When to visit Sicily 

When someone asks me ‘when is the best time to visit Sicily’, I usually respond ‘not in August’. 

August is the height of the summer vacation season in Italy. It doesn't just get extremely hot but it's the busiest time of the year to travel.

So knowing when to visit Sicily (and when not to) can be incredibly helpful.

In this post, I’ll be sharing information on the best time to visit Sicily as well as other practical travel tips. 

Use this post to help plan your trip to Italy.  

My Sicily travel tips and/or when to visit Italy also contains more useful planning advice. 

When to visit Sicily 

Many Italians book their getaway to islands like Sicily or Sardinia meaning these destinations are much busier than usual.  

The following section provides a month-by-month breakdown of the kind of weather (average temperatures) you can expect when visiting Sicily. 

With the weather becoming unpredictable, it’s always wise to check beforehand and to be prepared for any eventuality. 

January and February in Sicily 

From our experience of traveling frequently, and living, in Sicily, we rarely visit Sicily in January or February.  

Our reasons are personal rather than anything related to the weather. But if you’re thinking of traveling to Sicily in January and February, here’s what you may expect. 

Average daily highs can reach 53.6°F (12°C) and can drop to 44.6°F (7°C) at night in Sicily in winter. And while temperatures are milder than in the north, the humidity makes it feel much cooler. Because of this, make sure to pack the right clothes and appropriate outerwear.  

Rainfall is also more likely in Sicily in January and February, with an average of 14 days during both months. 

Other factors to consider when to visit Sicily 

In winter in Sicily, you may find that some services may be closed or offer a limited service. This includes hotels, restaurants and attractions. You may find the same situation if you visit Venice in winter.  

Because of this, it’s always best to check this information beforehand to avoid any disappointment. 
If you plan on visiting Catania in February, you can’t miss seeing the Feast of Sant’Agata. Taking place from 3 to 5 February, it’s a big and lively celebration in honor of the city’s patron saint. 

March in Sicily 

The weather sees an improvement when March arrives in Sicily. However, like the previous 2 months, the humidity can make it feel colder. 

Average temperatures in March in Sicily can range from lows of 46.4°F (8°C) at night to maximum highs of 59°F (15°C). Speaking from our own experience, we visited IUTA Glamping & Farm in Noto, southern Sicily and experienced very strong winds. So bitter was the wind that I’d to keep my winter coat on all the time. 

But with an average of 8 hours of sunshine and 19 dry days, March can be good for certain activities. For instance, the temperatures are ideal if you plan to go hiking on Mount Etna. 

April in Sicily 

April isn’t a bad month to visit Sicily.  

Maximum temperatures hover around 63°F (17°C) and fall to average lows of 50°F (10°C) at night. The water temperature at around 62.6°F (17°C) won’t be quite warm enough for swimming but general temperatures aren’t bad. 

Bringing appropriate outerwear and even an umbrella won’t go amiss if visiting Sicily in April. It’s a month that you may consider visiting sites like Valley of the Temples in Agrigento or Segesta. These large archaeological sites can be hard work in temperatures of 86°F+ (30°C+). 

It’s also in April that many hospitality services begin to open again. Many hotels re-open either before, or after, Easter. The same can apply to restaurants (in smaller cities and towns across Sicily). 

May in Sicily 

(Late) May is probably my favorite time to visit Sicily. It’s a period when spring comes into full force bringing temperatures that are warm but not overbearing. The crowds are also fewer in Sicily in May, meaning you really get to enjoy attractions. 

Daily average temperatures in May can reach maximum highs of 69.8°F (21°C) and average lows of 55.4°F (13°C).  

While the temperatures are perfect for general sightseeing, May weather may not yet be warm enough for water activities. Water temperature can reach a peak of around 68°F (20°C) which may be warm for some, but cool for others. 

For the most part, May in Sicily is a dry month. However, there are always exceptions to the ‘norm’ and May 2023 was one of them. Italy was showered with torrential rains and thunderstorms throughout the month. We experienced this downpour during our trip to the Amalfi Coast. 

Another great reason to visit Sicily in May is for the Infiorata di Noto. A colorful floral festival that takes place over a weekend, it’s unique and one you won’t find elsewhere.  

Map of Sicily

June in Sicily 

Summer arrives early in Sicily in June, but it’s still the quiet part of the season. Daily maximum temperatures can reach a nice 77°F (25°C) and drop to just 62.6°F (17°C) at night. 

It means you can leave any heavy outerwear and sweaters at home and exchange these for lighter alternatives. Average water temperatures can also arrive at 77°F (25°C). It’s a good temperature to swim or bathe at the beaches of Lipari or at Isola delle Correnti.  

June is also the start of the 3-month school summer holidays in Italy. While many Italian families usually wait till August to vacation together, you may notice some taking their vacations earlier. 

July in Sicily 

Things begin to really heat up in July in Sicily, both literally and figuratively. Average temperatures can range from 71.6°F (22°C) to 93.2°F (34°C) and the risk of rainfall is low (3 days). But while the weather may be sweltering, the water temperature in Sicily at 84.2°F (29°C) is perfect for cooling off. 

Sicily in July will mirror other popular visitor destinations not just in Italy but worldwide. Attractions will be busier lines will be longer and accommodation will typically cost more. 

If you plan on visiting Sicily in July or August, book your accommodation a few months in advance. There will be more availability and you may get lucky bagging a reasonable price. 

August in Sicily 

Visiting August in Sicily is like entering the belly of the beast.  

It’s extremely hot, crowded and overpriced. Take the town of Marzamemi. While we’ve visited several times before, August was unbearable. Though by the coast, there was zero respite from the extreme daytime heat.  

In August 2022, maximum daytime temperatures in Sicily reached a scorching and very uncomfortable 105.8°F (41°C).  

Another thing to be aware of in August in Sicily is the lack of fresh fish and seafood. You may think that the island has an endless supply of fresh seafood but it’s not the case.

In August, Sicily receives an extremely large number of visitors, both Italians and foreigners. This means there’s a lower chance of eating fresh fish and seafood over frozen.  

The upside to visiting Sicily in August is the water temperature. It can reach 86°F (30°C) and is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and bathing.  

If you do plan on visiting Sicily in August, try booking after the middle of the month. After the Italian holiday of Ferragosto on 15 August, many Italians usually leave Sicily to return home. 

September in Sicily 

We breathe a big sigh of relief when September arrives in Sicily (see 'Italy in September'). The Italian school year resumes (around the second week of September) and activity is noticeably quieter.  

This may not be the case in larger Sicilian cities like Palermo, but you’ll notice a difference in coastal towns and islands. 

The weather’s still warm, with average temperatures ranging from 71.6°F (22°C) to 86°F (30°C). September in Sicily is also still ideal for swimming and water activities as water temperatures reach around 80.6°F (27°C).

There’s a chance of rain in September but it’s low compared to earlier months of the year. 

October in Sicily 

As the island heads into autumn, temperatures begin to cool. Sicily in October (see 'Italy in October') has average temperatures that can range from 62.6°F (17°C) to 71.6°F (22°C). October is like the last-chance saloon for a warm Sicilian vacation. 

Water temperatures can reach a still warm 73.4°F (23°C) and many hotels are still open.  

Booking a getaway to Sicily in October makes an ideal fall getaway and a warm one at that. 

November in Sicily 

Things start to cool down in November in Sicily. Minimum temperatures can range between 12°C (53.6°F) to 13°C (55.4°F) while maximum figures can range from 60.8°F (16°C) to 73.4°F (23°C). There’s an average of 11 days of rainfall and 6 hours of sunshine each day. 

One of our Sicilian relatives told us he still likes to go to the beach and swim in November. And if you think you’d enjoy water temperatures of 68°F (20°C) in Sicily in November you might just share his mindset. 

November also means much fewer crowds. Couple this with the still good weather and November could be a month to consider when to visit Sicily. 

December in Sicily 

The build-up to Christmas in Sicily sees many Sicilians returning home for the holidays. This can inflate flight costs and hotel prices so book ahead if you plan to visit Sicily in December. 

We’ve spent Christmas at our home on the east coast of Sicily several times and the weather has always been pleasant. Average maximum temperatures reached around 66.2°F (19°C) during the day and fell to around 48.2°F (9°C) at night. 

Like January, the humidity in Sicily in December makes it feel much colder. While it may be tempting to pack summer attire, the reality is you’re going to feel cold.  

Many Sicilian locals are wrapped up in December and hardly anyone goes out without a jacket.  

What are your thoughts on this post on when to visit Sicily? Is there anything else you’d like to know? Let me know in the comments. 

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