Sicily in December: Weather, Sea Temperature and Travel Tips

Everything you need to know for your Sicily holiday in December.

By Oskar Golde

Founder & Owner, Terra Mia Immobiliare

Years of working with Sicily and its regions.

Sicily climate & sea temperature in December

In December, the average daytime high in Sicily is 15.5 °C (60 °F), dropping to 10.6 °C (51 °F) at night. The Mediterranean sits at around 17.8 °C (64 °F), with rain on roughly 12 days in the month. Air temperatures are averages for 1995–2024 and sea temperatures come from 2023–2025, both for the north coast near Palermo.

Temperatures in December

Air max: 15.5°C (60 °F)
Air min: 10.6°C (51 °F)
Sea temperature: 17.8°C (64 °F)
Rain days: 12

Data source: Open-Meteo (ERA5 reanalysis & Marine), CC-BY 4.0. Air: average 1995–2024; sea temperature: 2023–2025; reference point Sicily’s north coast. Data retrieved on June 15, 2026.

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Weather in December

December is cool but rarely cold: daytime highs around 15 °C (59 °F) and lows near 11 °C (52 °F), with a sea temperature of about 18 °C (64 °F). With roughly 12 rainy days it is one of the wetter months, yet between showers it often stays sunny and pleasant along the coast. Snow lies on Mount Etna – a wintry contrast between beach and ski slope.

Travel tips for December

Activities in December

December revolves around Christmas: elaborate nativity scenes (presepi) – Caltagirone is famous for its ceramic cribs –, Christmas markets in towns like Erice, and festively lit old towns in Palermo and Catania. Add living nativity scenes (presepe vivente, e.g. in Custonaci), wintry Etna excursions and hearty holiday cuisine.

Events in December

The Christmas season opens with the Immaculate Conception (8 December). On 13 December Syracuse and Palermo especially honor Saint Lucy – tradition calls for eating “cuccìa” instead of bread and pasta that day. Christmas markets and nativity scenes define the month, and New Year’s Eve is celebrated with concerts and fireworks in Taormina and Palermo.

Festivals and Events in Sicily

Harvest time in December

Harvest and market months in Sicily. A product appears here only when at least two sources agree on its months.

Etna lemons

Etna coast between the Alcantara river and Catania

Primofiore from October to April, Bianchetto from April to June, Verdello from July to September.
Interdonato lemons from Messina

Ionian coast of the province of Messina

Harvested from September 1 to April 15.
Siracusa lemons

Province of Siracusa

Primofiore from October to mid-April, Bianchetto from mid-April to June, Verdello from July.
Avocados

Etna foothills near Giarre, Ionian coast
Artichokes (spinoso di Menfi, Niscemi) Peak

Menfi and the Belice valley, Niscemi, Cerda, Ramacca

In Niscemi the harvest starts in mid-November and peaks around Christmas.
Blood oranges (Tarocco, Moro, Sanguinello)

Plain of Catania, Lentini, Palagonia

Moro comes first; Tarocco lasts into April.
Prickly pears

Etna slopes, San Cono

The first fruit ripens in August and September. From September to December comes the late fruit of the second bloom, called "bastardoni".