5 Best Hotels in Mount Etna and Eastern Sicily, Sicily

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 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.