Sicily in January: Weather, Sea Temperature and Travel Tips

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

By Oskar Golde

Founder & Owner, Terra Mia Immobiliare

Years of working with Sicily and its regions.

Sicily climate & sea temperature in January

In January, the average daytime high in Sicily is 14.1 °C (57 °F), dropping to 8.9 °C (48 °F) at night. The Mediterranean sits at around 16.2 °C (61 °F), with rain on roughly 11 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 January

Air max: 14.1°C (57 °F)
Air min: 8.9°C (48 °F)
Sea temperature: 16.2°C (61 °F)
Rain days: 11

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 January

January is one of the two coolest months, with daytime highs around 14 °C (57 °F) and lows near 9 °C (48 °F). The sea sits at about 16 °C (61 °F), too cold for swimming, but sunny days are frequent. With roughly 11 rainy days it is one of the wet months of the rainy season, which is mild by Central European standards. That makes it a good month for city trips and culture without the crowds.

Travel tips for January

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.

Festivals and Events in Sicily

Harvest time in January

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)

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.