Most of our guests visit Sicily during summer: it’s the most obvious choice since the island is famous for its beautiful beaches, for the crystal clear waters of its sea and for the charming isles off the coast. Once they get on the island though visitors discover Sicily’s wonderful inland.
They discover the Tuscany of the South: Sicilian countryside is enchanting and filled with little charming towns, vineyards and wineries. The inland is indeed the star of Sicily’s Autumn, thanks to a variety of country fests and events that take place in the months of October, November and December.
Most of the country fests are focused on seasonal foods or specialties, others are traditional celebrations. Here’s a supershort guide about the ones you cannot miss.
All Souls’ Day. In the occasion of the religious festivity for the commemoration of the departed, in many towns of the island are held temporary markets where you’ll have the chance to taste a variety of specialties typical of this period. You’ll find mostly sweets along with stands selling toys: according to the tradition these are the gifts that the dead loved ones bring to the children on the night between November 1 and 2; the markets are therefore called “fairs of the dead”.
Chestnut Fests. Autumn means one thing in Sicily: roast chestnuts. You’ll notice peddlers selling them at the streets’ corner everywhere. November is the time of chestnuts and therefore you’ll encounter a chestnut country fest almost in any town you’ll visit. Our suggestion is to attend the one in Trecastagni, a suggestive hamlet on the slopes of the Mount Etna: on November 1,2, 8 and 9 you’ll have the chance to taste local specialties during the “Profumi e Sapori d’Autunno” festival.
Pistachio Fests. Usually the right time for pistachios is between the end of September and early October. Although, early November is the right time to taste a special kind of pistachio, the one growing in the Platani valley. Among the many events that will take place in the area in the following weeks, don’t miss the Pistachio country fest in Raffadali, just a few miles away from Agrigento.
