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Sicily in early March?

My husband wants to visit Sicily. We are already planning a trip to Europe that would exclude northern Italy for next March. I could add about 5-6 days on the front end of the trip and fly from Milan to Catania or Palermo. I know this is not enough time, but it would be enough to see the specific things my husband wants, and we can always go back later.

My question is whether this a good time, weather-wise ( not too hot, not too cold). And which airport is easiest for flying into? I assume we would rent a car.

Posted by
50 posts

We visited this year from March 7-15. It was a bit cooler at times than we'd expected, but not anything that would make me say that one shouldn't visit in early March. Catania and Siracusa were warmer than the hill towns areas of Ragusa and Modica. Afternoons would get warm enough for short sleeves in Siracusa. Evenings would call for a light jacket.

We flew from Rome to Catania because we spent the trip on the east side of the island. But I don't think there was any difference between flights to Palermo or Catania. So it may just depend on what you want to see.

Posted by
8027 posts

I’ve been in Sicily in early November and late December, so I can't speak personally about March, but even on a couple of rainy days, it was pleasantly warm enough, but not swelteringly hot. One sunny day at the temples outside of Agrigento was actually hot just prior to Christmas!

First trip we flew into Palermo (airport is some distance to the west of the city itself) and departed by ferry from Messina to the Italian mainland. Trip this past fall, we flew into Palermo and flew out of Catania, open jaw. Neither airport is superior or inferior to the other, service-wise.

Posted by
9063 posts

Lola, we were there in February and it was 50s during the day, 40s at night. Jacket weather. I think March would be better. Palermo is bigger city, but Catania, a larger airport (so more flights). Just note, that Catania is close enough to Mt Etna to occasionally have some closures due to ash clouds. That is what happened to us in February.

Posted by
17577 posts

Thanks! I will have to get a map of Sicily and pinpoint the things he wants to see. They are not on the standard tourist path or things I have seen watching the Rick Steves or Rudy Maxa travel videos on Sicily.

Our plane March trip is to Chamonix, Venice, and London, so we will be prepared for cool weather and even cold. I mainly wondered if it is likely to rain a lot, or be foggy.

We use miles to fly, and I have been watching and waiting for business class seats to open up on British Airways. Originally I planned to depart on March 10, but today I saw two seats on a March 4 flight, so started thinking about adding Sicily to the trip. I knew the award seats would be available for long, so I had to decide fairly quickly.

I can put it after Chamonix, so it will be more like mid-March for Sicily.

Posted by
3961 posts

Lola, I can't speak to March, we were there in the month of September (not a RS tour) RS starts his off season Best of Sicily in February. Looking at March the average temps are warmer than Seattle! We spent about 12 days in Eastern Sicily after 10 days in Southern Italy. We would like to go back, revisit same areas and spend more time to see the rest. I recently read Priscilla's trip report that followed "Zoe's" journey. It sounded wonderful. We flew out of Catania back to Seattle on Delta.

Posted by
2332 posts

We arrived in Sicily on March 21 one year and nearly froze to death! Lots of rain as well. I'm sure that wouldn't happen every year, but you would need to be prepared "in case." One of my theories was that all the buildings had gotten cold over the winter and those thick stone walls were holding it in. Sicily is wonderful, but I enjoy the mild days more!