You can enjoy Sicily all year round thanks to its mild and sunny climate but the end of summer is certainly the best time to immerse yourself in its beauties without the sultry heat or the summer crowds. And if you’re lucky you can swim even out of season.
Ecco where to go in Sicily in October to enjoy the island as you have never seen it: full of parties, festivals and events to discover while visiting a city of art, an archaeological site or a natural park.
The Arab-Norman cities: Palermo and Monreale
Early autumn is the sweetest time to discover the Arab-Norman wonders of Palermo and Monreale. Temperatures are milder but the sky is still blue and it is a spectacle to see the red domes of San Cataldo, the magnificence of the Norman Palace and the imposing cathedral of Monreale stand out against the intense blue.
Between one monument and another, take a walk Vucciria to taste it Palermo street food: bread and panelle and sandwich like meusa (with the spleen). And maybe we even take a dip from it Addaura cliff or from Mondello beach.
The Streets of Treasures
Between October and November Sicily hosts the big one The Ways of Treasures demonstrationwhich is held both in the most important cities – Palermo and Catania – but also in the small villages to be discovered around the island.
It is an initiative that aims to discover the artistic wonders of Sicily via coupons at very discounted prices. It often happens that some are normally closed to the public and accessible only during this period: take advantage of it!
From the prehistoric necropolis to the baroque: Pantalica and Syracuse
Exploring the Syracuse area means taking a dive into the most remote past and then traveling through history in great leaps. Start with the spectacular necropolis of Pantalica, not far from Syracuse. On the walls of canyon carved by the Anapo River there are hundreds of small caves used over the centuries as tombs and shelters. You can walk through the valley along various nature trails.
In Syracuse, in one leap, you will be in the Greek age. Visit the Neapolis, the archaeological area on the mainlandthen move toislet of Ortigia to discover the baroque heart of the city, the crescent-shaped square, the noble palaces and the dazzling stone of the cathedral. And also the silence among the alleys of the Giudecca, the legend of the Aretusa fountain, the castle that leans out over the water and the columns of the temple of Apollo.
The baroque cities of the Val di Noto
A trip to Sicily cannot be considered complete without a tour of the baroque cities of the Noto Valley. Choose one to completely immerse yourself in its atmosphere, or organize a tour that includes them all. Not to be missed Noto, of golden stone that lights up at sunset. They call it the Stone Garden for the beauty of its churches and palaces.
Ragusa Ibla and Modica you can visit them together because they are less than 20 minutes away from each other. Both are divided in two, an upper part and a lower part, full of alleys to explore without a map. Getting lost here is the most fun because it allows you to discover hidden churches, majestic portals, balconies supported by grotesque masks and tiny courtyards. In Modica don’t forget to taste the local chocolate. If you go just a little further south it’s there Sciclianother baroque jewel built in a spectacular valley between two high rocky spurs.
Don’t miss a tour at Caltagirone, home of Sicilian ceramics. In addition to admiring it on the buildings, at the Regional Museum of Ceramics and in the splendid public garden of the city, you can also buy it. Or take part in a workshop in one of the shops in the center.
Palazzolo Acreide is the last jewel of the area. Explore the baroque center and the Santoni rock sanctuary and go as far as the archaeological area with a perfectly preserved Greek theater.
Discover the ancient temples: Agrigento, Segesta and Selinunte
Even if you try hard you can’t avoid it Sicily’s Greek past you catch your eye. Then you might as well build a themed tour! Agrigento, Segesta and Selinunte are the ideal destinations if you are looking for fluted columns, mighty gables against the blue sky and the breath of ancient history.
The Valley of the Temples of Agrigento is worth the trip alone. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains the best-preserved Greek temples in the world, especially the spectacular Temple of Concordia, which is virtually intact. Before or after your visit to the valley, add a visit to the Archaeological Museum, which houses all the finds found here. Before leaving, take a stroll on Via Atenea, in the historic center of Agrigentoand a stop at the monastery of Santo Spirito to taste the nuns’ almond sweets.
Segesta it is impressive for its main temple of white stone which stands on a vast green lawn. There is also a magnificent Greek theatre with a view of the surrounding countryside. A Selinunte instead you can bathe on the beach overlooking the temples.
Discovering the volcano: Etna Park
Sicily’s identity would not be complete without its volcano which happens to be the highest active volcano in Europe. If you’re lucky, it’s erupting right during your journey, giving night skies illuminated by streams of red fire.
There are two ideal access doors: the Sapienza refuge on the south sidereachable from Catania via Nicolosi; Piano Provenzana on the north side, reachable via Linguaglossa. Book a trekking to the summit cratersenjoy the ascent with the cable car or a 4X4 vehicle or choose one of the many park trails to travel alone to discover woods, caves and small refuges. With the foliage autumn everything is even more magical.
Do you prefer a more relaxing holiday? Explore Etna comfortably seated on a little train that runs along its sides. It is the Circumetnea. You can take it from Catania or Riposto and travel along it. The journey through breathtaking views lasts about 3 hours. You can also decide to get off at medieval villages of Randazzo or Adrano or combine the tour with a tour of the cellars of Solicchiata and Passopisciaro to taste the wines of Etna.
The autumn woods: the Nebrodi Park
Il Malabotta forest it is considered a magical place due to the thick moss that grows on the trees and the foliage which make it a fairytale place. In autumn, when the mist rises, it is beautiful to walk the paths. Also reach theArgimusco plateaua large grassy clearing on which stand majestic megaliths whose shapes recall an eagle, an elephant, a Madonna and more.
The villages of the Madonie Park
The paths of the Madonie Park offer nature and adventure to be experienced on foot, by bike or on horsebackbut all around the park there are also delightful villages to discover. Don’t miss the perched village of Petralia Soprana and Castelbuono with its castle and its precious manna, a sap extracted from ash trees. Other villages to explore are Gangi and Geraci Sicilian.
The Cous Cous Fest in San Vito Lo Capo
Among the autumn festivals not to be missed in Sicily is the Cous Cous Fest in San Vito Lo Capo, in the province of Trapani. It is held every year in September. Everything is based on couscous, of course. Here you can taste the best, prepared Tunisian style. Tunisia is so close that its culinary traditions have now perfectly integrated with those of Sicily. In the meantime, why not enjoy a swim in the Maldivian waters of this stretch of coast? And if you feel like trekking there is the Zingaro Nature Reservejust a stone’s throw from here.
The October Festival in Zafferana Etnea
A large event is held on the eastern slopes of Etna festival that celebrates typical autumn products: wine, honey, mushrooms, chestnuts, apples, mustard. In the morning you enjoy an excursion to the volcano, in the evening you immerse yourself in the local traditions between a tasting of local delicacies and the discovery of thelava stone craftsmanship.
The Pistachio Festival in Bronte
Bronte can also be reached by the Circumetnea train, a perfect opportunity to combine a tour of the volcano with one of the most important festivals in Sicily. Here the famous Bronte pistachio to which the country dedicates a big festival every weekend in October. You can taste pistachios in a thousand ways, natural or in sweet and savory preparations, traditional or innovative.
