Best time to visit Italy | Intrepid Travel (2024)

FAQs

Best time to visit Italy | Intrepid Travel? ›

The best time to visit Italy is during the spring (April-May) or early fall (September-October) when the weather is pleasant, the prices are low and the crowds are thin.

Italy's best travel months are May, June, September, and October.

Overall, November is the cheapest time to visit Italy, but if you choose to visit in the winter, make sure you pack at least some warm clothes and wet weather gear, as the country can see its fair share of rainy days and cold temperatures during the late Fall as well.

The most suitable period of time to spend in Italy is no different than the ideal number of days to holiday in Greece. Seven to ten days is enough to experience the best of Italy. But as you can expect, much of that depends on your preferences, desired destinations, interests, and your budget.

If your time is limited, you'll be able to see Italy's highlights in a matter of days—but spending two weeks or more means you'll get to explore multiple regions and fall in love with authentic Italy.

Precipitation falls as snow on higher ground in winter, in the Alps, along the highest peaks of the Apeninne chain that forms the spine of Italy, and on Etna in Sicily. November is the rainiest month, with Florence typically receiving 4.44 inches or 113mm and Rome 4.48 inches or 114mm.

The shoulder season or off-season can be the best time to visit Italy for the budget-conscious traveller. Shoulder season months include mid-March to April and October, while off-season months include November and February.

Overall, Florence is one of Italy's best cities to visit for first-timers who love to immerse themselves in culture. Beyond its capital city, Tuscany offers a rich and scenic countryside to explore. The renowned region is filled with vineyards, olive groves and rural retreats.

What money is best to take to Italy? ›

You'll only be able to spend in euros in Italy. While you can carry cash in CAD and convert it on arrival, or get some EUR in cash before you leave, for many travellers using a specialised travel card for cash withdrawals in Italy as and when you need them is the easiest solution.

Lunch is the day's main meal, lasting up to two hours! If you plan to eat lunch with locals, block out time. A typical Italian lunch consists of a primo (pasta, soup or risotto dish), a secondo (meat or fish-based dish) and a contorno (side dish).

The main high season in Italy is summer, but it's not as simple as June-August. These days, the summer high season begins in May, covers June and July, skips August, and finishes around the end of September. There are other brief spikes into high season territory during otherwise non-high seasons.

Northern Italy

Winters tend to be quite cold here, with a high chance of snow, especially in mountainous areas such as Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont (Piemonte). Meanwhile, lower regions like Liguria are mostly rainy, with October and November being the wettest months.

Planning Your Trip

Want to visit Italy in the summer? So does everyone else — and increased demand drives up the prices on flights, hotels, and even tours. If you want to save some money, plan your trip for the low season (November through March), when you'll find better rates and fewer crowds.

August is typically Italy's hottest month, and that's coupled with high humidity in many parts of the country. This is one of the main reasons August is the vacation month for most Italians (and many other Europeans) – they hang “closed” signs on their city storefronts and make a beeline for the nearest beach.

Overall, Florence is one of Italy's best cities to visit for first-timers who love to immerse themselves in culture. Beyond its capital city, Tuscany offers a rich and scenic countryside to explore. The renowned region is filled with vineyards, olive groves and rural retreats.