As the rest of Europe cools down, there’s a place where the sun still lingers, casting long shadows over quiet beaches and ancient ruins. With the summer rush gone, it offers the perfect blend of warmth and calm, a retreat where you can unwind without distraction.
Autumn here is different—unhurried, unspoiled, and ready to be explored. In sun-soaked Sicily – you’ll find Roman ruins, pebble beaches, and plenty of foodie finds.
Autumn is arguably the best time to visit Italy’s largest island, where temperatures can still reach the mid to late 20s (Celsius), offering perfect conditions for sightseeing, beach lounging, and outdoor adventures without the scorching summer heat.
At this time of year, the island transforms into a more relaxed version of itself, free from the large school holiday crowds that flood its sun-baked shores in July and August.
The natural beauty of Sicily in autumn is also spectacular. The countryside refreshed after the scorching summer, bursts into a palette of earthy tones, while the vineyards around Mount Etna are alive with grape harvesting, making it the perfect time for wine lovers to visit.
The quieter beaches, like those at San Vito Lo Capo and Letojanni, allow you to enjoy the island’s stunning coastline in peace, while cultural hotspots like Palermo, Syracuse, and Taormina become easier to explore without the long queues and busy streets.
Autumn also brings a wave of local festivals celebrating the island’s bountiful seasonal produce, from chestnuts and mushrooms to pistachios and olives.
Whether you’re wandering through ancient Greek ruins under a golden sun or indulging in Sicily’s culinary delights at a local food fair, autumn in Sicily promises an unforgettable autumn escape.
Here’s why you should visit Sicily in the off-season.
Swim in beautiful waters in Letojanni
Located on Sicily’s picturesque coast, Letojanni is a charming seaside town that offers a quieter escape from tourist-heavy areas like Taormina. Here, you’ll find long beaches with crystal-clear waters and sunbed hire. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a jet ski and explore the coastline.
Stroll along the promenade, lined with palm trees, hotels, restaurants, and cafes, and enjoy the glorious views of the Ionian Sea. To taste authentic Sicilian cuisine, dine at a local trattoria, where you can feast on fresh seafood, pasta alla Norma, and cannoli.
Letojanni is also an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions. Take a short drive to Taormina to visit the ancient Greek Theatre or go on an epic hiking trip to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano.
Boat Tour and Snorkeling in Taormina’s Isola Bella Marine Park
A boat tour around Isola Bella Marine Park is an easy way to see one of Taormina’s most beautiful coastal spots, minus the tourist overload.
Setting off from Giardini Naxos, you’ll cruise along the craggy shoreline, passing hidden bays and limestone caves before anchoring at beautiful Isola Bella.
Known as the “Pearl of the Ionian Sea,” the tiny island is a nature reserve teeming with marine life. Boat tour stops here for snorkelling, allowing you to dive into clear waters where schools of fish weave through the submerged rocks and vibrant coral formations.
The waters around Isola Bella are calm and shallow, perfect for all skill levels, whether you’re an experienced snorkeler or just looking to dip your toes into something new.
You’ll explore underwater caves, spot sea urchins clinging to rocky outcrops, and swim in the shadow of the island’s ancient stone villa.
Many operators also offer a refreshing aperitivo on board as part of the trip – the perfect way to unwind after a swim. The entire experience feels unhurried and personal, far from the summer crowds that usually flood this Sicilian gem.
Hike up Mount Etna
Outdoor fans will love trekking up Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and one of its most active volcanoes.
Hiking up Mount Etna is a thrilling experience for casual hikers and adventure enthusiasts.
Starting your trek from the Rifugio Sapienza (1,900 meters above sea level), you’ll witness the dramatic landscape shift as you ascend through lava fields, craters, and patches of lush greenery. As you get higher, the terrain becomes stark and rugged, with black volcanic rocks contrasting against the clear sky.
Several guided hiking tours take you safely along the lower and mid-altitude routes, offering varying difficulty levels.
If you want a more strenuous hike, advanced paths take you closer to the summit, where you can witness active fumaroles emitting sulfurous gases. The feeling of standing on the slopes of an active volcano, gazing over Sicily and the Mediterranean Sea, is unforgettable.
Remember, the weather can change quickly, so pack appropriately, check conditions before setting out, and always book with a reputable company.
Kayak around Isla Bella
Lovely Isla Bella is a tiny islet outpost and nature reserve in an idyllic bay. The pretty pebble beach is split in two with a narrow, sandy walkway to the island that disappears at high tide.
It’s a wildly popular destination, and the crowded pebble beach is often packed with locals and tourists, with rentable sunbeds and umbrellas lining every inch of the small beachfront.
One of the best ways to explore the rocky shoreline in peace is by hiring a basic sea kayak from one of the beach vendors and paddling around the calm bay.
Out on the Azure blue waters, you can appreciate the scenery of this splendid marine park without jostling for space.
Several tour companies also offer more comprehensive kayak tours that take you beyond the islet and towards the Grotta Azzurra sea cave and Giardini Naxos’s pristine coastline.
Discover ancient Greek sites
The evocative landscapes of Sicily are dotted with numerous Greek ruins due to the early Hellenistic colonies that settled on the island around the mid-8th century BC.
Step back in time and marvel at towering temples and oval amphitheatres where Greek dramatic performances gave way to gory Roman gladiator battles.
Many ancient Greek archaeological sites are in splendid condition, and Southern Sicily has some of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world.
The Segesta Archaeological Site is a popular choice for history-loving visitors and is thought to have Troyan origins.
Here, you’ll find the fifth-century Doric Temple and an ancient amphitheatre that now hosts classical Greek dramas performed in Italian during the peak season.
The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is another historically significant site with an impressive ensemble of Hellenic architecture, including temples, a necropolis area and extra-moenia sanctuaries.
Taormina is also home to a Greek amphitheatre with an incredible volcanic backdrop of Mount Etna. Today, tourists flock here for guided tours and to take snaps of this incredibly picturesque and well-preserved monument.
Live la dolce vita in Taormina
Taormina has long been a beloved Sicilian destination, but it recently gained even more international attention after being featured in the hit TV series The White Lotus. Perched on a hilltop 200 meters above sea level, Taormina offers visitors sweeping views of the Ionian coastline and Mount Etna.
The town’s winding medieval streets, historic Greek theatre, and stylish boutiques have made it a magnet for the global elite and, now, for fans of the hit show.
This trendy hilltop town is where you come to practise ‘la bella figura’ – an Italian concept that encompasses dressing well and creating a good impression.
Dress in your finest garb and explore the town’s glamorous bars, boutiques, and remarkable historical sites and landmarks.
For ardent fans of The White Lotus, you can retrace the steps of the show’s characters by visiting the iconic San Domenico Palace Hotel, which served as the series’ luxurious setting.
Beyond the swish hotel, Taormina’s charm lies in its blend of ancient and modern attractions. Spend an afternoon exploring the Teatro Antico di Taormina, a remarkably well-preserved Greek amphitheatre that offers jaw-dropping views of Mount Etna, or wander the Corso Umberto, the town’s main shopping street lined with high-end boutiques and cafes.
Experience movie history on a Godfather tour
The Sicilian Mafia, also called Cosa Nostra, was the world’s most powerful criminal organisation and gained worldwide infamy – partly from the Godfather movies.
Fans of the iconic gangster movie will recall that the third and final film was set primarily in Sicily and featured several locations across the island.
Godfather fanatics can follow in Michael Corleone’s footsteps and visit some of the most famous places from the movie on guided excursions.
Most Godfather tours will take you to the locations of the most important scenes, including Bar Vitelli in Savoca, where Michael asks Mr Vitelli if he could marry his daughter, St. Lucy’s Church, where Michael married Apollonia and Castello Degli Schiavi, where Apollonia is tragically killed.
Paraglide over the Sicilian coastline
Take a leap of faith and soar above Sicily’s rugged coastlines when you do a tandem paraglide from Mount Venere in Taormina to Letojanni Beach.
Paragliding has taken off in Sicily (literally and figuratively), and many adventure activity companies now offer exhilarating flights with professional pilots – so that you can view the island’s panorama and deep blue Ionian Sea from a sky-high vantage point.
During a roughly 25-minute flight, you’ll glide gracefully above historic Taormina before landing in the coastal resort of Letojanni – home to sun-trap piazzas, long shingle beaches and seafood restaurants.
Watch Opera in Palermo
Sicily’s capital, Palermo, has a thriving cultural scene and was awarded Italian Capital of Culture in 2018. Along with galleries and museums, the city is also home to the largest theatre in Italy – Teatro Massimo.
Built between 1875 and 1897, the historic five-story theatre hosts various concerts, opera and ballet events and offers guided tours which take you backstage.
The 1,300-capacity venue is also well known for its prominent role in The Godfather: Part III – when Michael Corleone’s daughter Mary is shot in front of him on Teatro Massimo’s stairs.
If you’re looking to catch high-quality opera here, the season runs annually from November to July, with a range of Italian classic performances with perfect acoustics.
Drink volcanic wine at Mount Etna
You might not expect one of the most active volcanoes in the world to be a hot spot for wine tasting, yet the vineyards around Mount Etna yield impressive volcanic wines to slowly sip on.
While it seems improbable that anything could grow near a lava-spewing volcano, many charming, terraced vineyards produce beautifully complex Etna Rosso wines packed with volcanic nutrients.
Nerello Mascalese is the principal red grape variety cultivated on Mount Etna and is typically grown at 3,500 feet above sea level – at some of the highest vineyards in Italy.
The uniqueness of the wine has resulted in multiple wine-tasting tours and tastings being created to keep up with the high demand for quality plonk in mountainous surroundings.
Thanks to exploding wine tourism, you can now tour the numerous Etna wineries carefully carved into the volcanic slopes while learning more about local producers, tasting notes and growing methods.
Getting to Sicily
Travelling to Sicily from the UK is relatively straightforward, with several direct flight options. The easiest way to reach the island is by flying, with multiple airlines offering direct flights from various UK airports to Sicily’s main airports: Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO), and Trapani-Birgi (TPS).
- From London: Direct flights to Catania and Palermo are available from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton airports. Airlines like British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair operate regular flights, with flight times averaging around three hours.
- From Manchester and Birmingham: You can also find seasonal direct flights to Catania, typically offered by easyJet and Ryanair.
- From Edinburgh and Bristol: Seasonal flights to Palermo are available, particularly in the warmer months, though connections may be more limited outside of summer.
If you’re unable to find a convenient direct flight, consider a connecting flight via Rome or Milan, which are well-served by low-cost carriers and national airlines. Once you land in Sicily, it’s easy to get around by renting a car, using local buses, or hopping on regional trains.
You can also reach Sicily by train or ferry via mainland Italy for a more leisurely route, but be prepared for a long journey.
