Sicily in Every Season: The Best Time to Visit Sicily
When Is the best time to visit Sicily?
In short, sometime between January and December.
Forgive our smugness, but it is for good reason. Sicily is just one of those islands, geographically blessed to be idyllic in every season; the summers, long; the winters, mild. Often unceremoniously referred to as the ball to Italy’s boot, Sicily is actually an island of culture, cuisine, wine and warmth. The only appropriate thing about the ‘ball of Italy’ label is that you sure will have one. If you want to visit Sicily, you can’t really go wrong.
Sicily in the summer
Summer
Sicily in the summer. It even sounds smooth. Let us paint you a picture. The water is a deep turquoise which quickly blends into a warm cyan as you near the sand. Beyond the dune, several tall mediterranien pines stand in a line. It’s that archetypal mediterranean villa aesthetic; lavish, idyllic and sparing no expenses. Sicilian summers are best spent lazing by the lapping waters of the med, and when you see those golden beaches, and the mercury sitting in the high 20s… well, let’s just say you won’t have too much else on your mind. We recommend checking out Isola Bella, a small island separated by a thin spit which vanishes in the high tide. There is something about scrambling around those rocks that will bring you right back to those long summer days of your childhood, gazing into rock pools, exploring shallow caves. This is the best time to visit Sicily. The days are long and sun-drenched in this slice of paradise.
Autumn
Of course, there is more to Sicily than beaches and swimming (although the average temperature in Autumn is still a tempting 24 degrees, and swimming is still very much on the menu). Sicily is a largely mountainous island, and every piece of land is used for farming. During Autumn, the island bursts into brilliant oranges, browns and golds. There is a romance, a beauty which cannot be found at any other time in the year. One of the best things to do in Sicily Italy is to view this foliage from the heights of Mt Etna, Sicily’s highest peak. It is the time of harvest for the many different varieties of grapes which litter the craggy mountainside. And the wine that will be pressed from these grapes is world renowned. You are also there at the perfect time to sample the honey, chestnuts, mushrooms… And given that Sicily is off the beaten track for many travellers, you won’t need to do a lot of sharing. Once you’ve tasted of the island in Autumn, you’ll be extra pleased about that fact.
Winter
Sicily offers much during the winter as well. It is still a pleasant temperature (mid teens), and it becomes a perfect time to enjoy the culture of the Ancient towns which litter the Island. Christmas markets selling local wares can be found in little piazzas of cobblestone, hemmed in by terracotta shopfronts. One of the best places to visit in Sicily in Italy is the town of Sciacca. A carnival takes place every February where you might find revellers dressed in anything and everything: mummies, crossdressing brides, Winnie the Pooh… The quirky uniquely Sicilian sense of humour shines. And it is perhaps the fact that there are fewer tourists at this time of year which allows that to come through. If you’re slightly more reserved, there is the ever present warmth of well made pizza, an intimate restaurant and a good coffee. Like we said, you just can’t go wrong.
Spring
A Sicilian spring has a smell; wildflowers. The island blooms blues, reds and purples. It is a lovely time to get out of the cities and see the natural rugged beauty of the mountains. After the slightly cooler months, you can now walk through olive green fields, wooded forests, the floors of which are scattered with wildflowers. It is a spell which is abruptly broken as summer begins to heat up, and you must catch it before it does. As you move through the wilderness, take a load off your feet by wandering through some of the most beautiful villages; Noto, Cefalu, Castiglione Di Sicilia to name just a few. The list of Sicily Italy places to visit is long. At this time of the year you will be one of the few travellers exploring the narrow streets and cafes. The same cannot be said in the summer.
At the end of the day, you can’t really go wrong with Sicily, it just depends what you’re looking for. And the nice thing about Sicily is that it is the road less travelled. You will be one of the few tourists wherever you find yourself. However, the downside is that no one can give you advice like they could if you asked about the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre. As a company dedicated entirely to travelling Italy, we’ve been fortunate to live heree all throughout the year, and by now you can tell what we think. But there is an ancient Chinese Proverb which seems strangely fitting here:
“Don’t listen to what they say. Go and see.”
