We are considering visiting Sicily this summer leaving in late June and staying for perhaps the first tywo weeks of July for a total of 3 weeks or so.
Question....is the weather just too hot at this point of the summer to enjoy the trip or would the heat make it exhausting??
Yes it's hot. No, we didn't find it too hot-all of our trips to Italy, including a week in Sicily have been in summer (late June-early September). For us, it worked best to travel according to the temperature-very early morning sightseeing, lunch, rest, read, etc inside with a/c for mid afternoon. Out again in early evening. Dinner never before 8, late night walk back to hotel. Hot in Italy is better than hot in Atlanta.
thanks for the quick response!
We were in Vernazza a few years back and in July its was stinking hot! Especially in the top floor of the Albergo Barbara where we stayed....and we both are from Southern California!
Likely very hot. More so in the interior since along the coast at least you should get some breeze.
Not much different from SoCal.
The only difference is that when you are at home you spend your time in an air conditioned home or office or car, and you don't realize how hot it is because you don't stay outside in the scorching heat that long, just the time to transfer from the car to the office or to the house and viceversa.
But when you are sightseeing in Sicily, you will be spending a lot of time walking outdoors in the city streets from sight to sight, or walking in the scorching hot sun visiting ruins at the archaeological sites, of which there are many in Sicily. Your only time in a cool place will be at your hotel in the evening and night, or maybe in the car, if you rent one (although a car is of little use in Palermo's Manhattan style traffic). During the day you'll be in the outdoor in the heat.
If you want to see what you'll experience in Sicily in July, when it's June, spend an entire day visiting Irvine (outside) on foot, maybe with a small back pack on your back.
Jeff-I think you've answered your own question. If you found Vernazza too hot in July, then expect Sicily to be the same or worse. I realize that for some, the weather can be a deal breaker. We will be going to Italy for the first time not during the summer months this May. I'm originally from Southern California and now in Atlanta and therefore have lived many summer days virtually inside with a/c the whole time. So it did take some adjusting in order to deal with sightseeing in the heat. Can't stress enough the need to plan the days to be out as early as possible and then giving yourself a break during the afternoon. Wear light clothing, hats, take drink breaks, eat gelato etc. I do hate reading posts like "Italy will be too hot in summer. Go in the spring or fall instead." We didn't have a choice when we took our kids to Italy, summer was the only time we could go. And I wouldn't trade any of our hottest days in Rome, Palermo, or Siena for a day anywhere else!
I think this depends on your personal heat tolerance. Some people (like my husband) are not bothered much at all by extreme heat. Others (me) are miserable.
So think about whether the "stinking hot" weather of Vernazza interfered with your enjoyment of that trip, and limited your activities, and plan accordingly.
Summer in Sicily can be scorching and usually is. Isn't there a product on the market now that you can put water on which cools it and you can then put it around your neck? I would get anything that would cool down the body heat, but I would still go to Sicily in July if that was the only time that I could go. I prefer it in the spring or fall, but have been there many times in summer and just wouldn't miss Sicily for any circumstance. Buon Viaggio.
Summer in Sicily can be scorching and usually is. Isn't there a product on the market now that you can put water on which cools it and you can then put it around your neck? I would get anything that would cool down the body heat, but I would still go to Sicily in July if that was the only time that I could go. I prefer it in the spring or fall, but have been there many times in summer and just wouldn't miss Sicily for any circumstance. Buon Viaggio.
As well as the heat, plan on booking all of your accommodations early - Sicily is the busiest in the summer months.
The product that you wear around your neck is called a Kool Tie. Rei has them. it is a tube of fabric that can be soaked in water and it expands. Then wrap it and tie it like a neckerchief. It really does work well. I use one especially when traveling or camping.
Sicily is very hot with intense sun in July. Keep in mind that most of the tourist attractions in Sicily are outdoors, and many involve exploring araeological sites with minimal shade. If heat bothers you, this may not be the best time to visit Sicily.
