8.4

1,922 reviews

Rifugio Sapienza

Rifugio Sapienza

Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza, Nicolosi, 95030, Italy

Reservations:

+1-833-728-2041

Choose dates to view prices

Skiing

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Tour desk

Bar

Ski rental on site

Non-smoking rooms

Rifugio Sapienza

Welcome to Rifugio Sapienza, your cozy mountain retreat nestled in the heart of Nicolosi, Italy! Just 9.1 km from the bustling city center, this charming hotel offers you a perfect escape from the daily grind. With a starting price that fits any budget, you’ll find yourself wrapped in the warm ambiance and stunning natural beauty surrounding this gem. Whether you dream of gliding down the slopes in winter or soaking up the sun in summer, this hotel caters to all your adventurous needs.

Get ready to roar with excitement as you explore the thrilling skiing opportunities right at your doorstep! Not only is this hotel pet-friendly (with a few extra charges), but it also provides free private parking, making it incredibly convenient for guests with furry family members. With free Wi-Fi, a delightful restaurant, and the luxury of non-smoking rooms, you’re ensured a stay filled with comfort and relaxation. Oh, and don’t forget to sip on a cocktail at the bar after that exhilarating day outdoors – you’ve earned it!

With 1,922 reviews from previous guests singing its praises, it’s clear that Rifugio Sapienza is a beloved spot. Enjoy the ease of accessible upper floors, complimentary toiletries, and cozy private bathrooms. Perfect for all travelers, including families, this hotel guarantees a memorable experience filled with fun, nature, and Italian charm. Book your stay today and get ready to conquer the mountains and savor the beauty of Italy!

Once you’ve settled in at Rifugio Sapienza, prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure! The on-site restaurant, Ristorante #1, boasts a traditional atmosphere where you can indulge in authentic Italian cuisine. Dine on classic dishes and regional specialties, thoughtfully prepared to tantalize your palate and nourish your soul. Whether you're warming up after a day on the slopes or simply looking to unwind, your dining experience here promises to be as memorable as the mountain views surrounding you.

But wait, there's more! When you're not busy exploring the great outdoors, immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture. Nicolosi, a charming town with a rich history, beckons you to wander its streets and discover artisanal shops, quaint cafes, and the warm hospitality of the locals. As you stroll, be sure to stop for a gelato or a coffee at one of the cozy spots and savor the essence of Italian lifestyle while soaking in breathtaking vistas of Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano.

And let's talk about the coziness of your accommodations! Designed with your comfort in mind, each non-smoking room at Rifugio Sapienza guarantees a restful night after a day filled with adventure. From family-friendly options to intimate settings for couples, there’s a perfect space for everyone. With private bathrooms and delightful little touches, you'll feel right at home while enjoying the breathtaking beauty that surrounds you. Don’t just take our word for it—come and experience the charm, fun, and relaxation that await you at Rifugio Sapienza!

Closest airports

Catania–Fontanarossa Airport

16.6mi

Sigonella Naval Air Station

21.1mi

Reggio Calabria Airport

43.9mi

Comiso Airport

53.2mi

Most popular amenities

Skiing

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Tour desk

Bar

Ski rental on site

Non-smoking rooms

Wheelchair accessible

Elevator

Bidet

Free toiletries

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Rooms

Show 6 photos

Family, Terrace

Balcony

Flat-screen TV

Wheelchair accessible

x8

+

x4

More details

Show 5 photos

Room, Terrace

Balcony

Flat-screen TV

Wheelchair accessible

x10

+

x6

More details

Show 4 photos

Classic

Flat-screen TV

Wheelchair accessible

x10

+

x6

More details

Show 4 photos

Economy

Flat-screen TV

Wheelchair accessible

x10

+

x6

More details

Show 3 photos

Quintuple Room

More details

Family

1 Double Bed

3 Twin Beds

Room service

x8

+

x4

More details

1 Double Bed and 3 Twin Beds

Internet - Free WiFi

Entertainment - Flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food & Drink - Room service

Sleep - Premium bedding

Bathroom - Private bathroom and shower

Practical - Safe and desk; cribs/infant beds available on request

Comfort - Daily housekeeping

Non-Smoking

Double Room

1 Double Bed

Room service

x4

+

x3

More details

1 Double Bed

Internet - Free WiFi

Entertainment - Flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food & Drink - Room service

Sleep - Premium bedding

Bathroom - Private bathroom and shower

Practical - Safe and desk; cribs/infant beds available on request

Comfort - Daily housekeeping

Non-Smoking

Room Selected at Check in

More details

Guest reviews

8.4

1,922 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇮🇹

Daniel

10

July 2022

Proximity of Mount Etna, Silence, Room Cleanness, Very friendly staff, Awesome Restaurant (very responsible and attentive staff, very good food taste and complete application of food safety procedures). The breakfast is complete and composed by very good candies and fruits). The price is compatible with the location/quality of the service. Certainly I would get back there again.

The price of goods in the convenience store (like water) is a little bit high, however, is a consequence of the location I believe.

🇬🇧

Gibbsuk

9.1

June 2022

We arrived an hour early and were checked in straight away, and as a bonus they upgraded our room to one of only 3 with a balcony. The hotel is old and showing its age, but the location is excellent. They also gave us a 30% discount for the cable car and truck that takes you up towards the summit. As the tickets cost 68 Euros each that's a big bonus. The restaurant is very good. House wine is 11 Euros a litre and very drinkable, and portions are large and there is a lot of variety. Finally as we arrived at 2pm the car park was full but it's easy to find a place to park a bit further away. As the cable car closes at 4pm all the coaches and most cars leave by 5pm and then you can park next to the hotel.

🇬🇧

Larissa

9.1

September 2022

Very close to Etna of course! With great links to the cable car/jeep or for walking up yourself. There is a good restaurant downstairs and lots of souvenir shops if you like that kind of thing. Staff were friendly and helpful and the food was great. Parking also available right outside.

The beds were a little uncomfortable. Had to pay tourist tax as extra - which is pretty standard for Sicily.

🇵🇱

Kamil

10

May 2024

We enjoyed the breakfest, there were many options including not only delicious sweet Italian pastries, but also scrumbled and boiled eggs, toasts, fresh orange juice and suprisingly many more. The location cannot be better, it is a minute from the cable car station so we saw Etna in the morning without crowd of people (they all were there waiting for thier turn while we were going down). The carpark is there, which is helpful.

The taste of water there is diffrent than we are used to,it dominated cappuccino.

🇩🇪

Anthony

9.1

March 2022

Free parking was available just outside the rifugio entrance. The staff were helpful and efficient. The absence of heat to our room was dealt with immediately and successfully. The breakfast was of good variety, plentiful and delicious. The hot chocolate was the best I had during our 6 week journey through Sicily. The location is adjacent to the cable car taking people up to 2,500m and to a number of easy walks. It is also surrounded by the tourist infrastructure providing guided walks, quad bike hire etc. We paid €50 each for a guided walk from the top of the cable car ride up to the craters at 3,000m (€80 each if including the cable car) and it was truly one of the most exhilarating and panoramic walks we have done. The walk was purchased from the small hut just below the entrance to the rifugio and our guide (Giuseppe) was magnificent for his knowledge and obvious enthusiasm for the mountain. The rifugio provides discount vouchers that give 30% off the cable car (ie €21 rather than €30 return). The rifugio restaurant is also well worth a visit. There is a varied, reasonably priced menu. We both had the risotto with porcini mushrooms, which was superb. Special mention to "Sebe" in the restaurant for his friendliness.

The room was quite basic for the money paid, but one has to remember its fairly remote and high maintenance location. Only staying 2 nights. 3 would have been better.

🇲🇹

Mbmbmb

9.1

February 2022

As is very evident, the hotel is situated on Mt. Etna. The views of Sicily are breathtaking and the rooms are very nice. For breakfast, they have a whole selection of pastries in the cafeteria, which doesn't serve only the hotel. That makes it very nice because there is a wide selection. There is also ample parking.

Being on the Etna, you need to go there in order to enjoy spending time on the Etna. There is just 1 restaurant in the area, and nothing much else to do, but that is its purpose and it does that beautifully. Etna is a mountain and not a tourist resort so you can't expect them to have more facilities.

🇬🇧

Dominic

8.2

January 2022

Staff were super friendly. Dinner was great - and massive. Breakfast was also plentiful. the room had a lovely balcony and was pretty spacious

i wouldnt recommend booking the hike through the hotel. We thought that would make it easier but actually we just watched lots of other groups leave and then we got shipped off to a truck down the road where they were selling tickets. it was just a bit of a mess. the actual tour was fine but there are so many tour companies there it would be super easy to organise it yourself and I wished we had done that

🇮🇹

Salvatore

10

August 2022

Great place and location. Confort was good, just the bathroom aspirator a bit noisy. Great restaurant, breakfast, staff, parking and access to activities.

Bathroom aspirator a bit noisy...

🇺🇸

Nicholas

9.1

June 2024

Staff were great and patient with an American who is trying to learn Italian lol. You get free meals, three times a day. I don’t think you can find that anywhere and it’s good quality and portions. Great location to Etna but a little remote to anything else.

No air conditioner in the room. It was a lil stuffy at times but you can open the windows, which helped a little.

🇦🇺

Richard

9.1

October 2023

The hotel is in a typical mountain lodge style, high up on the mountain. Rooms are fairly basic, as per the style, but comfortable and clean. We had booked a 4 bed room, and were happy to find there were 2 bedrooms. Staff were helpful and friendly. The included breakfast was generous and tasty. We had dinner at the restaurant, which was excellent. Local food and wine and very generous servings.

There was a very strange smell in the bathroom in the evening, although by morning it had gone

Points of Interest Around Rifugio Sapienza

Attractions

Mt. Etna (Monte Etna)

3.5mi

Gambino Winery (Vini Gambino)

10.3mi

Aci Castello

12.8mi

Via Crociferi (Via dei Crociferi)

14.3mi

Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena (Monastero Benedettini di San Nicolò l'Arena)

14.4mi

Catania Archaeological Park (Parco Archeologico Greco-Romano di Catania)

14.4mi

Piazza Duomo

14.5mi

Ursino Castle (Castello di Ursino)

14.6mi

Taormina Piazza Duomo

18.7mi

Taormina Cathedral (Duomo) and Piazza del Duomo

18.7mi

Castelmola

18.8mi

Piazza IX Aprile

18.9mi

Corso Umberto I

18.9mi

Taormina Roman Odeon

18.9mi

Mazzarò Beach (Lido Mazzarò)

19.3mi

Restaurants

Ristorante #1

Cuisines

  • Italian

Ambiances

  • Traditional

Amenities of Rifugio Sapienza

Skiing

Restaurant

Free Private Parking

Free wifi

Tour desk

Bar

Ski rental on site

Non-smoking rooms

Wheelchair accessible

Elevator

Bidet

Free toiletries

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Stay rules - Rifugio Sapienza

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Reservations

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property