Recently, I had the delightful experience of visiting Sicily for a much-needed week of lounging by a beautiful pool with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Videos by TravelAwaits

Just a two-hour flight from my home in Spain, Sicily has become the ideal getaway for my partner and me. It’s always affordable, relaxing, and filled with the right mix—like cozy eateries with Nonna cooking, charming beaches offering views of ancient towns, and breathtaking scenery.

If you’ve visited Sicily, you probably understand the enchanting charm that keeps my partner and me returning.

If not, I’d love to give you a glimpse behind the scenes—not to dive into my favorite towns and tours, but to reveal how I prepare for my annual week in Sicily.

And no, I’m not going to dictate how many shirts or pants to pack. Instead, I’ll focus on what I brought from a more qualitative viewpoint. Rather than a specific packing list, I’ll demonstrate how to approach packing, using Sicily as a model.

Curious about how I organize my Muji 36L Carry-On? Here’s my strategy for packing for a one-week trip to Sicily.

Packing for a one-week trip to Sicily in September: the weather

If you’ve read my packing guides before, you know that I prioritize packing for the weather. Not what the weather should be, but based on the most reliable forecast available. (No wishful thinking!)

During my trip to Sicily, the temperatures stayed in the high 80s throughout the day. Some days were even hotter, reaching the 90s, while nights cooled off to the 70-degree range. The heat is dry.

This calls for silks, linens, and other long, breathable, flowy fabrics. For men, a trip to Sicily—or any place with dry heat—is a great time to pull out linen shirts and pants.

Additionally, you can generally afford to overpack a little. Unlike winter travel, heading to warm destinations means you’ll be packing lightweight items. I didn’t just select one or two flowy pieces—I included three skirts, two dresses, and two pairs of silk-blend pants, along with a few silk bandanas used as tops. (Super stylish.)

Consider this your reminder that silk-blend and linen-blend clothing, though not typically marketed as travel-friendly, are among the most packable options. Plus, they look effortlessly chic—which is essential when visiting Europe, especially the Mediterranean.

Packing for a one-week trip to Sicily: the activities

The weather greatly influences my packing decisions. The next crucial factor for me is the type of activities I plan to enjoy. As mentioned, my annual week in Sicily is all about unwinding. I don’t schedule anything in advance. Typically, my partner and I arrive, relax, and then decide if we want to book a tour or dinner.

Most of my packing list for Sicily consisted of casual, lightweight outfits suitable for the pool and/or beach. However, I also ensured to pack a few dressier items, including a pair of lightweight yet formal shoes.

Don’t forget to include nice shoes. They don’t have to be overly formal, but they should be presentable. My partner and I made a reservation at a top-rated restaurant, only to discover they were hosting a special three-part dinner featuring three different Michelin-starred chefs.

We were excited—until I realized that my partner only had slides. We went, and the staff warmly welcomed us, without raising any issues about his slides. (I like to believe my silk dress made up for it.) However, if we had been turned away, I wouldn’t have been shocked either.

Final packing list

Now that we’ve discussed the weather and activities, let’s get down to specifics. What ended up in my carry-on for a week in Sicily? Here’s the breakdown.

• 4 swimsuits
• 3 lightweight, flowy dresses
• 2 lightweight skirts
• 2 lightweight pairs of pants
• 1 pair of jeans (for the flight)
• 6 shirts, ranging from formal to tank tops
• 2 pairs of shoes, including one semi-formal pair
• 3 hats, primarily for sun protection
• 1 silk nightgown
• 1 pullover
• 1 scarf (for use as a cover-up or for cooler nights)
• 2 hefty fantasy novels for poolside relaxation