Updated 16 Sep 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is December 2026 a good month to visit Palermo?
Calm — the typical December day in Palermo is calmer than 86% of its year.
The weather is the trade-off here, not the crowds.
Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against Palermo's own year — not a headcount.
December is Palermo with the crowds gone — Calm on 21 of 31 days — 1 day runs Busy or Packed, mild and wet, around 17°C / 62°F with rain on about 11 days.
Yes, if the weather does not put you off. The typical December day in Palermo is Calm, and only 1 of the 31 days in our window runs Busy or Packed. Expect around 17 °C by day, with rain on about 11 days. The crowd comes with the school holidays in Germany and France. Cruise ships call on 12 of the 31 days, 2 at once on Thursday 3 December. Mid December is the month's quietest stretch in Palermo — the typical day at 8%, against 31% in late December. The crush is at the Cappella Palatina's nave; the quiet is at the Kalsa. The calmest day is Tuesday 1 December, the busiest Thursday 3 December.
In short, quiet and wide open, if the weather doesn't put you off.
Among the 12 months we forecast for Palermo, December ranks 11th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Thu 3 Dec, busier than 65% of the year; its lightest is Tue 1 Dec at 8%.
You won't need skip-the-line tickets here — that's rather the point. A month like this is the one for the longer visit — the guided walk, the food tour, the day out of town, with room and time to enjoy them. see what's on →
Pack for wet first — rain on 11 of 31 days.
A folding one lives in the day bag and weighs nothing.
See umbrellas →
Wet stone is the thing to plan around in a month this wet.
See walking shoes →
How busy is Palermo in December?
The busiest day is the 3rd. Away from those, most days sit Calm. The calmest stretch is the 4th–31st.
Cruise ships are in port on 12 of 31 days; the heaviest is Thu 3 Dec, 2 ships in at once. Those mornings fill the squares first — start early, or save them for indoors.
The month is not one thing: its lightest day sits at 8% of the year and its heaviest at 65%, so where you land inside it matters. Daylight runs about 9 hours.
Only one day gets genuinely busy — the 3rd — a two-ship Thursday. Every other date is yours to pick.
Tue 01 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Tue 1 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 02 Dec Lively busier than 45% of days here · ⚓1
- MSC Euribia — guest capacity 4,828 09:00–18:00
Record Palermo on Wed 2 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 4,828 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 09:00–18:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 03 Dec Busy busier than 65% of days here · ⚓2
- Costa Toscana — guest capacity 5,322 08:00–16:00
- Crown Iris — guest capacity 1,462 08:00–18:00
Record Palermo on Thu 3 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 6,784 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–18:00. Nearest calmer day: Wed 2 Dec (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 04 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Fri 4 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 05 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Sat 5 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 06 Dec Calm busier than 13% of days here · Spain public holiday
Record Palermo on Sun 6 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Spain public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 07 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Mon 7 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-07 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 08 Dec Calm busier than 19% of days here · Italy public holiday
Record Palermo on Tue 8 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Italy public holiday; Spain public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-08 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 09 Dec Lively busier than 45% of days here · ⚓1
- MSC Euribia — guest capacity 4,828 09:00–18:00
Record Palermo on Wed 9 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 4,828 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 09:00–18:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-09 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 10 Dec Lively busier than 53% of days here · ⚓1
- Costa Toscana — guest capacity 5,322 08:00–16:00
Record Palermo on Thu 10 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,322 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–16:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-10 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 11 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Fri 11 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-11 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 12 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Sat 12 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-12 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 13 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Sun 13 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 14 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Mon 14 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 15 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Tue 15 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 16 Dec Lively busier than 52% of days here · ⚓2
- MSC Euribia — guest capacity 4,828 09:00–18:00
- Seven Seas Navigator — guest capacity 490 08:00–17:00
Record Palermo on Wed 16 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 5,318 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–18:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 17 Dec Lively busier than 53% of days here · ⚓1
- Costa Toscana — guest capacity 5,322 08:00–16:00
Record Palermo on Thu 17 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,322 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–16:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 18 Dec Calm busier than 8% of days here
Record Palermo on Fri 18 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 19 Dec Calm busier than 10% of days here · Germany school holidays
Record Palermo on Sat 19 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 20 Dec Calm busier than 13% of days here · Germany school holidays
Record Palermo on Sun 20 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 21 Dec Calm busier than 13% of days here · Germany school holidays
Record Palermo on Mon 21 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 22 Dec Calm busier than 31% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- Costa Pacifica — guest capacity 3,012
Record Palermo on Tue 22 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,012 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 23 Dec Lively busier than 47% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- MSC Euribia — guest capacity 4,828 09:00–18:00
Record Palermo on Wed 23 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 4,828 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 09:00–18:00. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 24 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- Costa Toscana — guest capacity 5,322 08:00–16:00
Record Palermo on Thu 24 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,322 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–16:00. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 25 Dec Calm busier than 21% of days here · Italy public holiday
Record Palermo on Fri 25 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Italy public holiday; Germany public holiday; UK public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 26 Dec Calm busier than 20% of days here · Italy public holiday
Record Palermo on Sat 26 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Italy public holiday; Germany public holiday; France school holidays. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 27 Dec Calm busier than 14% of days here · Germany school holidays
Record Palermo on Sun 27 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 28 Dec Calm busier than 14% of days here · Germany school holidays
Record Palermo on Mon 28 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Germany school holidays; UK public holiday; France school holidays. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 29 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- Costa Pacifica — guest capacity 3,012
Record Palermo on Tue 29 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,012 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 30 Dec Lively busier than 48% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- MSC Euribia — guest capacity 4,828 09:00–18:00
Record Palermo on Wed 30 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 4,828 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 09:00–18:00. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 31 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- Costa Toscana — guest capacity 5,322 08:00–16:00
Record Palermo on Thu 31 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,322 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–16:00. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/palermo/#d-2026-12-31 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Which week of December is quietest in Palermo?
Mid December is the month's quietest stretch in Palermo — the typical day at 8%, against 31% in late December.
The upside of a quiet December
- The big-ticket sights are walk-ins now; the summer booking scramble is gone.
- Keep the days loose — decide over breakfast, not weeks ahead.
- Early on, you can have the busiest spots almost to yourself — bring a camera.
No queues to skip, and nothing to book ahead — that's the whole point.
December weather in Palermo
Mild — around 17°C / 62°F, with a light jacket for the evenings, with rain on about 11 days, so keep a layer handy. Daylight is short, about 9 hours, so plan the big sights for the middle of the day.
This is the value month: no need to book far ahead, and the freedom to change plans on the day is part of what you're getting.
More about Palermo in December
Based on: Italy's public holidays · school vacations across France and Germany · the season pattern from official overnight stays · five years of weather records (2019–2023) · confirmed event dates · the published cruise schedule
Every figure is recomputed nightly from real cruise schedules, public and school holidays, and long-run climate normals. Gaps are shown, not filled.
