The capital of Sicily, Palermo lies at the head of a bay on the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. In its historic centre, pools are rare: what you mostly find are terraces with a jacuzzi. Any heated pool is more likely to be tucked away along the coast, from Mondello beach to Cefalù and its surroundings, where a few villas keep the water warm out of season. I've selected 5 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Villa Normanno (4.96/5).
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
5 places shown
The pool. Heated infinity pool, at a four-bedroom villa (sleeps up to 7).
The pool comes up in 34 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. The listing doesn't give the heating period: ask the host before you book.
The pool. Small private pool for the suite, advertised as heated.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. It's a small plunge pool, not a pool for swimming: get the temperature and heating period confirmed.
The pool. 8 × 3.5 m private pool, usable day and night year-round, heated from September to June and covered by a transparent dome, with counter-current swimming and balneotherapy.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The dome means you can swim even in bad weather: a good option for an off-season stay.
The pool. Indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Guests mention the pool in general terms.
Guide's tip. Small, recently opened hotel with few reviews: get confirmation that the indoor pool is heated.
The pool. Outdoor pool, described as heated in the Hotels.com selection; hot tub.
The hot tub. Hot tub.
According to the Hotels.com review summary (around twenty reviews), the pool water is considered warm and clean. A few guests also mention the hot tub.
Guide's tip. One of the few pools in central Palermo: ask whether it's heated outside summer.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
The hot tub. Private rooftop terrace with a hot tub and an infinity jacuzzi overlooking the city. Heating not specified.
According to Airbnb's summary, the jacuzzi comes up in around 24 reviews and the pool in 22.
Guide's tip. This is a jacuzzi, not a lap pool: ask the host whether it will be heated on your dates.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in a private, enclosed garden, open from 1 May to 15 October; heating not specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The jacuzzi is only available from May to mid-October: ask whether it's heated.
The hot tub. Seasonal outdoor pool, with no heating advertised; spa with hammam and hot tub.
One traveller mentions the hot tub, another the pool and hammam at the spa. None mentions the temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the spa hot tub is included or costs extra.
The hot tub. Outdoor pool open from April to November, with no heating advertised. Two suites have a private indoor hot tub, and the Lotus cabana a private outdoor one.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hot tub is reserved for three suite categories: specify it when booking.
The hot tub. Shared hot tub, as well as a pool and a children's pool whose heating isn't stated.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the jacuzzi or the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The listing mentions a closure period for the hot tub: check it will be open during your stay.
The hot tub. Outdoor pool (9:00–19:00), with no heating advertised. One suite (Prestige Mulino) has its own hot tub.
Travellers enjoy the pool's setting. None mentions the water temperature.
Guide's tip. For warm water, book the suite with the hot tub.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Villa Normanno (Villa for rent · Airbnb), with 4.96/5 (97 reviews · Airbnb). Next come Le Terrazze dei Candelai – suite privée avec piscine chauffée (4.94/5) and Villa with a private, heated pool for exclusive use near Cefalù (10/10).
None of the places selected in Palermo clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. At Villa with a private, heated pool for exclusive use near Cefalù, heating is seasonal (heated september to june). Villa Dei Melograni Boutique Hotel has an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in Palermo gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
Yes: Bastione Spasimo Boutique Hotel also has a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Luxury Penthouse private roof pool, Villa Olimpia and Villa del Gattopardo Suites & Spa.
Yes, 2 villas and holiday homes are selected: Villa Normanno and Villa with a private, heated pool for exclusive use near Cefalù. Heating is sometimes charged extra: check the listing.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| cefalù nest Deluxe pool house | Infinity pool open from April to December, advertised as not heated | 4,96/5 | Pool not heated |
| Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel | Outdoor pool open in high season only, no mention of heating. | null | Heating not confirmed |
| NH Palermo | Pool open from 15 May to 30 September, no mention of heating. | null | Heating not confirmed |
| Hotel Santa Lucia Le Sabbie d'Oro | Indoor and outdoor pools in Cefalù. | 7,0/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
| Costa Verde (Cefalù) | Hot tub advertised. | 7,6/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
| Hotel Bellevue del Golfo | Hot tub advertised. | 7,2/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
Sources: Airbnb, Rocco Forte Hotels, TripExpert, Hotels.com, Hotels.com.
