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.
People Also Ask
Italy is a beautiful destination year-round, but if you want to avoid packed tour buses, long museum lines, and extreme heat, you probably don't want to plan a summer getaway to Rome, Venice, or Florence.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
August is the hottest time of the year in Rome. Think cotton t-shirts, linen shirts, loose midi skirts or pants and it's crucial to stay hydrated. You can wear shorts if you prefer, although Romans don't really wear shorts except at the beach.
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.
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.
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).