"Fall" in Love with Sicily

In Sicily, fall arrives on tiptoe, almost shy and so delicately that the transition from summer is almost imperceptible. On this wonderful island it seems that the “beautiful season” wants to last as long as possible so that September, October and sometimes even November still offer warm temperatures, making Sicily a very enjoyable destination.

The fall is a wonderful time to visit Sicily for many reasons: the temperatures are mild, the summer crowds decrease and there are many events and festivals where travellers can uncover the traditions of this island. Fall tourism has something exciting in store for everyone.

Here are recommended activities from the concierge team at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel:

Sun and Beaches: Those who love the summer and the sea will find that they can prolong their beach season in Sicily. The colours of sunsets are unmissable and offer breath-taking views. A great note to the advantage of these months is that the reduced presence of tourists makes it more relaxing to enjoy a day on the beach at Isola Bella or Mazzarò.  

Nature and Parks: For those who prefer to venture into nature, this island offers many hiking trails and activities. Sicily has four Natural Parks, different from each other and waiting to be discovered. These places are perfect if you want to get away from the chaos of the city and ideal for hiking. Among them, there is the Etna Park, where the highest active volcano in Europe is the undisputed protagonist. Within this Park, around ten itineraries and paths are offered to mountain enthusiasts but there is also no shortage of activities for the sportier; here it is possible to practice mountain biking, paragliding, horseback riding and much more. The Alcantara River Park, between the provinces of Messina and Catania, is the easiest to visit and it contains one of the most important perennial waterways in Sicily. Here it is possible to take a journey through nature, admiring the spectacle of the Alcantara Gorges, thousand-year-old lava walls with basaltic prisms.

Culture and Traditions: The history of Sicily spans different eras and cultures; the island has seen the domination of the Greeks, Romans, Barbarians, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and many others. The influence of the different native people and ethnic groups suggests how much history this area has to tell, through its places of interest and attractions to discover and visit. The Sicilian cultural heritage is very rich in archaeological, naturalistic, historical and architectural evidence, distributed in every province. On the slopes of Etna, there is Catania. Walking along Via Etnea you can admire the spectacle of the volcano and reach Piazza del Duomo, the heart of the city. From here you can visit the Roman Theater, as well as the beautiful Villa Bellini and put yourself in the shoes of the locals, visiting the Pescheria, the famous fish market. In the surroundings of Catania, there are many places to visit, including the baroque city of Acireale, known for its famous churches and the wonderful Aci Trezza, a small seaside town from which to admire the Cyclops Rocks. In the south of Sicily, Syracuse bears its 2,800 years of life very well, among Greek theatres, Roman ruins, Norman castles and Gothic and Byzantine churches. In the ancient part of the city, there is the historic centre of Ortigia, "an island within an island," connected to the mainland by two bridges. A visit to the Greek Theatre, centre of the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse, is unmissable, and inside it is also possible to see a Roman Amphitheatre. The Swabian period is represented in Syracuse by the Maniace Castle, built on the outer tip of Ortigia. A unique and fun way to learn about local stories and traditions could be seeing a puppet show or making a visit to the Puparo workshop. Still in the province of Syracuse, there is the city of Noto, defined as the Stone Garden and Capital of the Baroque.

Events and Festivals: An excellent way to get to know Sicily is through the discovery of its flavours, smells and traditions and what better opportunity than the numerous festivals or events that take place during fall season. In all the provinces, there are festivals in which it is possible to taste the seasonal products specific to certain areas and events that allow you to discover Sicilian culture. A wonderful event is Le Vie dei Tesori Festival, which takes place on weekends from mid-September to early November, in seventeen cities in Sicily that show their treasures: terraces, gardens, domes, museums, churches and palaces will be open and told, ready to fascinate the public. During this occasion, there are also unmissable experiences, walks and events to fill yourself with beauty. Looking at October, we cannot fail to mention the Ottobrata Zafferanese in Zafferana Etnea, in the province of Catania, a true experience of flavours, discovering the excellence of Sicily. Here various local first fruits are staged, each of which becomes the protagonist to be tasted every Sunday in October, in a context full of entertainment and sounds of southern popular traditions. On this occasion, Zafferana Etnea, a village located within the Etna Park, is transformed into an authentic market exhibition and the historic centre hosts an exhibition of ancient crafts. Another festival in October is that of the Bronte pistachio: on two weekends of the month, it is possible to enjoy pistachios in all forms and declinations, within a frame full of dance performances, dances and folk groups that involve the town square. Also in October, every Sunday in Trecastagni the colours and scents of autumn are celebrated with the Chestnut Festival while in Messina, the Street Food Fest is held, an event dedicated to street food, revisited in interesting and new variations to be tasted. Finally, in the month of November, we remember the festival of Nebrodi black pig and porcini mushroom in Cesarò and the Agrimontana of Palazzolo Acreide, an event dedicated to agri-food and typical local craftsmanship, created with the aim of enhancing the numerous excellences of the Iblean territory.

Whether for art, nature, culture or food, it is easy to be fascinated by this wonderful island and "fall" in love with Sicily.