When is the best time to visit Italy?

One of the most popular reasons to visit Italy, aside from its food, culture, and allure, is that it’s a veritable paradise to travel in. 

With different seasons throughout the year, each with their own pros and cons, I’m going to explore when you should go on your next trip!

When Is The Best Time To Visit Italy?

The best time to visit Italy depends on what you want to see and do. 

If you’re interested in outdoor activities, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn (fall) are the best times to visit Italy. 

The weather is milder and there are fewer crowds, so you’ll be able to enjoy hiking, biking, and other activities.

Autumn is also the best time to visit if you’re interested in wine and food. 

This is when the grape harvest takes place, and you’ll find many festivals and fairs celebrating the season’s bounty.

If you want to experience Italy’s world-famous cuisine, the summer is a great time to go. This is when fresh produce is in peak season. 

You’ll find the tastiest tomatoes, cherries, peaches, and more.

If you’re looking for a bargain, travel during the winter months. 

Hotels and tour prices are lower than usual. Just be prepared for cooler temperatures and possibly some rain or snow.

No matter when you decide to go, Italy is sure to delight.

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Seasons in Italy

In Italy, the weather is generally milder than in other parts of Europe, but there are still four distinct seasons. 

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the best times to visit, when the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists. 

The peak tourist season is summer (June-August), when the weather is hot and there are many visitors. 

Winter (December-February) can be cold, especially in the north of the country, but it can also be a beautiful time to visit, with snow on the mountains and festive Christmas markets.

Below you will find an overview of the best season to visit Italy.

Spring in Italy

Many people believe that the best time to visit Italy is in the springtime. 

The weather is pleasant and the flowers are in bloom, making it a picturesque time to travel. 

Spring brings a burst of new life and colour to the landscape. 

It’s also a great time for hiking trails as they dry out after winter rains. You can also see wildflowers blooming in fields throughout the country during this season.

You can enjoy all that Italy has to offer without the large crowds and high prices of summer. 

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when planning a springtime trip to Italy.

The first thing to consider is the weather. Although the average temperature in Italy during spring is a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius (70°F), there can be days that are much hotter or cooler. 

Be sure to pack accordingly and have layers on hand in case of fluctuating temperatures. Rainfall is also common during spring, so come prepared with an umbrella or raincoat.

Another thing to consider is that you’ll want to avoid the peak period, which is April through May. 

During this time, you’ll find crowds at their worst, especially in big cities like Rome and Florence.

Despite these things to keep in mind, springtime in Italy is still an incredibly beautiful and enjoyable time to visit seaside destinations, such as the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and Sicily. 

From enjoying the fresh air and blooming flowers, to experiencing fewer crowds and lower prices, there are plenty of reasons why spring is one of the best times to travel to Italy!

Summer In Italy

Summer in Italy is a magical time. The weather is generally warm and sunny, the days are long, and you can enjoy some of Italy’s most popular beach destinations.

If you are planning a trip to Italy during the summer, be sure to pack your sunscreen and your sense of adventure, as there are some pros and cons to consider.

Summer temperatures in some areas can be extremely high. Summer temperatures range from 27°C (80°F) to 31°C (88°F), with temperatures reaching 40°C (105°F) in the south. 

It’s also a very busy and expensive time of the year to visit Italian cities and major tourist areas like the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como and Cinque Terre.

Instead, you might prefer to visit the Dolomites or the northern lakes, which are less crowded (except in August) and have milder weather.

If you enjoy the beach, you could take advantage of the warm weather and visit some of the lesser-known southern regions, such as Calabria or the north of Puglia, where you can enjoy crystal clear water and less crowded beaches.

The southern part of the Puglia region, Salento area, is also a great summer destination, but it may be a bit overcrowded, as it has recently gained popularity among both locals and tourists.

A benefit of visiting during the summer months is that many Italians take their holidays between June and August, so there are fewer people around on the streets of Italian cities and in museums.

But, on the other hand, many businesses and attractions take a break during this time of year.

Many businesses, for example, close for a portion of August to allow for vacation.

So, it’s important to do your research ahead of time if you want to enjoy the most of your time here.

Autumn in Italy

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly and authentic Italian experience, autumn (fall) is the best time to visit.

It’s usually dryer than springtime but not yet as cold as winter. The days are shorter, but there are still plenty of hours left in the day for exploring all that Italy has to offer!

It’s the perfect time to visit Rome, Florence, and Venice—the three most popular cities in Italy.

Late September through the first half of November are ideal times to visit coastal destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Calabria, or Sicily, as the weather is still pleasant and there are fewer tourists than in the summer, with average temperatures ranging from 16 °C (61 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F).

Plus, you can enjoy seasonal specialties like chestnuts, mushrooms, and truffles.

Fall is harvest season in Italy, so it’s a time for “sagre,” local festivals that Italians across the country organise to celebrate their incredible foods and wines.

Tuscany, Marche, and Piedmont are excellent destinations to experience harvest and truffle festivals.

To learn more about the things to do in autumn in Italy, read my related blog post here.

Winter in Italy

Winter is considered off-season in Italy, which can result in lower prices for flights and accommodation. 

The country experiences mild winters, with average temperatures ranging from 5–9°C (41–48°F) in the north, 8–12°C (46–54°F) in the centre, and 13–17°C (55–63°F) in the south. 

Snow is rare in most parts of the country, except for the mountains. 

Winter is a great time to visit Italy if you enjoy winter sports, but the ski resorts do fill up quickly, so make your reservations early. 

The Dolomites, the Val d’Aosta, and the Savoy Alps to the west of Turin offer excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding, and there are many other winter sports to enjoy.

If you prefer to stay indoors, you can still enjoy all that Italy has to offer, from world-renowned museums to cosy cafes.

During the winter, indoor attractions such as the Vatican Museums, the Uffizi Gallery, and other tourist hotspots are much quieter and more pleasant to visit. 

It’s the ideal time for exploring galleries and appreciating art at your own pace.

Best time to visit Italian cities

The ideal time to visit and experience the culture of Italian cities like Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice is during the shoulder seasons. 

These are the times when you will find the best deals and the mildest temperatures. 

This rule applies somewhat to all Italian cities; it’s generally best to avoid the summer, which is considered high season, when prices are higher, temperatures are sweltering hot with high humidity , and there are also more people.

To have a better experience and the best prices, it’s best to go during the shoulder seasons: early spring or autumn (fall).

The advice I would like to give you, regardless of the time of year you choose for your visit to Italy, is to avoid weekends where possible.

Attractions tend to be more crowded because, in addition to tourists, there are Italians who travel for weekend getaways.

Best time to visit Italy for wine lovers

If you are a wine lover, autumn is unquestionably the best season to visit Italy.

In Italy, September and October are harvest months, bringing with them the vibrant colours of autumn as well as a series of festivals and “sagre” (local food festivals) to celebrate young wine with roasted chestnuts. 

However, keep in mind that the harvest season is extremely busy for wine producers, so some wineries may be closed to the public. 

If you go during harvest season, make sure to book winery visits well in advance. 

The spring season, between March and May, is also a great time to visit wineries, and because it’s quieter, winemakers will find it easier to arrange tours and tasting experiences.

The Best Time To Visit Italy’s Beaches

The best time to visit Italy’s coastal destinations is between late April and October. 

Most Italian beach destinations, particularly those in the centre and south, will have warm and sunny weather during this time. 

The best time to visit seaside destinations like the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and Sicily is in the spring (April or May), before the summer season begins, or after it ends, in the autumn (September and early November). 

However, keep in mind that by the end of October, some resorts and hotels may be closed, and ferries will be on a winter schedule, giving you fewer transportation options.

In any case, it’s best to avoid July and August, when many Italians, as well as visitors from all over Europe, flock to the beach. 

At this time of year, the beaches are crowded and chaotic, and lodging is expensive. 

For July and August, it’s better to choose lesser-known coastal destinations such as Calabria or Puglia for lower prices and less crowded beaches. 

If you plan to travel between late June and mid-September, book your accommodation at least 6–9 months ahead of time to ensure you get the best and most popular properties.

The Best Time to Visit Italian Alps

If you are a mountain lover, the Italian Alps provide a variety of experiences throughout the year. 

Mountain bikers, hikers, climbers, and rafters flock to the area during the warmer months (May-September). 

In the winter, however, they are an ideal destination for skiers, snowboarders, and other winter sports enthusiasts. 

Ski resorts typically open in November and close in April. 

The best months to ski are January and early February, when the snow conditions are ideal; late February is the busiest. 

March and April are warmer and more pleasant, but snow conditions are generally poorer, with the exception of glacier slopes and some high-altitude resorts.

The cheapest time to visit Italy

If you’re looking to travel to Italy on a budget, the best time to visit is in February or November.

During these months of the year, you’ll find cheaper flights and accommodation rates. This is also a great time to visit if you’re looking to avoid the large crowds.

February in Italy is cheap and less crowded than all other months, due mainly to the cold, damp weather.

Temperatures in February range from 8 to 9 degrees Celsius (48 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit) in northern Italy, 10 to 12 degrees Celsius (50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit) in central Italy, and 13 to 15 degrees Celsius (low 60s) in southern Italy.

It’s the month for festivals like the Venice Carnival, the San Remo Song Festival, and the Olive & Bruschetta Festival held in Spello, Umbria.

November is another cheap month to visit Italy.

It’s Italy’s rainiest month, so expect frequent showers and overcast skies this time of year.

November temperatures are similar to February but slightly warmer, with highs around 10–11°C (50°F) in the north and 15–19°C (60–66°F) in the south, which are cool but pleasant.

In addition to being the best time to visit Italy on a budget, November is also a great time to enjoy the food and wine. 

The weather is ideal for grape harvesting, and you’ll find many festivals and fairs celebrating the season’s bounty.

When is the best time to book a flight to Italy?

The most expensive time to fly to Italy, regardless of airline, is from June to early September. 

April to May and mid-September to October are less crowded and less expensive travel months. 

If you’re looking for good deals, it’s best to travel during the shoulder or low season. 

The high season in Italy is when airfare is the most expensive. 

Summer is considered high season, but summer also has its advantages. 

The weather is generally good, and it’s easier for families with children to travel during this time of year.

That said, if you’re looking for cheap flights to Italy during these months, I suggest booking at least six months in advance or even earlier. 

Summer was once the only high season, but it has since expanded to include May and September as well.

If you can, consider traveling during shoulder season months, that are often less crowded than other times of year because many people opt not to travel during them for various reasons (e.g., school schedules).

Winter is typically the cheapest season for airline tickets because fewer people travel during these months due to inclement weather conditions. 

However, there may also be price increases around Easter and Christmas, as well as Carnevale in Venice, because those are mini-peak season periods during what is normally not the high season.

Stay flexible with dates and times

When booking flights to Italy, stay flexible with dates and times. 

If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can also try to book your flight for a mid-week departure. 

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are typically the cheapest days to fly, so you may be able to save some money by scheduling your trip for one of those days.

If possible, avoid taking holidays or other events that might drive up ticket prices (like Christmas or New Year’s Day). 

If there’s a big event going on while you’re visiting town — like the Venice Film Festival or Milan Fashion Week — try booking tickets several days before or after the event date so as not to pay extra for what’s essentially a holiday.

Consider Flying to a different airport or a European hub 

If direct flights to Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FLE), Italy’s main international airport, are too expensive, you could fly into different major cities, such as Venice or Milan airports.

Milan (Malpensa Airport, MXP) is the main port of call for exploring the northwestern cities of Genoa (Cinque Terre) and Turin, while Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) covers the northeastern areas of Trieste and Bologna, and both of them have lower fares.

You could also consider alternate destinations and airports nearby. 

You might as well be able to find a low-cost flight to any European city and then getting to Italy; intra-European flights to Italy can often be very cheap.

However, remember to assess the costs well, as it’s not always worth the hassle.

The cheapest flights are usually those that land in secondary airports far from the city centre, so you will have to add the cost of transportation to your final destination to the cost of the flight.

Furthermore, check whether baggage is included in the price of your ticket, as many low-cost airlines that operate intra-European flights charge an extra fee for checked baggage.

Know your rights

Lately, it has been happening more and more often that once you arrive at the airport, you discover that your flight is delayed or, worse, cancelled, and finding information on how to rebook or change your flight is frustrating, to say the least.

In these cases you may be entitled to financial compensation if it does not fall under the category of extraordinary circumstances (weather conditions, staff strikes).

I highly recommend using a service like AirHelp, which validates claims using a custom database of global flight disruptions and then generates and submits claims electronically to make flight compensation as simple as possible.

It’s easier than doing it yourself because airlines aren’t always cooperative when it comes to taking your claims seriously.

Bottom Line

To sum up, June, July, and August are considered peak months; February is the cheapest month to fly to Italy; and October appears to be the best month to visit Italy, regardless of what you want to do or which regions you want to visit.

The summer crowds will have dispersed in seaside destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, and Sicily, but the weather will still be warm enough for swimming.

In the autumn, you’ll also find fewer tourists in major Italian cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, as well as milder temperatures.

It’s harvest season in the wine regions of Tuscany and Piedmont, as well as truffle and chestnut season. 

Many celebrations and festivals are held where you can sample these traditional products and even participate in the truffle or grape harvest.

And last but not least, if your plans are flexible with dates and destinations, booking well in advance could save considerable amounts of money.

Ciao and safe Italy travel planning!