Venue

ICEC 2025 will be held in Saracen Sands Hotel located at Isola delle Femmine, about 15 minutes from the airport of Palermo “Falcone Borsellino”, about 45 minutes from the Trapani Birgi airport and only 15 minutes from the city center of one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean - Palermo, the Arab-Norman capital, cradle of many cultures with a priceless charm, is famous for its traditions and food.

The Hotel is in a unique location, overlooking the wonderful bay with crystal clear water. The surrounding landscape, characterized by the Saracen tower of Isola delle Femmine, shines among cobalt blue colors and the sparkling white beach. Saracen Sands Hotel offers a brand new Charme & Relax Wellness Area.

The 237 rooms of the Hotel have a typical Mediterranean design with Sicilian stylistic references.

The Congress Centre, integrated in the Hotel, has 14 meeting rooms, up to 1000 participants. There is ample space for scientific discussions and to relax.

Rooms

The 237 huge and bright rooms have a clear Mediterranean style. Design elements and colours are connected with our Sicilian land.

The hotel is provided with twin/double, triple and quadruple rooms and different categories: Standard, Classic, Superior, Superior Plus, Deluxe and

Suite. The rooms offer air conditioning, telephone, safe, WI-FI, 32 “TV, mini fridge and private bathroom with shower or bath.

Facilities

How to Reach

Saracen Sands Hotel: an area of over 3 hectares characterized by a large main building, recognizable from the surroundings and the sea for its pure white color, surrounded by a lush garden, and located a few steps from the beach. Between the Mollica and Raffo Rosso mountains, the Capo Gallo promontory with its Natural Reserve and the suggestive seaside villages of Mondello and Sferracavallo, Saracen Sands Hotel offers the right compromise between relaxation, family holiday and engaging moments. A unique stay within an area of inestimable naturalistic value and a few kilometers from Palermo, the cradle of the Arab-Norman civilization.

The Hotel has three parking areas for cars.

By CAR:

Highway Palermo-Mazara del Vallo exit Capaci, Isola delle Femmine, then SS. 113 towards Isola delle Femmine, follow signs for Saracen.

By TRAIN:

from FF.SS. Isola delle Femmine Station about 2 Km long. Taxis are available from the station to the Hotel.

By BOAT:

from Genova, Napoli, Civitavecchia, Livorno with the companies Tirrenia Navigazione or Grimaldi. Then go by car or take a taxi/bus to the Hotel (10 Km)

By FLIGHT:

From Palermo airport, transfer by taxi (about 10 minutes – ask for the agreed rate) or shuttle bus to the hotel (11 Km), on request and upon reservation.

The hotel offers a daily shuttle service to / from the Airport, available during the summer, on request from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Just place your luggage in our comfortable seven-seaters shuttle-bus and we will do the rest!

The transfer service must be booked in advance at least 24 hours before the departure with an email info@saracenhotelpalermo.com or a call +39 091 8671423, providing at the same time number of passengers, arrival time and flight number.

If you have reserved the shuttle service from the airport, please kindly give us confirmation of your departure and, once landed, call the phone number in order to confirm your arrival.

Discover Sicily

a short video to taste the paradise.

Nearby Touristic Areas

Excursion with departures directly from Saracen Sands Hotel are available.

Palermo (about 20 km)

Palermo, rich in history and beauties capital of Culture, it shows Art Nouveau villas, noble palaces, 18th century squares, churches and monuments of the Arab-Norman period. Among these the beautiful Cathedral and the Church of the Martorana. Palermo is a fascinating city with almost 3,000 years of history. Explore its glorious past and delve into its vibrant present. Admire sights like the Teatro Massimo, cathedral, and Piazza Pretorio and stroll down lively Via Vittorio Emanuele and through Mercato del Capo.

Borgo Parrini and Carini (about 10 km)

The buildings of this small village will immediately capture you with their colors and clear references to the Spanish architecture of Gaudì. It will seem like you are walking through the streets of Barcelona, while you will admire the murals, majolica and colored glass that embellish the houses. In Carini, the castle and the cathedral can be visited. The first, born as a lookout stronghold, is positioned in such a way as to be visible even from the sea, such as from the Isola delle Female or Ustica, and contains wonderful stories. The cathedral, on the other hand, enriched by many artistic works, is an excellent example of eighteenth-century decoration.

Monreale (about 25 km)

In Monreale you’ll visit the imposing Arab-Norman Cathedral called the Eighth Wonder of the World. The style of this building is appreciated worldwide. Possibility to visit also the splendid Cloister, a masterpiece of art and sculpture.

Erice (about 100 km)

Erice is an ancient city founded by the Elymians, perched at an altitude of 751 m on Mount San Giuliano, a village with unchanged ancient charm. The sober historic town is surrounded by defensive town walls, crowned by a castle, and dominates the surrounding area from its mountainous height of approximately 800 metres above sea level

Historic Cantine Florio (about 110 km)

After a tour through the cellars and presentation of the history of Marsala wine, in the tasting rooms it is possible to evaluate Marsala wine. Nearby it is possible to visit Marsala, in whose port Garibaldi landed in May 1860, a Mediterranean and modern city that is divided between land and sea.

Selinunte (about 100 km)

In Selinunte you’ll admire the ruins of the ancient Greek city and its Temples, located in the largest archaeological park of the Mediterranean, Unesco Wordl Heritage Site. A place which still preserves treasures of one of the most flourishing civilizations; a story that attracts tourists from all over the world. Closeby is also the splendid seaside village of Marinella di Selinunte, to be dedicated to a dip in the blue Sicilian waters or for a bit of shopping in souvenir shops and typical food products.

Cefalù (about 90 km)

Cefalù is a marvelous medieval village, it is situated above a promontory overlooking the Mediterranean and it is famous for the Norman Cathedral. Located between the Madonie and the sea, it is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy with is tiny streets from which offer you nice views. The walk along the center will give you those special emotions.

Favignana and Levanto (Egadi islands) (about 110 km)

Favignana is the largest of the Egadi islands. It is possible to vist the island or diving in the crystal clear waters. Visit the largest tuna fishery in the Mediterranean. In the north side of the island, the most beautiful coves: Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra. Levanzo is a nearby island time available to discover the small fishing village.

San Vito and Zingaro Natural Reserve (about 70 km)

Visit the beauty of the Zingaro and Tonnara di Scopello reserves. Both well known for their pure nature and amazing seaviews. You will discover the most beautiful bays and you will get the chance to have a bath in those stunning crystal clear waters. Visit also popular San Vito Lo Capo golden beach, with a Caribbean-colored sea.

Agrigento and the Valley of temples (about 150 km)

Visit of the famous Valley of the Temples (World Heritage Site). Among the almond trees, there are the ruins of ancient Akragas; you can admire the temple of Juno, that of Concordia and the Temple of Hercules.

And many more places to vist in Sicily

Sicilian food