When to Visit

Like most of Western Europe, early spring and autumn are the best times to visit and travel around Italy.

Northern Italy (Milan, Bologna, Verona and Venice) looks totally stunning in spring, its winters are mild and occasionally very foggy, and its hot, dry and humid summers are tempered by sea breezes. In winter in Venice (in Northern Italy) a mist often descends and hovers over the city creating an atmosphere of mystery and suspense.

Southern Italy has warm, dry weather with far fewer crowds in September. It has a typical Mediterranean climate, which is almost always sunnier than northern Italy. July and August can be unpleasantly hot and humid. But there is always relief to be found in the mountains, in the coastal areas and in the forests.

The best months to visit the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Verona, Bologna, Naples and the Amalfi Coast (in Southern Italy) are November or March. The most crowded periods are Easter, May and June, October and Christmas. July and August have become less crowded in recent years, but the summer can be fun but also uncomfortably hot.

In the Apennines and Alps, winters are long and cold, while summers are short and cool. The ski season can last from December to April.

Summer is Italy's peak season when the country is at its busiest. Many shops and restaurants close in late August when their owners go on holiday. Easter, Christmas, and other religious holidays are busy times for Italy and the larger cities and towns tend to put up their prices during these occasions.

For best value, late spring and early autumn are the optimum times to visit Italy, with the weather at its mildest and the crowds at a minimum.



Save time and money by booking a tour in Italy before you go! Click Here