Definitely one of the questions we’re asked most frequently, and while we certainly have our preferences for the best time to visit Italy, we don’t think there’s a single answer.
Perhaps you are somebody who enjoys long days of endless sunshine, who wants to spend their vacation outside and come home with an enviable suntan. Or would you choose to travel when there are fewer crowds and you can wander peacefully around Italy’s world-famous museums and galleries?
Where you want to go in Italy can also make a difference. There isn’t one climate throughout the country’s long peninsula and varied geography. It is often still summer in Sicily when the flood warnings start in Venice. Major cities are open for visitors all year round, but some popular resorts shut up shop for the winter whatever the weather making it impractical to visit.
To help you decide which month is best for you, we’ve put together a month-by-month guide of what you can expect and the places we like to visit at different times of the year.
January
The weather will be cold, but some days can also be sunny. After January 6, tourist numbers drop, and you can get great deals on accommodation.
Another bonus of travelling early in the year is that museums and sites aren’t as full as they are in the summer. This can be a great time to visit the bigger tourist centers, if unpredictable weather won’t ruin your vacation.
In January we love: Venice
Although it can be cold, the rain and fog add an air of mystery to the lagoon. The galleries aren’t crowded and you see Venice as a living city with kids playing in the streets with the nonni watching on, something you don’t see in the summer months.
February
Carnival celebrations take place across Italy in February. If you fancy dressing up and joining the fun, Venice and Viareggio are the most famous carnival parties. For a different spin on Carnival, visit Ivrea near Turin. Here Carnival is celebrated with a wild Battle of the Oranges. It’s half Medieval reenactment, half street party as rival groups run around the town (or drive in carts) and hurl oranges at each other. Get yourself a red hat, a sign that you are a peaceful bystander and not a potential target. On the last day (Shrove Tuesday), there’s a historical parade before battle commences and oranges carpet the streets.
Traditional sweets are common at Carnival time. Watch out for traditional sweets like frappe (or chiacchiere) and castagnole that are enjoyed before Lent begins.
In Milan, February also means Fashion Week. Italy’s fashion capital will be buzzing with visitors and events all week long, so book your trip well in advance.
In February we love: the mountains
Once the snow starts, the Alps and the Dolomites of northern Italy are beautiful to see and home to many lovely towns that are even more inviting in the snow. Plus, they know how to make hearty dishes to keep you warm and satisfied.
March
Warmer weather slowly starts to arrive in the south where it can be a little more dependable than in the north. Consider destinations like Rome, Naples and Sicily if you want to visit Italy in March. There still aren’t many tourists around, as most people wait until Easter to travel. As Easter approaches, hotels and restaurants in places like Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast start to reopen after the winter break.
In March we love: The Amalfi Coast
The single road that runs along the Amalfi Coast isn’t much fun when the weather is bad and is packed with tour buses in the summer, but around March you can easily drive from town to town while enjoying the stunning views.
April
Tourist numbers rise sharply around Easter, especially in Rome. On Good Friday, the Pope leads a candlelight procession at the Colosseum, but many cities have their own unique Easter celebrations, like the explosion of a cart full of fireworks in Florence.
Easter isn’t the only holiday in April. The 25th is Liberation Day, a national holiday marking the liberation of Italy from Fascist rule at the end of WWII. State-run museums around Italy are open for free in celebration.
In April we love: Rome
The Eternal City is the place to be in April with Easter celebrations centered around the Vatican. On April 21, the city celebrates the mythical foundation of the city by Romulus with historical reenactments at the Circus Maximus and the popular Rose Garden reopens.
May
May kicks off with another public holiday. Festa dei Lavoratori (Worker’s Day) is an important festival when workers are traditionally given a day off. Plan your day in advance as many places, including restaurants and museums won’t open today.
Generally, May is one of the best months to visit Italy. The weather is mild, and rainy days are getting fewer. Although sporting events like the Giro d’Italia and the Italian Open attract international visitors, tourist numbers haven’t peaked yet and nor have prices. For nature lovers, Italy’s many parks and gardens are in bloom and look beautiful at this time of year and it’s still pleasant to spend long hours outside.
In May we love: Being out in nature
Italy has a lot of famous gardens that are at their most beautiful in the brief spring. Wherever you are, look for gardens to visit or infiorata – flower festivals – when towns are filled with color.
June
The change from spring to summer in Italy happens suddenly, with temperatures jumping from the mid-60s to high 80s in a few weeks. As schools close for the summer in the second part of the month, many Italian families leave the cities and relocate to the cooler air of the beaches, lakes or mountains. Summer festivals begin in many cities, with bars, cinemas and concerts moving outside. If you’re planning to travel around Italy, start in the south and move north to try and stay ahead of the frequent heat waves.
In June we love: the lakes
Escape the city and head for the cooler air of the great lakes in the north. Wake up to stunning views every day, go sailing, hiking or do absolutely nothing!
July
Temperatures and visitor numbers continue to rise. Every day will be sunny and you should be prepared for the heat and less air conditioning than you are used to at home. If you will struggle with the heat and the crowds, July might not be the best month to visit Italy. July vacations need early planning to make sure guides are available and you can get the tickets you want. Pace yourselves, don’t pack your vacation schedule so you’re constantly on the move and plan to take plenty of breaks each day.
Outdoor music festivals are common in July. From rock music (Rome), to opera (Verona, Rome, Torre del Lago) and jazz (Perugia), if you’re a music lover, July is one of the best months to visit Italy.
In July we love: Puglia
Book yourself a stay in a traditional trullo or masseria, built to keep you cool inside. Spend your days visiting wonderful towns like Alberobello, Ostuni and Lecce, stopping along the way to eat freshly caught fish, delicious focaccia and creamy burrata with the local primitivo wine.
August
Many Italians take their holidays in August. Although big cities tend to stay open, smaller shops and restaurants may close. Staying in Italy and spending a month by the sea is a popular choice. If you want to experience Italy like a local in August, book your beach accommodation early and get hunting for the perfect swimsuit!
August 15 is a national holiday, and even more people (including business owners) will go on holiday, leaving cities to tourists. Towards the end of the month, temperatures will drop a bit, particularly in the north, but they remain high.
In August we love: Sicily
Yes it’s hot, but it’s a dry heat and more bearable than some cities. Brioche and gelato for breakfast, visit a Greek temple, lie on the beach, have dinner at 10pm when it cools down, repeat tomorrow.
September
By the second half of September, temperatures have dropped to the low 80s, and locals have started to return from their vacations. People gradually return to work and school and businesses open up again.
Venice draws crowds in September, first with the famous film festival which see celebrities flocking to the Lido, then with the historical Regatta race along the Grand Canal.
This is also the time for harvesting grapes and preparing wine, so look out for wine festivals when you’re exploring the countryside.
In September we love: Tuscany
When the summer starts to cool down, it’s the perfect time for exploring hilltop towns and indulging in some wine tasting (we like staying in wine resorts). Mix relaxed days in the countryside with day trips to popular towns like Siena and Florence.
October
This is perhaps our favorite month to visit Italy! The weather is sunny but not too hot; there are still tourists around, but the summer crowds have left, and the food is even more amazing than usual! Olives are being harvested, and there are festivals celebrating delicious autumn flavors like porcini mushrooms and truffles, as well as more wine celebrations. A wonderful time for food tours and wine tastings!
Towards the end of the month, hotels and other businesses near the beach and the lakes will close up for the winter. If you are planning on visiting iconic natural locations like Cinque Terre or the great lakes, do it earlier in the month.
In October we love: Piedmont
Explore castles, monasteries and UNESCO sites like the misty hills of the Langhe area, famed for Barolo wine and white truffle.
November
The weather turns unpredictable in November and rain is common. If you are looking for cheaper prices, fewer crowds and you don’t mind what the weather’s like, November can be a great month to visit Italy. Acqua alta is common in Venice in November (though it should be less since the Moses system is up and running) and in recent years intense storms on the Padana Plain have caused flooding in the area around Bologna. Bring waterproofs and the determination to enjoy Italy, whatever the weather!
In November we love: Naples
One of Italy’s most ancient cities, Naples has a whole load of underground sites that you can visit whatever the weather. Visit catacombs, underground aqueducts, mysterious cemeteries and the amazing archaeological museum. Or stay inside eating pizza.
December
Italians traditionally wait until the national holiday on December 8 to put up their Christmas decorations and it’s often a long weekend with lots of Christmas shopping. Christmas markets are popular, especially in the north close to Austria.
Prices remain low at the beginning of the month, going back up for Christmas and the end of the year. Some hotels on the lakes and the Amalfi Coast, popular destinations that usually close for the winter, will open for guests who want to celebrate New Year by the water, before closing again. In the major cities, museums stay open for most of the holiday period, some even on Christmas Day and New Year.
In December we love: Milan
Get in the festive season with Milan’s Christmas markets and designer decorations in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Eat traditional panettone and go to a performance at La Scala. But for many visitors, the best reason to visit Milan in December is the chance to get tickets to see The Last Supper that don’t disappear as quickly as they do at other times of the year.
