Yes, March suits sightseeing and walking in Sicily. Afternoons in Palermo reach the low 60s°F (17°C), which is comfortable for Greek theaters, temples and coastal trails.
The sea is still cool, and nights in Catania drop to the mid-40s°F.
At a glance
- Palermo, afternoon high: 62°F (17°C)
- Palermo, night low: 52°F (11°C)
- Catania, afternoon high and night low: 66°F (19°C) and 44°F (6°C)
- Catania, rainy days: 5.6 (days with at least 1 mm of rain)
- Sea near Palermo and Catania: 58°F and 59°F
- Daylight in Palermo on March 15: 11 hours 53 minutes
What is the weather like in Sicily in March?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 50°F (10°C) | 1.8 in (46 mm) | 6 | 58°F (14°C) |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 52°F (11°C) | 1.7 in (43 mm) | 6 | 58°F (15°C) |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 55°F (13°C) | 1.2 in (30 mm) | 5 | 60°F (16°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
March is mild in Sicily. Palermo reaches 62°F (17°C) in the afternoon and 52°F (11°C) at night, and Catania is a little warmer by day at 66°F (19°C). Catania’s nights are cooler, at 44°F (6°C).
Catania sees six days of rain in the month. Plan outdoor sights such as ruins and trails for the dry mornings or afternoons, and keep museums for the wet days. The sea sits at 58°F (14°C), so it matters for swimmers, not for how you dress on land.
April adds a few more degrees again, with Palermo near 66°F (19°C) and Catania at 71°F (21°C). Rain eases slightly in April, to five days in Catania, and the sea gains a couple of degrees.
Where to go in Sicily in March
Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù
Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù are UNESCO sites. Palermo’s tourism portal lists places to eat typical local cuisine.
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 that suit a mild March day.
Taormina
The Castle of Taormina, at Via Madonna della Rocca 9, has 21 historical points, 4 panoramas and 2 caves. The Teatro Greco Romano is on Via del Teatro Greco.
Agrigento
The Valley of the Temples is in Agrigento. March is a good moment to walk it, since the summer events held in Agrigento do not start until July.
Zingaro reserve
The Zingaro reserve lies between San Vito lo Capo and Scopello and offers five well-marked trekking routes. Cool March air makes the walking easy.
Madonie Regional Natural Park
The Madonie park, in the province of Palermo, covers 39,941 hectares and was recognized as a geopark in 2001. The area offers widespread hospitality, which helps if you want to base yourself in the hills.
What to do in Sicily in March
Snorkeling and walking at Plemmirio Marine Park
The Plemmirio Marine Park extends for 7.5 miles (12 km) around the Maddalena Peninsula. You can do mountain bike excursions, walks and snorkeling sessions. Entrance 27 is a strategic point for snorkeling and diving.
The park is divided into three zones. Swimming, diving and sport fishing are allowed in most of the reserve, but in Zone A you can’t swim, stop with the boat, fish or dive at any time of the year. With the sea near 58°F, March suits the walks and bike rides best.
Hiking the Zingaro reserve
The Zingaro reserve can only be explored on foot, from the north entrance at San Vito or the south entrance at Scopello.
Five museums inside the reserve cover traditional activities such as bluefin tuna fishing and giummara weaving. You can also rent an inflatable boat or book a boat excursion, though the cool sea makes the trails the easier choice in March.
Taormina Castle and its Greek theater
It offers a free digital audioguide for smartphones, so bring a phone with headphones. There is also a bookshop.
The Teatro Greco Romano di Taormina is at Via del Teatro Greco 40. Cool, dry mornings are the best time for the climb between the sights.
Syracuse: Greek Theatre, Ear of Dionysius and Ortigia
Allow a morning for these.
Mild March afternoons suit walking the island after lunch.
Is Sicily busy in March?
The dated events in the calendar fall in summer. Stragusto in Trapani and Gioiosa Gustosa run in July, San Calogero in Agrigento starts July 3, and Street Food and Beer in Milena is on August 4. 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.
Popular small hotels and farm stays in Nebrodi or the Madonie area are still worth booking ahead.
Palermo charges a tourist tax for a maximum of four consecutive nights, paid by those staying in accommodation or short-term rentals who are not registered in Palermo. In Caltanissetta the tax enters into force on January 1, 2027, so it applies to a March 2027 trip. Payment there stops after a maximum of 14 consecutive nights, and it is paid by non-resident visitors in accommodation. Ask your hotel for the amounts.
Can you swim in Sicily in March?
The sea near Palermo averages 58°F (14°C) in March and near Catania 59°F (15°C). These are monthly averages, so a day can feel colder or warmer. It’s cool for a long swim, and a short dip or a snorkel is realistic for the hardy.
For warmer water, April brings the sea near both cities to 60°F (16°C).
What to pack for Sicily in March
March asks for layers: mild afternoons, cool nights and several days of rain.
- A warm layer for the evening, since Catania’s night low is 44°F (6°C)
- A light rain jacket for the six rainy days in Catania
- Sturdy walking shoes for the Zingaro trails, which can only be explored on foot
- Sun protection for afternoons near 62°F (17°C) in Palermo
- Snorkeling gear if you plan to use Plemmirio’s Entrance 27
- A smartphone and headphones for the free audioguide at the Castle of Taormina
What to know before visiting Sicily in March
Check opening hours before you go. Addresses include the Teatro Greco Romano at Via del Teatro Greco 40 in Taormina, the Museo archeologico regionale Bernabo’ Brea at Via del Castello 2 in Lipari and the Museo regionale interdisciplinare di Messina at Viale della Libert 465.
Is March a good time to visit Sicily?
Yes, March is a good time for travelers who want ruins, trails and food in mild air. It’s less suited to beach swimming, with the sea near 58°F (14°C).
Compared with February, March nights are warmer in Catania and the afternoons a few degrees milder. April is warmer again, at 66°F (19°C) in Palermo, and the sea reaches 60°F (16°C), so a shift of four weeks gains warmth and loses little in rain.
If you want swimming, April is the better pick. If you want to avoid festival rooms, March suits you, since the dated festivals fall in July and August. For hiking at Zingaro or the Madonie, March’s cool air makes the trails easy.
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
- comune.caltanissetta.it (https://www.comune.caltanissetta.it/it/news/approvata-allunanimita-limposta-di-soggiorno-nuove-risorse-esterne-per-far-crescere-il-turismo-a-costo-zero), checked 2026-10-30
- orbs.regione.sicilia.it (https://orbs.regione.sicilia.it/542-mappa-aree-naturali-protette.html), checked 2026-10-30