Best Time to Visit Italy

Thinking about visiting Italy but unsure when to go? Whether you’re dreaming of a spring escape to Tuscany, a sun-drenched summer on the Amalfi Coast, or a cozy winter stroll through Rome’s historic streets, this guide breaks down the best time to visit Italy by season, travel style, and more — with expert insight from the people who design and lead Collette’s tours.

Quick Answer: When Is the Best Time to Visit Italy?

The best time to visit Italy depends on what you’re looking for. Spring (March – May) offers mild weather and blooming countryside, summer (June – August) brings lively festivals and beach escapes, fall (September – November) is perfect for wine lovers and fewer crowds, while winter (December – February) offers fewer tourists, Christmas markets, and budget-friendly travel.

Best Time to Visit Italy by Season

Spring (March – May)

Spring transforms Italy into a painter’s canvas. Rome’s cobbled lanes are lined with budding trees, and Tuscany’s hills glow green under soft sunshine. This season is ideal for sightseeing, mild weather, exploring cities, seeing the blooming countryside, or enjoying local festivals.

• March: Cool and peaceful — perfect for exploring Rome or Florence without the crowds

• April – May: Mild temperatures, wildflowers in the countryside, and early-season vibrance

Summer (June – August)

Summer in Italy is pure energy. The days stretch long and bright, piazzas buzz with late-night chatter, and the coastline calls with sparkling seas and lemon-scented breezes. From lively festivals in Siena to evenings spent lingering over seafood on the Amalfi Coast, this is Italy at its most vibrant. Just be ready for warm temperatures and bustling crowds — it’s all part of the season’s charm.

• June: Warm and lively, but not overwhelming

• July – August: Expect heat, moderate crowds, and packed piazzas

Fall (September – November)

Fall in Italy feels like the country takes a deep, contented breath. The hillsides glow in shades of amber and gold, wine harvests fill the villages with celebration, and truffles and chestnuts make their way into seasonal dishes. Crowds thin, the air cools, and the pace of travel feels more relaxed — making it the perfect time to savor Italy’s flavors and scenery at once. On Rome & the Amalfi Coast, indulge in a farm-to-table cheese tasting, homemade limoncello, and spend a leisurely day in Sorrento.

• September – October: Crisp air, golden vineyards, and harvest celebrations

• November: Quieter travel, art museums, and early truffle season

Want a taste of the real Italy? Watch our visit to a family-owned limoncello farm on tour — where tradition, flavor, and family pride come together under the Sorrento sun.

Winter (December – February)

Winter in Italy offers a quieter kind of magic. City streets sparkle with festive lights, Christmas markets brim with handmade treasures, and iconic landmarks can be enjoyed without the long lines. In Rome and Florence, cozy cafés and world-class museums invite you to slow down, warm up, and experience the country at its most intimate.

• December: Festive lights and nativity scenes across Florence, Naples, and Milan

• January – February: Calm, reflective cities and shorter lines at cultural icons

Want more tips about visiting Italy from someone who lives there? Listen to our podcast, Travel Unpacked, as we're joined by Senior Product Design Manager Shannon Levi.

What You’ll Enjoy in Italy

Beaches & Coastal Towns

Best Time to Go: June – September

Collette Tour Suggestions:

• Rome & the Amalfi Coast

• Tuscany & the Italian Riviera

• Sicily and Its Isles

• Italy: Amalfi Coast to Puglia

Wine & Food

Best Time to Go: September – November

Collette Tour Suggestions:

• Italy’s Treasures: Art, Food & Wine

• Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside

• Old World Sicily & Malta

Culture & Sightseeing

Best Time to Go: March – May, October – December

Collette Tour Suggestions:

• Reflections of Italy

• Italian Vistas

• Best of Italy

• Shrines of Italy

• Italy’s Treasures

• Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites

Winter Wonders

Best Time to Go: December – February

Collette Tour Suggestions:

• Reflections of Italy featuring Verona & Lake Como in Winter

• Rome & the Amalfi Coast: Winter in Sorrento

The best time to visit Italy really depends on what you love most. For art and culture, spring and fall strike the perfect balance with comfortable weather and lighter crowds in museums and cathedrals. Food and wine lovers will find fall irresistible, with vineyard harvests, truffle festivals, and seasonal feasts.

If the seaside calls, summer brings warm waters and lively coastal towns — just be sure to plan ahead. And for travelers seeking quiet streets and lower prices, winter offers a more local rhythm and cozy, affordable charm.

Italy Weather by Month: What to Expect

January

• Average Temp: 35–55°F

• Crowds: Low

• Best For: Museums, quiet city streets, uncrowded landmarks, cozy cafés

February

• Average Temp: 40–58°F

• Crowds: Low

• Best For: Venice Carnival, romantic city strolls, early signs of spring

March

• Average Temp: 45–62°F

• Crowds: Medium

• Best For: Sightseeing, blooming parks, fewer crowds in major cities

April

• Average Temp: 50–68°F

• Crowds: Medium

• Best For: Spring blooms, outdoor cafés, ideal walking tours

May

• Average Temp: 55–75°F

• Crowds: Medium

• Best For: Cities, countryside, festivals, gardens in full bloom

June

• Average Temp: 65–85°F

• Crowds: High

• Best For: Beaches, festivals, vibrant piazzas, extended daylight

July

• Average Temp: 70–90°F

• Crowds: High

• Best For: Amalfi Coast, lake escapes, alfresco dining

August

• Average Temp: 70–95°F

• Crowds: High

• Best For: Coastal escapes, summer travel, seasonal celebrations

September

• Average Temp: 65–85°F

• Crowds: Medium

• Best For: Wine tours, golden countryside, harvest festivals

October

• Average Temp: 55–75°F

• Crowds: Medium

• Best For: Culture, fewer crowds, fall colors, food experiences

November

• Average Temp: 45–65°F

• Crowds: Low

• Best For: Truffle season, art museums, peaceful hill towns

December

• Average Temp: 35–55°F

• Crowds: Low

• Best For: Holiday lights, Christmas markets, festive traditions

Collette tours are thoughtfully timed to help you enjoy Italy’s seasons at their best — from wine harvests in the fall to sparkling city lights in winter.

Want to pack like a pro during any season? Read our Italy Packing List.

Moments You Can’t Plan for on Your Own

Some of Italy’s most lasting memories aren’t found in guidebooks or Instagram checklists — they’re the quiet, unplanned moments that unfold when someone opens a hidden door for you. Picture walking through the backstreets of Venice at night, long after the day-trippers are gone, when the canals reflect lantern light and silence settles over the bridges. Or imagine an autumn morning in Umbria, following a truffle hunter and their dog into the woods, the air damp with earth and pine, before sitting down to taste the day’s find drizzled over fresh pasta.

These experiences aren’t staged; they’re unlocked by guides who know the rhythms of place and people. As Marco D., a Collette Tour Designer, says: “Our travelers tell us it’s not the sights they remember most — it’s the quiet, unexpected moments, like sipping espresso with a local guide as the city wakes up.”

It’s these unscripted details — tasting olive oil at a family grove before it ever hits a market shelf, or watching the sun rise over a piazza you have to yourself — that elevate an Italian journey from memorable to unforgettable.