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Visiting Sicily in winter seems like a win at a simple look. Why not head to one of many warmest locations in Europe, the place snow solely falls on the 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 occasions and just 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 unhealthy 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 unhealthy.
So buckle up — right here is the reality, the complete reality, and the entire reality about visiting Sicily in winter.
Is Sicily in Winter Worth It?
I’ve visited Sicily a number of occasions, at totally different occasions of 12 months. Sicily, the most important island in Italy, is dwelling to an enchanting cultural combine, a lot gorgeous pure magnificence, and at occasions it seems like a totally 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 lot 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 take pleasure in 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 presently of 12 months, that doesn’t imply that you simply’ll really feel hotter presently of 12 months.
Things to Know About Visiting Sicily in Winter
The climate is likely to be beautiful — or horrible.
Sicily has delicate winters, proper? How delicate are we speaking, although? While you may take a look at the typical temperatures and rainfall in Sicily, that are listed additional down on this piece, know that they don’t inform you the complete story.
Most of the time, you may take pleasure in a lot of sunshine within the winter and fairly heat temperatures in the course of the day.
But that’s for those who’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 became rainstorms. Five days of rainstorms! Winter climate temperatures hovered round 43 F (6 C) and colder at night time.
Now, for those who’re in Sicily for a month, 5 days of chilly and rain gained’t do a lot to you. But for those who’re solely right here for every week, it may possibly make a big impact 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, night time temperatures are tremendous chilly in Sicily.
And actually, as soon as I received 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 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 preserve the warmth in.
As a end result, you is likely to be shocked 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 coated in blankets.
While our house did have a radiator, we had it up all the best way it could go — which was nonetheless a temperature that left us shivering. Even at night time, my face was chilly, my physique buried beneath a number of blankets.
And that’s the case for eating places, too. Often we might 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 stored the doorways open all day, protecting the within as chilly as the surface.
By the time we rented a automobile for our previous few days, I almost wept in reduction — 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 further blankets and/or an area heater.
Winter brings distinctive occasions in Sicily.
But there are numerous 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 inclined to ski Etna simply to say they’ve executed it.
Another standard 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 properly, some crammed with as many as 200 folks. 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 a lot extra. (There’s even one in my household’s ancestral hometown, Castanea delle Furie in Messina province!)
And, in fact, 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 competition (although you’ll see celebratory pastries as far west as Palermo!).
Another standard competition 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 competition, as a result of that would make an enormous 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 lot 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 lot 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 the whole lot closed within the metropolis middle besides the bar in entrance of the Duomo.
Unlike many different international locations, Sicilians don’t mark their companies as seasonally closed on Google Maps. So you may be driving round, on the lookout for a restaurant, trying to find eating places which can be “open now” — and they’ll really 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 presently open within the metropolis middle that day. In actuality, there have been precisely zero eating places open, with solely two bars serving meals: an enormous 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 awesome 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 to go on a snorkeling tour in winter. That is sensible.
But you is likely to be shocked that you simply wrestle to discover a presently 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 way of late March. You can nonetheless go to; you’ll simply should do the switchbacky drive up the mountain your self. And when you’re in Erice, don’t plan on discovering wherever to eat.
Sometimes you may attain out to the tour firm for a personal tour for those who’d like, however this would possibly 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 historic 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 can be no crowds.
Anyone who’s visited Agrigento in August has felt like they have been coming into the gates of hell! Agrigento in January? A wonderful place to go to, even with low temperatures.
So which internet sites are value 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 web site value visiting.
Sicilian islands and seashores should not a smart selection 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 finest in summer season, which is excessive season in Sicily.
Late spring and early fall can be a lot quieter and most Italians will contemplate it very a lot not seaside climate, however it may possibly nonetheless be 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 useless. The overwhelming majority of companies in seaside cities shutter fully in the course of the chilly winter months. Even standard 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 least keep in Lipari, which has the most important metropolis middle of the islands and some locations keep open within the winter.
Read More: Complete Guide to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily
Palermo is numerous enjoyable in winter.
As I mentioned earlier than, cities are the perfect locations to go to in Sicily in winter as a result of folks stay 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 out of doors, Palermo rapidly muscled its approach into my record of favourite Italian cities due to the folks, meals, and total vibe.
Palermo is vibrant, pleasant, and really reasonably priced. The meals is unimaginable and the road meals scene is superb, even within the winter months. It’s the perfect place to really feel such as you’re splurging for a low worth. And Palermo occurs to be slightly bit sunnier and hotter than Catania and Eastern Sicily.
I might 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 often delicate with a median excessive temperature of 61°F (16°C) and a median 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 be delicate, with a median excessive temperature of 62°F (17°C) and a median 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 median excessive temperature of 58°F (14°C) and a median 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 median excessive temperature of 60°F (16°C) and a median 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 median excessive temperature of 60°F (16°C) and a median 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 be milder with a median excessive temperature of 60°F (16°C) and a median 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 median excessive temperature of 63°F (17°C) and a median 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 median excessive temperature of 62°F (17°C) and a median 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 perfect 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 continues 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, children are again at school, which suggests the crowds are fewer crowds.
If you’re not a fan of heat climate and would fairly go to within the shoulder season, contemplate late March, April, or November. Early spring and late fall convey cooler climate that makes the proper situations for plenty of outside sightseeing.
And lastly, visiting Sicily in winter may be completely fantastic for those who’re fortunate with the climate. And for those who keep for longer, chances are high you’ll be capable to expertise numerous sunny days.
By now, if you wish to plan a winter vacation to Sicily, that’s nice! I’ve executed 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 ideas?