Sicily in January

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

By Oskar Golde

Founder & Owner, Terra Mia Immobiliare

Years of working with Sicily, its regions and destinations.

Sicily climate & sea temperature in January

In January, the average daytime high in Sicily is 14.1 °C, dropping to 8.9 °C at night. The Mediterranean sits at around 16.2 °C, with rain on roughly 11 days in the month. These climate normals are based on multi-year measurements for Sicily’s north coast.

Air max: 14.1 °C
Air min: 8.9 °C
Sea: 16.2 °C
Rain days: 11

Data source: Open-Meteo (ERA5 reanalysis & Marine), CC-BY 4.0. Climate averages: air 1995–2024, sea temperature 2023–2025; reference point Sicily's north coast. As of 2026-06-15.

Weather in January

January is the coolest month, yet with daytime highs around 14 °C and lows near 9 °C the Sicilian coast enjoys one of Italy’s mildest winters. The sea sits at about 16 °C – too cold for swimming, but sunny days are frequent. With roughly 11 rainy days it is the peak of the (by Central-European standards gentle) wet season, while Mount Etna carries enough snow for skiing. Ideal for city breaks and culture without the crowds.

Activities in January

The start of the year belongs to culture and nature: archaeological sites like the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento or the Villa Romana del Casale are almost deserted. Skiing is possible on Mount Etna (Rifugio Sapienza, Piano Provenzana), while the orange and lemon harvest is in full swing along the coast. The famous almond blossom begins around Agrigento in late January. For quiet, head to thermal baths such as Sciacca or Vulcano.

Events in January

On 6 January Sicily celebrates Epiphany (Epifania) with the figure of the “Befana”. In Catania, preparations build for the immense Feast of Saint Agatha (3–5 February), one of the largest religious festivals in the world. Towards the end of the month the first almond blossom heralds the Almond Blossom Festival (Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore) in Agrigento.