Vacation packages
Stays
Cars
Flights
Support
AARP Member Savings
My Trips
AARP.org
Join
Renew

Rifugio Sapienza

Ski inn with ski-in/ski-out access and free breakfast

Choose dates to view prices

Located near Silvestri Craters, Rifugio Sapienza welcomes visitors with a free breakfast buffet and an onsite café. The sunny terrace provides a perfect spot to relax after a day on the Etna Cable Car slopes, while the library offers a quiet retreat for reading.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast included
  • Room service
  • Pet friendly
  • Housekeeping
  • Parking included

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Classic Single Room

Classic Single Room | Bathroom | Shower, bidet, towels

Classic Single Room

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Double Room

Double Room | Premium bedding, down comforters, minibar, in-room safe

Double Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Twin Room (2 Single Beds)

Twin Room (2 Single Beds) | Premium bedding, down comforters, minibar, in-room safe

Twin Room (2 Single Beds)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Triple Room

Triple Room | Premium bedding, down comforters, minibar, in-room safe

Triple Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 3 Twin Beds

View all photos for Quadruple Room

Quadruple Room | Premium bedding, down comforters, minibar, in-room safe

Quadruple Room

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds OR 4 Twin Beds

View all photos for Family Room

Premium bedding, down comforters, minibar, in-room safe

Family Room

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed and 3 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Map
Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza, Nicolosi, CT, 95030

What's nearby

  • Etna Cable Car - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Silvestri Craters - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Mount Etna - 19 min drive - 9.3 miles
  • Etna Park Visitor Center - 30 min drive - 12.3 miles
  • Etnaland - 47 min drive - 22.9 miles

Getting around

  • Catania Ognina Station - 38 min drive
  • Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) - 73 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪La Cantoniera - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Terrazza dell'Etna - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Monte Gebel - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Antica Dolceria Dell'Etna - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Bar Crateri Silvestri - ‬7 min walk

About this property

Rifugio Sapienza

Inn near Etna Cable Car
Located close to Silvestri Craters, Rifugio Sapienza provides a free breakfast buffet, a terrace, and shopping on site. Skiers and snowboarders can spend time on the slopes at this inn featuring ski-in/ski-out access. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a coffee shop/cafe and a library.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
  • Free self parking
  • Bike rentals, a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), and a front-desk safe
  • Luggage storage, an elevator, and meeting rooms
Room features
All guestrooms at Rifugio Sapienza offer thoughtful touches such as premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes.
More amenities include:
  • Down comforters and cribs/infant beds (surcharge)
  • Bathrooms with showers and bidets
  • Flat-screen TVs with satellite channels
  • Daily housekeeping and desks

Similar properties

Panoramic Studio, Sea View | Private kitchen | Espresso maker, electric kettle

Etna Royal View

  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, 38 reviews
Etna Royal View

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge) from 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM on request
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Library
  • Shopping
  • Ski-in/ski-out access

Family friendly

  • Crib (surcharge)
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • In the mountains
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Crib (surcharge)
  • Down comforter
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bidet
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Minibar
  • Room service

More

  • Desk
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of EUR 20 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are available for EUR 10.00 per night

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: EUR 1.00 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: EUR 100 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 5)
  • Pet fee: EUR 20 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Crib (infant bed) fee: EUR 10.00 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Rifugio Sapienza Inn Nicolosi
Rifugio Sapienza Inn
Rifugio Sapienza Nicolosi
Rifugio Sapienza
Rifugio Sapienza Nicolosi, Italy - Sicily
Rifugio Sapienza Inn
Rifugio Sapienza Nicolosi
Rifugio Sapienza Inn Nicolosi

Frequently asked questions

Is Rifugio Sapienza pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. There's a fee of EUR 20 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking at Rifugio Sapienza?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Rifugio Sapienza?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Rifugio Sapienza?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Does Rifugio Sapienza provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs 7:30 AM–11:00 PM on request. A fee of EUR 100 per vehicle applies.

Where is Rifugio Sapienza located?

Situated in Nicolosi, this ski inn is within a 10-minute walk of Etna Cable Car and Silvestri Craters.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Rifugio Sapienza Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 66 out of 145 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 63 out of 145 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 12 out of 145 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 145 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 145 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kyeongmo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The refugio was very good for the travellers. It was clean and dining was good. The staff was kind ans helpful.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dominic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly and helpful too.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carmen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great customer service, staff super friendly and helpful, room was very comfortable and had everything needed, good location and restaurant food was superb. Highly recommended.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Ruffier

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Belle chambre spacieuse mais odeur pestilentielle d égout , et surtout très bruyant rodéo de voiture sur le parking tard dans la nuit , mauvaise insonorisation mais situation au top pour l'Etna et bon petit-déjeuner personnel adorable
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Giovanni

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Ottimo

Esperienza positiva è staff al top
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Veli-Matti

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Yllätys oli, että aamiainen sisältyi huoneen hintaan. Tämä olisi ollut hyvä tietää etukäteen. Ikävää, että moottoripyörälle ei ollut mitään suojaa, kun Etna levitti tuhkaa ja kiveä.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cristina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
comodissimo per le gite sull'etna

10/10 Excellent

paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Site exceptionnel

Site exceptionnel. La chambre était meublée en bois style montagnard mais spacieuse. Le petit déjeuner était excellent. La réception était disponible. Elle nous a conseillé sur le choix des guides pour l'ascension de l'Etna. En passant par l'hôtel, nous avons bénéficié d'une réduction et du panier repas. Juste les pizzas du restaurant qui n'étaient pas extraordinaires. Je recommande l'hôtel et l'excursion proposée par l'hôtel.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Wybo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Rifugio Sapienza had everything we could hope for. Nice room, great restaurant, a super breakfast each day, and the best location for exploring Mount Etna!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Annamaria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Accoglienza e gentilezza di tutto il personale. Straordinario!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Antonino

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly people, very hospitable. The room is comfortable. The food at the restaurant was delicious. We enjoyed our stay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not great service but good pizza

The breakfast was not up to standard. The people that worked behind the cafeteria Did not tell us what was included, they Were not service oriented at all. Other people got juice, it was not even offered to us. The day of our arrival same thing when we bought some stuff from the cafeteria. Bad service and slow service. We did try some other cafeterias at other hotels and got really good service and friendly service. The pizzeria that was in the hotel was different and had very friendly staff and the pizza was very good. The room was pretty old and the electric outlet was only one in the room and it almost fell out of the wall. Overall we do not think this hotel deserves so high rating however if the staff downstairs had been nice it had been a different experience. Guessing they are very bored with their jobs. The hotel is very close to the cable cars so that is a plus.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Petit paradis

Hotel très agréable, dans un cadre magnifique et zvec un restaurant succulent.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Highly recommend, great experience with the hotel

We had a lovely time in Rifugio Sapienza, excelent location, right next to the cable car to Etna, good food and large portions, lots of choice also for breakfast. Room was clean and has comfortable beds, large balcony. Highly recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Herbert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Prima locatie om etna hike te staren
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

SIMONA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Struttura ottimamente gestita, le camere sono essenziali ma non manca nulla. Ottima anche la colazione come pure il servizio ristorante.Hanno un parcheggio privato e custodito davanti al rifugio e si trova a 1 minuto dalla funivia che porta in vetta.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Bruno

Liked: Staff & service

Super beliggenhed i meget smukt område.

Super beliggenhed i et meget smukt område. Beliggende ved alle aktiviteterne til Edna. Venlig personale og rigtig super morgenmad. Værelserne var OK, bortset fra en kraftig lugt fra kloak/toilet. Bemærk ingen klimaanlæg på værelset, hvilket kan være et problem om sommeren. Udmærket restaurant på hotellet. Stedet er et besøg værd og kan anbefales til kortere ophold for at besøge området.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

HELIOT

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Très bon accueil, restaurant avec btrès bon accueil et rapport qualité prix excellent buonissimo seul bemol nous avons eu chaud et une seule petite fenetre avec un spot allum toute la nuit ;)
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Giuseppina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Personale cordiale, camere pulite, ottima la pizza
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Tutto perfetto

Bella la location, personale accogliente. Abbiamo mangiato alla pizzeria del rifugio, tutto molto buono e abbondante. Ci ritorneremo volentieri
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Gillian

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Solid hotel choice

Pros: Great value for the location, decent food choices, friendly staff, free on site parking Cons: Our room had a slanted ceiling and I hit my head on it constantly (and I’m 5’4). Cleanliness of shower could be improved.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

LUISA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Struttura bene organizzata ed efficiente considerando l'altitudine in cui opera nulla di negativo anche il ristorante e discreto
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

marco luca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cortesia e disponibilità estreme. Struttura adeguata al luogo. Ristorante semplice ma ottimo.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Établissement correct, rien de plus.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Tenna

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfekt til oplevelser på Etna

Perfekt beliggenhed til oplevelser på Etna. Kabelbanen ligger lige ved siden af. Der er ikke ordentlig ac, så meget varmt på værelset. Personale ok, men for travlt/for lidt. Værelset er lille og ikke noget særligt, men der er det der er brug for og det var ok rengjort.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

  • † More information about the $50 gift card with flight package benefit may be found at: https://www.expedia-aarp.com/lp/b/vacationpackages50prepaid

  • English Copyright 1995 – 2025. All rights reserved. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Expedia User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Expedia pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP’s intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purpose of AARP. All goods or services and discounts offered via the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia ®, are provided by third-party suppliers. AARP and its affiliates do not endorse and are not responsible for the goods or services and discounts made available on this site. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia® directly for full details. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.