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Visiting Sicily in winter seems to be like a win at a straightforward look. Why not head to one of many warmest locations in Europe, the place snow solely falls on the very best of volcanoes, escape your chilly hometown, and luxuriate in all of the scrumptious meals and wine?
I’ve traveled to Sicily a number of instances and lately took an prolonged journey to Palermo and western Sicily. And whereas I had a good time, the climate was far worse than I had anticipated.
Every information I’ve examine visiting Sicily in winter solely tells you all in regards to the good issues, whereas conveniently telling you not one of the dangerous issues.
I see that as malpractice — an abdication of duty.
In my 13+ years {of professional} journey writing, I’ve made it a mission to inform my readers the reality in regards to the locations they go to — each the great and the dangerous.
So buckle up — right here is the reality, the total fact, and the entire fact about visiting Sicily in winter.
Is Sicily in Winter Worth It?
I’ve visited Sicily a number of instances, at totally different instances of 12 months. Sicily, the biggest island in Italy, is dwelling to an interesting cultural combine, a lot gorgeous pure magnificence, and at instances it looks like a very totally different nation to Italy.
Summer is excessive season in Sicily, with busy crowds and excessive costs. But winter is usually a breath of recent air in a number of methods.
Sicily is without doubt one of the warmest locations in Europe within the winter, and other people come to Sicily in winter to get pleasure from a little bit of sunshine when the remainder of the continent is frozen. Winter additionally occurs to be off-season, with the bottom costs of the 12 months and the fewest crowds.
But simply because it’s hotter than your hometown right now of 12 months, that doesn’t imply that you simply’ll really feel hotter right now of 12 months.
Things to Know About Visiting Sicily in Winter
The climate is likely to be beautiful — or horrible.
Sicily has gentle winters, proper? How gentle are we speaking, although? While you may take a look at the common temperatures and rainfall in Sicily, that are listed additional down on this piece, know that they don’t inform you the total story.
Most of the time, you may get pleasure from a number of sunshine within the winter and fairly heat temperatures in the course of the day.
But that’s if you happen to’re fortunate.
On my newest journey to Sicily in February, I had a day and a half of sunshine in Palermo earlier than temperatures dropped considerably and it was rainstorms. Five days of rainstorms! Winter climate temperatures hovered round 43 F (6 C) and colder at evening.
Now, if you happen to’re in Sicily for a month, 5 days of chilly and rain gained’t do a lot to you. But if you happen to’re solely right here for every week, it may make a huge effect in your go to.
I ended up shopping for a winter coat in Palermo as a result of my midweight coats have been neither water resistant nor heat sufficient. Even if the daytime temperature hadn’t dropped, evening temperatures are tremendous chilly in Sicily.
And actually, as soon as I obtained again dwelling to Prague, it was a lot colder, however I didn’t really feel almost as chilly as I had felt in Sicily!
How to take care of this: Be optimistic in regards to the sunshine — however convey an umbrella and a very good winter jacket, scarf, and gloves, simply in case.
Sicilian buildings are poorly insulated.
This isn’t distinctive to Sicily, however one thing you see all through Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Buildings in Sicily are constructed to remain cool all through the new summers, not hold the warmth in.
As a consequence, you is likely to be stunned simply how chilly it will get inside.
During our most up-to-date go to to Sicily within the winter, Charlie and I had deliberate on working from dwelling for a number of days. We labored from the eating room desk carrying layers of shirts and sweaters and lined in blankets.
While our condominium did have a radiator, we had it up all the best way it will go — which was nonetheless a temperature that left us shivering. Even at evening, my face was chilly, my physique buried beneath a number of blankets.
And that’s the case for eating places, too. Often we’d be seated subsequent to a window, which had chilly air flowing within the joint between the window and the wall. Again — poor insulation.
Beyond that, loads of bars, eating places, and pasticcerie saved the doorways open all day, protecting the within as chilly as the skin.
By the time we rented a automobile for our previous couple of days, I almost wept in aid — as soon as we turned on the warmth, this was the warmest I had been in days.
How to take care of this: Bring heavier garments than you suppose you want, particularly layering choices like base layers and sweaters. Plan on carrying your winter coat in eating places. See in case your lodging can present additional blankets and/or an area heater.
Winter brings distinctive occasions in Sicily.
But there are loads of nice issues about winter in Sicily, too. One of probably the most uncommon issues to do in Sicily within the winter? Ski Mount Etna! Yes, Sicily’s most well-known energetic volcano has ski resorts within the winter!
Is it the best snowboarding you’ll ever do in Italy? No. This isn’t the Dolomites; this isn’t even the Apennines. People are likely to ski Etna simply to say they’ve carried out it.
Another in style winter occasion in Sicily is Christmas markets. Sicily’s Christmas markets typically run within the month of December. You can discover Christmas markets within the cities of Palermo, Catania,
Living Nativity scenes are discovered all through Sicily as nicely, some full of as many as 200 individuals. The most well-known Living Nativity performances are in Giarratana in Ragusa province, Custonaci in Trapani province, and Gangi in Palermo province, although there are lots extra. (There’s even one in my household’s ancestral hometown, Castanea delle Furie in Messina province!)
And, after all, there are many non secular festivals in Sicily within the winter. The Festa di Sant’Agata takes place February 3-5 and is Catania’s largest pageant (although you’ll see celebratory pastries as far west as Palermo!).
Another in style pageant is the Almond Blossom Festival in Agrigento, going down over the course of every week in early March.
And don’t overlook Martedi Grosso — Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, or Carnival — celebrating one final spherical of hedonism earlier than Lent begins. Martedi Grosso often takes place in February.
How to take care of this: Take a fast look to see in case your keep will coincide with a pageant, as a result of that would make a giant distinction by way of locations being open, lodging being costlier, or events on the street till late.
Sicilian villages are empty in winter.
One of the pleasures of visiting Sicily is exploring a number of little villages all through the island. Public transportation isn’t intensive in Sicily, so renting a automobile is one of the simplest ways to discover a number of totally different cities.
However, we quickly discovered that small cities are particularly quiet in the course of the winter months. It wasn’t uncommon to go to one of many bigger cities within the area — like Marsala, inhabitants 83,000 — and discover every thing closed within the metropolis middle besides the bar in entrance of the Duomo.
Unlike many different nations, Sicilians don’t mark their companies as seasonally closed on Google Maps. So you might be driving round, on the lookout for a restaurant, trying to find eating places which are “open now” — and they’re going to truly be closed.
Let me offer you an instance: San Vito Lo Capo, a seaside village with spectacular cliffs about an hour’s drive from Palermo. We visited on a Saturday in February, the primary sunny day after 5 days of rain.
According to Google, there have been greater than 40 eating places at the moment open within the metropolis middle that day. In actuality, there have been precisely zero eating places open, with solely two bars serving meals: a giant bar on a piazza, which drew a crowd, and a tiny bar across the nook.
How to repair this: Stay in a metropolis throughout your go to to maximise your eating and sightseeing choices. I like to recommend Palermo, Catania, or the Ortigia space of Siracusa, which every have sufficient happening in winter to make it a worthwhile keep. We had an amazing week in Palermo and ate at so many cool eating places!
Many excursions and actions in Sicily are unavailable in winter.
I get it — you perceive that you simply gained’t be capable of go on a snorkeling tour in winter. That is sensible.
But you is likely to be stunned that you simply wrestle to discover a at the moment working meals tour, historic strolling tour, or day journey to close by ruins in the course of the winter months. Many corporations don’t run their excursions within the winter months as a result of it doesn’t make monetary sense.
Want to take the cable automobile from Trapani to Erice? Sorry, it’s closed from early January by means of late March. You can nonetheless go to; you’ll simply must do the switchbacky drive up the mountain your self. And when you’re in Erice, don’t plan on discovering anyplace to eat.
Sometimes you may attain out to the tour firm for a non-public tour if you happen to’d like, however this may find yourself being greater than you wish to spend.
How to repair this: Research your actions prematurely, see what’s obtainable in the course of the time of your winter go to, and resolve what’s a dealbreaker for you.
Archaeological websites are nice to go to in winter.
Are you a fan of classical historical past who can’t get sufficient of historical ruins? You will love visiting Sicily. This island is wealthy in ruins, most of them Greek ruins, with a number of Roman-era treasures thrown in.
And it’s significantly better visiting ruins in Sicily within the winter. Ruins seldom have a lot shade and are sometimes crowded, however within the winter you’ll crave that sunshine and there will likely be no crowds.
Anyone who’s visited Agrigento in August has felt like they have been getting into the gates of hell! Agrigento in January? A fabulous place to go to, even with low temperatures.
So which websites are price visiting? Definitely don’t miss the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento; Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica; and Villa Romana del Casale; every of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beyond UNESCO, The Segesta ruins near Palermo have been a spotlight for me, particularly the spectacular view from the amphitheater. Selinunte Archaeological Park in Trapani Province is one other website price visiting.
Sicilian islands and seashores usually are not a clever alternative in winter.
Sicily is dwelling to a number of the most lovely seashores in Italy (which is why it looks as if half of mainland Italy decamps to Sicily in August!). From the Aeolian Islands (my private favourite spot) to the Egadi Islands to cities like Cefalù, Avola, and San Vito Lo Capo, this islands are at their greatest in summer season, which is excessive season in Sicily.
Late spring and early fall will likely be a lot quieter and most Italians will think about it very a lot not seaside climate, however it may nonetheless be a very good time to swim within the Mediterranean Sea (and the ocean temperature is hotter in October than May).
But within the winter, these cities are completely lifeless. The overwhelming majority of companies in seaside cities shutter fully in the course of the chilly winter months. Even in style spots like Cefalù are ghost cities.
Additionally, public transport is proscribed to those locations in winter, particularly ferries to the smaller islands. If you actually wish to go to the Aeolian Islands in winter, at the very least keep in Lipari, which has the largest metropolis middle of the islands and some locations keep open within the winter.
Read More: Complete Guide to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily
Palermo is loads of enjoyable in winter.
As I mentioned earlier than, cities are the very best locations to go to in Sicily in winter as a result of individuals reside there year-round. You can discover loads of eating places to select from, and tons of enjoyable issues to do.
Palermo was an particularly enjoyable place to have as a base in the course of the winter months. While we didn’t luck out with the climate and it was chilly each inside and outdoors, Palermo rapidly muscled its manner into my checklist of favourite Italian cities due to the individuals, meals, and total vibe.
Palermo is vibrant, pleasant, and really inexpensive. The meals is unbelievable and the road meals scene is superb, even within the winter months. It’s the very best place to really feel such as you’re splurging for a low worth. And Palermo occurs to be a bit bit sunnier and hotter than Catania and Eastern Sicily.
I’d completely return to Palermo for one more lengthy winter go to.
Read More: 23 Fun Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily
Sicily Weather in Winter
Sicily enjoys a Mediterranean local weather with sunny summers and chilly winters. Here is data on temperature and rainfall, month by month, in Catania within the east and Palermo within the west:
Sicily in December
In December, the climate in Palermo, Sicily, is usually gentle with a mean excessive temperature of 61°F (16°C) and a mean low temperature of fifty°F (10°C). The common rainfall for this month is round 3.7 inches (94 mm).
In Catania, Sicily, the climate in December can also be gentle, with a mean excessive temperature of 62°F (17°C) and a mean low temperature of 44°F (7°C). The common rainfall for this month is round 3.1 inches (79 mm).
Sicily in January
In January, the climate in Palermo is barely cooler with a mean excessive temperature of 58°F (14°C) and a mean low temperature of 46°F (8°C). The common rainfall for this month is round 3.2 inches (82 mm).
In Catania, the climate in January is comparable with a mean excessive temperature of 60°F (16°C) and a mean low temperature of 41°F (5°C). The common rainfall for this month is round 3.3 inches (85 mm).
Sicily in February
In February, the climate in Palermo begins to heat up once more with a mean excessive temperature of 60°F (16°C) and a mean low temperature of 46°F (8°C). The common rainfall for this month is round 2.6 inches (66 mm).
In Catania, the climate in February can also be milder with a mean excessive temperature of 60°F (16°C) and a mean low temperature of 41°F (5°C). The common rainfall for this month is round 2.8 inches (72 mm).
Sicily in March
In March, the climate in Palermo continues to heat up with a mean excessive temperature of 63°F (17°C) and a mean low temperature of 48°F (9°C). The common rainfall for this month is round 2.5 inches (63 mm).
In Catania, the climate in March is comparable with a mean excessive temperature of 62°F (17°C) and a mean low temperature of 44°F (7°C). The common rainfall for this month is round 2.5 inches (64 mm).
Best Time to Visit Sicily
So when is the very best time to go to Sicily, for actual? If you’re on the lookout for a trade-off of good climate, sunshine, heat temperatures, and manageable ranges of crowds, purpose for May, September, or October.
These months are completely beautiful (and September remains to be very a lot summer season), nevertheless it’s not “summer” to Italians, who’re in autumn mode as quickly as September hits. Plus, youngsters are again in class, which implies the crowds are fewer crowds.
If you’re not a fan of heat climate and would reasonably go to within the shoulder season, think about late March, April, or November. Early spring and late fall convey cooler climate that makes the right circumstances for plenty of outside sightseeing.
And lastly, visiting Sicily in winter might be completely great if you happen to’re fortunate with the climate. And if you happen to keep for longer, likelihood is you’ll be capable of expertise loads of sunny days.
By now, if you wish to plan a winter vacation to Sicily, that’s nice! I’ve carried out my job, which is telling you what to anticipate — for actual.
More on Sicily:
Cool Places in Southern Italy:
Planning a Trip to Italy:
Have you been to Sicily in winter? What are your suggestions?