BookNoFees
Holiday rentals in Sicily.
BookNoFees is expanding in Sicily. Be among the first stays travellers discover here.
The difference
A host wants NZ$1,975. Here’s what it costs.
The host keeps their full price. The displayed total includes a 3.9% cost contribution for Stripe payment fees and refunds. BookNoFees earns nothing from it.
Take a simple example: an owner who wants to earn $1,975 for a week.
| What each platform takes | Airbnb | Booking.com | BookNoFees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform commission | 15.5% | 15%–25% | 0% |
| Payment processing & protection | included | contract-specific | 3.9% |
| Owner keepson a $1,975 listing | $1,669 | $1,481–$1,679 | $1,975 |
| Guest paysfor $1,975 to reach the owner | $2,337 | $2,323–$2,633 | $2,052 |
Over 18 weeks let, that is more than $4,938 a year in this example — money that stays with the guest or reaches the owner.
Rates checked in September 2026. Under its single-fee structure, Airbnb charges most hosts 15.5%; Airbnb says other hosts typically pay between 14% and 16%. Exceptions depend on country and account type. Booking.com sets the commission rate in each accommodation agreement, and visibility programmes may increase it. This worked example uses a possible range of 15% to 25%. If Booking.com facilitates payment, the applicable payment terms and transaction cost are contract-specific. Our 3.9% cost contribution is included in the displayed total and contributes towards Stripe payment fees and refunds. BookNoFees earns nothing from it. Nothing is added at checkout and nothing is deducted from the owner. Fee models can change, so please check each platform’s current terms. Sources: Airbnb Help Center and Booking.com General Delivery Terms.
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About Sicily
Staying in Sicily
Sicily is the biggest island in the Mediterranean and feels less like a region of Italy than a country of its own, layered with Greek, Arab, Norman and Spanish histories. In the south-east, a cluster of honey-coloured baroque towns — Noto, Ragusa, Modica and Scicli, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and collectively protected by UNESCO as the Val di Noto — sits within easy reach of Syracuse and its island heart, Ortigia. To the north-east, Mount Etna, one of Europe's most active volcanoes, looms over Catania and the cliff-top resort of Taormina. Palermo anchors the north coast with its markets, mosaics and street food, while the wilder west runs out to Trapani, the salt pans and the beach town of San Vito lo Capo. Off the north coast, the volcanic Aeolian Islands offer slow, boat-based days. Add Cefalù's cathedral and sands, long summers and a kitchen that runs from arancini to cannoli, and Sicily rewards a longer, unhurried stay.
Good to know
Holiday rentals in Sicily — FAQ
When is the best time to visit Sicily?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are generally considered the sweetest windows: mild, warm weather that suits sightseeing, hiking on Etna and the baroque towns, with the sea still swimmable well into autumn. July and August are hot and busy — ideal if your priority is the beach, less so for long days walking around Palermo or Syracuse. Winter is quiet and cool, with some coastal and island services running on reduced timetables.
Do I need a car to get around Sicily?
A car is genuinely useful, especially for the south-east baroque towns, the Etna foothills, the west coast and reaching quieter beaches, where public transport can be sparse. Cities such as Palermo, Catania and Syracuse are walkable and connected by trains and buses, so many visitors combine city stays with a few days of car hire for the countryside. If you plan to island-hop to the Aeolians, note that hydrofoils carry passengers only, so a car is a coastal-Sicily tool rather than an island one.
How do I reach Sicily and get to the Aeolian Islands?
The main airports are Catania (Fontanarossa) for the east, Palermo (Falcone–Borsellino) for the north-west and Trapani for the west; car ferries also cross from mainland Italy to Messina and to Palermo. For the Aeolian Islands, the usual gateway is Milazzo on the north coast, with year-round ferries and hydrofoils; hydrofoils are fastest but carry no vehicles, while car ferries are slower and cheaper. Seasonal summer connections also run from Palermo and Messina. Always check current timetables before you travel.
Which are the must-see baroque towns in south-east Sicily?
Noto is the showpiece, a golden-stone stage set of a town, with Ragusa Ibla, Modica (famous for its grainy chocolate) and Scicli close by — several of them featured as backdrops in Italian TV crime drama. Base yourself in or near Syracuse, whose old town of Ortigia sits on a small island reached by bridge, and you can day-trip around the whole Val di Noto by car. Taormina, further north below Etna, is a separate, more resort-style baroque-and-medieval town with sea views.
Can you visit Mount Etna, and is it safe?
Yes — Etna is one of Sicily's headline experiences, and its lower and mid slopes are a popular day out from Catania or Taormina, with roads, a cable car and guided walks up towards the summit craters. Because it is an active volcano, access to the higher zones depends on current volcanic activity and weather, and is sometimes restricted; guided visits are the safest way to go higher. Bring warm layers and proper footwear even in summer, as it is much cooler and windier at altitude than on the coast.
What food is Sicily known for?
Sicilian cooking is a cuisine in its own right, shaped by Arab and Mediterranean influences. Look for arancini (stuffed fried rice balls), pasta alla Norma with aubergine, fresh seafood and swordfish, caponata, and street food such as panelle in Palermo. The sweets are legendary: cannoli, cassata and, in the hot months, granita with a brioche for breakfast. Modica is known for its distinctive chocolate, and the island's wines — including reds from the slopes of Etna and sweet Marsala from the west — are well worth exploring.
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