14 Best Hotels in Central Sicily and the Mediterranean Coast, Sicily

Although it lies just a five-minute drive from Porto Empedocle, and less from Marinella beach, Borgo delle Pietre feels as if it is in a world apart, set among olives and vineyards, with the only sounds those of birdsong and goat bells. A former inn, it is built of the same stunning white stone as Scala dei Turchi and the cliffs of Torre Salsa—some of the stones are encrusted with glinting crystals of salt and selenite. There are just eight minimalist rooms, with white walls, biscuit-glazed terra-cotta floors, custom-built natural wood beds, majolica tiled, resinated cement bathrooms and beautiful heavy handmade linen upholstery and cushions in subtle shades of blue, bronze, sage and ocher. The central courtyard is a wonderful place to sit with an early morning coffee or predinner drink, though other outdoor spaces appeal as well—such as the pool, with a shaded pavilion for summer lunches, and a tiny hidden away courtyard perfect for a quiet solo read in the shade. The restaurant is open to clients only, with daily changing fish and meat menus. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are available on request.

Set on the fringe of the Kasbah and built within the Norman fortifications, this quirky, unconventional little hotel is ideal for anyone who wants to inhabit a piece of Mazara’s multilayer history. It still retains a secret passage leading straight to the port (though sadly this is closed for safety reasons) along with a medieval chapel, and it's been built around an Arabic-style garden courtyard with whitewashed walls, ceramic tiles, and a well. Part of the house is Renaissance, part of it Art Nouveau, with rooms decorated throughout in the style of a shabby chic Sicilian stately home. Breakfast is served in the courtyard in good weather and in the Renaissance dining room in bad. This will appeal to adventurous travelers who value authenticity and quirkiness over faultless functionality, power showers, and super-fast Wi-Fi.

This authentic rural accommodation on the Centonze olive oil estate rings is a short drive from the coast and from the temples of Selinunte. The two big pools—one with a 500-year olive tree beside it—along with the children’s pool, small playground, and little farm zoo (home to geese, goats, tortoises, chickens, and ducks) make this an ideal choice for families. Rooms are in clusters of whitewashed outbuildings, each with its own terra-cotta-tiled terrace. The restaurant is open every evening and for Sunday lunch, with a daily changing fixed menu, and olive oil tastings can be arranged.

The owners of De Gregorio Winery have opened a quaint inn above their city restaurant, Le Stranizze, offering large rooms, fast Wi-Fi, and a central location that is perfect for a small family or any traveler looking for a comfortable, convenient place to rest after a day of exploring. The rooms sit on the top floors of a row house tucked into one of the pedestrian shopping streets, offering some nice views of Sciacca. Although the inn does not offer in-house breakfast, it gives you a breakfast voucher good at several local cafés, which allows you to experience something different without the extra cost. 

A working farm producing almonds, olives, and wine (all of which feature in abundance at evening meals), Feudo Muxarello offers huge vistas toward the Sicani mountains and a to-die-for night sky. Rooms are of the very highest standard, both in the main farmhouse and in the adjoining outhouses. There is an ample swimming pool and the owners have gone out of their way to document footpaths and excursions from the farmstead. The evening meal comes via a single menu, affordably priced and served in one sitting, eating together with the owner and staff.

This agritourismo, a pretty stone masseria (Sicilian farmstead) is in a beautiful, secluded location that feels as if it is miles from anywhere yet within easy driving distance of most of central Sicily’s points of interest, including Caltagirone, Piazza Armerina, and Enna. Inexpensive, welcoming, and unpretentious, it is hard to think of a better place to base yourself in the region. The 33 rooms are simple but comfortable, and there is a hot tub and a large swimming pool for all guests to share. The Masseria’s produce, including olive oil, jams, and pestos, is available to buy in a small shop and forms the basis for the evening meal, a fixed menu that changes every day. Breakfast is a triumph, with lots of fresh fruit, nuts, artisan compotes, yogurt, and homemade cakes. A small children’s playground and the general feeling of friendliness make this a good choice for families, too, and there are lots of trails to follow on foot or bike in the surrounding woodlands.

This exquisitely restored and furnished Art Nouveau palazzo is perhaps the most improbable hotel on the entire island of Sicily: it sits in the heart of Montallegro, a humble agricultural town with not many tourist highlights, yet the Briuccia and its fine-dining restaurant are special enough to deserve consideration as your main base for exploring this part of the island. It’s an easy driving distance of Agrigento, Scala dei Turchi, and Torre Salsa, and inland, you’ll find unspoiled landscapes where pointed peaks rise above undulating hills planted with olive and almond groves. With beautiful wallpapers, wooden staircases, beamed ceilings, encaustic tiled floors, and antique furniture, rugs, and mirrors, Briuccia is a little world of its own. The former courtyard has been transformed into a winter garden, where dinner and breakfast are served. There are just five rooms, the highlight being the suite with its own terrace (and hydromassage bath) on the top floor. Owner/chef Damiano Ferraro also runs cooking classes for guests. For breakfast, guests are presented with an elegant platter of seasonal fruit, yogurt, and delicious sweet and savory Sicilian morsels.

Tucked away in an alley in Caltanissetta's former Jewish Quarter, this chic boutique hotel is just a five-minute walk from the cathedral. Stylish rooms feature stone arches, beamed ceilings, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Upgraded rooms and suites add soaking tubs, and apartments offer kitchenettes, located over several buildings along the alley. The breakfast buffet serves a delicious spread of local bread and cheeses. A cozy bar and a sophisticated spa area, complete with a hammam, relaxation room, and hot tub, complete the experience.

Here you'll find tasteful contemporary rooms within a small organic winery set among 50 acres of vineyards a short drive from the unspoiled beaches of the Torre Salsa nature reserve. Rooms are minimalist in style, with exposed beams, wooden parquet floors, and bathrooms walled with either Bisazza mosaics or hand-painted majolica tiles from Caltagirone. Color schemes vary, from soft blues, greens, and sand to geometric black and whites, giving each room a distinctive feel and character. Breakfast is served in the courtyard in good weather, and in the state-of-the-art tasting room. Although there is no restaurant, wine tastings with food—and a tour of the vineyards and cantina—are available three times a week. 

Right by the port, the small and modern Hotel Aliai is Sciacca's best choice for anyone wishing to lodge in the lower town. Book one of the three rooms on the top floor; all have harbor views and their own terraces, though guests may have to stoop to avoid the low eaves in the attached bathrooms. Staff are friendly, parking is easy, and breakfast choices include freshly squeezed fruit juice and local pastries. Piazza Scandaliato can be reached in 10 minutes via steps.

This instantly beguiling and intimate country resort with just four sensitively restored dammusi stands in the utter peace and quiet of the village of Mueggen. The glory of this spot is that its owners Matilde and Giancarlo are completely in tune with the land and landscape, and they would be happy to invite people to stay simply for the joy of sharing what they have created with like-minded people. Everything they grow on their land is preserved and served to guests during the months they are open, as witnessed by the storehouse of homemade pestos, jams, sott’olio (vegetables preserved in olive oil), juices, and olive oils. They even make their own ricotta from their four goats using the traditional island method of adding seawater to help the curds form and collect eggs every morning from their lovingly tended chickens. Grounds include a small woodland area (with a treehouse for massages) and a pavilion where breakfast and aperitivo are served. Dinner is served on request. In summer, Giancarlo can take guests on trips in his own boat and can lead them on country walks.

This 19th-century villa with a restaurant and 12 rooms sits on a hill above Licata, lending a lovely sea view. There are extensive views from the lounge, evocatively decorated with vintage wedding photos, a wind-up gramophone and antique piano, and long terraces perfect for evening cocktails. The grounds include a small pool, and the rooms are simple but tasteful. There is also a well-regarded restaurant, La Bottega. 

This hotel on the main drag is housed within one of Sciacca's few palazzi that have been renovated to showcase their period finery. The building dates from the 17th century and retains its arched doorways and a splendid internal courtyard. The decor is a mixture of old and new, while the rooms (some with patios) are mainly spacious and equipped with fridges and modern bathrooms—there's also a family suite. It's just steps away from Piazza Scandaliato, and you can park close by. There's a week-long minimum stay in August.