Italy in August: Your guide to weather, events & travel

It’s the country’s hottest, most paradoxical month — when the calendar reads peak tourist season, but cities like Rome and Milan feel strangely hushed. That’s because mid-August marks Ferragosto, a national holiday when many Italians close shop and head for the coast or countryside. Trains fill with city dwellers chasing sea breezes, and mountain towns gear up for late-summer festivals.

The shift is dramatic, but if you plan your trip to Italy in August right, it can open up new doors. You’ll find cities less frenetic, beaches full of local flavor, and plenty of open-air events — from Tuscan sagre to late-night jazz shows in hilltop towns. An advisor on TravelJoy can help you navigate this seasonal change: planning around closures, booking festival routes, and balancing sun-soaked coastlines with perfectly timed museum visits.

Yes, it can be, as long as you know what you’re signing up for. Italy in August is unlike any other month: it’s hot, happening, and shaped by local holiday patterns. Average temperatures hover in the 80s or the low 90s, especially in central and southern regions. It’s undeniably peak summer, with all the energy and heat that brings.

That also means some city shops and restaurants close for Ferragosto. But this tradeoff could work in your favor, because the urban spots are easier to navigate. There’s also a livelier vibe in the smaller seaside and lakeside towns. If you’ve ever wanted to pair a museum day with a lakeside aperitivo, this is your month.

August may require a little extra planning, but it rewards you with fresh produce, festivals, and sun-drenched scenery. An advisor on TravelJoy can help you plan around the local holiday calendar — locking in stays at the finest hotels, finding cooler inland escapes, and making sure you don’t land in a town that’s closing up for the holidays.