When planning a trip to Italy, the first thing that you ask yourself is “When is the best time to tour Italy?” Let us start by saying there really is no bad time to visit Italy. This country is lovely all year long and the people know how to make it fun regardless of what time of the year it is. Your satisfaction depends largely on your knowledge of what places to go to during your stay. Doing your homework on attractions and festivals at the time of your vacation will allow you to get the most out of your Italian experience.
The first thing you have to settle on is the objective of your trip. This sets up the theme and places of your trip to Italy. Do you want sun and surf or would you prefer skiing in the Alps? Do you fancy the great outdoors or would you rather see ancient historical sites and museums? Once you decide what kind of vacation you are looking for, you can easily pick what season is the best fit.
Spring – Best for Food and Religious Ceremonies
Spring in Italy is colorful and full of ceremony, particularly in Rome. Flowers will be visible everywhere and a renewed vigor will be palpable in the air. And yes, it’s true that spring flowers usually mean spring showers, so make sure that you pack an umbrella whenever you’re outdoors.
Easter in Italy is a big holiday. You will find ceremonies all over the country from Sicily to Sorrento. Celebrating Easter in Rome with the Pope is a really special experience. There are days of ceremonies in Saint Peter’s Square and at the Coliseum during Good Friday. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch at least a glimpse of the pontiff when you attend these big Catholic rites. Make sure you plan ahead and check opening and closing times in establishments you want to visit. The Holy Week festivities are a special time for Christians, so some places may not be open for business during this period.
Spring dining choices include fresh artichokes and strawberries. If you’re visiting Rome, you must try a plate of vignarola available for only a few short weeks just as the weather turns warm. Artichokes, peas and fava beans are the main ingredients of this signature Roman vegetable course which tastes great and is even better for your health. On May 1st, it’s traditional to snack on fresh fava beans and chunks of salty pecorino cheese.
Late spring can be a wonderful time of the year to visit the Amalfi Coast and Capri. You will find warm, sunny afternoons, an explosion of colors and no crowds by the sea. It’s perfect for clearing your mind and forgetting all the hassles of city life and work back home.
Summer – Best for Beaches and a Slow Pace
Summer in Italy is sunny and hot. It’s also the busiest time of the year as far as tourism is concerned. If you would like to experience summer as the Italians do, know that Italy in summer means going to the beach. You can keep cool by planning a beach vacation or island hopping in and around the Amalfi Coast. Not a beach person? Head north to Alpine towns and find cold, clear lakes and soft green meadows. Rent a villa in the country and spend you days lying by a pool and cooking long lunches. In the afternoon, aftermarket shopping in hilltop towns is a great way to find something that you can take home with you.
In the major cities, prices are highest and sites are most crowded in the summer. Plan your sightseeing for early in the day and for plenty of gelato stops to constantly refresh you.
Fall – Best for Village Festivals and New Exhibitions
Fall in Italy is the time for olive harvests and novello wine. Temperatures have dropped from summer highs and crowds have eased. Look for festivals in small towns celebrating fall gourmet treats like chestnuts, newly pressed oil and porcini mushrooms..
You are also likely to encounter mild and sunny days as summer lingers on, particularly the further south you travel. You can often enjoy the beach well into October. On a nippy day, a visit to the hot springs near Rome or in the Tuscan countryside will warm you up. Be prepared for wet weather if you visit in November. In Venice it is the season for Acqua Alta when tides rise and occasionally flood parts of the city.
Winter – Best for Skiing and Empty Spaces
Outside of the Christmas and New Year holidays prices are low and crowds are thin at this time of the year. Winter in Italy is the time to come visit if you would like some breathing room. Lines are usually shorter and popular sites are much less crowded than they are from July to August. Cerulean skies and blazing sunsets are special winter-only pleasures that you can only experience in the colder months.
If you like snow, there’s no better time to be in Italy than during the winter. Ski in the Alps at the ritzy resort town of Cortina D’ampezzo for smooth slopes with tantalizing views. See the striking Monte Bianco peaks and do some shopping in Courmayeur.
Want to enjoy the snow with a twist? How does skiing on the slopes of volcano sound? You can try it in Sicily on Mount Etna. There are also slopes within an hour of Rome, Florence and Naples also offer nearby ski resorts that are just as compelling. Most ski resorts in Italy have gear available to rent, so you don’t have to worry about hauling bulky ski equipment from the US and across the Atlantic.
Christmas is a pretty low key affair in Italy with most people spending the holiday with their families. From December 8th to January 6th, streets are decorated and you will find piazzas transformed into cheery Christmas markets. In Rome, the Piazza Navona has a carousel and carnival games to go with Santa. There are also stalls selling trinkets that you can take home as souvenirs. Farther north in towns like Bolzano and Trento, Christmas markets will have mulled wine and fine handicrafts.
In Naples, you can walk along the via San Gregorio Armeno, also known as Christmas Alley. During the Advent period, it’s filled with delightful nativity scene figurines. Remember to pack your camera so you can take photos of the lovely depictions.
New Year’s Eve in Italy is a loud and noisy affair that’s usually celebrated with a long multi-course meal and lots of fireworks and plenty of prosecco.
In the winter, lay off the frozen gelato and warm yourself up with stops for cups of thick hot chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream. You can then carry on and prepare yourself to take a serious dive in the markets.
Winter is shopping season. Remember not to spend all your money until after new year because prices will start falling after the holidays are done. Early January is when the sales known as saldi in Italian begin. Prices are slashed from 20-35% from the largest designer names to small boutique shops. If you conserved your budget up to this point, you can unload it all now and get everything you want at floor prices.
With so many things to do and so many sights to see all year long, you really can’t go wrong with a visit to Italy. It’s all a matter of choosing the kind of experience you want to have and the kind of budget you’re willing to spend. Better yet, try out each season in multiple visits and immerse yourself in a complete Italian experience. Ciao!
Priscila Siano is the Marketing Director of Tour Italy Now, an online tour operator specializing in Italy travel. She's a respected expert on making dream Italy vacations a reality for clients.
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