Best time to visit Sicily without the crowds

Best match

Festa di SantAgata in Catania — Italys third-largest religious festival, three million attendees, almost no foreigners.

#1 for without crowds

Best match

New olive oil pours and Palermo Christmas build-up — coastal beaches over, baroque towns at locals prices.

#2 for without crowds

Best match

Sweet spot for inland Sicily — Etna trekking returns to ideal conditions and grape harvest fills the wine zones.

#3 for without crowds

Best match

Wildflower March — Valley of the Temples greenest, Greek theatre in Syracuse spectacular at sunset.

#4 for without crowds

Best match

The undisputed best month — 23C, near-dry, schools in session, every site at its photogenic peak.

#5 for without crowds

Best match

Catania Christmas markets, living-nativity scenes in Ragusa, Etna in full ski mode.

#6 for without crowds

Best match

Etna under snow, baroque hill towns at locals prices, rain frequent enough to dictate plans.

#7 for without crowds

Best match

Holy Week — Trapani Misteri procession runs 24 unbroken hours; baroque hill towns at peak atmosphere.

#8 for without crowds

Strong option

September is May with warmer sea — Italys connoisseurs month, weather perfect, prices retreating mid-month.

#9 for without crowds

Strong option

Greek theatre season peaks, sea at 22C, but Italian schools out from mid-month and prices climbing.

#10 for without crowds

Worth considering

Festino di Santa Rosalia floods Palermo with 500k worshippers — but the south coast hits 38C+.

#11 for without crowds

Avoid

Ferragosto plus all of Italy on holiday — peak prices, peak heat, peak fire risk.

#12 for without crowds