Italy, Europe

Sicily in July

Great for beaches and islands, rough for ruins. Do sites at opening and hide from midday sun.

TradeoffsHot, highs near 87F (31C), inland often above 95F (35C)

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

The straight answer

July is a month of real tradeoffs in Sicily. Great for beaches and islands, rough for ruins. Do sites at opening and hide from midday sun.

Weather: Hot, highs near 87F (31C), inland often above 95F (35C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What July is like in Sicily

July is hot. Highs are near 87F (31C), and inland temperatures often top 95F (35C). It is great for beaches and islands, rough for ruins. Crowds and prices are high. Palermo celebrates its patron saint at the Festino di Santa Rosalia on July 14 and 15, and the Greek plays in Siracusa end in early July.

This month suits beach and island lovers who plan sightseeing for early morning. People who want to explore ruins in comfort should pick May or October instead. If you come, follow the Sicilian rhythm: sites at opening, beach at midday, and evenings out.

Make the most of July

What is especially good about Sicily this month.

Festino di Santa Rosalia

On July 14 and 15, Palermo celebrates with a giant float, a procession to the sea, and fireworks.

Island hopping

Ferries to the Aeolian and Egadi islands run full schedules, ideal for swimming and boat trips.

Warm evenings

Warm nights make dinners outdoors and evening walks in Ortigia a joy.

What to pack for July

High-SPF sunscreen and a hat
Light, loose clothing
Swimwear and water shoes
A refillable water bottle
Sandals for evenings out

Our timing tip

Visit the Valley of the Temples at opening or in the last two hours of the day, since it is exposed and brutal at midday.

Book Sicily for July.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Sicily
Opens a hotel search for Sicily in July, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for July
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 July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in July

Classical plays at the Greek Theater, Siracusa

Roughly May to early July

Ancient Greek dramas performed in the original theater, a tradition running for over a century.

Festino di Santa Rosalia, Palermo

July 14 to 15 every year

Palermo's patron saint festival, with a giant float, a procession to the sea, and fireworks.

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.