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.
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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.
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.
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.
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 best time to visit Italy for those traveling on a budget is the tourist off-season from November 1st to December 14th, and from December 24th to March 31st.
“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.
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.
Salzburg, Austria. Not many people know but Salzburg in Austria is one of the best cities in Europe where it is warm but not too hot in July and August. Moderate temperatures make Salzburg cool and pleasant with average highs ranging from 21°C (70F) to 25°C (77F).
In Rome in August, yes you can expect some things to be closed, particular in the days surrounding the 15th, Ferragosto. But you can also expect plenty of shops and restaurants to be open, even all month long.