Italy Weather in August 2024: Best Places to Go

For the most part, you can expect it to be hot and dry in Italy throughout the month of August. It'll rain a bit in cities like Venice but most of the country stays rain-free for the entirety of the month. These long hours of sunshine mean you can spend loads of time sunbathing on the many beaches that call the Italian coastline home, head up to the mountains to escape the sweltering summer temperatures, and spend your evenings dining outdoors.

Be warned, though, that Italy is extremely crowded during August. August is the vacation month for most Italian families, and this means most beaches you go to will be packed to the brim. The mountains and all major cities will be swarmed by similarly large crowds, so expect to stand in long lines at museums and most major attractions while also paying peak-season prices for almost everything.

If you do plan on visiting Italy during August, you can focus on packing breathable fabric clothing items such as linen or cotton shorts, shirts, sundresses, and tank tops. Other packing essentials should include sunglasses, a sun hat, sandals, and if you plan on spending some time at the beach, your bathing suits and sunscreen. The water temperature is perfect this time of year, so we definitely recommend you take a dip.

You won't need any winter wear unless you plan on spending some time in the mountains, in which case a light jacket or fleece should suffice.

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Italy Weather in August Overview

• Average temperature range: 19°C-32°C (66°F-90°F)
• Season: Hot and Dry
• Rainfall: 25 mm (1 inch) in Rome, 76 mm (3 inches) in Venice, 30 mm (1.1 inches) in Naples
• Rainy days: 3 in Rome, 8 in Venice, 4 in Naples

August Weather by Region

Weather conditions in Italy during August remain largely hot and dry with slight variations from region to region. By studying the country's three separate climate regions described in detail below, you'll have a much better idea of what to expect as far as expected precipitation and average temperatures are concerned.  

Northern Italy: 19°C-30°C (66°F-86°F)

Although July is the hottest month of the year in northern Italy, August isn't far behind. You can expect the average maximum temperature in the region to be close to the 29°C (84°F) mark and the average minimum temperature to be close to the 19°C (66°F) mark.

Afternoon rain showers are rather common in northern Italy during August and a moderate 76 mm (3 inches) of rainfall over a total of 8 days can be expected in the area over the course of the month. The rest of the month, though, is usually marked with plenty of blue skies and lengthy hours of sunshine.

Central Italy: 19°C-32°C (66°F-90°F)

August is the hottest month of the year in central Italy, and you can expect it to be hot both during the day and also at night. The average daytime temperature high reaches the 32°C (90°F) mark whereas the average nighttime temperature low goes down to 19°C (66°F).

August is also an extremely dry month in the central regions of Italy. With just 25 mm (1 inch) of rainfall over a total of 3 days usually recorded in the area for the month of August, endless hours of sunshine and bright blue skies ought to be expected during your travels to central regions such as Tuscany and Lazio.

Southern Italy: 23°C-32°C (73°F-90°F)

Southern Italy is the hottest part of the country during the month of August, and temperatures don't get any cooler, even at night. The average maximum temperature is 31°C (88°F) whereas the average minimum temperature is 23°C (73°F).

Although it's extremely hot in southern Italy in August, you can at least take comfort from the fact that there will be plenty of blue skies and long hours of sunshine to accompany you as a modest 30 mm (1.1 inches) of rainfall over a span of 4 days are expected in these southern parts of the country which include regions such as Campania, Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily.

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Best Places to See in Italy in August

1. Dolomites

Although the Dolomites will be a little crowded during August, the Pale Mountains do help in providing some respite from the scorching hot summer temperatures. There are countless trails for you to explore and if hiking is not your cup of tea, you can always opt to access areas using the chairlift service. Villages like Ortisei and Castelrotto are must-visits and if you enjoy taking thermal baths, Merano might interest you as well.

2. Cinque Terre

If you decide to visit the seaside paradise of Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, it's essential you stop and spend time in each of the five villages that make up the area: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Spectacular sunny days and unbelievable views await your arrival in each of these five towns and you can get to them by hiking or by ferry and if you get too hot doing either, you can always cool off by taking a relaxing swim.

3. Piedmont

If you're keen to indulge in a truly epicurean experience, a visit to one of Piedmont's many vineyards during August may entice your fancy. You can set up base in the capital city of Turin which is located in the Piedmont wine region and a good place from which to start your exploration of the region. Our only suggestion would be that you visit this region of Italy during the first half of August before Ferragosto, after which date most businesses and restaurants close for a period, thereby not allowing you to truly experience the best the region has to offer.

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August Crowds and Costs

August brings with it prime beach-going weather and when you realize that it's the main vacation month for Italians as well, it's easy to understand why it's so crowded almost everywhere in the country.

Most major cities will be packed, meaning it's wise to expect overly busy restaurants and long lines at all your favorite museums and landmarks. The mountains are similarly crowded as well but the beaches are especially bad.

August is also not a budget-friendly month if you're planning to visit Italy during that time. The massive influx of tourists from all over the world (and the country!) results in high-season prices on everything from accommodation and entertainment to food and travel.

What to Wear in Italy in August

Your primary focus when it comes to packing for August in Italy should be on including light summer clothing. Think breathable clothing materials like cotton and linen.

It'll be hot in Italy in August, so make sure you take your most trusted sunglasses, sun hat, sandals, comfortable walking shoes, and plenty of linen shirts, shorts, tank tops, and sundresses.

You won't much winter wear for your time in Italy in August, but it's a good idea to have a light jacket or a fleece if you want to spend some time up in the mountainous regions of the country.

August Events in Italy

Ferragosto: Ferragosto takes place on August 15 and takes its name from Feriae Augusti meaning Augustus' rest day. The holiday is celebrated all over the country with Italians taking the opportunity to unwind and relax with family and friends by traveling to the beaches, the countryside, or the mountains.

Ferragosto is a public holiday and almost everything is closed on this day. Some museums like the Uffizi Galleries may stay open but most will remain closed for the day. It's best to check and plan ahead. Similarly, many restaurants and shops, especially those in busy tourist areas, may stay open on Ferragosto so as not to miss out on business, but the vast majority of them will take the day off.

Palio di Siena: The second leg of the Tuscan tradition that is Sienna's bareback horse race takes place on August 16. Ten horses and riders participate in the tradition by representing their respective city neighborhoods or wards, and it's a captivating celebration wherein locals can be seen dining and playing music out on the streets before and after the race.

Verona Opera Festival: The Verona Opera Festival starts in July and continues on in August, with the 10,000-seater that is the Roman Arena in Verona playing host to the world-renowned opera festival. Musicians, both Italian and foreign, perform at the prestigious festival and if given the opportunity, you should definitely try and attend, as it's a magical experience to enjoy opera music in an iconic venue fully bathed in candle light.

Explore Italy with Global Highlights

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Monthly Weather in Italy