Are you wondering whether going to Catania out of season is a good idea? Well, we kind of spoiled it in the title but we think it certainly is. In today’s post, we’ll go over a few reasons why we think so; we’ll also break down the temperatures you can expect in the respective months so you can make your decision well informed.
Rame di Napoli – sweets from Catania for All Saints’ Day
For the first reason, we have a sweet treat for you. Various sources don’t agree on the origin of this dessert, though the likeliest one has it that, during the Bourbon era in Sicily, a new copper coin was first minted. This was crucial, because it could replace the gold/silver alloy. As such, in honour of this event, this dessert was created. The name, Copper of Naples, refers to the unification of the Kingdom of Naples with the Kingdom of Sicily at that time. You will typically find it for All Saints’ Day, on the first 2-3 days of November.
Olive and wine harvest
October and November is also the only time of year when you can witness the harvesting season – so plenty of olives and wine. November also sees the opening of the first wine barrels in Sicily and Catania.
Also, also, you’ll find the pistachio festival which takes place in Bronte, Catania, at the end of September and beginning of October.
The autumn weather in Sicily
Unlike our damp cold days, temperatures in Catania oscillate between 17 and 27 degrees Celsius. The nights may be a tiny bit chilly, so still take a jacket with you, but, really, it’s like the summer is still going.
There are fewer tourists
If you’re a tourist who would prefer not to see any other tourist in your close proximity, then autumn is certainly a decent time for a trip. You can totally visit Syracuse and Taormina and not have to worry about the hordes. It’s a much more enjoyable holiday experience, at least for us.
It’s cheaper
Given that there are fewer tourists, there’s also less demand for accommodation and all the other tourist-oriented services. As such, prices of all said services fall quite dramatically. You can also find cheaper flights outside of the high season, so you can also count it as a budget holiday. Be aware, however, that some tourist spots may close down out of season, as there’s simply not enough tourist traffic for them to pay the bills.
Weather in Catania in October
October is, naturally, the warmer of the two months. Average day temperatures tend to sit around 25°C. There’s a bit of rain, about 8 days a month, though it tends to be very tame. Nights are still quite warm, at 17°C average. If you want to climb Mount Etna, we’d recommend warm jackets, as it’s quite brisk up there.
Weather in Catania in November
November will be quite a bit cooler, with average day temperatures around 20°C. It may drop below the 20°C mark more often in the second half of the month. There’s also more rain, at around 10 rainy days on average. Nights are also a lot colder, about 13°C, so pack some warmer clothes. Still, 20°C is perfectly ideal for exploration and hiking, so don’t fret. You can always warm up with some Sicilian delicacies.
As you can see, Catania in autumn is a perfectly valid option and offers some unique benefits to offset the lack of heat. If you’re not a fan of heat to begin with and you’d prefer more quiet holidays, then autumn is the perfect time for you!
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