24 Best Hotels in Mount Etna and Eastern Sicily, Sicily

On a princely perch overlooking the town, the Greek theater, and the bay, this truly grand hotel, Taormina's oldest, wears a graceful patina that suggests la dolce vita, with a splash of Baroque and a dash of Mediterranean design in the lobby, which has tile- and brickwork walls and vaulted ceilings. Fine linens and drapes, Oriental rugs, and gilt-framed prints decorate the rooms, which all have balconies or terraces—many with a panoramic outlook. A meal at the restaurant or a drink on the terrace also comes with one of Italy's most memorable vistas.

Close to Randazzo and with stunning views towards Etna, this immaculately restored 19th-century farmhouse is set in beautiful grounds against a backdrop of lava flows. Clustered around the palmento, the imaginatively designed guest rooms feature chestnut beams and furniture and wooden sinks: the accent here is on curves rather than straight lines. Activities such as ambling along on a donkey, saddling up for a horse ride, or olive oil and wine tasting might lure you away from the swimming pool and its shady terraces. The staff couldn't be nicer, breakfast is super fresh and there’s an excellent restaurant to boot. 

This cozy boutique hotel in the foothills of Mount Etna features spacious rustic-chic rooms on a working organic farm with vineyards, along with an elegant Slow Food–inspired restaurant. The concept here is "eco-bio": everything has been designed with an eye toward being environmentally friendly, from the recycled furnishings to renewable energy. Along those lines, the restaurant, Locanda Nerello, features authentic Sicilian dishes using ingredients grown on the farm or in the area and a comprehensive wine list focusing on natural producers from the area. Guest rooms, one in the main building and the others in suites scattered around the grounds, are individually decorated in a traditional Sicilian style with touches of contemporary art. In keeping with the relaxed spirit, there are no TVs in the rooms but many include fireplaces, and all suites have private outdoor spaces.

In the small, charming town of Linguaglossa, this boutique property located in a former palazzo offers a very tranquil retreat, with rooms awash in white and lots of natural light. In common rooms, you can still see the restored frescoed ceilings of the original structure. 

Hardwood floors, vibrant wallpaper, extensive original artwork, and spacious rooms are the hallmarks of this charming boutique property. On the ground floor, there's a small shop full of stylish housewares that feels like a photo stylist's prop closet. And though the property is located on one of the city's principal streets, the heavy windows ensure a good night's sleep. Two of the rooms have private terraces.

Breathe in the scent of orange blossoms as you arrive at this modern boutique hotel surrounded by 32 acres of gardens and citrus orchards just five minutes from the sea by car. The manor house and its adjoining palmento (the wine-making building, which is now the restaurant), was built in 1800; separate cottages were subsequently added for guest rooms. Designed by Iraci Architetti, one of Italy's preeminent architecture firms, the modern accommodations incorporate clean lines, lots of white, lava stone, and a copious amount of glass to open the space to the property's most valued asset: its natural surroundings. Zash offers a modern style without sacrificing a sense of place.

Housed inside a palace built after the 1693 earthquake that destroyed Catania, this boutique property just steps from the Duomo honors historic architecture and embraces the immersive experience of modern art in its uniquely designed rooms. Each of the 11 spacious rooms has a different theme; the Art Rooms feature in-room installations based on the region's most important stories (the mythical cyclops, the fisherman Colapesce, the magi Eliodoro) while the Neoclassic Rooms are more classically bedecked with period pieces and items from the 1930s through 1960s. You can choose from a scent menu to determine how you'd like your room to smell during your stay.

This boutique property is housed in a structure dating to the 1400s, but has been fully updated with all the modern amenities, including luxury marble bathrooms, complete with Acqua di Parma toiletries, hydromassage showers, and soaking tubs. Yet the owners have made sure that the grandeur of days past remains intact. You'll find antiques from the 1500s and 1700s throughout; five of the rooms have private balconies; and in the excavated historic stone wine cellar, they host wine tastings. On the ground floor, you'll find Bar Vitelli of The Godfather fame.

This large property, rising above the lava rocks, right on the sea feels a bit like a time capsule. You can easily imagine the Rat Pack making it their home on a Sicilian holiday. For some, that means the property is stuck in the past and could use a reboot, but for others, it's the perfect amount of old-school panache.

This contemporary, light-filled hotel makes the most of its position right in front of the sea and the faraglioni. Indulge in a cocktail on the terrace at sunset, ponder over which Sicilian specialty to order in the attached restaurant, or spend some time at the nearby beach club. Whatever you do, it will be met with impeccable and amicable service. 

This independent hotel provides tidy accommodations in the style you might expect in a chain aimed at business travelers, but the name and ambience of the hotel are much more connected to the town's local spirit. It's thanks to Anassila, the tyrant who ruled Reggio, that Messina got its name sometime around 491 BC, in honor of his homeland (Messenia) in Greece. And he was given the right to mint money, coins called Messenion, which were vital to the growth of trade in the area. 

This trendy boutique hotel boasts a prime location, with the main shopping street of Corso Umberto on one side and sea views on the other. Modern touches abound in the 17th-century building, with bright, airy rooms done up in light colors with contemporary furnishings; most are suites, including a terrace spa suite with a Jacuzzi ideally sited on a panoramic terrace. You can hear live jazz in the attractive bar most evenings. In season, take advantage of the infinity pool, or head to the private beach—just a free 10-minute shuttle ride away.

This small luxury hotel, in a former noble home a short walk from the center of town, has contemporary accommodations with calming neutral tones and a seamless mix of modern and period furniture, but the true allure of the property is in its incredible rooftop terrace and the attentive staff. Start the day with coffee on your private balcony, move on to breakfast with sea views, and close the evening with drinks by the garden pool.

Just a few steps down from the luxurious Villa Ducale Hotel—but several degrees more affordable—this cozy, family-run villa sits on the hillside, removed from the action of Taormina. The spacious guest rooms all have balconies from which to admire the looming profile of Etna and the sparkling waters of the Ionian Sea. Breakfast is taken in the glass-fronted restaurant overlooking the terraces of a lushly planted garden; along with the bar, it forms the social hub of the hotel.

This tranquil villa from the 1970s is perched at the edge of the Ganzirri Lake and looks out over shady gardens, sunny terraces, and a secluded infinity pool. Guest rooms are not shy of color and are just a few steps away from spa treatments and a gym. From here, it's an easy walk around the lake or to the beaches of Capo Peloro.

This resort on the edge of the Parco dell'Etna combines elegantly appointed guest rooms, a stunning pool, a full-service spa and wellness center, and a fine-dining restaurant to create an immersive Etna experience. It's an excellent spot to base your volcanic exploration or just check-in for a few days and never leave the property.

On the edge of the town's historic center, overlooking lovely public gardens and facing the sea, this under-the-radar family-run hotel was renovated in 2023, but still maintains its antique furnishings, paintings, and Persian rugs, as well as its delightful service, good rooftop restaurant, and Etna views from many guest rooms. Access to the hotel's aptly named Paradise Beach Club is free between June and mid-October (though it gets overcrowded quickly) and is reached by shuttle bus.

For great views of Etna, this centrally located hotel overlooking Catania's main shopping street has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy breakfast or take in the scenery during happy hour over a cocktail and antipasti buffet. Although it has a bit of a chain-hotel feel, the friendly service makes the experience feel more personal—you can even leave your car in front of the hotel, and they'll park it for you. Upgrading to a larger executive room is highly recommended: it includes anything you want from the minibar.

This updated historic palazzo maintains elements of its early 1900s grandeur: parquet floors, 13-foot ceilings, and porcelain stoneware tiles. Almost every room has its own balcony, and the hotel is full of art by Giancarlo Mustich. It's a very clean and enchanting little place to lay your head. The owner, Massimo Costantino, has relationships with everyone in the neighborhood and can arrange to have lunch or dinner brought into the hotel if you're a bit road weary and simply don't want to go out. 

With a sleek minimalist design in a 17th-century palace and a convenient location in an increasingly trendy area not far from the train and bus stations, this boutique hotel caters to design aficionados on a budget. Rooms are cool, modern, and spacious—some have frescoed ceilings. The city's sights are within an easy walking distance—but the hotel's secure setting near an area populated by migrants and close to the red-light district may be off-putting to some.

The sweeping views of the castle, the sea, and Mount Etna from this converted 14th-century Dominican monastery will linger in your mind, along with the equally memorable levels of luxury and wonderful food in the hotel's highly lauded restaurant, Principe Cerami. Rooms have a sophisticated contemporary design, exquisite linens, and ultramodern amenities. The San Domenico's Renaissance flavor is preserved by two exquisite cloisters, convent rooms, and sensuous gardens full of purple agapanthus flowers, bougainvillea, and 40 different varieties of citrus trees. An infinity pool with views of the sea and Etna clings to a cliff just below the gardens. In early 2022, the HBO series The White Lotus filmed its second season on the property. Aficionados may take a drink at the bar, but at a hefty price.

Although just a short walk from the Porta Messina on Corso Umberto, this modern and upbeat hotel is far enough away from the hubbub of the town to guarantee a peaceful night's sleep. The balconies of the airy and spacious guest rooms, the panoramic terrace where breakfast is taken, and the rooftop pool all pander to the view. Tuck into your breakfast pastries, sip your poolside cocktail, and soak it all up. And the staff couldn't be more pleasant. 

The former summer residence of a local aristocrat has been converted into a luxurious hotel in which each individually styled guest room is furnished with antiques and has a balcony with a view. The public spaces include an intimate wood-paneled library. The vast roof terrace, where a fantastic breakfast is served, takes in a wide panorama embracing Etna and the bay below. There is a shuttle bus service to the town.

Many of the guest rooms at this well-situated hotel have private terraces with gorgeous Instagrammable views of Etna without the crowds (or high prices) of nearby Taormina. Along with a refreshing swimming pool, colorful public spaces include a lobby, bar, and lounge that make the most of the stellar vista, plus a restaurant with a wine bar.