Renting a whole villa or house means having the heated pool to yourself, with family or friends. In Sicily, the sunshine stretches out the season, but a heated pool lets you swim in warm water from spring to autumn. Here are the 8 villas and holiday homes I've selected in Sicily, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Villa Normanno, Villa Horama, Waterfront with Infinity Pool and Panoramic House Between Sea and Nature Sicily.
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.
8 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. Heated infinity pool facing the sea, at a five-bedroom villa (sleeps up to 10).
The pool comes up in 2 guest reviews; the view, in a great many more.
Guide's tip. Few reviews so far: get the heating period confirmed before you book.
The pool. Pool with hydromassage, advertised as heated in winter and cool in summer; the listing also mentions a heated jacuzzi.
The hot tub. Heated jacuzzi with hydromassage.
The jacuzzi is mentioned in 27 traveller comments, according to the listing page, though I don't have the text.
Guide's tip. Sleeps 4 at most: ask the host about the water temperature in winter.
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. Heated private pool in the garden, at a two-bedroom house. A cover is provided to keep the heat in overnight.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. From November to April, heating is charged: ask for the price when you book, and put the cover back on every evening.
The pool. Small 3.5 × 1.8 m private plunge pool, heated up to 32 °C if needed, with heating included in the price.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. It's a pool for relaxing, not for swimming: ideal after a day exploring Noto.
The pool. Two private pools: a large saltwater pool with panoramic views and a heated mini-pool with hydromassage.
The pool comes up in 8 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. Only the mini-pool is advertised as heated: don't count on the big pool for a warm swim out of season.
The pool. Rooftop infinity pool, open year-round, heated on request, at a three-bedroom villa.
The pool comes up in 6 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. Heating costs €100 a day and must be requested at least two days in advance; the listing is vague about how to pay, so ask them to clarify.
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. 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.
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 Villa Horama, Waterfront with Infinity Pool (4.93/5) and Panoramic House Between Sea and Nature Sicily (4.85/5).
Yes at La Cava Boutique Home: the pool is advertised as heated all year round. At Panoramic House Between Sea and Nature Sicily, Villa with a private, heated pool for exclusive use near Cefalù and Shati Luxury - Private heated pool, heating is seasonal (heated in winter). Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: Jusqu'à 32 °C at Villa Edda. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Panoramic House Between Sea and Nature Sicily also has a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Villa Claudia • Garden & Jacuzzi • 2 min to Beach.
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 · Palermo | Infinity pool open from April to December, advertised as not heated | 4,96/5 | Pool not heated |
| Tenuta Carabollace (Levante) · Sciacca | Shared jacuzzi, advertised as not heated; seasonal shared pool. | 4,92/5 | Jacuzzi not heated |
Sources: Guide Michelin, Belmond, Oyster, Airbnb, Rocco Forte Hotels, TripExpert, Hotels.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz, Expedia, Airbnb.
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