Things to Do in Sicily in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Sicily
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Beach weather without the August crowds - water temperatures still hover around 24-25°C (75-77°F), warm enough for extended swimming, but the mass exodus of Italian families after August 31st means you'll actually find space on the sand at popular spots like San Vito Lo Capo and Cefalù
- Harvest season brings Sicily to life in ways tourists rarely see - September means vendemmia (grape harvest), and agriturismos across the island open their doors for harvest festivals, wine tastings straight from the barrel, and meals featuring just-pressed olive oil that won't hit shelves for months
- Hiking and outdoor activities become genuinely pleasant - the 30°C (86°F) highs are significantly cooler than July-August's brutal 35-38°C (95-100°F), making the Zingaro Nature Reserve trails, Valley of the Temples walks, and Mount Etna excursions actually enjoyable rather than endurance tests
- Accommodation prices drop 30-40% after the first week of September - once Italian school holidays end around September 5-7, hotel rates in Taormina, Syracuse, and beach towns fall dramatically while the weather remains excellent, giving you shoulder season pricing with peak season conditions
Considerations
- September weather is genuinely unpredictable - while it's mostly sunny and warm, you might get 2-3 days of scirocco winds bringing hot, humid air from Africa with temperatures spiking to 33-35°C (91-95°F), or sudden thunderstorms that can disrupt ferry schedules to the Aeolian Islands
- Some beach clubs and seasonal restaurants start closing after mid-September - particularly in smaller coastal towns, beach establishments that operate May-September begin shutting down around the 15th-20th, and you'll find reduced hours or closures at resort-area restaurants, though cities like Palermo and Catania remain fully operational
- The sea can get choppy in the second half of the month - as autumn approaches, boat trips to Favignana, Levanzo, and the Aeolian Islands face more cancellations due to rough conditions, and even when boats run, the crossing can be uncomfortable if you're prone to seasickness
Best Activities in September
Mount Etna summit and crater hikes
September is actually the sweet spot for Etna - the summer heat breaks, making the 2,900 m (9,514 ft) ascent far more comfortable, but you're ahead of the October snow that can close higher routes. The volcanic landscape looks particularly dramatic in early autumn light, and you'll avoid the tour bus crowds that pack the cable car station in July-August. Morning departures around 8-9am give you the clearest views before afternoon clouds roll in, which happens maybe 40% of September days.
Valley of the Temples guided walks and archaeological tours
The ancient Greek temples at Agrigento are miserable in peak summer - zero shade, reflective limestone, and temperatures that regularly hit 38°C (100°F). September drops that to a manageable 28-30°C (82-86°F), and the lower sun angle actually creates better photography conditions in late afternoon. The almond trees surrounding the temples are past flowering but still green, and you'll have space to actually contemplate the ruins without being swept along in tour groups. Early morning visits around 8:30am or late afternoon after 4pm offer the best light and temperatures.
Palermo street food walking tours and market experiences
September brings new season produce to Palermo's markets - fresh figs, late-summer tomatoes, and the first autumn vegetables appear at Ballarò and Vucciria markets. The heat is less oppressive than summer, making 3-4 hour walking food tours actually enjoyable rather than sweaty ordeals. You'll taste panelle, arancini, and sfincione in their proper context, and the 70% humidity actually keeps the bread-based street foods from drying out. Markets are liveliest 9am-1pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
Aeolian Islands boat tours and island-hopping
The Aeolian Islands are still warm enough for swimming in September - water temps around 24°C (75°F) - but you'll dodge the July-August ferry chaos when boats are packed and accommodation is triple the price. Lipari, Vulcano, and Stromboli are accessible with reasonable ferry schedules, and sunset boat trips around Stromboli to watch the volcano erupt are genuinely spectacular. That said, sea conditions become less predictable after mid-September, so build flexibility into your plans. Hydrofoils from Milazzo run 40-60 minutes depending on island.
Syracuse and Ortigia historical walking tours
Syracuse in September offers the best of both worlds - you can explore the Greek theater, Roman amphitheater, and Ear of Dionysius archaeological park in comfortable temperatures, then cool off in the sea at Ortigia's rocky beaches. The baroque streets of Ortigia island are less crowded than summer, and the evening passeggiata along the waterfront around 7-8pm shows you how Sicilians actually live. The 17°C (63°F) nighttime lows mean pleasant evening dining without the muggy heat that lingers through August nights.
Sicilian cooking classes and agriturismo experiences
September is harvest time, which means cooking classes actually use ingredients at their peak - fresh tomatoes for sauce, just-picked eggplants for caponata, and new-harvest almonds for pastries. Agriturismos across the island offer cooking experiences that include garden tours, pasta-making, and multi-course meals featuring estate wine and olive oil. You're cooking with the seasons in a way that's impossible in winter or early spring. Classes typically run 4-5 hours including the meal, often in countryside locations 20-30 km (12-19 miles) from major towns.
September Events & Festivals
Cous Cous Fest in San Vito Lo Capo
This week-long international couscous festival typically runs mid-to-late September and transforms the beach town into a celebration of Mediterranean and North African cuisine. Chefs from Tunisia, Morocco, Sicily, and across the Mediterranean compete in couscous preparation, with tastings, cooking demonstrations, and evening concerts. It's genuinely popular with Sicilians rather than being a tourist-focused event, which gives it authentic energy. The beach setting means you can combine festival attendance with swimming and coastal exploration.
Vendemmia harvest festivals across wine regions
September is grape harvest season, and wineries across Marsala, Etna, and Vittoria DOC regions hold open-door festivals where you can participate in grape picking, watch traditional pressing methods, and taste new vintage wines. These aren't ticketed events but rather informal celebrations that vary by estate and harvest timing - typically happening throughout September as different grape varieties ripen. Agriturismos often advertise harvest weekends with special menus featuring must and harvest foods.