My husband and I will be in Italy for two weeks in February. Our first week will be in Rome, in Monte Mario, where we stayed in the home I friends several years ago, so we know there are some serious pros and cons to being a half hour out of central Rome. For our second week, we are considering staying in the Rome historical center with short side trips to Naples (where we have never been) and with other possible day trips OR spending the second week in Catania and Toarmino where I have been, but my husband has not. When I was last in Toaramino it was overrun with tourists, and I thought it might be enjoyable to be there, and in Catania, off season. I would appreciate thoughts, especially from anyone who has been in Toaramino in winter.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2213 posts
On our first trip to Sicily (after falling in love with the place), we chatted with some restaurant owners on Ortygia and asked, "What's the weather like here in January?" "Lots of rain," was the response. Our second trip to Sicily began in Palermo on March 21. It was cold. And rainy. However, we were on the island for three weeks and we had lots of warm, sunny (even hot) days as well. So it's a crapshoot. But at least I think you could plan on fewer tourists in Taormina! If you haven't yet been to Siracusa/Ortygia, though, I would definitely recommend you include that area in your plans.
Another choice would be to spend the second week in Naples. (We are lovers of Naples also!)
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8612 posts
We were in Sicily in February. Just like the chart on this website shows, temps in the low 50s during the day dipping into low 40s in the evening. Windy in many places. We were OK with it (snow and ice back home), but the locals were in puffy coats, gloves and hats. There are plenty of people who live there, whether the tourists are there or not, so it was busy in some places, quiet in others.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11464 posts
We went to Sicily for a week in early March one year while we live in Rome. We experienced one day of great weather, two days of OK at-least-it-didn’t-rain weather, and several of cold rain with wind that rivals our home on the Oregon Coast. There was even snow one day on our way from Trapani to Palermo by car, causing is to turn the car around. Our seaside apartment had two space heaters that did not keep the cold at bay and we had only packed wind breakers and spring clothes on the advice of an Italian friend who assured us it was the perfect time to go to Sicily.
OTOH, Rome was also miserable while we were away as the storm swept across the southern half of the country.
At least if you stay in Rome, there are endless indoor and outdoor things to do.
Posted by
OP
27 posts
Thank you all for sharing your experiences with travel to Sicily in winter! I am still sitting on the fence about this, but feel I will be making a more informed decision. If you think of any further input, let me know.