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

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Written by

Matt Byrd

Last updated

July 14, 2025

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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.

Is August a good time to visit Italy?

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.

High temperature
86°F / 30°C
Low temperature
68°F / 20°C
Rainfall
1.4 in / 35 mm
Sun & daylight
10.5 hours / 13.5 hours
Seasonal tips

- Very hot

- Cities may close for holidays

- Great for islands

- Ferragosto celebrations

- Plan around crowds

Where to go in Italy in August

Rimini, Emilia-Romagna
If you’re in Italy in August, head to this charming city on the Adriatic coast, where beach umbrellas stretch endlessly along the golden sand. The resorts in this area are busy but never frantic, and the city gives you the best of both worlds — relaxing beach time followed by a happening nightlife.
Aeolian Islands, Sicily
This volcanic island chain off Sicily’s coast is at the height of its splendor in August. Salina’s caper fields burst into bloom, Panarea’s turquoise coves glint under the sun, and the night sky lights up with volcanic eruptions from Stromboli, the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean. You can spend time snorkeling in the morning and unwind by watching the magnificent lava flows by evening.
Puglia’s Coastline
If you want to experience the seaside charm of southern Italy without the high-season rush up north, head to Puglia. Towns in this region, like Polignano a Mare and Otranto, are lively but laid-back, with seafood stalls, clifftop swims, and music echoing through limestone alleys. Don’t be surprised if you see locals and tourists dancing spontaneously to the tunes that fill the piazzas.
Val d’Orcia, Tuscany
The shadows of the cypress are sharp and long, and postcard-perfect views are everywhere. But it’s the grape vines that hint at change — August is when early harvest prep begins, and vineyards buzz with the quiet anticipation of a new yield. If you head to Tuscany at this time of year, you can stay in a farmhouse, rent a bike, and take your time exploring the area.

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Things to do in Italy in August

Event
Location
Timing
Ferragosto
Italy marks Ferragosto with nationwide festivities
Nationwide
August 15
Palio dell’Assunta
Siena’s second Palio horse race captivates crowds
Siena
August 16
Night of the Shooting Stars
Rural areas host stargazing events during meteor showers
Rural Italy
August 10–12
Taranta Festival
Salento dances to the rhythm of pizzica at Taranta Festival
Salento
Late August
Locorotondo Locus Festival
Locorotondo’s Locus Festival features jazz and soul
Puglia
August weekends
Summer Jamboree
Senigallia swings to rockabilly tunes at Summer Jamboree
Senigallia
Early August
Sicily Street Food Festival
Palermo’s street food festival offers nocturnal tastings
Palermo
Mid-August

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