Sicily in October?

[JazzieC]

Hi, we're looking at a holiday in Sicily in early October - Taormina has caught our fancy! Me, DH and another couple. Has anyone been there in October and how was the weather? Any recommendations of places to stay/visit? Thank you in advance

Sicily is crazy hot in summer. October will be a lot cooler. Probably a bit cool if you want to sit on a beach all day but a lot more pleasant if you don't.

Taormina is a great place to stay as it is filled with restaurants, hotels and shops. It's not big though so I would suggest you hire a car if you want to see the rest of the island. Depends what you like doing really. Are you looking for a relaxing week on the beach or getting out and about?

Thanks @Aaron95 we would like a chilled out holiday with plenty of strolling, eating, drinking and taking in the views - a bit of beach but not too much. I read that driving in Sicily can be a bit crazy so, we weren't sure whether to get a car or not.

Driving in Sicily is fine. The motorway can get a bit hectic around rush hour but if you head inland there is hardly any traffic.

You'll struggle to get many places without a car. If you want to get out and see the island it's really the only way. You can hire one in Taormina or at the airport.

Mt Etna is probably the most popular day out. Catania, Syracuse are both interesting to visit for catacombs, ruins etc. Enna is an incredible old Sicilian town with narrow streets and incredible buildings. Milazzo has trips out to see Stromboli if you want to see actual lava.

Thanks @Aaron95 for the car advice - Etna is definitely on the list

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/what-mount-etna-eruption-means-holiday-cancelled-flights-3153524

Etna is currently erupting, but hopefully its stopped by Oct!

DH and I spent 2 weeks in Sicily pre covid. I think it was Oct, possibly even into the 1st week Nov. People were still swimming in the sea! We flew into Palermo and spent maybe 3 days there. Train to Agrigento for a few days to see the museum and ruins. Bus to Catania. Day trip to Syracuse.

Etna was rumbling then, so we decided against Taormina. We got the bus back to Palermo for the rest of the holiday. We did a day trip for lunch to Mondella beach and wished we'd stayed a few days there. Cefalu comes up also as a nice place.

I'd recommend the BnB we stayed in Palermo, but not the one in Catania. By day, the street outside was very quiet. By night, it was a heaving mass of people drinking and laughing outside all the bars and clubs.

We went in October when DS was a baby - perfect temperature and Taormina is beautiful

Low/mid 20s temp