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Where to Stay in Sicily for a Local Experience

Stay away from tourist-traps and experience the Sicilian way of life with a stay at these hidden-gem hotels and apartments
Stay away from tourist-traps and experience the Sicilian way of life with a stay at these hidden-gem hotels and apartments | © NAPA / Alamy Stock Photo
Photo of Liza Karsemeijer
Liza Karsemeijer
29 December 2020

Getting to know Sicily like a local doesn’t take much. Alongside the small gestures of local villagers who’ll gladly point you in the right direction of an in-the-know art gallery or away-from-the-crowds sight, a warm and welcoming hospitality can also be found in the island’s best hotels and restaurants. Here’s our pick of the best places to stay and be immersed in Sicilian culture in seconds…

Alba Palace Hotel

Boutique Hotel
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Alba Palace Hotel-48c9b116
Courtesy of Alba Palace Hotel / Expedia
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Favara is a typical Sicilian village only a 15-minute drive from Agrigento, known for the ruins of Akragas and its Valley of Temples. This snug hotel in the middle of Favara offers family rooms that sleep up to five people and spa rooms with private hot tubs, as well as a wellness centre, a wine cellar and restaurant whose indoor rooms and outdoor terraces are worthy of a Michelin star alone. A few minute’s stroll away, be sure to visit the town’s ground-breaking Farm Cultural Park created by two Favara natives who have turned an entire neighbourhood into an open-air art gallery.
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21 Via Belmonte, Favara, Sicilia, 92026, Italy
+390922437146
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About this place:

Wellness, Great Location

GiaChi Apartment

Apartment
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GiaChi Apartment-960b3bc4
Courtesy of GiaChi Apartment / Expedia
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Slow travel by train allows you to glimpse local life and enjoy a vista of ever-changing landscapes. This apartment is located right next to Palermo’s main train station, making it the perfect starting point for your tour of Sicily by train. Being an apartment, you’re free to come and go as you please, just like the locals. But host Valentina will also make sure you get a warm welcome and give you her best local tips. She’ll even organise a welcome aperitif at a nearby bar for you.
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35 Via Francesco Maurolico, Palermo, Sicilia, 90127, Italy

Abbazia Santa Anastasia

Resort, Guesthouse
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Abbazia Santa Anastasia-fe6aab44
Courtesy of Abbazia Santa Anastasia / Expedia
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This eco-chic 12th-century converted Benedictine abbey in Madonie Natural Park is a great choice for nature lovers who like to go hiking, biking or horseback riding, but is also suited to wine enthusiasts who’d like to learn about the resort’s biodynamic way of working. During a visit to the local wine cellar, friendly staff will tell you all about the territory’s different grape varieties. Accordingly, the rooms are all named after different types of grape, rounded off with bespoke naïf-style artwork by the owner.
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Sicilia, 90013, Italy
+390921672233
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About this place:

Eco friendly, Historic

Locanda Don Serafino

Courtesy of Locando Don Serafino / Expedia
Restaurant
Bathroom
Deep Soaking Bathtub
Room
Terrace/Patio
Room Amenity
Treatment Room
Living Room
Staircase
Lobby
Jetted Tub
Lounge
Courtesy of Locando Don Serafino / Expedia
Located in the historical part of Ragusa, this boutique hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant is a dream destination for fine-dining fans. The cave-like luxury rooms allow you to fully immerse yourself in the history of the Unesco-listed city, and feature exposed limestone walls that act as an ode to the area’s typical stone. If you’re up for trying more local specialties, drop by hole-in-the-wall Risiu, a “ricotta bar and cheese experience” offering the best Sicilian sweet treats in town.
Everything you need to know

At a Glance

Free WiFi
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Restaurant
In-room accessibility
Concierge services
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Multilingual staff
Bar/lounge
Smoke-free property

Residence 150

Courtesy of Residence 150 / Expedia
View from Room
Room
Bathroom
Interior
Private Kitchen
Private Kitchenette
In-Room Dining
Living Area
Living Room
Exterior
Hallway
Courtesy of Residence 150 / Expedia
These family-friendly apartments in downtown Catania are perfect for groups looking for a homely, fully-equipped apartment, rather than an impersonal hotel room. The personalised service from the friendly staff is a plus and there’s always someone available for questions and local tips – there will also be a complimentary bottle of wine in the kitchen waiting for you. For a local and rustic dinner, go to Trattoria Saltimbocca Da Giancarlo, only a 10-minute stroll from your apartment.
Everything you need to know

At a Glance

Free WiFi
Concierge services
Smoke-free property

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    • Hotel Gutkowski

    Boutique Hotel, Budget Hotel, Hotel
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    Hotel Gutkowski-2f13634a
    Courtesy of Hotel Gutkowski / Expedia
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    Somewhere between a budget-friendly hotel and upmarket guesthouse, the rates of these rooms in old Syracuse include an organic breakfast with freshly-squeezed juice and homemade pastries, all served on the hotel’s own roof terrace. Created by three talented Sicilian artists –aristocrat Paola Gutkowski, furniture designer Herbert Weinand and interior designer Maria Vittoria – the individuality of the place shines through in the smallest details, from the quirky plates by a local ceramist to the mirrors framed with shipwreck wood, found on nearby shores.
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    18 Lungomare di Levante Elio Vittorini, Siracusa, Sicilia, 96100, Italy
    +390931465830
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    Monaci delle Terre Nere

    Courtesy of Monaci delle Terre Nere / Expedia
    Balcony
    Horse Riding
    View from Room
    Bar
    Bathroom
    Exterior
    Front of Property
    Restaurant
    Property Grounds
    Gift Shop
    Outdoor Pool
    Room
    Courtesy of Monaci delle Terre Nere / Expedia
    If understated luxury is your thing, you’ll love this rustic estate founded by 18th-century monks on the slopes of Mount Etna. The romantic plum-hued villa has been restored with an ardent respect for history; traditional materials abound, such as Etna chestnut-and-lime mortar, but thanks to contemporary details like designer bathtubs and modern fireplaces, it doesn’t linger in the past. With a full agenda of activities – from wine tastings to yacht cruises – you’ll get to know the local area in no time.
    Everything you need to know

    At a Glance

    Free WiFi
    Outdoor pool
    Restaurant
    Concierge services
    24-hour front desk
    Dry cleaning/laundry service
    Multilingual staff
    Terrace
    Bar/lounge

    La Foresteria

    Courtesy of La Foresteria Planeta Estate / Expedia
    Lobby Lounge
    Balcony
    Room
    Beach
    Hiking
    Bathroom
    Extra Beds
    Land View from Property
    Food and Drink
    Outdoor Pool
    Restaurant
    Interior Entrance
    Courtesy of La Foresteria Planeta Estate / Expedia
    The Planeta family owns several of Sicily’s most beloved wine estates and besides making wine, hospitality is a family trait that runs deep. From the welcoming home-style lounge to the ancestral heirlooms, everything seems to be designed to make you feel at ease. The chef runs cooking courses regularly and there are daily wine tastings to get you familiar with the main activity. Most of the staff are from the nearby area and will gladly share insider tips, too.
    Everything you need to know

    At a Glance

    Free WiFi
    Outdoor pool
    Restaurant
    In-room accessibility
    Beach towels
    Concierge services
    24-hour front desk
    Fitness facilities
    Dry cleaning/laundry service
    Terrace
    Bar/lounge
    Smoke-free property
    These recommendations were updated on December 29, 2020 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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