Deciding whether August is the right time for travel to Italy is a matter of tastes and preferences. Some want to avoid crowds at all costs, others thrive among throngs of fellow tourists and locals. To decide if it's a good or bad time for you, a few things need to be taken into consideration, and some questions need answering. Namely, do you loathe crowds or not, what do you consider a sweltering temperature and are you going on a grand tour or to relax by the sea.
The Crowds
- August is toward the end of peak travel season in Europe, including in Italy. No matter where you go, you'll encounter crowds, especially at tourist attractions such as the Colosseum in Rome, the canals of Venice or any major museum. While it's true that big cities like Rome are less crowded with residents, who like to take vacations in August, visitors still show up in droves. If you're the type who doesn't feel comfortable in crowds and despises long lines, August is a bad time to visit Italy. You're better off planning a trip during the shoulder seasons, if possible.
Ferragosto
- Italians generally take their extended family vacations during August, a tradition connected to the holiday known as Ferragosto in the middle of the month. Many businesses shut down in August. Many of the locals may be on vacation, but it doesn't mean the streets will be empty. Since it's still peak season, all major tourist sites remain open. But smaller, locally run businesses are often closed for all or a portion of the month. There's a good chance that great family-run restaurant you read about and other off-the-beaten-path spots may not be open. If your trip is to a coastal spot or island like Capri, prepare for intense crowds and traffic, because these are the places Italians choose for their beach vacations in August.
The Heat
- Perhaps you've heard stories about how awful the heat is in certain parts of Europe in August. That, along with tales of the crowds, is enough to scare just about anyone off. While the heat is worse in the cities of Southern Europe, including all the major cities in Italy, the degree of awfulness is relative to what you're used to at home. Those coming from a place like the southeastern U.S., for example, where it's usually very hot and humid during August, likely won't have any problem. Italy does get hot, but the climate is relatively dry, and nights can actually get cool at times. The average low and high temperatures in Rome in August are 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, but the highs can sometimes reach into the 90s. A trip to the less-crowded but still-vibrant hill towns is a way to escape the heat.
Other Times of Year
- While August is the hottest time of year in Italy, and the most-crowded from a tourism standpoint, you'll also find that airfares are more expensive during the peak season. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are the best times for travel to Italy, when fares are cheaper, the climate milder and everything is still open unless it's a national holiday. Keep in mind that holidays in Italy are different than in the U.S. For example, if you arrive on May 1, the Italian Labor Day, you'll quickly discover that seemingly every place of business is closed. The same goes for the various feast days in different parts of the country.
