Best hotels in Taormina & the Ionian Coast

Perched on a cliff in the hilltop town of Taormina, this former Dominican convent has spent the better part of six centuries collecting remarkable guests: Oscar Wilde, Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo, D.H. Lawrence and, more recently, the cast and crew of The White Lotus. The building is as extraordinary as its guest list: two wings – one medieval, one 1896 Liberty-style – frame stunning gardens, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a 21-metre infinity pool suspended above the Ionian Sea. It's immaculate, polished and more than a little bit swanky – but it's the 600-year history really wins your heart.

Lùme is located in the heart of Ortigia, the historic district of Syracuse. Like an invitation to travel and contemplation, its rooftop offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, the city's rooftops, and the majestic Mount Etna. If you love the sun, the sea, and fine food, this is the perfect place for you!

Few hotels have a history quite like the Grand Hotel Timeo. Opened in 1873, it was Taormina's first hotel and still occupies its original clifftop spot, right beside the third-century Greek theatre. Mount Etna smokes gently to the south, the turquoise Ionian Sea glitters below, and the view alone has attracted artists, writers, emperors and Hollywood royalty for well over a century. Add six acres of terraced gardens, Michelin-starred dining and a Dior spa, and you might find yourself lingering for considerably longer than planned...

The dusky-pink Baroque villa at the estate's heart houses Locanda Nerello restaurant, stuffed full of antiques, art and neon signs and offering a fabulous 0-kilometre menu of dishes like albacore tartare with Salina capers, risotto with fennel and orange zest, and homemade cannoli. Below it, the Convivium Bar occupies the old stone cellar – well-stocked and ideal for an aperitivo – and outside, there's a solar-heated infinity pool framing panoramic views of both Etna and the sea. There's also a small spa, and a larger menu of in-room wellness treatments.

Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection is located in a magnificent building dating back to 1920 and known as the Syracuse Post Office. The hotel offers 75 rooms and suites with views over the Porto Piccolo and the Gulf of Ortygia, all decorated in an exclusive refined style, featuring elegant marble and luxury fabrics.

It's one of the most exclusive hotels in Syracuse, Sicily, where you can relax and indulge in ancient rituals, rooted in the authentic heritage of Sicily. After an impeccable restructuring and restoration, the old post office building is now home to one of the nicest hotels in Sicily. It is unique of its kind, which preserves the fascinating history and authenticity of the original structure. Experience an immersive and authentic journey, inspired by the abundance of the local heritage.

Maniace Boutique Hotel is located on Ortygia, an island where land and sea come together. Its briny breeze transports you across time to far away and recent eras each marked by different and sometimes opposing, styles and influences. The hotel’s 21 rooms trace all of the nuances of Sicilian culture, highlighting its essence thereby relaying its style and refinement. There is exclusive luxury in this hotel, poised between the sea and white limestone. The collection of bedrooms and suites at Maniace Boutique Hotel in Ortygia embodies the alpha and omega of the influences that have been absorbed by Sicilian culture over the centuries.

Set in heart of Ortigia, Grand Hotel Des Étrangers is an art deco icon and byword for understated elegance. There are many 5-star hotels in Sicily but nowhere quite like Grand Hotel Des Étrangers. It is a unique jewel in luxury hospitality of Syracuse, which offers an enchanting context of art, culture and urban regeneration. The restoration project involved an historical nineteenth century Palace which has kept the most authentic sides of the building by maintaining the original characteristics. The hotel therefore reveals the perfect balance between tradition and modernity. Each space is different, but everywhere there is a sense of peace and luxury – and quality is key.

The elegance of the Palace Catania is reflected in every aspect of your stay. The rooms and suites feature contemporary furnishings, embellished with details that recall local history and culture. The predominant white interiors contrast with the black lava stone that characterizes Catania's city center, while the presence of Arab-Norman elements and Militello ceramics demonstrate the hotel's connection to the local area.

Guests staying at this 4-star hotel in the center of Catania can enjoy the hotel restaurant with its splendid panoramic terrace overlooking Mount Etna, the wellness area with Turkish bath, and the fitness room. The 9 meeting and reception rooms can host any type of event, whether corporate or private.

UNA Hotels Naxos Beach Sicilia embodies the authentic warmth and hospitality of Sicily, welcoming guests to a resort nestled in lush greenery at the foot of Mount Etna. Surrounded by a lush citrus grove, during the summer the resort envelops you with the intense scents of orange, lemon, and mandarin blossoms: an ideal retreat for families and couples seeking an oasis of peace and relaxation, as well as fun on the island's east coast.

This resort offers numerous amenities to ensure a relaxing yet fun stay just steps from the sea. Space and activities are designed to offer a unique experience of well-being and recreation. Guests can choose from the resort's many services: sports facilities, such as paddle tennis, tennis, and soccer courts, a beauty center where they can indulge, not to mention the private beach on one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful coastlines, and four large pools, each with a different atmosphere.

The UNA HOTELS standard and the One urban spa experience enliven Syracuse starting from a highly effective and distinctive heritage chic urban loft with exposed metal corten structures, custom furnishings, light design and vertical greenery. Over 750 square meters dedicated to wellness carved from rock carved over the centuries by the sea, Technogym fitness area, restaurant, sky rooftop, meeting & chill spaces: your starting point to connect with yourself, others and the city.

An island of hospitality and absolute comfort, nestled between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. An Eco Resort inspired by Sicilian aristocratic traditions and respect for a unique and pristine biodiversity. This lodge is a haven where you can escape to fully experience nature, culture, and relaxation.

Donna Carmela is the name that pays homage to Carmela Torrisi Faro, the owner of the house. A woman who embodied the Faro family's core values ​​in every detail: a love of beauty, a passion for nature, and an obsessive attention to hospitality. In 2009, she transformed a 19th-century residence into the resort it is today: 18 suites and 8 lodges immersed in a Garden of Eden, expertly furnished and designed to enhance comfort in every detail.

A finely restored early 1900s villa, beautifully restored, now home to an elegant 63-room boutique hotel where timeless charm meets contemporary style. In 2026, the Grand Hotel San Pietro unveils a new phase of restyling: a refined renewal of its spaces that enhances the harmony between the villa’s historic character and modern design. Suspended between sky and sea, it overlooks Taormina with enchanting views of the Ionian Sea, framed by the energy of Mount Etna, the poetry of Isola Bella and the cobalt-blue charm of the Grotta Azzurra.

With a new concept of space and freedom, this hotel redefines the idea of ​​luxury, taking it to its pinnacle, building the most enchanting luxury resort in Sicily. Here, in the heart of the Mediterranean, amidst the captivating panorama of the Val di Noto, an ancient farmhouse, once owned by Prince Nicolaci, has become an idyllic retreat, a destination of choice in surprising harmony with nature.

The silence and quiet of an intimate setting characterize the suite collection, instilling feelings of well-being and peace, restoring a clear sense of self and inner balance. The lush, sunny, and authentic exterior encourages a rediscovery of the world, stimulating regenerating effects of pleasure for the mind, body, and spirit. The relaxing and prestigious atmosphere simultaneously enhances the colors of Sicilian tradition and the most modern and innovative comforts.

In the wild south-east corner of Sicily, this old farmhouse sits within the Vendicari nature reserve, on a working estate of olive groves and a fragrant lemon orchard. It's a small, unhurried sort of place - light-filled, retro-furnished rooms, a pool ringed by Mediterranean scrub, and a silence you only get this far from a town. A private chef will cook for you if you'd like (breakfast leans on the estate's own fruit and eggs) and a cooking class is yours for the asking. Walk out into the reserve for empty beaches and flamingos, or drive twenty minutes for the golden Baroque of Noto.

Hotel Villa Belvedere is a delightful and charming boutique hotel, located at just a few minutes from Taormina’s lively town centre and from the world-famous Greek-Roman Theatre, which are both reachable by walking through the inspiring and panoramic Duca di Cesarò Botanic Gardens. The hotel benefits of wonderful views over the sea, the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna.

The hotel has always been owned and managed by the Bambara-Pècaut family and welcomed its first guests back in 1902. Villa Belvedere has all the discrete elegance and friendly welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Sicilian private villa, standing in its own, well cared-for gardens, with spectacular views of Mount Etna and over the Bay of Naxos.

Nestled between the Duomo and the ancient columns of the Temple of Athena, Palazzo Artemide is much more than a hotel: it is a journey into the most authentic Sicily. A 19th-century palace with monumental charm, it preserves the baroque soul of Syracuse, with tuff stone vaults, hidden courtyards, and unparalleled views. Here, every detail tells the story of the island’s millennia-old culture, transforming your stay into an unforgettable experience.

Nestled amongst the ancient olive trees of south-eastern Sicily, just a few minutes from Noto, it is a place dedicated to authentic hospitality, design and well-being. It is a house shared between the past, present and future of its land, built within an archaeological olive grove populated by centuries-old plants that symbolize serenity and transmit well-being.

Nestled along the crystalline waters of the Bay of Mazzarò, this century-old residence whispers tales of aristocratic summers past while offering thoroughly modern indulgences. Dating from 1919, when a noble family built their dream escape amid subtropical gardens, the property retains that unmistakable ambience of a private coastal villa rather than a hotel. The secluded shoreline setting creates a haven of tranquility, yet adventure lies just moments away via the cable car that whisks you up to the cultural treasures and boutique-lined streets above. It's the perfect harmony of isolation when desired and accessibility when needed – a rare combination that keeps devotees returning year after year.

Perched above the shimmering Strait of Messina, this architectural gem was born from the creative genius of Charles Robert Ashbee, a prominent figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement. Yet, what began as an English vision in 1908 evolved into something distinctly Greco-Sicilian – and therein lies its irresistible charm. Step inside and you're transported to a world where history whispers through every corridor; from the grand lobby with its sweeping marble staircase to the panoramic terrace that cascades down to tiered gardens and a rather inviting swimming pool. It's the perfect vantage point to gaze across the glittering waters towards mainland Italy, ideally with something chilled and local in hand. And when hunger strikes? The Michelin-starred restaurant oozes high-octane glamour without a hint of stuffiness – just the sort of place where memories are made over lingering, laughter-filled meals.