How to Find Cheap Hotels in Sicily, Italy

The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is renowned for its art, cuisine and architecture. The region is packed with interesting places to see and history to enjoy, from the capital city of Palermo to the majestic Mount Etna.

Things You'll Need

• Passport
• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

Know Your Destination

1. Immerse yourself in the region's diverse cultural influences. Conquered and shaped by Arabs, Greeks, Romans and Normans, Sicily has a unique blend of architecture, food and atmosphere.

2. Plan to find accommodations for at least a week in Sicily, Italy if you are interested in being able to see it all. The island is quite large, and there are several tourist destinations you won't want to miss.

Organize Your Transportation

1. Fly into the Aeroporto Falcone Borsellino in Palermo if you find cheap tickets and you are planning on finding accommodations in or visiting the cities of Palermo, Agrigento or Trapani. Buses run into each of these cities daily from the airport, which is located in Punta Raisa (about 20 miles outside of the city of Palermo).

2. Consider utilizing the train system in Sicily during your stay. The main railway lines are an efficient and cheap way to travel between many of the main cities in the region, and other parts of Italy.

3. Use the bus services on the island. Buses are the cheapest way to be able to see all of Sicily, from the main attractions to the more quaint pockets of the island.

4. Fly into Catania with cheap tickets if you plan on finding accommodations in or visiting the towns of Catania, Via Etna, Palermo, Taormina, or Siracusa. The Fontanarossa Airport has buses that travel to these destinations, and is only 3 miles from the city of Catania.

Choose Your Lodging

1. Decide where you want to book cheap accommodations on the island of Sicily. Agrigento, Catania, Cefalu, Noto, Palermo, Siracusa, Taormina and Trapani are all popular tourist destinations providing accommodations on the island. To book accommodations, contact Sicily Tourism at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

2. Search for cheap accommodations on a travel search engine. Consider booking accommodations together with your airline ticket for cheaper rates.

3. Seek out alternative forms of lodging for cheap rates and local flavor. Sicily, Italy is home to a number of family-run guesthouses, some of which have been operating for generations.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a taxi or bus from your accommodations to the central train station in the city where you are staying. The station serves as a great reference point for wherever you want to travel on the island, and will connect you with the transportation information you need.

• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.