Is August a good time to visit Italy?
August is the peak summer in Italy, especially at resorts. Whereas it can be fun to stumble across a local festival, it’s best to know when the national holidays are as almost everything shuts down.
In August, particularly during the weeks on either side of Ferragosto (Aug 15), most of the country flees to the coast and mountains, and many towns are left half-deserted, with shops, bars and restaurants closed and a reduced public transport service.
Hotel prices can escalate, especially in coastal areas like Cinque Terre, Elba, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and the Tremiti Islands. In popular resorts and major cities booking ahead is advisable. Traffic can be heavy on main roads throughout August and appalling in city centres.
That said, the weather is entirely favourable. Temperatures are quite hot, especially in central and southern regions with hardly any rain.
This tailor-made gastronomic journey in Tuscany and Amalfi Coast is perfect for your summer holiday in Italy. Taste the most wonderful and freshly made Italy food in Naples one day and enjoy the most beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast the next.
Average rainfall in Italy in August
August is generally a relatively dry month in Italy, particularly compared to spring and autumn.
In northern cities like Milan and Venice, August has low rainfall. The average rainfall in Milan is around 66 mm (2.6 inches), while Venice receives an average of 66 mm (2.6 inches).
In central Italy, cities like Rome and Florence will only receive around 14 mm (0.6 inches) of rain all month, whilst Florence receives around 26 mm (1 inch).
In Naples, Sicily, and other southern regions, August tends to have lower rainfall levels. Naples receives an average rainfall of approximately 14 mm (0.6 inches), while Sicily sees around 8 mm (0.3 inches) of rainfall.