Almost any time of the year can be a good time to visit Italy. Not all countries have such bragging rights! While Italy offers a lot to enjoy during any season, the best time to visit Italy is during the fall, September through November, when hotels and airfares are less expensive and summer crowds have subsided at popular tourist attractions like the Colosseum and the Vatican.
Whenever you decide to go, read on to learn more about Italy’s weather and to find out what holidays, food, and festivals are available throughout the year.
Popular events and festivals
The New Year begins with a bang in Italy, as Italians, like many other Europeans, celebrate Epiphany, the date the Magi gave gifts. In February, the celebrations continue as Italians celebrate Carnevale, an event with parades and dancing like a pre-Lenten Mardi Gras, celebrated as a final party before Ash Wednesday. Spring, in particular, is filled with many events in the country, largely around the Easter holidays. In summer, the country organizes festivals and outdoor events, such as the annual Palio horse race, which is held every year in Siena.
Fall is all about food, as rewards like truffles and wild mushrooms are celebrated. And finally, December revolves around Christmas, when Italians celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Saint Lucia’s Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Saint Stephen’s Day and various other holidays. Saints.
The weather in Italy
The climate of Italy varies enormously depending on where you visit. The north of the country, near the Alps, has a harsh climate with cold winters and hot, humid summers, while central Italy has a temperate climate throughout the year. In southern Italy, you will find warm temperatures all year round.
For example, temperatures in Milan can range from 28 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Rome is much milder, with low temperatures typically in the 40s and highs in the 80s.
High season in Italy
The peak season in Italy is typically from mid-May to August, when visitors flock to the country from all over the world. While many Italians go on vacation in August, visitors from elsewhere make up for it, sending airfares and hotel rates to their highest level. Summer is a great time to visit, thanks to Italy’s beautiful weather, but be prepared for more crowds at top attractions than at other times of the year.
January
January can be a great time to visit Italy for those who don’t mind the cold. During winter, the opera, symphony and theater seasons are in full swing. For winter sports enthusiasts, the mountains of Italy offer many opportunities.
Events to withdraw
- The Epiphany, the arrival of the three kings, is celebrated every year on January 6 and is the most important Italian festival celebrated in January.
- San Antonio Abate is celebrated on January 17 in many parts of Italy. Huge bonfires are lit and there is often music, dancing and lots of wine too.
February
February may get a bad rap, but it’s a great time to visit budget-conscious travelers, as airfare and accommodation are much more reasonably priced than other months. The weather can be cold and wet, so bundle up!
Events to withdraw
- Carnevale , as it is called in Italian, moves every year according to the liturgical calendar, it moves every year, but there is a good chance that some of the best events will take place during February.
- Italy’s official winter sale period begins in February, so if you’re looking to do some shopping, there’s no better time.
March
March can start out cold and wet, just like February, but by the end of the month, the sun is likely to shine and a number of wildflowers, tree blossoms, and gardens will bloom in Italy. The crowds are still low, so March is a great time to visit.
Events to withdraw
- The Rome Marathon is held on the third Sunday in March. The race begins at the Roman Forum.
- Easter sometimes falls in late March with events during the week leading up to Easter Sunday and is a huge celebration across the country.
April
As one of Italy’s “shoulder seasons”, you can find great weather and great prices if you visit during April. Easter usually falls during this month, so if you visit during Easter, know that the holidays are observed more faithfully than in the United States, which means that you may find more closed stores, restaurants, and tourist spots during this time than Lo. you would do in America. On the other hand, visiting at Easter is a good time to see Holy Week processions.
Events to withdraw
- The Italian Easter week celebrations begin during the week before Easter and continue until Easter Monday, La Pasquetta, a national holiday.
- Rome’s birthday (753 BC) is celebrated each year on April 21.
May
In May, the temperatures are warming up and the crowds are increasing. You’ll also have more hours of daylight, which can make the month a great one for exploring or hitting the beach.
Events to withdraw
- May 1 is a public holiday throughout Italy. It is celebrated similarly to Labor Day in the United States, with a few different parades and festivals to celebrate.
- May also means the start of the Giro d’Italia, the country’s equivalent of the Tour de France.
June
The crowds are at their peak in June, but the weather is great as the temperatures haven’t peaked yet. While prices may be higher, if you’re dreaming of a sun-soaked Italian vacation, June is the month for you.
Events to withdraw
- June 2 is the Festa della Repubblica, a national holiday that celebrates the founding of Italy as a unified republic. There are usually large parades and fireworks all over the country.
July
A summer trip to Italy means that you will enjoy a lot of bright sun and you will be able to pass by its stunning beaches. Going to the Mediterranean country in July also means taking part in Italy’s fantastic summer festivals, attending open-air concerts and plays, and relaxing outside during the evening hours. July is a busy month for tourism, so expect to pay higher prices for accommodation and flights.
Events to withdraw
- Palio, Siena’s famous bareback horse race around the central square, Piazza del Campo, takes place on July 2.
- On the third Sunday in July, one of Venice’s biggest festivals, the Festa del Redentore, or the Festival of the Redeemer, marks the end of a great plague epidemic in 1576. Today, it is celebrated with fireworks and a gondola regatta .
August
Italians take their own vacation in August, but the country is still full of tourists. The weather will likely be hot (and humid, in most parts!) And crowds swell at popular tourist attractions, ranging from The Last Supper to the Colosseum. While larger cities will still be busy, keep in mind that smaller cities and towns will be much quieter.
Events to withdraw
- Ferragosto (Assumption Day), is a national holiday that marks the peak of the summer vacation season. It is celebrated on August 15.
- La Fuga del Bove (Escape of the Ox), is a three-week festival in the Tuscan town of Montefalco. Includes good food, historical costumes, and music.
September
The hottest summer weather has subsided, the summer crowds have subsided, and Italians have returned from their vacations. Italy in the fall is one of the best times to visit. You can enjoy fall foods like truffles and wild mushrooms, attend fall festivals and cultural events, and get around different places without the heat of summer.
Events to withdraw
- Regatta Stories, the historic Venice boat race takes place on the first Sunday in September with four race categories.
- The Festival of the Virgin of the Sea is celebrated on the second Sunday of September in Sicily in the town of Patti.
October
October marks the true beginning of Italy’s shoulder season, when prices are often much lower than what you will find at other times of the year. However, there is still much to do, as the entire country is filled with harvest festivals celebrating wine, mushrooms, truffles, and more.
Events to withdraw
- The famous Alba White Truffle Festival takes place on weekends throughout October in the Piedmont region of Italy.
- In Trieste, the Barcolana regatta is the largest gathering of boats in the Mediterranean Sea.
November
November brings low airfare (sometimes as little as $ 500 round-trip from the US) and incredible fall foliage. Hotel rooms are often less expensive, making the month a good time to visit.
Events to withdraw
- The White Truffle Fair in the medieval Tuscan hill town of San Miniato takes place on the second, third and fourth weekends in November.
- The Feast of Our Lady of Good Health is celebrated in Venice on November 21 at the Madonna Della Salute Church to commemorate the liberation of Venice from the plague in 1621.
December
December weather is sometimes not ideal – temperatures have started to drop and snow is common in many parts of the country. Surprisingly, tourism slows during the first part of the month, but picks up at Christmas. For many, spending Christmas in the Vatican is a lifelong dream.
Events to withdraw
- While Italians often spend Christmas Day with their families, many cathedrals celebrate Christmas Mass.
- The medieval Tuscan town of Suvereto hosts its wild boar festival (Suvereto Sagra del Cinghiale) in late December. The event culminates with a giant party.
