Travelling to Sicily in Autumn

Autumn in Sicily is a feast for your senses. There’s incredible weather, gentle breezes, subtle changes to the landscape, and delicious food and wine to be enjoyed. Visiting Sicily at this time of year is a delight. There’s something in the air in Sicily during autumn. You’ll be charmed by the beauty of the landscape, the friendliness of the locals, the wonderful climate, and stunning historic sites. As summer ends, Sicily becomes more relaxed, and perhaps even more authentic. What does a perfect holiday mean for you? Great weather? Uncrowded sights? Quiet beaches? Great food and wine? Sicily offers all of this, but autumn in Sicily has all of that and more. With fewer tourists it won’t be unusual to have a beautiful beach all to yourself. Sicily in autumn is a treat to be savoured, and will leave you will life-long memories to be treasured. 

With its mild climate, Sicily is still fantastic holiday destination in autumn. Temperatures are often still over 20° well into October, and there’s not too much rain, meaning you can enjoy the warm climate whilst the weather is getting grey and sad back home. Autumn in Sicily is quieter than the busy summer months, so you can take your time and enjoy a leisurely holiday in Sicily, luxuriating in the sunshine and tranquil atmosphere. Al fresco meals are still a must, either at your private villa’s terrace, or at a characterful local restaurant in a picturesque piazza. The sea water is still warm and so a daily dip is still a distinct possibility in September, and even October and November for the brave! Photography lovers will also adore the slightly lower light, that caresses the island’s piazzas, Greek ruins such as Segesta’s theatre, and Baroque palaces in Scicli, creating picture-perfect scenes for snapping a photo. Golden hour in Sicily in autumn really is spectacular! All of this means that a Sicilian holiday in autumn is a pleasant experience full of outdoor exploration, complete relaxation, and outstanding natural beauty.

A trip to Sicily isn’t complete without taking part in one of the local traditional events. There are so many traditional celebrations throughout the year, and Autumn is no different. Sicily in Autumn is full of amazing events to enjoy, with a particular focus on food and wine – one of Sicily’s most popular aspects. Try to fit in a special event during your autumn holiday in Sicily and get a real feel for the island’s incredible culture and heritage. 

The annual Cous Cous Fest takes place in San Vito lo Capo in September, and is a lively weekend full of cous cous tastings, cooking shows, and live music, all with San Vito lo Capo’s beautiful sandy beach as a backdrop. The autumnal months are also the time when the wine harvest takes place, and so many wineries offer special tours, tastings, and celebrations that visitors can experience. We can help you organise a winery tour!

Then, there’s a wealth of local town festivities known as “sagre”. These traditional events celebrate the local food, and in autumn you can feast on chestnuts, mushrooms, and other seasonal products. Castelbuono is a famous foodie paradise for autumnal products. We recommend enjoying a delicious plate of tagliatelle with local mushrooms, paired with a glass of Nero d'Avola.

Olive oil is also produced in this time of year, so you can find tours and tastings in the olive growing parts of the island such as the Monti Iblei ini the south-east, or even on Mount Etna. Other autumnal traditions include Martorana fruit (delicious marzipan shaped into incredibly realistic fruit shapes) that are traditionally eaten on All Saints’ Day. 

Plus, the Le vie dei Tesori festival takes place in October. This festival opens palaces and historic sites that are usually closed to visitors. It’s a fantastic way to see some of Sicily’s lesser-known treasures, and now takes place all over the island. 

A villa holiday in Sicily is always a great idea, whatever the time of year. However, there’s something really special about spending a holiday in Sicily at your own private villa in Autumn. 

We have an incredible collection of villas in Sicily that are perfect for holidays in autumn. All of our villas are hand-picked for their quality, facilities, and locations, and we have a range of properties that are ideal for that autumn getaway that you have been dreaming of. Some – like Le Dimore dell’Etna - have heated pools that take the chill off your daily swim. Other villas have heated jacuzzis, spas, and saunas that add a restorative and luxurious feel to your holiday, Casale degli Erei has it all!

Other villas have extraordinary panoramic views from their terraces and gardens where you can eat daily al fresco meals, and enjoy the warm Sicilian sunshine whilst taking in the sight of the changing colours of the surrounding sunshine. There are even seafront villas where you can walk straight to the beach every day. Our villas have something for everyone, and you’re sure to find the perfect villa in Sicily for autumn in our range. 

We also have a wide selection of extra experiences that you can enjoy all over the island. Autumn is a great choice to explore Sicily’s culture. Get out of the villa and try something new!  

A holiday in Sicily isn’t only about relaxing on the beach and exploring the charming towns. It’s also about making unforgettable memories. We also offer authentic experiences that really add something special to your holiday. An in-villa cookery lesson is a wonderful way to get to know Sicilian culture through its gastronomy. A local cook will come to the villa, and teach you how to make seasonal Sicilian dishes. Autumn has so much delicious fruit and vegetables – such as mushrooms, squash, olives, and chestnuts – that it’s a great time to learn some culinary secrets.

If you want a night off from cooking, you could also enjoy an in-villa cook service where a delicious Sicilian meal will be prepared for you in your villa. All you need to do is sample all the incredible food! Some villas also offer pasta-making lessons or pizza-making lessons. These in-villa experiences are a real treat, and a fun and enjoyable for everyone. 

Thanks to the pleasant temperatures, autumn is a magical time to get out into Sicily’s nature. You can enjoy hikes without worrying about the summer’s hot sun, whilst still enjoying the gentle autumnal warmth surrounded by Sicily’s outstanding natural beauty. There are so many places to hike on the island. The Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve is an 8km stretch of coastline with small bays along the way. This protected area has no cars, and so you have to walk along the path to explore the area. Pack a picnic and have a great day out!

There are also many trails in the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains where you’ll be wowed by the forests, as well as the sea views from the great heights you can reach. A tour up Mount Etna is also a superb autumnal experience with the unique scenery of Europe’s largest volcano. We offer Etna Jeep Tours that are always a huge success for guests of all ages. 

Food is a highlight for many in Sicily, and there are many ways to experience Sicily’s gastronomy. A wine tasting at a local winery is always a great day out, even more so in autumn as you may be able to see the harvest being brought in. There are amazing wineries all over the island, many offering visits, tours, and tastings that often include sampling the local and seasonal food. Etna Rosso has to be tried when visiting Etna, and of course the eponymous Marsala from the west of the island.

A Street Food Tour is also a great way to get to know both Sicily’s food and major cities. Enjoy a Street Food tour in either Catania or Palermo, and discover these cities’ secrets, beauty, and world-class street food in a fun (and filling) day out. In Palermo you have to try panelle, whilst in Catania, don’t miss a cartocciata!

With its abundance of great food and wine, Sicily really is a haven for foodies. Come and explore the island’s culinary heritage during an autumnal holiday in Sicily.

If you’ve been motivated to book a holiday in Sicily in autumn then book a villa in Sicily with Villatravellers. You can make your dream holiday become a reality, perhaps taking inspiration from the ideas we’ve shared here. Indulge in great food and wine, explore the area with fewer tourists, make the most of the long sunny spells that Sicily still enjoys. There’s so much to do!

Getting to know Sicily at any time of year is a privilege, but for many, visiting in autumn wins the day, and we can understand why!