Where to Stay in Sicily to Get the Most From Your Trip

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Italy is home to many regions that are full of places to explore. And yet the island of Sicily seems to take things to a whole new level. That I spent a month visiting Sicily and never ran out of destinations to visit should speak volumes. But with so much to see across this large island, the question of where to stay in Sicily is one that worries everyone who visits.

Ultimately, there are two ways of approaching a trip to Sicily. One is to move about the island, visiting and staying in different areas in Sicily as you go. The alternative is to base yourself in one or two places and branch out from there. This second option isn’t unrealistic as it is possible to drive from one side of the island to the other in less than half a day.

Which approach is right totally depends on you and your trip. But either way, you’re going to want know the best places to stay in Sicily. You may stay in only one of them or you may stay in all of them, it’s all up to you. So rather than advocating you experience Sicily one specific way, I’m going to lay out some options for you. Remember, these are simply suggestions based on my month in Sicily and are by no means complete. But hopefully, it’ll help you decide what’s right for your time there. 

 

Sicily Cities

One of the most straightforward options for your stay in Sicily is to pick one of its big cities. Like so many European cities, you can entertain yourself for a few days with these cities and then use them as base to explore more of the island. Sicily’s cities are definitely among the best places to go in Sicily because they’re loaded with character and history. They also make it easy to witness local life and get a sense of what differentiates Sicily from the rest of Italy.

Throw in their convenience and public transport connections and it makes sense why some believe the cities to be the best place to stay in Sicily. After all, if you’re flying to Sicily, you’ll be arriving at the two main airports supporting the cities of Palermo and Catania.

 

Palermo

The capital of Sicily and its largest city is Palermo up on the north coast of the island. It has everything you’d expect from a major Italian city: history, cuisine, culture and plenty of edge. With a UNESCO heritage site and a whole load of attractions to visit, you’ll surely want to pay Palermo a visit. Of course, with all this going on, don’t aspect too much peace and quiet.

Although in the past it had strong ties to Sicily’s infamous mafia, Palermo has gone through a major rehabilitation program in recent years. You can still find that gritty side, but only if you really deviate from its atmospheric city centre. So don’t let its past reputation put you off, because the good clearly outweighs the bad here.

Aside from being an entertaining destination by itself, Palermo is a perfect base for exploring the island’s north, west and centre. Destinations like Trapani and the Madonie Mountains are easily within reach. Travel further and you can get to Agrigento and Enna in just a couple hours.

Summary – The largest Sicilian city, Palermo is a major tourist destination that can be loud, edgy, fun and convenient. Here you’ll find all the different accommodation available in Palermo. My personal budget recommendation is the well-located Yooroom guesthouse.

 

Catania

While northwest Sicily has Palermo, the island’s southeast counterpart is the port city of Catania. A lot that can be said about Palermo is equally true of Catania. It’s a big sprawling city that’s loaded with ancient history and plenty of character. It also has a sense of grandeur about it, thanks mostly to its elegant UNESCO-recognised Baroque architecture.

But it does have certain features that distinguish it from Palermo. Perhaps the most noticeable is the giant looming presence of Mt Etna, Sicily’s troublesome volcano. Catania can also feel a little gentler and quieter at times, especially thanks to spaces like Villa Bellini. Unfortunately, Catania has a far smaller historical centre, but it is quite firmly packed with things to see there.

Catania also makes the perfect gateway for exploring southern and eastern Sicily. There’s an incredible wealth of destinations close by that you can visit comfortably for the day. We’re not just talking about Mt Etna either; there’s coastal towns such as Taormina and Syracuse that are extremely popular and phenomenal sights like Villa Romana del Casale.

Summary – The heart of activity on Sicily’s east coast, Catania combines attractions and day trips to keep you endlessly entertained. Here are all the different accommodation options available to you in Catania, with Ivana B&B the home-like place I stayed.

 

The Coast of Sicily

The next most obvious place to look for accommodation in Sicily is along its extensive coast. After all, Sicily is an island in the Mediterranean with plenty of gorgeous coastline and beaches. Many of the best towns in Sicily to visit are found by the seaside, with no two destinations quite the same. Some are quaint fishing towns, others unbelievably pretty getaways for the wealthy. Then there are places dripping in history and those that offer up the finest beaches in Sicily.

However, there’s only a select few places on the coast that possess more than one of these traits. So rather than list all of the best beach getaways in Sicily, here are some well-rounded coastal options to stay at.

 

Taormina

Easily one of the most popular places to visit in Sicily, Taormina is a town on most people’s itineraries. Even though Taormina is actually quite a small town, it ticks a lot of boxes for tourists. It has a seriously pretty town centre that is hard to resist, overlooks a great collection of beaches and even features one or two historical gems. All of this also makes it quite a touristy destination and rather busy during the day. Oh did I mention it also enjoys view of Mt Etna as well?

And that’s really the trade off with Taormina; there’s a nice variety of things to do there and even more in its surroundings. But you will have to share and prices tend to reflect its popularity. The other upside is that there’s plenty of accommodation around Taormina to cater for all its visitors. Plus, it’s quite a lovely place to return to after a day sightseeing.

Summary – Even if you don’t mind spending a little extra and sharing with other tourists, Taormina is quite a lovely place to be. Here are the many different accommodation options available to you in Taormina. An affordable and cosy option I found was Bella Taormina hostel.

 

Syracuse

Few places in Sicily have a sense of history about them quite like the city of Syracuse. This seaside city just down the east coast from Catania is a delight to visit, mostly thanks to the living history on display. Syracuse’s historical centre is the quaint island of Ortygia, but there are also its ancient Greek and Roman ruins in the Archaeological Park Neapolis. So whether you want to see an amphitheatre or wander.

But Syracuse is more than just its history. The city also offers up some great little beaches around Ortygia and its modern centre is full of bars and restaurants. That’s one of the nice things about staying in Syracuse – you have the attractions but also modern city comforts. It’s a little smaller than Catania or Palermo and has no airport, meaning it’s nobody’s default choice. All of this a terrific place to stay in Sicily.

Summary – Syracuse or Siracusa is great for history-lovers, but also those seeking beaches and city comforts. Here is the huge range of accommodation options you can choose from for Syracuse. I really enjoyed the personal touch of Campi Elisi B&B and definitely recommend them.

 

Trapani

Another of the smaller cities in Sicily that draw plenty of tourists is Trapani out west. Unlike many cities in Italy, Trapani rarely feels cramped and that gives it quite a relaxed feel. And while it does have some quite elegant European buildings in the city centre, much of Trapani reminds me of Malta or North Africa. Add on the beaches along its north shore and you have a unique and laid-back place to stay. It’s that hook that makes it a surprisingly popular place to stay in Sicily.

What’s interesting is that Trapani isn’t much of a sightseeing destination on its own. Outer attractions like the city’s old salt pans and the medieval village of Erice are necessary once you quickly experience the historical centre. So, staying in Trapani is all about either taking it easy or doing day trips. You do have the coast all around to explore after all, with places like Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo waiting for you.

Summary – Trapani, with its distinct Mediterranean look, quiet feel and nearby destinations, suits those looking to relax but also sight see. Here are the sorts of accommodation options you’ll find in Trapani, while I’d be happy to recommend the cosy apartments at Zahra Alloggi Vacanza.

 

Castellammare del Golfo

Although unknown to me, the town of Castellammare del Golfo seems quite a popular place for people to stay. Why else would it have the fourth highest number of accommodation options in all of Sicily? Not that Castellammare del Golfo isn’t a pleasant place to visit. This small town has a wonderfully picturesque harbour and a backdrop of high hills looming large nearby. But it isn’t exactly a big name, especially since it sits halfway between Palermo and Trapani, which are both popular.

My time in Castellammare del Golfo was brief but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found there. It’s not only a picture-postcard place, but also a town with a nice medieval fortress and several inviting beaches. However, the reason I’d love to revisit is to spend time hiking in the nearby hills. Which shows that the town could easily keep you entertained for a couple days, even longer if you just want to relax. I’m not convinced it would be as suitable for longer stays or as a base for day trips though.

Summary – Those seeking a smaller destination that suits spending time outdoors will enjoy lovely Castellammare del Golfo. Here are the many, many places you can stay in Castellammare del Golfo, with B&B Da Peppa a great choice I wish I’d stayed longer at.

 

Sicily Towns and Cities Inland

One thing tourists to Sicily often don’t realise is that the island’s interior can be just as interesting as its coast. It’s actually out among the hills and countryside that you’ll find perhaps the best area to stay in Sicily. The inland towns there are full of tradition and haven’t been changed for tourism quite like some seaside places. What’s also nice is that you’re less likely to find these places overwhelmed by tourists. So if it’s an undisturbed atmosphere that you’re after, these are some of the best towns to stay in Sicily.

 

Agrigento

People are bound to be drawn to Agrigento when visiting Sicily. It is home to stunning Greek ruins that you won’t find anywhere else on the island after all. Venture down to its Valley of the Temples and you’ll think you’ve somehow wound up in Athens. This sprawling archaeological complex is the main reason anyone visits Agrigento and that’s totally understandable.

But take a look at the city of Agrigento up in the hills above the temples and you’ll find another story. Rather than crowds of tourists, the centre of Agrigento is really just for locals and perhaps the stray tourist. Explore there and you’ll find churches and viewpoints worth the wander, not to mention little courtyard restaurants that couldn’t be more perfect.

Agrigento is the rare destination that draws tourists in, while maintaining a completely genuine and local city centre. Oh and it’s perfectly positioned to access anywhere on Sicily, no matter where you want to go.

Summary – Agrigento is the ideal combination of an authentic city with a major tourist attraction, that’s in a central accessible location. Here are all your options for places to stay in Agrigento should you decide to. A really great budget B&B I’d recommend is La Città degli Dei.

 

Noto

Just because people think of a place as a day trip destination, doesn’t mean that’s all it is. Take the wonderful Baroque town of Noto for example. You could simply visit Noto as a day trip, seeing most of its sights conveniently in a day. But take your time here and you’ll see just how pleasant this hilltop town can be, especially once night rolls around. If you’re looking to develop an intimate connection to a place on your holidays, a town like Noto is pretty much perfect.

Even though Noto is seen as a day trip destination, it’s not short on accommodation options. The town also enjoys decent transport connections with other destinations in this corner of the island. This means you could easily do day trips to Syracuse, Modica and Ragusa and go against the grain. Or just stick around Noto; it’s not like you’re going to tire of its Baroque beauty any time soon.

Summary – This day trip destination comes alive in the evening and makes for a great counter-intuitive choice if you want to avoid crowds. Here is the excellent selection of hotels, apartments and more found in Noto, with the cosy and clean Simonetta’s Rooms where I stayed.

 

Ragusa

With a truly spectacular skyline, the town of Ragusa is sure to leave an imprint on your memory should you visit. Made up of the lower Ragusa Ibla and upper Ragusa Superiore districts, this is another superb stop on the Baroque Trail of Sicily. The town also shares other similarities with Noto, like its day trip designation and the joy you feel when leisurely wandering about. Sure the climb up from Ibla to Superiore is a work out, but both parts of Ragusa have their charms.

Like each of these inland towns, there are some clear perks of staying in Ragusa. You’ll have longer to get to know this wonderful town more intimately and see the town when it’s free from day-trippers. Then there’s all the other places to visit in south-eastern Sicily that will keep you busy for days. Parking may be your obstacle honestly, but when isn’t parking difficult in Italy.

Summary – Ragusa is a town that can win you over with one view, but those that stick around are sure to be rewarded. Here are your options across both districts of places to stay in Ragusa. While quite modest, the views from Terrazzo su Ibla made it worthwhile.

 

Piazza Armerina

There’s little doubt that Piazza Armerina is the least well-known destination on this list here. This hilltop town in the Sicilian interior rarely draws the notice of tourists. Those who do come here tend to have one thing in mind – the nearby Roman site, Villa Romana del Casale. These ancient Roman ruins and mosaics are truly incredible and Piazza Armerina is just a few kilometres from them.

Even with this magical attraction so close by, few stay in town. Most visit the ruins as a day trip from somewhere larger, like Taormina or Catania. But give Piazza Armerina a chance and you’ll see that oozes old world character. Yes, many of the buildings are in dire need of TLC, but there’s a lot of charm as well. Staying here or somewhere else central has a few advantages as well. You’re off the beaten path somewhere quiet, but you can also access anywhere in Sicily if you have a car.

Summary – Piazza Armerina is an off-beat choice, but nice if you want a central location and some genuine surroundings. Here are the surprisingly varied options for accommodation you have in Piazza Armerina. Although away from the town centre a bit, Giucalem La Casa Negli Orti offers great food and peaceful surroundings.

 

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If you’ve been before, what would be your recommendation for where to stay in Sicily? Otherwise, which of these areas seems to suit you best? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.