Where to Stay in Palermo
The first time I went to Palermo, I thought it was a fantastic city to visit in Sicily. It is the largest city on the island, and because of that, choosing where to stay in Palermo was something I really had to get right. I was only there for 3 days, so this heavily influenced my decision. In this guide, I will go through the best areas to stay in Palermo, give you some ideas if you are with a family, and share how long you should stay in each place.
How we choose where to stay in Palermo
When looking at the best areas to stay in Palermo, I usually prioritise areas near the centre and close to attractions such as the Norman Palace and the Martorana Church. I also have family in Italy and can speak the language, so I can get the real lowdown on the local areas. I also look at other reviews, great service, high-quality amenities and that Sicilian feel to it.
I also like choosing accommodation based on the architectural heritage that Palermo has, so it could be boutique places or historic buildings. I also like those that have something a bit different, like panoramic views of the city or being near good restaurants in Palermo.
The best areas to stay in Palermo
After speaking to people and doing my research, here are the main areas I would look at. So this was the first thing I did when researching where to stay in palermo.
Centro storico
The Centro Storico is the old town and I think it is really good to be there because you will be in walking distance to a lot of the main places to go, like the markets, the Ballaro markets, the nightlife and also the cathedral.
Garibaldi Theatre area
The Garibaldi Theatre area is a great place to stay if you are with family. It is in a very pedestrian friendly area.
Piazza Politeama
If you are looking for something a little bit more upscale that might have some better hotels, you have Piazza Politeama. This is a more upscale area to stay in Palermo and you will see a lot more higher end shops.
Mondello
If you have a little bit more time, it really depends on what you have come to Palermo for. If you want more of a beach holiday, Mondello is about 20 minutes away from Palermo centre and it is one of the best beaches in Sicily. So if you want to be relaxing at the beach, staying in the Mondello area is the place to be.
Where to stay in Palermo by the ocean
Palermo is on the north coast and is surrounded by the ocean. Here are my top recommendations for where to stay in Palermo by the water. I also have a full guide on Palermo hotels if you want to dig a little deeper.
Rocco Forte Villa Igiea
My first pick is the Rocco Forte Villa Igiea. This is just north of the city centre and is a 5 star property set in a 19th century palace. It is absolutely incredible. What I like about this hotel is that it has a lot of amenities.
If you are there for a while, it has a pool, a spa, a tennis court and a gym, so you can really feel at home. Because it is right next to the ocean, a lot of the rooms have amazing views of the sea.
Something they do a little bit differently as well, they have a private dock where you can take cruises around with their boat. Last time I checked, it fits up to 7 people.
Find out more information and check the prices for Rocco Forte Villa Igiea.
La Marsa Vacances
The next place is La Marsa Vacances. This is a place right next to Mondello Beach and is probably one of my favourites. It is a 4 star hotel, however it only has about 22 rooms so it tends to get booked out quite early.
If you do not want to be at the beach, they do have a swimming pool and they also have tennis courts which are free to use. You would just be a few minutes from Mondello Beach.
Find out more information and check the prices for La Marsa Vacances.
Mondello Palace Hotel
Another option is the Mondello Palace Hotel. This is set a little bit further back than the last and is another 4-star hotel.
What I like about this one is it has its own private section of the Mondello Beach where you will get sun lounges and umbrellas just for guests.
The rooms are fairly basic but come with air conditioning and satellite TV. If you have a car, they do have access to a car park nearby.
Find out more information and check the prices for Mondello Palace Hotel.
Where to stay in Palermo centre
I actually chose to stay in Palermo centre, and this is because I was only there for 3 days and I really wanted to see a lot of the history. I did not have time to go to the beach on this trip, as I have been to so many beaches around Sicily. Here are my top recommendations for the best area to stay in Palermo centre.
Grand Hotel et Des Palmes
I'll start off with the Grand Hotel et Des Palmes, which is in the Politeama area of Palermo. It is a 5 star hotel that has been around since 1874.
It is actually considered the most fashionable property in Palermo. You get a lot of amenities, the bedsheets are Egyptian cotton, the beds have memory foam, which is fantastic, and you will also get rainfall showers. You will also be near a lot of other places to go.
Find out more information and check the prices for Grand Hotel et Des Palmes.
Grand Hotel Wagner
Next, and I have stayed here once before, is the Grand Hotel Wagner. If you are looking for something a little bit lower cost than the Grand Hotel et des Palmes, this is a really nice place to stay. It is 5 star.
It is a real traditional Sicilian property. I wanted to stay in a more traditional hotel, and it is in the same area, so it is in a very nice area, and we could walk everywhere.
The only thing I would point out is that when I went to iron my shirt, it tripped the lights. They do have an older electricity system.
Find out more information and check the prices for Grand Hotel Wagner.
Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel
If you are looking for something a little bit quieter, you have got the Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel. It is on a lovely quiet road in the city centre, very close to the cathedral and so many other great things to do.
It is a 4 star property that has been around since 1765 and only has 12 rooms, so you get a lot of great service. The design and restoration looks very nice inside. It is owned by Floriana and she oversees the maintenance herself, so it is very, very good service in there.
You might also enjoy reading about things to do in Palermo if you are planning your time around the city centre.
Find out more information and check the prices for Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel.
Bed & Breakfast's
If you are looking for where to stay in Palermo at a lower cost, I would also recommend bed and breakfasts. They might not have all the amenities of a hotel, but they are really good when it comes to service. They are usually run by small families, and you can really get an authentic experience. If you are travelling with a lot of people, it can also be lower cost.
Palazzo Arone dei Baroni di Valentino
I will start off with the Palazzo Arone dei Baroni di Valentino. You might not think this is a bed and breakfast from looking at it, but it is. It is a luxury bed and breakfast in Palermo. It is on a quieter street, a little bit further from the Teatro Massimo, about a 10 minute walk.
But it is luxury and it is low cost. It was actually built in 1555, so you get a lot of history, but inside it is very well kept. What I like about this place is that it is soundproofed. Not a lot of older places are soundproof, so this is good especially if you are a light sleeper like me.
At night you will notice sometimes there are gala events, music evenings, and you can even get cooking lessons there at quite a reasonable price.
Find out more information and check the prices for Palazzo Arone dei Baroni di Valentino.
Sant'Agostino B&B
Next on the best area to stay in palermo on a budget is the Sant'Agostino B&B. I would probably say this is a hidden gem in Palermo.
It is in between the Politeama area and the historic centre of Palermo. Inside the rooms are very traditional but slightly modern as well. You will get all the basic amenities.
Something a little bit different, they do have an elevator, and they also have a garden, which is quite nice. They have flat screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. It is also near some of the best restaurants in Palermo.
Find out more information and check the prices for Sant'Agostino B&B.
BB Mondello Design
Going back to bed and breakfast, but this time near Mondello, is the BB Mondello Design. It is a super modern bed and breakfast in Palermo.
Breakfast is complimentary and what I like about this is they give you access to free bicycles. So instead of having to take transport, if you have good fitness you can take the bikes into the centre, just make sure to bring the locks.
Some of the rooms have private balconies, which is quite nice. They also have TVs and air conditioning.
Find out more information and check the prices for BB Mondello Design.
Where to stay in Palermo with a family
If you are looking for where to stay in Palermo with a family, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. How many people are you going with? Do you want to be in a quieter area? Or do you want to be near the beach so you can relax? Or do you want to be near the sites if you are not staying for too long?
Hotel Conchiglia D'oro
Starting near Mondello Beach, there is the Hotel Conchiglia D'oro. The reason I picked it is firstly, you are near the beach, but if you do not want to hang by the beach, they do also have a pool.
So it is a more relaxing holiday and you can always drive or take a taxi into Palermo. The rooms are nice and traditional. They come with air conditioning and safety valuables.
On request, you can also get an infant bed or crib, but double-check if they do charge for that.
Find out more information and check the prices for Hotel Conchiglia D'oro.
Villa Masetta
Another place very close to Mondello Beach is Villa Masetta - Luxury Suite. This is actually a renovated villa from the 1900s. What I like about here is you can really relax with your family.
There is a beautiful turquoise infinity pool and the beach is very close. They do have reserved seating there so make sure to book that in with the owners.
A lot of the rooms have ocean views and have a TV if you want to watch something at night. You also do not have to worry about cooking, as they have breakfast in the morning.
Find out more information and check the prices for Villa Masetta - Luxury Suite.
Villa Rosemada
If you are looking for for where to stay in Palermo with a large family, I would probably recommend Villa Rosemada. This is a really cool holiday house that has 3 bedrooms and fits 6 people.
They have got a really nice pool with some loungers, a barbeque area and also a ping pong table. So if you are staying with older children who like ping pong, this is the place to stay.
The only thing about this is that because it is a holiday house, you will have to do the cooking yourself, which is actually quite good if you want to save some money and prepare your own meals.
You will meet the owner, Dario, on-site, and he is very responsive. He can also give you bikes if you want to explore the area with your family.
Find out more information and check the prices for Villa Rosemada.
I hope you enjoyed my where to stay in Palermo guide. Now, if you have stayed in the city and have some tips on the best areas to stay in Palermo, drop me a comment below so I can share that experience with my readers. Any questions, let me know. Enjoy staying in Palermo!
Where to stay in Palermo FAQ's
Where to stay in Palermo near the beach?
If you are looking for where to stay in Palermo near the beach, Mondello is the answer. It is about 20 minutes from the city centre and is one of the best beaches in Sicily. My top picks near the beach are La Marsa Vacances, the Mondello Palace Hotel and Hotel Conchiglia D'oro. If you want something more upscale by the water, the Rocco Forte Villa Igiea is just north of the city centre with ocean views and a private dock.
Where to stay in Palermo with a car?
If you are thinking where to stay in palermo with a car, you will be able to find parking in most places, but you also have to take into consideration the ZTL in Palermo. You can read more about that in my Palermo travel guide. Your best bet is Mondello, where you have more chance of getting free parking. You can also park in the city but you have more chance of parking in a car park. The Grand Hotel Wagner, which I talked about earlier, has parking facilities outside but they do charge for it.
What are the best neighbourhoods to stay in Palermo?
Palermo offers diverse neighbourhoods. Popular choices include the historic district of Kalsa, the lively Vucciria, and the upscale Politeama. Accommodation in these areas include most of the above like Grand Hotel Wagner and Hotel Politeama.
Where to stay in Palermo for the first time?
If you are thinking where to stay in Palermo for the first time, it really depends on who you are with and how long you are staying for. I stayed for 3 days myself, so I stayed in the city of Palermo, so I could get to all the restaurants and all the historical sites very quickly. If you stay in Mondello, it is a little bit further out. So I would probably only recommend staying in Mondello if you are after a more relaxed holiday or have a lot of time. Or maybe you could do both.