You have to understand that there is summer in Italy, and then there is August in Italy. If you’re planning your trip during this month, this post is for you.
Italy in August is one of the hottest months of the year and the peak tourist season. It’s when Italians head on their summer vacation, and many things shut down.
But does everything really shut down in August? You might have heard stories of things being closed and towns being empty, leaving international tourists wondering what is going on.
Why Italy in August is different
August is the peak of summer in Italy. August 15 is known as Ferragosto. It’s a national holiday and a religious day celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The significance of this date dates back to Roman times and remains a vital part of Italian culture to this day.
As the 15th is a day of rest, many plan their Italian vacations around this time. So what does that mean for tourists? If you’re visiting Italy during the summer months, not just in August, you will often see signs that say “chiuso per ferie,” meaning closed for the holidays.
This can include family-owned businesses, restaurants, service providers and so on. You may wonder why that is important. Well, they often close for 2-3 weeks, not days or the weekend around August 15. This means there will be no service during that time, and it may or may not affect you as a visitor.
I remember when we visited Palermo, we found a very cool brewery. Unfortunately, when we got there, it was during their summer vacation. Wasn’t that big of a deal. The first summer we were here, we bought furniture, but we had to wait till after August for them to be delivered because the factory closed down for the holidays. This was something that wouldn’t impact us as visitors.
What closes and where
In smaller towns and mountain villages, especially those that are not on the tourist trail, you’ll find more places closed in August. These can include local shops, bakeries, restaurants and other service providers.
In big cities like Rome, you probably won’t notice it as much as there are enough hotels, restaurants and shops that stay open. You will find more tourists than locals simply because many of them went to the beach.
I’ve visited Rome almost every month of the year, and August is probably one of the worst times to go. That’s just my personal opinion. It’s hot, crowded and not that enjoyable. If you’re planning to go to Rome in August, keep that in mind.
What stays open
I’m not sure why so many people think the whole country shuts down in August. Sure, if you’re trying to get errands done (this can be repairs, delivery of big items, anything government-related, and so on), you’ll have a hard time doing so. Business meetings? Good luck.
But if you’re here as a tourist, there is still plenty to do:
- Major museums and tourist areas stay open.
- Tourist-heavy restaurants continue serving food.
- Public transport runs normally.
- Hotels keep their doors open.
- Supermarkets, especially the big names, remain open (though some may have posted summer hours).
- Pharmacies and bakeries might rotate closings within an area, but in major cities, this won’t be as noticeable.
How to prepare for your trip in August
In most places, you can check Google Maps to see if it’s closed or not. In Italy, things work a bit differently. Many businesses here don’t always update their Google Maps info and their social media. So, even though Google Maps might say they’re open, you’ll arrive and find it’s closed. That’s happened to us many times.
I wouldn’t rely on Google Maps as the only source. For larger stores and restaurants with a social media presence, you can always check their social accounts to see if they’re open or if they’ve announced any updates. And there’ll be a big sign if you get there and they’re closed. There’ll be a sign that says, “Chiuso per ferie” (Closed for the holidays).
If you’re in smaller cities, more touristy places, or beach towns and coastal areas, make sure to book things ahead of time, as you’re not just dealing with fewer restaurants, but also with more tourists. You want to make sure that you book ahead of time to secure your spot and actually receive your meal.
If you’re planning a beach holiday (and I think it’s always a great idea to go to the beach, especially in August), you should also book ahead. And I’m not just talking about places to stay because those book up really fast during high season. What’s left really isn’t always the top choice, but it’s also more costly.
Beach tips for August
If you’re planning a day trip to the beach, arrive early in the morning. If you’re going to visit beach clubs that offer umbrellas and chairs, you may find them booked up by the time you get there.
If you don’t arrive before noon, sometimes it can be even busier. So, if you don’t get there in time, you will find that there are no umbrellas available. Sometimes, people who spend a lot of time on the beach will book them up for days at a time.
If you go to the free beach with just your own umbrella or a towel and you want to sit on the beach, you don’t have to make bookings, but also keep in mind that the free beaches fill up as well. So, if you arrive too late, there’ll be a lot of other people between you and the water.
Where to avoid going
Most people will tell you to visit major cities like Rome, Venice and Florence, as well as popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. As someone who lives in Italy and has visited these places, I can attest that they are expensive, very hot and very crowded during peak season.
It doesn’t mean that you can’t go to those places. I just don’t think you’ll enjoy them as much, so you have to decide what you want your experience to be. The heat of the day in these urban areas can be intense, especially without access to good air conditioning.
Where to go instead
Here are the best places to visit during the Italian summer:
- Coastal regions and gorgeous beaches – Sicily, Sardinia, Campania, Calabria, and the Adriatic Coast offer beautiful beaches and cooler evenings by the water. Southern Italy and southern regions have some of the best coastal towns, perfect for your August holiday.
- Explore the beaches and mountains in Abruzzo – This region offers both beach time and mountain destinations with cooler weather at higher elevations.
- Go on a road trip through Umbria – Central Italy’s green heart offers small villages, good food and fewer crowds than major attractions.
- Visit Italy’s lakes – Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como offer a perfect time to enjoy water activities and outdoor activities with better average temperatures than the cities.
- Explore the Aeolian Islands – These volcanic islands off Sicily’s coast are an ideal destination for a summer vacation, offering stunning scenery and excellent swimming opportunities.
- Head to the mountains – Northern Italy’s mountain villages can also be a great time to visit, offering relief from the hottest months of the year while still enjoying sunny weather.
Festivals in August
Ferragosto (August 15) is a national holiday celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and is the peak of summer celebrations. Events include fireworks, beach parties, and street festivals across the country during this august holiday.
In Rome, the Gran Ballo di Ferragosto features dance performances and music in various city squares. The Vara di Messina is a large religious procession in Sicily featuring a huge, decorated structure carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary. Many towns, including Diano Marina, host sea festivals with fireworks displays.
Other August festivals:
- Festa di San Lorenzo (August 10): Known as La Notte di San Lorenzo, this night is dedicated to watching the peak of the Perseid meteor shower
- Palio del Golfo (Early August): A traditional rowing race held in La Spezia, Liguria
- Festa dei Candelieri (August 15): A candle-focused festival held in the city of Sassari, Sardinia
- La Quintana (August): A medieval jousting tournament held in Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche, featuring costumed parades and knightly competition
- Palio di Siena (August 16): While the main Palio horse race is in July, another race occurs in August Book your tickets online
- Venice Film Festival: This prestigious film festival takes place in Venice during late August and early September
- Food festivals: Many local events celebrate Italian culture and traditions throughout the entire month
These local events give you an authentic taste of Italian traditions. These are some of my favourite things about visiting during this time.
Final thoughts
I’ve never had any issues when we visited Italy in August. Don’t let people scare you by saying that everything is shut down, there’s nothing open, you won’t be able to do anything, because that’s not true.
There are still plenty of things to do and many places to explore. And it’s just summer. It’s summer for the Italians, as much as it is for the visitors. So everybody’s trying to get out and make the best of it.
Travel tips for Italy in August:
- Plan ahead and keep everything booked ahead of time
- Be prepared to be flexible
- If you get somewhere and they’re closed, have backup plans
- Visit religious sites and historic cities in the early morning to avoid crowds
- Take advantage of popular trails in mountain areas for cooler temperatures
If you know that ahead of time, then you’ll be fine. August can be a perfect time to experience the real Italian summer – you just need to plan smart and stay flexible.
