Located in southern Europe, Italy has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters. In general, the best times to visit Italy are spring and autumn.
Apart from understanding the optimal times to visit Italy, this page is also the place to find weather tips for planning your trip when your schedule doesn't align perfectly with the best times. We hope to help in effectively choosing the best month for your Italy trip and planning it according to the specific month you're traveling in.
Content Preview
The Best Times to Visit Italy
Italy is a year-round destination. Most of the attractions in Italy are historical and cultural ones, such as museums, plazas, and architecture. Therefore, the weather would have little effect on your visit. Cities like Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice are ideal for year-round visits.
Best Times for Best Weather
If you have a flexible schedule, we recommend visiting Italy during spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). These months offer the best weather (neither hot nor cold weather). What's more, you would enjoy a relatively-less-crowded Italy in these periods.
June could be another good option for family travels to Italy. Italy in June enjoys early summer weather (not too hot) and your family could enjoy less crowded attractions compared with July and August.
See How to Plan a Trip to Italy
Best Times for Coastal Towns
Seaside towns (Cinque Terre)June to August is the peak season in Italy. It is also the best time for sunbathing on beaches along the Italian coast.
For families with school-age children, traveling at the end of May and the beginning of June could be a good choice for lower prices and crowding, as the large summer vacation crowds would not have arrived yet.
We understand that some school systems strongly discourage time off school for leisure, so you may be limited to July/August for your family vacation. See How to Plan a Family Trip to Italy
Best Time for Lower Prices
Winter (December to January) is Italy's low season, so it is the best time for smaller crowds. You would also enjoy favorable prices and a good Christmas atmosphere when traveling during this period.
Best Times for Wine Tours
If you are interested in a wine tour, September and October are the best time when the grapes are ripe, harvested, and turned into wine. Tuscany is one of the important wine regions in Italy. In addition to wine tasting, Tuscany has plenty more to explore, such as biking on the walls of Lucca and visiting Siena with its castle hotels.
The Worst Times to Visit Italy
If you wouldn't be able to stand the heat, then Italy's muggy summertime would not be a good time for you, especially in August. August sees an increase in tourists and the weather can be very hot.
If you don't like rainy weather, then winter would not be a good time for you. Winter in Italy is overcast and rainy. The month with the most rainfall is November.
However, these "worst times" are just a comparison with other months and not an indication that these times are entirely unsuitable for travel.
It means that you may have more things to consider when planning to travel in these months. That's what we could do for you: creating a hassle-free tour by managing the itinerary, transport, and accommodation, thus saving you from things like having to queue for more than 2 hours in the hot sun to buy a ticket to enter the Colosseum.
The worst times for travel also bring some advantages. For example, with a winter trip, you could enjoy less-crowded museums, see the original Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper without queueing, and get a good discount.
Suggested reading How to Plan a Summer Trip in Italy
Just contact us if you are planning your Italy trip. We would create your itinerary based on your interests and requirements.
Italy Travel Guide by Month
- April, May, September, and October are the best months to visit Italy with the nice weather and relatively fewer tourists.
- November, December, January, and February are the best months for favorable prices and fewer crowds.
- June, July, and August are the peak season months with hot, dry weather.
See more travel and weather information for each month below. Averages are given, which match central Italy (e.g. Rome). The south is drier in summer, wetter in winter, and warmer (Naples, Sicily…); the north is cooler, wetter in summer, and drier in winter (Venice, Milan…).
Whatever month you choose, be reassured: our tours are adjusted/customized based on your requirements to make the best of the seasonal opportunities and conditions. Just contact us for a tailored tour.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Italy in January
- Average temperature range: 3–11°C (37–52°F)
- Typical weather: cool and moderately rainy
- Rainfall: 66 mm (3 in) in Rome, 56 mm (2 in) in Venice, 73 mm (3 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 13 in Rome, 9 in Venice, 14 in Naples
If you don't mind the occasional rainfall and cold weather, January could be a good option for traveling to Italy.
In January, popular cities, such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, which are crowded with tourists during the peak season, become quiet. You could enjoy museums and cathedrals without waiting in long lines.
See more on Weather in Italy in January.
Italy in February
- Average temperature range: 4–12°C (39–54°F)
- Typical weather: cool with low rainfall
- Rainfall: 63 mm (2 in) in Rome, 58 mm (2 in) in Venice, 56 mm (2 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 11 in Rome, 9 in Venice, 12 in Naples
February is the low season. So you could enjoy a good discount and quiet attractions. The weather is similar to January's. It is typically damp and cool, but rainy days are a minority, and sunny days can also be expected.
The grand Carnival of Venice usually falls in February. The festival lasts for more than 20 days. If you are visiting Italy at this time, do not miss this event.
See more on Weather in Italy in February.
Italy in March
- Average temperature range: 1–16°C (34–61°F)
- Typical weather: mild with low rainfall
- Rainfall: 49 mm (2 in) in Rome, 58 mm (2 in) in Venice, 53 mm (2 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 12 in Rome, 10 in Venice, 13 in Naples
The departure of the cooler, rainier winter weather makes mild March a not-bad month to travel to Italy, as you could also expect fewer crowds than in the summer months.
Walking the streets is a good way to tour cities like Rome and Florence. The cities themselves are like open-air museums. Beautiful statues and buildings can be seen everywhere. March provides good weather for city walking tours.
See more on Weather in Italy in March.
Italy in April
- Average temperature range: 5–20°C (41–68°F)
- Typical weather: mild, but moderately rainy
- Rainfall: 64 mm (3 in) in Rome, 75 mm (3 in) in Venice, 66 mm (3 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 10 in Rome, 12 in Venice, 12 in Naples
April is one of the best times to visit Italy for the nice in-between-season weather. There are more visitors than in the winter season, but it is not as crowded as in the summer peak season.
Any activity is suitable in April, whether it's going to a museum, seeing a group of buildings, or going to a seaside town.
One thing to be aware of is that Easter could be crowded in major cities, such as Rome and Florence, with throngs of tourists queuing up in long lines to get inside their favorite museums. Prices are also likely to surge during this time.
See more on Weather in Italy in April.
Italy in May
- Average temperature range: 11–24°C (52–75°F)
- Typical weather: warm, low rainfall
- Rainfall: 46 mm (2 in) in Rome, 70 mm (3 in) in Venice, 43 mm (2 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 6 in Rome, 9 in Venice, 6 in Naples
Italy has perfect weather for outdoor activities in May: not too cold or too hot. If you are planning a family trip and want good weather and not too many tourists, late May to early June would be ideal (if it wouldn't disrupt your children's schooling).
Read more on Weather in Italy in May.
Italy in June
- Average temperature range: 13–30°C (55–86°F)
- Typical weather: hot, sunny, not much rain (except in the north)
- Rainfall: 35 mm (1 in) in Rome, 80 mm (3 in) in Venice, 40 mm (2 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 5 in Rome, 9 in Venice, 7 in Naples
June is the beginning of Italy's peak season, but June is less crowded than July and August. This makes it a good time for a family trip to Italy.
In the peak season, for some popular museums or attractions, such as the Roman Colosseum, be sure to book your tickets in advance. Otherwise, there's a real risk of standing in line for 2 hours in the hot sun to buy tickets.
We recommend booking 3 months in advance to ensure a smooth and worry-free tour. Just contact us to create your Italy trip.
See more on Weather in Italy in June.
Italy in July
- Average temperature range: 19–32°C (66–90°F)
- Typical weather: hot and dry (except in the north)
- Rainfall: 19 mm (1 in) in Rome, 68 mm (3 in) in Venice, 20 mm (1 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 3 in Rome, 8 in Venice, 4 in Naples
July is one of Italy's most crowded months. Summer in Italy is quite hot. Air-conditioned hotels get booked up quickly (as do popular attractions and museums), so we recommend making sure to book your trip well in advance.
In addition to popular cities, such as Rome and Venice, Italy's islands are also popular summer destinations, such as Sicily and Capri. The sea breeze would refresh you in the heat.
For better enjoyment of your trip and time spent with your family, booking a private trip is recommended so that the logistics and travel arrangements could be expertly managed to balance the interests of all family members. Feel free to contact us.
See more on Weather in Italy in July.
Italy in August
- Average temperature range: 19–32°C (66–90°F)
- Typical weather: hot and dry (except in the north)
- Rainfall: 25 mm (1 in) in Rome, 76 mm (3 in) in Venice, 30 mm (1 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 3 in Rome, 8 in Venice, 4 in Naples
August is still hot in Italy. But it doesn't affect people's enthusiasm for traveling there. Visiting attractions 2–3 hours before closing could be a good option to avoid crowds. The historical beauty and atmosphere presented at sunset could be a bonus.
August is not such a good time if you want to go shopping. This is because many Italians take time off to travel in August, and so many shops close.
Countryside and coastal towns are popular during this period to escape the heat of the cities.
See more on Weather in Italy in August.
Italy in September
- Average temperature range: 14–27°C (57–81°F)
- Typical weather: warm with low rainfall (except in the north)
- Rainfall: 65 mm (3 in) in Rome, 80 mm (3 in) in Venice, 45 mm (2 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 6 in Rome, 7 in Venice, 5 in Naples
September is a good month to travel to Italy for not-so-hot weather and fading summer vacation crowds.
Early September remains slightly hot and becomes warm from mid-September. The summer crowds also decrease, but you may still expect relatively large crowds in the bigger cities.
Besides sightseeing and hiking, September could also be a good month for wine tasting. Tuscany is the most suitable region for a wine tour.
See more on Weather in Italy in September.
Italy in October
- Average temperature range: 12–21°C (54–70°F)
- Typical weather: cool, but moderately rainy
- Rainfall: 85 mm (3 in) in Rome, 95 mm (4 in) in Venice, 85 mm (3 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 6 in Rome, 10 in Venice, 5 in Naples
October in Italy boasts warm days and cool evenings — perfect weather for anything outdoorsy, such as hiking, boating, visiting countryside towns, and wine tasting.
What's more, October is the shoulder season. You could expect fewer crowds and reasonable prices.
See more on the Weather in Italy in October.
Italy in November
- Average temperature range: 8–16°C (46–61°F)
- Typical weather: mild and rainy
- Rainfall: 126 mm (5 in) in Rome, 103 mm (4 in) in Venice, 148 mm (6 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 11 in Rome, 8 in Venice, 10 in Naples
In November, Italy gets cooler and wetter. Museums that normally have long queues in the warmer months become quieter in November.
Walking is one of the main ways to tour big cities in Italy, such as Rome and Florence. Most attractions are within walking distance. If it is rainy, there may be some inconvenience, but it would not have a great impact. With us, your guide would adjust the itinerary for you according to the weather to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience.
If you don't mind the rain, November could be a good time to have a peaceful visit and enjoy some good discounts.
See more on Weather in Italy in November.
Italy in December
- Average temperature range: 1–15°C (34–59°F)
- Typical weather: cold and wet
- Rainfall: 105 mm (4 in) in Rome, 70 mm (3 in) in Venice, 120 mm (5 in) in Naples
- Rainy days: 7 in Rome, 6 in Venice, 8 in Naples
In December, Italy experiences drizzling rain on about 1 in 4 days, but there is an average of 5 sunshine hours a day. It could be chilly, so a lightweight down jacket or overcoat is recommended.
Christmas is undoubtedly the highlight of December. The Vatican's Christmas exhibition and various Christmas markets in Rome, Milan, etc. are dazzling. Snow sports are also popular.
December is a low season time except for the Christmas period. If you have plans to visit during Christmas, we suggest you book your trip far in advance. Feel free to contact us to make your itinerary inquiries.
See more on Weather in Italy in December.
Tour Italy with Global Highlights
Global Highlights aims to solve the problem of time-consuming and complex travel planning, providing a convenient solution for you to explore Italy in a hassle-free and tailored way. Start to plan your Italy trip by contacting us.
