"Fab location right on Etna, a couple of minutes' walk from a couple of huge craters."
Alexandra from United Kingdom
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"This is a real mountain hotel!"
Mbooker from Germany
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"Terrific place to stay and Refugio overall has the vibe of a mountain hotel."
Krzysztof from Poland
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"Location, location, location... perfect spot for early mornings' volcano sunrise spotting and hike up."
Bart from Belgium
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"Excellent location: great place to hike Etna, very close to the cable car."
dk1234567 from United Kingdom
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Mountain lodge 10 meters from the Mount Etna cable car
Location & Access
Rifugio Sapienza sits at 1,910 meters above sea level, just 10 meters from the cable car linking to the top of Mount Etna. Guests have ski-to-door access and free private parking behind a security gate. The hotel is 4 kilometers from EtnAvventura adventure park and a 25-minute drive to Nicolosi center.
Dining
The on-site restaurant serves local Sicilian dishes with generous portions and offers gluten-free options. A complimentary breakfast buffet includes fresh pastries, eggs, and freshly squeezed orange juice. The bar and coffee house on site provide wine, champagne, snacks, and packed lunches for excursions.
Rooms & Amenities
Rooms come with private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. The property offers family rooms, wheelchair-accessible units, and facilities for disabled guests. Pets are allowed, and the hotel has a 24-hour front desk with concierge services and luggage storage.
Activities & Services
Ski equipment hire, ski school, and ski storage are available on site. The hotel rents bicycles and organizes bike tours, cycling, walking tours, and guided excursions with multilingual staff. Guests can access the Monte Nero Zappini Nature Trail directly from the property.
Highlights
Location: 10 meters from Mount Etna cable car
Access: Ski-to-door and ski rental on site
Dining: Local Sicilian dishes & gluten-free options
Parking: Free gated private parking
Services: Multilingual staff & tour desk
Extras: Pets allowed, family rooms, wheelchair accessible
Must-do experiences
Visit the stunning Valle del Bove for breathtaking volcanic views.
Try the local specialty, Arancini, at Bar Pasticceria D'Amato.
Explore the ancient ruins at the Greco-Roman Theatre in Catania.
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Etna Wine Road for exquisite wines.
Check out the Nicolosi market on Saturdays for fresh local produce.
Select your room type
Rifugio Sapienza offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Double Room Terrace
2 persons
220 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Family Room Terrace
2 persons
485 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed and 3 Single beds
Heating
Shower
room details
Quadruple Room Terrace
2 persons
485 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed and 2 Single beds
Heating
Shower
room details
Show all rooms
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Facilities
Rifugio Sapienza offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Facilities: Great
8.2/10Review score
General
No smoking on site
Parking
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Ski to door
Ski storage
Lift
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access
Sports & Fitness
Ski school
Hiking
Cycling
Services
Paid shuttle service
Housekeeping
Ski equipment hire
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink
Dining
Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus
Business
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Children
Cots
Children's menu
Room features
Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Media
Flat-screen TV
Room decor
Parquet floor
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Rifugio Sapienza: Location in Sicily
Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza, Nicolosi, 95030,
Map view
City landmarks
Landmark
Sciovia Piano dell'Omino
5100 ft
Landmark
Craters Silvestri of Mount Etna
2300 ft
Landmark
Castle Etna Excursions
3400 ft
Park
Parco dell'Etna
2.2 mi
Landmark
La Montagnola
1.3 mi
Landmark
Chiesetta Madonna della neve bianca regina
1.3 mi
Landmark
Sciovia Piccolo Rifugio - Montagnola Platter
1.4 mi
Landmark
Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania
1.4 mi
Landmark
Neviera di Casa del Vescovo
1.5 mi
Store
Parco Avventura EtnAvventura Serra La Nave
1.5 mi
Landmark
Etna
1.6 mi
Landmark
Monte Vetore
1.6 mi
Landmark
Lapide F. Malerba
1.6 mi
Landmark
Bocca Effusiva 1886
1.8 mi
Landmark
Casa dello Sciatore
1.8 mi
Landmark
Hornitos
1.8 mi
Landmark
Pino Folgorato
1.8 mi
Cave
Grotta dei Tre Livelli
1.9 mi
Landmark
San Giovanni Gualberto
2.0 mi
Landmark
Altarino
2.3 mi
Landmark
Monte Zoccolaro
2.3 mi
Landmark
Crateri barbagallo
2.4 mi
Landmark
Philosopher's Tower
2.5 mi
Nearby
Mount Etna Base
100 ft
Etna South/Nicolosi
300 ft
Monti Silvestri Lift
400 ft
Seggiovia Biposto Monti Silvestri
600 ft
Gruppo Guide Alpine Etna Sud
600 ft
Altare Madonna della neve
600 ft
Meridiano dell'Etna
700 ft
Restaurants
Esagonal
300 ft
Piazzale Funivia Snc Nicolosi Nord - Etna Sud
Explore Nicolosi
Explore the Area
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Craters Silvestri of Mount Etna
9 minutes walking
Unique volcanic craters showcasing stunning landscapes, perfect for photography and short hikes.
Castle Etna Excursions
13 minutes walking
Guided tours explore the volcanic terrain and historical sites, offering breathtaking views and educational insights.
Parco dell'Etna
10 minutes driving
Sparkling park featuring diverse flora and fauna, scenic trails, and picnic areas for family relaxation.
Hiking at Monti Silvestri
2 minutes walking
Scenic hikes with various trails for all levels, showcasing stunning views of Mount Etna.
Parco Avventura EtnAvventura
25 minutes walking
Thrilling outdoor adventure park with zip lines and obstacle courses, perfect for families and thrill-seekers.
Esagonal
2 minutes walking
Cozy atmosphere offering traditional Sicilian dishes, known for its homemade pasta and local wines.
Ristorante Pizzeria Da Antonio
10 minutes driving
Family-friendly pizzeria featuring wood-fired pizzas and fresh seafood, ideal for casual dining.
Etna Winery Tours
10 minutes driving
Wine tasting experiences in nearby vineyards showcasing local varieties and the region's rich wine culture.
Centro Commerciale Etna
20 minutes driving
Shopping center with a variety of shops, a cinema, and family-friendly entertainment options.
Getting around Sicily
City Centre
Nicolosi 13 min · 5.0 mi
Airports
Fontanarossa (CTA) 60 min · 24.5 mi
Comiso (CIY) 182 min · 75.4 mi
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:00
Check-out
from 07:00-10:00
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Breakfast
A full breakfast is served at the price of EUR 0.1 per person.
Children & extra beds
There are no extra beds provided in a room.
Pets
Pets are allowed on request.
Languages
English, Spanish, Italian
Number of rooms:
20
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback about Rifugio Sapienza from previous guests about their experience.
Cleanliness
8.4/10
Comfort
8.4/10
Facilities
8.2/10
Free Wi-Fi
8.9/10
Location
9.6/10
Staff
9.1/10
Value for money
8.1/10
Pros
Excellent Mount Etna access
Comfortable beds
Helpful excursion staff
Beautiful terrace views
Cons
Basic room amenities
Slow restaurant service
Outdated furnishings
Guest reviews
based on 2169 reviews
8.4/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.
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