The best time to travel to Italy

Italy in Spring

Spring in Italy is mostly mild and bright, especially in April and May. March is cool and spring rains can occur. In April, cool, rainy days alternate with pleasant, sunny days, while the weather in Italy in May can already be summery, ideal for walks and sightseeing. Unfortunately, this is no longer an insider tip. If you are planning a spring vacation at the best time to travel to Italy, it is best to avoid Easter, as the cities are even more crowded then.

Italy in Summer

Summer in Italy is traditionally bathing and high season. Enjoy the sun on beaches in Sardinia, the Amalfi Coast or Rimini, where the water is warm and perfect for swimming. The weather in Italy in June and especially in July and August is very hot, especially in the big cities and in the extreme south. In addition, many families and school classes travel through the country. Due to the long days, many museums and archaeological sites have longer opening hours and restaurants and bars invite you to enjoy themselves late into the night. If you don't mind the heat and crowds, this is the best time to visit Italy.

Italy in the Fall

Italy in the fall can be full of surprises: you can be rewarded with a glorious October day or it can rain for days on end, especially in the wettest month of November. September is usually still quite warm to hot, even if cooler evenings hint at the arrival of fall. The seaside resorts close in October. September to November is the best time to visit Italy if you don't mind the unpredictable weather but want to avoid the crowds. You'll find cheaper flights and hotels and the cities are much less crowded.

Italy in Winter

The Italian winter can be sunny and spring-like or bitterly cold and windy. It is generally temperate in central Italy, but in the coastal areas it can be quite harsh, with strong winds, rough seas and rain. This is the best time to visit Italy for winter sports, so the ski resorts are busy and Italy's cities are empty in January and February. The weather in Italy in December can be unpleasant, but the cities fill up with people flocking to the Christmas fairs and shopping for Christmas presents. In the south, rainy days alternate with bright, spring-like days and the countryside is lush and green.

Best Time to Visit Sardinia

The best time to visit Sardinia is from April to June, when temperatures have not yet reached their peak and the cacti are in bloom. Nevertheless, summertime in Sardinia has its advantages: The Tyrrhenian Sea and the Mediterranean are pleasantly warm at this time of year, for example, and the calendar is full of festivals and events. September and October offer travelers mild weather and fewer crowds.

Best Time to Visit Tuscany

Apart from the historic cities such as Pisa and Florence, Tuscany is known for its rolling hills and vineyards. The best time to visit Tuscany is in spring between April and May and in fall between October and November. At these times, the temperatures are less oppressive and fewer people are drawn to the region, although crowds of tourists can be expected in the cities all year round.

Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast

The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is in the spring or fall—especially in May or September. During these months, the weather is warm and pleasant, with daytime temperatures around 77°F (25°C), and the crowds are much thinner compared to peak summer season. You'll be able to enjoy the coastal views, charming towns, and winding roads without the summer rush.

While summer (June through August) offers ideal beach weather with hot, sunny days, we don't recommend traveling during this time if you prefer a more relaxed experience. The region becomes packed with tourists from all over the world, and the narrow streets and beaches of towns like Positano and Amalfi can get very crowded.

Best Time to Visit Venice

The floating city is popular with tourists for its many historical sites, ornate architecture, picturesque bridges and opulent palaces. Whether you visit in February for the carnival or want to linger on the beaches of the Lido in summer, you can always expect crowds here. The best time to visit Venice is in the fall and winter.

Sailing

Sailing is a must in Italy, as the country is home to some of the best sailing areas in the Mediterranean. In general, the wind is usually stronger on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily than in the Gulf of Naples and on the Riviera. The general sailing season in Italy lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October. The peak months include July and August, although there can be periods without wind. In summer, the bays are crowded and moorings are quite expensive, which is why early fall is the best time to sail in Italy.

Hiking

If you are traveling outside of the hot summer months, this is the best time in Italy to go on a hiking vacation: cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and an abundance of seasonal landscapes make Tuscany, southern Italy and the Dolomites a perfect hiking paradise. Hiking in May - June and September - October is ideal in these areas and even in winter you can go on exciting snowshoe hikes in the Dolomites or on Mount Etna.

Skiing

Despite the warm climate in winter, Italy offers excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding. The northern Italian ski resorts are known for their affordable prices, cheerful, family-friendly atmosphere and delicious traditional food. If you want to avoid the crowds for snowboarding and skiing in Italy, the best time to go skiing in Italy is in December before Christmas, from the second week of January and every snow day thereafter, except weekends.

Diving

For frequent travelers, Italy is a dream destination, for enthusiastic divers it is an unadulterated pleasure. Diving in Italy is still an insider tip for many. However, the warm, clear waters of the Adriatic and Mediterranean are the perfect place for some of the best diving trips. The best time to go diving in Italy is from May to October. Please note that the beaches are always very crowded in the peak summer months.

Honeymoon

The periods from April-June and September-October are the best times to visit Italy for a honeymoon. During this period, the weather remains pleasant for sightseeing and activities, and there are not so many tourists in the country. Thanks to the geographical diversity and abundance of sights, you can even spend a whole month here without getting bored.

Road Trip

Are you planning a road trip through Italy? The best time to experience Italy on a stress-free road trip is spring and fall. In September, it is still warm enough to swim in the sea and cool enough to go sightseeing. The grape harvest season begins and the piazzas invite you to linger over an Aperol Spritz. In spring, the landscapes blossom and the hills of Tuscany are lush green.

Family Vacation

From ancient treasures to beautiful beaches, snow-capped mountains and the world's best gelato - few countries are as suitable for a vacation with children as Italy. The best time to visit for a family vacation largely depends on what you want to do. The months of June to early September are ideal for a seaside vacation. However, avoid August, when prices and visitor numbers skyrocket due to the national holiday in the middle of the month. Sightseeing and exploring are too strenuous in the hot summer, so spring and fall are the better choice.

Beach Vacation

If you love sun and sea water, the best time to travel to Italy is between June and early October. These months offer warm, sunny weather at the most popular beach destinations. For a beach vacation in Italy in summer, you should prefer the lesser-known regions in the south such as Calabria or Apulia, where the water temperatures are very pleasant and there is not so much going on. In early and late summer or at the end of September, the number of visitors and prices are noticeably lower.