Early winter · Weather & things to do
Palermo in December
Palermo cools off: highs slip to 60°F (16°C), from 67°F in November, with lows of 51°F (11°C) and about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain.
Its comfort score of 73/100 is still Good, though it ranks 10th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 60°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 51°F (11°C)
- Rain
- 3.7 in (95 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 69%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 22 min
- Comfort score
- 73/100 · Good
What December feels like
Highs near 60°F (16°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Lows average 51°F (11°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.7 in (95 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Only about 9 h 22 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April – June and September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 22 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 84/100 in November to 73/100.
- Our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 51°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.7 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Palermo in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Palermo Cathedral
Cathedral mixing Norman, Gothic and Baroque styles, with royal tombs.
I Segreti del Chiostro
Convent pastry shop in Santa Caterina selling recipes from Palermo's nuns.
Teatro Massimo
Italy's largest opera house; daily guided tours and seasonal performances.
Quattro Canti
Baroque crossroads where four ornate facades frame the old town's quarters.
Taverna Azzurra
Old Vucciria tavern pouring cheap local wine to a crowd spilling into the street.
Why now December scores 73/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Nearby in December
- Taormina in December~106 mi · highs 58°F, 3.5 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Syracuse in December~128 mi · highs 61°F, 3.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Sorrento in December~182 mi · highs 58°F, 4.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Amalfi in December~186 mi · highs 59°F, 4.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~222 m to Palermo's ~28 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Palermo in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Palermo?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 73/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are April – June and September. Expect highs of 60°F (16°C) and 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain. Our Sicily: Palermo to Syracuse route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Palermo in December?
Average highs are 60°F (16°C) and average lows 51°F (11°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Palermo in December?
Some: about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.0 in (712 mm).
What should I pack for Palermo in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 51°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.7 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Palermo
Planning Palermo in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.