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Grand Canal in Venice with basilica

Italy travel guide

From Rome and Venice to Sicily's coast, at its best in April, June, September and October

Best: Apr, Jun, Sep, Oct

Photo: Michael / Pexels

Capital
Rome
Languages
Catalan, Italian
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, F, L · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit Italy

Italy suits trips that link big cities and the coast. Start inland in Rome, Florence or Milan, then head south to Naples, Palermo and Catania. The best months overall are April, June, September and October. One limitation: no single month suits the whole country. Rome, Milan and Florence are at their best in April, September and October, while Palermo peaks in July and August. On a long north-to-south route, you will have to choose which region gets the ideal timing.

  • Rome in spring and autumn

    Rome is the capital and the largest city in this list, with 2,748,109 people. Its best months are April, May, September and October. These months suit long days of walking around the city.

  • City breaks in Milan, Florence, Verona

    Milan, Florence and Verona share the same best months: April, September and October. These three inland cities make a good route for a spring or autumn trip. Milan is the biggest of them, with 1,354,196 people.

  • Coastal cities with long seasons

    Naples, Venice and Catania are all on the coast. All 3 are at their best in April, June, September and October, and Catania also in May. That gives you several months for a seaside city trip.

  • Palermo for peak summer

    Palermo, a coastal city of 630,167 people, is different from the rest of the list. Its best months are June, July, August and September. It works well for travellers who want a city trip in the height of summer.

  • Easy practical basics

    Italy uses the Euro and runs on UTC+01:00. The power supply is 230 V with plug types C, F and L. Cars drive on the right, and the emergency number is 112.

Is Italy right for you?

Great for

  • City-break travellers in April or October, when Rome's highs are a mild 19.5°C and 22.5°C
  • Multi-city trips across Rome, Florence, Milan, Verona and Venice, which share April, September and October as best months
  • Summer sun seekers in Sicily, where Palermo's best months run from June to September
  • Coastal city stays in Naples, Palermo, Catania or Venice, all by the sea
  • Off-season sightseers happy with cool January days in Rome, with highs of 12.3°C

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in July and August, when Rome's highs reach 33.1°C and 32.5°C
  • Travellers wanting dry weather in November, when Rome gets 140 mm of rain over 12.7 days
  • Winter sun seekers, as Rome's December highs are 13.6°C with 6.9 sun hours a day

Italy right now: October

7.9/10
Avg high
23°C
Avg low
13°C
Rain days
11

Averages for Rome.

Weather by month

In Rome, the best weather comes in April, June, September and October, with warm highs of 20–29°C and fewer extremes of heat or rain. December and January are the coolest and greyest months, with highs of 12–14°C and about 7 hours of sun, while July reaches 33°C and November is the wettest, with 140 mm over 13 days.

Average highs and lows in Rome by month January: high 12°C, low 4°C , 10 rain days . February: high 14°C, low 5°C , 9 rain days . March: high 16°C, low 6°C , 10 rain days . April: high 20°C, low 9°C , 9 rain days . May: high 23°C, low 13°C , 12 rain days . June: high 29°C, low 18°C , 6 rain days . July: high 33°C, low 21°C , 4 rain days . August: high 33°C, low 21°C , 5 rain days . September: high 27°C, low 17°C , 9 rain days . October: high 23°C, low 13°C , 11 rain days . November: high 17°C, low 9°C , 13 rain days . December: high 14°C, low 5°C , 10 rain days . 12°C 4°C JAN 10d 14°C 5°C FEB 9d 16°C 6°C MAR 10d 20°C 9°C APR 9d 23°C 13°C MAY 12d 29°C 18°C JUN 6d 33°C 21°C JUL 4d 33°C 21°C AUG 5d 27°C 17°C SEP 9d 23°C 13°C OCT 11d 17°C 9°C NOV 13d 14°C 5°C DEC 10d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Rome · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Italy: month-by-month weather →

Italy's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Central and southern Italy

    Rome, Naples, Palermo, Florence

    Rome, Naples, Palermo and Florence have mild winters, with average highs of 12.5°C in January, and hot summers reaching 31.6°C in July. There are about 112 rain days a year. The best months are April, June, September and October.

    Best: Apr, Jun, Sep, Oct

  • Northern Italy

    Milan, Verona, Venice

    Milan, Verona and Venice have the coolest winters, with January highs of 7.7°C, and warm summers near 29.7°C in July. Rain falls on about 112 days a year. April, September and October are the best months.

    Best: Apr, Sep, Oct

  • Eastern Sicily

    Catania

    Catania is the warmest and driest area, with January highs of 15°C and July highs of 32.6°C. It has only about 71 rain days a year. The best months are April, May, June and September.

    Best: Apr, May, Jun, Sep

Where to go in Italy

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Rome, Florence and Venice in one week

  1. Day 1–3

    Rome

    Start in the capital, the largest city on this route. Walk the old centre at an easy pace and save time for its churches and museums. Its best months are April, May, September and October.

  2. Day 4–5

    Florence

    Move north to Florence, a much smaller city than Rome, so the centre is easy to explore on foot. Mix museum visits with slow walks in the evening.

  3. Day 6–7

    Venice

    Finish on the coast in Venice. Head for the quieter lanes away from the main squares, and go out early before the day crowds. April, June, September and October are its best months.

10 days

From Rome south to Palermo and Catania

  1. Day 1–3

    Rome

    Begin in the capital and spend your first days in the historic centre. September suits this whole route, as it is one of the best months in all four cities.

  2. Day 4–5

    Naples

    Go south to coastal Naples. Explore the dense old streets, eat well and spend time by the sea. Its best months are April, June, September and October.

  3. Day 6–8

    Palermo

    Cross to Palermo on the coast. Slow down here, with time for markets, old streets and the seafront. Its best months are the summer months of June, July and August, plus September.

  4. Day 9–10

    Catania

    End in Catania, another coastal city. Walk the centre and enjoy the waterfront before you head home. Its best months are April, May, June and September.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Centro Storico (the Pantheon and Piazza Navona)

Rome

Good for first-timers, walkers

This is the old centre, with narrow lanes, piazzas and many major sights close together. You can walk to most places and come back to rest in the afternoon. It is the busiest and most touristy area, and some streets are loud until late.

Centro Storico (Duomo)

Milan

Good for first-timers, short stays

This is the historic core around the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and La Scala, so most major sights are a walk away. Metro links from here reach the rest of the city easily. The drawback is crowds in the day, and many streets feel empty and quiet at night once shops close.

Centro Storico

Naples

Good for first-timers, history, food lovers

The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow streets, churches and pizzerias on almost every corner. You can walk to many main sights, and the Duomo and Via dei Tribunali are close. Streets are noisy until late, with scooters and crowds, and some rooms get little light.

La Kalsa

Palermo

Good for couples, culture, slower pace

An old Arab-era quarter near the seafront, with restored palazzi, small galleries and quiet squares. It feels calmer than the streets around Via Maqueda but is still close to the main sights. Some streets are poorly lit and feel empty late at night.

Santa Croce

Florence

Good for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers

A lively area to the east of the centre, around the large basilica and square of the same name. It is close to the main sights but feels more local, with many bars, wine shops and the Sant'Ambrogio food market nearby. Streets near the bars can be loud late at night, so ask for a room away from the square.

Centro Storico (around Piazza Duomo)

Catania

Good for first-timers, sightseeing

This is the old Baroque core, with the cathedral, the elephant fountain and the fish market all a short walk apart. You can see most of the main sights on foot without using transport. The drawback is noise: the market starts early, scooters are common in the narrow streets, and some side streets feel run-down.

Città Antica (historic centre)

Verona

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, opera-goers

This is the old town inside the bend of the Adige river, around the Arena, Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe. You can walk to almost every major sight, and the streets feel lively into the evening. The drawback is crowds and noise, especially on opera nights, and cars are restricted, so driving to your room is awkward.

San Marco

Venice

Good for first-timers, short stays

This is the historic centre, around St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, so most major sights are a short walk away. It is the easiest base for a first or very short visit. The drawback is heavy crowds by day, and restaurants aimed at tourists.

Food to try in Italy

Pizza napoletana

A soft, thin pizza with a puffy edge, baked fast in a very hot wood-fired oven. It comes from Naples, and pizzerias there are the classic place to try it.

Spaghetti alla carbonara

A Roman pasta made with egg, hard pecorino cheese, cured pork cheek (guanciale) and black pepper. Order it in Rome, where most traditional trattorias serve it.

Pesto alla genovese

A raw sauce of basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and hard cheese. It comes from Genoa and the Liguria coast, where it is often served with short trofie pasta.

Risotto alla milanese

Creamy rice cooked slowly in stock and coloured yellow with saffron. It is a classic of Milan and northern Italy, where rice dishes are more common than in the south.

Gelato

Italian ice cream, usually denser and softer than many other ice creams. You find it all over the country, and many Italians buy a cone for an evening walk.

Espresso

A short, strong coffee. Italians often drink it quickly while standing at the bar. Milky coffees such as cappuccino are mostly drunk in the morning, not after meals.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Italy uses plug types C, F and L at 230 V. Type L is the Italian three-pin plug. A two-pin European adapter fits most sockets, but some older ones only take type L.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. Many historic town centres limit car access, so check signs before you drive into old streets.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It works from any phone. The country calling code for Italy is +39.
  • Currency: Italy uses the euro. Cards are common in cities, but carry some cash for small cafés, markets and rural shops.
  • Language: Italian is the main language. Catalan is also recognised, but only in Alghero on Sardinia. English is common in tourist areas and less so in small towns.
  • Tipping: Tipping is not expected. Restaurant bills often include a cover charge (coperto) or a service charge. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is enough.
  • Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink in most of Italy. Many towns have free public drinking fountains. Do not drink from taps marked "acqua non potabile" (not drinkable).
  • Common scams: At busy sights, people may hand you a "free" bracelet, rose or petition and then demand money. Say no and walk on. Watch for pickpockets on crowded buses and trains.

Italy: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Italy?

April, September, June and October are the best months to visit Italy. April scores highest at 8.2 out of 10, and September follows at 8.1. In Rome, April highs reach about 19.5°C, and October highs about 22.5°C. Both months are warm without the peak heat of July and August.

Is Italy good to visit in August?

Yes, August is rated good for Italy, with a score of 6.3 out of 10. It is hot, though. In Rome, highs average 32.5°C and nights stay around 21°C. Rain is rare, at about 4.8 rain days, and there are 12.7 hours of sun a day. Palermo lists August among its best months.

What is the weather like in Italy in winter?

Winter in Italy is cool and fairly wet, and January scores 4.6 out of 10. In Rome, January highs are about 12.3°C and lows about 3.8°C, with 9.7 rain days and 7 hours of sun a day. December is similar, with highs of 13.6°C and a score of 5. Travellers who prefer cooler city walks may still enjoy it.

What is the rainiest month in Rome?

November is the rainiest month in Rome, with about 140 mm of rain over 12.7 rain days. October is also wet at 105 mm. July is the driest month, with only 16 mm and about 3.9 rain days, but highs reach 33.1°C.

What is the best time to visit Palermo?

The best months for Palermo are July, June, August and September. Palermo is a coastal city, so its best season falls in the summer months, unlike Rome, Milan and Florence. Catania, another coastal city, is best in June, April, September and May.

What plugs, currency and emergency number does Italy use?

Italy uses plug types C, F and L, with a voltage of 230 V. The currency is the Euro. The emergency number is 112, and the calling code is +39. Cars drive on the right, and the time zone is UTC+01:00.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Italy.