TRAVEL TIPS & GUIDES

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

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Written by

Matt Byrd

Last updated

July 10, 2025

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Don’t let the calendar fool you — February is not considered off-season in all parts of Italy. Just ask anyone who walked right into the middle of a flying confetti cannon in Venice, and they’ll agree. February is Carnival season in Italy, where Venice transforms into a stage of velvet masks and candlelit balls, Naples rolls out street parades, and even small towns throw open their piazzas for music, wine, and confetti.

What makes Italy in February so unexpectedly rich is the contrast it offers. Up north, the Alps are in peak ski season, but down south, festival banners flap merrily in the breeze and oranges practically fall into your lap if you know where to look. Citrus orchards are in full bloom in Sicily, while Carnival wagons and costumed performers take over seaside boulevards in Viareggio. It’s a month of extremes, sure, but in all the right ways. An advisor on TravelJoy can help you experience this contrast fully by pairing ski lodges with sunny detours, or flagging the towns where the Carnival parades feel local, not staged.

Is February a good time to visit Italy?

Absolutely. If you want to experience Italy at its most theatrical and least crowded, February might be one of the best months to visit. You get access to wildly different versions of the country in a single trip. The north stays firmly in winter, with the Dolomites and Alps offering clear skies and fresh snow on the slopes (think highs around 43–46°F). Meanwhile, cities like Palermo, Naples, and Rome have average temperatures in the high 50s or low 60s, with sunshine thrown into the mix more often than not.

You also get to see Italy when it isn’t buried under tour groups. Outside of Carnival hotspots, crowds are minimal, and hotel prices stay in that comfortable pre-spring range. You can walk into top galleries without pre-booking your tickets weeks ahead, and the locals have more time to chat over a second espresso. Even in popular destinations like Florence or Milan, it’s easier to get a table at the best restaurants.

And then there’s Carnival itself — the real highlight of Italy in February. It’s loud, local, and far more varied than people expect. An advisor on TravelJoy can help you build a trip around this spectacle without getting caught in the regular tourist traps. That could mean scoring balcony seats in Venice or joining small-town parades that never make it to Instagram.

High temperature
50°F / 10°C
Low temperature
36°F / 2°C
Rainfall
2.2 in / 55 mm
Sun & daylight
4.5 hours / 10.5 hours
Seasonal tips

- Cold but lively

- Carnival month

- Great for cultural trips

- Snow in Alps and Dolomites

- Bring waterproof jacket

Where to go in Italy in February

Venice
You simply cannot skip Venice in February. Not during Carnival. The city puts on a show, with masked figures gliding across bridges and candlelit costume balls in ancient palazzos. From some angles, even the fog feels theatrical. Yes, it can be a bit crowded. Yes, it’s cold. But you won’t care because there’s something surreal about sipping a spritz in full view of a parade that feels pulled from another century. Italy in February doesn’t get more cinematic than this.
Viareggio, Tuscany
If you want to fully experience Carnival parades that feel less frantic and more local, head to Viareggio. This Tuscan seaside town goes all in, with giant satirical puppets, political floats, brass bands, and beachside chaos in the best way. The parades roll along the town over multiple weekends in February, and they’re loud, weird, and wonderfully local. It’s the kind of Italian party people rarely tell you about — but if you witness it once, you’ll remember it forever.
Orvieto, Umbria
Perched high on a volcanic rock and often overlooked in favor of its flashier neighbors, Orvieto in February is something special. The winter quiet lets the town’s eerie beauty shine — its cathedral gleams even brighter against gray skies, and the medieval streets wind on in peaceful silence. Descend into the underground tunnels, sip Orvieto Classico in a dimly lit enoteca, and feel like you’ve discovered a secret. You might even catch it dusted with snow, which will make you feel as if you've wandered into a Renaissance painting.
Matera, Basilicata
With cold air, clear views, and little noise, Matera in February is bare and beautiful. The stone-carved streets are calm, the rock-cut churches and cave homes are open for visitors, and you can explore the Sassi at your own pace — no tour groups, no rush, just the pace you set for yourself. It’s cold, sure, but the southern sun makes everything a little bit more comfortable. And with fewer tourists around, you get full views of this ancient city without having to dodge phone cameras at every turn.

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Things to do in Italy in February

Event
Location
Timing
Carnevale di Venezia
Venice’s iconic masked carnival fills canals with color
Venice
February (varies)
Ivrea Orange Battle
Ivrea reenacts medieval rebellion with orange battles
Ivrea
Mid-February
Milan Fashion Week (Women)
Milan showcases latest women’s fashion trends
Milan
Late February
Rome International Film Fest
Rome screens international films during its festival
Rome
February
Florence Chocolate Fair
Florence indulges chocolate lovers with sweet fair
Florence
Mid-February
Verona in Love
Verona celebrates romance with themed events
Verona
February 14 week
Alpine Ice Music Festival
Trentino’s ice music festival offers alpine concerts
Trentino
Mid-February

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