Sicily in March 2026 – is it worth going on vacation? Weather and reviews, air and water temperature in Taormina and Palermo, prices in hotels and excursions. What to do and what to see in Sicily in March, is it possible to climb Etna – says Eurotraveler.
The Italian island of Sicily is just an outlet for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of big cities and cold weather. Literally at any time of the year you will find here a provincial, rural flavor that perfectly heals the stress-wounded soul of a city dweller.
It’s easy to catch on the island and good weather. Perhaps not sunny 100 percent of the time, but always warm enough to not remember the existence of winter.
In March, Sicily is perhaps the first in Europe to welcome calendar spring.
It begins to bloom and smell fragrant, little by little preparing for the season. He sees very few tourists and therefore looks very relaxed and at home.
In a word, it is perfectly suited for a trip whose main goal is to see and feel.
In addition, in the middle and end of March in Sicily there will be warm and sunny – almost certainly. This means you can stay warm and get a (normal) dose of vitamin D!
Plus, who knows, maybe you’ll even take a swim in the sea. Although such an attempt from the point of view of local residents looks truly suicidal.
Weather in Sicily in March
Some reviews call it “great for excursions.” And in general, any activity not directly related to the beach and swimming.
And this point of view is completely justified!
After all, the air temperature in Sicily, even in early March, prefers to live in the range +12-15 degrees Celsius. And there are rarely less than 12-15 sunny days in any year (for the entire month, however).
In the second half of March in Sicily it often warms up to +18 degrees Celsius or higher. Which, of course, does not cancel the changes and short drops in air temperature to the same “about” +15.
The nights are colder (very rarely below +10-12 °C, however). And in general, one cannot expect stability – the readings of street thermometers sometimes fluctuate as if they had too many strong drinks.
You definitely need to remember this when packing your suitcase for a trip. Because in order, for example, to successfully climb Mount Etna in Sicily at the beginning of spring, you need to be “properly” equipped (first of all, in the sense clothes).
Some will say that it will not freeze even at sub-zero temperatures. And therefore it’s better to leave some space in your luggage – every traveler wants to buy food and various souvenirs in Italy?!
But we highly recommend not going against the facts. After all, the first half of spring (this is the minimum) on the main Italian island is not for nothing called off-season!
It is worth remembering that in other years in March the weather in Sicily is not entirely typical. In particular, at the beginning of the month there are strong temperature changes: from +10-14 degrees Celsius during the day, to frost at night.
Such “swings” with brief improvements in the weather can continue until the last ten days. So get ready for the best.
But don’t be too surprised if in the morning you find something around 0-+5 °C on the street thermometers
As April approaches, the Sicilian weather finally awakens from its winter slumber. So at the end of March in Palermo the air warms up to +18-20 °C, and in Taormina it can even be +22 °C.
Clear days just follow one after another!
Precipitation
The length of daylight increases rapidly – from 11.5 at the beginning to almost 13 hours – at the end of March. At the same time, the probability of a cloudy day is quite high.
In any case, you should expect cloudy skies for at least half of your holiday in Sicily in March.
Rains are unlikely to seriously get on your nerves. The average monthly precipitation does not exceed 50 mm, the total number of rainy days is no more than 3-4 per month.
Purely statistically, March is one of the three the rainiest months in Sicily, second only to October and November in terms of precipitation. But the following April is characterized by much drier weather.
The high beach season begins in Sicily in May. Only not everyone knows about this yet.
That’s why there are very few tourists vacationing on the shore…
Water temperature
Let us tell you a terrible secret – on especially hot days in Sicily they swim even in March. Although this hobby has not yet become widespread.
It’s clear why – even in the warmest years, the water temperature at this time of year does not exceed +14-15 °C. And throughout the entire month.
Apparently, the Mediterranean Sea cools down so much during the winter that it has to wait until April to warm up significantly.
Plus, in March there are really strong winds over Sicily. strong and cold winds. And only a person who has just crawled out of the cold sea is able to fully experience all their sharpness.
How to dress
Almost all reviews emphasize that for a successful trip in early spring, even to the south of Europe, you need to take warm clothes with you. Not only cardigans and sweaters, but also quilted jackets with hoods.
In Sicily, in March, they may dress lightly, but they always keep something warm on hand)))
Mountain boots will come in handy whether you are going to storm Etna or just decide to take a walk, say, in the Archaeological Park of Selinunte. In some cases, especially if you come with small children, scarves, caps, even light hats will be appropriate.
Prices 2026
You will almost certainly first plan to see interesting places in Palermo – this is what probably 100 percent of tourists arriving in Sicily for the first time do. So, you can stay in a very decent hostel in early March if you have funds on hand in the amount of about 50-60 € per night (for two, without city tax).
For the indicated amount in March you can spend the night in a very clean room at Cortile dei Giusti – Combo Guesthouse, located in the very center of the city. This is a very cozy, albeit ascetic place with friendly and efficient staff. And a wonderful courtyard!
Located further from the city center, I also really liked (rating 9.1) the family hotel Casa Jolanda B&B. Where, for 60 € per day, a couple of tourists can not only spend the night (bath and toilet are shared), but in the morning they can treat themselves to a truly delicious home-made breakfast.
It is worth considering that hotel prices in Taormina are higher than in Palermo. Seemingly visually empty in March, but still a popular resort town in the east of the island
A long walking tour of Palermo accompanied by a competent and not boring (English-speaking) guide will cost ~40 € per person. Participation in the ascent to Etna will ruin you by 60-75 €.
And you will have to get to Catania yourself!
- Inexpensive excursions in Sicily
Things to do
Previously, we compiled a detailed list of interesting places in Sicily. In this review, we will mention only the most famous attractions.
Those that you definitely need to see in person, in order to later declare with confidence – “I was in Sicily”!
Palermo will naturally open up any such list. Because not visiting its grandiose Norman cathedral, not visiting the Palatine Chapel, not seeing the rich frescoes in the Cathedral in Montreal is literally unreasonable.
Those who take part in an educational excursion in Corleone will experience the energy and learn about the centuries-old traditions of Sicily. Where, according to Mario Puzo’s book, the most famous godfather of the mafia was born.
Interesting experiences await tourists in the “swallow’s nest”, the amazing town of Erice near Trapani (there is a cable car). We also recommend that you visit the Archaeological Park of Selinunte and see the ancient roofless temple and amphitheater in Segesta.
Not only because these places belong to the main local attractions. But also because in March there are very few tourists in Sicily, and you can explore them almost alone.
The “Staircase of the Turks” in Agrigento, the towns of Modica and Ragusa, built up with a mass of beautiful buildings after a devastating earthquake, the ancient seaside Syracuse (the birthplace of Archimedes) – we also recommend adding all this to the list of must-see places.
Naturally, it would be wrong not to visit Taormina and Catania. And, of course, on Etna – despite the difficult nature of this volcano and frequent eruptions.
Again, you don’t have to climb to the very top, but limit yourself to the lower craters.
Very rare travelers – either in early spring or later – will go to the Aeolian Islands neighboring Sicily and the island of Lampedusa.
Not because it’s not interesting, on the contrary! It’s just that you’ll almost certainly encounter serious difficulties checking into a hotel there – most family hotels are closed until April.
© Eurotraveler
