cefalu is a scenic hour's walk along the coast. Anyone worried they've eaten too many Sicilian cannoli can also make the steep but rewarding climb to the top of La Rocca — the imposing crag that overlooks the town.
££ | POOL | Best for mountains, monks and medieval mooching
It's about a half-hour drive from Cefalu, a popular resort town on Sicily's northern coast, to reach this 12th-century abbey, which produces its own organic and biodynamic wines. Rooms all have wine-themed names and are set around a central courtyard, with vineyards rising up the hillside beyond. Exposed beams, wooden furniture and tapestries all create an antique feel, and some look out over the gardens, hills and sea. Fine dining comes with wines to match in restored cellars at La Corte dell'Abate restaurant; while Passioni e Tentazioni is a less formal option serving Sicilian classics. Head into Castelbuono itself to immerse yourself in its medieval streets and castle, then explore the mountains of Madonie Natural Park.
£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for volcanic wines on Etna's slopes
If the congestion of Catania and the unabashed tourism of Taormina are too much for you, then this is the Goldilocks solution found halfway between the two. Built on the foothills of mighty Mount Etna, Monaci delle Terre Nere makes the most of the volcanic terroir, with a 62-acre winery on site. Its dedication to environmentalism goes beyond marketing spiel too — the hotel uses organic, local ingredients, avoids single-use plastics and has even made its pool out of Etna's renewable lava rock.
£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for getting back to nature while getting pampered
There are many vineyards and luxury hotels in Sicily, but none are more tranquil than Pisciotto. The hotel is located on the edge of a nature reserve in a remote southern part of the island, so there's no chance to stroll down Greek and Roman boulevards, but ample opportunity to explore the 100-plus acres of vines and the forest beyond. The rooms lean into the rustic setting, but there are plenty of modern comforts too, including a pool, spa and hammam. Staff here are experts on everything from the birds you can see around the grounds to the bottles of wine you drink with dinner.
££ | SPA | Best for modern art amid the age-old architecture
Much of the eastern Sicilian city of Catania was razed to the ground by a catastrophic earthquake in 1693, but this palazzo was one of the buildings to rise from the rubble, and is a classic of late-baroque style. Today, while the exterior has remained faithful, the artwork indoors has moved with the times. A gigantic flamingo is impossible to ignore as you enter, while paintings and sculptures are dotted throughout the property. Guests can choose between neoclassical rooms or modern art alternatives. At night, head to the rooftop to see the illuminated surrounding buildings, with Mount Etna providing a show-stealing backdrop.
£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for designer digs with the personal touch
A two decades-long labour of love, Dimora delle Balze has been carefully converted from a ruined 19th-century estate into an outstanding modern hotel. Much of its original layout has been preserved, but designers Draga Obradovic and Stefano Guidotti worked magic to create an airy, highly photogenic bolt hole halfway between the popular cities of Noto and Syracuse. It's understandably popular with couples and small wedding parties; each of its 14 beautiful rooms has been inspired by a Sicilian artist.
££ | SPA | POOL | Best for marble, mail and modernism
There are many historical periods on display in Syracuse — such as Greek, Roman and baroque — but the Ortea Palace is an anomaly. This one-time fascist-era post office has, against considerable odds, been converted into an elegant hotel overlooking Porto Piccolo of the island of Ortigia. Italian marble is used throughout, meaning the decor is clean and bright without feeling sterile. Being at the water's edge gives a sense of calm, but the buzz of deeper Ortigia, with its boutiques and bars, is a pleasant stroll to the south.
£ | Best for finding new friends in the big city
Gritty Palermo is often overlooked in favour of quieter and more glamorous destinations along the coast. As though trying to prove that the city can offer tranquillity too, the family-run L'Olivella occupies a 19th-century art nouveau palazzo on a quiet street in the historic centre, close to the Teatro Massimo. Each of its five rooms differs in style (anyone looking for a four-poster bed should request Argento), but the welcoming owner greets all the guests equally and serves the breakfast every morning.
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Additional reporting by Louise Roddon, Julie Alpine and Oliver Berry