Something To Know

Average Daily Temperature Northern Central  Southern and islands Month Average  Wet Days Average  Wet Days Average  Wet Days January                  2 8                  6 6                 12 12 February                  4 9                  8 7                 14 8 March                 10 8                 12 7                 16 8 April                 14 6                 16 8                 18 6 May                 18 5                20 8                22 3 June                22 4                23 9                25 2 July                24 1                25 6                28 0 August                24 2                25 7                28 2 September                 18 5                22 5                25 4 October                 15 8                 18 8                 21 8 November                  6 11                 13 10                 15 8 December                  2 10                  9 7                  11 10

 

The question of when to go to Italy is a tough one to answer, as it depends largely on what kind of trip you want to take, because with the long coastlines and mountain ranges, the temperature can change in a matter of minutes as you go from town to town.

But generally speaking, Spring and Autumn are most pleasant. While the traditional high season is creeping on both ends to include much of Spring and Autumn these days, the crowds still are not as bad in May as they can be in July, and prices sometimes are a bit less as well. If budget is your main concern, a trip to Italy between November and April will be cheap (relatively speaking) and, as a bonus, you will not have to wait in the frighteningly long lines at the major sights like July’s visitors are forced to do.

August is holiday month in Italy (and throughout much of Europe), and while most tourist sights are open there will be plenty of “closed for the holidays” signs in shop and restaurant windows. And if you thought you might head to the beach in August on a whim, forget it - that is where all the Italians have disappeared to, and everything is booked up well in advance.

So, the bottom line is this - generally speaking:

Early Spring - Temperate weather, moderate airfare and hotel prices, moderate crowds

Late Spring through Early Autumn - Highest heat, airfare, hotel and other prices, as well as biggest crowds

Late Autumn - Temperate weather, moderate airfare and hotel prices, moderate crowds

November through March - Cold weather, lowest prices on basically everything, smallest crowds