Sicily in September, the ideal time to visit Etna and the east coast

September is one of the best months to discover eastern Sicily. The climate is still pleasant, the sea retains summer temperatures and the tourist resorts begin to live at a more peaceful pace. It's the perfect time to alternate days at the beach, excursions on Etna, visits to villages and tastings of local wines.

And if you are thinking of a holiday in Sicily in September, Giarre is an ideal base for exploring the east coast of the island.

Why visit Sicily in September

After the intense pace of July and August, September gives Sicily a different atmosphere. The days are still long and bright, while the temperatures generally allow you to easily organize excursions and visits even in the central hours.

It is a particularly interesting period for those who want visit Sicily without giving up the sea, but he also wants to dedicate time to discovering the area.

Among the main advantages:

• temperatures generally milder than the warmer months;
• sea ​​still pleasant for swimming;
• less crowded beaches and tourist resorts;
• favorable conditions for hiking;
• greater tranquility in the villages and historic centers;
• harvest and events dedicated to wine;
• possibility of experiencing the area at a more relaxed pace.

Etna in September: nature, views and wine

September is a great time to discover theEtna, one of the most important symbols of eastern Sicily.

Climbing to the higher altitudes allows you to encounter a landscape completely different from that of the coast: lava flows, woods, craters and panoramas that, on the clearest days, they open onto the Mediterranean.

But Etna is not just nature.

Its slopes are home to an important wine heritage. September coincides with one of the most significant moments of the year for the world of wine: the harvest. The countryside comes alive and the cellars become a privileged meeting point to get to know the area through its wines.

For those who love food and wine tourism, it is therefore a particularly interesting period to discover the Etna wine, the native vines and the relationship between viticulture and the volcanic soil.

The sea of ​​the east coast is still the protagonist

Choosing Sicily in September does not mean giving up the beach.

The east coast offers numerous possibilities for alternating excursions with days at the seaside: from the beaches of the Ionian coast to the coves, up to the small villages overlooking the Mediterranean.

The advantage is being able to experience the sea with greater tranquility compared to the high season, perhaps dedicating the morning to a cultural visit and the afternoon to a few hours of relaxation on the coast.

Taormina, Catania and the villages of Etna

One of the strengths of eastern Sicily is the variety of experiences that can be had even in just a few days.

From Giarre it is possible to easily organize excursions towards Taormina, with its historic center and the famous Ancient Theatre, or towards Catania, city ​​with a strong baroque and volcanic identity.

But it is also worth leaving space for the small towns of Etna: Riposto, Acireale, Zafferana Etnea, Milo, Linguaglossa and Castelmola they offer different perspectives on the territory and allow you to discover a Sicily less linked to the more well-known tourist routes.

For those who want visit Sicily in September, choosing where to stay is important.

Giarre is located in a particularly favorable position between Etna and the Ionian Sea. From here it is possible to reach some of the main destinations in eastern Sicily in a short time, building a different itinerary every day.

A day can be dedicated to Etna, another in Taormina, yet another in Catania. Or you can choose to slow down, visit a village, stop in a cellar and end the day in front of the sea.

It is precisely this possibility of combine different experiences making Giarre an interesting choice for a September holiday.

September, the right time to slow down

Sicily is at its best when you have the time to look at it carefully.

In September it is easier to stop in a square, enter a small cellar, take a panoramic road of Etna or treat yourself to a day at the seaside without the frenzy of the high season.

It is a more authentic Sicily, made of landscapes, flavours, people and small moments. And after a day spent exploring the area, returning to a quiet place where relaxing becomes part of the experience.

Villa Maria: stay between Etna and the sea

To discover eastern Sicily, Villa Maria in Giarre it offers an ideal position to build an itinerary between the sea, Etna, villages and cities of art. The Ville, housed in a historic nineteenth-century building and surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, allows you to enjoy your stay in a cozy and relaxing environment.

After a day among the landscapes of Etna or along the Ionian coast, you can return to Villa Maria to enjoy a few hours of tranquility in the pool or garden. If you are planning a holiday in Sicily in September, Giarre can be the ideal starting point to discover the eastern part of the island.