Italy
The best time to visit
When to go to Italy
Go in spring, April to June, or September to October, for warm, dry days and thinner crowds. July and August are hot and packed, and winter is cool and quiet, ideal for art cities without the queues.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Rome. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around May.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
The quietest, cheapest stretch of the year.
In short
The year at a glance
Italy is at its best in the shoulder seasons. The ratings key off Rome, where spring and early autumn bring warm, dry, comfortable weather and the great sights without the August crush. Locals take their own holidays in August, so cities can feel both crowded with tourists and shut for the season.
The country stretches from Alpine peaks to the hot Mediterranean south, so conditions vary. The north is cooler and greener, Tuscany glows in late spring and at harvest, and Sicily and the south stay warm well into autumn.
Month by month
Italy month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Rome.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C / 54°F | 3°C / 37°F | 80 mm | Great 62 | Cool with a little rain. |
| February | 13°C / 55°F | 4°C / 39°F | 75 mm | Great 68 | Cool with a little rain. |
| March | 16°C / 61°F | 6°C / 43°F | 65 mm | Ideal 82 | Cool with a little rain. |
| April | 18°C / 64°F | 8°C / 46°F | 70 mm | Ideal 88 | Mild with a little rain. |
| May | 23°C / 73°F | 12°C / 54°F | 45 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Rome hotels in May |
| June | 27°C / 81°F | 16°C / 61°F | 30 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Rome hotels in June |
| July | 30°C / 86°F | 19°C / 66°F | 20 mm | Ideal 93 | Hot and dry. Rome hotels in July |
| August | 31°C / 88°F | 19°C / 66°F | 30 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot and dry. |
| September | 27°C / 81°F | 16°C / 61°F | 70 mm | Ideal 90 | Warm with a little rain. |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 12°C / 54°F | 110 mm | Ideal 74 | Mild with a little rain. |
| November | 16°C / 61°F | 8°C / 46°F | 115 mm | Great 68 | Cool with a little rain. |
| December | 13°C / 55°F | 4°C / 39°F | 95 mm | Great 67 | Cool with a little rain. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
The Alps and the north
Lakes and hiking in summer, skiing from December to March in the Dolomites. Milan and Venice are mild in spring and autumn.
Tuscany and the centre
Spring wildflowers and a golden September harvest. Summer is hot in Florence and Rome, but the hill country stays pleasant.
The south and the islands
Long, hot summers and a warm shoulder into October across Naples, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast.
Go for
Best time to visit Italy for
Art cities
April to June and September to October for Rome, Florence and Venice, with warm days and shorter queues.
The coast and islands
June and September for the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Sicily, with warm seas and fewer crowds than August.
Food and wine
September and October bring the grape and olive harvests, truffle season and a calendar of food festivals.
Skiing
December to March in the Dolomites and the northern Alps.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Spring, April and May
Wildflowers across Tuscany and Umbria, and warm, clear days in the art cities.
Harvest, September
The vendemmia and olive harvest fill the countryside with festivals and new wine.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Italy
Compare hotels and rentals around Rome, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
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Questions