Sicily has one of the longest seasons in Europe, but the island feels very different from month to month. In May the countryside is green and the baroque towns are quiet, in August the beaches and islands are at their liveliest and hottest, and in October you can still swim while the grape harvest begins on Etna. This guide to the best time to visit Sicily goes through the year season by season and month by month, so you can choose the right time for the trip you have in mind.
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The short answer
- Best overall: May, June and September
- Best for beaches and islands: June to September
- Best for sightseeing and road trips: April, May and October
- Best for wine: September and October
- Best value: April and October
- Avoid if you dislike heat and crowds: late July and August
Sicily Month by Month
| Month | Weather | Sea | Crowds and prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January and February | Mild days, cool nights, some rain | Too cold for most | Very low | Cities, Etna snow, Sant’Agata in Catania |
| March | Spring begins, changeable | Cold | Low | Archaeological sites, wildflowers |
| April | Warm and green | Fresh | Rising, busy at Easter | Sightseeing, Easter processions |
| May | Warm and sunny | Cool but swimmable for some | Medium | Road trips, Noto Infiorata, Greek plays in Syracuse |
| June | Hot, long days | Warm | High | Beaches, boats, everything |
| July and August | Very hot | Warmest | Peak | Islands, beach clubs, festivals |
| September | Hot, then warm | Still very warm | High, then easing | Swimming, Etna harvest, food |
| October | Warm, first rain | Warm early in the month | Medium | Wine, walking, quieter beaches |
| November and December | Mild, wetter | Cool | Low | Cities, food, Christmas |
Spring: March to May
Spring is the season for seeing Sicily at its greenest. Wildflowers cover the hills, the almond and citrus trees are in blossom early in the season, and temperatures are pleasant for long days at the Valley of the Temples, Segesta or the baroque towns. The sea is still cool in April and only starts to warm up in May, so this is a time for sightseeing rather than beach holidays.
Easter is one of the most moving times to be in Sicily, with processions in many towns. The best known is the Processione dei Misteri in Trapani, which winds through the streets for most of Good Friday and into the night. Hotels fill up over the Easter weekend, so book early.
May is close to perfect for a road trip. In Noto, the Infiorata turns a street in the old town into a carpet of flower petal designs, usually in the middle of the month, and from May the Greek Theatre in Syracuse hosts classical plays in the open air. It is a good time for our 10 to 14 day Sicily itinerary and our baroque road trip.
Charlotte’s tip: check the opening dates
Many beach hotels, island hotels and boat tour operators only open in April or May. If you are travelling in spring, check that your hotel and the tours you want are already running before you book flights.
Summer: June to August
Summer is beach season. The sea is warm, the boat trips run every day, beach clubs open along the coast, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands are at their liveliest. It is also the hottest and busiest time of year. In July and August the heat inland can be intense, and Italians take their own holidays around Ferragosto on 15 August, when prices peak and the islands are full.
June is the sweet spot: long days, warm water and fewer crowds than in high summer. July and August are best spent by the sea or on the islands, with sightseeing kept to the early morning and evening. In Palermo, the Festino di Santa Rosalia in mid July is the city’s biggest celebration, and in summer the Greek Theatre in Taormina hosts concerts and performances.
For summer, see our guides to where to stay in the Aeolian Islands, the Egadi Islands and Sicily’s best bays and coves.
Book early for summer
The best sea view rooms in Taormina and on the islands sell out months ahead for July and August. Compare rates for your dates:
Autumn: September to November
September may be the best month of all. The sea is at its warmest after the summer, the crowds thin out after the first week or two, and the grape harvest begins. In San Vito lo Capo, the Couscous Fest celebrates the island’s North African influences.
October is the month for Etna. The harvest on the volcano runs later than elsewhere in Sicily, the light is soft and the weather is usually still warm, although the first autumn storms arrive. Early October can still be good for swimming. See our guides to Etna wine tours and wine hotels on Mount Etna.
November brings more rain and shorter days. Many seasonal hotels close, but the cities are pleasant and it is a good month for food: new olive oil, chestnuts and the first citrus fruit.
Winter: December to February
Winter in Sicily is mild compared with northern Europe, with many sunny days on the coast, but it can be wet and cool, and older buildings are not always well heated. It is the season for city breaks in Palermo, Catania and Ortigia, museums and food, with low prices and very few tourists. Etna is often covered in snow, and skiing is possible on the volcano in a good winter.
In early February, Catania celebrates its patron saint during the Festa di Sant’Agata, one of the largest religious festivals in Italy. Around the same time, the almond trees around Agrigento start to blossom, celebrated with the Mandorlo in Fiore festival. See our guides on where to stay in Palermo and the best museums in Palermo.
The Best Time to Visit Sicily by Interest
Beaches and swimming: mid June to late September.
Sailing and boat trips: June and September, when the weather is reliable and the anchorages are less crowded than in August. See the best yacht spots in Sicily.
Sightseeing and archaeology: April, May and October. See our guide to the Valley of the Temples.
Mount Etna: May to October for hiking and the summit areas. In winter, the upper slopes are snowy and some routes close.
Golf and tennis: spring and autumn, when it is warm but not too hot. See golf hotels in Sicily and tennis hotels in Sicily.
Food and wine: September and October for the harvest, and winter for city food culture. See our Sicilian food guide.
Honeymoons: late May, June and September, for warm sea, long evenings and fewer crowds.
Where to Stay by Season
Summer: choose a hotel by the sea or with a pool. In Taormina, the beach hotels at Mazzarò and Isola Bella are ideal.
Villa Sant’Andrea
A villa hotel on the beach at Mazzarò below Taormina, with gardens running down to a private beach and calm, clear water.
Best for: a summer stay by the sea.
Check rates at Villa Sant’Andrea
Verdura Resort
A large resort on its own stretch of coast near Sciacca, with golf courses, tennis, a spa and several pools. Read our Verdura Resort review.
Best for: a summer resort holiday with sport.
Spring and autumn: this is the time for a road trip with several bases. Our guide to boutique hotels and masserie is a good place to start.
Winter: stay in a city, where hotels are open all year and there is plenty to do. See where to stay in Catania and where to stay in Ortigia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Sicily?
May, June and September are the best months for most travellers, with warm weather, swimmable sea in June and September, and fewer crowds than in July and August.
When is it too hot in Sicily?
Late July and August are the hottest months, and heatwaves inland can be extreme. If you travel then, stay by the sea and plan sightseeing for the morning and evening.
Is Sicily worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for cities, food, museums and archaeological sites without crowds. It is not a beach destination in winter, and many seasonal hotels and island services close.
When can you swim in Sicily?
Most people find the sea comfortable from June to early October. In May it is cool but swimmable for some.
When do hotels open in Sicily?
City hotels are usually open all year. Many resort, beach and island hotels open around April or May and close in October or November.
