Yes, September suits Sicily for anyone who wants swimming, ruins and coastal walks in one trip. Afternoons in Palermo reach 82°F (28°C) and the sea is still warm.
The rain comes back a little, with Catania seeing about five rainy days. Summer festivals fall in July and August, so September is a month for the sites and the water.
Palermo’s tourist tax applies to stays here, so budget for it when you book.
At a glance
- Palermo afternoon high: 82°F (28°C)
- Palermo night low: 71°F (21°C)
- Sea near Palermo: 78°F (25°C)
- Catania rainy days: 5
- Catania rainfall: 2 inches (50 mm)
- Daylight in Palermo on September 15: 12 hours 30 minutes
What is the weather like in Sicily in September?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | 89°F (32°C) | 75°F (24°C) | 0.4 in (10 mm) | 2 | 81°F (27°C) |
| September | 82°F (28°C) | 71°F (21°C) | 2.0 in (51 mm) | 5 | 78°F (25°C) |
| October | 76°F (24°C) | 66°F (19°C) | 2.3 in (59 mm) | 5 | 73°F (23°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
September is warm and mostly comfortable. Palermo reaches 82°F (28°C) in the afternoon and drops to 71°F (21°C) at night, so evenings outside need no more than a light layer. Catania runs hotter by day, at 87°F (31°C), and cooler at night, at 65°F (18°C).
Catania sees five rainy days in the month, with 2 inches (50 mm) of rain in all. A shower is more likely than in August, so keep the open-air sights for the morning and leave museums for a wet afternoon. The sea near Palermo averages 78°F (25°C), which makes a swim easy at the end of a sightseeing day.
Compared with August, the heat eases. Palermo’s August afternoons reach 89°F (32°C), and Catania’s reach 94°F (34°C). October is cooler again, with Palermo at 76°F (24°C) and Catania at 78°F (26°C). Shifting to October also brings more rain to Catania than August does.
Where to go in Sicily in September
Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
The Valley of the Temples has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The park covers almost 1300 hectares, with sanctuaries, necropolises, fortifications, agoras and an underground aqueduct network. That’s a lot of ground, so start in the morning and carry water.
Syracuse and Ortigia
In the historic center of Syracuse you find 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, best placed early in the day.
Plemmirio Marine Park
Zone B holds the Grotta delle Stalattiti, the Grotta del Formaggio and the Grotta delle Corvine.
Zingaro Reserve
The reserve lies between San Vito lo Capo and Scopello and can only be explored on foot. You enter from the north at San Vito or from the south at Scopello.
Madonie Regional Natural Park
The Madonie park covers 39,941 hectares in the province of Palermo and was recognised as a geopark in 2001. The area offers widespread hospitality, which makes it easy to stay a night or two. It also suits a trip away from the coast.
What to do in Sicily in September
Snorkeling at Plemmirio, Entrance 27
Entrance 27 is a strategic point for snorkeling and diving. The regulations allow swimming, diving and sport fishing in most of the reserve, and the reserve also has mountain bike excursions and walks.
In Zone A you can’t swim, stop with a boat, fish or dive at any time of the year. Check which zone you’re entering before you get in the water.
Walking the Zingaro Reserve
The reserve has five marked trekking routes and five museums on traditional activities such as bluefin tuna fishing and giummara weaving. Walk early and end at one of the museums.
You can also rent an inflatable boat or book a boat excursion. Since entry is on foot only, pick the north or south entrance to match where you’re staying.
The Valley of the Temples
The site address is Via Panoramica dei Templi Snc, Agrigento. With almost 1300 hectares to cover, September’s lighter heat helps. Daylight on September 15 in Palermo runs 12 hours 30 minutes, so you can’t count on long evenings.
Stamp the ticket in the validation machine as you get on.
Taormina Castle and the Greek Theater
The Teatro Greco Romano di Taormina is at Via del Teatro Greco 40. The Castle of Taormina offers a free digital audioguide for smartphones, so charge your phone and bring headphones.
The castle also has a bookshop. Pair the two sights in one morning and keep the afternoon free for the sea.
Cefalù and Its Summer Events
The Cefalù tourist office provides information on accommodation, restaurants, visit itineraries and nature excursions. Cultural and musical events such as the Estate cefaludese take place in Cefalù throughout the summer.
Is Sicily busy in September?
Summer festivals fall in July and August. San Calogero in Agrigento runs July 3 to 12, Gioiosa Gustosa July 24 to 26, and Street Food and Beer in Milena returns August 4. Sere FAI d’estate in Agrigento runs until August 29. If you arrive in September, those dates are behind you.
Visiting parks and reserves out of season reduces the impact on the local area, and green itineraries support areas often overlooked during the high season. Farm stays in the Nebrodi, mountain huts on Mount Etna and the hospitality in the Madonie give you options beyond the coast.
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 aren’t registered in Palermo. Caltanissetta’s tax takes effect on January 1, 2027, so it doesn’t apply this September.
Can you swim in Sicily in September?
Yes. These are monthly averages, so a given morning can feel a little cooler or warmer. The water is a few degrees cooler than August’s 81°F near Palermo and warmer than October’s 73°F.
For a swim with something to see, Plemmirio allows swimming in most of the reserve, and Entrance 27 is a good point for snorkeling and diving.
What to pack for Sicily in September
September asks for summer clothes by day and one layer for the evening, with a plan for a shower.
- Light clothes for afternoons of 82°F (28°C) in Palermo.
- A sweater or light jacket, since Catania nights fall to 65°F (18°C).
- A compact rain jacket for the five or so rainy days in Catania.
- Sturdy walking shoes for Zingaro, where you can only go on foot.
- A swimsuit and snorkel gear for Plemmirio.
- A hat and water bottle for the open ground of the Valley of the Temples.
What to know before visiting Sicily in September
Tickets for the Agrigento-area bus must be stamped when you board. The Valley of the Temples sits at Via Panoramica dei Templi Snc, Agrigento, and Taormina’s Greek theater at Via del Teatro Greco 40. Check opening hours with each site before you go.
Palermo’s tourist tax applies for up to four consecutive nights, so factor it in when you book.
Is September a good time to visit Sicily?
Yes, September is a good time for travelers who want warm sea, ruins and walks without August’s heat.
Compared with August, you give up the full summer festival calendar and gain milder afternoons: Palermo drops from 89°F (32°C) to 82°F (28°C). Compared with October, September has a warmer sea, 78°F (25°C) against 73°F (23°C) near Palermo, and slightly less rain in Catania.
If you want swimming, aim for September at Plemmirio or the coast near Palermo. If you want hiking, choose the Zingaro trails or the Madonie park. If you want ruins, combine the Valley of the Temples with Syracuse and Ortigia.
Sources
- 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
- 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
- www2.regione.sicilia.it (https://www2.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/dirbenicult/database/dipartimento_2/Siti_list.asp?action=Search&masterkey=&SearchField=Categoria&SearchOption=Equals&SearchFor=Aree+archeologiche+e+Antiquarium), checked 2026-10-30
- orbs.regione.sicilia.it (https://orbs.regione.sicilia.it/542-mappa-aree-naturali-protette.html), checked 2026-10-30
- coopculture.it (https://www.coopculture.it/it/poi/archaeological-and-landscape-park-of-the-valley-of-the-temples/), checked 2026-10-30