Experience Italy at its Best: Weather and Activity Guide
Written by Nadia Podrabinek
Hello, my name is Nadia. I usually write about traveling (there are so many places to fit all the lifestyles), relocation, and living in a foreign country (adapting to a different culture). My travels stretch beyond Spain, with journeys to the US, Italy, Norway, Portugal, and France. Relocating to Spain in 2018, I lived in cities from Barcelona to Madrid, currently calling Valencia home. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn! ... show more
Italy is a beautiful country stuffed with breathtaking views, exquisite cuisine, and rich culture. It has picturesque cities and villages, jagged mountain slopes, vast vineyards, white sand beaches, and Mediterranean waters. To take the most out of your visit, consider these weather tips.
Key takeaways
- Italy hosts four different seasons. It carries out various temperatures, from extremely hot to rainy weather.
- Central, northern, and southern Italy differ in the weather and travel experiences they offer.
- The best time to travel to Italy is May-April and September-November.
What people say on Reddit
May and June, and September-October are the better times. For example, if you head to cinque Terre, Amalfi coast, or pretty much any other area with narrow roads, tight parking, you will spend most of your day fighting traffic, looking for parking, waiting for your bus, etc, if you head there July and Aug. September and October the weather should still be good, although not swimming weather.
YuppyYogurt327
Avoid July and August. I was in Florence this August and it was 103°F (almost 40°C), hotter than Sicily a month before. The Italians have a very high tolerance for heat (and aversion to cold) that I will never understand, so July and August will be full of not just foreign but also Italian tourists.
Basically any big-ish cities will be hotter than everywhere else.
I would say May, Sept, or Oct. I think technically the “rainy season” here starts in November. It’s been rainy in several parts of Italy for what feels like a month now, but before that there was basically no rain.
quasitaliano
Summers are becoming very hot all over the country, August is literally the worst month to come here to visit, even more with an elderly. On TV they recommend to stay inside in the hottest hours of the day during summer, especially children and elders. My grandma was closed inside the house with the AC on all day from mid June until mid September last summer because of the weather.
If you want to come between June and September I’d suggest late September, it should be still warm and sunny but not too much.
Lena0001
End of May is a great period, not many tourists, great weather, if you go south then it may be hot enough to go to the beach even. Early to mid September is still good but some people do delayed vacations so you might incur in mostra tourists than you might like. June thru august is HELL. Italy is busy as all hell June thru august. Lots of people at all times of the day in most days, the coast is especially busy, and everything gets more expensive. Also, it gets hot, like real hot. Like, 32C/93F hot
Endeav0r_
When is the best time to travel to Italy?
1. Spring
Spring is the most convenient and cheapest month to carry out your itinerary. Months May to April have more favorable weather conditions for travelers who want to avoid the extremes of Italian summer.
2. Autumn
Autumn also combines shoulder season and pleasant weather. Traveling to Italy from September to November can be ideal, especially for budget travelers.
Useful Video
The temperature averages in Italy
Average temperatures in Italy are different by month. Here are the different temperatures you should look out for:
| Month | Temperature |
| January | 38-54 ℉ (3-12 ℃) |
| February | 39-55 ℉ (3-13 ℃) |
| March | 42-59 ℉ (6-15 ℃) |
| April | 46-64 ℉ (8-18 ℃) |
| May | 53-72 ℉ (12-22 ℃) |
| June | 60-79 ℉ (16-26 ℃) |
| July | 64-84 ℉ (18-29 ℃) |
| August | 64-84 ℉ (18-29 ℃) |
| September | 59-79 ℉ (15-26 ℃) |
| October | 52-71 ℉ (11-22 ℃) |
| November | 45-62 ℉ (7-17 ℃) |
| December | 41-56 ℉ (5-13 ℃) |
What are the weather conditions in Italy for each season?
Most of Italy has a Mediterranean climate with four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Here are the weather conditions for each season in Italy:
Spring
March to May make up Italy’s “shoulder season” because it is before the peak season. For instance, destinations like Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast have smaller crowds. But remember that Easter is an important religious holiday so it might bring tourists for the fun festivities.
Compared to summer, March and May usually have milder and more pleasant weather with temperatures 59-68 ℉ (15-20 ℃).
Spring is excellent for outdoor activities like hiking, white-water rafting, and mountain climbing. You can also go out sightseeing and discover Italy’s beautiful vineyards. Plus, you can sample its delicious wines.
The Alps and Dolomites, waterfalls, and mountain lakes have already melted, and colorful flowers like azaleas, magnolias, and rhododendrons bloom.
See also: Is it worth visiting Lake Como?
Fall
September to November is also shoulder season because it lies just after the peak season. It has lesser crowds, lower travel prices, and cooler weather.
However, the first two weeks can still bring in crowds of tourists, so expect long lines at major tourist spots.
If you travel for wine and food, this is the best time to carry out your itinerary because autumn is the harvest season in Italy. I recommend exploring regions of Umbria, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany are the best places to experience the harvest and truffle festivities.
For the best wine-tasting experience, you can visit Sicily or the northern region of Piedmont, the best place to taste famous Barolo wine and white truffles.
In addition, travel expenses can drop at the beginning of November because the temperature drops dramatically between 45-65 ℉ (7-18 ℃), especially in the Northern region.
So, if you are not a fan of cold weather, you should plan your itinerary for late September and early October.
Alternatively, you can head to southern Italy, where the temperatures are warmer. Usually, it ranges from 55-70 ℉ (13-21 ℃).
November is also the rainiest month in Venice and Rome, so it is mostly about indoor activities such as visiting many world-renown museums and palaces.
Winter
The first half of the winter season is usually quieter. Some even consider it off-season because of the dropping temperature. Hence, flights and accommodation can become more affordable.
This time of the year might be the perfect moment to visit for cultural cravings because the Uffizi Gallery and Vatican Museums are less hectic.
See also: The best art museums in Italy and Traveling to Pompeii from Rome
Winter is your best option if you love exploring the meaningful arts of Italy.
However, if you are more into outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding, you have to book early. Unlike galleries and museums, ski resorts can get crowded because Italy is known for its majestic mountains in the north.
Although Italian cities have low temperatures, it stays above freezing. So, if you want to experience the festive cheer, you can plan for the Christmas Holidays.
A night stroll through the decorated streets of Rome can be a fantastic experience. Plus, you can get cozy and enjoy Italian cuisine at inviting restaurants! Remember that travel and hotel prices can hike during this time.
Northern Italy is the coldest region, with the temperature plummeting to 25-45 ℉ (-4-5 ℃). In comparison, Central Italy has 40-55 ℉ (5-10 ℃) while Southern Italy has a warmer temperature ranging between 55-60 ℉ (13-16 ℃).
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Summer
Summer is the peak season in Italy, particularly the months of July and August. It may even extend to the first two weeks of September. As a result, the summer months become the most expensive and busy time to visit major touristic areas.
Prices are steep, the tourist crowds are at their maximum, and the temperature ranges from 100-107.6 ℉ (38-42 ℃) in the south and 89.6-95 ℉ (32-35 ℃) in the north.
If you like spending the days at the beach, visit Italy during summer to enjoy longer days and spectacular sunsets. You can even explore some less popular regions in the south, like Puglia or Calabria. These regions are more relaxed. Plus, they have abundant seafood, expansive vineyards, and beautiful hilltop towns.
You can also visit the northern region and revel in its beautiful mountain slopes if you want to skip the boiling days in the cities.
Tips and tricks for visiting Italy
Vacationing in a beautiful country like Italy should be a hassle-free time. Here are some tips and tricks of mine for visiting Italy:
- Visit museums for free on the first Sunday of every month.
- Check the prices of dishes, drinks, and “coperto” before sitting on a terrace or in a tourist restaurant, as they might differ.
Read also: Tipping culture in Italy
- If you rent a car, drive with all five senses on the road – in Italy, the driving culture is a mess.
- Get up early to visit the most famous places with few tourists and be able to take better pictures.
- In the afternoon, take the typical Italian aperitif, which consists of a small buffet accompanied by a drink like the typical Italian Spritz.
- Learn some Italian words or phrases such as “Buon giorno” (formal Hello), “Ciao” (Hello and informal Goodbye), “Prego” (You’re welcome), “Per favore” (Please), “Bene” (Good), “Grazie” (Thank you), “Non lo so” (I don’t know), “Scusa” (Excuse me) and “Non capisco” (I don’t understand).
- Take bullet trains like ItaliaRail or Trenitalia when traveling from city to city.
- Have some cash in euros. You can use credit cards at hotels and restaurants. However, street vendors, taxi drivers, and smaller shops sometimes don’t accept credit cards.
- Book a tour in advance (You will thank me later).
- Stay alert and pay attention to your valuables in crowded places.
- What not to do in Italy: smoking in public places may cost you €200, staying on the beaches from 1 am to 5 am (€150), drinking alcohol, eating or sleeping near historical monuments (€50), bathing in the city fountain (€500). Shouting is also forbidden.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no bad times to travel to Italy. Well, except during the pandemic. Overall, it comes down to your preferences.
The best time to visit Rome is during the spring and autumn season. Although you will still encounter big crowds here and there, it will be less hectic than the peak season. The weather is cooler and more favorable than the steamy months of August and July.
The best time to visit Italian beaches is from May to October. During these months, the popular beaches in Southern Italy, such as Sardinia and Amalfi coast, have mild sea waters.
Spain and Portugal have Mediterranean climates, which means they both have mild winters and warm summers. They also have the same average temperatures.
Previously, Italy had stringent restrictions regarding its tourists. But now, it is dropping its COVID-19 regulations to allow more visitors. While facemasks are no longer mandatory, the government still recommends wearing them. Moreover, some establishments, like galleries and museums, may require tourists to wear masks. So, take some masks with you, just in case.
Conclusion
So, what is the best time to visit Italy? Ultimately, it comes down to your interests, activities, and the places you want to see. However, the weather can contribute to your travel expenses and overall experience.
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