Sometimes, the time of year you travel can make a big difference in how you experience a place. Learn here when the best time to go to Italy is.
Italy is the fourth most popular travel destination for Americans, with just over two million visiting the country each year. With so many tourists descending upon the country of beauty and romance, you may be wondering when is the best time to visit. There is actually no easy answer. It all depends on what is most important to you as a traveler, whether it’s to save money, avoid crowds, or enjoy outdoor activities. With that in mind, here are some pointers to help you determine the best time to go to Italy.
Summer May Not Be the Best Time to Go to Italy
Shoulder Season: A Comfortable Compromise
April through mid-June and mid-September through October are two sweet spots that should please any visitor to Italy. Referred to as the shoulder season, these two periods are when you can get a break on hotel and airfare rates, experience smaller crowds, and find the weather to be relatively comfortable. And if you love Italian cuisine including wine, olives, mushrooms, truffles, and more, autumn is the perfect time to visit. This is harvest season for these items, and you can partake in many Italian food festivals to sample the goods. Love to hike, bike, and explore the outdoors? The spring and fall are the perfect times of the year to enjoy outdoor activities in the Italian countryside without dripping in sweat. There is one period to pass on during shoulder season and that is when Easter comes around. Vacationing in Rome during this time can be tricky as crowds come to Vatican City, so you may want to avoid visiting during the week leading up to the holiday.
Low Season: Great for Low Crowds and Prices
As expected, Italy typically sees the least amount of visitors over the winter or low season, which is November through March. If you’re into winter sports you’ll have plenty of company, however. The Italian Alps are a popular playground for skiers and snowboarders. If you want to visit a major city without other tourists around, then winter is certainly the best time for that unless you visit during Carnevale or the country’s winter carnival. This celebration usually takes place just before Lent (just like Mardi Gras in the States) and is the country’s way of saying arrivederci to winter. It’s a very popular Italian event, especially in Venice, so expect to see a bump in crowds. Some travelers claim you also get more of a true Italian experience coming to Italy in winter as you’ll mostly see locals. This is also the time of the year where you can score the best hotel rates and airfare. The only real drawback to visiting Italy during the winter is the colder weather and more overcast days. Rome rarely gets cold enough for snow during the winter, however, with temperatures as cold as the high 30s. Some outdoor sites will have shorter visiting hours because of the dip in natural daylight. But winter is a great time of the year for visiting the Colosseum (which is now lighted at night) and other attractions because crowds are much smaller. Christmas and New Year’s are popular holidays in Italy and you can expect to see more people if you go during the holiday season.
Additional Italy Travel Tips
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Regardless of what time of year you feel is the best time to go to Italy, we can help. Whether you need transportation to and from the airport or hotel, the best hotel rate or a custom tour made just for you, our global concierge services take care of the details for you. Contact us today and we’ll assist you with your personal or business travel needs.