For cities, April–June and September–October give the best balance of weather and crowds. July and August are the hottest months: the coasts and lakes are at their busiest and priciest, and around Ferragosto (15 August) many Italians are on holiday. Winter (outside Christmas) is the calmest and best value for cities, with shorter hours in some places. Plan around Easter and big events — they fill hotels.
Checked 2026-09-23 · Italy · When to go
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Best for cities | April–June · September–October |
| Beach season | June–September · peak in August |
| Hottest | July–August · plan indoor midday |
| Ferragosto | 15 August — national holiday, peak Italian holidays |
| Best value | November–March (outside Christmas/New Year) |
| Public holidays | 1 & 6 Jan · Easter Monday · 25 Apr · 1 May · 2 Jun · 15 Aug · 4 Oct (from 2026) · 1 Nov · 8 Dec · 25 & 26 Dec |
Season by season
Spring (April–June)
Summer (July–August)
Autumn (September–October)
Winter (November–March)
Is August a bad idea?
What travellers say
Ferragosto — 15 August
If August is your only option
Dates that fill hotels
Easter 2027 — 28 March
Venice Carnival, Salone, Fashion Weeks, F1 Monza, Arena di Verona
New border checks
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Italy?
For cities, May, June, September and October give the best balance of weather and crowds.
Is August a bad time to visit Italy?
It’s the hottest and busiest month on the coasts, with Ferragosto on 15 August. Cities can feel quieter; plan early starts and air-conditioned hotels.
When is Italy cheapest?
November to March, outside Christmas, New Year and big events.
When is Easter 2027?
Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027.
Go deeper in our guides
Related answers
Sources: Law 260/1949 · public holidays (PDF) ↗ · 4 October national holiday from 2026 (Gazzetta Ufficiale) ↗ · European Commission · EES ↗