So, you won't see the country 'shut down' mid-August, but you will see huge crowds of vacationing Italians throughout the month. In addition to Italians on holiday, you'll also find Europeans and international travelers flocking to Italy in August to soak up sun at the beach and explore the mountains.
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Most Italian workers get their annual vacation time in August, but companies tend to spread the breaks out more now (vs 'closing up shop' for a week or two each August in the past). So, you won't see the country 'shut down' mid-August, but you will see huge crowds of vacationing Italians throughout the month.
The August holiday, which averages three weeks, is obligatory, limiting most Italian employees' paid time off to the summer month, while dimming their vacation prospects for another time of year.
Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons for sightseeing in Italy: not only are all attractions open but you won't need to stand in long queues to enter (like in summer) and you'll have fewer crowds to contend with. Winter is also a good time if you're thinking about hitting museums and galleries.
Summer (June – August) is peak season in Italy. Peak season, particularly the months of July and August (and even extending into the first two weeks of September), is generally considered a very busy and expensive time to visit Italy's cities and major tourist areas like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.
This may surprise many, but one of the primary reasons people in France and Italy shut their doors in August is the heat. Whilst many flock to these countries specifically for the warmth, by the time August rolls around, the heat, coupled with higher humidity, has taken a toll on locals.
The bottom line is that it's hot in Italy in July. Summers in Italy often get hotter in August, but July is plenty hot. And, not only that, but humidity is high throughout much of the country, too.
The price you pay for the smaller crowds and better deals is, of course, suffering through what is often extremely hot and humid weather (along with some shops and restaurants closed for the month). The main tourist cities – places like Rome, Venice, and Florence – aren't ghost towns in August.
Some of Italy's most beaten paths, like the Amalfi Coast, Florence, and Pisa can (and should) be skipped in favor of more intriguing, less tour-bus-filled counterparts.
April to June offers the best weatherWhile April is typically unpredictable when it comes to weather – pack both sunscreen and a raincoat – May and June offer mostly clear, sunny skies without the scorching temperatures of July and August.
So when is the best time to travel to Italy for your trip? We're here to answer that question. For most travelers looking for sunny, warm days and minimal crowds the best time to visit Italy is late May or early October. These months are cooler and less busy than the hot summer months that lie between them.
Best time to visit MilanIf we had to choose we would say that the worst month to visit Milan is August. It is the hottest month of the year and in addition, the city is practically empty, since the Milanese take their summer holidays during this month.
In fact, Italy is the 4th cheapest country in Western Europe. So how much does it cost to live in Italy? To answer this question, let's take a quick look at the average basic living expenses in Italy per month. Based on this, we can say that the average cost of living in Italy per month is around €1,600 (US$1,730).
“Aside from winter travel, shoulder season (March through May and September through November) is known for cheap Italy deals,” he shared. If you can hold out until the end of the spring shoulder season, you'll be rewarded with pleasant temperatures in the mid to high 70s across the country, according to WeatherSpark.
Rome, Florence, and Venice are the three most popular cities to visit on a first trip to Italy. These are filled with some of Italy's most famous places and it is easy to get around using public transportation. The Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and/or Milan can easily be added on to this trip.