Best Time to Visit Italy

Italy is one of the world's favourite holiday destinations, famous for its culture, food, and stunning countryside. But when is the best time to visit Italy? In this article, we'll go over what Italy is like in different seasons, helping you pick the right time of year to visit this compellingly beautiful country.

We'll include insights into the weather, key events, and the best tours and experiences for you depending on when you visit. Choosing the right time to visit Italy is important for a memorable experience and to enjoy the best of what’s on offer. 

The best season to visit Italy

There are many reasons to research the right season for your holiday to Italy. Some activities are better suited to certain seasons, so your ideal time to visit Italy will depend on whether your focus is lazing by a pool, visiting galleries, exhilarating walks in the bright chill of autumn and winter, or tasting regional delicacies.

Italy has something for everyone all year round, whether it’s enjoying the Christmas markets of Sorrento, the archaeological sites of Pompeii, Paestum & Herculaneum in the autumn or the many summer hotspots along the coast and islands. If you're considering a curated experience, don't miss our Italy Escorted Tours.

Let’s take a look in more detail.

Spring in Italy

Spring is a particularly beautiful time in Italy, with colourful wildflowers and gentle golden sunlight. This particularly makes it a good time to visit rural areas of Italy, such as Tuscany.

While March can be a bit chilly, April and May offer great weather for enjoying the best that Italy has to offer. You'll even find quite balmy temperatures in the south during May.

Spring can be excellent for easy access to popular attractions. While you'll benefit from warmer weather, spring is off-peak, and there will be fewer tourists and you'll likely find destinations to be more peaceful since families tend to travel during summer.

Here are some of the best things to do in Italy during the spring.

• Explore the countryside: Discover the beauty of the rustic Italian countryside as fresh life starts to bloom at the beginning of Spring. The rolling hills of Tuscany are a great place to visit in Spring.
• Tour the cities: Spring is a wonderful time to visit enchanting Italian cities, like Florence, Venice, and Rome. Not only are they likely to be less busy, the spring weather can be ideal for exploring.

Watch out for these special events in Italy during the spring.

• Easter: The Easter holiday is a very important event in Italy, especially in Rome. Most towns and cities will host Easter festivities and religious services, but some tourist attractions, restaurants, and bars may close.
• Feast Day of San Giuseppe: This is the equivalent of Father's Day in Italy, and it's celebrated with pageants and bonfires.
• Festa della Primavera and May Day: On March 21 and May 1 respectively, there will often be celebrations to mark the changing of the seasons.

To fully experience Italy in spring, check out our escorted holidays, including our Amalfi Coast, Pompeii & Capri tour or our Sicily tour.

Summer in Italy

Summer is the peak season in Italy thanks to the hot weather. If you want to see Italy at its most vibrant, this is the time to visit.

The hottest weather in Italy is usually in August, with June and July being a little milder. This often means that seaside areas and resorts will be busiest in August as more visitors enjoy the fresh coastal breezes.

Here are some of the best things to do around Italy in summer.

• Enjoy the seaside: Many of Italy's coastal regions, like the Amalfi Coast, will be at their best during the summer, so it's a great time to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea.
• Explore nature: Mountainous regions like the Italian Alps, the Italian Lakes and the Dolomites will usually offer great walking in the summer, and you can enjoy all the best hiking routes.

Special events in the summer include these.

• Ferragosto: This public holiday on August 15 celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This is a popular time for Italians to take time off, so out-of-town resorts are often busy.
• Local culture festivals: Plenty of towns and cities will host festivals for art, music, food, and drink in the summer. Keep an eye out for interesting local events to visit.

To make the most of summer in Italy, try tours such as visiting the Treasures of Tuscany & Florence or going on holidays to Puglia.

Winter in Italy

Winter is usually the quietest season in Italy, so it's a terrific choice if you want to explore and experience the country without crowds. It’s the perfect time to get cosy with wine, local cheese and linger over rustic suppers. Winter in Italy is much milder than many other destinations in northern Europe. Why not visit the ancient cities of Pompeii, Paestum and Herculaneum in Winter?

Here are some of the best ways to enjoy Italy in the winter.

• Enjoy peace in the cities: Cities such as Rome, Milan and Venice will often be quieter in winter and it will be easier to get tables at the smartest restaurants. You'll still be able to do everything you would normally do in the cities. If you want fewer crowds, this is a great time to visit and the weather is ideal for exploring on foot.
• Go shopping: With Italy being world-famous for its high fashion and luxury retail options, this is a terrific time to snag some bargains, especially in cities like Milan or Rome.

Special events in Italy during winter include the following.

• Christmas: With its strong Roman Catholic background, Italy is a stunning place to visit leading up to Christmas. The cities have impressive decorations including lights and nativity scenes, and Christmas markets pop up everywhere with lots of hand-crafted items, gifts, and artisanal treats. Why not experience Christmas on the Sorrento Coast?

Autumn in Italy

Autumn in Italy can be varied. Closer to summer, you can expect temperate weather and larger crowds, but later into autumn, you'll find the cities and resorts get quieter. The change in season means different specialities on restaurant menus.

September is typically still quite warm in Italy, though the evenings and nights can get chilly. October and November get steadily cooler, which means fewer tourists, and a more relaxed visit.

Some of the best things to enjoy throughout Italy in the autumn include these treats.

• Vineyards: Especially in September and early October, many vineyards in Tuscany and Sicily will be quieter but still warm, making this the perfect time to indulge in some local wine.
• Visit museums and attractions: With the autumn being quieter, you can take your time exploring whatever attractions you want to see, such as the Colosseum at Rome or the galleries in Florence.
• Shopping and dining: Cooler weather in autumn can be the perfect time to dash between luxury shops and boutiques, and try earthy local cuisine in restaurants or cafes in Rome, Venice and Florence.

There are many special events in Italy in the autumn.

• Food festivals: Whether it's apples, truffles, nougat, cheese or meat, there are plenty of food festivals in almost every town and city throughout the country. With food a hot topic this time of year, make sure you visit local food markets to try stunning local produce.
• Venice high tide: For a unique experience, visit Venice in the autumn and hope for a high tide. This usually happens in autumn, and sometimes in winter. The acqua alta floods significant portions of the city. You can still get around via raised footpaths, as the city adapts to this seasonal occurrence.

The best month to visit Italy

March and April

Best for: Warmer weather and tranquil destinations

March and April are when Italy starts to become more welcoming in terms of temperature, but you'll still find the benefits of off-peak travel. Plus, you can experience the Easter celebrations.

May

Best for: Avoiding the summer rush

May is the last chance to visit Italy before the high season. If you want to enjoy seaside locations without too much competition for space, May could be the best time to visit Italy.

June and July

Best for: Sun, sea, and sand

The hot weather in June and July makes it the perfect time to visit seaside resorts. Costal areas will also be lively at this time of year, as will other outdoor attractions, like hiking trails and areas of natural beauty.

August

Best for: Seeing Italy at its most lively

August is the very peak of the high season for Italy, and most parts of the country will be very busy, especially seaside areas and attractions. If you want to experience the buzz of lively resorts and the hottest weather, August is the best choice.

September

Best for: Having a quieter getaway by the sea

September in Italy is still warm but is typically quieter after the summer peak. It's still a delightful time to enjoy a coastal retreat, hiking, or city breaks.

October and November

Best for: Exploring museums, attractions, and vineyards

The country is generally quieter in October and November, so you can enjoy tourist attractions with fewer people. This makes it the perfect time to visit if you want to linger in galleries, museums, or other cultural attractions.

December

Best for: Christmas celebrations

Christmas takes over much of December, with lights, nativity displays, performances, stalls, markets, and more. If you want to experience Christmas somewhere with incredible food and wine and lots of charming walks, Italy can be a great choice. Plus, many attractions will still be open, though as Italy is very family oriented, expect most shops to close on Christmas Day and just after.

Insider tips for timing your visit

When timing your visit, you need to consider:

• What you want from your holiday, whether that's the hottest weather or quiet attractions
• What locals say about the area in different seasons
• When your ideal destinations are the busiest
• When some seasonal attractions close, such as for the winter

When to go to Italy: Summary

The best time to visit Italy depends on what you want from your getaway. Italy's peak season is summer when you'll have the best weather, but spring and autumn getaways are typically quieter destinations. Working out the best time for your holiday to Italy can help make sure that you have a truly unforgettable experience. Once you know what kind of holiday you want, you can use our guide to help plan an unforgettable trip.