Your guide to the best places to stay in Italy
I have visited Italy pretty extensively now. I have been to Tuscany, Puglia, the Dolomites, Mont Blanc, Amalfi, Cinque Terre + Ligurian Coast, Rome, Napoli, Procida & Ischia, Lake Garda, Trento, and some smaller places in between. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the country. Along the way I have gathered up some recommendations from places I’ve loved.
I have also in my travels seen/visited hotels that look fantastic and have great locations, amenities, etc. Or put my friends/family up in places that they’ve since reviewed for me. I will make sure to be very clear throughout this guide which places to stay in Italy I recommend from personal experience and which I believe to be great recs. All of these are spots I can confidently say I have stayed our would stay in Italy.
Each hotel is linked in pink at the beginning of the paragraph so it makes it easy for you to find them!
I should also admit before you read and book your stay in Italy, that I lean a little bit more towards boutique hotels and authentic type stays. You will very rarely catch me in a luxury hotel (unless it is special and unique) or in a chain property. So if those are more your vibe, these places likely wont totally fit.
Bari
Just Here apartments – “Lascia Fare a Dio”: This was such a perfect place to stay in Italy. I wanted to come to Bari to see the famous “pasta grannies” making pasta in the alleyways. It LIVED UP to my high expectations! This house was directly around the corner from this famous street. It was so clean and comfortable, we stayed here with another couple and I wish we’d stayed longer. It had so much space, great bedrooms, and even a rooftop terrace! It was walkable to everything in the Bari Old Town and even to the beach area. I couldn’t recommend this more highly if you want to spend a day or two in Bari.
If you’re looking for more information about staying in Bari and things to do, check out my post here —-> How to Spend a Perfect Day in Bari, Italy
Camogli (one of my favorite places to stay in Italy)
Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi: We absolutely LOVED our time in Camogli and this hotel looks like a dream. It actually looks like its own little world, set on the edge of the town, with stunning views, and beautiful outdoor spaces. I would love to come back someday and stay here and enjoy the luxury while visiting the most delightful town! The property looks insanely beautiful and the views over the town are unmatched. They also have multiple dining options that all have rave reviews. This is a dream property for me in all of Italy honestly. Note: during peak season they have a 7 night minimum stay requirement.
Sublimis Boutique Hotel: We did not personally stay here, we were in a beautiful airbnb. (more details in my blog post below) However, we were traveling with friends and they stayed here and raved about it. They said it was very clean, they were able to have breakfast in their room, they had a really incredible view over the town, and overall it was a wonderful place to be. Sometimes it is really nice to have an adults only stay in Italy as well, and this place provides that.
Locanda Tre Merli : This is a charming little hotel on the port in Camogli. We had a lovely and large room with a big window that opened up to the port. You could eat breakfast out front down by the water and the staff here were super kind and accommodating. It was easy to walk to anything we wanted to do and see from here and we really enjoyed the view!
Camogli just might be my favorite place in all of Italy, I wrote a blog post about why I love it so much, you can find it here —-> Camogli, Your next favorite spot in Italy
Cefalu, Sicily
Palazzo Villelmi: I am becoming slowly obsessed with staying in Palazzos whenever possible and this one did not disappoint. The location is absolutely perfect as it is central and right by the main Duomo. You can walk from here to anything you’d want to do in Cefalu. The rooms are stunning and so well decorated, it feels like going back in time in Italy, but it does not lack for comfort. The shower was wonderful, the bed was large and comfortable, and the whole hotel was incredibly clean. The staff here were very kind and welcoming and made us feel at home.
The best part of this hotel is it’s incredible little rooftop. The views over Cefalu are truly a dream. You can see the Duomo with La Rocca towering behind it. You can also see all the way to the sea. This is the perfect spot to have espresso in the morning & watch sunset in the evening!
Dolomites
Hotel Ambra Cortina: We LOVED our stay here! This hotel had the absolute cutest little bar right inside the front door! We were welcomed with a super friendly staff and a glass of Prosecco (a true perk of a stay in Italy)! All of the staff here were very kind and accommodating. The room was comfortable and had a very large bed, a giant bathtub with a mountain view, and lovely decor. Breakfast was very nice as well and was served in the cutest, coziest little space. The hotel was also right in the heart of Cortina and easily walkable to anything we wanted to do. There was nothing to dislike about this place, I only wish we stayed longer!
Rifugio Lagazoui: My favorite place I may have ever been. The views from this place are NOT real, it is like a movie scene. We hiked here as part of the Alta Via 1 Multi Day Trek. We hiked here from Rifugio Pederu (listed below), which was a very awesome and challenging hike. If hiking like that isn’t for you, you can also drive and take a cable car up.
Hanging out on the deck after a long day of hiking with a nice glass of wine and a charcuterie and cheese board was the BEST feeling in the world. It’s one of the best reasons to stay in Italy. Dinner here was also fantastic! Dinner is communal (this is common in mountain huts) so you are seated with the other visitors for the evening. The menu is set with some choice. Trust me, you can’t go wrong. The staff were all so kind and helpful. We had a private room, but all rooms have shared showers.
It should also be noted that you must pay for tokens to use the showers. The tokens get you about 5 minutes. Trust me when I say, NONE OF THIS MATTERS, because just being here is the best experience. Our room had two single beds lined up head to head, we had cozy comforters and a balcony to look out over the most beautiful scene! I have never seen a more beautiful sunset or sunrise in my life. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t come inside, all I wanted to do was wander around up there and get it all in my brain so I could remember it forever. This is truly a stay in Italy that will live rent free in my head for all time.
Rifugio Pederu: This particular rifugio is renowned for its food and I can confirm their homemade pastas were a dream. This was truly the best food stop on our entire time hiking the Alta Via 1. Each course we were served was really fantastic, they had a full menu and you could order anything you wanted. They also had absolutely INCREDIBLE ice cream. The location is stunning and you can drive there so if you’re not a hiker you can access it. It’s also a popular area for mountain biking. You can stay in private or shared rooms, we had a private room with a balcony and it was so nice and cozy. We loved the views and the vibes here SO much!
Rifugio Averau: As you can see, this spot has some epic views too. We missed sunset here due to a massive hail storm, but sunrise I had ENTIRELY to myself and it was MAGICAL. We hiked here (as with the huts mentioned above), but you could also take a cable car to this one. The food here was excellent, and they had a delightful chocolate cake. We also sampled their cheese and charcuterie of course. We had a private room here as well and it was SO nice. We had our own bathroom and balcony with the most incredible views. Again, you could also stay in a group room here to cut costs.
If you’re interested in hiking the Alta Via 1 and staying in these spots and more, check out my post here —-> Hiking the Alta Via 1 in the Italian Dolomites
Courmayeur (Mont Blanc)
Hotel Crampon: We stayed here in the summer while hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc. I am sure it would be wonderful and cozy in the winter as well. We happened to be here on our anniversary and my sister had called to send us a bottle of Prosecco. They were so excited to have it all ready for us and were so welcoming when we arrived. The room was so comfortable and cozy and you can see the balcony views in the pictures below. It was easy to walk to anything we wanted to see and do in town. This is a perfect place to base if you’re hiking or exploring the area! I think Courmayeur is an underrated place to stay in Italy for sure!
There is a ton to see and do in Courmayeur, and if you’re interested I also wrote a blog post with more information —–> Why You Should Check out Courmayeur, Italy
Folgaria
John Luxury Suites: We visited here in the summer but this is also an amazing winter destination and this hotel would be SO cozy during the winter. In fact, it was equally as cozy during the summer. We loved how it was so alpine themed and had wood finishes everywhere. Our room had it’s own sauna and the most gorgeous steam fireplace! There was a bar/restaurant downstairs that was so nice and had incredible pastries! They also did a great aperitivo and are located right on the main street so you can people watch and enjoy the scene. If you’re looking for a winter stay in Italy, I don’t imagine it gets much better.
Florence (a true dream stay in Italy)
La Terrazza Sul Duomo Firenze: This place actually was a dream of mine since I first saw it, but I didn’t realize it would be attainable for us. We stayed in the “apartment”, not one of the hotel rooms. The apartment has walk out access directly to the terrace, which was amazing. All rooms have terrace access, but only the apartment has walk-out access. The apartment has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. It was comfortable and clean and the host was super kind and helpful. But the real draw was clearly the terrace, we spent SO MUCH time out there! We watched sunrises, sunsets, and everything in between! It is obviously INCREDIBLY well located and I have only wonderful things to say about staying here!
Hotel Santa Maria Novella: An incredible place to stay in Italy on our honeymoon. We had a balcony right on the square. It was so lively and fun to be a part of the scene. The room was so beautiful and luxurious and the hotel interior was just stunning. We also had a rooftop area where you cold hang out and see the rooftops of Florence as well as a peek at the Duomo! This is a great location that is walkable to everything. It is close to the train station and a lot of the main sites. You can’t go wrong if you stay here!
If you’re heading to Florence and are interested in more things to do and see I have a few blog posts here —–> Florence Blog Posts
Lerici
Doria Park Hotel: This charming hotel had views over the entirety of Lerici town as well as the neighboring town of San Terenzo. I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful breakfast views we’ve ever had at a stay in Italy. The breakfast was VERY nice as well. The room was very nice and clean and we had a lovely view over Lerici. My only complaint was that we had a giant tub with a shower head, but you had to hold it to stand up in the tub to shower. Not the biggest deal, but wasn’t thrilling. Maybe other rooms had a different style of shower, it’s worth looking. The property was lovely, the staff were very kind, and there was also a very beautiful terrace that all guests could enjoy. The hotel had parking as well, which was lucky for us because we got stuck with our rental car for an extra day. Parking is always important to consider when looking for a stay in Italy.
Limone Sul Garda
Hotel Castell: This place had truly one of the best hotel views of my life. Make sure to get a room with a lake view, it is GLORIOUS. We were outside SO much just staring at the scene. The rooms themselves are honestly pretty basic, but comfortable and clean. The hotel has a nice breakfast and a very kind staff. One of the great features of this hotel is the pool area. It has an incredible view over the lake and is a very lovely and peaceful place to take a mid day break or a morning dip! This hotel may be a struggle for those with mobility issues, the most direct walk into town is down a considerable amount of stairs. But if you are able, it is worth it for the dream views.
Milan
Hotel Spadari Al Duomo: Another stay that I put my parents in. They were THRILLED. They said the staff was so kind, the room was clean with a great view, the hotel even did a little aperitivo for the guests. They were so excited about how well taken care of they felt. They said it was a great location and they would highly recommend.
Monopoli
In Puglia we stayed in airbnb’s because we were traveling with friends in a group. After spending 4 days in Monopoli we got to know the town well. These are two spots I’d check out if I was looking for a hotel option.
If you’re interested in visiting Puglia we loved having Monopoli as a base, I wrote a blog post with more information here —–> Monopoli: A Great Base for Visiting Puglia
B&B Le Contrade Chiasso Cafaro: This place looks so charming and like quintessential Monopoli. It has excellent reviews and is in a great location. This is likely a spot I’d book if we revisited.
Bellariva B & B and Relax: This spot looks excellent as well. A short walk to the center of the town and views of the beach and ocean. Definitely looks charming and another place I’d consider when coming back! Looks very romantic and has great reviews!
Montepulciano
Residenza Fabroni: This is an incredible place to stay in Italy. Each room in this place was so incredibly beautiful. We loved our suite in this guesthouse and the owners could not have been more kind. They gave us amazing recommendations for food and they also gave us vouchers for breakfast at the best cafe in town. We did a wine tasting with tons of food on the roof of the hotel and it was a highlight of our entire time in Montepulciano. I’m not going to go on and on because I added my blog post below. But this is one of my favorite places we’ve stayed in all of our travels.
I actually loved this spot so much I included it in my post —-> 9 Favorite Hotel Experiences Around the World
Monterosso
Hotel Albergo Degli Amici: I have actually stayed in this hotel multiple times now. The first time was on a solo trip, I loved it, I felt so safe and taken care of. The following visit I brought a bunch of family and friends back to visit. The hotel has a really nice breakfast spread and it is a lovely way to start your day. The most special part was the garden up above the hotel. It has lemon trees, and grape vines, and just the most stunning view over the ocean and town. Especially when visiting with my group, this was the greatest place for us to all hang out and relax or have drinks during our down time. If you’re looking for the best place you can get without completely breaking the bank I think this spot is it. The rooms are clean and comfortable and they have varying layouts. You can also book rooms with a balcony or terrace which are really nice! Another perk of staying here is a discounted ticket on the Cinque Terre card, which you need to get all around the area by train or hiking.
Hotel Porto Roca: This is arguably the nicest hotel in the whole of the Cinque Terre. I recently planned a family trip to the Cinque Terre and my parents stayed here. They absolutely loved it. They had a nice spacious room with a view of the sea, the staff was kind and helpful, they shuttled my mom to and from town (she has mobility issues), the pool area is so stunning, the breakfast was fantastic. This place is my dream spot to stay in Italy someday! They also have an onsite restaurant, a pool, and so many beautiful areas to relax and enjoy the incredible views.
Villa Accini: This was a beautiful stay. It is located on the newer side of Monterosso and is set back a bit from the beach and main area. This was so nice and peaceful. The staff was so kind. The courtyard area was beautiful. I stayed in the front and center room with the balcony and I was so happy with it! They also have an adorable resident rabbit that is always hopping around in the courtyard being super cute.
Hotel Margherita: We stayed at this hotel on our honeymoon and although I would recommend the others above first, it was a really nice and easy stay. It is very well located, very comfortable, and has everything you need for a good visit.
It’s no secret I have a huge passion for the Cinque Terre, if you’re interested in reading more about it, I have a few blog posts, you can find them here —-> Cinque Terre Blog Posts
Naples, Italy
Palazzo Pandola: There really is something special about staying in a Palazzo. They are always so neat, so well decorated, and have such lovely decor! I swear you can’t go wrong when you stay in Italy. This spot was no exception. The building was absolutely stunning inside and our room was HUGE with giant ceilings, a large comfy bed, a wonderful bathroom, and a stunning view! The staff here were truly fantastic, they were so communicative and kind throughout our whole stay. They helped me so much with planning for Naples before our trip and while we were there. If we walked out our front door we were already immersed in the vibrant street scenes of Naples. We absolutely LOVED this stay and I highly recommend it.
Ortigia, Sicily
Maison Ortigia: This is a perfectly charming hotel located right in the center of Ortigia. It is easy to walk to anything you need to do and the hotel is clean and comfortable. I HIGHLY recommend you book a room with a balcony and sea view. The incredible view really can’t be beat and we were thrilled to watch sunrise and sunset here. This hotel is simple but it has everything you’d need. The staff were kind and helpful and the room was clean and large, the price is also excellent for the location!
La Vacanza Ortigia: We booked this spot at the last minute and I was so glad we did. A huge perk was that it was right across from the parking lot at the entrance to town. The views from the room were INCREDIBLE. If I were to book further in advance I 100% would have booked a room with a balcony. However, even the interior view was unreal. We loved watching the sunrise right outside of the window in the morning. The host was incredibly kind and super helpful and welcoming when we arrived. He was also very easy to communicate with. The bed was incredibly comfortable and the place was super clean. You can also walk to anything you’d need in Ortigia and I highly recommend this spot! Bonus: on a clear day you can see Mount Etna from the window! When you’re booking this stay in Italy, try to book a balcony room!
Procida
Casa Claudia: This was the most lovely stay on the absolute most lovely island! I can not express enough how much I loved Procida and there will be posts to come! This apartment was perfect for two people, it was right in the most beautiful neighborhood of the island. The lovely balcony with a view was the best part and we sat outside every single chance we got. The room was clean and comfortable, the bed and shower were very nice. The hosts were fantastic and so helpful. They were easy to communicate with and easy to reach by whatsapp. We were able to check in early and even stay a short time past check out. They were so kind and helpful and I wish we could have stayed longer.
Prosecco Hills
Tenuta Mani Sagge: I literally can not say enough good things about this property. The hosts were incredible, so kind, and so thoughtful, and made our experience amazing. We did a wine tasting, ate dinner here, rode e-bikes around town, and just enjoyed the absolutely incredible scenery all around. Honestly I sincerely believe this is the best Prosecco I have ever had and I wish I could get it in the US. I dream of coming back here. The room was so so clean and so comfortable and I couldn’t recommend this place more highly! I will 100% stay here again in my lifetime, hopefully sooner than later.
I love this area and hotel so much I wrote a blog post about it, you can find it here —> The Best way to Experience Italy’s Prosecco Hills
Riomaggiore (Cinque Terre)
Villa Caterina: This has to be one of the best views in all of Riomaggiore. We absolutely loved staying in this stunning little apartment and wish we could have had more time here. The terrace was perfect for mornings & evenings & everything in between. The apartment was well appointed and clean, had a comfortable bed and a nice shower. You definitely have to be able to handle some stairs to stay here (there really is no alternative for someone with mobility issues). But if you’re able, you will be rewarded. The hosts were very kind & attentive as well and helped with any questions we had during our stay.
Rome
Villa Della Fonte: Trastevere is our favorite neighborhood in Rome and such a beautiful and amazing area to stay in. You can still get to everything easily and with accommodation in Rome being pricey this place didn’t break the bank. It is important to remember that there are definitely areas closer to the main sites. But this neighborhood has such an amazing vibe and it’s a great place to be in the evenings in Rome. It was clean and comfortable and had a nice little rooftop terrace as well!
Buonarroti Guest House: Rome is expensive, this will get you what you need, in a good location, for a reasonable price. Had a bed, shower, AC, and was clean. Sometimes this is just what you need in a city like Rome and it worked very well for us. Honestly I don’t even have a photo of it, its more of a utility hotel. But for us in Rome, this was all we needed on a repeat visit.
Casa Monti: This is one of the rare spots on this list that I haven’t stayed in yet. This is a newer hotel in an area of Rome that I love. Close to everything. A journalist that I follow closely recommended it and I’d love to try and stay someday.
Sirmione (Lake Garda)
Hotel Flamina: The major highlight of this hotel is the dock right onto Lake Garda. You can sit out and enjoy the water at all times of day or night and it is really lovely. The rooms were large and clean and we had a nice little balcony. If we booked earlier I would have made sure to book a lake view room. We also enjoyed that they had a little shuttle to a parking area if you were driving (which we were) and it was super easy and very helpful to not have to drive into the actual town. The staff here were very kind and helpful and the location couldn’t be beat. You could walk to anything you needed within a few minutes!
Sorrento
Grand Hotel la Favorita: We stayed here on our honeymoon and I don’t know if we realized how good we had it. We were babies. The rooftop pool was INCREDIBLE and had amazing views. The whole entire place was so beautifully decorated and perfectly located. This is truly a luxury hotel experience. The breakfast was absolutely out of this world and had so much on offer. This is well located to anything you’d want to do in Sorrento as well. This can be added to your dream list of a place to stay in Italy.
Taormina (Sicily)
Hotel Condor: This is a perfect budget meets lovely views and a good location. The rooms are nice, bright, airy, and clean. The bed was comfortable and the location being just slightly outside of town made it very peaceful at night. You can walk to absolutely everything you need in town, and if you do drive in, they can park your car for you in a paid lot. The terrace is a highlight, you can have views all around Taormina and the breakfast was very nice and had a lot of options. The staff here was super kind and helpful and it was a very lovely stay.
Trento
La Villa Luxury Guest House: This was such a perfect stay for a number of reasons. First of all we booked the apartment that had a huge rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi tub. It was a huge terrace that looked like it should be shared among guests of the entire property, but it was all ours. It had a spiral staircase that went down to our room. The room itself was incredibly clean and comfortable. The shower was huge and had a great pressure.
This stay was perfect for going out and exploring the mountains and lakes all day, and coming home to relax in the evenings. We could walk right into the center of Trento in less than 10 minutes and enjoy all the city had to offer. It also had parking for each apartment, which was very helpful as we were road tripping this area. Overall, I highly recommend this spot and highly advise you to book the room with the terrace!
Treviso
Palazzo Raspanti: This fits the bill again as a unique and local stay in Italy that I loved. Right when I walked in the door I was so impressed by the interior. The host that runs the place was welcoming and thoughtful. I stayed here solo so I wanted a place I felt safe and comfortable. My room was very large and I felt very comfortable here. It was an easy walk to everything I wanted to do in town and it had parking!
If you’re interested in Treviso and want some info about spending more time there, check out my blog post —-> Treviso: A Hidden Gem Near Venice, Italy
Tuscany (Near Siena)
Tenuta Monaciano: We stayed here for our friends wedding and had such a lovely experience. Our friends booked the main house which is absolutely stunning. The interior is so impressive and looks like a palace. If you have a decent size group and could rent that whole space it would be amazing. We stayed down the road from the main house by the pool. It is honestly quite bare bones, but the great thing is you don’t need much here. We spent our time wandering the vineyards, sitting outside and sipping wine, enjoying the scenery, and heading into the Tuscan towns for visits. The views here are stunning and it would be so relaxing to spend a few days here, you can get the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation for your stay in Italy. It was about an hour from Montepulciano, 20 minutes from Siena, an hour from San Gimignano.
I wrote a whole blog post about our time visiting this area, you can find it here —–> What do do with 4 Days in Tuscany
Venice
Hotel Colombina: We stayed here on our honeymoon and arrived by boat which was SO cool! What more could you ask for in a stay in Italy’s city of canals! We had a room overlooking the canal and it was picture perfect. The hotel is gorgeous and provides for a perfect Venice experience. It is also nearby to all the main attractions and makes it easy to walk anywhere you need to go. The rooms were stunningly decorated, breakfast was wonderful, the interior was so lovely. The photos below are views from our room.
Hotel Cannaregio 2357: Ask for room 207! We had an amazing canal view and the room was super clean and comfortable. This is a great location in Venice, it’s walkable to everything and easy to get to the train station, bus station, etc. The area has a very local feel and they recommended an excellent area for us to have dinner as well! This is a bit of a walk from the main sites, but personally is an area of Venice that I really love and appreciate.
AC Hotel Venice: This is a Marriot property so you get what you would expect. A nice hotel near the train station. It’s a little bit of a walk to the main sites but I didn’t mind that at all. It’s a really nice stay and what you’d expect from a Marriott property. The area actually feels a bit more local which I really liked and it had easy access to get to the airport at the end of our stay.
Airbnb with Water Door: This airbnb was a dream come true. One of the coolest places we’ve had a stay in Italy. The door that opened up onto the canal was so wonderful and such an amazing place to relax and watch the world go by. There wasn’t tons of traffic on the water so sometimes we had to wait a bit to see anyone go by. The neighborhood was very local and so lovely and the host was extremely kind and responsive. Also gave us a great restaurant recommendation which we absolutely loved. The bed here was also huge and so comfortable! This place was a huge win!
If you’re looking for a ton of information about how to spend your time in Venice from someone who has been 5 times (I’m losing count), check out my post here —> All You Need to Know to Visit Venice, Italy
Ventimiglia
La Terrazza di Vico Olivi B&B: We were completely charmed by this place and by Ventimiglia in general. If you’re in this area this is a great local place to stay in Italy. The hosts are super kind and accommodating, the rooftop garden area is perfection, the room was comfy and clean. Just a note if you have mobility issues this likely wouldn’t work for you. It’s steep in the town and the stairs in the place are steep too. But if you’re good with it this place is a GEM!
I recently wrote a post about our stay in Ventimiglia and why we loved it so much, you can find it here —-> Mini Guide to Ventimiglia
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