Weather wise, there is no reason why you canât visit Italy at any time of year. Most of Italy has a Mediterranean climate and its relative mildness 365 days of the year means itâs definitely a country that can be visited âoff seasonâ. Donât forget that Italy is home to a number of ski resorts too so itâs also a great destination in the Winter months if you enjoy snow sports.
Weather
Temperatures are hottest in the South. Here, Puglia and Calabria enjoy over 300 days of sunshine each year. Temperatures can soar in the peak Summer months of July and August, often surpassing 30 degrees. The main towns and cities here can become almost stiflingly hot and visitors will find that they can be pretty sleepy places during the heat of the day. Instead, they come alive at night when temperatures have cooled. However, itâs always much fresher by the coast and with miles and miles of golden sand and beautiful beaches to enjoy, itâs heaven for sun worshippers!
Further North, in the central belt, Lazio, Tuscany and Umbria enjoy a relatively mild climate all year round. Again, temperatures will peak in the key Summer months, as will visitor numbers. The cities here can be pretty stifling if sightseeing in these peak Summer months. Youâll find it cooler and more refreshing in the hills and on the coast.
In the North, the Italian Lakes doesnât tend to see the humidity that you can get further South. However, even up here, the climate is mild all year round, evidenced by the numerous tropical plant species you will find in the ornate lakeside gardens.
Which season to visit Italy?
Because of its popularity, Italyâs main tourist centres can get busy in the main Summer months. Italyâs cities are certainly much quieter (and cooler!) in the Autumn and Winter months or in the Spring time which can make sightseeing much more pleasant. As a result, we recommend that you visit Rome, Florence, Venice or Siena out of season. This way, you also will avoid the queues to the museums and the crowds of holidaymakers. That said, we would still always recommend booking tickets to the most popular attractions in advance with our partners Viator or Get Your Guide.
Italy also enjoys many festivals across the Autumn and Spring months so this can be a great time to visit, especially if you want to absorb some Italian culture. Read all about festivals and events in Italy here. Or if youâre looking for some warmth to get you through the long Winter, you could head to Puglia in October and November, when itâs not unusual to still enjoy temperatures in the low twenties. It’s still a great time of year to enjoy the beach too – you can explore the best beaches in Puglia here.
However, donât let the crowds put you off travelling in the peak Summer months. July and August are the busiest months in Italy. This is when you will find many Europeans visiting the country. Italians typically take their holidays in August when many leave the heat of the cities to escape to the cooler lakes or coastal regions. Every year, on 15th August Italians celebrate Ferragosto, which is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated day in the Italian summer calendar. It’s a national public holiday and Italians celebrate with parties, wonderful feasts and spectacular fireworks displays.
