Only Packing List for Sicily You Need!

Growing ever more popular, Sicily is absolutely one of my favourite regions to visit in Italy – not least because, situated at the south of the country (just off the toe of the boot), it’s heavy on the sun hours and hot on the Mediterranean heat!

And of course, it has all the amazing trappings of Italy too – from the history and the food to the culture, lilting language and who could forget, the sensational beauty, there’s no question Sicily knows how to put on as good a show as the rest of the country!

And despite a somewhat dubious reputation in the past, it’s worth pointing out that Sicily is now incredibly safe to travel and is actually one of the cheapest parts of Italy to enjoy a trip too as well (shout out to my fellow budget adventurers!)

So if you’re considering an escape to this glorious island (and quite frankly, why the heck wouldn’t you?!), here’s the only packing list for Sicily you’ll ever need.

Jammed full of top tips, as well as a complete item-by-item guide, it’s guaranteed to make sure you turn up on this glorious Italian island totally prepared and ready to enjoyyyy!

 

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#1 Pack for the Season

The number one thing to point out about this Sicily packing list is that the climate and weather of this island depend massively on the time of year you are visiting.

You can learn more about this in my article dedicated to discussing the best time to visit Sicily but, in general, this packing list is built with the spring and autumn months in mind (that’s roughly April through June and September through November FYI) as these tend to be the most popular months to visit the island.

If you are travelling outside of these 2 seasons, then please do feel free to adjust the packing list below accordingly.

Namely, this will involve packing some warmer layers, jackets and trousers and trousers for the winter months (Dec through March) and going all out on the summer gear – think shorts, thin dresses, sunhat, bikini, beach gear etc – in the summer months of July and August, when things get seriously roasting in Sicily!

 

#2 Going for Layers

Layers are always a good option when it comes to travel and Sicily is no exception.

The best way to cover all bases without packing huge amounts for your trip to this island is going for thin layers that you can take on and off as the weather switches.

This is especially true if you’re travelling Sicily in either early spring or late autumn, when changeable weather – especially if you’re up any of the mountains – can mean you need to bring sunglasses and t-shirts, as well as sweaters and jackets!

It’s also a good idea to pack clothes you can layer if you’re travelling across the country of Italy more widely, rather than just staying in Sicily.

Indeed it pays to remember Sicily is the most southerly spot in this country and that the weather really can differ quite a lot between here and Milan!

Packing layers means you can be assured of covering all eventualities for an Italian adventure without over-packing and having to lug around huge suitcases!

 

 

#3 Keeping it Light

And talking about not lugging around huge suitcases, it’s definitely worth taking some time to quickly cover ways you can pack everything you need for Sicily without being too weighed down!

And if you manage to condense your stuff down well, then this whole packing list below should fit into a 40-50l backpack (or medium-sized wheelie suitcase) that you can take as carry-on luggage.

I never take anything bigger, even when I’m travelling for 2-4 months at a time, so you’ve got no excuse!

This 50l Aura backpack from Osprey makes a great option and would be brilliantly accompanied by some good packing cubes!

Yes these guys are the answer to all your packing problems my friends, and if you want to compress your gear to take up less space, as well as have it nicely organised, I highly suggest you get some!

I absolutely love packing cubes and personally would never consider heading off to Sicily, or indeed anywhere, without them!

 

#4 Packing for Walking in Sicily

And even though this packing list is designed to be lightweight, it doesn’t exclude the things you need to pack to enjoy some of Sicily’s best travel adventures.

And first up, it’s walking, which is especially great in the northwest of the island as several lovely national reserves are located here.

In Sicily, good hiking shoes, rather than hiking boots, would be my preference, as they are lighter and will keep your feet cooler. You can even get away with runners or trainers if you like, as things will most likely be dry in the spring, summer and autumn months on the island.

I also recommend garments with lots of pockets, so you have easy access to things like tissues, camera, sanitiser, snacks etc, as well as investing in a power pack too, so that you can charge your phone when you’re out walking and retain access to your phone’s camera and map facilities.

My go-to brand here is Anker and I actually have 2 of their power packs – one that comes out with me during the day and the other that is charging in my accommodation, so it’s ready to swap over.

For my big camera, I also have a spare battery, so that I can swap this around and keep snapping when I’m out and about.

And don’t forget a good day pack to carry all your gear in when walking in Sicily. A decent day pack will also ensure any weight is evenly distributed across your shoulders too!

 

#5 Packing for the Beach

No question, bringing some swimwear and a beach towel are a great idea for Sicily, especially if you’re here between the months of May and September when the water and weather are both amazingly warm.

UV-protected sunglasses, a good sunhat and some 30+ SPF are also great items for your Sicily packing list, especially in the summer when things can get really scorching here.

I’d also advise bringing a good moisturiser you can use on your hands, body and face after a day in the sun and finally, don’t forget a handy sarong and a dry bag to keep your stuff safe, dry and sand-free on the beach (especially any electricals).

 

 

#6 Packing for Sicily Sightseeing

Italy is a liberal western European country, so in cities and towns it’s ok to walk around in above-the-knee shorts and dresses.

Just make sure you have a shirt or t-shirt to wear when entering any shops, cafes, bars or restaurants.

The thing you do need to be aware of in Sicily is that there are so many lovely villages and historic sights to explore that you may end up walking more than you planned to!

As such, I highly recommend putting a pair of comfortable shoes on your Sicily packing list.

Supportive sandals like Arizona Birkenstocks are a good option if you’re here in the summer.

As tap water is not drinkable in Sicily, it’s also a good idea to carry a filter water bottle with you when sightseeing here, like this LifeStraw, which will allow you to drink from the tap safely and easily.

I used mine across Sicily and it worked brilliantly – saving me money and the planet plastic waste at the same time!

 

 

Complete Packing List for Sicily

So now we come to my complete list of what to pack for Sicily – a full item-by-item breakdown of everything you should bring for a great trip to this island, which means it’s the only checklist you’ll need!

The length of your stay in Sicily will dictate the number of each item that you need, but here’s a guide to the amount of gear you should pack for a week’s stay.

You can then adjust accordingly..

 

Clothes

1x Thin Jacket (a denim jacket is a good option)

2x Thin Sweaters / Long-Sleeved Tops

7x Singlets / T-Shirts

2-3x Shorts

2x Casual Dresses or Jumpsuits

1x Bamboo Leggings

1x Casual Day Trousers

1x Jeans or Evening Trousers

2x Evening Dresses or Outfits

7x Underwear & Socks

2x Swimwear

3x Scarves  / Wraps

1x Nightwear set

 

Footwear

1x Supportive Sandals like Birkenstocks

1x Trainers / Walking Shoes

1x Pumps or Sandals for the Evenings

 

Toiletries

Thin Toiletries Bag with Hook

Shampoo & Conditioner Bars

Anti-Bacterial Soap

Deodorant

Face Cleanser, Toner, Serum & Moisturiser

30+ SPF Sunscreen & SPF Lip Salve

Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss

Razor & Spare Blades

Nail Scissors & Nail File

Tweezers & Safety Pins

Cotton Buds / Pads

Hair Bands & Hair Brush

 

Electricals

Smartphone & Bluetooth Headphones

Portable Charger/easyazon_link] [easyazon_link identifier="B019UDIAI6" locale="US" tag="bigworsmapoc-20"]Good Camera & GoPro

Lens, Spare Battery, Memory Card & Chargers

Euro Adapter Headlamp & Spare Batteries

 

Other Things to Pack!

Glasses / Contact Lenses if you wear them

Sunglasses with UV Protection

Eye Mask & Earplugs Day Pack Dry Bag Filter Water Bottle

Sarong & Beach Towel

Travel Insurance

Passport & Driving License

Credit Cards and Debit Cards (I always use Wise to get good exchange rates and avoid foreign transaction fees)

Euros Cash

 

SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST!

 

So there it is, the only Sicily packing list you’ll ever need!

Any suggestions to add?

I’d love to hear them!

Please drop them into the comments below and I’ll get back to you…