Italy, Europe

Sicily in December

Nativity scenes and holiday life in the cities. Etna frequently snow-capped.

Quiet valueMild, highs near 62F (17C), rainier

Taormina, Sicily — SicilyPhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

December is a quiet, good-value month to visit Sicily. Nativity scenes and holiday life in the cities. Etna frequently snow-capped.

Weather: Mild, highs near 62F (17C), rainier
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in Sicily

December is mild but rainier, with highs near 62F (17C). Nativity scenes and holiday life fill the cities, and Etna is frequently snow-capped. Crowds are low except around the holidays, and prices are modest. Beach towns and many seaside hotels are closed.

It suits travelers who want a festive, local Sicily with quiet sites. It is not a beach month. If you want warmer weather, wait until April or May. Palermo, Catania, and Siracusa make good bases for a winter trip, with open museums, busy local restaurants, and short drives to the ruins on dry days.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Sicily this month.

Nativity scenes

Churches and towns set up nativity scenes, a Sicilian holiday tradition.

Snowy Etna

Etna is often snow-capped, a lovely sight from Catania and Taormina.

Opera in Palermo

Teatro Massimo's season is in full swing.

What to pack for December

A warm jacket
An umbrella
Comfortable shoes
Layers for mild afternoons

Our timing tip

Book a city base for December and plan day trips around dry forecasts.

Book Sicily for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Sicily
Opens a hotel search for Sicily in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Sicily
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Sicily
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Sicily for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Sicily

Full guide

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Go at opening or late afternoon; the site is exposed and brutal at midday in summer. Some evening openings run in season.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mount Etna

Cable car and 4x4 access on the south side; summit crater hikes need a licensed guide. Activity sometimes closes the upper zones.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Ortigia and the Neapolis park, Siracusa

The island old town for evenings, and the ancient Greek theater that still hosts classical plays in spring and early summer.

Tickets and tours →

Teatro Antico, Taormina

A Greco-Roman theater with Etna and the sea behind it. Mornings beat the midday cruise crowds.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Palermo and Monreale

Street markets, Arab-Norman chapels, and the golden mosaics of Monreale Cathedral a short drive above the city.

Tickets and tours →

Teatro Massimo, Palermo

One of Europe's largest opera houses. Guided tours run most days and the season runs roughly autumn to spring.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Time the Valley of the Temples for opening or the last two hours; you avoid both the tour buses and the worst of the sun.
Visit Taormina in the evening or early morning. Cruise and bus day-trippers fill it from late morning through mid afternoon.
Base yourself in two or three towns rather than driving a loop every day; Sicily is bigger than it looks and the roads are slower than maps suggest.
Swap August for September. The sea is warmer, the Italian holiday crowds have gone home, and prices ease.

Know before you go

Major archaeological parks and city museums stay open all year, with shorter winter hours. Some offer longer evening hours in summer.
Beach resorts, beach clubs, and many small seaside hotels close from about late October to April.
Ferries and hydrofoils to the Aeolian and Egadi islands run far fewer routes in winter, and rough seas can cancel sailings any time of year.
Etna summit access depends on volcanic activity and weather. Upper zones can close with short notice, and flights at Catania are occasionally disrupted by ash.