Some people may opt to travel to Italy in the off-season, where attractions may be less crowded and prices lower. However, for many people, summer is the most convenient time to travel. While there may be some advantages to going to Italy at other times, there are a number of excellent reasons to visit in the summer as well.
1- Longer Days
Summer days in Southern Europe are long, and you can take advantage of those bright mornings and evenings to fit in more activities. If you go to Italy in the winter, it can turn dark and cold early. You don’t want to go all the way to Italy just to spend long winter evenings in your hotel room, so consider a summer visit to make the most of your time.
2- Seasonal Food
If you are like a lot of people, one of the reasons you are going to Italy is for the food. In the summer, you’ll be able to take advantage of the most abundant selection of fresh foods and vegetables. This includes things you may already associate with Italian cuisine, such as tomatoes, basil, and eggplant, as well as many other items, including berries, figs, and melons. There are also regional delights, such as lemons from Sicily or Amalfi.
3- More Options for Tourists
One of the tradeoffs for people traveling in the off-season is that many attractions are closed or have more limited hours. The same is true for restaurants, hotels, and shops. When you go to Italy in the summer, you can be sure that you will have a much wider selection of activities, places, and attractions to enjoy.
4- Beaches
Art, culture, and food are all great reasons to visit Italy, but the beaches are a big attraction as well, and in the summer, you can truly enjoy them. Whether it’s a quiet, secluded location you’re after or a bustling one with nightclubs and tourists from all over the world, you can find these and everything in between. Some of the more popular beaches in Italy include those along the Amalfi Coast as well as those on the island of Sardinia.
5- Summer Festivals
Festivals in Italy are in full swing in summer. If you’d like to take in the spectacle of the Vogalonga Regatta in Venice, the Florence Dance Festival, or the Feast of St. John the Baptist, among many others, you’ll need to be there in June, July, or August. There are many other arts events you can only take advantage of in the summer as well, such as the Verona Opera Season.
6- Cooler Locations
You may think of Italy as primarily a hot country, but there are cooler locations that will be refreshing in summer but potentially too cold to enjoy fully in winter. Winters in the Dolomites, for example, can be harsh, but summers there are magnificent.
At any time of year, Italy is a beautiful and fascinating destination. However, there are many reasons that summer is the most popular time to travel there, and it is worthwhile to consider the many advantages it offers over other times of the year.