The Best Time to Visit Italy for Beaches, Sightseeing, Fresh Olives and More

If you’re starting to think about a trip to Italy and wondering when you should go, you’ll find no shortage of opinions. Some people insist you should avoid certain cities in the summer, others say it rains too much in the spring, while many travelers rave about October. The truth is that almost any time can be a good time to visit Italy, depending on where you go and what you want to do.

To help you out with planning, this guide breaks down the best times to visit Italy based on the experiences you’re hoping to have, from sunbathing on beaches to sightseeing in cities.

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Explore more of Italian destinations

How to See All of Rome’s Highlights on a One-Day Walking Tour

To see Rome properly, you’d ideally have several days, maybe even a week. But cruise passengers and quick-trippers don’t have that luxury. The good news is you can still see the Eternal City’s highlights in five hours or less.

Why Fall Is the Best Time for Food Lovers to Visit Italy

From grape harvesting and olive pressing to local sagras celebrating pumpkin, mushrooms, and game meats, fall is the ultimate season for Italian food lovers. And of course, no autumn trip would be complete without truffle hunting, the crown jewel of the season.

Trieste Is the Coolest Italian City You’ve Never Thought of Visiting

Italy’s famed destinations get most of the attention, but smaller towns often hold the biggest surprises. With its unique location on the Adriatic, rich history, striking architecture, and seaside allure, Trieste is one of the country’s most underrated cities.

The 6 Must-See Carnival Festivals in Italy

Carnival is a season of spectacle across Italy, with celebrations ranging from orange-throwing battles to enormous mechanized floats lampooning politicians, and even a flying angel soaring above Venice. These six festivals are among the best.

What to Know About Franciacorta, Italy's Underrated Wine Region

This region spans slightly more than 5,400 acres along the southern coast of Lake Iseo, and within its borders are 116 wineries that produce a specific style of sparkling wine from the wine region of the same name near Milan, Italy. Here’s why Franciacorta deserves a spot on your next wine itinerary.

📍Where To Stay

The 25 Dreamiest Airbnbs in Italy

Italy’s beauty doesn’t have to break your budget. From cozy countryside cottages to city apartments with views, these dreamy Airbnbs offer unforgettable stays, many under $200 a night. That leaves more room in your budget for dining, shopping, and splurging on experiences.

A Private Villa for a Century, Belmond’s Newly Restored Gem in Portofino

For more than 100 years, Villa Beatrice has overlooked the Gulf of Tigullio, its terracotta façade and neo-Gothic details hidden behind private gates. Now restored and reopened as part of Belmond, the villa captures Portofino’s Hollywood heyday while offering the exclusivity of a one-key, fully serviced residence.

Experience The Best of Italy's High Country at Montana Lodge and Spa

Set in the Italian Alps, Montana Lodge and Spa combines ski-in, ski-out access to both Italian and French slopes with refined alpine luxury. Here, après-ski is just as rewarding as time on the pistes.