Where to Stay in Palermo

Sicily’s capital is a fascinating yet complex city, which is why choosing where to stay in Palermo requires careful consideration. It’s a sprawling metropolis where smart, elegant and completely safe neighbourhoods sit alongside more run-down areas.

It would be a real shame to have your holiday spoiled in this magnificent city – blessed with an extraordinary wealth of history, culture and culinary traditions – simply because you’ve booked a hotel in a questionable neighbourhood.

Don’t worry though: renewed tourist interest in the city, particularly from abroad, has broadened and diversified the accommodation on offer. Today, in all of Palermo’s most attractive areas, you’ll find an excellent range of hotels in various categories, B&Bs, hostels and holiday apartments.

Read our advice on the best neighbourhoods to stay in Palermo and book now to snap up the best deals!

Old Town

To make the most of the architectural, historical and gastronomic wonders of Sicily’s capital, we can only recommend staying in Palermo’s historic centre.

By booking a hotel, B&B, hostel or apartment in the Old Town, you’ll find yourself immersed in this city’s history and culture, able to fully experience the distinctive yet vibrant atmosphere of its historic markets.

The Cathedral, the Quattro Canti, the Martorana Church and all the main attractions will be easily within walking distance, as will the famous Palermo markets of Vucciria, Ballarò and Il Capo.

However, whilst this area cannot be considered unsafe, pickpockets do operate here: to avoid unpleasant situations, exercise a little caution and don’t leave your personal belongings unattended.

Recommended accommodation in central Palermo

Politeama/Via Libertà

The Libertà neighbourhood, centred around the street of the same name, is probably the best area to stay in Palermo. It’s a relatively new and elegant neighbourhood where you’ll find a good choice of hotels for all budgets.

There are two main reasons why we recommend staying in this area: it’s the safest, making it suitable for families with children and solo travellers alike, and it’s close to the city centre, allowing you to get around easily on foot or by bus. Bear in mind that Palermo’s public transport isn’t the best, so staying far from the centre could be inconvenient.

Another reason to look for accommodation in the Libertà neighbourhood is its lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs where you can enjoy an evening out safely.

The Libertà neighbourhood, between Via Libertà, the Politeama Theatre and Via Ruggero Settimo, is a recommended area for business travellers: the neighbourhood is home to numerous government offices, banks and corporate headquarters.

Recommended accommodation in the Libertà neighbourhood

Mondello

Does the gentle sound of the waves appeal to you far more than the bustling cries of market vendors? Are you a young traveller looking for adventure? If so, staying in a historic city-centre hotel may not be for you.

If what’s bringing you to Palermo is the desire to dive into crystal-clear waters or spend lively nights on the beach, then the best area to stay is Mondello, a seaside resort neighbourhood famous for its beaches and, during the summer months, as the beating heart of Palermo’s nightlife scene.

For your explorations of history and culture, you can hop on a local bus that will have you in the city centre in just 30 minutes.

Recommended accommodation in Mondello

Staying around Palermo

If you’ve got a car or plan to hire one, consider booking your hotel, apartment or B&B outside the city: the A29 motorway offers easy and fast connections to western Sicily’s most popular tourist destinations.

All accommodation in Monreale Isola delle Femmine Sferracavallo Capaci