If you’ve ever wondered this, then this is the article for you. In this article, you will discover all the secrets to how you can choose the best time for your trip as we explore each season’s advantages and disadvantages.
Whilst Italy’s stunning coastlines make summer perfect for sun worshippers and beach lovers, its snow-capped mountains, and high volcanoes make winter the must-visit season for mountain lovers.
Autumn and spring offer mild temperatures and stable weather varying from the north to the south of Italy, offering you endless possibilities.
When is the best time of year to visit Italy? Which is the best season to make the most of a visit to those famous Italian cities?
Let’s look at the seasons one by one to see when is the best time of year to visit Italy
Spring: March, April, May
Italian springtime
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WHY ? : If you would rather avoid the excessive heat of summer then this is the best season for you.
The perfect temperature of these months means you’ll be neither too hot nor too cold, in fact in southern Italy the temperature is comparable to that of summer in northern European countries, varying from 20-25 degrees.
As well as being wonderfully warm, you can also appreciate Italy’s nature at its best.
With plants and flowers bursting into life, spring offers you a rainbow of colors at every corner and provides you with the perfect backdrop for your holiday snaps.
For a quiet time of year, March and April are the best months, from May onwards the number of tourists increases heading into summer and making everywhere more crowded.
WHY NOT: You can’t guarantee it will be hot enough to stay on the beach and swim, so if you are looking for a beach break and a chance to work on your tan, you’d be better off choosing summer.
At the same time, it is not cold enough to ski, with the only snow being upon the highest mountains. In fact, it is very much an in-between season, so if you like the extremes of snow and high temperatures, then think again.
Summer: June, July, August
Italian summer
WHY: The best time for sun, sea, and sand! If you love the beach, you should come in summer. June, July, and August are the three sunniest months, with just a few days of rain.
What’s more, the sea is warm, everything is open and the evenings are warm and long, offering you the chance to enjoy a ‘passeggiata‘ through the many beautiful towns and cities.
WHY NOT: Too many tourists around, too hot, too expensive. Prices go up in summer as it is the most popular time to visit.
In addition to the many foreign tourists who choose to visit Italy, in August the Italians themselves abandon the cities and flock to the seaside resorts.
Don’t forget to take care not to burn your skin, if you have fair skin, it is important to use sun cream, wear a hat and avoid the hottest times of the day – around midday and between eleven and three.
For those who burn easily and suffer in the heat, a milder season would be better suited.
Autumn : September, October, November
Autumn colours
WHY: For many of the same reasons as spring with one additional advantage: if you head to Sicily or to the South, then it is a wonderful time to go to the beach and swim just like in summer but without the excessive temperatures.
For example, in Sicily during September, October and often up until November, it would be difficult for a foreigner to tell the difference between summer and autumn.
Nature is equally beautiful in autumn as in spring but with different colors.
WHY NOT: It is difficult to find a reason not to recommend autumn. As a mild season it is ideal for a trip to Italy, just take into account where you choose to go.
While the north of Italy is colder and turns quickly into winter, in the south it is a continuation of summer that resists winter sometimes until as late as January.
Winter: December, January, February
Winter snow and sun
WHY: If you love mountains and snow there’s no doubt that January or February are the best choices for you.
This season allows you to experience Italy without the mass tourism of the summer and therefore also cheaper prices. It is also a time of year full of celebrations, from Christmas to Carnival.
Many places offer breathtaking scenery at their best at this time of year: snow-capped mountains blending into the clear blue sea.
A good example is that of the stunning coastline of Taormina which faces towards Etna, which in winter is completely covered in snow and only marked by the streaks of red lava that flow during the frequent eruptions.
Etna and winter in Taormina
WHY NOT: Not the best choice for those who want to escape the cold. Even if we are in Italy, in January and February the temperatures can be low. If you want to visit Italy at this time of year then be sure to head south where you will find temperatures that rarely drop below 10 degrees.
So now have you decided the right time for you? I’m sure you have a clearer idea and can use the positives and negatives to influence your final decision.
The perfect choice doesn’t exist but clearly, depends on your own personal tastes and needs. We invite you to experience Italy at various times of the year, so you can make your own mind up.
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