Where to Stay

Where to stay in Palermo

The capital of the island is primarily a city of art, home of a living nation and of a people whose heritage goes back thousands of years from various, a history containing many contradictory elements, fused together, but recognizable in every gesture and movement used today. Arriving in Palermo is always an event, no matter where you come from, what mode of transport you use, no matter the season, nor the hour of day or night—it is the feeling of being in the heart of a fascinating and mysterious world, closed between a shining sun and a brilliant sea. The welcoming climate that lasts throughout the year, makes this a superb tourist spot, which means that there is a wide choice of hotels, both in the city and in the province, however, it is always wise to book in advance.

The most exclusive hotel (which welcomes prestigious clients into the refined elegance of its suites and rooms) is definitely the Grand Hotel Villa Igea, situated along the coast of Acquasanta, a luxury construction in Art Nouveau style, which offers its guests a splendid swimming pool, tennis courts and a private beach. Lively Via Roma parts from the Central Station and extends to the new zone in the city leading to Parco della Favorita, it is also home to the Grand Hotel Delle Palme the destination of the rich and famous. The Grand Hotel and Excelsior Palace, situated in Piazza Croci, are four star hotels situated close to the two most important theatres (Massimo and Politeama) and one of the most famous monument routes in the city. Close to the Cathedral of Palermo, an admirable example of Arabic-Norman art and close to the beautiful Piazza Pretoria, which has a splendid fountain and is also home to the Palazzo delle Aquile, home to the Town hall, you can stay at the Centrale Palace Hotel part of the “Best Western” chain. Those visiting Palermo on business, prefer the Astoria Palace Hotel, located close to the Mediterranean Trade Fair, the Jolly Hotel del Foro Italico, the San Paolo Palace Hotel and President, spread out along the coast including Via Messina Marine and Via Francesco Crispi, all easily reached from the port of Palermo.

In the summer season the most popular hotels are near the seashore, ie. Mondello Palace Hotel, the Florio Park Hotel of Cinisi, the Grand Hotel delle Terme in Termini Imerese, the Grotta Azzurra in Ustica, a delicious island a few miles from Palermo, all of these are four star hotels with every comfort and situated close to the sea.

There are three star hotels that are small but elegant, with great service and often equipped with meeting rooms and exhibition areas. These hotels are close to the Central Station, or can be easily reached from there, hotels such as: Massimo Plaza Hotel, Grande Albergo Sole and Hotel Principe di Belmonte and Hotel Athenaeum, the latter is in the cittadella universitaria. If you want a holiday of relaxation, and a tranquil place, submerged in green and relatively far from noise and city traffic, you can opt for the Hotel Residence Casena dei Colli, in the San Lorenzo area, the Addaura Hotel Residence, the Bel 3 in Baida or the Baglio Conca d'Oro close to Acquapark in Monreale.

Some of the hotels in the tourist areas are very well known; all of them are close to the Hotel Cala Rossa and the Hotel Città del Mare both at Terrasini, Hotel Costa Verde in Cefalù, the Saracen Club Hotel in Carini and the Torre Normanna, in Altavilla Milicia.

When visitors are planning to stay for a long time, value for money and practicality are two of the most important factors and they tend to choose, traditional family run pensions or hotels with fewer comforts, but which are just as comfortable for long stays. The majority of these hotels are spread throughout the city's historical center amongst others are Villa Archirafi Residence, Orientale, the Letizia, Hotel Moderno and Hotel Alessandra close to Stazione Centrale, the Tonic Hotel, Hotel Joli, theHotel Madonia and Hotel Petit in the area of Teatro Massimo. Finally, for young people, especially students who want to spend a few nights in Palermo, close to the University, the best solution is the Bed and Breakfast Casa Marconi.