Are you wondering what to wear in Sicily? In this guide we will give you a month by month overview so you know what to wear to Sicily in Summer, Winter, Spring or Fall.
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Overview of the Weather in Sicily
The thing to know about Sicily is that it is an island that will experience all four seasons
Is Sicily warm all year round?
Despite what people think, Sicily is not warm all year round. However I would not say it is a cold weather destination either.
Between the months of December to February the temperatures hover between 10 °C to 14 °C. While in the warmest summer months – i.e. July and August you can expect the temperature can hover around 26 °C.
What is the weather like in Sicily in Summer?
Summer in Sicily is classified as June, July and August. And you can expect hot and largely dry weather. The weather hovers in the 80F.
So Sicily in SUmmer is definitely beach weather.
The hottest month in Sicily is August so if you are traveling during this month you will want lots of light loose clothing made of natural fabrics.
Is it cold in Sicily in Winter?
Winter in Sicily can definitely be chilly. The weather in Sicily in the Winter months (which is classified as December, January and February – though it is worth noting November definitely is chilly too), tends to be around the low 40s F to about 60 degrees F.
Of all the months January tends to be coldest at around 48°F / 9C.
And it is not unheard of to get snow in Sicily in Winter especially on the top of Mount Etna. And there can be cold snaps at lower levels too. Therefore if you are visiting Sicily in Winter you will want definitely want jackets and layers.
And while it is possible to swim in winter in Sicily, I personally find it too chilly.
When does it rain in Sicily?
Although many people associate Sicily with sunshine, it does rain in Sicily.
The rainy season in Sicily has to be December and January which take the title if rainiest months. While June and August are the driest.
And if you are visiting other parts of Italy during your trip be sure to check out our specific seasonal Italy packing guides:
- What to wear to Italy in April
- What to wear to Italy in May
- What to wear to Italy in June
- What to Wear to Italy in July
- What not to wear to Italy
Sicily Dress Code
When traveling to Italy, I know a lot of people worry about dress codes and what not to wear. However I find Sicily one of the easiest places to dress for dress code wise.
Sicily’s main economy is based off tourism, both domestic and internationally and therefore you will see many people dressed for sightseeing and going to the beach.
Days tend to be casual, but nighttime slips into a more smart casual dress code especially for eating dinner in Italy.
But don’t confuse casual with not being stylish as I find Italians to be a very stylish bunch.
The only place in Sicily you really have to worry about dress codes are in churches and out hiking. All Italian churches whether you are in Rome, Venice or Florence have dress codes which require shoulders and knees to be covered. And Sicily is no different.
But other than that there really aren’t any specific dress codes you should be aware of. So what should you pack and wear in Sicily?
What to wear in Sicily in Summer (June, July and August)
Summer in Sicily is classified as June, July and August. These are the hottest and driest months in Sicliy therefore it is important to pack clothing that can cope with the heat.
We recommend only packing things that are made of natural fabrics such as cottons, linens and silks. Natural fabrics are more breathable and will prevent sweating.
Things we put on our packing list for Sicily in Summer include:
Maxi Skirt / Maxi Dresses
My go to for summers in Italy.
For beaches in Sicily maxi dresses and skirts are perfect and if your items keep your shoulders and knees covered then they are perfect for cities and Italian churches.
Trousers
Trousers, particularly those made of linen and chinos, are perfect choices in the evening. I find trousers are great for dinner in Sicily where you may be dining alfresco especially for those cooler nights.
Shorts
These are perfect for hiking on Mount Etna, the beaches of Sicily and exploring the islands many Roman ruins such as the amazing amphitheatre in Taormina.
However I personally wouldn’t wear shorts in Palermo. The reason is in case you want to head into a church where shorts would not be permitted.
Blouses
Blouses are perfect in Sicily in summer especially if you select a natural fabric one with a looser fit. This will help prevent sweating and also still meet the dress code for churches.
It is also a great day to night transition piece.
T Shirt
T Shirts work at Sicilian resorts, on the beach and for exploring the cities on Sicily. or beaches and cities I always pack at leat a couple of T Shirts. I tend to stick with plan dark t shirts that can have a cardigan or pashmina added to dress them up in the evening.
Slogan and graphic t shirts are not what locals wear in Italy so I find plain dark t shirts help you fit in with the locals more.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Italy without a pashmina no matter the season and Sicily in summer is no exception.
A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory but can double up as an added extra layer or help provide some added modesty for churches in required.
Swimwear
One of the best things to do in Sardinia in Summer is of course to check out of the islands many beautiful beaches. If you plan on doing this you will definitely want a couple of pieces of swimwear with you.
There are no dress codes on beaches in Sicily that you need to be aware of so choose a one piece or bikinis based on your personal preference.
But also be sure to pack
Beach Covers
For moving between locations. People in Italy don’t tend to wear beachwear on the boardwalk so you will want a beach cover with you too!
Underwear
Goes Without Saying
PJs
For summer in Sicily I definitely recommend selecting nightwear that is lightweight.
Sunglasses
The sun is strong in Sicily in summer so be sure to pack sunglasses whether you are in the city or a beach.
Sunhat
A wide brimmed hat is a necessity.
Best Shoes for Sicily in Summer
When I pack for Sicily in Summer I take the below shoes:
Sneakers
Great for exploring cities, ruins and mountains.
Sandals
Great for walking if you take the right pair and also what I wear to dinner in Sicily.
Flip Flops
For round pools and to wear on rocky beaches in Sicily.
What to wear to Sicily in Winter (December, January and February)
As I mentioned above, Sicily definitely gets all four seasons – so what should you wear to Sicily in Winter?
Winter in Sicily is consider December, January and February though November gets pretty chilly too. If you are traveling during these months then I recommend packing:
Jacket / Coat / Blazer
Although the Winters in Sicily aren’t freezing, unless you are heading up Mount Etna where there can be snow, I would still recommend taking a top layer.
I would personally choose a waterproof jacket for Sicily in Winter as it can get rainy especially in January. However if you feel the cold a light coat may also be appropriate.
For the evenings in Sicily, a blazer is also a great option for both men and women.
Sweater / Hoodie
Layers are key to your Sicily Winter Wardrobe so we recommend packing a mix of smarter sweaters for the evenings and more casual hoodies for during the day.
Blouse / Shirt
Blouses and shirts are appropriate in Sicily in Winter for both day and night wear!
T Shirts
T Shirts are an appropriate base layer for Sicily whether you are exploring towns or countryside. We normally pack a mix of long sleeve and short sleeve versions so we are ready for any occastion.
Swimwear (optional)
Some people say it is warm enough to swim in Sicily in Winter. This is not the case for me, as I am definitely a fair weather swimmer. Therefore you really will only need swimwear if you don’t mind swimming in chilly waters.
Shoes / Boots
Sports shoes are not appropriate in Sicily at night whether you are having a night out in Palermo or a dinner in a resort. We therefore recommend packing a pair of smarter shoes or boots.
Sneakers
Great for exploring Sicily during the day
Hiking Boots
Required for hiking on Mount Etna in the Winter.
What else to pack for Sicily in Winter
Umbrella
If you are visiting during the Winter chances are you will see at least some rain so a lightweight compact umbrella is an essential.
What to wear to Sicily in Spring and Fall (March, April and May and September, October and November)
Sicily in Spring is classified as March, April and May while Fall spans September, October and November.
One of the great things about visiting Sicily in Spring and Fall is that these are classified as the shoulder seasons and by visiting during this period you will be rewarded with pleasant sightseeing temperatures.
We recommend packing a mixture of clothing weights for these seasons as the weather is more changeable.
For instance we would add layers such as hoodies and sweaters for using the in the early mornings and evenings as well as a mixture of long and short sleeve tops so you are prepared for any temperature.
And if you are heading up Mount Etna in the mornings and plan to head to the top we recommend taking a fleece and thicker top layer as it does get chilly at the top.
We also recommend having hiking boots for these excursions in the shoulder seasons.
Sicily Packing List FAQS
What to wear to Mount Etna?
Mount Etna is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Sicily. There are many excursions on the island that will take you up the volcano to visit the vineyards or to go for a hike.
If you are visiting Etna in Winter, or in any season for that matter we recommend bringing sneakers with you. you will need shoes with a good sole to protect your feet from the rocks and for in Winter you will need them for grip on potential ice and snow.
Also even if you are visiting Mount Etna in Summer you may want to have a jacket as it can be cool at the top.
Do you need watershoes in Sicily?
If you don’t like walking on stony or rocky beaches then you may want to bring watershoes with you in Italy. Not all of the beaches in Sicily are sandy so having something that will protect your feet from the rocks is a good ideas.
Do you need mosquito repellant in Sicily?
Sicily is not renowned for its mosquitos but you can get them anywhere in Southern Europe. We normally pack mosquito repellant for Sicily particular in the summer months however it is not an essential.