December in Sicily suits travelers who want sightseeing in cool, mostly mild weather: afternoons reach the low 60s°F (17°C), and the sea is still 62°F (17°C). It’s a month for temples, markets and old centers, so pack a coat and leave the beach towel at home.
Nights are the catch. In Catania the low drops to 44°F (6°C), and December brings about eight rainy days there. Daylight is short, only about nine and a half hours around mid-month, so plan the outdoor sights for the middle of the day.
At a glance
- Palermo in December: high 62°F (17°C), low 53°F (12°C)
- Catania in December: high 62°F (17°C), low 44°F (6°C)
- Rain in Catania in December: 8 rainy days, 3 inches (79 mm)
- Sea near Palermo and Catania in December: 62°F
- Daylight on December 15: 9 hours 32 minutes in Palermo, 9 hours 36 minutes in Catania
- Event: Christmas toast on December 25 at Castello Chiaramontano in Racalmuto
- State Department advisory for Italy: Level 2, exercise increased caution
What is the weather like in Sicily in December?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 68°F (20°C) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.6 in (66 mm) | 6 | 67°F (20°C) | 10 h 09 |
| December | 62°F (17°C) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.1 in (79 mm) | 8 | 62°F (17°C) | 9 h 32 |
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.5 in (64 mm) | 6 | 59°F (15°C) | 9 h 47 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
December is mild and cool on the coast. The afternoon high is 62°F (17°C) in both Palermo and Catania. Nights differ: Palermo’s low is 53°F (12°C), while Catania’s is 44°F (6°C).
Catania has 8 rainy days in December, with 3 inches (79 mm) of rain over the month. Bring a rain jacket and keep a covered stop in mind, such as a museum, for the wetter days. The sea is 62°F on average in the month, so it is a sea for looking at more than for long swims. Daylight lasts about 9 hours 32 minutes in Palermo on December 15, so start sightseeing in the morning.
Compared with November, December is cooler. Palermo’s November high is 68°F (20°C) and Catania’s is 70°F (21°C). January is cooler again: Palermo reaches 59°F (15°C) and Catania’s night low falls to 41°F (5°C). Rainy days in Catania go from 6 in November to 8 in December, then back to 6 in January.
Where to go in Sicily in December
Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù
Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù are all UNESCO sites, so one base in the Palermo area covers three of them. December’s mild afternoons suit the walking between churches, cloisters and markets. Palermo’s historic markets (Ballarò, Vucciria, Capo and Borgo Vecchio) are where street food is eaten.
Syracuse and Ortigia
The historic center of Syracuse holds the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysius and the Grotticelle Necropolis. On the island of Ortigia stand the temple of Apollo and the remains of the Temple of Athena. These are open-air sights, so go on a dry day, and read the traffic rules for Ortigia before arriving by car.
Taormina
Taormina has the Teatro Greco Romano on Via del Teatro Greco and the Castle of Taormina on Via Madonna della Rocca. The castle counts 21 historical points, 4 panoramas and 2 caves, and it offers a free audioguide for smartphones. Charge the phone and bring earbuds.
Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
The Valley of the Temples is in Agrigento. December’s cool afternoons make for comfortable walking.
Zingaro reserve
The Zingaro reserve lies between San Vito lo Capo and Scopello and can only be explored on foot. It has five well-marked trekking routes. Choose a dry day and sturdy shoes, and enter from either the north gate at San Vito or the south gate at Scopello.
What to do in Sicily in December
Plemmirio and Syracuse by the sea
The Plemmirio Marine Park runs 7.5 miles (12 km) around the Maddalena Peninsula, and it’s split into three zones. Walks, mountain bike excursions and snorkeling sessions are all on offer. Entrance 27 is a strategic point for snorkeling and diving.
In Zone A you can’t swim, stop with a boat, fish or dive at any time of the year. That includes the area in front of the lighthouse, where the Secca del Capo is located. With the sea at 62°F, walks and bike rides are the easier plan for a December day.
Street food in Palermo and Catania
Catania’s ancient fish market sits between Piazza Pardo and Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto. On Via Plebiscito in Catania you’ll find the grilled horse meat sandwich.
Cefalù’s Duomo and museum
Cefalù’s Duomo was commissioned by Ruggero II in 1131. A 12th-century cloister is attached to it, and a medieval washhouse stands in via Vittorio Emanuele. The Mandralisca Museum holds a picture gallery with Antonello da Messina’s portrait of an unknown man.
The Cefalù tourist office gives information on restaurants, visit itineraries and nature excursions.
Taormina Castle and the Greek Theatre
The Castle of Taormina has a bookshop, a free digital audioguide and four panoramas. The Teatro Greco Romano is on Via del Teatro Greco 40.
The audioguide runs on your smartphone, so download it on Wi-Fi before you climb.
Christmas toast in Racalmuto
A Christmas toast is held on December 25 at Castello Chiaramontano in Racalmuto. It’s the one December event among the local listings, and it falls on the holiday itself.
Check the details locally before making the trip. Plan the rest of the day around the short winter daylight.
Is Sicily busy in December?
The December event listed is the Christmas toast in Racalmuto, and the patron saint festivals include Santa Lucia in Syracuse.
Green itineraries support areas often overlooked during the high season, and visiting parks and reserves out of season reduces the impact on the local area. The Nebrodi, Etna and Madonie areas all have farm stays, mountain huts or widespread hospitality. If you want a particular room in Ortigia or Taormina, book as soon as your dates are set.
In Palermo the tourist tax is charged for a maximum of four consecutive nights. It’s paid by guests in accommodation or short-term rentals who are not registered in Palermo. Caltanissetta’s tax enters into force on January 1, 2027, so it doesn’t apply in December 2026.
Can you swim in Sicily in December?
The sea near Palermo and Catania averages 62°F in December. That’s a monthly average, and it’s cooler than the 67°F of November. Swimming is possible for the hardy, but short dips are more realistic than long swims.
What to pack for Sicily in December
December asks for layers: mild afternoons, cool nights and some rain.
- A waterproof jacket, for Catania’s 8 rainy days in December
- A warm layer for evenings, since Catania’s low is 44°F (6°C)
- Sturdy walking shoes for the Zingaro routes, which are on foot only
- Sunglasses and a light layer for afternoons at 62°F (17°C)
- Swimwear and a towel only if you plan to snorkel at Plemmirio in 62°F water
- A charged phone and earbuds for the free Taormina Castle audioguide
What to know before visiting Sicily in December
Ortigia has a traffic-restricted zone (ZTL). On weekdays, Monday to Saturday, it’s active from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. the next day. On Sundays and public holidays it’s active continuously from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Hotels may authorize a guest’s vehicle for transit only, and parking inside the zone is prohibited. In Messina the Cavallotti, Villa Dante and La Farina car parks charge €1.00 per hour from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and €9.00 for a full day.
The State Department’s travel advisory for Italy is Level 2, exercise increased caution, issued September 10, 2026. It advises increased caution due to terrorism, recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and highly recommends buying travel insurance before you travel.
Is December a good time to visit Sicily?
Yes, for travelers who want sights, markets and food in cool, mostly mild weather. December is not a beach month, but afternoons at 62°F (17°C) suit temples, cloisters and old towns.
January is cooler still, with Palermo at 59°F (15°C) and the sea at 59°F.
If you want swimming, November is the better month. For Palermo, pack for 53°F (12°C) nights.
The Epiphany festival in Santa Elisabetta runs from January 3 to 6, so a trip stretching into early January adds one more local event.
Sources
- atmmessinaspa.it (https://www.atmmessinaspa.it/tariffesosta.php?pag=3), checked 2026-10-30
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/it/sicilia/cosa-fare/riserva-naturale-del-plemmirio-in-sicilia), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- www2.regione.sicilia.it (https://www2.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/sitepda/musei_pda.asp?page=6), checked 2026-10-30
- comune.siracusa.it (https://www.comune.siracusa.it/area_tematica/ztl-zona-a-traffico-limitato), checked 2026-10-30
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/en/sicily/things-to-do/sustainable-sicily-green-itineraries), checked 2026-10-30
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/fr/sicile/trapani/reserve-du-zingaro), checked 2026-10-30
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25