Distances are long and you’ll almost always need a car, so deciding where to stay in Calabria comes down to which coast you want and how much driving you’re willing to do. Here are my six picks, with three hotels in each area.

Where to Stay in Calabria: The Best Areas

• Tropea - best town for first-timers and beaches
• Capo Vaticano - best area for a beach holiday and snorkelling
• Pizzo - best town for a short transfer and lower prices
• Scilla - best town for couples and romance
• Reggio Calabria - best city without a car and for onward travel to Sicily
• Le Castella - best area for families on the Ionian Sea

I start on the Costa degli Dei, the Coast of the Gods, with Tropea, Capo Vaticano and Pizzo, carry on down to Scilla and Reggio Calabria on the Strait of Messina and finish at Le Castella on the other side of the toe. For each area you get a map, transport details, the price level and three hotels in different price ranges. The prices come from a search for a weekend in June for two people, and in July and August they’re quite a bit higher.

1. Tropea - best town for first-timers and beaches 🌅

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You stay in or right next to the Old Town. From Piazza Ercole you can walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the viewpoints above the beach in a few minutes.
• 🚆 Transport: Tropea has its own station on the coastal railway, and the regional train from Lamezia Terme Centrale takes about an hour. Boats along the coast leave from the harbour below the town.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Lamezia Terme Airport, allow about an hour by car.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly €100 to €744 (around £85 to £625) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Safe, including in the evening, when the streets are full of people. Keep an eye on your belongings on the busy beaches in high season.

Tropea is Calabria’s best-known town and the image most people have in mind when they think of the region. The Old Town sits on a cliff high above the sea, and from the viewpoints at the end of the streets you look down on pale beaches and turquoise water. Below the town, the church of Santa Maria dell’Isola stands on its own rock, and you can read more about it on Calabria’s official tourism website. On a clear day you can see the volcanic island of Stromboli on the horizon.

In the evening, people fill Corso Vittorio Emanuele and the little squares, and everywhere you’ll see Tropea’s red onions on sale, the town’s pride and joy. Boats leave the harbour for trips along the Costa degli Dei and out to the Aeolian Islands, and you can take a full-day trip to Vulcano, Lipari and Stromboli for about €65 (around £55).

See hotels in Tropea here.

I’d stay in Tropea if it’s your first trip to Calabria and you want beaches, restaurants and nightlife within walking distance. It’s also the town on the coast where you’ll manage best without a car. From the airport you can reach the station in Lamezia Terme on the Lamezia Airlink bus, and you can read how to buy tickets for the regional trains in my guide to trains in Italy. If you want the freedom to drive out to the coves at Capo Vaticano, pick up a car at the airport and compare prices on car hire at Booking.com.

The downside is the crowds in July and August, when the town is packed with Italian families and the beaches below the cliff are covered in parasols. The Old Town is a limited traffic zone, ZTL, especially in summer, and parking near the centre is hard to find, so choose a hotel with parking or ask your hotel where you can leave the car. The beaches lie at the foot of the cliff, so there are lots of steps up and down.

Hotels in Tropea

Villa Paola - five-star, adults-only hotel with a pool and views

Villa Paola sits on the hillside in Contrada Paola, about 1.5 kilometres from the Old Town, and is the most expensive hotel in the whole guide. It’s five-star and adults-only, with an outdoor pool with views, a garden, a restaurant and free parking, and the breakfast buffet is included. It scores 9.3 from just over 100 reviews, but there’s no lift, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the beach, and a few guests feel the breakfast choice is limited.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “We had the best stay at Villa Paola, we can’t wait to come back!”

See photos and book Villa Paola here.

Hotel Colomba D’Oro - four-star hotel with a lift close to the Old Town

Hotel Colomba D’Oro is on Via Vittorio Veneto, a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town and about 500 metres from the beach. It’s four-star with a lift and air conditioning, breakfast is included, and it scores 8.7 from just under 1,000 reviews. There’s free street parking nearby, but several guests find the breakfast rather basic.

From one review: “The location, and easy parking right in front of the hotel!”

See photos and book Hotel Colomba D’Oro here.

Donnaciccina Accomodation - budget guesthouse in the pedestrian streets with a breakfast buffet

Donnaciccina is on Via Pelliccia in the pedestrian streets of the Old Town, about 400 metres from the beach, and scores 9.5 from just over 270 reviews. The breakfast buffet is included, and there’s free public parking about 200 metres away. The house is an old building without a lift, and a few guests feel the cleaning could be better.

One guest highlights: “Really lovely and helpful hosts, always available and genuinely attentive.”

See photos and book Donnaciccina here.

2. Capo Vaticano - best area for a beach holiday and snorkelling 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Capo Vaticano has no real centre. The hotels are scattered across the hills above the beaches, and Tropea is about a quarter of an hour away by car.
• 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car. Several hotels run a shuttle down to the beach, but if you want to go out for dinner or into Tropea in the evening, a car or taxi is the easiest option.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Lamezia Terme Airport, allow about an hour and ten minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around 103 to 333 euros (roughly £85 to £280) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet, including for families with children. The roads down to the coves are narrow and steep, so drive carefully.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Calabria for a proper beach holiday, Capo Vaticano is the headland about ten kilometres south of Tropea, and here you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in Calabria. The granite cliffs drop steeply into the sea, and between them lie small coves with pale sand such as Grotticelle, Praia i Focu and Tono. The water is so clear that it’s one of the best places to snorkel on the entire coast, and from the viewpoint by the lighthouse you can see Stromboli and the other Aeolian Islands on clear days.

The area belongs to the municipality of Ricadi, and it isn’t a town but a collection of hotels, holiday homes and agriturismi spread out among olive groves and fields. Several of the most stunning coves are easiest to reach from the water, and you can see them on a boat trip from Tropea to Capo Vaticano with snorkelling for around 40 euros (about £35).

See hotels at Capo Vaticano here.

I would stay at Capo Vaticano if you’re a family with children or a couple who want a real beach holiday with the pool in the afternoon and peace and quiet in the evening. Many hotels sit right above the beach or drive guests down to it, and when you fancy a lively evening, you’re in Tropea in a quarter of an hour. From here you can also take day trips to Pizzo and Scilla and still be back in time for the sunset over the sea.

The downside is that you’re dependent on the car. Restaurants are few and far between, and the car parks at the popular coves fill up quickly in summer. Many hotels close from autumn until spring, and some only accept guests for a full week at a time in high season, so check before you book.

Hotels at Capo Vaticano

Capovaticano Resort Thalasso Spa - four-star resort with a spa right on the beach

I couldn’t find any five-star hotels at Capo Vaticano, so Capovaticano Resort is the top choice. It sits right on the beach at Tono and has a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a kids’ club and free parking, and breakfast is included. It scores 9.0 from just under 480 reviews, but some guests are unhappy with the service on the beach and the quality of the breakfast.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The rooms are spotless, the garden is full of colourful flowers, and the sea view is absolutely breathtaking.”

See photos and book Capovaticano Resort here.

Hotel Marinella - family-friendly hotel with a pool 200 metres from Grotticelle

Hotel Marinella is on Via Grotticelle about 200 metres from the beach, and the hotel’s free shuttle runs down there. There’s an outdoor pool with a children’s pool, a playground and free parking, and breakfast is included. It scores 8.3 from just over 550 reviews, and several guests feel the hotel doesn’t live up to its four stars, as the rooms look older than in the photos.

From one review: “The staff were excellent, friendly and very helpful.”

See photos and book Hotel Marinella here.

La Bussola Hotel Calabria - three-star hotel with a pool and free parking

La Bussola is on Via G. Berto in the northern part of Capo Vaticano, about 900 metres from the beach. There’s an outdoor pool, a playground and free parking, breakfast is included, and it scores 9.1 from just over 400 reviews. Some guests find the location a little remote, and in midsummer you may only be able to book full weeks.

One of the guests writes: “The welcome with a drink and a plate of fruit was a lovely surprise.”

See photos and book La Bussola here.

3. Pizzo - best town for a short transfer and lower prices 🍨

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The Old Town sits on the cliff above the harbour. From Piazza della Repubblica it’s a few minutes’ walk to the castle, Castello Murat, and down the steps to the harbour.
• 🚗 Transport: Pizzo is easiest by car, as the town is close to the A2 motorway. Tropea is just over half an hour’s drive away.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Lamezia Terme Airport is around 25 minutes away by car, closer than any other town in this guide.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three places below came to around 69 to 213 euros (roughly £60 to £180) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and relaxed. In summer the square is full of families until late in the evening.

Pizzo, also known as Pizzo Calabro, sits on a cliff above the sea at the northern end of the Costa degli Dei, and it’s one of the most charming small towns in Calabria. The heart of the town is Piazza della Repubblica, where the cafés sit side by side, and this is where you need to try tartufo di Pizzo, a ball of ice cream with a molten chocolate centre that the town is famous for all over Italy.

By the square stands Castello Murat, where Napoleon’s brother-in-law, King Joachim Murat of Naples, was held prisoner and shot in 1815 after landing at Pizzo in an attempt to win back his kingdom. You can read the story on the website of the Italian heritage trust FAI. North of the town is the little Piedigrotta church, carved into a cave by the beach and filled with stone figures.

See hotels in Pizzo here.

I’d stay in Pizzo if you want a short trip from the airport, a lively little town in the evening and lower prices than in Tropea. It’s ideal for the first or last night of your trip, and you can easily drive down to the beaches around Tropea during the day. If you’re driving all the way down through Italy, Pizzo is the first stop on the Costa degli Dei, and if you have a few nights along the way, you can read where to stay in Naples and where to stay on the Amalfi Coast.

The downside is that Pizzo doesn’t have the long, pale beaches you’ll find around Tropea and Capo Vaticano. The town’s own beach by the harbour is fine for a dip, but if you want that turquoise water, you’ll have to drive. The Old Town has narrow streets and steep steps, and parking is difficult in the afternoon and evening in high season.

Hotels in Pizzo

Galìa Luxury Resort - five-star resort with an infinity pool on the coast north of town

Galìa Luxury Resort is on the Riviera Prangi, around three kilometres north of Piazza della Repubblica, right on the coast with its own beach area. It’s a five-star hotel with an infinity pool, spa, restaurant and free parking, and breakfast is included in the price. It scores 8.9 from just under 440 reviews, and one guest didn’t think the beach in front of the hotel was particularly clean.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Don’t miss one of the best hotels in Pizzo!”

See photos and book Galìa Luxury Resort here.

Asterias Residence - small resort with a pool and spa close to the beach

Asterias Residence is on Via Martiri d’Ungheria in the southern part of town, around 300 metres from the beach, and scores 9.2 from over 1,000 reviews. There’s an outdoor pool in summer, a spa, a playground and free parking. It’s a fair walk up to Piazza della Repubblica, and one guest complained that the room was hot on the first night because the air conditioning hadn’t been switched on before arrival.

From one review: “A small resort in a fantastic location in Pizzo. Close to everything.”

See photos and book Asterias Residence here.

Murat Guesthouse - budget guesthouse a few minutes from the square

Murat Guesthouse is on Via Benedetto Musolino, around 200 metres from Piazza della Repubblica, and was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Pizzo. It scores 8.8 from just over 260 reviews. Parking costs extra at a car park a 5 to 8-minute walk away, and one guest writes that it’s very hard to find a space in the late afternoon.

One guest highlights: “Wonderful guesthouse in a perfect location.”

See photos and book Murat Guesthouse here.

4. Scilla - best town for couples and romance ⛵

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Scilla is small. From the beach at Marina Grande, you can walk past Castello Ruffo castle and down to Chianalea in about ten minutes.
• 🚆 Transport: Scilla is on the coastal railway line, and the regional train to Reggio Calabria takes about half an hour.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Reggio Calabria airport, allow about half an hour by car, and just over an hour from Lamezia Terme.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€. The three places below cost around 83 to 150 euros (roughly £70 to £125) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and peaceful. In summer, Chianalea is busy with day trippers in the evening.

Scilla sits at the entrance to the Strait of Messina, and the town takes its name from the sea monster Scylla in Homer’s Odyssey, who lay in wait for sailors here. Today it’s one of the most beautiful fishing towns in southern Italy. Castello Ruffo stands on the rock in the middle of town, with Marina Grande and its long beach on one side and the fishing quarter of Chianalea on the other, where the houses sit right out in the water.

Chianalea is what people come for. Narrow alleys lead from the main street down to the water, boats are moored between the houses, and in the evening you eat at tables right above the waves. Scilla is known for swordfish, and in summer you’ll see the distinctive fishing boats with tall masts that are used to catch them.

See hotels in Scilla here.

I’d stay in Scilla if you’re a couple looking for a romantic town by the water with fewer tourists than the better-known coasts further north. In the evening, once the day trippers have gone, Chianalea goes quiet, and from the terraces you can look across the strait to Sicily. You can take the train on a day trip to the museum in Reggio Calabria without moving the car, and the stretch north towards Bagnara Calabra, the Costa Viola, is one of the most scenic coastal roads in the region.

The downside is space. Chianalea is essentially one narrow street you can’t drive into, so your car has to stay in a car park a couple of hundred metres away, often for a fee. There are few hotels, most are small B&Bs, and there’s no proper luxury hotel in town. The beach at Marina Grande also gets packed at weekends in July and August, when people come up from Reggio.

Hotels in Scilla

Hotel U’ Bais - four-star hotel with a lift by the beach at Marina Grande

Hotel U’ Bais is the closest Scilla gets to a luxury hotel. It’s a four-star on Via Nazionale by the beach at Marina Grande, with a lift and a beach area for guests, and breakfast is included. It scores 8.2 from just under 600 reviews, parking costs extra, and several guests find the single beds very narrow.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were all helpful and genuinely friendly.”

See photos and book Hotel U’ Bais here.

Romeo e Giulietta Scilla - romantic B&B with sea views in Chianalea

Romeo e Giulietta is on Via Zagari in the heart of Chianalea, has rooms with sea views and scores 9.1 from just over 350 reviews. Breakfast is included, and you can leave your car in a car park about 400 metres away for 15 euros (around £13) a day. One guest was disturbed by a noisy water pump at night.

From one review: “It’s a truly beautiful and romantic place.”

See photos and book Romeo e Giulietta here.

Casa Vela B&B - budget B&B with a restaurant in Chianalea

Casa Vela is on Via Annunziata in Chianalea and has its own restaurant and bar. Breakfast with local specialities is included, and some rooms have partial sea views. It scores 8.5 from just under 200 reviews, parking is about 400 metres away, and a couple of guests mention poor soundproofing.

One guest writes: “Very friendly and helpful staff and a fantastic breakfast with local specialities.”

See photos and book Casa Vela here.

5. Reggio Calabria - best city without a car and for carrying on to Sicily 🏛️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You stay in the centre between the main street, Corso Garibaldi, and the seafront promenade, Lungomare Falcomatà. From the museum, it’s a couple of minutes’ walk down to the water.
• 🚆 Transport: From Reggio Calabria Centrale, trains run up the coast to Scilla and on towards Naples and Rome, and fast boats sail from the harbour to Messina.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: The city’s own airport is a few kilometres south of the centre, around 15 minutes by taxi. From Lamezia Terme, allow around an hour and a half by car.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around 102 to 190 euros (around £85 to £160) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: The centre and the promenade feel safe in the evening, when the whole city is out for a stroll. Stay in the centre rather than in the run-down neighbourhoods further out.

Reggio Calabria is the region’s largest city and sits right on the Strait of Messina, with Sicily just across the water. The city was almost completely destroyed in the 1908 earthquake and was rebuilt with wide, straight streets, so it looks nothing like the old hill towns. What it does have is Lungomare Falcomatà, a long promenade lined with palm trees and flowerbeds, where on clear days you can see Etna on the other side of the strait.

The main attraction is the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, where you can see the Riace Bronzes, two Greek warrior statues from the 5th century BC that were found on the seabed off Riace. The museum is closed on Mondays, and a ticket costs 10 euros (around £8). Set aside a couple of hours, as there’s much more to see than the bronzes.

See hotels in Reggio Calabria here.

I’d stay in Reggio if you’re travelling without a car, or if you want to combine Calabria with Sicily. The car ferries to Messina sail around the clock from Villa San Giovanni, just north of the city, and you can check departures with the ferry company Caronte & Tourist. If you’re travelling without a car, the fast boats from Reggio harbour are the easiest option. If you’re carrying on around the island, you can read my guide on where to stay in Sicily.

The downside is that Reggio is a working city, not a beach resort. The beach along the promenade is narrow, and most people drive to Scilla or further up the coast to swim. Outside the centre there’s traffic and quite a few run-down residential areas, so stay close to the museum and the promenade. On the plus side, hotels are cheaper than around Tropea, and the city is lively all year round, even when the beach resorts have closed.

Hotels in Reggio Calabria

Grand Hotel Excelsior - classic four-star hotel with a rooftop restaurant by the museum

I didn’t find a true luxury hotel in Reggio, so Grand Hotel Excelsior is the city’s classic first choice. It’s on Via Vittorio Veneto, around 100 metres from the museum and 300 metres from the promenade, and there’s a rooftop restaurant with a view. Parking costs 12 euros (around £10) per night, and it scores 9.0 from just over 850 reviews. Check whether breakfast is included in the rate you choose, and one guest complained about dirty floors in the room and on the balcony.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A very good four-star hotel in the centre of Reggio Calabria, very close to the archaeological museum and all the sights.”

See photos and book Grand Hotel Excelsior here.

Hotel Continental - four-star hotel close to the promenade

Hotel Continental is on Via Florio, around 300 metres from Lungomare Falcomatà and about a ten-minute walk from the museum. It’s a four-star hotel with a restaurant and a lift, breakfast is included, and it scores 8.7 from over 2,000 reviews. Parking can be arranged for a fee, and several guests find the single beds narrow.

From a review: “A good hotel close to the city’s seafront promenade. Very good breakfast and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Hotel Continental here.

B&B Kalavrìa - modern, highly rated B&B in the southern part of the centre

B&B Kalavrìa is on Via Paolo Pellicano in the southern part of the centre, around 1.5 kilometres from the museum, and scores 9.4 from over 600 reviews. The rooms are modern, and breakfast is included. It’s further from the promenade than the other two hotels, but there’s free street parking nearby or a garage 500 metres away for 15 euros (around £13) a day.

One guest highlights: “Beautiful, modern and fully renovated room and bathroom. The location was central with easy, free parking.”

See photos and book B&B Kalavrìa here.

6. Le Castella - best area for families on the Ionian Sea 🏰

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Le Castella is a small resort town clustered around its fortress. Isola di Capo Rizzuto is about ten kilometres to the east, and the beaches run along the coast on both sides.
• 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car. There are no trains out here, and buses are few and far between.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Crotone Airport is about 20 minutes away by car, and from Lamezia Terme you should allow a good hour.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€€€. The three places below cost around 60 to 468 euros (roughly £50 to £390) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and peaceful, including for families. Outside the summer the town is almost empty.

Le Castella sits on the other side of the toe, facing the Ionian Sea, and the coastline here looks completely different from Tropea, with low cliffs and long beaches instead of steep bluffs. The town’s landmark is the fortress, which stands on a small island linked to the mainland by a narrow spit. It was built by the Angevins and extended by the Aragonese in the 16th century, and you can check the opening times on Italy’s official tourism website.

The coast around Le Castella and Isola di Capo Rizzuto is part of the protected marine area Area Marina Protetta Capo Rizzuto, established in 1991, and you can snorkel and dive along the rocks here. Inland lie the forests and lakes of Sila National Park, about an hour and a half away by car, if you fancy a day in cooler air.

See hotels in Le Castella here.

I’d stay in Le Castella if you’re a family wanting a sandy beach and a small town with some life in the evenings, or if you’re flying into Crotone. From here you can also drive up along the Ionian Sea to Basilicata, where Matera is about three hours away, and you can read where to stay in Matera here. If you’re carrying on to the heel of the boot, I’ve gathered the best bases in my guide to where to stay in Puglia. The easiest place to pick up a car is the airport, and you can compare prices on Booking.com’s car hire.

The downside is that Le Castella is a long way from the rest of this guide. Tropea is around two hours by car, and Reggio is even further, so it’s not a base for the whole of Calabria. The town lives off its summer visitors, and outside the season many restaurants and hotels are closed.

Hotels in and around Le Castella

Praia Art Resort - adults-only five-star hotel on Praia Longa beach

Praia Art Resort is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and sits on Praia Longa beach, about six kilometres north-west of the fortress. It’s a five-star, adults-only hotel with a private beach area, an outdoor pool and a restaurant, and breakfast is included in the price. It scores 8.6 from just under 150 reviews, and one guest found the towels old and rough.

One guest writes honestly on Booking.com: “Intimate and cosy, but I wouldn’t really call it luxury.”

See photos and book Praia Art Resort here.

Relais Ruggiero - family-run B&B with a pool outside town

Relais Ruggiero is in Località Brasolo, about 2.5 kilometres from the fortress and the beach, and scores 9.6 from just over 160 reviews. There’s an outdoor pool in summer, breakfast is included in the price, and parking costs 4 euros (around £3.50) a day. You’ll need the car to get to the beach and the restaurants.

From one review: “We were lucky enough to stay here and be welcomed by such a lovely, friendly and helpful family.”

See photos and book Relais Ruggiero here.

Art Boutique Rooms - budget guesthouse 150 metres from the fortress

Art Boutique Rooms is on Via Duomo in the middle of Le Castella, about 150 metres from the fortress and under 300 metres from the beach, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions. It scores 9.2 from just under 340 reviews, and there’s free parking nearby. There’s no pool, the rooms don’t have sea views, and one guest didn’t find the staff particularly friendly.

One of the guests writes: “Beautifully decorated, cosy and a perfect location.”

See photos and book Art Boutique Rooms here.

Where not to stay in Calabria?

Avoid the port and transit towns such as Villa San Giovanni, where the ferries to Sicily dock, and the industrial port of Gioia Tauro. Lamezia Terme and Vibo Valentia are handy when you’re passing through, but they’re inland, and you don’t travel to Calabria to stay there. Also be careful with the large holiday villages, villaggi, along the coast if you want to see towns and eat out, as many of them are designed for you to stay inside the fence with full board and entertainment. Don’t try to see the whole region from one base either, as it’s over two hours by car from Le Castella to Scilla. And if you have a car, don’t pick a hotel inside a limited traffic zone without asking the hotel about parking and access, or you risk a fine arriving in the post.

If it’s your first trip to Calabria and you have a week, I’d stay in Tropea or at Capo Vaticano the whole time and take day trips to Pizzo, Scilla and the Aeolian Islands. If you have ten days, add three nights in Scilla or Reggio at the end, and take the ferry on to Sicily. If you’re travelling without a car, Tropea and Reggio are the only realistic options, and if you’re travelling with children, Capo Vaticano and Le Castella are the most relaxed.

The best months are June and September, when the sea is warm and the beaches aren’t crowded. Around 15 August the Italians take their own holidays, and then the whole coast is packed and prices are at their highest. North of the areas in this guide lies the Riviera dei Cedri with Diamante and Praia a Mare, if you want even more beaches. And if you’re heading on around the country, I’ve gathered the best regions and cities in my guide to where to stay in Italy.

The post Where to Stay in Calabria? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

The towns are close together, but each sits on its own hilltop, so deciding where to stay comes down to atmosphere as well as trains and parking. Here are my six suggestions, with three hotels in each town.

Where to Stay in Umbria: The Best Towns

• Perugia - best town for city life and travellers without a car
• Assisi - best town for first-timers and culture
• Spello - best town for couples and wine lovers
• Spoleto - best town for culture and peace and quiet in the south
• Orvieto - best town for train travellers and a trip from Rome
• Lake Trasimeno - best area for families and a beach holiday

I go through the towns from Perugia in the north down through the valley to Spoleto, then Orvieto in the south-west and finally Lake Trasimeno on the border with Tuscany. For each town you get a map, transport, price level and three hotels in different price ranges. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, and they rise in July and August and during the towns’ festivals.

1. Perugia - best town for city life and travellers without a car 🎷

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You stay right in the Old Town. From Piazza IV Novembre with the cathedral and the fountain, you walk along the main street, Corso Vannucci, to Piazza Italia in five minutes.
• 🚆 Transport: Perugia Fontivegge railway station is down in the valley, and from here the small automated Minimetrò line runs up to Pincetto just below the centre. The train to Assisi takes about 20 minutes.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Perugia’s small airport is about 20 minutes away by car. From Florence Airport, allow just under two hours, and from Rome Fiumicino about two and a half hours.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around €124 to €520 (around £105 to £435) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe in the Old Town, also in the evening. The area around Fontivegge station is more run-down, so stay up in the centre.

Perugia is the capital of Umbria and the only real city in this guide. The Old Town sits on a hill, and the main street, Corso Vannucci, links Piazza Italia with Piazza IV Novembre, where the 13th-century Fontana Maggiore fountain stands in front of the town hall, Palazzo dei Priori. Inside the town hall is the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria with the region’s largest art collection, including paintings by Perugino, who came from the area.

The city has two universities, so the streets are lively in the evening all year round. In July the Umbria Jazz festival fills the squares with concerts, and the Perugina chocolate factory, which makes Baci, is from here too. By the old Rocca Paolina fortress, escalators run from Piazza Partigiani up through the underground streets to the centre.

See hotels in Perugia here.

I would stay in Perugia if you’re travelling without a car. From here you can reach Assisi and Spello by regional train in under half an hour, and from the station the Minimetrò runs up to the centre every couple of minutes. If you come by car, you can leave it at the Pian di Massiano terminus and take the line up, so you avoid the traffic zone completely. If you’re coming from Florence, you can spend a few nights there first, and my guide to where to stay in Florence will help you choose a neighbourhood.

The downside is that Perugia is a city with suburbs, traffic and a steep hill up to the centre. The hotels in the Old Town are inside the limited traffic zone, the ZTL, and many old buildings have no lift. On the other hand, it’s easy to find parking outside the zone, and the medieval town of Gubbio is less than an hour’s drive to the north-east if you fancy a day trip.

Hotels in Perugia

Sina Brufani - five-star palazzo with a pool above Etruscan ruins

Sina Brufani is Perugia’s classic luxury hotel and sits on Piazza Italia at the end of Corso Vannucci. The indoor pool has a glass floor, so you can look down on Etruscan ruins, and there’s a spa, sauna, gym and restaurant. According to Booking.com, on-site parking costs €20 (around £17) a day and must be booked in advance. Several guests feel, however, that the breakfast doesn’t live up to the price.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is fantastic.”

See photos and book Sina Brufani here.

Times Suites - modern guesthouse in the middle of the Old Town

Times Suites is on Via Sant’Ercolano, a few minutes’ walk from Corso Vannucci, and has a score of 9.2 from over 850 reviews. The rooms are modern and have air conditioning, but there’s no reception, so you check in yourself. There’s also no lift or breakfast, but there are bars nearby, and your car will need to go in a public car park.

From one review: “The rooms were clean, spacious and very modern.”

See photos and book Times Suites here.

Hotel Morlacchi - small budget hotel with breakfast close to the cathedral

Hotel Morlacchi is a two-star hotel on Via Leopoldo Tiberi, a couple of minutes’ walk from Piazza IV Novembre. It scores 9.1 from just under 800 reviews, and breakfast is included in the price, although several guests find it fairly basic. There’s no lift, and if you want to park for free nearby, you’ll need a permit from the hotel.

One guest highlights: “Excellent location, very clean and friendly, helpful staff.”

See photos and book Hotel Morlacchi here.

2. Assisi - best town for first-time visitors and culture ⛪

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You stay in the Old Town. From Piazza del Comune it’s about a ten-minute walk down to the Basilica di San Francesco and five minutes to Santa Chiara.
• 🚌 Transport: The railway station is in Santa Maria degli Angeli, about four kilometres away down on the plain, and a bus runs from there up to the town. The train from Perugia takes about 20 minutes.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Perugia’s airport is about 15 minutes away by car. From Rome Fiumicino, allow about two and a half hours, and from Florence Airport just over two hours.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€€. The three hotels below ranged from about 140 to 861 euros (around £115 to £720) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. The town is full of pilgrims during the day and quiet in the evening, but the streets are steep and slippery when it rains.

Assisi is the town of St Francis of Assisi and the most visited in Umbria. The Basilica di San Francesco is made up of two churches, one on top of the other: in the upper church, Giotto’s frescoes cover the walls, and the saint’s tomb lies in the crypt beneath the lower church. The town, the basilica and the Franciscan sites in the surrounding area are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find the opening hours for the two churches and the crypt on the basilica’s own website.

At the other end of town stands the Basilica di Santa Chiara with its facade of pink and white stone, and in between lies Piazza del Comune with the columns of a Roman temple. High above the town is the Rocca Maggiore fortress, with views across the whole plain, and down by the station is the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built over St Francis’s little Porziuncola chapel. If you want the stories behind it all, you can take a guided walking tour with a visit to the basilica for around 60 euros (around £50).

See hotels in Assisi here.

I would stay in Assisi if it’s your first trip to Umbria and you want a beautiful town with plenty of sights right on your doorstep. In the evening, once the day-trippers’ coaches have left, the streets go quiet and the light falls on the pale stone. The town is also in the middle of the region, so Perugia, Spello and Spoleto are all within an hour’s drive.

The downsides are the daytime crowds, especially at weekends and on religious holidays, and the fact that the whole town is built on a hillside. The Old Town is a restricted traffic zone, ZTL, so your car has to be left in one of the large car parks just outside the town walls, and if your hotel has no lift, you’ll be carrying your suitcase up the stairs.

Hotels in Assisi

Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum - five-star hotel with a spa in Roman excavations

Nun Assisi is on Piazza Matteotti at the eastern end of the Old Town, in a converted 13th-century convent. The spa sits down among Roman excavations, and there’s an indoor pool, a restaurant and a bar. Breakfast is included, and on-site parking costs 25 euros (around £20) per night. It’s at the pricier end, the score is based on only just over 120 reviews, and a couple of guests missed having an iron in the room.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful surroundings and the most amazing spa facilities ever.”

See photos and book Nun Assisi here.

Hotel Il Palazzo - three-star hotel on the street between the square and the basilica

Hotel Il Palazzo is on Via San Francesco, the street leading from Piazza del Comune down to the basilica. It has a lift and air conditioning, and it scores 9.2 from 900 reviews. Breakfast costs extra, and a couple of guests mention minor issues in the bathroom.

From one review: “The property had an excellent location in Assisi.”

See photos and book Hotel Il Palazzo here.

Hotel Pallotta - simple hotel with its own trattoria by the square

Hotel Pallotta is on Via San Rufino, right by Piazza del Comune, and the hotel’s trattoria is on the ground floor. It’s a two-star with air conditioning, and it scores 8.8 from over 750 reviews. There’s no lift, and there are steps up to the hotel, so it’s not a good fit if you have difficulty walking. According to Booking.com, the public car park nearby costs about 12 euros (around £10) a day.

One guest highlights: “Very friendly and helpful staff.”

See photos and book Hotel Pallotta here.

3. Spello - best town for couples and wine lovers 🌸

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Spello is so small that you can walk from one end of the Old Town to the other in a quarter of an hour. Assisi is about 12 kilometres to the north.
• 🚗 Transport: Spello has its own railway station on the line between Perugia and Foligno, about ten minutes’ walk from the town gate. You’ll need a car to get to Montefalco and the vineyards.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Perugia’s airport is about 25 minutes away by car, and from Rome Fiumicino you should allow about two hours.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€. The three places below cost around 82 to 168 euros (roughly £70 to £140) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet in the evening. The streets are steep, and there are lots of steps.

If you ask me, Spello is the prettiest little town in Umbria. It sits on the slopes of Monte Subasio with Roman town gates, narrow lanes of pink stone and flowerpots on every step. In the church of Santa Maria Maggiore you can see Pinturicchio’s frescoes in the Cappella Baglioni, and from the town walls you look out across the plain towards Assisi.

The town is best known for the Infiorate di Spello, when the streets are covered in carpets of flowers on the night before Corpus Domini Sunday. The festival usually falls in late May or June, and that weekend the town is packed, so book well ahead if you want to stay here.

See hotels in Spello here.

I would stay in Spello if you’re a couple looking for peace and quiet, good food and a small town you can stroll around in the evening. Assisi is a quarter of an hour away, and you can reach the wine towns of Bevagna and Montefalco in 15 to 25 minutes by car. Montefalco is known for its full-bodied red wine, Sagrantino, and you can taste it on a guided tour with wine tasting at a winery in Montefalco for around 25 euros (about £20). You can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com before you travel.

The downside is that Spello is small. There are few hotels, most places are B&Bs and apartments, and there isn’t really a luxury hotel in town. The Old Town is also a restricted traffic zone, ZTL, so you’ll have to leave the car in the car parks outside the walls. On the plus side, prices are lower than in Assisi, and several of the small places have free parking right by the walls.

Hotels in Spello

La Bastiglia - four-star hotel with a pool and terrace at the top of town

La Bastiglia is the closest Spello gets to a luxury hotel. It’s a four-star hotel on Via Salnitraria at the northern end of the Old Town, with a seasonal outdoor pool, spa, restaurant and a terrace overlooking the plain. Parking costs 15 euros (around £13) a day. It scores 7.9, and some guests feel the breakfast is basic and the pool is small.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location and a lovely view from the terrace.”

See photos and book La Bastiglia here.

Villa Pandolfi Elmi - guesthouse in a villa with a garden and free parking

Villa Pandolfi Elmi is on Via Tommaso Corbo just outside the walls and is a guesthouse in a villa with a garden. Parking is free, breakfast with fresh cakes and fruit is included, and it scores 9.1. With fewer than 100 reviews, though, there’s less to go on than at the bigger places.

From one review: “The location is fantastic, a few metres from the Old Town.”

See photos and book Villa Pandolfi Elmi here.

Residenza Frenguelli - budget rooms with free parking by the Old Town

Residenza Frenguelli is on Via Tempio di Diana, a few minutes’ walk from the centre, and has rooms with air conditioning and a kitchenette. There’s free parking nearby, and it scores 8.8 from more than 550 reviews. The bathrooms are small, and the kitchenette is fairly basic.

One guest highlights: “Excellent location with free parking nearby and a short walk into the centre of beautiful Spello.”

See photos and book Residenza Frenguelli here.

4. Spoleto - best town for culture and peace in the south 🎭

• 📍 Distance to the centre: From Piazza del Mercato it’s a five-minute walk to the cathedral and a quarter of an hour up to the fortress and the Ponte delle Torri bridge.
• 🚆 Transport: The railway station is in the newer part of town below the hill, and the train to Rome takes around an hour and a half. In town you walk, and escalators help you up the steepest stretches.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Rome Fiumicino, allow around two hours by car, and around 45 minutes from Perugia’s airport.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around 108 to 174 euros (around £90 to £145) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and quiet. Outside the festival weeks, the town is peaceful in the evenings.

Spoleto is less well known than Assisi and Orvieto, and that works in its favour. The town sits on a hill in the southern part of the region, with the Rocca Albornoziana fortress at the top, and right next to it the tall Ponte delle Torri aqueduct bridge spans the gorge. The path around the fortress gives you the best view of the bridge. The cathedral stands at the end of a wide flight of steps, and the apse has frescoes by Filippo Lippi.

Every summer, from late June to mid-July, the Festival dei Due Mondi fills the town with opera, dance, theatre and concerts, and prices go up. The rest of the year, Spoleto is a quiet town with good restaurants, where black truffles from the mountains feature on the menu.

See hotels in Spoleto here.

I would stay in Spoleto if you want a quiet base in southern Umbria with fewer tourists. The man-made Cascata delle Marmore waterfall near Terni is around half an hour away by car, and you can reach Spello and Montefalco in under an hour. If you want to get out into nature, the paths from the bridge lead on up into the holm oak forest on Monteluco above the town. Spoleto is also on the railway line towards Rome, so it works well as the first or last stop on a round trip.

The downside is the hills. The Old Town is built on a steep slope, and the upper part by the cathedral and fortress sits well above the lower part. It’s best to leave the car in the Spoletosfera car park on Viale Matteotti, from where escalators take you up towards the centre, as the Old Town is a limited traffic zone (ZTL). On the plus side, hotels are cheaper than in Assisi and Orvieto.

Hotels in Spoleto

Hotel San Luca - four-star hotel with a garden and parking outside the traffic zone

I couldn’t find any five-star hotels in Spoleto itself, so Hotel San Luca is the top choice. It’s a four-star hotel on Via Interna delle Mura in the lower part of the Old Town, outside the traffic zone, and has a garden, a lift and on-site parking. It scores 9.1 from over 700 reviews, and the breakfast buffet gets the most praise. It’s uphill to the upper parts of town, which several guests mention.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The breakfast was without doubt the big highlight.”

See photos and book Hotel San Luca here.

Aurora Boutique Hotel & Private SPA - three-star boutique hotel with a private spa

Aurora Boutique Hotel is on Via dell’Apollinare by Piazza della Libertà in the middle of the Old Town. There’s a lift and a private spa you can book, and breakfast is included in the price. It scores 8.9 from over 1,400 reviews. The hotel is inside the traffic zone, so you’ll need to leave the car in the Spoletosfera car park around 200 metres away.

From one review: “The staff are wonderful, friendly and super helpful.”

See photos and book Aurora Boutique Hotel here.

Hotel Clarici - simple hotel with parking in the lower part of town

Hotel Clarici is a three-star hotel on Piazza della Vittoria at the lower end of the Old Town. There’s a lift, breakfast is included in the price, and on-site parking costs 10 euros (around £8) a day. It scores 8.1, and a few guests have complained about the cleaning.

One of the guests writes: “Good location, friendly staff.”

See photos and book Hotel Clarici here.

5. Orvieto - best town for train travellers and a trip from Rome 🚆

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The Old Town sits up on the clifftop. From the cathedral it’s a five-minute walk to the Torre del Moro tower on Corso Cavour and a quarter of an hour to Piazza Cahen by the funicular.
• 🚆 Transport: Orvieto is on the railway line between Rome and Florence. From the station in Orvieto Scalo, a funicular runs up to Piazza Cahen, and the train from Rome takes just over an hour.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Rome Fiumicino, allow around an hour and a half by car, and just under two hours from Florence Airport.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around 105 to 295 euros (around £90 to £245) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. In the middle of the day there are lots of day-trippers around the cathedral, but it goes quiet in the evening.

Orvieto sits on top of a cliff of volcanic tuff, and when you see the town from the motorway, it’s easy to understand why so many people stop here. The cathedral is one of Italy’s finest Gothic churches, with a façade covered in mosaics, and in the Cappella di San Brizio you can see the Last Judgement frescoes that Luca Signorelli painted around 1500. Tickets and opening hours are listed on the cathedral’s official website.

Beneath the town lie hundreds of caves and tunnels, dug out of the tuff since Etruscan times, and you can head down on a guided tour. The Pozzo di San Patrizio well has two spiral staircases that wind around each other, so the donkeys carrying the water never met on their way up and down.

See hotels in Orvieto here.

I’d stay in Orvieto if you’re travelling by train or want to combine Umbria with Rome. Trenitalia sells a combined ticket for the train and the funicular up to the centre, Orvieto Link, and you can read how to buy tickets for regional trains in my guide to trains in Italy. If you have a few days in Rome before or after, have a look at my guide to where to stay in Rome. From Orvieto it’s also a short trip to the village of Civita di Bagnoregio, which sits on its own clifftop just over the border in Lazio.

The downside is the day-trippers. Coaches from Rome and Florence fill the streets around the cathedral in the middle of the day, and the prices at the cafés on the square reflect that. The Old Town is also a restricted traffic zone, ZTL, so if you’re driving, it’s easiest to park by the station down in Orvieto Scalo and take the funicular up.

Hotels in Orvieto

Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini - four-star hotel in an old palazzo

Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini is on Piazza Ranieri in the western part of the Old Town, less than ten minutes’ walk from the cathedral. It’s a four-star hotel with a lift, gym and bar, and breakfast is included. The staff will park your car for 15 euros (around £13) a day. It scores 9.1 from over 1,000 reviews, and a couple of guests mention that the air conditioning didn’t work quite as it should.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Exceptional service, the staff were absolutely outstanding.”

See photos and book Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini here.

Hotel Duomo - three-star hotel a few steps from the cathedral

Hotel Duomo is on Vicolo di Maurizio just behind the cathedral and scores 9.2 from over 1,000 reviews. The breakfast buffet is included, and the hotel has its own parking, which costs 20 euros (around £17) a day. Some of the rooms are in an annexe with several flights of stairs, so ask for a room in the main building if you’d rather avoid stairs.

From one review: “The location couldn’t be better, right next to the cathedral.”

See photos and book Hotel Duomo here.

Hotel Picchio - budget hotel with parking down by the station

Hotel Picchio is in Orvieto Scalo, the modern town down by the station, and was the cheapest of my three suggestions. It’s a three-star hotel, the breakfast buffet is included, and parking costs 5 euros (around £4) a day. You take the funicular or the car up to the Old Town, and there isn’t much going on down there in the evening. A couple of guests struggled to find the hotel using GPS.

One guest writes: “Good location and very convenient for visiting Orvieto.”

See photos and book Hotel Picchio here.

6. Lake Trasimeno - best area for families and a beach holiday 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The lake lies 30 to 50 kilometres west of Perugia. Castiglione del Lago is on the western shore, and Passignano and Tuoro are on the northern shore.
• 🚗 Transport: Ideally you’ll want a car. Castiglione del Lago and Passignano have railway stations, and the ferry to the island of Isola Maggiore leaves from Passignano.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow about an hour and a half by car from Florence Airport and about 45 minutes from Perugia’s airport.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three places below cost around 97 to 333 euros (roughly £80 to £280) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and peaceful, including for families with children.

Lake Trasimeno is Italy’s fourth-largest lake and the largest in central Italy, and it sits right on the border with Tuscany. The water is shallow and warms up quickly in summer, and several of the towns have small swimming beaches with sunloungers and playgrounds. Castiglione del Lago stands on a promontory with a castle and town walls, and Passignano has a long promenade along the water.

From Passignano the ferry sails to Isola Maggiore, the only inhabited island, where Francis of Assisi spent Lent in 1211. North of the lake near Tuoro, the Romans suffered one of their worst defeats against Hannibal in 217 BC.

See hotels by Lake Trasimeno here.

I’d stay by the lake if you’re travelling with children in summer, or if you want to combine Umbria with Tuscany. Cortona and Montepulciano are half an hour away, and Siena is just over an hour by car, so you can easily add a couple of nights there, and here you can read about where to stay in Siena. If you’d like to see more areas in the neighbouring region to the west, I’ve gathered the best bases in my guide to where to stay in Tuscany. The lake also makes a good stop on the way between Florence and Perugia. The easiest place to pick up a car is at Florence or Rome airport, and you can compare prices on Booking.com’s car hire.

The downside is that Trasimeno isn’t a swimming lake like the big lakes in northern Italy. The water is shallow and often murky, and the bottom is muddy in many places, so not everyone finds it inviting for a swim. On the other hand, most hotels and agriturismi have a pool, and you’re close to both Perugia and Tuscany.

Hotels by Lake Trasimeno

I Capricci di Merion Resort & Spa - agriturismo resort with a spa and a pool overlooking the lake

I Capricci di Merion sits in the hills near Tuoro sul Trasimeno, about two kilometres from the lake, and has both an indoor pool and an outdoor pool with views over the water, which is open in summer. There’s a spa, a restaurant and free parking, breakfast is included, and it scores 9.2 from almost 700 reviews. The attic rooms have low ceilings.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The restaurant was very good, and so were the spa and the pool.”

See photos and book I Capricci di Merion here.

Le Macerine - family-friendly hotel with a pool and playground in Castiglione del Lago

Le Macerine is a three-star hotel on Via Salvo D’Acquisto in Castiglione del Lago, about a three-minute walk from the shore. There’s an outdoor pool, a playground, a garden and free parking, and breakfast is included. It scores 9.1, but the pool is only open from mid-June to mid-September, so if you come in May, you’ll have to do without it.

From one review: “The hosts were welcoming and attentive, so we felt completely at home.”

See photos and book Le Macerine here.

Parkhotel Montigeto - budget apartment hotel with a pool and sauna near Passignano

Parkhotel Montigeto is just outside Passignano sul Trasimeno, about two kilometres from the lake, and has an outdoor pool in summer, a sauna, a playground and free parking. It scores 9.0 from almost 700 reviews, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions by the lake. Several guests feel the rooms could do with updating.

One guest writes: “It’s a rather practical place to stay when visiting Lake Trasimeno.”

See photos and book Parkhotel Montigeto here.

Where not to stay in Umbria?

Avoid the modern suburbs and business districts down in the valleys, for example around the station in Perugia or along the motorway near Ponte San Giovanni and Foligno. The hotels there are cheap, but you’ll be staying among roundabouts and will need the car or the train to get up into an Old Town. Terni is the region’s industrial town and fine as a base for the waterfall, but it’s not a town worth travelling for. Don’t stay at a remote agriturismo without a car either, as hardly any buses run out there. And if you do have a car, don’t choose a hotel inside a limited traffic zone unless the hotel can register your number plate. Otherwise you’ll end up carrying your suitcase up steep streets or getting a fine in the post.

If it’s your first trip to Umbria and you have a week, I’d split it in two: three or four nights in Assisi or Spello with day trips to Perugia, Montefalco and Spoleto, and two or three nights in Orvieto before taking the train on to Rome. If you’re travelling without a car, choose Perugia or Orvieto, where you can get from the train up into town without driving yourself. If you’re travelling with children in summer, Lake Trasimeno is the most relaxed choice, and if you’re a couple, Spello is hard to beat.

The two beautiful hill towns of Todi and Gubbio aren’t on the list, but they make good day trips from Orvieto and Perugia respectively. And if you’re travelling further around the country, I’ve gathered the best regions and cities in my guide to where to stay in Italy.

The post Where to Stay in Umbria? The 6 Best Towns & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Bolzano is also the gateway to the Dolomites. Buses run from here out into the valleys, and the cable car takes you up to the Renon plateau in 12 minutes. So the question of where to stay in Bolzano really comes down to how you want to get around. Here are my five suggestions, with three hotels in each area.

Where to Stay in Bolzano: The Best Areas

• Old Town - best area for first-time visitors
• Near the railway station - best area for day trips to the Dolomites without a car
• Gries - best area for peace, quiet and wine
• Soprabolzano on the Renon - best area for families and hikers
• Appiano on the Wine Road - best area for drivers and wine lovers

Bolzano sits at the bottom of a valley where the Talvera and Isarco rivers meet, and the centre is so small that the first two areas are just a few minutes’ walk from each other. Gries lies on the other side of the Talvera, while Renon and Appiano are outside the city, up on the plateau and out among the vineyards. The prices below come from a search for a weekend in June for two people, so expect them to rise in high season and during the Christmas market weeks.

1. Old Town - best area for first-time visitors 🏰

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re right in the centre. From Piazza Walther it’s a two-minute walk to the arcades of Via dei Portici and about five minutes to the railway station.
• 🚶 Transport: You walk everywhere. The whole Old Town is a limited traffic zone, so your car has to stay in the hotel’s garage or in a multi-storey car park such as Bolzano Centro, a five-minute walk from Piazza Walther.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About 15 minutes by taxi from Bolzano’s small airport south of the city, and about two hours by airport bus and train from Verona Airport.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below came to around 156 to 431 euros (around £130 to £360) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe, even late in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds when the Christmas market fills the squares.

The Old Town is the heart of Bolzano, built around Piazza Walther, the large square with the statue of the medieval poet Walther von der Vogelweide. On one side of the square stands the cathedral with its Gothic spire and colourful tiled roof, and from here it’s just a few steps to Via dei Portici. This is the city’s old trading street, lined on both sides with low arcades where merchants have done business for centuries, and today shops, cafés and pastry shops sit side by side.

At the end of the arcades lies Piazza delle Erbe with its fruit and vegetable market, and just round the corner you’ll find the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home to Ötzi the Iceman. He is more than 5,000 years old and was found in the ice high up in the Alps, and a ticket costs 13 euros (around £11). If you’d like the city’s history too, you can take a guided walking tour of the Old Town for around 30 euros (around £25).

See hotels in the Old Town here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Bolzano, or if you’re coming at Christmas. During Advent and until early January, the city’s Christmas market fills Piazza Walther and the surrounding streets with wooden stalls selling crafts, speck, mulled wine and wine from Bolzano’s own grapes, Lagrein and Santa Maddalena. During those weeks the Old Town hotels are booked up well in advance, so book early.

The downsides are the price and the car. The Old Town is the most expensive area in the city, and the zone is monitored by cameras around the clock, so you mustn’t drive in without an arrangement with your hotel. Many hotels have their own garage or a deal with a car park, and at the three places below it costs 10 to 22 euros (around £8 to £18) a day. In summer Bolzano can get very hot down in the valley, so check that your room has air conditioning.

Hotels in the Old Town

Hotel Greif - design hotel in a historic building on Piazza Walther

Hotel Greif sits right on Piazza Walther and is an official four-star design hotel in a historic building, with breakfast included. It scores 9.1 from more than 1,100 reviews, and guests can swim in the pool at a partner hotel nearby. Parking costs 22 euros (around £18) a day, and one guest wasn’t happy about having to carry luggage up and down stairs between the garage lift and reception.

One guest writes: “We loved everything about the hotel, from the excellent central location with underground parking to the luxurious, enormous bedroom.”

See photos and book Hotel Greif here.

Feichter Hotel & Living - highly rated hotel a couple of minutes from Piazza Walther

Feichter is on a side street east of Piazza Walther, a couple of minutes’ walk from both the cathedral and the arcades. It’s an official three-star hotel with a terrace and breakfast included, and it scores 9.3 from more than 1,200 reviews. Parking costs 15 euros (around £13) a day, the lift doesn’t reach every room type, and one guest missed having a coffee machine in the room.

From one review: “The location was excellent, and the staff were very helpful, polite and friendly.”

See photos and book Feichter Hotel & Living here.

Lauben Suite Old Town Bolzano - apartment with a kitchenette just behind the arcades

Lauben Suite is on Via Dr. Streiter, which runs parallel to the arcades of Via dei Portici, and is an apartment with a kitchenette, a lift and a sun terrace. It scores 9.0 from more than 250 reviews, and it was the cheapest of my three Old Town suggestions when I searched. There’s no breakfast, and parking costs 10 euros (around £8) per night.

One guest highlights: “It’s the homeliest apartment I’ve ever stayed in.”

See photos and book Lauben Suite here.

2. Near the Railway Station – best area for day trips to the Dolomites without a car 🚆

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re on the south-eastern edge of the centre. From the railway station, it’s about a five-minute walk to Piazza Walther.
• 🚆 Transport: Trains to Verona, Innsbruck and Merano leave from the railway station, regional buses stop at the bus station right next door, and the cable car to Renon is less than a ten-minute walk away.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About two hours from Verona Airport by airport bus and train, and about five hours from Munich Airport by S-Bahn and train over the Brenner Pass.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost around €184 to €302 (around £155 to £255) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Busy and safe during the day. As with most railway stations, the atmosphere around the station is less pleasant late in the evening, so take the direct route back.

The area between the railway station and Piazza Walther is Bolzano’s transport hub. Trains run over the Brenner Pass towards Innsbruck and Munich and south towards Verona, and next to the station is the bus station, where regional buses head out into the valleys. Between the station and the Old Town is the new WaltherPark with its shops, and a few streets further east you’ll find the valley station for the cable car to Renon.

This is where to stay in Bolzano if you want to see the Dolomites without a car. The mountains, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, begin just east of the city, and buses run from the bus station to the villages below Alpe di Siusi and to Val Gardena. The journey to the villages below Alpe di Siusi takes 30 to 50 minutes, and to Ortisei in Val Gardena about an hour. You’ll find the timetables at South Tyrol’s transport company, and if you’d rather stay among the mountains, I’ve gathered the best bases in my guide to where to stay in the Dolomites.

See hotels near the railway station here.

Ask your hotel about the city’s guest card. Many hotels in Bolzano give it out for free, and with the guest card you travel free on regional trains, regional buses and cable cars throughout South Tyrol for the length of your stay. That makes day trips much cheaper. The train is also the easy choice for travelling further, as Innsbruck is about two hours away over the Brenner Pass and Verona an hour and a half to just under two hours to the south. My guide to trains in Italy explains the ticket types, and if you’re moving on, you can read about where to stay in Innsbruck and Verona.

The downside is that the area around the station is busier with traffic and less charming than the Old Town. On the other hand, the Old Town is only five minutes away, and several hotels have their own garage, so you avoid the limited traffic zone. If you’re landing in Munich, you can read my guide to getting from Munich Airport to the city centre before you take the train south.

Hotels near the railway station

Falkensteiner Hotel Bozen WaltherPark – five-star hotel with a spa between the station and the Old Town

Falkensteiner is in WaltherPark between the railway station and Piazza Walther and is an official five-star hotel with a spa, sauna, gym and restaurant. The breakfast buffet is included, it scores 9.2 from more than 700 reviews, and parking costs €22 (around £18) a day. The only thing one guest missed was a swimming pool.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “This five-star hotel adds great value to the city.”

See photos and book Falkensteiner WaltherPark here.

Parkhotel Mondschein – design hotel with a park and an outdoor pool

Parkhotel Mondschein is on Via Piave between the Old Town and the cable car to Renon and is an official four-star design hotel with a park, a seasonal outdoor pool, a sauna and a gym. Breakfast is included, and it scores 8.5 from more than 2,300 reviews. Parking costs €28 (around £23) a day, and one guest felt there were too few sun loungers by the pool.

From a review: “The facilities and the decor of the room were perfect.”

See photos and book Parkhotel Mondschein here.

Mia Rooms Bolzano Center – simple en-suite rooms close to the station

Mia Rooms is on Via Crispi, a few minutes’ walk north-east of the railway station, and has en-suite rooms in an apartment. It scores 8.6 from more than 200 reviews, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions near the railway station when I searched. There’s no breakfast, and one guest found that the air conditioning was broken and the wi-fi didn’t reach the rooms.

One guest says: “Modern and clean apartment with comfortable beds.”

See photos and book Mia Rooms here.

3. Gries - best area for peace, quiet and wine 🍷

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You stay west of the River Talvera. From Piazza Gries it’s around a 20-minute walk to Piazza Walther.
• 🚌 Transport: City buses run along Corso Libertà into the centre, and you’re outside the limited traffic zone, so it’s easier to have a car.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Around 15 minutes by taxi from Bolzano Airport and around two hours by bus and train from Verona Airport.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost around 180 to 340 euros (roughly £150 to £285) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet. Gries is an affluent residential area with villas and gardens.

Gries was once an independent village where many prominent figures holidayed in the Austro-Hungarian era, and it only became part of Bolzano in 1925. You can still sense this, as the district has its own square, Piazza Gries, with the baroque façade of the Muri-Gries Abbey. Benedictine monks from Muri in Switzerland took over the abbey in 1845, and it still has a wine cellar right in the middle of the neighbourhood, where they make wine from Lagrein, one of South Tyrol’s most important local grapes.

From Gries, the Guncina promenade climbs the slope behind the villas with views over the city and the mountains, and down towards the river lie the green meadows along the Talvera, where locals jog, stroll and sunbathe in summer. In the evening it’s quiet here, and you’ll eat at a wine tavern or a pizzeria in the neighbourhood rather than in the tourist streets. If you’d like to taste the local wines with a guide, you can join a walk with wine tasting at the Thurnhof winery for around 35 euros (about £30).

See hotels in Gries here.

I’d stay in Gries if you’re staying several days, arriving by car or want more peace and quiet than the Old Town can offer. You’re outside the limited traffic zone, parking is cheaper or free, and from Gries you’re quickly on the road towards Merano and the Wine Road. In the evening you can walk across the bridge over the Talvera and be in the Old Town in about 15 minutes.

The downsides are the distance and the choice. It’s a 20-minute walk from Piazza Gries to Piazza Walther, and there are only a few hotels here, so you’ll often have to choose between a simple hotel and an apartment. Restaurants are more spread out than in the centre, and if you stay right out among the vineyards at the western end of Gries, you’ll need to take the bus into town.

Hotels in Gries

Garden Suite - apartment with a garden by the Guncina promenade

Garden Suite is on Via Guncina in the eastern part of Gries, around a 20-minute walk from Piazza Walther, and is an apartment with a kitchen, garden, terrace and private parking. It scores 9.4 from over 150 reviews, and it was the most expensive of my three suggestions in Gries. There’s no breakfast, and one guest felt the apartment was a little basic and that a few extra touches would have made a big difference.

From a review: “The neighbourhood is lovely. Peaceful and very beautiful.”

See photos and book Garden Suite here.

Hotel Post Gries - classic hotel with a restaurant on Piazza Gries

Hotel Post Gries is on Corso Libertà by Piazza Gries and is an officially three-star hotel with a restaurant serving traditional food, a bar and a terrace. Parking in a nearby car park costs 10 euros (around £8) a day, and it scores 8.4 from over 1,600 reviews. One guest felt breakfast could be better and that the pillow was very poor.

One guest writes: “The location is good, the car park is close by, and then there’s the cleanliness and the quality of the bed linen.”

See photos and book Hotel Post Gries here.

Kaiserau-Höfl - apartments among the vineyards with free parking

Kaiserau-Höfl sits among the vineyards on the western edge of Gries and has apartments with a kitchenette, a garden, a playground and free parking. It scores 9.6 from over 270 reviews, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Gries when I searched. It’s a five-minute walk to the bus but around half an hour on foot into the Old Town, and one guest missed having somewhere to wash and iron clothes.

One guest highlights: “An absolutely fantastic little gem in the middle of the vineyards.”

See photos and book Kaiserau-Höfl here.

4. Soprabolzano on the Renon - best area for families and hikers 🚠

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You stay on the Renon plateau, around 1,200 metres above sea level. The cable car takes you down to Bolzano in 12 minutes, and from the valley station it’s about a ten-minute walk to Piazza Walther.
• 🚠 Transport: The cable car runs every 4 to 12 minutes, and up on the plateau the old mountain railway continues on towards Collalbo.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About half an hour from Bolzano’s airport by taxi to the cable car and on up, and about two and a half hours from Verona Airport by bus, train and cable car.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost around €179 to €566 (around £150 to £475) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet. The paths are dark in the evening, so bring a torch if you’re walking back after dinner.

The Renon is a broad plateau of meadows, forests and small villages high above Bolzano, and Soprabolzano is the village where the cable car from the city arrives. For more than a hundred years, the people of Bolzano have come up here to escape the summer heat down in the valley, and from the plateau you look across to the jagged peaks of the Dolomites and the great Schlern massif. The village is small, with a few hotels, cafés and a shop around the station.

From Soprabolzano, the narrow-gauge mountain railway, which opened in 1907, runs about seven kilometres across the plateau to Collalbo. From there you can walk out to the earth pyramids at Longomoso, tall columns of clay topped with a stone, which are the plateau’s best-known sight. According to the Renon tourist office, a return ticket on the cable car costs €13.50 (around £11), or €20.50 (around £17) if you add the mountain railway.

See hotels in Soprabolzano and on the Renon here.

I would stay here if you’re a family, want to go hiking or are visiting in summer, when it’s several degrees cooler than down in Bolzano. Many hotels on the plateau give you the RittenCard guest card, which includes free public transport in South Tyrol, so you can take the cable car down into the city by day and be back in the peace and quiet by evening. In winter there’s a small ski area on Corno del Renon in the northern part of the plateau.

The downside is that the cable car is your link to the city. It closes at night, so a late dinner in the Old Town has to be planned around the last departure, or you’ll need a taxi up the winding road. Restaurants are also few and far between up here, and the hotels are spread out across the plateau, so you’ll do a fair bit of walking if you don’t have a car.

Hotels in Soprabolzano and on the Renon

Parkhotel Holzner - family hotel with pools right by the cable car

Parkhotel Holzner sits in the middle of Soprabolzano, right by the cable car’s top station, and is an official four-star hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a tennis court and free parking. The RittenCard is included, and it scores 9.7, although the hotel has only 11 reviews on Booking.com. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, and one guest felt the children’s menus could have been easier to navigate.

One guest writes: “It was an absolutely fantastic setting, which we reached by flying to Bolzano and then taking the cable car up to the hotel.”

See photos and book Parkhotel Holzner here.

Hotel Lichtenstern - family-run hotel with a pool and views

Hotel Lichtenstern is at Stella, east of Soprabolzano, where the mountain railway has a stop, and is an official three-star hotel with a restaurant, sauna, garden and an outdoor pool with views. It scores 9.4 from over 120 reviews, and parking is free. The pool is only open from May to early October, so outside the season you’ll have to make do with the sauna.

From one review: “We had a lovely stay at this charming family-run hotel.”

See photos and book Hotel Lichtenstern here.

Eden Apartment - apartment with an infinity pool and free parking

Eden Apartment is in the southern part of Soprabolzano, about a kilometre from the cable car, and has apartments with an infinity pool, garden, terrace and free parking. The RittenCard is included, it scores 9.2 from over 100 reviews, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions on the Renon when I searched. The car park is some distance from the house, though.

One guest says: “We really enjoyed our stay! The apartment was spacious and comfortable.”

See photos and book Eden Apartment here.

5. Appiano on the Wine Road - best area for drivers and wine lovers 🚗

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Around ten kilometres south-west of Bolzano. Allow about 20 minutes by car to a multi-storey car park in town.
• 🚗 Getting around: A car is easiest, but regional buses also run between Appiano and Bolzano.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Around 20 minutes by car from Bolzano Airport and around two hours by car from Verona Airport.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost around 166 to 346 euros (around £140 to £290) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet. Drive carefully on the narrow roads between the vineyards, especially after dark.

Appiano sulla Strada del Vino is a municipality made up of several villages on the Wine Road south-west of Bolzano, and its main village is San Michele. According to South Tyrol’s tourist board, there are more than 180 castles, palaces and manor houses in the municipality, and between them the vineyards lie close together, with wineries where you can taste the local white wines and red Lagrein.

In the forest south-east of San Michele are the two Monticolo lakes, where you can swim in summer, and further south is Lago di Caldaro, considered one of the warmest swimming lakes in the Alps. On the road towards Bolzano stands Sigmundskron Castle, where the mountaineer Reinhold Messner has set up his MMM Firmian mountain museum. It’s open from March to November but closed on Thursdays, and a ticket costs 15 euros (around £13).

See hotels in Appiano here.

I’d stay here if you’re on a road trip and want to combine the Dolomites with wine and swimming lakes. From Appiano you can head up into the mountains without driving through central Bolzano, and Lake Garda is around an hour and a half to the south if you’re moving on. You can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com, and if you’re heading down to the lake afterwards, you can read my guide to where to stay on Lake Garda.

The downside is that you can’t walk home after dinner in Bolzano. One of you will have to drive, or you’ll need to take the bus back, and if you’re staying up in the hills, it’s a long way to the nearest stop. If you drive into town, park outside the limited traffic zone. According to the tourist office, the car park at the Fiera exhibition centre in the south of the city has 1,300 spaces and a bus to the centre every 15 minutes, and from Bolzano Sud station the train takes three minutes to the main station.

Hotels in Appiano

Schloss Englar - 15th-century castle hotel among the vineyards

Schloss Englar sits on the edge of San Michele and is a 15th-century castle that is now an officially four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, garden and free parking. It scores 9.8, the highest in this guide, but there’s no restaurant, only breakfast, and one guest felt the price didn’t match a hotel without a lift.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic place, exceptional staff and a lovely breakfast.”

See photos and book Schloss Englar here.

Hotel Ansitz Rungghof - manor house hotel with pool and restaurant

Ansitz Rungghof lies east of San Michele towards Bolzano and is an officially four-star hotel with a seasonal outdoor pool, sauna, restaurant and free parking. It scores 9.2 from just under 200 reviews. One guest was unhappy that hotel guests were mostly seated in a less appealing room than the restaurant’s other diners at mealtimes.

From one review: “Very good breakfast and dinner.”

See photos and book Ansitz Rungghof here.

Kreuzstein Bed&Breakfast - B&B with a great breakfast in the hills

Kreuzstein sits up in the hills north-west of San Michele and is an officially three-star B&B with a garden, sun terrace, bar and free parking. It scores 9.3, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Appiano when I searched. The bar is closed in winter and there’s no restaurant, so for dinner you’ll need to head down to the village.

One guest highlights: “Breakfast was a real highlight, fresh, delicious and beautifully presented every morning.”

See photos and book Kreuzstein here.

Where not to stay in Bolzano?

Many flats on the booking sites are in the modern residential districts south of the River Isarco or out by the industrial area around Bolzano Sud, and on the map they look close. From there it’s a long way to the Old Town, there are few restaurants and not much atmosphere in the evening, so check the address before you book. Don’t drive into the Old Town either unless your hotel has given you access, as the zone is monitored by cameras around the clock. And if you plan to hike in the Dolomites every single day, you’re better off staying up in the valleys, as the drive from Bolzano takes 45 to 60 minutes each way. Bolzano is at its best when you want a mix of city life, wine and day trips.

If it’s your first trip to Bolzano, I’d stay in the Old Town close to Piazza Walther. If you want to see the Dolomites without a car, stay near the railway station, and if you want peace and slightly lower prices, Gries is the right choice. If you’re travelling with children or want to hike in summer, take the cable car up to Soprabolzano, and if you’re on a road trip, Appiano on the Wine Road makes a good base.

Give Bolzano at least two nights, so you get both a day in the city and a day on the Renon or out in the mountains. And if you’re travelling further around the country, I’ve gathered the best regions and cities in my guide to where to stay in Italy.

The post Where to Stay in Bolzano? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

That’s why your choice of area matters so much. On Ortigia you can walk everywhere, but if you have a car, you’ll need to deal with the restricted traffic zone and parking. Here are my six suggestions for where to stay in Syracuse, with three hotels in each area.

Where to Stay in Syracuse: The Best Areas

• Ortigia - best area for first-time visitors
• Umbertino by the bridges - best area for drivers and arriving by bus
• Borgata Santa Lucia - best area for local atmosphere and good prices
• Neapolis by the archaeological park - best area for history lovers
• The beaches south of the city - best area for a beach holiday
• The countryside towards Noto - best area for road trips and a pool

Ortigia, Umbertino and Borgata sit side by side, so you can do most things on foot there, while Neapolis is about a 20-minute walk from the bridges. For the beaches and the countryside towards Noto, you’ll need a car. Below I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, and in July and August they’re quite a bit higher.

1. Ortigia - best area for first-time visitors

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the Old Town. The island is about a kilometre long, and from Piazza Duomo it’s a five to ten-minute walk to either end.
• Transport: You walk everywhere. The bus terminal and the railway station are on the mainland, roughly a 20 to 30-minute walk from Piazza Duomo, so take a taxi if you have a heavy suitcase.
• Time from Catania Airport: About 70 minutes on Interbus to Corso Umberto followed by a 15-minute walk over the bridge, or about an hour by car.
• Price level: €€ to €€€€€. The three hotels below ranged from about 87 to 757 euros (around £75 to £635) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe and busy with people until late in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds at the market and on Piazza Duomo.

Ortigia is Syracuse’s Old Town, and the city has stood here ever since the Greeks founded it in the 8th century BC. You can see it everywhere. At the entrance to the island stand the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, and the cathedral on Piazza Duomo is built into a Greek temple to Athena, so the old Doric columns still stand in the church walls. Together with Neapolis, Ortigia is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica.

By the water on the west side is the Fonte Aretusa spring, where papyrus grows in a pool right next to the sea, and at the southern tip of the island stands the Castello Maniace fortress. In the mornings there’s a market in the streets by the Temple of Apollo selling fish, fruit and cheese, and in the evenings the restaurants fill the little squares. If you’d like to see the island from the water, you can take a boat trip around Ortigia and into the sea caves from around 20 euros (around £17).

See hotels on Ortigia here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Syracuse, or if you only have two or three nights. You can step out of the door in the morning before the day-trippers arrive, swim from the rocks along the island’s coast in summer and walk home from dinner without thinking about buses or taxis.

The downside is the car. Ortigia is a restricted traffic zone, a ZTL, with cameras at the bridges, and the rules on when and who may drive in change regularly. If you drive in without a permit, the fine arrives via the hire company months later. So ask your hotel before you arrive whether it can register your number plate. Otherwise you can park in the Talete car park at the entrance to the island or on the large Molo Sant’Antonio car park by the bridges, where 24 hours costs around 15 euros (around £13), according to guests. Bear in mind too that many B&Bs are in old buildings without a lift.

Hotels on Ortigia

Grand Hotel Des Etrangers - five-star hotel with a spa and pool by Fonte Aretusa

Grand Hotel Des Etrangers is on Passeggio Adorno right by Fonte Aretusa and is an official five-star hotel with a spa, a restaurant and an outdoor pool with a view, which is open in season. It scores 9.1 and is the most expensive hotel in this guide. Breakfast isn’t always included in the price, valet parking costs 50 euros (around £40) a day, and one guest felt the spa didn’t live up to the rest of the hotel.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything about our stay was absolutely perfect.”

See photos and book Grand Hotel Des Etrangers here.

Aretusa Vacanze B&B - highly rated B&B with a lift and breakfast

Aretusa Vacanze is on a small side street in the southern part of Ortigia, a few minutes from both Fonte Aretusa and Castello Maniace. It’s a B&B with a lift, soundproofed rooms and breakfast included, and with a score of 9.5 from over 1,200 reviews it’s one of the best-rated places on the island. Parking costs 15 euros (around £13) a day, and one guest thought the room was a little small for the price.

From one review: “Very welcoming hosts, excellent breakfast, we loved our stay.”

See photos and book Aretusa Vacanze B&B here.

Camere A’ Marina - small guesthouse with a shared kitchen near Fonte Aretusa

Camere A’ Marina is on Via delle Carceri Vecchie on the west side of Ortigia, a couple of minutes from Fonte Aretusa and the waterfront. It’s a small guesthouse with a shared kitchen and a score of 9.3, and it was the cheapest of my three picks on the island when I searched. There’s no lift, breakfast isn’t included, and one guest heard noise from a water pump in the attic.

One guest highlights: “Perfect location, lovely view and a wonderful host, Laura.”

See photos and book Camere A’ Marina here.

2. Umbertino by the bridges - best area for drivers and arriving by bus

• Distance to the centre: You stay on the mainland directly opposite Ortigia. From the bridges, it’s a five-minute walk to the Temple of Apollo and around a quarter of an hour to Piazza Duomo.
• Transport: The bus from Catania Airport terminates on Corso Umberto, and the railway station is just a few minutes away. The large Molo Sant’Antonio car park is by Porto Grande, right next to the bridges.
• Time from Catania Airport: Around 70 minutes with Interbus, which stops in the middle of the neighbourhood, or about an hour by car.
• Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly €84 to €378 (around £70 to £315) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe, but quieter in the evening than Ortigia. Don’t give money to people offering to help you in the car parks; pay at the machine or with an app instead.

Umbertino is the neighbourhood on the mainland directly opposite Ortigia, built in the late 19th century around Corso Umberto I, which is named after King Umberto I. The street runs from the Ponte Umbertino bridge towards Foro Siracusano, a large square with the remains of the city’s ancient forum, and the railway station is just a few minutes from there. Yachts and fishing boats line Porto Grande, and small boats are moored close together in the channel between the mainland and Ortigia.

It isn’t the most romantic part of town, but it is the most practical. The bus from the airport terminates on Corso Umberto, and if you need help with the journey, you can read my guide to getting from Catania Airport to the city and your hotel. You’ll find the timetable on the website of the bus company Interbus, and you can check trains towards Catania and Taormina with Trenitalia.

See hotels in Umbertino here.

I’d stay here if you’re arriving by car and want to be close to Ortigia. Several hotels have their own parking or valet service, and from the Molo Sant’Antonio car park you can walk across to Ortigia in five minutes. It’s also a good choice if you’re travelling on by train, and if you’d like to see more of the country by rail, I’ve written about trains in Italy.

The downside is that the streets are busier and less charming than on Ortigia, and there isn’t much going on along Corso Umberto in the evening. You’ll need to cross the bridge to find the good restaurants, but that only takes five to ten minutes. Choose a room away from the road if you’re a light sleeper, as the traffic by the harbour and on Corso Umberto starts early.

Hotels in Umbertino

Caportigia Boutique Hotel - five-star hotel five minutes from the bridge

Caportigia is on Viale Montedoro in Umbertino, about a five-minute walk from the bridges to Ortigia. It’s an officially five-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, sun terrace and valet parking, and the breakfast buffet is included in the price. It scores 8.7 from almost 700 reviews, although one guest missed having shelf space in the bathroom and felt the mirror was hung too high.

One guest writes: “The staff were excellent, polite, friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating.”

See photos and book Caportigia Boutique Hotel here.

Fortaleza Charme House - apartments right by the bridge with private parking

Fortaleza Charme House is on Via Eritrea near the harbour, about a four-minute walk from Ortigia. It’s an aparthotel with a lift and a score of 9.7 from almost 600 reviews, and private parking costs €25 (around £20) per night but must be booked in advance. Breakfast isn’t included, but there’s a coffee machine and kettle in the room, and one guest could hear noise from the neighbouring room.

From one review: “Fantastic location just across the bridge from Ortigia.”

See photos and book Fortaleza Charme House here.

B&B Nike - affordable rooms in an apartment near the harbour

B&B Nike is on Via Malta, a side street off Corso Umberto, about a five-minute walk from Ortigia. It offers rooms in a large apartment with a score of 8.5, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in the neighbourhood when I searched. Breakfast isn’t served, and one guest found it hard to find a space on the street, but mentions that a large car park nearby costs €15 (around £13) for 24 hours.

One guest says: “Lovely rooms in a beautiful apartment.”

See photos and book B&B Nike here.

3. Borgata Santa Lucia - best area for local atmosphere and good prices

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying north of Umbertino, out by the sea. From Piazza Santa Lucia it’s a 10 to 15-minute walk to the bridge over to Ortigia and around 20 minutes to Piazza Duomo.
• Transport: You walk into Ortigia along the waterfront. It’s easier to find a space on the street than in Umbertino, and several B&Bs have free parking.
• Time from Catania Airport: Around 70 minutes on the Interbus to Corso Umberto, followed by a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride, or about an hour by car.
• Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly 85 to 392 euros (around £70 to £330) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. It’s an ordinary residential area, and some of the side streets are quiet and dark in the evening.

Borgata Santa Lucia is the old working-class and fishing quarter north of Umbertino. At its heart is the large Piazza Santa Lucia with trees and benches and the Basilica di Santa Lucia al Sepolcro. According to tradition, the city’s patron saint, Santa Lucia, was buried here, and there are catacombs beneath the church. Caravaggio painted his picture of her burial for this very church, and on 13 December her silver statue is carried in procession from the cathedral on Ortigia out to the square.

The Riviera Dionisio il Grande promenade runs along the sea with views across the bay, and at its southern end is the small harbour of Porto Piccolo with its fishing boats. The area has bakeries, small supermarkets and trattorias where the locals eat, and prices are lower than across the bridge. Further north lies the old quarry of Latomia dei Cappuccini, where the Greeks extracted stone for the city.

See hotels in Borgata here.

I’d stay here if you’re staying four nights or more, arriving by car and would like a bit more space for your money. Several B&Bs have free parking, and you can walk into Ortigia in 15 minutes along the water. In the evening you can eat on Ortigia and walk home, or stay in the neighbourhood, where the atmosphere is more local.

The downside is that Borgata is an ordinary residential area without any major sights, and some of the buildings and streets are a bit run-down. It’s about 20 minutes to Piazza Duomo, so if you walk back and forth several times a day, you’ll feel it in your legs in summer. At many places breakfast is a voucher for a nearby bar, so check what’s included in the price.

Hotels in Borgata

Re Dionisio Luxury Suites - suites with a spa on the seafront promenade

Re Dionisio is on Riviera Dionisio il Grande, the seafront promenade in Borgata, around a 15-minute walk from Ortigia. It’s a guesthouse with suites, a spa with sauna and hot tub, and breakfast included, and it scores 8.4. There’s free parking on the road outside, but one guest writes that finding a space can be tricky.

One guest says: “What a lovely team on reception and in the breakfast room. They couldn’t have been more helpful.”

See photos and book Re Dionisio Luxury Suites here.

B&B Il Moro Luxury Rooms - new rooms and free parking in the middle of the neighbourhood

Il Moro is on Via Milano in the middle of Borgata, around a ten-minute walk from Ortigia. The rooms are new, there’s a lift and free parking nearby, and it scores 9.0. Breakfast is served at a bar a couple of hundred metres away, and one guest felt it was too meagre, with just coffee and something sweet.

From a review: “Everything is brand new. The room is nicely furnished and the bed is comfortable.”

See photos and book B&B Il Moro here.

Porticciolo House - adults-only apartment by the little harbour

Porticciolo House is on Via Gaetano Fuggetta close to Porto Piccolo at the southern end of the neighbourhood, around a ten-minute walk from Ortigia. It’s an adults-only apartment with free parking and a score of 9.2, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Borgata when I searched. Breakfast is a voucher for a nearby café, and according to one guest you get a small coffee and a pastry.

One guest highlights: “The place itself and the location very close to Ortigia. The host had left a welcome pack with wine and snacks, which we really appreciated.”

See photos and book Porticciolo House here.

4. Neapolis by the archaeological site - best area for history lovers

• Distance to the centre: You’ll be staying about two kilometres north of Ortigia. Allow 20 to 30 minutes on foot to the bridges and a bit longer to Piazza Duomo.
• Transport: Parking is easiest here, and several hotels offer free parking. To get into Ortigia, you walk or take a taxi.
• Time from Catania Airport: About an hour by car, or about 70 minutes on the Interbus to Corso Umberto followed by a short taxi ride.
• Price level: € to €€. The three places below cost around 70 to 157 euros (roughly £60 to £130) a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. Viale Teocrito is a big, busy road, but the side streets are quiet residential areas.

Neapolis was the new town of ancient Syracuse, and today it’s home to one of the largest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. In the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis you’ll see the Greek Theatre, carved straight out of the rock, and the old quarry Latomia del Paradiso with the cave known as the Orecchio di Dionisio, named after its ear-like shape. The same park also contains a Roman amphitheatre.

In early summer, usually in May and June, INDA stages Greek tragedies and comedies in the theatre in the evenings, and then the hotels in the area are full. Along Viale Teocrito you’ll find the large Paolo Orsi archaeological museum and the cone-shaped church Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime, which you can see from most of the city. If you’d like the history explained, you can take a guided tour of Neapolis and the Greek Theatre for around 30 euros (about £25).

See hotels near Neapolis here.

I’d stay here if the ancient sites are the reason you’re coming, or if you have a car and want to avoid the ZTL and paid parking. You can walk into the park as soon as it opens, before the coaches of day-trippers arrive, and the hotels are generally cheaper and more spacious than on Ortigia. It’s also a good compromise for families who want free parking and still be able to walk into town.

The downside is the distance to Ortigia, where most of the restaurants and bars are. In the evening you’ll walk 20 to 30 minutes home along main roads, or take a taxi, and the area itself has little going on after dark. If you stay here, plan your day so you see Neapolis in the morning and spend the afternoon and evening on Ortigia.

Hotels near Neapolis

Dimora Archimedea - B&B with a garden and free parking close to the park

Dimora Archimedea is on Via Necropoli Grotticelle, about 600 metres from Neapolis and roughly a 20-minute walk from Ortigia. It’s a B&B with a garden, a terrace, breakfast included and free parking subject to availability, and with a score of 9.5 it was the most expensive of my three picks in the area. One guest could hear the neighbours through the thin walls.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “We had a fantastic stay at Dimora Archimedea. The whole staff did everything to make our stay as comfortable and lovely as possible.”

See photos and book Dimora Archimedea here.

Hotel Teocrito - spacious hotel with a breakfast buffet and free street parking

Hotel Teocrito is on Viale Teocrito near the archaeological museum, about a ten-minute walk from Neapolis and 20 minutes from Ortigia. It’s an official three-star hotel with a lift, a bar and a breakfast buffet, and with a score of 9.1 from almost 2,300 reviews it’s a safe choice. There’s free public parking around the hotel, though one guest found the décor a little old-fashioned.

From a review: “It really is a good hotel, as the other reviews say. The rooms are spacious and incredibly clean. The breakfast is lovely!”

See photos and book Hotel Teocrito here.

Interno 10 - budget-friendly B&B five minutes from the park

Interno 10 is on the fourth floor on Viale Teracati, about a five-minute walk from Neapolis and 20 minutes from Ortigia. It’s a small B&B with a lift, breakfast with home baking and free street parking, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in the area when I searched. It scores 8.0, and one guest felt the shower could have been cleaner.

One guest says: “Clean and well-equipped B&B. A really good host who helped with tips on what’s nearby.”

See photos and book Interno 10 here.

5. The beaches south of the city - best area for a beach holiday

• Distance to the centre: Arenella is about a quarter of an hour’s drive south of Ortigia, and Fontane Bianche is about 20 to 25 minutes by car.
• Transport: You’ll need a car. A city bus runs from Corso Umberto to Arenella, but only a few times a day.
• Time from Catania Airport: About an hour by car on the motorway.
• Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around €112 to €362 (roughly £95 to £305) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. Don’t leave valuables visible in the car when you park by the beaches.

South of Syracuse you’ll find the city’s beaches. First comes the Plemmirio peninsula, where the protected marine area Area Marina Protetta del Plemmirio has rocks, small coves and clear water for snorkelling. Water shoes are a good idea on the rocks. A little further south is the sandy beach at Arenella, and further still is Fontane Bianche, with a long stretch of pale sand, beach clubs and holiday homes.

This is where to stay in Syracuse if your beach holiday comes first and the city is somewhere you drive into in the afternoon or evening. In summer, Fontane Bianche is buzzing with beach bars and restaurants, while Arenella is smaller and quieter, with a free beach next to a beach club. If you’d like to see the coast from the water, you can take a boat trip to Plemmirio and the sea caves around Ortigia for around €40 (about £35).

See hotels by the beaches south of Syracuse here.

The easiest place to pick up a car is Catania Airport, and you can compare prices on hire cars at Booking.com. From the beaches you can drive into Syracuse in 15 to 25 minutes and park by the bridges, and you’re also not far from Noto and the baroque towns further south.

The downside is that you depend on the car the whole time, and it can be a long way to a restaurant in the evening. Out of season, many beach clubs and restaurants close, and Fontane Bianche can feel like an empty holiday-home village. So only come out here in the warmer months, and choose a hotel with a restaurant if you don’t want to drive out to eat every evening.

Hotels by the beaches south of Syracuse

Dimora Caiammari Luxury Hotel & Spa - five-star hotel with two pools and a spa

Dimora Caiammari is in Fanusa between Plemmirio and Arenella, about 15 minutes by car from Ortigia and just under three kilometres from the beach at Arenella. It’s an official five-star hotel with two outdoor pools, a spa, a bar, breakfast included and free parking, and it scores 9.4. One guest missed having places to eat nearby and had to drive into Syracuse every evening.

One guest writes: “Beautiful room, fantastic pool, attentive staff.”

See photos and book Dimora Caiammari here.

Hotel Villamare - four-star hotel 150 metres from the beach in Fontane Bianche

Hotel Villamare is on Viale dei Lidi in Fontane Bianche, about 150 metres from the beach and 20 minutes by car from Ortigia. It’s an official four-star hotel with a pool, breakfast included and free parking, and it scores 8.9. Neither lunch nor dinner is served, so you’ll need to eat out.

From a review: “The location so close to the beach was fantastic.”

See photos and book Hotel Villamare here.

Addauro Resort - resort with a pool and playground near Arenella

Addauro Resort is out in the countryside near Arenella, about 1.3 kilometres from the beach at Fanusa and a quarter of an hour by car from Ortigia. It’s an official four-star hotel with a pool, a playground, breakfast included and free parking, and it scores 8.8. It was the cheapest of my three beach suggestions when I searched, but one guest felt the resort was rather isolated.

One guest highlights: “Breakfast was plentiful, and the staff were really good.”

See photos and book Addauro Resort here.

6. The countryside towards Noto - best area for road trips and a pool

• Distance to the centre: Cassibile is about 20 minutes’ drive south of Syracuse, and from Noto the journey takes about half an hour.
• Transport: You’ll need a car. Many of the places are at the end of a narrow country road, and only a few buses run.
• Time from Catania Airport: About an hour to an hour and a quarter by car.
• Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost around €138 to €361 (around £115 to £300) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe and quiet. Drive carefully on the narrow, winding roads after dark.

Between Syracuse and Noto lies a landscape of olive and almond groves, citrus plantations and old farmhouses, known as masserie, many of which are now hotels with a pool. Noto is one of Sicily’s most beautiful baroque towns, rebuilt in pale sandstone after the earthquake of 1693, and it belongs to the Val di Noto, where eight baroque towns are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Noto you walk up the wide staircase to San Nicolò Cathedral and down the main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, lined with baroque palaces on both sides.

South of Noto you’ll find the Vendicari nature reserve, with beaches and lagoons where you can spot migrating birds, and the fishing village of Marzamemi, while Modica and Ragusa Ibla lie further west. If you don’t have a car, you can get around on a day trip to Noto, Ragusa and Modica from Syracuse from around €115 (around £95).

See agriturismi and country hotels towards Noto here.

This is the right choice if you’re travelling with children in summer, want a pool and some peace and quiet, or are doing a tour of south-eastern Sicily. You drive into Syracuse in the morning, park by the bridges and walk over to Ortigia, and by the afternoon you’re back by the pool. You can compare car hire prices with Booking.com’s car rental, and if you’d like to see more of the island, I’ve gathered the best bases in my guide to where to stay in Sicily.

The downside is that you can’t walk home after dinner in Syracuse, and it’s often a long way to the nearest restaurant if the place doesn’t have its own. So don’t stay in the countryside if you only have one or two nights, as you’ll miss Ortigia in the evening, once the day-trippers have gone home.

Hotels in the countryside towards Noto

IUTA Farm - farm with lodges, saltwater pool and restaurant near Noto

IUTA Farm is in the countryside a few minutes’ drive from Noto and about half an hour from Syracuse. You stay in lodges or junior suites, some with their own pool, and there’s a saltwater pool, a restaurant and breakfast included. With a score of 9.7 it’s one of the highest-rated places in this guide, but one guest experienced a party with loud music outside the rooms on a Saturday evening without having been warned.

One guest writes: “The food was lovely and fresh, and the breakfast is the best I’ve had on my travels.”

See photos and book IUTA Farm here.

Casa di Melo - adults-only organic country hotel near Cassibile

Casa di Melo is near Cassibile, about 20 minutes’ drive from both Syracuse and Noto. It’s an adults-only organic country hotel with a pool with a view, a restaurant and breakfast included, and it scores 9.3. One guest felt the room was too small and that there was a smell from the bathroom drain.

From a review: “What a fantastic stay! I’d recommend it to everyone.”

See photos and book Casa di Melo here.

Hotel Villa Favorita - four-star hotel with a pool two kilometres from Noto

Villa Favorita is about two kilometres from Noto and half an hour’s drive from Syracuse. It’s an official four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, a restaurant serving local food and a breakfast buffet, and with a score of 9.3 from over 650 reviews it was the cheapest of my three countryside suggestions when I searched. One guest complains about noise from other guests in the morning and poor soundproofing.

One guest says: “Beautiful hotel. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly.”

See photos and book Hotel Villa Favorita here.

Where not to stay in Syracuse?

Many cheap flats on booking sites are listed as Syracuse but are actually in the modern districts far to the north and west, three to five kilometres from Ortigia and with little to do in the evening. Also be wary of places on the coast north of the city around Priolo and Augusta, where there’s a large industrial area with refineries. If you’re driving, don’t stay on Ortigia without arranging parking and access to the limited traffic zone with your hotel, or you’ll end up with a fine or carrying your suitcase a long way. And don’t choose the beach hotels at Fontane Bianche out of season, when most things around them are closed.

If it’s your first trip to Syracuse, I’d stay on Ortigia. If you’re arriving by car, Umbertino by the bridges is the easiest choice, and if you want more space and lower prices, go for Borgata or Neapolis. For a beach holiday, stay by the beaches south of the city, and if you’re doing a road trip, you’ll get the most peace and pool for your money in the countryside towards Noto.

Give Syracuse at least two nights so you have time for both Neapolis and an evening on Ortigia. If you’re heading on up the east coast, you can read about where to stay in Taormina, and if you’re flying home early from Catania, a last night there may be easier, so see my guide to where to stay in Catania. I’ve covered the rest of the country in my guide to where to stay in Italy.

The post Where to Stay in Syracuse? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

When you’re working out where to stay in Cagliari, it mostly comes down to city or beach, and how many steps you can be bothered to climb. Here are my six picks for areas, with three hotels in each, from luxury to budget.

Where to Stay in Cagliari: The Best Areas

• Marina - best area for first-time visitors
• Castello - best area for views, history and romance
• Stampace - best area for local atmosphere and good prices
• Villanova - best area for peace and quiet and charming streets
• Poetto - best area for a beach holiday
• Quartu Sant’Elena & Margine Rosso - best area for families with a car

Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, so expect them to rise in July and August and around the Feast of Sant’Efisio at the beginning of May.

1. Marina - best area for first-time visitors ⚓

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re right in the centre. Via Roma and the harbour are at the lower end of the district, and it’s a 10 to 15-minute walk up to Castello.
• 🚆 Transport: The railway station and the stops for city and regional buses are on Piazza Matteotti in the western corner of the district. Everything else you can do on foot.
• ✈️ Time from Cagliari Airport: Around 15 minutes. The train from the airport’s Elmas Aeroporto station runs to Cagliari station in 5 to 7 minutes, and from there you walk into the district.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly 67 to 312 euros (around £55 to £260) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and lively until late in the evening. As always, keep an eye on your pockets in the crowds on Via Roma and around the station.

Marina is the old harbour district between Via Roma and the hill leading up to Castello. Along the waterfront runs Via Roma with its long arcades, where the cafés have set their tables out, and this is also where you’ll find the city’s grand town hall, Palazzo Civico. Behind the façades lies a dense web of narrow streets such as Via Sardegna, Via Napoli and Via Cavour, and here you’ll find the biggest choice of trattorias, seafood restaurants and small hotels in the whole city.

In the middle of the district is the church of Sant’Eulalia, where you can walk among Roman ruins beneath the floor. If you’d like to see them with a guide, you can join a walking tour of underground Cagliari for around 30 euros (about £25), which also takes in Marina and Stampace. In the evening the streets fill with people heading out to eat, and this is where you feel the city’s buzz the most.

See hotels in Marina here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Cagliari, or if you’re arriving by train or ferry. The train from the airport stops right by the district, and the harbour is just across Via Roma. According to the airport, the train ticket into the city costs 1.30 euros (around £1.10), and all the options by train, bus and taxi are in my guide to getting from the airports in Sardinia.

The downside is the noise. The restaurants have diners until late in the evening, Via Roma is one of the city’s busiest roads, and many of the small hotels are in old buildings without a lift. Ask for a room facing the courtyard if you’re a light sleeper, and eat in the side streets rather than under the arcades on Via Roma, where prices are highest.

Hotels in Marina

Palazzo Tirso MGallery Cagliari - five-star palazzo hotel with a rooftop pool by the harbour

Palazzo Tirso is on Piazza Deffenu at the eastern end of Via Roma, right by the harbour. It’s a five-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, spa with sauna, gym and a rooftop pool. Wine and breakfast are expensive, some guests can hear the music from the restaurant, and parking is off-site at 20 euros (around £17) per day.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were fantastic, and the room is quiet and comfortable.”

See photos and book Palazzo Tirso here.

Hotel Regina Margherita - classic four-star hotel between the harbour and Castello

Hotel Regina Margherita is on Viale Regina Margherita on the eastern edge of Marina, with the harbour five minutes down the road and Bastione di Saint Remy just above. There’s a restaurant, bar, gym and 24-hour reception, and it’s a good choice if you want a proper hotel without paying five-star prices. A few guests have heard their neighbours through the walls.

From one review: “The room was lovely and clean and quiet.”

See photos and book Hotel Regina Margherita here.

SoleLuna b&b - simple, clean rooms right among the restaurant streets

SoleLuna is a small bed and breakfast on the first floor on Via Barcellona, midway between Via Roma and the restaurants of Marina. There’s a lift and self check-in, and the price was the lowest in this entire guide when I searched. Breakfast isn’t included, there’s no parking, and some guests have been given a room where the bathroom is outside the room itself.

One guest highlights: “Close to shops and restaurants.”

See photos and book SoleLuna b&b here.

2. Castello - best area for views, history and romance 🏰

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Castello sits on the hill just above Marina and Stampace. Walking down to Via Roma takes 10 to 15 minutes, but the walk back up is steep.
• 🚶 Getting around: On foot and up steps. There are public lifts up to Castello from several sides, but they are sometimes closed for maintenance, so don’t count on them.
• ✈️ Time from Cagliari Airport: About half an hour by train to Cagliari station, then a short taxi ride up the hill, because the steps are tough with a suitcase.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly 123 to 291 euros (around £105 to £245) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. The streets are quiet in the evening, and there are people around Bastione di Saint Remy until late.

Castello is Cagliari’s Old Town and the historic heart of the city, a fortified hilltop quarter with city walls, bastions and two 14th-century towers, Torre di San Pancrazio and Torre dell’Elefante. Behind the walls you’ll find Santa Maria Cathedral, the former viceroys’ residence Palazzo Regio and narrow streets where washing hangs out over the cobblestones.

At the northern end is the Cittadella dei Musei with the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, where you can see bronze figures and finds from the island’s Nuragic culture, and a ticket costs 10 euros (around £8). At the southern end stands Bastione di Saint Remy, the large terrace from 1902 with views over Marina, the harbour and the bay. If you want the history too, you can take a guided tour through the streets of Castello for about 28 euros (around £25).

See hotels in Castello here.

I would stay here if you’re a couple, or if you want to wake up to views over the city and the sea. In the evening, once the day-trippers have headed back down into town, Castello goes quiet and you have the bastions and the sunset almost to yourself. Many of the city’s small boutique hotels and apartments in old palazzi are here, and several have balconies or roof terraces that you rarely find down in the city.

The downsides are the hills and the car. Castello is a camera-controlled limited traffic zone, known as a ZTL, and if you drive in without a permit you’ll get a fine, so park below and walk up. The climb from Marina with suitcases is hard work in summer, and there are few supermarkets and cheap places to eat within the quarter itself.

Hotels in Castello

Palazzo Boyl 1840 - elegant palazzo hotel by Bastione di Saint Remy

Palazzo Boyl 1840 is on Via Mario de Candia at the southern tip of Castello, a few minutes’ walk from Bastione di Saint Remy. It’s the most expensive of my picks in Castello, with a bar, gym, lift and concierge, and several rooms have views over the city. On the other hand, guests find the breakfast average and say it’s served slowly.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic rooms, great views and a good location.”

See photos and book Palazzo Boyl 1840 here.

Albergo Diffuso Birkin Castello - scattered hotel with rooms in several old houses

Birkin Castello is an albergo diffuso, where the rooms are spread across several old houses on Via Lamarmora in the middle of Castello. Breakfast is included, and the hotel has over 2,000 reviews with a high score on Booking.com. There’s no private parking, and only some of the buildings have a lift.

From one review: “The hotel is fantastic, and the staff are really, really lovely.”

See photos and book Birkin Castello here.

Le Torri - clean apartments on a quiet street near the cathedral

Le Torri has apartments on a side street off Via dei Genovesi, a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral and Torre dell’Elefante. The apartments are clean and well equipped, and the price was the lowest of my three picks in Castello. There’s no breakfast, parking outside the traffic zone takes a bit of luck, and some guests have heard the neighbours.

One guest highlights: “A really nice, clean apartment that had everything we needed.”

See photos and book Le Torri here.

3. Stampace - best area for local atmosphere and good prices 🍷

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Just west of Largo Carlo Felice. From Piazza Yenne it’s a five-minute walk to Via Roma and around ten minutes up to Castello.
• 🚆 Transport: The railway station and the buses on Piazza Matteotti are at the foot of the neighbourhood, and you can get everywhere else on foot.
• ✈️ Time from Cagliari Airport: Around 15 to 20 minutes by train to Cagliari station, then a few minutes’ walk up Largo Carlo Felice.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€. The three hotels below cost around 80 to 152 euros (roughly £65 to £125) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. Piazza Yenne and Corso Vittorio Emanuele are packed with people in the evening, and as in any city, keep an eye on your pockets in the weekend crowds.

Stampace is the neighbourhood on the western slope below Castello, between Largo Carlo Felice and the Roman amphitheatre. Its heart is Piazza Yenne with the statue of King Carlo Felice, where locals meet for aperitivo, and from here Corso Vittorio Emanuele runs through the area, lined with bars, pizzerias and small restaurants. A little way up the hill stands the baroque church of Sant’Anna, and every year on 1 May the city’s biggest festival starts here, when the statue of Sant’Efisio is carried out towards Nora in a procession with thousands of participants in traditional Sardinian dress.

At the top of the neighbourhood is the Anfiteatro Romano, the city’s Roman amphitheatre, and right next to it is the university’s botanical garden, Orto Botanico. The garden is closed on Mondays, and a ticket costs 4 euros (around £3.50). It’s one of the few places in the centre where you’ll find shade on a hot afternoon.

See hotels in Stampace here.

I would stay here if you want the most for your money and still be able to walk everywhere. Stampace is just as central as Marina, but more ordinary Cagliaritani live here, and the area has plenty of well-reviewed guesthouses at mid-range prices. It’s also a good choice if you’re arriving by train or travelling on by bus, and you can read how to buy tickets for the regional trains in my guide to trains in Italy.

The downside is that Stampace has no real luxury hotels, and many of the places to stay are guesthouses on the first or second floor of old buildings without a 24-hour reception. The upper part of the neighbourhood is uphill, and the streets down towards the station and Viale Trieste are busier with traffic than they are charming.

Hotels in Stampace

Hotel Flora - the most complete hotel in Stampace

Stampace has no proper luxury hotels, so my best bet is Hotel Flora on Via Sassari, a four-star hotel with a bar, garden, 24-hour reception and breakfast included. It’s a five-minute walk to Piazza Yenne and Via Roma. Parking costs 10 euros (around £8.50) per day and must be booked in advance, some rooms have a spiral staircase, and the breakfast buffet is a little limited.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Great location in a lovely hotel.”

See photos and book Hotel Flora here.

La Maison Coloniale - suites with free wellness area, sauna and hot tub

La Maison Coloniale is on the first floor on Via Sassari, a couple of minutes’ walk from Piazza Yenne. The suites are beautifully decorated, guests have free access to a small wellness area with a sauna and hot tub, and its score on Booking.com is one of the highest in this entire guide. Parking in the area is hard to find, and some rooms face the street.

From one review: “This is a beautiful little gem in Stampace, very close to all the main sights in Cagliari.”

See photos and book La Maison Coloniale here.

Arcobaleno Suites - cheap, clean rooms by Largo Carlo Felice

Arcobaleno Suites is on Via Mameli right by Largo Carlo Felice, so the station, Via Roma and Piazza Yenne are all within a five-minute walk. The rooms are simple and clean, and the price was the lowest of my three suggestions in Stampace. There’s a restaurant below the rooms, and some guests have heard noise from the kitchen.

One guest highlights: “The location is absolutely the best, everything you need is close by.”

See photos and book Arcobaleno Suites here.

4. Villanova - best area for peace and quiet and charming streets 🌸

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Just east of Castello. From Via Garibaldi it’s a five-minute walk to Bastione di Saint Remy and 10 to 15 minutes to Via Roma.
• 🚶 Getting around: You’ll walk most places. The railway station and the buses on Piazza Matteotti are a 15 to 20-minute walk away.
• ✈️ Time from Cagliari Airport: About 20 minutes by taxi, or half an hour by train to Cagliari station followed by a short taxi ride.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around 97 to 346 euros (roughly £80 to £290) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. Villanova is a quiet residential area where not much happens after midnight.

Villanova means “the new town”, and the district grew up outside Castello’s walls in the Middle Ages. Today it’s one of the most charming areas to wander around, with low, colourful houses, flowers outside the doors and little shops along streets such as Via San Giovanni and Via Garibaldi, one of the city’s best shopping streets. The San Domenico monastery has a peaceful cloister in Catalan Gothic style, and on the south-eastern edge of the district you’ll find the early Christian Basilica di San Saturnino in a small park.

If you head downhill towards the sea, it takes about a quarter of an hour to reach the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Bonaria, the large basilica on the hill above the Su Siccu marina. According to legend, a chest containing a wooden statue of the Madonna washed ashore here in 1370, and a long staircase runs from the square in front of the church down towards the water.

See hotels in Villanova here.

I’d stay here if you’re spending several days in the city and would rather sleep in a quiet neighbourhood than right among the restaurant streets. Villanova has one of the city’s five-star hotels, but also plenty of well-reviewed mid-range guesthouses, and you can still walk to both Castello and Marina in no time. In the mornings the streets are almost empty, and this is where you see how the people of Cagliari actually live.

The downside is that you’re further from the harbour, the railway station and the beach, and the nightlife is quiet. If you want to eat out, you’ll usually end up walking down to Marina or up to Castello, and several of the streets leading up to Castello are steep. Parts of the district are also inside the restricted traffic zone, so check the hotel’s address before you drive there.

Hotels in Villanova

Palazzo Doglio - five-star hotel with spa and restaurant near San Saturnino

Palazzo Doglio is on Vico del Logudoro on the south-eastern edge of Villanova, right by the Basilica di San Saturnino and less than ten minutes’ walk from the harbour and Via Roma. It’s a five-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, spa with sauna, gym and garden, and the rooms are large. Breakfast and the spa cost extra, parking is 15 euros (around £13) per day, and some guests have heard noise from neighbouring rooms.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The rooms were very spacious and clean.”

See photos and book Palazzo Doglio here.

Bluemoon Sardinia Roof Garden Jacuzzi - guesthouse with a roof terrace and rooftop hot tub

Bluemoon Sardinia is on Via Sebastiano Satta in the heart of Villanova, a few minutes’ walk from Via Garibaldi. The roof terrace with its hot tub is the big draw, breakfast is included and gets praised again and again, and parking costs 15 euros (around £13) per day. The rooftop hot tub has limited opening hours in some months, and a few guests have heard the lift and the communal areas.

From one review: “Breakfast was fantastic, we had freshly baked cake and pancakes every day.”

See photos and book Bluemoon Sardinia here.

I’MC IoAMoCagliari - small guesthouse with self check-in

I’MC IoAMoCagliari is a small guesthouse on Via San Saturnino in Villanova, about five minutes’ walk from Bastione di Saint Remy. The rooms are clean and simple, you check yourself in following the host’s instructions, and the price was the lowest of my three suggestions in the area. There are stairs, and some guests have heard the other guests.

One guest highlights: “The location is good, and it’s clean and comfortable.”

See photos and book I’MC IoAMoCagliari here.

5. Poetto - best area for a beach holiday 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The beach starts about 5 kilometres east of Via Roma at the Sella del Diavolo headland and carries on towards Quartu Sant’Elena.
• 🚌 Transport: City buses run from Piazza Matteotti out along the beach in about 20 minutes, with more departures in summer. A standard ticket costs under 2 euros (around £1.70).
• ✈️ Time from Cagliari Airport: About 20 minutes by taxi or hire car. By train and bus, allow around an hour.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly 103 to 289 euros (around £85 to £240) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. In summer the promenade is busy until late, but don’t leave bags and phones unattended on the beach.

Poetto is Cagliari’s city beach, a long, pale sandy beach of around eight kilometres, where the first half belongs to Cagliari and the rest to Quartu Sant’Elena. To the west it ends at the Sella del Diavolo headland and the small Marina Piccola yacht harbour, and a promenade runs the whole length of the beach, where locals walk, jog and cycle. The old bathing establishments D’Aquila and Lido sit at the second and third fermata, as the stops of the tram that once ran out here are still called.

Behind the beach lies the Molentargius nature park, with salt pans and lagoons where pink flamingos breed, and the green areas are free and open every day. If you’d like a guide, you can take an e-bike tour to the Old Town and the flamingos for around 50 euros (about £40). From Calamosca bay, a path of roughly an hour also leads up Sella del Diavolo to an old watchtower with views over the whole beach.

See hotels in Poetto here.

I would stay here if you’re coming in summer to swim and only want to head into town in the evenings. It’s also a good choice for families, as there are bathing establishments, kiosks and an amusement park along the promenade, and you walk straight from the hotel onto the sand. The hotels are mostly at the western end of the beach near Marina Piccola, while the rest of the stretch is dominated by apartments.

The downside is that Poetto is a city beach. In July and August it’s packed with locals at weekends, the wind can be strong, and a sunbed with parasol at a bathing establishment costs more than many people expect. Out of season, quite a few of the kiosks close, and in the evening it’s a bus or taxi ride to the restaurants in Marina.

Hotels in Poetto

Hotel Nautilus Excelsior - adults-only four-star hotel with an infinity pool opposite the beach

Hotel Nautilus Excelsior is on Lungomare Poetto, right across from the beach at the western end of Poetto. The hotel is adults-only and has an infinity pool, restaurant, bar and breakfast included, and some rooms have their own hot tub on the terrace. Parking costs extra, and guests complain about slow Wi-Fi and a small cocktail menu in the bar.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was amazing, and we really enjoyed having our own hot tub on the terrace.”

See photos and book Nautilus Excelsior here.

Hotel La Villa Del Mare - small hotel directly opposite the beach

Hotel La Villa Del Mare is on Lungomare Poetto, right across from the beach, a little further towards Quartu than Nautilus Excelsior. It’s a three-star hotel with a garden, terrace and breakfast included, and the staff are praised in many reviews. The rooms are smaller than expected, some have no windows, and there’s no private parking, though there is free public parking nearby.

From one review: “Lovely place with a location right on the beach.”

See photos and book La Villa Del Mare here.

Hotel Poetto - simple budget hotel two minutes from the sand

Hotel Poetto is on a side street off the promenade, less than a two-minute walk from the beach. The rooms are small and simple, and the price was the lowest of my three suggestions in Poetto. Breakfast isn’t included but can be bought at a nearby bar, there’s no private parking, and the furniture is starting to look a bit worn.

One guest highlights: “The location was perfect. The staff were friendly, a great budget hotel!”

See photos and book Hotel Poetto here.

6. Quartu Sant’Elena & Margine Rosso - best area for families with a car 🚗

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Quartu’s part of Poetto begins about 9 kilometres from Via Roma, and Margine Rosso is about 13 kilometres out along the coast road.
• 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car here. Buses run along the coast, but getting into Cagliari and back again in the evening takes time.
• ✈️ Time from Cagliari Airport: About 25 minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly 87 to 531 euros (around £75 to £445) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and quiet. In summer there can be music from the beach bars until late in the evening.

If you carry on east along Poetto, you cross the border into Quartu Sant’Elena at the La Bussola beach club. Quartu is Sardinia’s third-largest town, but the part you want to stay in is the coast: about four kilometres of beach that ends at Margine Rosso, a quiet residential area of villas, holiday homes, apartments and beach bars along the water. Behind the beach lie the salt lagoons of Molentargius.

The vibe here is more beach holiday than big city. To the west, you’re at Poetto and in Cagliari in about 20 minutes by car, and to the east the coast road continues towards Villasimius and the white beaches on the island’s south-eastern corner. If you’re travelling on around the island, my guide to where to stay in Sardinia can help you with your next stop.

See hotels in Quartu Sant’Elena and Margine Rosso here.

I would stay here if you’re a family with a car who wants a beach, a garden and parking by the door, and only head into Cagliari on day trips. There are several places here with free parking, which you’ll hardly find in the centre, and the easiest option is to pick up hire cars from Booking.com at the airport when you land. Many of the places have self check-in, so message your host before arrival if your flight lands late.

The downside is that you depend on the car. It’s a long way to Castello and the restaurants in Marina in the evening, and outside the summer season many beach bars and restaurants are closed. If you drive to Poetto on a summer’s day, get there early, as the car parks along the beach fill up quickly. There are few proper hotels, and most places to stay are apartments and guesthouses with self check-in.

Hotels in Quartu Sant’Elena & Margine Rosso

New Bussola Suites and Beach Club - luxury suites with an infinity pool and private beach at La Bussola

New Bussola sits at La Bussola, where Poetto turns into Quartu, with direct access to the beach. There’s an infinity pool, a private beach area, a restaurant, a bar and a steam room, and breakfast is included. It’s the most expensive place in this whole guide, parking costs extra, and guests mention music from the nearby beach clubs.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is right on the beach, so you walk from your room out to the pool and from the pool straight down to the beach.”

See photos and book New Bussola here.

Flamingo Poetto - small guesthouse with free parking

Flamingo Poetto is on Via Madrid in Quartu’s part of Poetto, about a 15-minute walk from the beach. The rooms are clean, there’s a terrace and free parking, and its score on Booking.com is high. Check-in is self-service with a code, and some guests find it a hassle and would like more contact with the hosts.

From one review: “Very communicative host, fantastic location, and overall everything was perfect, especially for the price.”

See photos and book Flamingo Poetto here.

Spacebility Beach - budget guesthouse by the water in Margine Rosso

Spacebility Beach is on Via Neapolis in Margine Rosso, facing the coast at the eastern end of the beach. There’s a garden, a terrace, free parking and self check-in, and the price was the lowest of my three suggestions in Quartu. The facilities are basic, and some guests have experienced noise during quiet hours.

One guest highlights: “The location was also good, not too far from Cagliari city.”

See photos and book Spacebility Beach here.

Where not to stay in Cagliari?

I wouldn’t stay by the airport in Elmas. The hotels there are handy for an early flight, but the train into town takes less than ten minutes, so you gain nothing from sleeping out there. The large residential districts on the outskirts, such as Is Mirrionis, San Michele and Pirri, are also a long way from the sights and the beach, and the same goes for Sant’Elia by the stadium, where there are big concrete blocks and nothing for tourists.

Also be wary of cheap apartments described as central that are actually out by the main roads on the edge of town, as your walk into the centre will then be along busy roads. If you’re arriving by car, always check whether the address is inside a ZTL zone before you drive there.

If it’s your first trip to Cagliari, I would stay in Marina, or in Stampace if you want to save a bit and are arriving by train. If you’re a couple who want views and peace in the evening, choose Castello, and if you want to stay somewhere quiet and local within easy reach of everything, Villanova is the best bet. If you’re coming in summer to swim, stay at Poetto, and if you have a car and children with you, Quartu Sant’Elena and Margine Rosso are the most relaxed choice.

Cagliari is also a good start or finish to a longer trip in Italy, and ferries sail from the port to the mainland. If you have more days, my guide to where to stay in Italy can help you with your next stop.

The post Where to Stay in Cagliari? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

The tricky part is the car. The Old Town is a limited traffic zone with cameras, and the streets are steep everywhere. So choosing where to stay in Siena is as much about where you’ll park as it is about atmosphere. Here are my six picks, with three hotels in each area.

Where to Stay in Siena: The Best Areas

• Piazza del Campo - best area for first-time visitors
• Terzo di Città - best area for culture and romance
• Terzo di San Martino - best area for local atmosphere and peace and quiet
• Terzo di Camollia - best area for shopping and arriving by bus
• Outside the walls by Porta Camollia - best area for drivers
• The countryside around Siena - best area for families and road trips

Siena’s Old Town is divided into three districts, the terzi, which meet at Piazza del Campo, and four of my areas follow that division. Below, I go through them one at a time with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, so expect them to rise sharply around the Palio in July and August.

1. Piazza del Campo - best area for first-time visitors 🐚

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re right in the centre. The square is the heart of the city, and the Duomo is a five-minute walk uphill.
• 🚶 Transport: You walk everywhere. The nearest car park is Il Campo by Porta Tufi, about ten minutes’ walk south of the square, and most of the way is uphill.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About two hours from both Florence Airport and Pisa Airport by public transport, and you walk the last stretch from the bus or train.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around €117 to €222 (around £100 to £185) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and busy until late. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds on the square, especially in summer.

Piazza del Campo is the heart of Siena. The shell-shaped square slopes down towards the town hall, Palazzo Pubblico, with the Torre del Mangia rising beside it. The tower was built in the 14th century and is 87 metres tall without its lightning rod, and from the top you look out over the rooftops and hills. The city’s three main streets meet right here, and that layout is a big part of the reason Siena’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Twice a year the square is covered in earth and turned into a racetrack. The Palio is run on 2 July and 16 August, and ten of the city’s 17 districts, the contrade, compete with their own horse and rider. On those days the hotels around the square are booked up long in advance. If you want the history too, you can take a guided walking tour with a Duomo ticket for around €40 (around £35).

See hotels near Piazza del Campo here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Siena and you only have a night or two. You can step out of the door in the morning before the day-trippers arrive, and sit on the square’s warm bricks in the evening as the light falls on the tower. If you’re coming from Florence, you could spend a few nights there first, and my guide to where to stay in Florence will help you pick a neighbourhood.

The downside is the noise. The restaurants around the square stay open late, and the streets are full of people all evening. Rooms are often small, many B&Bs have no lift, and you’ll have to drag your suitcase up and down steep streets. Your car has to go in a car park outside the zone, unless the hotel offers valet parking.

Hotels near Piazza del Campo

Casatorre dei Leoni Dimora Storica - historic tower house a few metres from the square

Casatorre dei Leoni is on Via del Porrione just behind Piazza del Campo, a B&B in a historic tower house with a lift and soundproofed rooms. With a score of 9.2 from more than 650 reviews, it’s one of the best-rated places near the square. Parking is handled by a valet service for €30 (around £25) per night, and one guest missed having milk for tea in the room.

From a review: “Beautifully decorated historic place just a few metres from Piazza del Campo, yet so quiet.”

See photos and book Casatorre dei Leoni here.

B&B Le Aquile - small B&B between the Campo and the Duomo

Le Aquile is on Via delle Campane, about 50 metres from Piazza del Campo, on the way up to the Duomo. It’s a small B&B with air conditioning, daily cleaning and a score of 9.3. There’s no lift, parking costs €25 (around £20) a day in a car park the B&B has an arrangement with, and one guest heard noise from a neighbouring restaurant’s kitchen in the evening.

One guest writes: “The location is excellent! Two minutes from the main square and three minutes the other way to the Duomo.”

See photos and book B&B Le Aquile here.

Salicotto 56 - bright guesthouse with a shared kitchen

Salicotto 56 is on Via di Salicotto, about 200 metres from Piazza del Campo towards Piazza del Mercato. It’s a guesthouse with a shared kitchen and a score of 9.0, and it was the cheapest of my three picks near the square when I searched. There’s no lift and no parking, and one guest would choose a room with windows facing Piazza del Mercato next time.

One guest highlights: “Very friendly and helpful owners, bright, clean and comfortable, two minutes’ walk from Il Campo.”

See photos and book Salicotto 56 here.

2. Terzo di Città - best area for culture and romance ⛪

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the south-western part of the Old Town. From the Duomo, it’s a five-minute walk down to Piazza del Campo.
• 🚶 Transport: You can walk everywhere. The Il Duomo car park is by Porta San Marco, and from the Santa Caterina car park at Fontebranda, escalators run up towards the Duomo.
• ✈️ Time from Florence Airport: Around two hours by tram and bus via Florence, or around an hour and a quarter by car to the car park at Porta San Marco.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around 136 to 268 euros (roughly £115 to £225) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and peaceful in the evening, once the tour groups have left the Duomo.

Terzo di Città is the oldest of Siena’s three districts and sits on the hill south-west of Piazza del Campo. This is where you’ll find the cathedral with its bell tower in striped black and white marble, and inside, the floor is covered in marble pictures that are only uncovered for certain periods each year. Opposite the cathedral is Santa Maria della Scala, a former hospital that is now a museum with frescoes and archaeology, and admission is free on the first Sunday of the month.

From the Duomo, Via di Città and Via Stalloreggi run down through the district, lined with small restaurants, wine bars and workshops, and on Via San Pietro you’ll find the Pinacoteca Nazionale with Siena’s historic paintings. The neighbourhood ends at Pian dei Mantellini and Porta San Marco, where the streets grow quiet and the houses have gardens looking out over the hills.

See hotels in Terzo di Città here.

I’d choose Città for a romantic break or a cultural trip. You’re right between the Duomo, the museums and the Campo, yet it’s quieter here in the evening than around the square, and several hotels have gardens or terraces with views over the countryside south of the city. The hotels around Pian dei Mantellini are also among the few inside the walls with their own parking.

The downside is the hills. The Duomo sits high up, and from the Campo you’ll be climbing steep streets and steps every time you head back. If you’re arriving by car, you need to arrange it with your hotel before you drive through the gate, as the whole Old Town is a restricted traffic zone. If you park yourself in the car parks by the Duomo and Santa Caterina, you can get a reduced daily rate as a hotel guest, so ask your hotel about it when you book.

Hotels in Terzo di Città

Hotel Athena - four-star hotel with a terrace and its own parking

Hotel Athena is on Via Paolo Mascagni at the south-western end of the neighbourhood, close to the city walls. It’s an official four-star hotel with a restaurant, a bar and a terrace overlooking the city and the valley, and with more than 3,000 reviews and a score of 9.0, it’s one of the most tried and tested hotels in Siena. The hotel has its own parking, although one guest found parking a bit awkward.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The free parking was very convenient. The rooms were comfortable and very clean.”

See photos and book Hotel Athena here.

Palazzo Ravizza - palazzo with a garden facing the hills

Palazzo Ravizza is in Pian dei Mantellini and is a historic palazzo that is now a three-star hotel with a lift, a bar and a private garden overlooking the countryside south of the city. Parking costs around 10 euros (around £8) a day, which is cheap for inside the walls. One guest was unhappy with the service and communication, so send your requests to the hotel well in advance.

From one review: “Fantastic views from the rooms out over the garden.”

See photos and book Palazzo Ravizza here.

B&B il Barbero - clean B&B with a garden and sun terrace

Il Barbero is also in Pian dei Mantellini, a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo, and has a garden, a sun terrace and a score of 9.2 from more than 500 reviews. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Città when I searched. Parking must be booked in advance and costs 40 euros (around £35) a day, and there are stairs up to the rooms.

One guest highlights: “Really clean and a perfect location!”

See photos and book B&B il Barbero here.

3. Terzo di San Martino - best area for local atmosphere and peace and quiet 🍷

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re in the south-eastern part of the Old Town. From Via di Pantaneto it’s a two to ten-minute walk to Piazza del Campo.
• 🚶 Transport: You can walk everywhere. If you’re driving, the easiest option is to park at Il Campo by Porta Tufi or stay just outside Porta Romana.
• ✈️ Time from Pisa Airport: About two hours by People Mover and train, followed by a bus or taxi from the station, or about an hour and a half by car.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost around €122 to €243 (roughly £100 to £205) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. Via di Pantaneto has quite a few bars and places to eat, so the street can be lively in the evening.

Terzo di San Martino is the district south-east of Piazza del Campo. The main street, Banchi di Sotto, continues as Via di Pantaneto out towards Porta Romana, and close to the Campo you’ll find the Logge del Papa, an open loggia from the 15th century. Further out, the large church of Santa Maria dei Servi stands on a hill with views back across the rooftops towards the Torre del Mangia, and you rarely see many tourists up here.

More locals and students live here than around the Campo, and the neighbourhood has small trattorias, bakeries and bars where prices are lower than on the square. The streets towards Servi and Porta Romana are quiet in the evening, and you’re more likely to hear voices from an open window than the rattle of wheelie suitcases. Siena is divided into 17 contrade, and in San Martino you’ll clearly see their flags on the houses and their little fountains in the streets.

See hotels in Terzo di San Martino here.

I’d stay here if you’re spending three nights or more and want a more local side of Siena while still being close to the Campo. It’s also a good compromise if you’re driving, because just outside Porta Romana there are hotels with gardens and their own parking, and from there it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Campo. In the evening you can eat at the neighbourhood’s trattorias and walk home without bumping into many tourists.

The downside is that it’s a long way to the railway station and the buses from Florence, which stop in the northern part of the city. With a suitcase it’s a long trek up and down hills, so take a taxi from the station. Bear in mind too that the streets towards Porta Romana slope steeply downhill, so the walk home after dinner can be tough on the legs.

Hotels in Terzo di San Martino

Torre del Fuggisole - highly rated hotel with a terrace and gym

Torre del Fuggisole is on Via di Fieravecchia in the eastern part of the neighbourhood and is an official three-star hotel with a terrace, a gym and a score of 9.6 from more than 650 reviews. It was the most expensive of my suggestions in San Martino when I searched. Parking costs €40 (around £35) per night and more on special dates, so it gets pricey if you arrive by car.

One guest writes: “An absolutely fantastic stay, which would also be practical with children!”

See photos and book Torre del Fuggisole here.

Hotel Santa Caterina - garden and parking just outside Porta Romana

Hotel Santa Caterina is on Via Enea Silvio Piccolomini just outside Porta Romana, so you can drive right up to it without entering the limited traffic zone. It’s an official three-star hotel with a garden and terrace, and parking costs €15 (around £13) per night. Space out front is limited, though, and one guest complains that there was nowhere to stop while the luggage was being unloaded.

From a review: “Fantastic place to stay, staff, facilities, views and location.”

See photos and book Hotel Santa Caterina here.

Nonna Anna - flat with a kitchenette on Via San Martino

Nonna Anna is a small flat on Via San Martino, a few minutes’ walk from Piazza del Campo, with a kitchenette and a score of 9.6. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions in the neighbourhood and suits couples who want to make their own breakfast. The flat is on the second floor, and there are 25 steps up with no lift.

One guest says: “We were met at the property by Morena and were able to get in earlier than expected.”

See photos and book Nonna Anna here.

4. Terzo di Camollia - best area for shopping and arriving by bus 🛍️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the northern part of the Old Town. From Piazza Salimbeni it’s a five-minute walk along Banchi di Sopra to Piazza del Campo.
• 🚌 Transport: Buses from Florence stop at Piazza Gramsci on the edge of the neighbourhood, and at Fontebranda escalators run up from the Santa Caterina car park.
• ✈️ Time from Florence Airport: Around two hours by tram into Florence and then the express bus on to Piazza Gramsci.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly €115 to €641 (around £95 to £535) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and lively in the evening on Banchi di Sopra, where there are people out in the streets until late.

Terzo di Camollia is the largest of the city’s three districts and stretches north from the Campo to Porta Camollia. The main street, Banchi di Sopra, is Siena’s shopping street with clothes shops, cafés and pastry shops, and halfway along it is Piazza Salimbeni, home to the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, considered the oldest bank in the world still in operation.

To the west stands the large brick church of Basilica di San Domenico, where relics of Siena’s patron saint Santa Caterina are kept, and below it the old medieval fountain Fontebranda. From San Domenico you get one of the best views of the Duomo across the valley, and in the evening locals stroll in La Lizza park and up onto the ramparts of the Fortezza Medicea, where you can watch the sunset.

See hotels in Terzo di Camollia here.

I would stay here if you’re arriving by bus or train and want to be close to both the Campo and your departures. Buses from Florence stop at Piazza Gramsci, and escalators run from the train station below the city up to Porta Camollia. If you land in Florence, you can read my guide to getting from Florence Airport to the city centre, and from there the express bus takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to Siena. You’ll find the timetables on the website of the bus company Autolinee Toscane.

The downside is that Banchi di Sopra is busy and can be noisy in the evening, and the hotels at the northern end are some way from the Duomo. If you’re coming by car, the Santa Caterina car park at Fontebranda is a good choice, but expect stairs or escalators up to your hotel. It’s also worth asking whether the hotel can help with your luggage from the car park.

Hotels in Terzo di Camollia

Grand Hotel Continental Siena - five-star hotel on Banchi di Sopra

Grand Hotel Continental is on Banchi di Sopra close to Piazza Salimbeni and is an official five-star hotel with a restaurant and valet parking. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, and parking costs €45 (around £40) per night. One guest with a street-facing room complains about night-time noise from a nearby nightclub, so ask for a quiet room.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The building, the decor and the attention to detail in the room, from the sheets to the pillows and towels.”

See photos and book Grand Hotel Continental here.

Siena Vip B&B - large rooms by Fontebranda with private parking

Siena Vip sits on the corner of Via del Costone and Via Fontebranda between San Domenico and the Duomo, and has a lift, a terrace and private parking for €20 (around £17) a day. The rooms and apartments are spacious, and it’s just a minute to the escalators at Fontebranda. One guest felt that communication with the host made parking and check-in awkward.

From a review: “The location is excellent, it’s a one-minute walk to the escalators.”

See photos and book Siena Vip B&B here.

B&B Il Corso - popular B&B a few minutes from the Campo

Il Corso is at the start of Banchi di Sopra, a few minutes’ walk from Piazza del Campo, and has a lift, a terrace and a score of 9.2 from over 1,200 reviews. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Camollia when I searched. There’s no parking, and one guest warns that it’s a long walk from the nearest multi-storey car park in summer.

One of the guests highlights: “Our room was beautiful and spotlessly clean.”

See photos and book B&B Il Corso here.

5. Outside the walls by Porta Camollia - best area for drivers 🚗

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re just north of the city walls. From Porta Camollia it’s about a 20-minute walk to Piazza del Campo, and further from the hotels on the hills further out.
• 🚗 Transport: Here you can drive right up and park at your hotel. The railway station is down below, and the escalators from the station come out at Porta Camollia.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About an hour and a quarter by car from Florence Airport and about an hour and a half from Pisa Airport.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around €137 to €254 (around £115 to £215) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. Viale Cavour is an ordinary residential street with traffic, so pick a room away from the road if you’re a light sleeper.

Outside Porta Camollia, modern Siena begins. Viale Cavour carries on northwards with homes, shops and supermarkets, and on the surrounding hills you’ll find villas and old farmhouses that are now hotels with gardens, pools and free parking. The gate itself is one of the most beautiful in the city walls, and from there you can walk along Via di Camollia and Banchi di Sopra all the way to the Campo.

This is where to stay in Siena if you’re arriving by car. The whole Old Town is a limited traffic zone with cameras at the gates, and if you drive in without a permit, the fine can turn up in the post months later. If you stay inside the walls, the hotel can usually register your number plate so you’re allowed to drive in and unload, but out here you avoid the risk altogether.

See hotels near Porta Camollia here.

If you need to drive into town, the municipal car parks are the easy option. According to the parking company’s rates, Stadio-Fortezza by the stadium costs €2 an hour (around £1.70) and €26 (around £22) for 24 hours, while Il Campo, Il Duomo, San Francesco and Santa Caterina cost €35 (around £30) for 24 hours, or a maximum of €25 (around £21) for hotel guests. From San Francesco and Santa Caterina, escalators run up towards the centre.

The downside is that you’re not staying in the Old Town. In the evening it’s a 15 to 25-minute walk home from the Campo, and from the hotels on the hills further out you’ll need a bus, taxi or car. On the other hand, you get more space, a pool and peace and quiet for your money, and you’re close to the station if you want to take the train onwards around Italy.

Hotels near Porta Camollia

Villa Scacciapensieri Boutique Hotel - villa with a park and pool on the hill north of the city

Villa Scacciapensieri sits on a hill about two kilometres north of Piazza del Campo as the crow flies. It’s an officially four-star hotel in an old villa with a park, outdoor pool, restaurant and free parking. The rooms have old-fashioned charm, but one guest found the atmosphere unfriendly, and for most people it’s too far to walk into town.

One guest writes: “Beautiful grounds and pool. Fantastic rooms with old-fashioned charm.”

See photos and book Villa Scacciapensieri here.

Borgo Grondaie - apartments with a saltwater pool close to the gate

Borgo Grondaie is north-east of Porta Camollia, about a 20-minute walk from the Old Town. It’s a three-star hotel with apartments, a saltwater pool with a view, a garden and free parking, and it scores 9.2 from over 1,800 reviews. One guest complains that the cleaning started so early there was no chance of a lie-in.

From a review: “A lovely stay at a beautiful hotel with excellent staff.”

See photos and book Borgo Grondaie here.

Hotel Italia - clean, good-value hotel on Viale Cavour

Hotel Italia is on Viale Cavour, about a 20-minute walk from Piazza del Campo and close to the escalators from the railway station. It’s an officially three-star hotel with a lift, 24-hour reception and private parking for €10 (around £8) a day, subject to availability. With over 3,300 reviews and a score of 9.0, it’s a safe choice, though one guest complains about a wobbly bath.

One guest says: “Very clean, the breakfast was fantastic and the staff were very helpful.”

See photos and book Hotel Italia here.

6. The Countryside around Siena - best area for families and road trips 🍇

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Around 10 to 20 kilometres from Siena, depending on where you stay. Allow 20 to 30 minutes by car to the car parks by the city walls.
• 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car. Only a few buses run out in the countryside, and many places sit at the end of a gravel track.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: About an hour and a quarter by car from Florence Airport and just over an hour and a half from Pisa Airport.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost around 126 to 597 euros (roughly £105 to £500) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet. Drive carefully on the narrow, winding country roads after dark.

Just north of Siena, Chianti begins: green hills of vineyards, olive groves and stone houses stretching up towards Florence. The southern part around Castelnuovo Berardenga, Castellina, Radda and Gaiole belongs to Chianti Classico, and many wine estates have turned buildings into guest rooms with a pool. South and east of the city lie the Crete Senesi, an open landscape of bare clay hills, cypresses and gravel roads around Asciano and Buonconvento.

This is the right choice if you’re travelling with children, visiting in summer and want a pool, or touring Tuscany by car. You drive into Siena in the morning, park outside the restricted zone and walk to the Campo, and by the afternoon you’re back by the pool. If you don’t have a car, you can still get out among the vineyards on a half-day trip to Chianti with wine tasting from Siena for around 85 euros (about £70).

See agriturismi and country hotels around Siena here.

The easiest place to pick up a car is at Florence or Pisa airport, and you can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com. If you’re landing in Pisa, you can read my guide to getting from Pisa Airport to the city centre, and if you’d like to see more areas in the region, I’ve rounded up the best bases in my guide to where to stay in Tuscany. If you’re travelling as a group, a whole holiday home in Tuscany can work out cheaper than hotel rooms.

The downside is that you can’t walk home after dinner in Siena. One of you will have to drive, or you’ll need to book a taxi, and out in the countryside the restaurants are few and far between. So don’t stay in the countryside if you only have one night, as you’ll miss the Campo in the evening once the day-trippers have gone home.

Hotels in the countryside around Siena

Borgo Scopeto Wine & Country Relais - five-star wine hotel with a spa and two pools

Borgo Scopeto is near Vagliagli in Chianti, about 20 minutes by car from Siena, and is an official five-star hotel with two pools, a spa, a gourmet restaurant and free parking. It scores 9.2, and from the hotel you can see Siena in the distance. Prices in the restaurant and bar are high, and one guest mentions 18 euros (around £15) for a spritz.

One guest writes: “Breakfast every morning with a view over Siena was an absolute highlight.”

See photos and book Borgo Scopeto here.

Il Canto del Sole - country house with a pool and playground south of the city

Il Canto del Sole is near Monteroni d’Arbia on the road towards the Crete Senesi, about 20 minutes by car south of Siena. It’s a B&B with a saltwater pool, garden, playground and free parking, and it scores 9.6 from over 300 reviews. There’s no restaurant, and one guest couldn’t find anyone to ask on a couple of occasions.

From one review: “Breakfast was fantastic, with freshly baked sweet and savoury treats.”

See photos and book Il Canto del Sole here.

Rietine24 - small farm with a saltwater pool in Chianti

Rietine24 is near Gaiole in Chianti, about 30 minutes by car from Siena, and is a small farm with a saltwater pool, garden and free parking. With a score of 9.7, it’s the highest-rated place in this guide, and it was the cheapest of my three countryside suggestions when I searched. There’s no restaurant, and as one guest points out, you’ll need a car out here.

One guest highlights: “A truly unforgettable stay!”

See photos and book Rietine24 here.

Where not to stay in Siena?

Many flats on the booking sites are in the modern districts outside the walls to the south and east or down by the railway station, and on the map they look close. Siena sits on three hills, so a kilometre on the map can easily turn into a steep 20 to 30-minute walk, and there isn’t much going on in the evening. Also avoid staying inside the walls with a car unless the hotel can register your number plate and has a parking arrangement, as otherwise you’ll end up carrying your suitcase a long way or paying a fine. And watch out for the Palio on 2 July and 16 August, when prices rise and the square is closed off. If you love a big street party, book well in advance. If not, pick another week.

If it’s your first trip to Siena, I’d stay by Piazza del Campo or in Terzo di Città near the Duomo. If you want a more local atmosphere and slightly lower prices, go for San Martino, and if you’re arriving by bus or train, Camollia is the easy choice. If you’re driving, stay outside the walls by Porta Camollia or out in the countryside, and if you’re travelling with children in summer, you’ll get the most for your money at an agriturismo with a pool.

Give Siena at least two nights, so you get both a full day in the Old Town and an evening on the Campo once the day-trippers have gone home. And if you’re travelling on around the country, I’ve rounded up the best regions and cities in my guide to where to stay in Italy.

The post Where to Stay in Siena? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

The centre is small and easy to explore on foot, while the coast towards Barcola and Miramare gives you swimming and peace and quiet. Here are my five suggestions for areas, with three hotels in each.

Where to Stay in Trieste: The Best Areas

• Piazza Unità & Rive - best area for first-time visitors
• Borgo Teresiano - best area for cafés and for arriving by train
• Cavana, Old Town & San Giusto - best area for couples, food and nightlife
• Viale XX Settembre & Barriera Vecchia - best area for local atmosphere and lower prices
• Barcola & Miramare - best area for swimming, views and travelling by car

Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, so expect them to rise in July and August, and especially over the weekend of the Barcolana sailing regatta in October. €1 is roughly 84p.

1. Piazza Unità & Rive - best area for first-time visitors 🏛️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re right in the middle of the centre. Borgo Teresiano and Cavana lie on either side of the square, and both are a five-minute walk away.
• 🚶 Transport: You can do everything in the centre on foot. From Trieste Centrale it’s about a 15-minute walk along the water, and city buses run along the Rive out towards Barcola and Miramare.
• ✈️ Time from Trieste Airport: About 45 minutes on the regional train from the airport’s own station to Trieste Centrale, then a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £110 to £360 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe, even late in the evening. The square is well lit and full of people until late at night in summer.

Piazza Unità d’Italia is Trieste in a single square. It’s one of Europe’s largest seafront squares, open to the water on one side, with the town hall, the Government Palace and the old Lloyd Triestino palace on the other three. In the evening the façades are lit up, and half the city strolls out onto the Molo Audace pier to watch the sun set over the bay. Caffè degli Specchi has been on the square since the 19th century, and an espresso at one of its outdoor tables is the first thing I’d do.

The Rive are the wide quays running along the water on both sides of the square. This is where you’ll find the big hotels, seafood restaurants and the Museo Revoltella on Via Diaz, the city’s art museum in a 19th-century palazzo. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, and admission is free on the first Sunday of the month. If you’d like the city’s coffee culture and history explained, you can join a guided walking tour with coffee at a historic coffee house for around €54 (about £45).

See hotels near Piazza Unità here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Trieste, or if you only have a weekend. You have the sea in front of you, the Old Town behind you and all the great coffee houses within a few minutes’ walk. If you’re coming from Venice, Trieste is an obvious next stop, and if you haven’t booked there yet, my guide to where to stay in Venice can help.

The downside is the price. The hotels overlooking the square and the sea are the most expensive in the city, and the restaurants right on the square charge tourist prices for their food. Walk one street in towards Cavana or Borgo Teresiano and you’ll eat better for less. In winter, the bora wind can also sweep across the open square at gale force, so pack a proper jacket.

Hotels near Piazza Unità & Rive

Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta - five-star grand hotel right on Piazza Unità

Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta sits on Piazza Unità itself and is the city’s classic five-star hotel, with a spa, an indoor pool and breakfast included. Some of the rooms look straight out over the square and the sea. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, and parking is by valet at an extra charge, as there’s no space on the square itself.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful historic hotel in the middle of the city. Well maintained.”

See photos and book Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta here.

Savoia Excelsior Palace - waterfront palace hotel with sea views from many rooms

Savoia Excelsior Palace stands on Riva del Mandracchio, a minute from Piazza Unità, in a large palazzo facing the harbour. There’s a restaurant, a bar, a gym and a steam room, many rooms have sea views, and its Booking.com score is among the highest in this whole guide. A few guests feel the carpets are due for replacement.

From one review: “A fantastic stay. All in all, the hotel is fabulous in every respect!”

See photos and book Savoia Excelsior Palace here.

My Way Rooms - simple, clean rooms two minutes from the square

My Way Rooms is a small guesthouse on Via Diaz, a two-minute walk from Piazza Unità and right next to Cavana. The rooms are simple, the building has a lift, and the price was the lowest of my three picks in this area when I searched. There’s no restaurant, and some guests mention that the water pressure in the shower is low.

One guest highlights: “A nice room for a short stay. Very central and close to all the main sights.”

See photos and book My Way Rooms here.

2. Borgo Teresiano - best area for cafés and for arriving by train ☕

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Just north of Piazza Unità. From the Canal Grande it’s a five-minute walk to the square and five to ten minutes to Trieste Centrale.
• 🚆 Transport: Trieste Centrale on Piazza della Libertà sits at the northern end of the district, with trains to Venice, Udine and the airport. The bus terminal is right next door.
• ✈️ Time from Trieste Airport: About 35 minutes on the regional train to Trieste Centrale, then a few minutes’ walk to your hotel.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around £110 to £235 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and lively. That said, the park in front of the station on Piazza della Libertà isn’t a pleasant place to walk through late at night.

Borgo Teresiano is named after Empress Maria Theresa, who in the 18th century had the salt pans north of the old town filled in and a new merchant quarter built, with straight streets and a canal running through the middle. The Canal Grande was meant to bring ships right up to the warehouses, and today small boats line the quays while the cafés have put their tables out on both sides. At the far end stands the church of Sant’Antonio Taumaturgo, and beside the canal is the Serbian Orthodox church of San Spiridione with its blue domes.

On the Ponte Rosso bridge, a bronze James Joyce stands mid-stride. The Irish writer lived in Trieste for more than ten years and wrote much of his early work here, and the city is proud of him. Around the canal you’ll find aperitivo bars, where an evening glass of wine comes with little snacks, while Corso Italia and Via Roma are the city’s shopping streets. The district is flat, so you’re spared the hills that are otherwise part of life in Trieste.

See hotels in Borgo Teresiano here.

I’d stay here if you’re arriving and leaving by train, or if you want to be central but pay a little less than around Piazza Unità. The train from Venice takes about two hours, and you can read how to buy tickets and choose between regional and high-speed trains in my guide to trains in Italy. Trieste Airport has its own station, and trains from the airport usually run a couple of times an hour during the day.

The downside is that the area gets drabber the closer you get to the station. The streets right around Piazza della Libertà are busy with traffic, and people hang around in the park in front of the station. Pick a hotel in the southern half by the canal, and you’ll have both the station and the square within a few minutes’ walk.

Hotels in Borgo Teresiano

Hotel Continentale - stylish four-star hotel between the canal and the square

Hotel Continentale is on Via San Nicolò, one of the city’s smart shopping streets, with the Canal Grande five minutes to the north and Piazza Unità five minutes to the south. The décor is modern and stylish, there’s a restaurant and bar, and some rooms have a balcony. Several guests do mention that the rooms are small, though, and parking is by paid valet service.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel’s location.”

See photos and book Hotel Continentale here.

Hotel Solun - spacious, soundproofed rooms close to the station

Hotel Solun is on Via Milano in the northern part of Borgo Teresiano, about a seven-minute walk from Trieste Centrale and ten minutes from Piazza Unità. It’s a four-star hotel with a bar, soundproofed rooms and an underground car park nearby, and guests particularly praise how spacious and clean the rooms are. The breakfast, on the other hand, gets mixed reviews.

From one review: “An excellent hotel, the staff were so friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book Hotel Solun here.

Residence Theresia - apartments with kitchens on a quiet side street off the canal

Residence Theresia is on Via Trento, a couple of minutes’ walk from the Canal Grande, and has apartments with kitchenettes, a 24-hour reception and a lift. It’s the cheapest of my three picks in the area and a good choice if you’d like to make your own breakfast. The garage costs €20 (around £17) per day and must be booked in advance, and a few guests had trouble checking in late in the evening.

One guest highlights: “Excellent place, very clean, spacious and centrally located.”

See photos and book Residence Theresia here.

3. Cavana, Old Town & San Giusto - best area for couples, food and nightlife 🍷

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Just south and east of Piazza Unità. From Piazza Cavana it’s a three-minute walk to the square and 15 minutes up the steps to San Giusto.
• 🚶 Getting around: Your own two feet are all you need. The streets are narrow and steep up towards San Giusto, and the city buses run along the Rive below.
• ✈️ Time from Trieste Airport: Around 45 minutes by train to Trieste Centrale, then a short taxi ride, as the last few streets are no place for suitcases.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £110 to £195 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. Around Piazza Cavana there are lots of people and a fair bit of noise on weekend evenings, while the streets up towards San Giusto are quiet.

Cavana is the lower part of Città Vecchia, Trieste’s Old Town, and the streets here are narrow, winding and packed with small restaurants. Only a few decades ago the neighbourhood was run-down and had a poor reputation; today it’s the best place in the city to eat and go out. Around Piazza Cavana and Via Cavana you’ll find wine bars, osterie serving fish from the bay and buffets, the Triestine lunch spots where you get boiled pork with mustard and horseradish.

Heading uphill, you pass Arco di Riccardo, a Roman city gate, and Teatro Romano, a Roman theatre that sits in the open right between the houses. At the top of the hill stand San Giusto Cathedral and Castello di San Giusto, a castle with bastions and views over the whole bay. If you’d like to taste your way through the area, you can join a food tour with local tastings for about €62 (around £50).

See hotels in Cavana and the Old Town here.

I’d choose Cavana if you’re a couple or a group of friends who want to eat well and go out in the evening without having to catch a bus home. This is where you’ll find the city’s small boutique hotels and apartments in old buildings, and you stay closer to local Trieste than at the big hotels on the Rive. In the mornings the streets are completely quiet, and a coffee standing at the bar costs a fraction of the price on Piazza Unità.

The downsides are the noise and the hills. The bars around Piazza Cavana have customers until late into the night at weekends, so ask for a room away from the street. Many of the old buildings have no lift, and the higher up towards San Giusto you stay, the steeper the walk home with your shopping bags.

Hotels in Cavana, Old Town & San Giusto

Boutique Hotel Albero Nascosto - small family-run boutique hotel in the heart of Cavana

Albero Nascosto is on Via Felice Venezian in the middle of Cavana, a five-minute walk from Piazza Unità. It’s a small, personal hotel with a breakfast buffet, a bar and some rooms with a kitchenette, and its Booking.com score is among the highest in the city. There’s no lift, some rooms could do with a refresh, and the garage costs €20 (around £17) per day.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was fantastic, the hotel is incredibly cosy, a small family hotel with soul.”

See photos and book Albero Nascosto here.

Hotel James Joyce - classic city hotel with a good breakfast buffet

Hotel James Joyce is on Via Cavazzeni in the Old Town, a couple of minutes from Piazza Cavana and five minutes from Piazza Unità. It’s a three-star hotel with a lift, a bar and a breakfast buffet that guests praise again and again. Some rooms are smaller than expected and can be noisy at night, and parking is in a garage outside the neighbourhood for €25 (around £21) per day.

From one review: “Excellent location and a really good breakfast.”

See photos and book Hotel James Joyce here.

URBANAUTS STUDIOS Minelli - design studios with a kitchen and self check-in

URBANAUTS STUDIOS Minelli is on Via della Madonna del Mare at the southern end of Cavana, close to the Rive and Museo Revoltella. The studios are beautifully furnished and have a fully equipped kitchen, and you check yourself in without a reception. It’s the cheapest of the three, but there’s no lift and no staff on site, so if you have any questions, they’re handled by phone.

One guest highlights: “The place is beautifully furnished, and every single detail has been thought through.”

See photos and book URBANAUTS STUDIOS Minelli here.

4. Viale XX Settembre & Barriera Vecchia - best area for a local feel and lower prices 🍦

• 📍 Distance to the centre: About 1 kilometre east of Piazza Unità. It’s a 15-minute walk to the square and a little less to the Canal Grande.
• 🚌 Transport: Several city bus routes run from Piazza Goldoni and Piazza Garibaldi to the Rive and the railway station, but most people simply walk into the centre.
• ✈️ Time from Trieste Airport: About 50 minutes by train to Trieste Centrale, then a bus or taxi onwards.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€. The three hotels below cost roughly £75 to £200 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: An ordinary, safe residential area. Around Piazza Garibaldi it’s a bit more worn and less polished than the centre, but not dangerous.

Viale XX Settembre is Trieste’s answer to a boulevard: a long, tree-lined street, largely pedestrianised, with cafés, gelaterias and cinemas. In the evening, families stroll along it with an ice cream, and the Politeama Rossetti theatre stands at the top end. Right next to it is the Giardino Pubblico, the city’s green park with busts of the writers who have lived in Trieste, and a couple of streets away you’ll find Caffè San Marco from 1914, the coffee house where writers and students still sit with books and chessboards.

Barriera Vecchia is the neighbourhood south of the street, around Piazza Garibaldi and the Mercato Coperto, the covered market hall from the 1930s. This is where ordinary Triestini live and shop, and you’ll notice it in the prices at the bars and the little pizzerias. Honestly, the market itself is a bit quiet, but the building is handsome, and the surrounding streets are full of small shops, bakeries and barbers that have been here for generations.

See hotels around Viale XX Settembre here.

I’d stay here if you want the most for your money, or if you’re in town for several days and would rather live like a local than among the tourists. The area has the city’s best choice of apartments with kitchens, and you can easily walk to both the Canal Grande and Cavana. It’s also a good choice for families, as there’s space, a park with a playground and a gelateria every hundred metres.

The downside is that the sea isn’t on your doorstep, and the streets towards Barriera Vecchia are busier with traffic than they are pretty. Parking is difficult throughout the area, so if you’re coming by car, plan on using a paid garage.

Hotels around Viale XX Settembre & Barriera Vecchia

Victoria Hotel Letterario - four-star hotel with a gym and steam room near Piazza Garibaldi

Victoria Hotel Letterario is on Via Oriani, a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Garibaldi and 15 minutes from Piazza Unità. It’s a four-star hotel with a gym, steam room, bar and suites big enough for families, and it’s the most classic hotel in the area. Some guests have heard the traffic with the windows open, and parking costs up to 19 euros (around £16) a night.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The place was lovely. We had a suite for three people, and it was spacious and well equipped.”

See photos and book Victoria Hotel Letterario here.

URBANAUTS STUDIOS Ginnastica - modern apartments with kitchens close to Viale XX Settembre

URBANAUTS STUDIOS Ginnastica is on Via della Ginnastica, a couple of minutes’ walk from Viale XX Settembre and the Giardino Pubblico. The apartments are modern and spacious, with fully equipped kitchens, a lift and soundproofing, and check-in is self-service. Street parking is almost impossible, so a car and this apartment don’t go well together.

From one review: “Beautiful apartment, great location and excellent communication with the staff.”

See photos and book URBANAUTS STUDIOS Ginnastica here.

Garibaldino Rooms - cheap, cosy rooms with a shared kitchen

Garibaldino Rooms is a small guesthouse on Via del Molino a Vento, right by Piazza Garibaldi. The rooms are simple, clean and cosy, there’s a lift and a shared kitchen, and the price was the lowest in this entire guide when I searched. Guests mention that parking is hard to find, and you should allow a 20-minute walk to Piazza Unità.

One guest highlights: “The room was fantastic, very cosy and comfortable.”

See photos and book Garibaldino Rooms here.

5. Barcola & Miramare - best area for swimming, views and a car 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Barcola is about 4 kilometres north-west of Piazza Unità, and Miramare about 7 kilometres.
• 🚌 Transport: City bus 6 runs along the coast from the centre to Barcola and on towards Grignano, and in the summer season the Delfino Verde boat sails from the centre to Barcola and Grignano.
• ✈️ Time from Trieste Airport: About 25 to 30 minutes by car along the coast road. By train and bus, allow an hour.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost from roughly £125 to £510 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. The rocks and concrete along the water are slippery, so keep an eye on the children when they swim.

Barcola is Trieste’s beach, even though there’s hardly any sand. Along the seafront promenade sits a row of semicircular concrete platforms that the locals call Topolini, because from the air they look like Mickey Mouse ears, and from May to September half the city lies here on towels. At Pineta di Barcola the pine trees give shade, and there are bars and free access to the water. Every year on the second Sunday in October, thousands of boats sail out into the bay for the Barcolana regatta, and Barcola is sold out well in advance.

At the end of the coast stands Castello di Miramare, the white castle that Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg began building on the water’s edge in 1856. The park is free, while the castle costs 12 euros (around £10), and on the first Sunday of the month entry is free for everyone. Right next to it is the little harbour of Grignano, and in summer the Delfino Verde boat sails between the centre, Barcola, Grignano and Sistiana.

See hotels in Barcola and near Miramare here.

I’d stay here if you’re coming in summer to swim, or if you have a car and want to explore the area. From here you’re quickly out on the coast road towards Duino and up onto the Karst plateau, where Grotta Gigante is one of the world’s largest show caves. Slovenia and Istria are close too, and the easiest option is to pick up hire cars from Booking.com at the airport. If you’re carrying on across the border, you can read where to stay in Slovenia, or head further south with my guide to where to stay in Croatia.

The downside is the distance. In the evening you’ll need a bus or taxi into the restaurants in Cavana, and out of season the promenade is quiet. There are also few hotels, and most of the accommodation in Barcola is private flats, so book early if you want a proper hotel with a sea view.

Hotels in Barcola & Miramare

Hotel Riviera & Maximilian’s - clifftop hotel with a lift down to its own bathing area

Hotel Riviera & Maximilian’s sits on the Strada Costiera high above the sea, just north of Miramare Castle. A lift takes you down to the hotel’s own bathing area, there’s a spa, a restaurant with a terrace and free parking, and the view over the bay is the reason to stay here. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, the spa costs extra, and some guests have been given two single beds pushed together instead of a double bed.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A really good example of getting what you pay for.”

See photos and book Hotel Riviera & Maximilian’s here.

Greif Hotel & Spa - five-star hotel with an indoor pool right by the promenade

Greif Hotel & Spa is on Viale Miramare in Barcola, a few minutes’ walk from Pineta di Barcola and the promenade. There’s an indoor pool, sauna, spa, restaurant and free parking, and breakfast is served on a terrace overlooking the bay. Several guests find the furniture a bit old-fashioned.

From one review: “Breakfast on the terrace was fantastic.”

See photos and book Greif Hotel & Spa here.

Trieste Sea Life - small B&B with sea views on the hillside above Barcola

Trieste Sea Life is a small bed and breakfast on Strada del Friuli, which winds up the hillside above Barcola. The rooms have sea views, there’s a garden, a terrace and parking by arrangement, and the host is praised in almost every single review. You’ll have to walk down the hill to the promenade and back up again afterwards, and a few guests would like more variety at breakfast.

One guest highlights: “Beautiful sea view, and the host was very friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book Trieste Sea Life here.

Where not to stay in Trieste?

I wouldn’t stay in the cheapest hotels right around Trieste Centrale and Piazza della Libertà. It’s handy for the train, but the park in front of the station is dreary in the evening, and you get more for your money a few streets further into Borgo Teresiano. The industrial and port areas south of the centre towards Servola and Zaule aren’t the place for a holiday either, and hotels by the airport in Ronchi dei Legionari are more than half an hour from the city.

Opicina and the villages up on the Karst plateau are beautiful and peaceful, but without a car getting down to the city and back up again is a hassle, and the choice of hotels is very small. The same goes for Muggia on the other side of the bay, which works better as a boat trip than as a base.

If it’s your first trip to Trieste, I’d stay by Piazza Unità, or in Borgo Teresiano if you’re arriving by train and want to save a little. If you’re a couple who want to eat well and go out in the evening, choose Cavana, and if you want a local atmosphere and low prices, Viale XX Settembre is your best bet. If you’re coming in summer to swim, or you have a car, stay in Barcola or near Miramare.

The city is small enough that you can walk most places, and if you want to get out to Barcola and Miramare, a standard city bus ticket costs under 2 euros (around £1.70) and can be bought at newsagents and in the TPL FVG app. Trieste also fits nicely into a longer rail trip around northern Italy, and if you have more days, my guide to where to stay in Italy can help you with your next stop.

The post Where to Stay in Trieste? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

It’s the cave hotels that make the choice tricky, because there are steps everywhere and no cars in the alleys. So deciding where to stay in Matera is mostly about how many steps you’re willing to climb. Here are my five suggestions, with three hotels in each area.

Where to Stay in Matera: The Best Areas

• Sasso Barisano - best area for first-time visitors
• Sasso Caveoso - best area for romance and cave hotels
• Civita - best area for views over both Sassi
• Piano around Via Ridola and Piazza Vittorio Veneto - best area for drivers and heavy luggage
• The countryside around Matera - best area for families and road trips

Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, so expect them to rise in high season and around the town’s festival at the beginning of July.

1. Sasso Barisano - best area for first-time visitors

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the Sassi itself. From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, you walk down the steps and reach Barisano in five minutes.
• Transport: No cars run through the alleys, so you walk everywhere. From the car park on Via Saragat, the Linea Sassi bus runs roughly every half hour.
• Time from Bari Airport: About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus to Matera Centrale and a 15-minute walk down into the Sassi, or about an hour by car to the car park.
• Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £95 to £325 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe. The biggest risk is slippery stone steps, especially after rain, so bring shoes with good grip.

The Sassi are Matera’s Old Town: two valleys filled with houses, churches and cisterns carved into the limestone and separated by the Civita ridge with the cathedral. Sasso Barisano is the northern and larger of the two, and it’s here you’ll find the most cave hotels, restaurants and wine bars. The houses often have an ordinary façade facing the alley, while the room behind it is a cave that continues into the rock. The town’s largest rock church, San Pietro Barisano, sits at the bottom of the district.

The Sassi and the rock churches of the Murgia are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and in the 1950s the residents were moved out because conditions in the caves were so poor. It was only from the 1980s that people began moving back, and today many of the caves have been restored as hotels with vaulted ceilings, stone baths and soft lighting. If you’d like the history too, you can take a guided tour of the Sassi with a cave house and rock church for around €29 (about £25).

See hotels in Sasso Barisano here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Matera and you want everything right on your doorstep. Barisano is closer to the Piano than Caveoso, so there are fewer steps up to the shops and buses. If you’re coming by train from Bari, Ferrovie Appulo Lucane takes about an hour and a half, and if you land in Bari, you could start with a night or two by the harbour. My guide to where to stay in Bari will help you choose a neighbourhood.

The downside applies to all cave hotels: you can’t drive right up to the door, and you’ll have to carry your suitcase down stone steps. Ask the hotel whether they can help with luggage, and pack light. The caves can also be a little damp and rarely get much daylight, so choose a room with a window if that matters to you.

Hotels in Sasso Barisano

Locanda di San Martino Hotel & Thermae Romanae - cave hotel with a pool and spa in the rock

Locanda di San Martino is on Via Fiorentini in Barisano and is built into a series of old caves on several levels. The hotel has an indoor pool, sauna and steam room in the rock, and with over 2,700 reviews on Booking.com it’s one of the most tried-and-tested places in the Sassi. Guests mainly complain about the many steps.

From one review: “Fantastic location, good breakfast. Lovely room.”

See photos and book Locanda di San Martino here.

Residence San Pietro Barisano - cave atmosphere with modern comforts

Residence San Pietro Barisano is on Rione San Biagio in the northern part of the district, close to the church of San Pietro Barisano. The rooms are set in caves with modern bathrooms, there’s a restaurant, and the breakfast gets praise. A few guests mention damp in the rooms, which is a classic drawback of sleeping in the rock.

One guest writes: “Location, breakfast, lovely cave atmosphere and modern facilities.”

See photos and book Residence San Pietro Barisano here.

Piano Piano Rooms - small guesthouse with a terrace and outstanding hosts

Piano Piano is on Recinto I Fiorentini right next to Locanda di San Martino and is a small guesthouse with a terrace and a shared kitchen. It was the cheapest of my three picks here when I searched, and its score of 9.7 is among the highest in Matera. Some guests miss daylight in the rooms, and you’ll have to carry your luggage up steps.

One guest highlights: “Fantastic location, fantastic hosts, clean and perfect for us.”

See photos and book Piano Piano Rooms here.

2. Sasso Caveoso - best area for romance and cave hotels

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the southern part of the Sassi. From Via Ridola it’s a five to ten-minute walk down to Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.
• Transport: You walk everywhere, and it’s a long way up to the Piano, so expect plenty of steps every day. Small tourist tuk-tuks run around the area if your legs give up.
• Time from Bari Airport: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus to Matera Centrale plus a 20-minute walk, or around an hour by car to the car park.
• Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £95 to £380 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. The alleys are steep and poorly lit in the evening, so have the torch on your phone ready.

Sasso Caveoso is the postcard image of Matera that many people know from films. The houses are arranged like an amphitheatre sloping down towards the Gravina ravine, and on top of the Monterrone rock stands the rock church of Santa Maria de Idris. Down on the square is the church of San Pietro Caveoso, looking out across the ravine to the Murgia on the other side. The district has fewer restaurants than Barisano, and after dark it goes completely quiet.

This is also where you’ll find Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a cave house furnished as it was when a family lived there, with a bed, a kitchenette and a stable for the donkey. A little further up is MUSMA, a sculpture museum in Palazzo Pomarici, where many of the works are displayed in the caves beneath the palazzo. It’s a good place to head when the midday sun is beating down.

See hotels in Sasso Caveoso here.

I’d choose Caveoso for a romantic trip or a honeymoon. This is where the most atmospheric cave hotels are, some with private terraces over the ravine and spas carved into the rock. In the evening, when the lights come on over the Sassi, you more or less have the view to yourself, because the day-trippers from Bari and the coast have gone home.

The honest downside is the steps. Caveoso sits low and furthest from the Piano, so you climb a lot of steps every time you need the supermarket, the train or the car. It’s not the right area if you have limited mobility or are travelling with a pushchair. If you arrive by car, it has to be left in a car park outside the zone, and only some of the hotels help with parking and luggage, so ask before you book.

Hotels in Sasso Caveoso

Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA - five-star cave hotel with a spa

Aquatio is on Via Conche in Caveoso and is one of the few officially five-star hotels in the Sassi. The rooms are caves with modern design, and the spa has a sauna and steam room carved into the rock. Guests praise the staff, but several mention that the hotel is awkward to reach because it’s in the limited traffic zone, so you have to park and walk some distance.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel with efficient and helpful staff.”

See photos and book Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel here.

La Corte dei Pastori Luxury - terrace above Piazza San Pietro Caveoso

La Corte dei Pastori is on Vico Bruno Buozzi just above Piazza San Pietro Caveoso and has a terrace overlooking the square. It’s a guesthouse with only a few rooms, room service and a score of 9.7, and the price was less than half that of the big cave hotels when I searched. On the other hand, there are a lot of steps, which several guests mention.

From a review: “Excellent location, very beautiful room, cosy and authentic, excellent view.”

See photos and book La Corte dei Pastori here.

Alba Chiara Holiday Home - holiday home with its own balcony

Alba Chiara is a small holiday home on Via Sant’Angelo in the eastern part of Caveoso, with air conditioning and a terrace. It’s the cheapest of my suggestions in the district and a good choice if you want more space than a hotel room. There’s no reception, and one guest describes the stairs as a little wobbly.

One guest says: “It was fantastic having a private balcony.”

See photos and book Alba Chiara Holiday Home here.

3. Civita - best area for views over both Sassi

• Distance to the centre: Civita is the ridge between the two Sassi. From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, it’s about a ten-minute walk to the cathedral on Piazza Duomo.
• Transport: You walk everywhere. From Civita, the steps lead down to both Barisano and Caveoso, so you have a shorter walk in either direction.
• Time from Bari Airport: About an hour and a quarter by bus to Matera Centrale plus a 15-minute walk, or about an hour by car to the car park.
• Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £85 to £370 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe and quiet in the evening. Watch out for the low walls along the ravine if you have small children with you.

Civita is the oldest part of Matera, a rocky outcrop between the two valleys that was the town’s fortified core in the Middle Ages. At the top stands the 13th-century cathedral, and from the square in front you look down over Sasso Barisano on one side, while a couple of minutes away you can gaze down into Caveoso. Along the eastern edge, Via Civita runs out towards the ravine with the Murgia directly opposite.

The neighbourhood is small and quieter than the two Sassi. There are fewer restaurants and shops, but you’re staying right in the middle of everything and have fewer steps to climb wherever you’re heading. That makes Civita my compromise if you want to sleep in a cave but don’t want to be walking up and down all day. In the evening, the square in front of the cathedral is also one of the best places to watch the lights come on over Barisano.

See hotels in Civita here.

Stay here if the view matters most, or if you want the most distinctive cave hotel in town. Sextantio has turned the old caves into rooms where the furnishings are kept as close to the original as possible, with stone floors and simple furniture. On the other hand, the cathedral square is right next door, so during the day tourists walk past just outside your door.

Civita is also the best place to start your day early. From the cathedral, you walk down into Barisano, round the edge of the ravine and end up in Caveoso before the coaches of day-trippers arrive. Remember that cars can’t get up here either, so you’ll have to carry your luggage the last stretch, just as in the rest of the Sassi. So ask your hotel where to park and whether someone can meet you at the car.

Hotels in Civita

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita - caves furnished almost as in the old days

Sextantio is on Via Civita with views across the ravine towards the Murgia and is Matera’s most talked-about cave hotel. The rooms are old caves with stone floors and simple furniture, and the hotel has both a restaurant and a bar. The hotel helps with luggage, but one guest mentions that you feel a little on display to the tourists walking past.

One guest writes: “Beautiful rooms and a beautiful place with a fantastic location.”

See photos and book Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita here.

Giardini di Luce - garden, terraces and hot tub

Giardini di Luce is in Rione Vetera on the ridge and has a garden, terraces and a hot tub, which is rare in the Sassi. It’s a guesthouse with family rooms and a score of 9.5 from more than 400 reviews. Getting there involves a lot of steps, and that’s exactly what one guest complains about.

From one review: “Wow, what can I say? It was a fantastic place to stay.”

See photos and book Giardini di Luce here.

L’Arturo B&B - large room close to the cathedral

L’Arturo is on Via Tre Corone between the cathedral and the Piano, so you’re a short walk both up to the shops and down into the Sassi. It’s a B&B with a terrace and daily cleaning, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Civita. Read the parking terms carefully, as one guest ended up having to pay extra for it.

One of the guests highlights: “Fantastic location, lovely big bedroom.”

See photos and book L’Arturo B&B here.

4. Piano - best area for drivers and heavy luggage

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying on the edge of the Sassi. From Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Via Ridola you look straight down into the caves, and it’s a five-minute walk down.
• Transport: Matera Centrale on Piazza Matteotti is in Piano, and this is where the trains to Bari and the buses to the airport leave from.
• Time from Bari Airport: About 1 hour and 15 minutes by direct bus to Matera Centrale.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £120 to £270 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe and lively in the evening, when the locals go for their stroll along Via del Corso and Via Ridola.

Piano means “the plain”, and it’s the part of Matera that sits on top of the rock around the Sassi. This is where the locals live and shop. Via Ridola and Via del Corso are the town’s main streets, lined with cafés, gelaterias and shops, and from the Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio viewpoint on Piazza Vittorio Veneto you look out over Sasso Barisano. Beneath the square lies the Palombaro Lungo, a huge cistern carved into the rock, which you can visit.

On Via Ridola you’ll find the archaeological museum, Museo Domenico Ridola, and from Piazza Vittorio Veneto trail 406 begins, heading down the steps to Porta Pistola, across a wooden bridge in the ravine and up to the Murgia Timone viewpoint. It’s the best view of the Sassi, and if you’d rather not walk it yourself, you can take a guided sunset tour to Murgia Timone with transport for around €42 (about £35).

See hotels in Piano here.

I’d stay here if you’re arriving by car, travelling with heavy luggage or have limited mobility. The Sassi and large parts of the historic centre are a restricted traffic zone that you’re not allowed to drive into as a tourist, and the council recommends the car parks on Via Lanera and Via Saragat. From Piano it’s a short walk to parking, the train and the bus, and the hotels usually have lifts and daylight. If you’re carrying on by train after Matera, you can read my guide to trains in Italy.

The downside is that you won’t be sleeping in a cave, and you’ll be climbing steps every time you come back from the Sassi. If you still want the atmosphere, choose a hotel on Via Ridola or close to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where you can get a view over the caves from the terrace or your room. That way you get the best of both worlds.

Hotels in Piano

Eurostars Matera La Suite - five-star hotel with a spa on Via Lucana

Eurostars La Suite is on Via Lucana in Piano, a few minutes’ walk from the Sassi. It’s a five-star hotel with large rooms, a spa, a steam room and a lift, and the hotel has an arrangement with a nearby public car park where you can reserve a space. One guest complains about the plumbing and a shower where the thermostat didn’t work.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic place! Large rooms with luxurious materials.”

See photos and book Eurostars Matera La Suite here.

Albergo Italia - classic hotel on Via Ridola with views over the Sassi

Albergo Italia is on Via Ridola, right on the edge of Sasso Caveoso, and from the hotel’s terrace you look straight out over the caves. It’s a three-star hotel with a lift, a bar, a 24-hour reception and a private garage about 200 metres away. It isn’t a cave hotel, so you get daylight and a lift, but not the atmosphere of sleeping inside the rock.

From a review: “Excellent location for visiting the Sassi.”

See photos and book Albergo Italia here.

Residence Nazionale Matera - apartments with parking next door

Residence Nazionale is on Piazza Mulino in Piano, about a three-minute walk from the Sassi, and has apartments with a lift and private parking right next door. It’s the cheapest of my suggestions in Piano and a good choice for families who want a bit more space. Street parking is almost impossible, so reserve your space when you book the apartment.

One guest says: “Beautiful apartment, very clean and tidy, great location.”

See photos and book Residence Nazionale Matera here.

5. The countryside around Matera – best area for families and road trips

• Distance to the centre: Around 6 to 10 kilometres from the Sassi, depending on where you stay. Allow 10 to 20 minutes by car to the car park by the centre.
• Transport: You’ll need a car. There are hardly any buses out in the countryside.
• Time from Bari Airport: Around an hour by car.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost around £85 to £180 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe and quiet. Drive carefully on the narrow country roads after dark.

Matera is surrounded by the Murgia, an upland plateau of wheat fields, olive trees and old farmhouses. Many of the large farms, known as masserie, have been converted into hotels with a pool, garden and free parking, and several of them are only a short drive from the Sassi. East of the town lies the Parco della Murgia Materana nature park, with rock churches and caves that belong to the same UNESCO site as the Sassi.

This is the right choice if you’re travelling with children, visiting in summer and want a pool, or doing a road trip around southern Italy. You drive into Matera in the morning, park outside the restricted zone and walk down into the Sassi, then head back to the pool when it gets too hot. You also get more space for your money than in the cave hotels.

See hotels in the countryside around Matera here.

Matera is close to the border with Puglia, and by car you can reach Alberobello in just over an hour and the coast at Polignano a Mare a little later. You’ll find all the best bases in the region in my guide to where to stay in Puglia. The easiest place to pick up a car is Bari Airport, and you can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com.

The downside is that you can’t walk home after dinner in the Sassi. One of you will have to drive, or you’ll need to book a taxi, and out in the countryside restaurants are few and far between. So don’t stay in the countryside if you only have one night in Matera, as you’ll miss the Sassi in the evening, which is the most beautiful time of day.

Hotels in the countryside around Matera

Masseria Fontana di Vite – four-star masseria with a pool and spa

Masseria Fontana di Vite is in the countryside around 10 kilometres from the Sassi. It’s an old farm converted into a four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, restaurant, garden and massages. Parking is free, and there are family rooms. Guests love the setting and the rooms, but several complain that the Wi-Fi is poor.

One guest writes: “An absolutely fantastic place, from the setting to the rooms.”

See photos and book Masseria Fontana di Vite here.

Masseria Torre Spagnola – peaceful farm with a pool and views

Torre Spagnola is around 9 kilometres from the Sassi and has a score of 9.8 from more than 1,400 reviews, one of the highest around Matera. There’s an outdoor pool with a view, a garden, a terrace and free private parking. A few guests find the rooms a little old-fashioned.

From one review: “A beautiful and peaceful place to stay.”

See photos and book Masseria Torre Spagnola here.

Vento Barocco Equitazione e Turismo – farm with horses, a pool and a playground

Vento Barocco is around 6 kilometres from the Sassi and is a riding centre with apartments, an outdoor pool and a playground. It was the cheapest of my three countryside suggestions and suits families who want space and animals around them. One guest did feel that breakfast was a bit limited, though.

One guest highlights: “An excellent choice for a family, a comfortable apartment.”

See photos and book Vento Barocco here.

Where not to stay in Matera?

North and west of the Piano lie modern residential areas such as Lanera and Spine Bianche, where flats can look cheap and central on the map. From many of them it’s a 20 to 30-minute walk to the Sassi along busy roads, and there’s not much going on in the evening. La Martella, around seven kilometres away, was built in the 1950s for the families who were moved out of the Sassi, and it isn’t a place for tourists either. If you can, also avoid staying in Bari or Altamura and doing Matera as a quick day trip, because the Sassi are at their most beautiful once the day-trippers have gone home.

Then there’s the Madonna della Bruna festival on 2 July, when Matera is packed and prices go up. If you love a street festival, book well ahead. If not, pick another week.

If it’s your first trip to Matera, I’d stay in Sasso Barisano and choose a cave hotel that helps with your luggage. If you’re a couple on a romantic break, go for Caveoso or Civita, and it’s worth paying a little extra for the view. If you’re arriving by car or with a heavy suitcase, the Piano is the easy choice, and if you’re travelling with children in summer, you’ll get the most for your money at a masseria with a pool.

Give Matera at least two nights, so you get both a full day in the Sassi and an evening when the lights come on above the ravine. And if you’re travelling on around the country, I’ve gathered the best regions and towns in my guide to where to stay in Italy.

The post Where to Stay in Matera? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

That said, staying in the narrow streets of the Old Town is very different from staying on the seafront promenade or at a beach hotel further along the coast. Here are my five picks for where to stay in Cefalù, with three hotels in each area, from luxury to budget.

Where to Stay in Cefalù: The Best Areas

• Old Town by the cathedral - best area for first-time visitors
• Lungomare and Via Roma - best area for families and beach holidays
• Caldura and Kalura - best area for couples and swimming off the rocks
• Mazzaforno and the west coast - best area for a resort holiday with a car
• The hills towards Gibilmanna - best area for views, a pool and a smaller budget

Below, I go through the five areas with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The Old Town and Lungomare sit side by side, so you can do everything on foot there, while the other three areas lie a little way out of town and suit you best if you have a car or choose a hotel with a shuttle bus. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, and in July and August they are considerably higher.

1. Old Town by the cathedral - best area for first-time visitors

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying right in the centre. From Piazza del Duomo it’s a five-minute walk down to the beach.
• Transport: You can do everything on foot. The railway station is about a ten-minute walk from the cathedral, and taxis wait at Piazza Garibaldi.
• Time from Palermo Airport: About an hour and a half by car, or around two hours by train with a change in Palermo for €13.10 (around £11).
• Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £105 to £325 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds on Corso Ruggero when the day-trippers arrive around midday.

The Old Town is the old fishing village between the rock and the sea, and everything revolves around the Duomo di Cefalù. The Norman king Roger II began building the cathedral in 1131, and inside you’ll see the golden mosaics with Christ Pantocrator in the apse. The cathedral is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale, and in the evening everyone sits at the cafés on the square in front of it.

The main street, Corso Ruggero, runs from Piazza Garibaldi up past the cathedral, and down towards the sea lies Via Vittorio Emanuele with the old wash house, the Lavatoio Medievale, where you walk down stone steps to the basins. On a side street you’ll find the Museo Mandralisca, home to Antonello da Messina’s famous portrait of an unknown man. If you want the stories behind it all, you can join a walking tour with a local guide and an aperitivo from around €59 (around £50).

See hotels in the Old Town here.

I would stay here if it’s your first trip to Cefalù and you want to step out of the door and be in the middle of it all. From the Old Town you can also walk up the path to La Rocca, where in about half an hour you reach the ruins of the Temple of Diana and the view over the town. If you’re touring the rest of the island afterwards, you can read my guide on where to stay in Sicily.

The downsides are the stairs and the cars. Large parts of the Old Town are a ZTL zone, which you can’t drive into without a permit, so ask your hotel where you can park. Many of the small B&Bs are on the second or third floor with no lift, and in summer the streets stay lively until late at night.

Hotels in the Old Town

Palazzo Villelmi - adults-only B&B with a roof terrace right by the cathedral

Palazzo Villelmi is set in an old palazzo a few steps from Piazza del Duomo and has one of the highest review scores in town. The rooms are elegantly furnished, and from the roof terrace you look out over the rooftops and the cathedral. There’s no lift up to the second floor, and breakfast isn’t included in the price, so check your rate before you book.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful rooms in a fantastic location.”

See photos and book Palazzo Villelmi here.

Hotel La Plumeria - four-star hotel with a lift on Corso Ruggero

Hotel La Plumeria sits halfway along Corso Ruggero, a couple of minutes from both the cathedral and the beach. The hotel has a lift, a 24-hour reception and private parking, which is rare in the Old Town. Several guests mention street noise, and breakfast may cost extra, so check whether it’s included in your rate.

From one review: “Fantastic location, friendly staff and lovely big rooms.”

See photos and book Hotel La Plumeria here.

Scirocco - small B&B with breakfast on the roof terrace by Piazza Garibaldi

Scirocco is on Piazza Garibaldi, where Corso Ruggero begins, and has a score of 9.6. Breakfast is made fresh every morning and served on the roof terrace. On the other hand, there are lots of stairs and no lift, but the price was the lowest of the three.

One guest highlights: “Lovely breakfast on the roof terrace. Good location.”

See photos and book Scirocco here.

2. Lungomare and Via Roma - best area for families and beach holidays

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying just west of the Old Town. From the middle of the promenade, it’s a ten-minute walk to the cathedral.
• Transport: The railway station is a few minutes’ walk from Via Roma, and the train to Palermo takes about an hour.
• Time from Palermo Airport: About an hour and a half by car, or around two hours by train with a change in Palermo. The station is closest to this particular area.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £90 to £225 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. Don’t leave valuables unattended on the beach while you swim.

Lungomare Giuseppe Giardina is the promenade running along Cefalù’s long sandy beach, starting at the Old Town and stretching westwards. The sand is fine and the water gets deep gradually, so this is where families with children set up for the day. Part of the beach is divided into lidos with sunloungers and parasols you pay for, but there are also stretches where you can lay your towel down for free. In the morning the beach is almost empty, and at sunset half the town strolls along the promenade with an ice cream in hand.

Behind the promenade lies the newer part of town around Via Roma, with supermarkets, pizzerias and apartments. It’s less charming than the Old Town but more practical, and in the evening you can walk along the seafront to the restaurants by the cathedral. Trains to Palermo leave from the station, and you’ll find the timetables at Trenitalia. If you’d rather stay in the city and visit Cefalù as a day trip, I’ve written a guide to where to stay in Palermo.

See hotels on the Lungomare here.

I’d stay here if you’re a family, or if the beach is the most important part of your trip. From the beach you can also take a boat trip along the coast with snorkelling and aperitivo from around 45 euros (around £40).

The downside is the traffic. The promenade is the town’s main road heading west, and rooms facing the road can be noisy. Parking is expensive and hard to find in summer, so choose a hotel with its own parking if you’re coming by car. In the middle of the day in July and August the beach is packed, so get there early if you want a spot close to the water.

Hotels on the Lungomare and Via Roma

Cefalù Sea Palace - five-star hotel with pool and spa on the promenade

Cefalù Sea Palace sits right on the Lungomare, with sea views from many of the rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa and its own beach area. Breakfast is included and gets praise from guests. Some guests, however, feel the hotel doesn’t live up to its five stars and mention wear and tear in the rooms.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel, large and clean room with a huge terrace!”

See photos and book Cefalù Sea Palace here.

Astro Suite Hotel - four-star hotel with large suites and a garage

Astro Suite Hotel is on the promenade close to the Old Town and has spacious rooms and suites, a lift and its own garage parking. A light breakfast buffet is served. A few guests mention road noise and air conditioning that didn’t work as well as it should.

From one review: “Really nice hotel and suite. Spacious and with everything you need for a short or long stay.”

See photos and book Astro Suite Hotel here.

Baronetto B&B - popular B&B with a lift near the railway station

Baronetto is set in a courtyard off Via Roma, a few minutes’ walk from both the beach and the station, and has a score of 9.2 from more than 800 guests. There’s a lift, breakfast and private parking, though spaces are limited. Guests also mention street noise, and the price was the lowest of the three.

One guest highlights: “Fantastic location with a delicious breakfast!”

See photos and book Baronetto B&B here.

3. Caldura and Kalura - best area for couples and rock swimming

• Distance to the centre: Around two kilometres east of the Old Town. It’s a 25 to 30-minute walk past the harbour to the cathedral.
• Transport: Several hotels run a shuttle bus into town; otherwise you walk, take a taxi or drive yourself. The hotels have their own parking.
• Time from Palermo Airport: Around an hour and a half by car. By train, you go to Cefalù and take a taxi for the last stretch.
• Price level: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £145 to £395 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very quiet and safe. The road into town is dark in several places, so use your phone torch when you walk back in the evening.

Caldura and Kalura make up the headland east of the harbour, where the coastline changes from sand to rocks and small coves. Kalura beach is a small pebble beach with crystal-clear water, and here you can snorkel between the rocks and see fish just below the surface. The beach hotels have their own swimming spots and sunloungers, but there’s also a stretch of the beach where anyone can swim for free. Bring a snorkel and mask, as the water is so clear you can see the seabed several metres down.

The area is made up almost entirely of hotels and villas set in gardens with pines and bougainvillea, and it’s quiet in the evenings. From the terraces you look back across the bay towards the Old Town and La Rocca, and in the evening it’s that view that keeps most people lingering by the pool. On the way into town you pass the harbour of Porto Presidiana, where many of the boat trips along the coast start.

See hotels in Caldura and Kalura here.

I’d stay here if you’re a couple who want a pool, rock swimming and peace and quiet, and who don’t mind taking the shuttle bus or walking half an hour to the restaurants. It’s also the area with the most luxurious beach hotels close to town. If you’re travelling with young children, Hotel Kalura is the most family-friendly choice, with a children’s pool and a playground.

The downsides are the distance and the steps. The walk back from the Old Town after dinner feels long in the heat, and there are often a lot of steps down to the swimming spots by the rocks. The beach is pebbly, so bring water shoes, and expect the area to be quiet outside the season.

Hotels in Caldura and Kalura

Le Calette Bay - four-star hotel with an infinity pool, spa and free shuttle

Le Calette Bay sits on Via Vincenzo Cavallaro with terraces stepping down to the sea, a heated saltwater infinity pool, a spa and its own swimming spot by the rocks. The breakfast buffet with sea views is included, and the hotel runs a free shuttle into town. It was the most expensive hotel in the whole guide, and some guests find the restaurant menu a little limited.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Breakfast with a view of the sea was a lovely start to the day.”

See photos and book Le Calette Bay here.

Hotel Kalura - large four-star hotel right above Kalura beach

Hotel Kalura sits right above Kalura beach and has a pool, a tennis court, a children’s pool, a playground and its own beach area, so it suits families too. The hotel has a score of 8.8 from more than 1,500 guests, and the breakfast buffet is included in the price. Guests mention the distance to town and that you have to leave your car key at reception when you park.

From one review: “The breakfast buffet has everything you could possibly wish for.”

See photos and book Hotel Kalura here.

Blue Bay - apartments with a kitchen, balcony and private beach

Blue Bay sits next to Hotel Kalura and offers large rooms and apartments with a kitchen and balcony, free parking and a private beach down by the rocks. It was the cheapest of the three places. There are a lot of steps both up to the rooms and down to the beach, and breakfast isn’t necessarily included in the price.

One guest highlights: “Loved the room, the private beach and the big balcony.”

See photos and book Blue Bay here.

4. Mazzaforno and the west coast - best area for a resort holiday with a car

• Distance to the centre: About five kilometres west of the Old Town. It’s a ten-minute drive into town.
• Getting around: You’ll need a car or the hotel’s shuttle bus. Town isn’t within walking distance, and the buses are infrequent.
• Time from Palermo Airport: About an hour and a quarter by car along the A20 motorway, and you avoid driving through Cefalù.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £110 to £260 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very quiet and safe. Don’t leave anything on show in the car at the beaches.

Mazzaforno and the neighbouring bay at Ogliastrillo lie along the coast west of Cefalù, where the mountains run right down to the sea. This is where you’ll find a string of resorts and apartment complexes set in green gardens with pools, and the beaches are a mix of small sandy coves and rocks with clear water. From many of the hotels you can see Cefalù and La Rocca in the distance. The beaches are rarely as busy as the town’s main beach, and several hotels have their own beach area with sunloungers, so you won’t have to fight for a spot.

This is a classic beach holiday, where you spend your days by the pool and on the beach and drive into town in the evening. With a car, it’s also easy to head on towards Palermo and the west coast. Check prices for car hire on Booking.com, and pick up the car at the airport when you land. All the options for getting from the airport are in my guide to transport from the airports in Sicily.

See hotels in Mazzaforno here.

I’d stay here if you’re a family or a couple who want a pool-and-beach holiday and have a car. You get more space and more facilities for your money than in town.

The downside is that you’re dependent on the car or the hotel shuttle, and there isn’t much to do in the evening. Several guests say the beach was further away than described, so check the distance on the map. Also expect to pay for parking when you drive into Cefalù in the evening, and check the dates, as many of the beach hotels close over the winter months.

Hotels in Mazzaforno and on the west coast

Hotel Baia del Capitano - four-star hotel with a pool and its own beach area

Hotel Baia del Capitano is in Mazzaforno and has a large pool, a tennis court, a garden and its own beach area, and the breakfast buffet with local produce is included. The hotel can arrange a shuttle into town for a fee. Some guests felt the information about the distance to the beach and the number of sunloungers was misleading.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The pool was absolutely lovely, and the outdoor areas were impeccable.”

See photos and book Hotel Baia del Capitano here.

Hotiday Cefalù Mazzaforno - four-star hotel with a pool and breakfast buffet

Hotiday Cefalù Mazzaforno lies a little further west, with an outdoor pool, restaurant, bar and its own beach area with sunloungers and parasols. The breakfast buffet is included in the price. Its score is lower than the others in this guide, and a few guests were given a different room from the one they’d expected.

From a review: “Really good breakfast and a nice pool.”

See photos and book Hotiday Cefalù Mazzaforno here.

Aura Maris beach residence - modern apartments with a pool by the water

Aura Maris is in Contrada Ogliastrello, with direct access to the beach, a pool with sea views, a bar and free parking. The apartments are modern and clean, but breakfast isn’t included. The price was the lowest of the three, and you’ll need a car to get around.

One guest highlights: “Beautiful location, surrounded by hills and with a fantastic sea view.”

See photos and book Aura Maris here.

5. The hills towards Gibilmanna - best area for views, a pool and a smaller budget

• Distance to the centre: One to two kilometres south of the Old Town. Walking down into town takes 15 to 20 minutes, but the way back is uphill.
• Transport: Several of the places have a free shuttle bus to town and the beach. If you have a car, most of them offer free parking.
• Time from Palermo Airport: Around an hour and a half by car. By train, you travel to Cefalù and take a taxi up the hill.
• Price level: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £75 to £230 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Quiet and safe. The roads up the hill are narrow and don’t always have a pavement, so watch out for traffic when you walk.

South of town, Via del Giubileo Magno climbs up the hills towards the Santuario di Gibilmanna sanctuary, and the slopes are dotted with villas, B&Bs and hotels with gardens, olive trees and pools. From up here you look down over the rooftops of the Old Town, the cathedral and the La Rocca cliff with the sea behind, and in the evening it’s far cooler and quieter than down in town. If you keep driving up the winding road, you reach Gibilmanna, where the sanctuary sits on the mountainside with views over the whole coast and, on clear days, all the way to Palermo.

The area is also the gateway to the mountains. The road continues up to Gibilmanna and on into the Parco delle Madonie, the nature park with 15 municipalities, mountain towns such as Castelbuono and hiking trails with sea views. This is where you get the most space and views for your money, and where you’ll find some of the cheapest accommodation close to Cefalù. If you want to explore the mountains, check the prices of a hire car.

See hotels in the hills above Cefalù here.

I would stay here if you want a pool and a view without paying beach hotel prices, or if you have a car and want to take trips into the mountains. Choose a place with a shuttle bus if you’re not driving yourself.

The downside is the hill. It’s easy to walk down into town, but the way back is steep, and in summer it’s hard going after a day on the beach. Without a car or shuttle, many people end up taking a taxi home in the evening. Also check that the place has air conditioning, because even though the evenings are cooler, the days get very hot in summer.

Hotels in the hills towards Gibilmanna

Hotel Alberi del Paradiso - four-star hotel with gardens, a spa and a free shuttle

Alberi del Paradiso is on Via dei Mulini above the town, with large gardens, a heated saltwater pool with a view, a spa and its own beach area, which the hotel’s free shuttle bus takes you to. Breakfast with Sicilian specialities is included. Guests mention the steep walk to town and that some rooms are small.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The gardens are breathtaking. The pool is a lovely, relaxing spot.”

See photos and book Hotel Alberi del Paradiso here.

B&B Villa Di Giorgi - B&B with a saltwater pool and a top score

Villa Di Giorgi is on Via del Giubileo Magno just above the town and has a score of 9.7. There’s a saltwater pool with a view, free parking and a free shuttle, and you can have breakfast in your room or outside. Guests mention the steep walk up from town and that the air conditioning could be better.

From one review: “A beautiful place in an incredible location, run with great kindness.”

See photos and book Villa Di Giorgi here.

La Casetta di Laura - small holiday home with a terrace and a view

La Casetta di Laura is a small property on Via del Giubileo Magno with a terrace, a kitchenette and free parking. There’s no breakfast, but you can make your own, and the price was the lowest in the whole guide. Guests mention that the walk back up the hill is tough.

One guest highlights: “Fantastic host! Honestly, we loved everything. A well-equipped, clean flat with an amazing view!”

See photos and book La Casetta di Laura here.

Where not to stay in Cefalù?

I wouldn’t book a cheap place far out along the coast road towards Lascari or Campofelice if you don’t have a car. The address may say Cefalù, but you’ll end up spending a lot of time waiting for buses or paying for taxis. Also be wary of cheap flats high up in the hills without a shuttle bus, because the steep road up quickly becomes an ordeal in summer. If you’re arriving by car, avoid staying in the middle of the Old Town unless you’ve arranged parking with the hotel, as you’re not allowed to drive into the ZTL zone, and the public car parks are expensive and full in high season.

If it’s your first trip to Cefalù, I would stay in the Old Town near the cathedral. If you’re travelling with children and want a sandy beach, choose Lungomare, and if you want a pool and peaceful swimming off the rocks, Caldura and Kalura are the best choice. If you have a car and want a resort holiday, stay in Mazzaforno, and if your budget is smaller, or you want views and mountains, choose the hills towards Gibilmanna.

You’ll usually land at Palermo Airport, which is around an hour and a half away. Many people combine Cefalù with a few days on the east coast, and here you can read where to stay in Taormina and where to stay in Catania if you want to fly home from Catania. If you’re travelling in July or August, book early, as Cefalù is one of the most popular seaside towns in Sicily.

The post Where to Stay in Cefalù? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Try to see it all in one week and you’ll spend your holiday on the train. Instead, pick two or three bases that suit your trip and stay at least two nights in each. Here are my 14 suggestions for where to stay in Italy, with good hotels in three price ranges for each place.

Where to Stay in Italy: The Best Areas

• Rome - best city for first-time visitors and history
• Florence - best city for art, architecture and great food
• Tuscany - best area for wineries, hill towns and road trips
• Venice - best city for romance and canals
• Milan - best city for shopping, design and as a gateway to the lakes
• Lake Como - best lake for villas, views and romance
• Lake Garda - best lake for families and active holidays
• The Dolomites - best area for hiking and mountains
• Cinque Terre - best area for colourful villages and coastal paths
• Naples - best city for pizza, street life and Pompeii
• Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast - best area for a classic coastal holiday
• Puglia - best area for trulli, masserie and beach holidays
• Sicily - best island for Greek ruins, Etna and beaches
• Sardinia - best island for white beaches and clear water

I start with the big cities and Tuscany, then the lakes and mountains in the north, and finally the coast and islands in the south. For each place you get a map, the nearest airport and three hotels: the most expensive first, then a mid-range option and finally one for smaller budgets. Transfer times are estimates unless I mention the source.

So how should you choose? For a first trip, the classic triangle of Rome, Florence and Venice is hard to beat, and you can do it entirely without a car. The high-speed trains from Trenitalia and Italo run between the big cities, so Rome to Florence takes just over an hour and a half, and Florence to Venice about two hours. You’ll find out how to buy tickets and choose the type of train in my guide to trains in Italy.

The lakes, the Dolomites, the Tuscan countryside, Puglia and the islands, on the other hand, are places where a car makes your holiday much easier. Most people pick one base here and drive out from it. A good rule of thumb is one base per week in the countryside and two to three nights in each city. If you’re combining city and countryside, only pick up your hire car when you leave the city, as the historic centres are closed to foreign cars and monitored by cameras.

Italy has far more good bases than the 14 I have room for here. Bologna is Italy’s food city and sits in the middle of the railway line between Florence and Venice. In the north, Turin is a quieter alternative to Milan, and Bergamo is an obvious choice if you land at Bergamo Airport. Genoa is the gateway to the Ligurian coast, and Pisa works well for a couple of nights if you fly there. In the Bay of Naples, the islands of Capri and Ischia are great for a few relaxing days by the water. They all have their own guide if you’d like to know more about them.

1. Rome - best city for first-timers and history 🏛️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Piazza Navona in the historic centre. All three hotels are within walking distance of the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain or Termini.
• 🚇 Transport: Metro, buses and trams, but in the Centro Storico you’ll walk most of the time. The metro doesn’t cover the historic centre well.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: The Leonardo Express runs direct from Fiumicino (FCO) to Roma Termini in just over half an hour. From Ciampino (CIA), you take the bus.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The Centro Storico is expensive, and the area around Termini is usually cheaper.
• 👮 Safety: A safe city for tourists, but pickpockets work the rush hour at Termini, the crowded buses and the big sights.

Rome is the obvious place to start a trip to Italy. The city has the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Vatican within a few kilometres of each other, and in between are squares and streets where you can eat well all day long. Three or four nights is about right if you want to see the highlights without rushing.

I recommend staying in the Centro Storico around Piazza Navona and the Pantheon if it’s your first time. From here you can walk to most of the sights, and in the evening the streets are full of life. Trastevere is cosier and a little cheaper, while Monti and the area around Termini are handy if you’re catching an early train onwards.

See hotels in Rome here.

If you want to choose between the neighbourhoods, I’ve written a full guide to where to stay in Rome, with five areas to choose from. What to fit in is covered in my guide to things to do in Rome. Book your slot for the Colosseum and the Roman Forum well in advance on the Colosseum’s official website, as tickets have a fixed entry time and often sell out in high season.

From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express is the easiest option, and the whole journey is described in the guide to getting from Fiumicino Airport to Rome. From Termini, high-speed trains continue to Florence, Naples and Venice, so Rome works as both the start and the end of a round trip.

Hotels in Rome

Hotel Raphaël - five-star hotel with a roof terrace right by Piazza Navona

Hotel Raphaël sits on Largo Febo, a few steps from Piazza Navona, in a building with an ivy-covered façade. The hotel is filled with art, and the roof terrace looks out over the domes of the Centro Storico.

This is my pick if you want to stay somewhere elegant right in the thick of it and walk to both the Pantheon and Campo de’ Fiori. The price is high, and the rooms are small for a five-star hotel: the smallest are 18 square metres. Guests mention the size as the only downside.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel full of art. Great location. Breakfast was fantastic, and the staff were lovely throughout.”

See photos and book Hotel Raphaël here.

Hotel Smeraldo - three-star hotel with a rooftop bar near Campo de’ Fiori

Hotel Smeraldo is on Via dei Chiavari between Campo de’ Fiori and Largo di Torre Argentina, so the Pantheon and Piazza Navona are within a ten-minute walk. The hotel has a roof terrace with a cocktail bar and serves a breakfast buffet.

It’s one of the best-rated hotels in the historic centre in its price range. The rooms vary a lot, from an 8-square-metre single in the annexe to family suites of 70, so read the room type carefully. One guest warns of thin walls and noise at night.

One delighted guest writes: “Exceptionally friendly staff, fantastic location, really good value for money, excellent and varied breakfast and the SWEETEST rooftop bar.”

See photos and book Hotel Smeraldo here.

The RomeHello - modern hostel with private rooms near Termini

The RomeHello is on Via Torino between Termini and Via Nazionale. There are both dorms and private rooms, a bar, a restaurant and a shared kitchen, and the atmosphere is young and social.

I’d choose it if your budget is tight but you still want to stay centrally and close to the trains. The private twin rooms are 13 square metres with a bunk bed, so it’s not the place for a romantic weekend. On the other hand, it scores highly for cleanliness, and one guest’s only complaint is a creaky top bunk.

One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Good-sized rooms. Very clean throughout. Great atmosphere and very helpful staff.”

See photos and book The RomeHello here.

2. Florence - best city for art, architecture and great food 🎨

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Piazza della Repubblica in the middle of the Centro Storico. All three hotels are no more than about 400 metres from the cathedral.
• 🚶 Transport: You can get around the city on foot. Santa Maria Novella station sits on the edge of the centre, and this is where the high-speed trains leave from.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: The T2 tram runs from Florence Airport (FLR) to the centre in about 20 minutes. From Pisa Airport (PSA) you’ll need to take the train, so allow a good hour.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Hotels within the historic centre are expensive, especially in spring and autumn.
• 👮 Safety: A safe city. Watch out for pickpockets in the queues at the Uffizi and the Duomo, and keep an eye on your bag around the station in the evening.

Florence is the city of the Renaissance, and it’s small enough for you to walk between the Duomo, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio in a single morning. Michelangelo’s David stands in the Galleria dell’Accademia, and across the River Arno you’ll find the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. Two to three nights is about right, or more if you want to take day trips out into Tuscany.

The historic centre is compact, so the neighbourhood matters less here than it does in Rome. I would stay inside the old city walls, either around the cathedral or in Oltrarno on the other side of the river, where it’s quieter and there are more local places to eat.

See hotels in Florence here.

If you want help choosing between the districts, you can read my guide to where to stay in Florence, and what to see is covered in the guide to things to do in Florence. Book tickets for the Uffizi and the Accademia in advance, or you’ll be queuing for hours in high season.

If you’re landing in Florence or Pisa, you can see all the options in my guide to getting from Florence and Pisa Airport. Florence is also a good place to pick up a hire car when you’re heading out into the countryside, but do it at the airport rather than in the city. The historic centre is a restricted traffic zone with cameras, and the fines arrive in the post.

Hotels in Florence

Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy - five-star classic on Piazza della Repubblica

Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy stands right on Piazza della Repubblica, a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo. It’s a five-star hotel with a restaurant, bar and gym, and the smallest rooms are 25 square metres.

It’s the most central luxury hotel in Florence and a good choice for a special occasion. The price is among the highest in the city, and if you arrive by car, valet parking costs 65 euros (around £55) a night. Guests struggle to find anything to complain about.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Our stay was absolutely wonderful. The hotel was stunning, the breakfast was excellent, and the staff went out of their way to make our experience really special.”

See photos and book Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy here.

Hotel Pendini - three-star hotel overlooking Piazza della Repubblica

Hotel Pendini is on the corner of Via degli Strozzi and Piazza della Repubblica, so it’s on the same square as the Savoy, but at a fraction of the price. It’s a classic three-star hotel with breakfast and a 24-hour reception.

Here you’re paying for the location. The double rooms are only 14 square metres, and guests themselves mention that the rooms are small. If you want more space, there are two-bedroom suites of 30 square metres. Valet parking costs 37 euros (around £30) a night.

One guest puts it short and sweet: “The staff are friendly.”

See photos and book Hotel Pendini here.

Hotel Dalì - simple, cheap hotel behind the cathedral

Hotel Dalì is on Via dell’Oriuolo, a couple of hundred metres from the cathedral. It’s a small, simple hotel with both en-suite rooms and rooms with a shared bathroom, and no breakfast is served.

It’s my budget pick in Florence, because you’re staying right in the centre at a price that’s otherwise hard to find. The double rooms are 16 square metres. Read the room description carefully, as some guests weren’t happy about sharing a bathroom. The tourist tax is paid on arrival.

One guest says on Booking.com: “The staff were extremely accommodating and friendly, even though I had to change my plans several times.”

See photos and book Hotel Dalì here.

3. Tuscany - best area for vineyards, hill towns and road trips 🍷

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Pienza in the middle of the Val d’Orcia. The hotels are in Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano, which are all no more than half an hour’s drive from each other.
• 🚗 Transport: Car. No trains run out to the small hill towns, and buses are infrequent.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around two hours by car from Florence Airport and just under three from Pisa. This is an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. From simple agriturismo farms to some of Italy’s most expensive country hotels.
• 👮 Safety: A very safe area. Never leave valuables on show in your hire car when you park at the sights.

The Tuscan countryside means cypress-lined avenues, vineyards and medieval hilltop towns, and this is where to stay in Italy if you dream of a pool, a view and long dinners with local wine. I’ve picked the Val d’Orcia south of Siena as a base, because the landscape is the most iconic in the region and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From the Val d’Orcia you can reach Montalcino and its Brunello wine, Pienza with its pecorino cheese and Montepulciano with its deep wine cellars in a single day. Siena is about an hour’s drive north. Stay at least three nights, and ideally a week if you want to relax by the pool between excursions.

See hotels in Tuscany here.

You’ll need a car out here, and the easiest place to pick one up is at Florence or Pisa airport. Check the prices of hire cars at Booking.com, and remember that you’re not allowed to drive into the historic town centres. Park in the marked spaces just outside the walls and walk the last bit.

If you’d rather stay in Chianti, on the coast or in towns such as Lucca and San Gimignano, I’ve written a full guide to where to stay in Tuscany, covering seven areas. If you’re travelling as a group, a whole holiday home can work out cheaper than hotel rooms, and here you can read about agriturismo and holiday homes in Tuscany.

Hotels in Tuscany

Castello Banfi Il Borgo - five-star wine castle near Montalcino

Castello Banfi Il Borgo is a Relais & Châteaux hotel on a large wine estate south of Montalcino. There’s a heated outdoor pool, a restaurant, a garden and wine tastings, and the rooms are large: from 40 square metres upwards.

This is my pick if Brunello wine is a big part of the reason for your trip. Parking is free, but breakfast isn’t always included in the price. Guests find the prices of extras high and hard to make sense of, so check what’s included before you book.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed.”

See photos and book Castello Banfi Il Borgo here.

Hotel Corsignano - four-star hotel just outside the walls of Pienza

Hotel Corsignano is on Via della Madonnina just outside the town walls of Pienza, so you can walk into town in a few minutes and still park at the hotel. There’s a hot tub, a garden and a terrace, but no pool.

The rooms are 19 to 30 square metres, breakfast is a buffet, and there’s free parking, while a space in the garage costs extra. It’s a good choice if you want a hotel base in the middle of the Val d’Orcia rather than a remote farm. One guest felt the water in the hot tub wasn’t warm enough.

One guest puts it simply: “Everything about this hotel is wonderful.”

See photos and book Hotel Corsignano here.

Albergo Il Marzocco - historic three-star hotel from 1860 in Montepulciano

Albergo Il Marzocco is on Piazza Savonarola at the entrance to Montepulciano and has been a hotel since 1860. The rooms are 18 to 58 square metres, and the breakfast buffet features local specialities.

It’s usually the cheapest of my three suggestions in Tuscany and a good choice if you’d like to stay in a town with wine cellars and restaurants rather than out in the countryside. There’s no pool, and Montepulciano sits on a steep hill, so expect to walk up and down hills every day.

One happy guest writes: “Everything was perfect!”

See photos and book Albergo Il Marzocco here.

4. Venice - best city for romance and canals 🚤

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the Rialto Bridge in the middle of the city. Two of the hotels are close to Santa Lucia railway station, and the third is by St Mark’s Square.
• ⛴️ Transport: On foot and by vaporetto, the water bus. There are no cars in the historic city, and the bridges have steps.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Marco Polo Airport (VCE), buses run to Piazzale Roma in about 20 minutes. The Alilaguna boat sails directly into the city, but takes considerably longer.
• 💰 Price level: €€€ to €€€€. Venice is one of Italy’s most expensive cities, especially at weekends and during the Carnival.
• 👮 Safety: A very safe city. Watch out for pickpockets on the crowded water buses and around Rialto and St Mark’s Square.

Venice is all about the Grand Canal, gondolas and narrow alleyways where you get lost on purpose. The city fills up with day-trippers in the middle of the day, and that’s exactly why you should stay the night. Early in the morning and late in the evening, you’ll have the streets almost to yourself. Two to three nights is about right.

If you stay near the station in Cannaregio or Santa Croce, you won’t have to haul your suitcase over lots of bridges. If you stay around San Marco, you’re in the heart of the most iconic area, but you’ll pay the most. Dorsoduro is my pick for a quieter neighbourhood with museums and good bars.

See hotels in Venice here.

I cover the neighbourhoods in my guide to where to stay in Venice, and what you shouldn’t miss is in the guide to things to do in Venice. The journey from the airport is described in the guide to getting from Venice Airport to the city.

On selected days in high season, Venice charges day-trippers an access fee to enter the historic city. Overnight guests are generally exempt, but the rules and the calendar change, so check the city council’s page on the access fee before you travel. High-speed trains run from the station to Verona, Milan and Florence, so Venice is easy to combine with the rest of northern Italy.

Hotels in Venice

Baglioni Hotel Luna - five-star palazzo a few steps from St Mark’s Square

Baglioni Hotel Luna is about 80 metres from St Mark’s Square and close to the San Marco water bus stop. It’s a five-star hotel with a restaurant and bar, and several room categories have views over the water.

The hotel suits you if you want a classic, central stay in Venice and to stroll out onto St Mark’s Square before the day-trippers arrive. Rooms start at 20 square metres, and guests mention that some of them are small and in need of a refresh.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything. The hotel is perfectly located, and the staff are fantastic.”

See photos and book Baglioni Hotel Luna here.

Hotel Antiche Figure - charming hotel on the Grand Canal opposite the station

Hotel Antiche Figure is on Fondamenta San Simeon Piccolo, directly opposite Santa Lucia railway station, with the Grand Canal right outside the door. Breakfast is included, and the best rooms have canal views.

This is my suggestion if you want that Venice atmosphere without dragging your suitcase very far. Rooms are 16 to 24 square metres, and a canal view costs extra. The price is high for a three-star hotel, and the area is busy, as everyone passes by on their way to and from the station.

One guest praises the hotel on Booking.com: “Everything. The staff were fantastic, and the hotel was wonderful.”

See photos and book Hotel Antiche Figure here.

Hotel Abbazia - quiet hotel with a garden close to the station

Hotel Abbazia is on a side street in Cannaregio, about 100 metres from Santa Lucia. The hotel has a garden, a bar and breakfast, and it’s one of the best-rated hotels in its price range in Venice.

I’d choose it if you want to stay in Venice itself at a price that’s actually affordable. Rooms are 15 to 20 square metres, and guests do mention that they’re small. On the other hand, the hotel is quiet, even though the station is just round the corner.

One guest writes: “A beautiful and very elegant hotel where everything is of a very high standard.”

See photos and book Hotel Abbazia here.

5. Milan - the best city for shopping, design and as a gateway to the lakes 🛍️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Duomo di Milano. Two of the hotels are a few hundred metres from the cathedral, and the third is by Milano Centrale.
• 🚇 Transport: Metro and trams. Lines M1 and M3 run to Duomo, and M2 and M3 stop at Milano Centrale.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: The Malpensa Express runs from Malpensa (MXP) to Milano Centrale in about an hour. From Linate (LIN), metro line M4 runs into the city, and from Bergamo (BGY) there are buses to Centrale.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Prices rise sharply during trade fairs and fashion weeks.
• 👮 Safety: A safe city. The area around Milano Centrale can feel a little unsafe late in the evening, so stick to well-lit streets.

Milan is Italy’s wealthiest city, and it’s more about fashion, design, aperitivo and good restaurants than ruins. The cathedral and its rooftop terrace, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper are the big sights, and the Navigli canals are the place for an evening drink.

Lots of people fly into Milan because there are plenty of cheap connections, and the city makes a good first stop before the lakes. Lake Como is about an hour away by train, and Lake Garda and Verona can be reached in a couple of hours. Two nights is enough for the city itself.

See hotels in Milan here.

The Brera and Navigli districts and the area around the Duomo are covered in the guide to where to stay in Milan, and what to see is in the guide to things to do in Milan. If you land at Malpensa, you can read about getting from Malpensa to the city centre, and if you fly into Bergamo, there’s a separate guide to getting from Bergamo Airport to Milan.

If you stay near Milano Centrale, it’s easy to catch the train on to Como, Venice or Rome. If you stay near the Duomo, you get more atmosphere in the evening. Tickets for The Last Supper sell out well in advance, so book them as soon as you know your dates.

Hotels in Milan

Park Hyatt Milano - five-star hotel by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Park Hyatt Milano is on Via Tommaso Grossi, about 200 metres from the Duomo and right by the entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The hotel has a spa, a gym and a restaurant, and the rooms are large: from 35 square metres.

It’s Milan’s classic luxury hotel and my pick if you want to stay right among the shopping streets. The price is very high, and some guests themselves feel it’s on the steep side.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “It’s the best hotel in Milan. The staff are absolutely incredible.”

See photos and book Park Hyatt Milano here.

Hotel Spadari al Duomo - four-star hotel 150 metres from the cathedral

Hotel Spadari al Duomo is on Via Spadari, about 150 metres from the Duomo. Rooms are 19 to 28 square metres, and the breakfast buffet is included in most rates.

The location is hard to beat if you want to walk to the cathedral, the Galleria and Brera. Guests are happy with the staff, but some feel the hotel could do with a renovation.

One guest says: “Fantastic location, very comfortable and clean room, friendly and helpful staff.”

See photos and book Hotel Spadari al Duomo here.

Hotel Berna - four-star hotel close to Milano Centrale

Hotel Berna is on Via Napo Torriani, about 200 metres from Milano Centrale. It’s a four-star hotel with a large breakfast buffet, and rooms range from 11 to 26 square metres.

I’d choose it if you’re heading on by train to the lakes or Venice, or if you’re flying from Bergamo or Malpensa, as the buses and trains leave from Centrale. It’s four stops on the metro to the Duomo. One guest mentions that a couple of the reception staff weren’t particularly welcoming.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were lovely, the location was lovely, the breakfast was fabulous and the room was pretty good.”

See photos and book Hotel Berna here.

6. Lake Como - best lake for villas, views and romance ⛴️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the ferry pier and Piazza Mazzini in Bellagio. One hotel is in the town, one is in the harbour of Pescallo about ten minutes’ walk away, and the third is up the hill.
• ⛴️ Transport: Ferries link the towns on the lake. Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio face each other, with short crossings between them.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow about two hours from Malpensa to Bellagio by train to Varenna and ferry across the lake. It’s a lovely journey.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Lake Como is one of Italy’s most expensive holiday spots in summer.
• 👮 Safety: A very safe area. The lakeside roads are narrow and winding, so drive carefully if you’re coming by car.

Lake Como is all villas with terraced gardens, small towns of pastel-coloured houses and mountains that plunge straight into the water. It’s the most romantic of the Italian lakes, and it suits couples best, along with anyone who wants to relax and hop between towns by boat rather than go swimming.

I’ve chosen Bellagio as a base because the town sits on the point where the lake’s three arms meet. From here there are short ferry trips to Varenna and Menaggio, and Villa Melzi in Bellagio and Villa Carlotta on the other side of the lake are easy to reach. Varenna is a good alternative because it has a railway station. Two to four nights is about right.

See hotels in Bellagio here.

The ferries on the lake are run by the state-owned operator Navigazione Laghi, which also sails on Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. Timetables change with the seasons, and there are far fewer sailings in winter, so check them before you plan your day.

If you want to compare Bellagio with Varenna, Menaggio and the town of Como, I’ve written a full guide to where to stay on Lake Como. If you’re travelling without a car, take the train from Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino and the ferry across to Bellagio. A car is mostly a hassle out here, because parking in the towns is expensive and scarce.

Hotels on Lake Como

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni - five-star grand hotel right out on the tip of Bellagio

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni sits on the waterfront in the middle of Bellagio, a few minutes’ walk from the ferry pier. The hotel has both an indoor and an outdoor pool, a spa, a tennis court and several restaurants, and many of the rooms have lake views.

This is Lake Como’s classic grand hotel and an obvious choice for a honeymoon or a special occasion. The cheapest rooms face the park rather than the lake. One guest feels the service should be even better given the price per night.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything. It was 10/10.”

See photos and book Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni here.

Borgo Le Terrazze - three-star hotel with a pool and lake views above Bellagio

Borgo Le Terrazze is on Via Panoramica, high above Bellagio and about 3.3 kilometres from the ferry pier. All the rooms have lake views, there’s an outdoor pool, and the rooms measure 25 to 30 square metres.

This is my pick if you’re coming by car and want a pool and a view at a mid-range price. Without a car the location is a drawback, but the hotel runs a shuttle bus for a fee. Guests mention that some parts of the hotel need maintenance.

One guest says: “The hotel was fantastic from start to finish.”

See photos and book Borgo Le Terrazze here.

Hotel La Pergola - simple waterfront hotel in the fishing harbour of Pescallo

Hotel La Pergola is by the little harbour of Pescallo on the eastern side of Bellagio, about ten minutes’ walk from the ferry pier. The lake-view rooms measure 17 to 20 square metres, and you can swim from the quay right out front.

It’s usually the cheapest of my three suggestions and a good choice if you want a quiet stay by the water. There’s no pool, breakfast is simple, and the restaurant is closed on some days.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room with a balcony and view exceeded the photos on Booking.com. An absolutely fantastic view over the lake, and it’s easy to get into the water.”

See photos and book Hotel La Pergola here.

7. Lake Garda - best lake for families and active holidays 🚴

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Rocca Scaligera castle at the entrance to the Old Town in Sirmione. All three hotels are no more than around 600 metres from the castle.
• ⛴️ Transport: Ferries and buses around the lake. A car is handy if you want to get to the towns in the north, but the Old Town in Sirmione is closed to cars.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 35 minutes by car from Verona Airport (VRN). That’s an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. Slightly cheaper than Lake Como, with more family hotels with a pool.
• 👮 Safety: A very safe area. Sirmione is packed with day-trippers in the middle of the day in summer, so keep an eye on your bag in the crowds.

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake and the most family-friendly of them all. In the south the landscape is flat, with beaches and theme parks, while in the north the mountains rise above Riva del Garda and Malcesine, where you can go hiking, cycling and sailing.

I’ve chosen Sirmione as a base because the town sits on a narrow peninsula at the southern end of the lake, with Rocca Scaligera castle, hot springs and the ruins of a Roman villa. From here it’s a short trip to Verona and to the railway stations in Desenzano and Peschiera. If you’re into hiking and windsurfing, you’re better off staying in Riva del Garda or Malcesine in the north. Three to seven nights is about right.

See hotels in Sirmione here.

I compare all the towns around the lake in my guide to where to stay on Lake Garda. Verona is only around half an hour’s drive from Sirmione, and if you’d like to see an opera in the Arena, you can read about where to stay in Verona.

Sirmione gets very busy during the day in July and August. If you stay on the peninsula, you’ll get to enjoy the atmosphere in the evening once the coaches have left. If you’re driving, check the hotel’s parking before you book, as you can’t drive into the Old Town yourself.

Hotels on Lake Garda

AQVA Boutique Hotel - adults-only boutique hotel with a beach and pool

AQVA Boutique Hotel is on Via XXV Aprile by the lakeshore, around 600 metres from the castle. The hotel is adults-only and has a pool, its own beach area and a restaurant.

This is my pick for couples who want peace and quiet and direct access to the lake. The rooms are small, from 16.5 to 18 square metres, and parking is outside the hotel and costs 28 euros (around £25) per day. The guests’ only complaint is that they wish they could have stayed longer.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything! Beautiful location, excellent staff who did everything to make our stay perfect.”

See photos and book AQVA Boutique Hotel here.

Hotel Vinci - four-star hotel with a pool and free parking

Hotel Vinci is next door to AQVA on Via XXV Aprile, around 600 metres from the castle. There’s an outdoor pool, a spa, breakfast and free parking, and the rooms are 20 to 27 square metres.

This is my suggestion for families and for anyone arriving by car. You can walk into the Old Town in a quarter of an hour and have the pool waiting when you get back. One guest mentions that some rooms are a slightly odd shape.

One guest praises the hotel: “Good beds, nice rooms, close to the historic part of Sirmione and Lake Garda, a swimming pool, and the breakfast is delicious.”

See photos and book Hotel Vinci here.

Hotel Pace - three-star waterfront hotel inside the Old Town

Hotel Pace is on Piazza Porto Valentino by the lake inside the Old Town, around 270 metres from the castle. The rooms are 18 to 25 square metres, and some have a balcony.

It’s usually the cheapest of my three suggestions, even though it’s right in the thick of things. The rooms are in an older style, and there’s no pool. Parking is 1.5 kilometres away, with a shuttle, for 15 euros (around £13) per day.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Large breakfast buffet with more to choose from than expected. The rooms are bigger than usual, and there’s a large balcony.”

See photos and book Hotel Pace here.

8. The Dolomites - best area for hiking and mountains 🏔️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the tourist office in the middle of Ortisei. Two of the places are a few minutes’ walk from the centre and the cable cars, and the third is about three kilometres up the valley side.
• 🚡 Transport: Cable cars, chairlifts and buses in the valley. A car is handy if you want to cross the passes to the other valleys.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow two to three hours by car from Verona or Innsbruck and about three from Venice. This is an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Many hotels sell half board, and prices peak in July, August and the ski season.
• 👮 Safety: A very safe area. Check the weather before you head into the mountains, as afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.

The Dolomites are all jagged limestone peaks, green alpine meadows and mountain huts where you can tuck into knödel and strudel with a view of it all. The mountains are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and in summer this is one of the best places in Europe for hiking. In winter, it’s all about skiing.

I’ve chosen Ortisei in Val Gardena as the base, because the town has both the cable car up to Seceda and the one to Alpe di Siusi, Europe’s largest high-alpine meadow, right from the centre. People here speak German, Italian and Ladin, and the atmosphere feels more Alpine than Italian. Stay at least three nights so you have a spare day if the weather plays up.

See hotels in Ortisei here.

If you’d rather stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Alta Badia or by Lago di Braies, you can read my guide to where to stay in the Dolomites. It’s a long way from the airports to the mountains, so most people drive themselves. Check prices for car hire on Booking.com and pick up the car in Verona, Venice or Innsbruck.

The cable cars only run in season, usually from late May or June to October and again in winter, so check the opening times if you’re travelling in the shoulder season. In July and August the best-known trails get busy, so set off early.

Hotels in the Dolomites

La Cort My Dollhouse - adults-only four-star hotel with a rooftop infinity pool

La Cort My Dollhouse is in Pineies, about three kilometres from the centre of Ortisei, with a bus stop nearby. The hotel is adults-only and has a rooftop spa with an infinity pool and saunas, and parking is free.

This is my pick for couples who want to end a day’s hiking in a heated pool overlooking the valley. Rooms range from 14 to 27 square metres, so go for a deluxe room with a balcony if you want space. One guest’s only small gripe was about the pillows.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Absolutely everything! One of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in.”

See photos and book La Cort My Dollhouse here.

Hotel Hell - four-star hotel close to the cable cars in Ortisei

Hotel Hell is on Via Promeneda in Ortisei, a few minutes’ walk from the cable cars to Seceda and Alpe di Siusi. There’s a spa and an outdoor hot tub, and the breakfast buffet is included in the price.

This is my choice if you want to be able to walk to both the lifts and the restaurants in town. Rooms range from 16 square metres up to 70-square-metre family suites, so it works for families too. Parking costs 10 euros (around £8) a day, and one guest complains about poor ventilation in the room.

One guest writes: “We loved the place, and the location is just a few minutes’ walk from the cable cars to Seceda and Seiser Alm.”

See photos and book Hotel Hell here.

Residence Magdalena - apartments with kitchens and balconies above Ortisei

Residence Magdalena is on Strada Petlin, about a five-minute walk from the centre and the cable car. The apartments range from 30 to 70 square metres with fully equipped kitchens, and there’s free parking.

I’d choose it if you’re a family or want to cook for yourselves and save on restaurant bills. No breakfast is served and there’s no spa. One guest found the beds a little firm.

One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Spacious, quiet, good parking, convenient location, great shower, lovely view from the balcony and a helpful host.”

See photos and book Residence Magdalena here.

9. Cinque Terre - best area for colourful villages and coastal paths 🥾

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Monterosso al Mare, where two of the hotels are. The third is in La Spezia, about 20 minutes away by train.
• 🚆 Transport: The regional train between La Spezia and Levanto stops in all five villages. In summer there are boats too.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow about two hours from Pisa Airport (PSA) to Monterosso by train via Pisa Centrale and La Spezia. This is an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. There are few proper hotels in the villages, and many people stay in small guesthouses.
• 👮 Safety: A very safe area. The paths are steep and can be closed after rain, so check their status before you set off.

Cinque Terre is five colourful fishing villages clinging to the cliffs on the Ligurian coast: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Between them, walking paths wind through terraced vineyards and lemon trees, and the train links them in just a few minutes.

I’ve chosen Monterosso as the base because it’s the largest of the villages and the only one with a proper sandy beach. It also has the most hotels and restaurants. If you want to save money, you can stay in La Spezia and take the train in each morning. Two to three nights is enough to walk the paths and see all five villages.

See hotels in Cinque Terre here.

The villages are in a national park, and you need a Cinque Terre Card to walk the best-known paths. The card also comes in a version that includes unlimited travel on the regional trains between Levanto and La Spezia. Prices vary with the season, so check them with the national park.

I compare the five villages in my guide to where to stay in Cinque Terre. If you’re coming from Pisa, you can read about transport from Pisa Airport, and if you’d like to combine your trip with a coastal city, Genoa is about an hour north by train. Leave the car behind, as the roads down to the villages are narrow and there’s almost no parking.

Hotels in Cinque Terre

Hotel La Spiaggia - small hotel by the beach in Monterosso

Hotel La Spiaggia is on Via Fegina by the beach in Monterosso, about 100 metres from the train station. Breakfast is included, and several rooms have sea views.

There are no luxury hotels in the villages, so this is the most expensive of my three suggestions. You’re paying for the waterfront location rather than the space, as the rooms are only 11 to 12 square metres. If you’re coming by car, the public car park is nearby and costs about 25 euros (around £20) a day.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location, beautiful sea view, good breakfast, friendly staff. Everything was good.”

See photos and book Hotel La Spiaggia here.

Villa Accini - three-star hotel with free parking in Monterosso

Villa Accini is on Via Molinelli in the newer part of Monterosso, close to Fegina beach. The hotel has free on-site parking, breakfast and rooms with sea views.

This is my pick if you’re coming by car anyway, as free parking is rare in Cinque Terre. The rooms are 11 to 25 square metres, so choose one of the larger categories if there are two of you with suitcases.

One guest writes: “Lovely room in a perfect location.”

See photos and book Villa Accini here.

Hotel Firenze e Continentale - four-star hotel right by the station in La Spezia

Hotel Firenze e Continentale is about 50 metres from La Spezia Centrale, where the trains to Cinque Terre depart. It’s a four-star hotel with breakfast, and the rooms are 14 to 25 square metres.

I’d choose it if you want more hotel for your money and don’t mind a short train ride each morning. In the evening, La Spezia has more restaurants than the villages. The garage costs 25 euros (around £20) a day, and the lift is small.

One guest praises the hotel on Booking.com: “Everything was excellent: staff, comfort, cleanliness, breakfast and parking.”

See photos and book Hotel Firenze e Continentale here.

10. Naples - best city for pizza, street life and Pompeii 🍕

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Piazza del Plebiscito. One hotel is on the waterfront on Via Partenope, and two are in the Centro Storico, about two kilometres away.
• 🚇 Transport: Metro, buses and funiculars up to the Vomero district. The Centro Storico is best explored on foot.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: The Alibus runs from Naples Airport (NAP) to the centre and the port in about half an hour. That’s an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Naples is cheaper than Rome, Florence and Venice.
• 👮 Safety: Keep a close eye on your phone and bag, especially in crowds and around Garibaldi station in the evening. Leave jewellery and expensive watches at home.

Naples is noisy, chaotic and full of life, and it’s the city where pizza was invented. The Centro Storico is packed with churches, narrow streets and pizzerias, and from the city it’s a short trip to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius and the islands in the bay. Two to three nights is about right.

If you stay in the Centro Storico, you’re right in the thick of the street life and close to the best pizzerias. If you stay by the water in Chiaia or on Via Partenope, it’s quieter and prettier, and you’ll have views of Vesuvius. Naples is also a good base if you’re heading on to the Amalfi Coast, Capri or Ischia by ferry.

See hotels in Naples here.

Which neighbourhoods to choose and avoid is covered in my guide to where to stay in Naples, and what to see is in the guide to things to do in Naples. Getting in from the airport is explained in the guide to transport from Naples Airport.

Pompeii is just over half an hour from Naples on the Circumvesuviana local train. Buy tickets and check opening hours on Pompeii’s official website, and set off early, as there’s hardly any shade among the ruins.

Hotels in Naples

Grand Hotel Vesuvio - five-star waterfront hotel with views of Vesuvius

Grand Hotel Vesuvio is on Via Partenope along the seafront promenade, opposite the Castel dell’Ovo fortress. The hotel has an indoor pool and spa, and many rooms have sea views.

It’s the classic luxury hotel in Naples and my pick if you want somewhere peaceful and beautiful within walking distance of Piazza del Plebiscito. Rooms are 20 to 28 square metres, and guests mention that the bathrooms can feel a little dated.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful, luxurious hotel with a spectacular sea view.”

See photos and book Grand Hotel Vesuvio here.

Decumani Hotel de Charme - four-star hotel in a historic palazzo in the Centro Storico

Decumani Hotel de Charme is housed in an old palazzo on Via San Giovanni Maggiore Pignatelli in the Centro Storico. Rooms are 12 to 22 square metres, and breakfast is a continental buffet.

It’s my suggestion if you want to stay right in the historic centre with the pizzerias just round the corner. Guests praise the staff, but some find the beds hard.

One guest says: “The hotel had a great location. The staff were very friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book Decumani Hotel de Charme here.

Hotel Piazza Bellini - three-star design hotel in a 16th-century palazzo

Hotel Piazza Bellini is on Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, close to Piazza Bellini and the National Archaeological Museum. The hotel occupies a 16th-century building and offers both hotel rooms and apartments.

It’s usually the cheapest of my three suggestions and a good choice if you want to stay in the Centro Storico without paying much. Breakfast is included with the hotel rooms but not the apartments. One guest would have liked a bit more variety at the breakfast buffet.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “I was really happy with the cleanliness, the location, the wide choice at breakfast and the decor and size of the room.”

See photos and book Hotel Piazza Bellini here.

11. Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast - best area for a classic coastal holiday 🍋

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Piazza Tasso in the heart of Sorrento, where two of the hotels are. The third is in the town of Amalfi, about an hour’s drive further east along the coast road.
• ⛴️ Transport: Ferries and boats between Sorrento, Capri, Positano and Amalfi in season, and buses along the coast road all year round.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow about an hour by car from Naples Airport (NAP) to Sorrento and an hour and a half to two hours to Amalfi. This is an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Positano and Amalfi are the most expensive, while Sorrento gives you the most for your money.
• 👮 Safety: A very safe area. The coast road is narrow and packed with buses in summer, so think twice about driving yourself.

The Amalfi Coast is all pastel-coloured towns clinging to the cliffs, lemon groves and one of Europe’s most beautiful coastal roads. Positano and Amalfi are the famous names, and Ravello sits high above the sea with its celebrated gardens. Sorrento lies just outside the coast proper, on the peninsula facing Capri.

I recommend Sorrento as your base on a first trip, because the town is bigger, cheaper and has rail links to Naples and Pompeii. Boats leave from here for Capri, Positano and Amalfi, so you can see it all on day trips. If you want to wake up to a view over Positano or Amalfi, add a couple of nights there. Four to seven nights is about right.

See hotels in Sorrento here.

The towns are compared in my guide to where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, and there are separate guides to where to stay in Sorrento and where to stay in Positano. For what to see along the way, take a look at the guide to things to do on the Amalfi Coast.

From Naples, the Circumvesuviana local train runs to Sorrento in about an hour and a quarter, and in summer boats also sail from the port in Naples. All the options are covered in the guide to getting from Naples to Sorrento. Expect lots of steps in Positano and Amalfi, so pack light if you’re staying there.

Hotels in Sorrento and on the Amalfi Coast

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria - five-star grand hotel on the cliff above the Bay of Naples

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is by Piazza Tasso in the centre of Sorrento, yet set in a large garden right on the cliff edge. There’s an outdoor pool, a spa and restaurants, and many rooms look out over the Bay of Naples towards Vesuvius.

It’s Sorrento’s most classic hotel and my pick for a honeymoon or a special occasion. Rooms start at 25 square metres, and the harbour with boats to Capri is close by. One guest feels a renovation would make the experience even better.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “I had an absolutely wonderful stay at this hotel! From the moment we arrived, the service was outstanding.”

See photos and book Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria here.

Hotel Antiche Mura - four-star hotel with a pool in the centre of Sorrento

Hotel Antiche Mura is by Piazza Tasso, a few minutes’ walk from the station and the buses. The hotel has an outdoor pool, and rooms range from 15 to 56 square metres.

It’s my choice if you want a pool and a central location in one. The breakfast buffet is included in the price, but not all rooms have a sea view. Guests mention that the pool area can get busy.

One guest writes: “Everything about the hotel was perfect, from the late check-in to the early check-out.”

See photos and book Hotel Antiche Mura here.

Hotel Lidomare - three-star hotel with sea views in the town of Amalfi

Hotel Lidomare is on Largo Piccolomini in the town of Amalfi, about 80 metres from the beach. Many rooms have their own balcony with a sea view, and rooms range from 11 to 23 square metres.

I’d choose it if you want to stay on the Amalfi Coast itself without paying Positano prices. There’s no pool, the hotel can be tricky to find in the narrow streets, and there are steps up to it.

One guest praises the view on Booking.com: “The view from the balcony was amazing, spacious room, spacious balcony.”

See photos and book Hotel Lidomare here.

12. Puglia - best area for trulli, masserie and beach holidays 🫒

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the old harbour in Monopoli. The hotels are in the countryside, roughly 3 to 10 kilometres from Monopoli’s Old Town.
• 🚗 Transport: Car. The coastal train links Bari, Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, but you’ll need a car for the masserie and the trulli towns.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow around 50 minutes by car from Bari Airport (BRI) to Monopoli and a bit longer from Brindisi (BDS). This is an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. From simple B&Bs to some of Italy’s most exclusive resorts.
• 👮 Safety: A safe area. Never leave anything visible in the car at the beaches and in the towns.

Puglia is the heel of the Italian boot, and the region is full of olive groves, whitewashed towns, rocky beaches and trulli, the round stone houses with conical roofs. The trulli town of Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Polignano a Mare, with its beach tucked between the cliffs, is one of the most photographed places in Italy.

I’ve chosen Monopoli as a base because the town sits right between Bari, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello and Ostuni, and because the Old Town by the harbour is lovely in the evening. Many people choose to stay at a masseria, an old fortified farmhouse converted into a hotel with a pool. Stay a week if you want to combine beach time with the towns.

See hotels in Monopoli here.

The distances are long and the buses are infrequent, so you’ll get the most out of Puglia with a car. Check prices for car hire on Booking.com and pick up the car in Bari or Brindisi. All the best towns in the region, including Lecce and Ostuni, are covered in my guide to where to stay in Puglia.

If you fly into Bari, you can spend a night or two in the port city before driving south. Here you can read about where to stay in Bari. July and August are peak season with high prices and crowded beaches, so travel in June or September instead if you can.

Hotels in Puglia

Borgo Egnazia - five-star resort on the coast south of Monopoli

Borgo Egnazia is at Savelletri, around 10 kilometres south of Monopoli. The resort is built like an entire village in local limestone, with four pools, a spa, a golf course and a beach club a kilometre and a half away.

It’s Puglia’s best-known luxury hotel and a good choice for both couples and families who want everything in one place. Rooms start at 33 square metres, and parking is free. Guests find the restaurants expensive.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “It’s hard to describe how perfect this place is. The grounds are beautiful, with archways overflowing with bougainvillea and nature.”

See photos and book Borgo Egnazia here.

Masseria Torrepietra - four-star masseria with a pool close to Monopoli

Masseria Torrepietra is in the countryside, around three kilometres from Monopoli’s Old Town and three kilometres from the coast. There’s an outdoor infinity pool, a restaurant and free parking, and the rooms are 25 to 36 square metres.

This is my pick if you want to try staying at a masseria without paying luxury prices. Breakfast is included, and guests praise the pool. Some do find a few of the rooms basic and small, though.

One guest writes: “Beautiful place with a fantastic pool, a spacious and clean bedroom and really helpful, friendly staff.”

See photos and book Masseria Torrepietra here.

Torre Cintola Greenblu Sea Emotions - family resort with pools and its own beach area

Torre Cintola is on the coast around eight kilometres south of Monopoli. The resort has two outdoor pools, its own beach area, a kids’ club, a spa and free parking, and the rooms are 22 to 45 square metres.

It’s usually the cheapest of my three suggestions and my pick for families with children who want the beach and a pool in the same place. Guests complain about the restaurant and the payment system, so check what’s included in the price before you book.

One guest says on Booking.com: “Stunning place. Great facilities. Clean rooms. Lots of space for the children to run around.”

See photos and book Torre Cintola Greenblu Sea Emotions here.

13. Sicily - best island for Greek ruins, Etna and beaches 🌋

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Piazza IX Aprile on Taormina’s main street, Corso Umberto. All three hotels are no more than about 400 metres from Corso Umberto.
• 🚌 Transport: On foot in Taormina, the cable car down to the beach at Mazzarò and buses to Catania and Giardini Naxos. A car is useful for Etna and the rest of the island.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow about an hour by car or bus from Catania Airport (CTA). This is an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Taormina is the most expensive town in Sicily.
• 👮 Safety: A safe town. The streets are packed in summer, and parking is difficult and expensive.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, with Greek temples, Baroque towns, the Mount Etna volcano, good beaches and a cuisine with both Arab and Italian roots. The island is big, so it’s a great place to spend a whole holiday, and many people choose two bases: one on the east coast and one near Palermo.

I’ve chosen Taormina as the base because the town sits beautifully on a cliff above the sea, with the Greek Theatre and views of Etna. From here you can take day trips to the volcano, to Syracuse and to the beaches below the town. Taormina is expensive and full of tourists in the middle of the day, but in the evening the atmosphere on Corso Umberto is hard to beat. Three to five nights is about right.

See hotels in Taormina here.

All the island’s holiday areas are compared in my guide to where to stay in Sicily, and Taormina’s neighbourhoods are covered in the guide to where to stay in Taormina. If you’d rather stay in a big city, there are guides to where to stay in Palermo and where to stay in Catania.

Most people fly into Catania or Palermo. The onward journey is described in the guide to transport from Catania and Palermo Airport. If you’re touring the island, pick up your hire car at the airport, but leave it parked while you’re staying in Taormina, as the historic centre is closed to cars.

Hotels in Sicily

Grand Hotel Timeo - five-star Belmond hotel by the Greek Theatre

Grand Hotel Timeo is right next to the Greek Theatre in Taormina, a few minutes’ walk from Corso Umberto. The hotel has an outdoor pool, a spa and terraces overlooking the coast and Etna.

It’s one of Sicily’s most famous hotels and my suggestion for a really special occasion. The price is very high, and parking costs 44 euros (around £35) per day. Rooms range from 22 to 95 square metres, and guests mention that some of them feel a little worn.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Excellent location with wonderful staff.”

See photos and book Grand Hotel Timeo here.

Hotel Isabella - three-star hotel right on Corso Umberto

Hotel Isabella is in the middle of Corso Umberto, a few minutes’ walk from the Greek Theatre. Rooms are 20 to 25 square metres, some have a balcony, and breakfast is included.

This is my pick if you want to stay right in the centre and walk to the restaurants in the evening. There’s no pool, and some guests feel the bathrooms could be better. Parking is at the public Lumbi car park for 15 euros (around £13) per day.

One guest writes: “The location couldn’t really be more central, right in the middle of Taormina on Corso Umberto.”

See photos and book Hotel Isabella here.

Hotel Condor - three-star hotel with breakfast on the roof terrace

Hotel Condor is on Via Dietro Cappuccini, about 400 metres from Corso Umberto. Breakfast is served on the roof terrace with a view, and rooms range from 12 to 38 square metres.

It’s usually the cheapest of my three suggestions in Taormina. It’s a bit of an uphill walk to the centre, and parking costs 25 euros (around £21) per day and must be booked in advance.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Breakfast was excellent and was served on the roof terrace with a lovely view.”

See photos and book Hotel Condor here.

14. Sardinia - best island for white beaches and clear water 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows La Cinta beach near San Teodoro. The hotels are in and around San Teodoro, no more than about five kilometres from the beach.
• 🚗 Transport: Car. The beaches are spread out along the coast, and buses run infrequently outside the towns.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Allow about half an hour by car from Olbia Airport (OLB) to San Teodoro. This is an estimate.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The Costa Smeralda north of Olbia is one of Europe’s most expensive coastlines, and prices drop the further south you go.
• 👮 Safety: A very safe area. Don’t leave valuables in the car at the beaches.

Sardinia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, with white sand and water that looks like something out of the Caribbean. The island is big and wild, and inland you’ll find mountains and small villages that tourism has barely touched. It’s an island for beach holidays and road trips, not city breaks.

I’ve chosen San Teodoro on the north-east coast as a base because it’s close to Olbia Airport and has the long sandy beach of La Cinta, with views of the island of Tavolara. You can reach both the Costa Smeralda and the beaches to the south on day trips. If you’d rather have a town with restaurants and an Old Town, look at Alghero in the north-west or Cagliari in the south. A week is the minimum.

See hotels in San Teodoro here.

You’ll need a car in Sardinia, and you can pick it up at the airport. Check prices for car hire at Booking.com, and book well ahead if you’re travelling in July and August. Getting from the airports in Olbia, Cagliari and Alghero is covered in the guide to transport from the airports in Sardinia.

All the island’s holiday areas, from the Costa Smeralda to Alghero and Cagliari, are compared in my guide to where to stay in Sardinia. The beaches around San Teodoro are packed in August, so arrive early, or travel in June and September, when the water is still warm.

Hotels in Sardinia

Due Lune Puntaldia Resort & Golf - five-star waterfront resort with a golf course

Due Lune Puntaldia is on the Puntaldia peninsula north of San Teodoro, about 34 kilometres from Olbia Airport. The resort sits right on the sea and has a pool, spa and golf course.

This is my pick for couples and golfers who want peace and quiet and good service. Guests praise the golf course and the staff, but mention that dinner isn’t worth the money and that getting into the water at the hotel’s small beach is rocky.

One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Golf, spa, room, very friendly staff.”

See photos and book Due Lune Puntaldia Resort & Golf here.

Hotel San Teodoro - four-star hotel with an infinity pool and a shuttle to La Cinta

Hotel San Teodoro is in Badualga, just outside town. The hotel has an infinity pool with a large terrace, breakfast and a shuttle bus to La Cinta, which is about 2.5 kilometres away.

This is my choice if you want a pool and some quiet while still being a short trip from the beach. The rooms are 18 to 22 square metres, and guests mention that you can’t walk into town from here.

One guest puts it simply: “Everything was perfect.”

See photos and book Hotel San Teodoro here.

Hotel L’Esagono - three-star hotel with direct beach access

Hotel L’Esagono is on Via Cala d’Ambra in San Teodoro, with direct access to the beach. There are two pools, a garden and breakfast, and the rooms are 16 to 21 square metres.

It’s usually the cheapest of my three suggestions and a good choice for families who want to walk straight from their room to the water. Guests mention that service in the restaurant can be chaotic.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good location with direct access to the beach.”

See photos and book Hotel L’Esagono here.

Where not to stay in Italy?

I wouldn’t stay in Mestre to save money on Venice. It’s cheaper, but you miss the city in the evening once the day-trippers have gone home, and that’s exactly when Venice is at its best. Nor would I stay in Milan and do Lake Como as a day trip, because then you get the most time on the train and the least time on the lake.

Don’t stay inside a historic centre if you’re arriving in a hire car and want to park at the door. Rome, Florence, Siena and most small towns have limited traffic zones with cameras, and a fine can arrive in the post months later. And don’t stay on a remote farm in Tuscany or Puglia without a car, because hardly any buses run out there.

And don’t squeeze in too many stops. Italy is long, and getting from the Dolomites to Sicily takes a whole day of travel by plane or train. It’s better to change hotels every third night rather than every night, and choose either the north or the south if you only have a week.

If you have a week, I’d do three nights in Rome, two in Florence and two in Venice. With ten days, you can add three nights in Tuscany or on Lake Como. If it’s a beach holiday you’re dreaming of, pick one base in Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia or Sorrento and stay there for a week or more. If you’re travelling with children, Lake Garda and Sardinia are the easiest choices.

The best months are May, June, September and October. July and August are hot and crowded, and around 15 August the Italians take their own holidays, so the beaches and mountains are packed. The Dolomites are best from late June to September, and in winter it’s ski season. You’ll find more about the seasons and regions at the Italian tourist board.

Book your hotels in Venice, Cinque Terre and on the Amalfi Coast first, as they sell out fastest. Most Italian towns and cities charge a tourist tax per person per night, which you pay at the hotel on arrival. Buon viaggio!

The post Where to Stay in Italy? The 14 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.