Traveling to Italy between late June and early September means facing the peak holiday season, with all the pros and cons that this entails. The great majority of Italians take time off work in either July or August, moving from the cities to the coast en masse to make the most out of the sunshine.
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August is typically Italy's hottest month, and that's coupled with high humidity in many parts of the country. This is one of the main reasons August is the vacation month for most Italians (and many other Europeans) – they hang “closed” signs on their city storefronts and make a beeline for the nearest beach.
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.
Astronomically speaking, Italian summers start on June 21st and end on September 23rd. But, if we consider school summer holidays, the only period to go on vacation for most families, summer begins at the beginning of June and lasts till the first days of September (each school is different).
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.
Why do Europeans take off August en masse? The idea that summer is for play, not work, seems hard to shake for many Europeans. The habit is especially ingrained in old manufacturing sectors. During and after the industrial revolution, entire factories in northern England would decamp to the same beachside resorts.
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.
“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.
In August in Italy, you'll find crowds in most places, especially at the beach, in the mountains, and at major landmarks inside and outside cities. Expect long lines, busy sites, and full restaurants. I mentioned the sunshine as a reason to visit Italy in August, but it's also important to recognize the heat!
April to June offers the best weatherOften considered the best time to visit, spring offers the ideal mix of good climate and bearable tourism flows. Nature blooms as the snow melts in the mountains and the rolling hills of the central Italian countryside come to life after the chilly winter.
You can expect hot, muggy weather, day and night. . . and pretty empty streets. You can also expect crowds at the Vatican and Colosseum, because anyone who is in Rome is here for tourism, and those are the sites they want to see!
August is typically Italy's hottest month, and that's coupled with high humidity in many parts of the country. This is one of the main reasons August is the vacation month for most Italians (and many other Europeans) – they hang “closed” signs on their city storefronts and make a beeline for the nearest beach.
Mediterranean Europe Weather in August: August is similar to July, although it may even be slightly hotter with the average high temperature now 34°C. It won't cool down much in the evening, as even the lows are a relatively warm 24°C, on average.