Where to stay in Sicily: the 3 areas to know in 2026

Our tips for booking the right place

• One of our members noted the price of every ticket in Palermo, and no one else in this guide did: Eight places, and a figure each time. The Norman Palace, which includes the Palatine Chapel: "one small downside: the admission price for the Norman Palace, which is still a bit expensive (€17 that day)". The Palermo Botanical Garden: "the entrance fee seemed a little steep to me (5 euros) compared with other botanical gardens, but I think it's worth it anyway". The Church of San Cataldo: "you have to pay to go in, about 2 euros or less if you do the church circuit and have the 'paper' they give you on your first visit to one of the sites". And the Martorana Church in Palermo, her favourite: "admission was free, so definitely don't miss it". That "church circuit" appears in none of our other reviews: it is worth checking locally, but she is the one who saw it.
• Palermo's churches close, and you need two mornings: The same member ran into the same closed door twice, on the same day of the week. At the Martorana: "it was closed when I first stopped by on a Sunday afternoon, but I was so glad I made a detour to head back on Monday morning!" At the Church of the Gesù: "I very nearly missed it because it was closed on the Sunday afternoon when I came by, but luckily I made myself go back. It is simply splendid!" At Palermo Cathedral, it was a service that stopped her: "there was a service when I came by, so I only took a quick look". And a second review turns it into a rule: "check the opening times carefully, because the church isn't always open". Two mornings, therefore two nights minimum: it is the most concrete accommodation constraint in this guide.
• Three of our four Palermo reviews ask for several days: "If you want to see it all, there are two solutions: either plan several days, or bring good shoes. Oh yes! The charm of Palermo is all those little streets, hours of walking ahead of you", writes the first, who adds, for everyone else: "the less sporty can concentrate mainly on the big beach". The second: "don't hesitate to take a few days to discover the city!" And the third puts a number on it: "I'd advise spending at least two to three days there". The fourth says nothing about length and everything about range: "there is something for every taste: cultural, artistic and historical visits, hikes in the forest- and scrub-covered hills of the hinterland, lazing on the sandy beaches or the wild coves".
• In Syracuse, three paid sights get the same reservation, and it comes from a single pen: At the Castle of Euryalus: "the building is no longer in very good condition and I found the visit a little short given the admission price. The most impressive part is the underground section, which is worth it." At Maniace Castle: "the interior visit is interesting, but I found the castle a little empty. You get round it fairly quickly. Everything is very plain, don't expect rich, elaborate decor." At the hypogeum on Piazza del Duomo: "the visit is still interesting but I found the price a bit high, since it's very short and there isn't much to see." The same yardstick three times: price against content. Against that, two places she rates 5/5: Syracuse Cathedral, "although admission is charged, I'd recommend visiting the inside", and Porto Piccolo, which costs nothing.
• The light of Syracuse: our two reviews describe the same thing and draw different conclusions: "What I remember from my stopover in Syracuse is being dazzled. Literally. All that sun, my eyes are still watering. If you go in spring or summer, remember to equip yourself with a good pair of sunglasses", writes the first, who turns it into a piece of kit. "There is exceptional light all year round", writes the second, who turns it into a selling point. They do agree, though, on what matters for a night: "the city is lively but without the tourist crowds. You can really breathe and take your time exploring it", and "there's no heavy traffic to wreck your lungs, the city is even somewhat wooded".
• Catania asks for the longest stay in the region, on the strength of one review: This is the paradox of this guide: the city we know least about is the one where our member stays longest. "I found the atmosphere very pleasant, with a certain easygoing vibe. The city is lively without being too crowded. There are a lot of things to do and visit. I recommend staying at least 3 or 4 days." The same member asks for "two to three days" for Palermo, where we have fourteen reviews. We cannot check the rest: Catania has no description on Avygeo and no photographed activity. We report it as it stands, because a review asking for four nights is accommodation information.