Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Sicily
Explore a wide diversity of christmas & new year tours through Sicily. We have 32 adventures that vary from 4 days to 11 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best christmas & new year Sicily tours
Compiled by
MelissaSicily travel expert at TourRadar
- Adventure in Sicily: Behind Volcanoes and the Sea
- Private Tour of Sicily from Palermo to Palermo
- Discover Sicily
- Sicily Quick Escape
- Explore Southern Sicily
- Sicily Revealed: A Journey Through UNESCO Wonders
- 8 Day Taste of Sicily Tour Package
- Sicilian Experience Tour
- Discovering Palermo
- 4 Day Self Guided Palermo, Italy
Adventure in Sicily: Behind Volcanoes and the Sea
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We experienced spring green Sicily with beautiful scenery. We enjoyed many gastronomic delicacies”
Monika, traveled in April
Duration 7 days Destinations Ragusa, Marzamemi, Agrigento, Scopello, San Vito Lo Capo, Palermo, Mount Etna, Taormina Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
- US$467
Private Tour of Sicily from Palermo to Palermo
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The whole trip work like clockwork. Every day, our drivers and guides met us punctually.”
Sophie, traveled in April
This private 8-day trip takes you through Sicily's UNESCO sites and baroque towns during the festive season. You'll see the golden Byzantine mosaics of Christ Pantocrator at Cefalù's Norman Cathedral, check out ancient Roman floor mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale, and walk through Noto, Ragusa Ibla, and Modica's baroque streets.
Duration 8 days Destinations Palermo, Cefalu, Piazza Armerina, Viagrande, Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, Noto, RagusaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Soleto Travel From $3,984
18% Off- US$3,267You save $717
Duration 8 days Destinations Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, Noto, Palermo, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Italian Operator Expeditions Gateways From $3,190
4% Off- US$3,062You save $128
Sicily Quick Escape
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It's a great way to make traveling simpler and more enjoyable.”
Kristina, traveled in February
Catania's Piazza Università and Syracuse's baroque Ortigia island come alive with festive celebrations during Christmas and New Year. A cable car takes you up Mount Etna to see Europe's most active volcano covered in winter scenery. Seasonal Sicilian feasts await at Ristorante Zio Agatino by the sea, where you'll try traditional holiday dishes. Palermo's Ballaró Market offers holiday street food like arancini and panelle during the festive season. San Giovanni degli Eremiti's red domes catch the winter light, showing off its Norman-Moorish architecture.
Duration 5 days Destinations Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, Island of Ortigia, Palermo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
4% Off- US$330
Explore Southern Sicily
23 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We were extremely lucky to have Luca as our tour leader. His love for Sicily was contagious.”
Margaret, traveled in April
Sicily's winter charm unfolds at Monreale Cathedral's golden mosaics and Syracuse's Christmas markets. The Valley of the Temples provides a majestic backdrop while seasonal specialties enhance the festive atmosphere in historic baroque cities.
Duration 8 days Destinations Catania, Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Marsala, Trapani, Egadi Islands, EriceSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $2,149
10% Off- US$1,934You save $215
Holiday magic comes alive in Sicily's December tours through illuminated baroque towns like Noto and Ragusa. Festive markets brighten Palermo's squares, traditional treats delight in Erice, and Taormina provides a stunning backdrop for New Year celebrations.
Duration 8 days Destinations Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Syracuse, Noto, Marzamemi, Catania, Mount EtnaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 7+ Operated in English, German, French, Spanish Operator My Art Collection Travel From
10% Off- US$4,284
Winter magic fills Sicily's festive cities during Christmas. Holiday markets animate Palermo's streets, seasonal cooking classes delight in Taormina, and Mount Etna beckons with winter adventures. Special yuletide menus enhance celebrations throughout the eight-day tour.
Duration 8 days Destinations Palermo, Taormina, Mount Etna, Noto, Syracuse, Catania Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Tourist Journey From
10% Off- US$1,301
Celebrate the season seeing Sicily's winter charm with stays at Hotel Carmine in Marsala and Hotel Colleverde in Agrigento, great for festive travel from December through February 2026-2027. Walk Ortigia's historic streets to the Cathedral built on Greek temple ruins and the mythical Fountain of Arethusa.
Duration 10 days Destinations Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Erice, Marsala, Agrigento, Ragusa, Syracuse, Mount Etna, TaorminaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl From
10% Off- US$2,468
Discover Sicily's Christmas charm in this 4-day Palermo adventure, staying at the elegant Hotel Palazzo Natoli. Explore the festively decorated Cappella Palatina with its golden Byzantine mosaics, learn traditional holiday recipes at Mercato del Capo, and journey to medieval Erice. Conclude with seasonal wine tasting amid Marsala's historic salt mills.
Duration 4 days Destinations Palermo, Erice, Marsala Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator TUI Italia From $934
15% Off- US$794You save $140
Ring in the holidays with 3 nights at Tonic Hotel or Principe di Villafranca Hotel from January to March 2026, using hop-on hop-off buses to see the old center and Art Nouveau spots like Zisa Castle. Walk La Kalsa's lanes to Teatro Massimo and Santa Maria dello Spasimo, sampling sfincione pizza at markets.
Duration 4 days Destinations Palermo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator STM Tours LLC From $725
35% Off- US$471You save $254
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Sicily
This trip was perfect. During the Easter holidays we had the opportunity to get to know some of the local traditions. We visited important monuments (entrances are often free). We experienced spring green Sicily with beautiful scenery, where the Targa Flora was held. We swam in the sea. We enjoyed many gastronomic delicacies and drove home enchanted by Etna. Due to time constraints, we chose a four-wheeled ride around the volcano.
Adventure in Sicily: Behind Volcanoes and the Sea
- Private Tour of Sicily from Palermo to Palermo
Excellent - / Good +++ The concept, content, and delivery of the tour were excellent! The places and sites visited were well selected and planned and the van was very comfortable. The additional tour package that we bought was worth the money. And, most importantly, we were lucky enough to have Marco as our driver/guide-the very best person for this job in all of Sicily! He truly made our journey special. A few small negatives: the chocolate shop and winery tours were OK but not great, one or two of the hotels could have been better, and the trip felt rushed on some days. We would suggest that you keep the same places but extend the nights by one or two so that there would be a little more free time and fewer places to visit in one day.
- Sicily Quick Escape
It’s a great way to make traveling simpler and more enjoyable, especially if you don’t want to be tied down, want to see as much as possible, and don’t know what to choose for just a few days. You can still customize everything to your liking. Plus, if anything happens, you always have someone to turn to.
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Sicily
What special Christmas and New Year activities are included in Sicily tours during the holiday season?
Sicily's holiday tours blend cultural experiences with festive traditions. Visitors can attend midnight mass at Monreale Cathedral near Palermo and join traditional Christmas celebrations at local establishments. Hotel Palazzo Natoli in Palermo serves regional holiday dishes while New Year's brings lively fireworks displays against Mount Etna's silhouette. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The Christmas dinner in Palermo was magical with traditional Sicilian dishes and festive atmosphere making it truly special."
What are the must-see holiday season attractions in Sicily?
Sicily's Christmas season comes alive with handcrafted nativity scenes (presepi) throughout Syracuse and Palermo's churches. The historic center of Catania hosts open-air Christmas markets while Mount Etna provides a backdrop for New Year's fireworks. The Valley of Temples in Agrigento features special holiday lighting. As one TourRadar traveler mentions: "The nativity scenes in Syracuse's Duomo were incredibly detailed and brought the Christmas spirit to life."
What traditional Sicilian Christmas foods can I expect to try?
Sicily's Christmas table features local specialties like buccellati (fig cookies) and cuccìa (sweet wheat berry pudding). Christmas Eve brings seafood dishes such as baked swordfish. Restaurants like Villa Romana del Casale serve these seasonal delicacies as part of tour experiences. As shared by a TourRadar traveler: "The Christmas Eve feast of seven fishes in Syracuse was an unforgettable culinary experience."
What accommodation options are available for Christmas and New Year tours in Sicily?
Holiday accommodations range from the sea-view Hotel Villa Diodoro in Taormina to the classic Grand Hotel Et Des Palmes in central Palermo. Most properties offer festive gala dinners and seasonal celebrations. The Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel in Syracuse provides an intimate setting in the historic district. A TourRadar traveler mentioned "Our Christmas stay at the boutique hotels was magical - they really went above and beyond with festive decorations and holiday treats in our rooms."
What's the weather like in Sicily during Christmas and New Year?
Winter in Sicily brings mild temperatures with coastal areas like Palermo and Catania averaging 55-60°F (13-15°C). Snow often caps Mount Etna while coastal regions stay moderate for exploring. Evening temperatures drop notably in elevated towns like Taormina requiring warm clothing. According to a TourRadar traveler review "We had perfect winter weather during our December tour - cool enough to enjoy walking through historic sites but still pleasant enough to dine al fresco in Ortygia's charming squares."
How do Sicilians celebrate New Year's Eve?
New Year's in Sicily features fireworks across Palermo and Catania accompanied by midnight feasts where lentils symbolize good fortune. Tour packages often include gala events at historic locations. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Watching fireworks over the Mediterranean from Taormina while enjoying prosecco was an incredible way to welcome the New Year."