The best month to go to Italy is somewhat subjective, but the best travel seasons are between April and June or late September to October. Italy is one of the most popular vacation destinations for travelers from around the world, offering such enviable and historic destinations as Rome, Venice, and Florence. There are countless things to see and do in the country, but it is important to choose wisely when to travel, as many attractions and accommodations are closed during certain times of the year. Following a few general guidelines will help you make the most of your vacation.

The above-mentioned months are preferable times to travel to Italy for a number of reasons. Firstly, the crowds of tourists are not nearly as big as they are during July and August. Secondly, the weather is very agreeable during these months and the temperatures are generally mild, allowing for perfect beach weather during the day and a nice reprieve from the heat at night. The whole picture changes as soon as the month of July arrives.

July and August are the busiest tourist months in Italy by far. Beginning around the middle of June, the peak season hits in full effect and the country welcomes international tourists en masse. The weather during these months is typically extremely hot and very muggy, which tends to exacerbate the situation for people who are already averse to sharing the beach, top attractions, and hotels with loads of other people. Also, from the middle of August, and lasting until at least the end of the month (and sometimes into the first part of September) many of the proprietors of local shops, restaurants, and accommodations go on vacation themselves. Accommodations at the beaches are still often open, but this is certainly not the best time to travel to Italy if you want full access to all of the museums and historical sites. This is because many Italians take nearly the full month off; several other countries in Europe have this custom of an August vacation as well.

Italy Map

Some people choose to travel between the end of October and Easter, in order to avoid large crowds. If you are a veteran traveler to Italy and already have your agenda laid out, it may not at all be important that every hotel under the sun is not open. There are plenty of things to do and see if you have an idea of what you would like to experience. It should be noted that many hotels do close down for a couple of months (typically between November and February) for cleaning, renovations, and other such things. It is also well worth noting that most shops, restaurants, and places that are otherwise open to the general public are closed during most holidays and Catholic days of observation.

If you want to enjoy the full experience of the beaches, islands, shops, restaurants, and historic and cultural attractions, without the huge crowds and in some very nice weather, the best month to go to Italy is June. Others may argue that it is May or perhaps even October. It all depends upon what your desired experience is.