Things to Do in Sicily in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Sicily
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Dramatically fewer tourists at major sites - you'll actually have space to photograph the Valley of the Temples or Taormina's Greek Theatre without hundreds of cruise ship passengers. Hotels in Palermo and Catania drop prices by 30-40% compared to peak summer rates.
- Perfect hiking weather on Mount Etna and the Madonie mountains. Temperatures between 5-15°C (41-59°F) mean you can tackle trails without the oppressive heat that makes summer hiking genuinely dangerous. The air is crisp and visibility is outstanding for volcano views.
- This is peak season for Sicilian citrus - blood oranges from the Catania plains are at their absolute best, and you'll find agriturismi offering citrus grove tours and tastings. December is also when locals make their winter preserves and marmalades.
- Christmas markets and presepi viventi (living nativity scenes) transform hill towns like Erice, Caltagirone, and Custonaci. These aren't tourist productions - they're genuine community events where locals dress in period costume and recreate entire 18th-century villages. The atmosphere is remarkable and completely authentic.
Considerations
- Daylight is limited - sunset comes around 5pm, giving you roughly 9 hours of usable daylight. This genuinely affects how much you can pack into a day, especially if you're driving between towns. You'll need to plan more carefully than summer visitors.
- Coastal beach towns like Cefalù, San Vito Lo Capo, and Scopello essentially shut down. Many waterfront restaurants, beach clubs, and hotels close from November through March. The Aeolian Islands have severely reduced ferry schedules, and some smaller islands become difficult to reach.
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - those 10 rainy days could cluster together or spread out, and you might get stretches of brilliant sunshine or grey, damp weeks. The 70% humidity combined with temperatures around 10°C (50°F) can feel bone-chillingly cold, especially in stone buildings without central heating.
Best Activities in December
Mount Etna Crater Hiking and Snow Activities
December brings snow to Etna's higher elevations, and the cooler temperatures make hiking the lower craters actually pleasant rather than exhausting. The Silvestri Craters at 1,900 m (6,234 ft) are accessible and you'll often see snow dusting the black volcanic rock - the contrast is striking. Cable car services run to 2,500 m (8,202 ft) when weather permits. Book morning tours when visibility is clearest and the volcano is less likely to be shrouded in afternoon clouds.
Valley of the Temples and Archaeological Site Tours
Walking through Agrigento's ancient Greek temples in cool weather is infinitely better than doing it in 35°C (95°F) July heat. December means you'll have the Temple of Concordia nearly to yourself during weekday mornings. The golden stone looks particularly beautiful in winter's softer light. The 2 km (1.2 mile) main path is entirely manageable in December temperatures.
Palermo Street Food Walking Tours
December weather is ideal for spending hours walking through Palermo's markets - Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo - without overheating. You'll find seasonal specialties like sfincione (Sicilian pizza) and panelle (chickpea fritters) that taste better when it's cool outside. The Christmas season adds roasted chestnuts and torrone vendors. Walking 4-5 km (2.5-3 miles) through the old town feels comfortable rather than sweaty.
Taormina and Castelmola Hill Town Exploration
Taormina's elevated position at 200 m (656 ft) means December brings crisp, clear days with spectacular views of Etna and the coast. The Greek Theatre is far less crowded, and you can actually enjoy Corso Umberto's shops and cafes without summer's shoulder-to-shoulder tourists. The 1 km (0.6 mile) uphill walk to Castelmola is perfectly pleasant in cool weather - brutal in summer.
Ragusa and Modica Baroque Town Discovery
The Val di Noto baroque towns are stunning in December when you can walk the steep streets of Ragusa Ibla and Modica without melting. These towns are built on hillsides with significant elevation changes - the 300+ steps between upper and lower Ragusa are much more manageable in 12°C (54°F) weather. December is also when Modica's chocolate makers are busiest preparing for Christmas, and you'll find workshops offering tastings and demonstrations.
Sicilian Cooking Classes and Agriturismo Experiences
December is harvest season for winter vegetables and citrus, making it an ideal time for hands-on cooking classes focused on seasonal ingredients. Many agriturismi in the interior offer half-day experiences where you'll prepare traditional dishes like pasta alla Norma or caponata using produce from their farms. The cooler weather makes working in kitchens without air conditioning actually pleasant, and you'll learn winter recipes locals actually cook this time of year.
December Events & Festivals
Presepi Viventi Living Nativity Scenes
Throughout December and early January, hill towns across Sicily stage elaborate living nativity scenes where entire neighborhoods transform into recreations of ancient Bethlehem. Custonaci near Trapani has one of the largest, with over 160 scenes spread across caves and grottos. Locals dress in period costume, demonstrate traditional crafts, and the whole town participates. These run on specific December weekends and are genuinely impressive community productions, not tourist shows.
Festa di Santa Lucia in Syracuse
December 13th is Syracuse's biggest celebration, honoring their patron saint. A silver statue of Santa Lucia is carried from the Duomo to the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia in a massive procession. The entire historic Ortygia island fills with food stalls selling cuccìa (a traditional wheat berry and ricotta dish eaten only on this day) and locals dress up for evening passeggiata. This is a genuine local festival that happens to be spectacular for visitors.
Christmas Markets in Erice and Palermo
Erice's medieval stone streets host a charming Christmas market throughout December with local artisan crafts, ceramics from Caltagirone, and traditional sweets. Palermo's larger market in Piazza Politeama features over 50 wooden chalets selling everything from Sicilian wines to handmade puppets. These markets have a distinctly Sicilian character rather than generic European Christmas market vibes - you'll find cannoli and cassata alongside mulled wine.