The best time to visit Palermo is April, May, June, September and October, when average highs sit in the comfortable low-to-high 20s and the historic centre is warm without being oppressive — May reaches 22.3 °C with 9 rain days, while June climbs to 27.4 °C with just 4 rain days and 13.3 hours of sunshine a day. July and August are peak season, with highs of 30.5 °C and school-holiday crowds and prices. Winter is the quiet, low season: January and December stay mild at 14.6 °C and 16.2 °C but bring more rain and shorter, cloudier days.
Best months AprilMayJuneSeptemberOctober
Palermo month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.6 °C | 9 °C | 12 | 8 h |
| February | 15.3 °C | 9 °C | 8 | 9 h |
| March | 16.7 °C | 10.1 °C | 12 | 9.8 h |
| April | 19 °C | 12.1 °C | 8 | 10.6 h |
| May | 22.3 °C | 15.3 °C | 9 | 12.1 h |
| June | 27.4 °C | 20.1 °C | 4 | 13.3 h |
| July | 30.5 °C | 23 °C | 2 | 13.8 h |
| August | 30.5 °C | 23.3 °C | 5 | 12.6 h |
| September | 27.4 °C | 21 °C | 10 | 11 h |
| October | 23.8 °C | 17.4 °C | 11 | 9.4 h |
| November | 19.6 °C | 13.8 °C | 13 | 8 h |
| December | 16.2 °C | 10.8 °C | 11 | 7.7 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Ideal for walking the historic centre — mild, green and uncrowded early on.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is superb; July and August suit beach-goers who don't mind the heat and crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September and October are excellent — warm sea, long light, thinning crowds.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Fine for city sightseeing and value seekers who accept some rain.
Notable events
- July
- Festino di Santa Rosalia (patron saint festival)
- March or April
- Easter Holy Week processions
- December
- Feast of the Immacolata and Christmas markets
- Autumn
- Morgana Puppet Festival
Frequently asked
Is Palermo too hot in August?
It can feel intense — August averages a high of 30.5 °C with 5 rain days. It's manageable near the coast, but June (27.4 °C) or September (27.4 °C) offer similar warmth with fewer crowds.
What is the rainiest month?
November is wettest with 13 rain days, closely followed by January and March at 12 rain days each. The driest stretch is July with just 2 rain days.
Is winter worth it?
Yes, if you want quiet streets and mild days: January stays at 14.6 °C and December at 16.2 °C, though expect 11 to 12 rain days a month and only around 8 hours of sunshine a day.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Palermo area guide →
Areas of Palermo
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Palermo — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.