February in Sicily suits travelers who want sightseeing in mild afternoons and can leave the beach towel at home. Palermo reaches 59°F (15°C) in the afternoon and Catania 61°F (16°C), which is comfortable for temples, theaters and cathedrals.
Nights are the catch. Catania drops to 41°F (5°C) after dark, the sea stays cool, and rain falls on about six days in the month, so a plan needs a dry-day option.
At a glance
- Palermo afternoon high in February: 59°F (15°C)
- Palermo night low in February: 50°F (10°C)
- Catania afternoon high in February: 61°F (16°C)
- Catania night low in February: 41°F (5°C)
- Catania rainy days in February: 6 (days with at least 1 mm of rain)
- Sea near Palermo in February: 58°F (14°C)
What is the weather like in Sicily in February?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.5 in (64 mm) | 6 | 59°F (15°C) | 9 h 47 |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 50°F (10°C) | 1.8 in (46 mm) | 6 | 58°F (14°C) | 10 h 45 |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.7 in (43 mm) | 6 | 58°F (15°C) | 11 h 53 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
February is mild in the afternoon and cool at night. Palermo reaches 59°F (15°C) with lows near 50°F (10°C), and Catania reaches 61°F (16°C) with lows near 41°F (5°C). Catania has the bigger swing between day and night.
Catania sees six rainy days in February, with 2 inches (46 mm) of rain over the month. Plan outdoor sights for the first half of the day and keep a museum or a cathedral in reserve. The sea sits at 58°F (14°C) near both Palermo and Catania, so it is a sight to look at more than a place to swim. Daylight runs 10 hours 45 minutes in Palermo in mid-February, so start early.
January in Palermo looks almost the same, at 59°F (15°C) by day, with a sea a degree warmer. March brings Palermo to 62°F (17°C) and Catania to 66°F (19°C), and the days grow longer. Catania also gets less rain in March, at 2 inches (43 mm) over the month, against 3 inches (64 mm) in January.
Where to go in Sicily in February
Palermo and Monreale
Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù are UNESCO sites. February afternoons in Palermo reach 59°F (15°C), which suits walking between sights. The Cloister of Santa Maria La Nuova in Monreale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Palermo’s historic markets Ballarò, Vucciria, Capo and Borgo Vecchio are where street food is eaten, and a cool day suits a long stop at the stalls.
Cefalù
Ruggero II commissioned the Duomo in 1131, and a 12th-century cloister is attached to it. The Mandralisca Museum holds Antonello da Messina’s famous portrait of an unknown man, a good choice for a wet hour. A medieval washhouse stands in via Vittorio Emanuele.
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. Mild February afternoons make the open-air sites comfortable, and the Plemmirio reserve is a few kilometers away on the coast.
Taormina
The Castle of Taormina, at Via Madonna della Rocca 9, has 21 historical points, 4 panoramas and 2 caves. It offers a free digital audioguide for smartphones, so download it before going up. The Teatro Greco Romano is on Via del Teatro Greco 40, in the same town.
What to do in Sicily in February
Snorkeling at Plemmirio near Syracuse
Swimming, diving and sport fishing are allowed in most of the reserve.
Entrance 27 is a strategic point for snorkeling and diving. The sea is 58°F (14°C) in February, so a wetsuit makes sense for anyone planning to stay in. Walks and mountain bike excursions are also on offer, and they work on days when the water feels too cold.
Walking the Zingaro reserve
The Zingaro reserve lies between San Vito lo Capo and Scopello and can only be explored on foot. The north entrance is at San Vito and the south entrance at Scopello. Five well-marked trekking routes cross it, so choose one by the time you have.
Boat excursions and inflatable boat rental are also available.
The Greek Theatre and the Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse
Both sights sit in the historic center of Syracuse, alongside the Grotticelle Necropolis. With about six rainy days in a month, a dry morning is the best moment for the Greek Theatre. The Ear of Dionysius is a cave, which makes it a sensible choice for a damp afternoon.
Taormina’s castle and Greek theater
The Castle of Taormina counts 4 panoramas, and a clear February morning gives them their value. It also has a bookshop, and the audioguide is free on a smartphone. Bring headphones and a charged phone.
Street food in Palermo and Catania
Palermo’s historic markets Ballarò, Vucciria, Capo and Borgo Vecchio are where street food is eaten, and a cool afternoon makes a long walk through them pleasant.
Catania’s ancient fish market lies between Piazza Pardo and Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto. A grilled horse meat sandwich is found on Via Plebiscito in Catania.
Is Sicily busy in February?
Sicily’s food and patron-saint calendar brings festivals in July, August, December and January. No festival is listed for February. Parks and reserves visited out of season reduce the impact on the local area, and green itineraries support areas often overlooked during the high season.
Smaller regions like the Nebrodi, with its farm stays and small local producers, or the Madonie, which offers widespread hospitality, are worth a look if rooms in the big towns look tight. Mount Etna also has eco-friendly mountain huts and facilities.
Palermo charges a tourist tax for a maximum of four consecutive nights, paid by guests not registered in the Palermo registry office. Caltanissetta’s tax comes into force on January 1, 2027, so it applies in February 2027. It stops automatically after 14 consecutive nights and is paid by non-resident visitors staying in accommodation facilities.
Can you swim in Sicily in February?
The sea is cool in February. Near Palermo it averages 58°F (14°C), and near Catania it is the same. Expect a short, bracing dip rather than a long swim.
The Plemmirio reserve allows swimming, diving and sport fishing in most of its area, except Zone A. Snorkeling is possible there, and the Zingaro reserve rents inflatable boats for time on the water.
What to pack for Sicily in February
February asks for layers: mild afternoons, cool nights and a few wet days.
- A warm layer for evenings, since Catania drops to 41°F (5°C) at night.
- A light rain jacket, for about six rainy days in February in Catania.
- Comfortable walking shoes for the Zingaro reserve, which can only be explored on foot along five routes.
- A wetsuit, or a rented one, for snorkeling at Plemmirio, where the sea is 58°F (14°C).
- A smartphone with headphones for the free audioguide at the Castle of Taormina.
What to know before visiting Sicily in February
Ortigia restricts cars. On weekdays Monday to Saturday the restricted zone (ZTL) is active from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. On Sundays and public holidays it runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Hotels may authorize guests’ vehicles 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 U.S. State Department rates Italy Level 2, exercise increased caution, due to terrorism (advisory issued September 10, 2026). It recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and buying travel insurance before traveling.
Is February a good time to visit Sicily?
Yes, February is a good month for travelers who want culture, food and mild walking weather, with swimming left for another trip. Afternoons reach 59°F (15°C) in Palermo and 61°F (16°C) in Catania.
January is nearly the same in Palermo, with a slightly warmer sea and more rain in Catania. March is warmer, with 66°F (19°C) in Catania, and the days are longer. Shifting to March gains afternoon warmth and daylight.
For a quieter trip, parks, reserves and lesser-known areas like the Madonie and the Nebrodi suit the season.
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