We all love Sicily here at Adventures with Sarah. Sarah’s years of guiding on and researching this Italian island is a huge part of how our organization came into existence, along with her infectious excitement about everything Sicily has to offer. We love sharing new and interesting places with our guests year after year, and as part of those adventures we have honed our Sicily packing list to perfection. So, it’s time to share this knowledge with you. Here we present our essential guide to packing for Sicily trips whenever you’re visiting and whatever you’re doing.

Travel Essentials

Deciding what you should include in your packing for Sicily will vary depending on the time of year you’re traveling, what you’re planning to do while there and if this is part of a European or Italian trip.

However, there are some essential travel items that we recommend you always bring with you:

• Sarah’s Box of Awesome, which includes a first aid kit and other items that serve a wide range of uses – you don’t know how useful these are until you are in a jam.
• Travel adaptor – a universal travel adaptor block is a permanent fixture in our travel bags, as it saves having to remember which type of adaptor you need to bring. In Italy you will find 3 plug types, but in general, the type C with 2 thin round pins will be suitable for your travels.
• Sunscreen – not just a necessity for summer trips, sun protection is a year-round necessity in Sicily. Even in the winter, the sun can be surprisingly strong, so if you’re out exploring you’ll want sunscreen.
• Portable Charger – our cell phones do pretty much everything when we travel these days. Taking pictures, getting directions, checking out restaurant reviews and more will quickly drain your battery so a reliable power bank is an essential tool.
• Mosquito repellent – this is important year-round in Sicily. You’d be surprised at the size of the mosquitoes hanging around in fall and even winter thanks to the mild climate. Many of Sicily’s top sights are out in the countryside, particularly the ancient Greek sites, meaning lots of greenery and lots of mosquitoes to contend with.

Luggage Options

You should also think about what type of luggage you will be packing for. Even more so than in mainland Italy, Sicily is not the place for large wheeled suitcases. Expect cobbled, uneven streets even in the big cities, plenty of steps, hills and hotels that do not have a convenient drop-off point right in front of their entrance door.

We strongly recommend following Sarah’s tips for packing light and using either a good quality backpack or a smaller suitcase that is easier to lift and carry when needed. Trust us when we say large suitcases are a challenge in Sicily, especially if you are moving around the island.

Clothing Suggestions

Deciding what to add to your packing list for Sicily depends on when you are visiting. Whether you’re doing carry on luggage or not, you should do some research into the specific temperatures and weather conditions for when your trip is planned. Also think about the activities you’re planning to do, and make sure you have the appropriate clothing for these.

Packing for Sicily in Summer

Summer in Sicily is super hot. In July and August the average high temperature is 90°F/32°C – this is the average so it’s common to see daily highs closer to 100°F. You can still have a great trip in summer, but adjust your timings and itinerary to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

Knowing what clothing to bring to cope with these high temperatures is crucial. You’ll want to focus on clothes made with natural fibers (cotton and linen) and loose-fitting items. Tight-fitting synthetic clothing might look lovely on, but after an hour in the hot Sicilian sun you will be more than ready to switch to something more comfortable.

You can of course wear shorts if you want to, but we prefer to follow the Italian fashion of wearing longer pants and dresses/skirts. The less skin that is exposed to the sun the better for feeling cooler, plus there is a lower chance of those mosquitoes getting to you.

Remember that you need to cover your shoulders and knees if you’re going inside churches, so bring a light scarf to put around you if needed.

Packing for Sicily in Spring and Fall

Spring and Fall are the best times to visit Sicily in our opinion. The weather is still reliably warm without the summer intensity and while popular sights can be busy, the crazy Italian summer season is far busier.

Our top tips for packing at this time of year are to bring a mix of lighter and warmer layers, adjusted for the specific timings of your trip. Coming in April or October? You’ll want more warm options. Visits in May and September should mean warmer weather so opt for more light clothes.

Think t shirts and pants, dresses that can be layered over leggings, cardigans and light sweaters. At times there is a chance of rain so bring a light waterproof jacket that you can put on if needed and perhaps a small travel umbrella.

Packing for Sicily in Winter

Traveling to Sicily in the winter months is an excellent idea if you want to focus on sightseeing. Most sites are very quiet and you will see a different side to the island – we love Sicily this time of year.

Unlike parts of Northern Europe, Sicily doesn’t ever really see proper cold weather. Average temperatures hover around the mid 50’s-60’s and so you won’t need super heavy winter coats and jumpers.

You will need warmer layers and a good quality waterproof jacket, as well as decent shoes that will hold up when it rains. A scarf or two is a must, but hats and gloves are not really necessary.

However, one of our top travel tips for Sicily is to bring warmer nightwear. Architecture in Sicily focuses much more on keeping homes cool in the summer, so heating is often inconsistent and not that effective. This is especially relevant for apartment rentals. A thicker pair of pyjamas, fluffy socks and a warm jumper will be invaluable on the cooler evenings.

Footwear

Having comfortable shoes is an essential part of travel. The number of times poor footwear choices has caused problems for us and our guests over the years is testament to this! So yes, while we always suggest that you travel light, bringing comfy shoes is a non-negotiable.

When packing for Sicily, you’ll want 2-3 pairs of shoes. One pair should be practical walking shoes, so good-quality sneakers or walking sandals. These need to be suitable for wearing most days so make sure you’ve worn them in and know they are the right choice for your feet.

The second pair should be something that is still practical but a bit dressier. Maybe a smarter pair of black sandals that go with everything in summer or ankle boots for the winter. These are suitable for more formal attire but could still work as an alternative to your main walking shoes.

The third pair of shoes may not be necessary, it depends on what you’re planning to do while in Sicily. If you’re thinking of going up Mount Etna then hiking boots or shoes are a great idea for example. Water shoes if you’re doing a lot of water-based activities or a second pair of walking shoes if you want to be able to change out your footwear.

Finally, slide in a pair of flip flops. You’ll definitely want a pair for when you’re in your hotels, relaxing at the pool or at the beach.

Travel Accessories

Travel accessories are all over the internet these days but our advice is to not get carried away with promises of revolutionizing your travel experience. Apart from a few key items, we’ve found that most travel accessories aren’t worth the extra weight and take up space in your bag that could be better used for something else.

Those key items however can make a huge difference on your travels. The accessories we do recommend including in your luggage when packing for Sicily are:

• A smaller backpack or day bag is a must-bring item. Having a bag with you means you can carry all those essential items like a water bottle, sunscreen, portable charger, tissues and more. Parts of Sicily are more rural than people expect so it’s best to be prepared.
• An eye mask and/or ear plugs should definitely be on your packing list if you’re a lighter sleeper. In cities like Palermo and Catania there is often a lot of street noise late at night (especially in the summer). Sicilians also stay up late so if you’re staying anywhere near the center of town you should not expect it to be peaceful.
• A travel pillow. Yes, they can be a bit bulky but trust us, having a comfortable pillow will have a huge impact on your trip. Not only are they great on the airplane or as a welcome addition in hotel rooms, we’ve used them on minibuses and for longer car journeys for back support as well.

Beach Essentials

Sicily’s beaches are really something special so we recommend making time for a beach day if you’re visiting during the spring, summer or fall months. This means you’ll need beach gear, beyond just a bathing suit.

You’re unlikely to be provided with a beach towel unless you’re staying at a hotel with a private beach. So, we always bring a lightweight towel with us. A microfiber one is ideal as these are light, don’t take up much space in your bag and dry quickly.

Flip flops should already be on your packing list, but depending on where you are in Sicily, adding a pair of water shoes is a good idea. Many of Sicily’s beaches are pebbly or rocky so flip flops won’t cut it here, especially if you’re planning to do water activities like kayaking.

Remember that walking around in just swimwear is not normal in Italy, so be respectful and bring a dress, shorts and t shirts or light top to cover up in for getting to the beach, having lunch or purchasing anything.

Finally you’ll want a beach bag to carry all of your beach essentials. Some people use their regular day bag but we find that bringing a light tote or mesh bag is a better option.

Packing for Sicily

Whatever you decide to include on your packing list for Sicily, make sure to consider your specific itinerary, and try to pack light if possible. If you’re wondering where to start with planning your trip to Sicily check out our upcoming Sicily Highlights and Sicily Pleasures tours or get in touch to discuss a custom experience.

If you’d like to learn more about packing light and maximizing your luggage, take a look at the many videos on Sarah’s YouTube channel or our blog posts.

 

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