Too hot to go to Italy in July?

Hello Anne, Italy in July is hot, but no worse than SC or Texas. It was hot each time I've been there during the summer, but I do not remember being hot as my memory. I would be sure to get hotels with AC. Rome is not stinky in July. If you tolerate a SC summer with some outdoor activities, you'll enjoy yourself.
You may actually find Yellowstone to be hotter in September than you might think, or then again you could have snow.

Thank you Thomas! That is very helpful. Anne

Hi Anne, we've been to Italy (Rome, Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Umbria) 3 times in July and it was very hot but totally manageable for us. We're from San Francisco where it rarely gets hot and I don't handle heat well at all when I go to hotter temps, but I was fine (except for one day in Venice - even the Venetians were miserable). It was never humid (except that one day in Venice) and that makes a big difference I think. We didn't have a/c much either, only occasionally and it wasn't like a/c here. Most of the time we had no a/c at all - we were fine. I think, you being from the south, you'll be fine. Have fun! I love Italy :)

It has been very hot when I have traveled Europe in July or August, but despite the heat I also have to think about it to remember the times when I was miserably hot as there are so many other memories. When it is really hot I will usually take an afternoon siesta and come back out after the sun goes down. I also tend to get up really early to go out and photograph, so those really warm temperatures make the mornings beautiful. The worse thing for me in the summer are the crowds and the heat combined, so again, early morning and later in the evening...

Anne I have been to Italy twice in july and august. Yes, its very hot,, and I come from a more moderate climate, so I was hot ,, but , I always got a hotel with a/c and that always gave me a cool retreat in evening. If I could only go in July, I would and so that's what I did. Since you are used to more heat then I am you will probably tolerate the heat a lot better. Gelato breaks twice a day help.

We were there in July just last year. It was hot - probably around 90F and mostly sunny virtually every day. A few of the days might have been closer to 95F, the lowest high temp was probably 85F. It does zap your energy level somewhat, so you have to take steps to take care of yourself. But it is no worse than much of the USA in July (in fact we have the same temps here in Minnesota in July). Rome was NOT "stinky", although unlike most European cities, Rome ignores its river and you should ignore it too. It was not pleasant. But the rest of Rome was everything we hoped it would be. Enjoy the fountains, shade where you can find it, and gelato during mid-day. The evenings after 8PM are wonderful. Most tourists have gone away, the temps drop 10 degrees, and the city takes on an entirely different feel. Have no fear & have a great time.

Anne, I too am from the Deep South, but I have no desire to go to Europe in July or August. Let me also include June in there. The Florence hotels have governmental regulations on their air conditioning use, and their a/c units often have radio controls from the front desk that cut'em off. And the quality of their a/c systems is not what you're used to. April-May, Sept.-Oct. are just much better months to go, and far less expensive on flight fares.
I appreciate your wanting to go to Yellowstone in September, but it'll be there in October. Go into the Northern Italy Dolomites if you need a mountain fix, as they're absolutely stunning scenery.

I've been to Italy several times in June/July and it is hot. I would not go to southern italy again during the summer under any circumstances, but would perhaps do the north. As has been stated, AC in Europe is far different than AC here and some hotels that advertise it don't offer much comfort. I believe some of it has to do with age. I didn't have any trouble with dehydration or heat when younger, but now in my 60s it is a
problem despite drinking 8-12 bottles of water a day.

On the other hand, the air conditioning in Europe in the summer is much more comfortable to me than most a/c in the US which is usually far too cold for me. I wear a sweater to work every day in summer here, but a sweater is not needed on summer trips to Europe. On really hot days in Spain and southern France, we adjusted our activity level to make it bearable. It depends on your heat tolerance but I would definitely go.

Italy and SC in July is a good comparison. Hot and humid. The way to compare is are you comfortable hiking, walking, shopping outdoors all day in an SC summer? If you spend time out in the summer heat comfortably, you won't mind Italy at all. If you spend most of your time out of the heat, however, you will probably want to do the same when you get to Italy. I personally prefer a little cooler. For me, October is a great month for Italy. If given the choice between Italy in July and no Italy; I'd take Italy.

Brad beat me to it. (There's a reason I don't live in humid Texas anymore, so that may be a bit of a disclaimer...although it does get very hot - but dry - where I now live) My life in hot/humid climates involves jumping from one air conditioned room to the next. I'm certainly not out pounding the pavement all day - typically in little to no shade - traipsing through the Roman Forum in downtown Dallas, nor standing in line outside the Uffizi in Atlanta. Not gonna happen. I've been there, done that, in Italy in July and August - twice. Never again. (Hot weather isn't limited to July - Rome was in the upper 90's my last visit in Oct...ugh.) There isn't much relief from the heat, either - there's typically no or not much A/C in the gelato shops, restaurants, pharmacies, etc. And don't count on museums being comfortable :-( So, if you would be happy and comfortable walking around Orangeburg in 90-100F heat with no expectation of any shade and no A/C, go for it. The 'A/C' that I usually come across is the swamp/wet air/evaporative cooler. Yuck. If you do go, absolutely get A/C in your hotel!!! Some Rom ans can be stinky in summer ;-) Other people go and are very happy...just not this Texan in CA! Maybe try and swing Yellowstone in July...

Yes, Italy will be hot in July. Comparable to SC but not as humid. AC in SC is almost everywhere. Not so in Italy and where it is, it's relatively weak. Evenings and nights are cooler in Italy than in SC. I personally would not dare to go to Italy (or SC) in July. But if you tolerate it in SC you will tolerate it in Italy. Temperature is similar but humidity is higher in SC.

I've spent exactly one week in Italy, all of it in July. My wife, the dog and I stayed in a rental chalet high in the Val di Rabbi in the Ortler Alps. Temperatures barely went above 20° C. We took an excusion down to Trento one day. When we left Rabbi, the tempertature was 17°. It wad nearly 35° in Trento. My clothes were drenched with sweat. Suffice to say, we didn't descend from the Alps for the remainder of that trip.

Re:hot in Italy in July. I am so glad I posted in the helpline and got your wonderful advice. I am rethinking my destination Altogether. I do NOT spend much time outdoors in SC during scorching days. I will get out early morning and then in early evening. Our days are so long in July, and the heat sticks around till almost dark. In fact, I was a wedding photographer for several years until I got sick of being a sweaty mess among the mess of sweaty guests. So, where can I go. I need to take a trip to get my spirit back! I would love some thoughts. I was thinking London, Bath, and on to Ireland. Or start n Copenhagen where I have a friend, then travel around that area, Germany,or Sweden. So many of you are so much more attuned to weather and places. I am open to suggestions! Anne

My first time in Germany was during a July heat wave. It was 105 degrees F And no AC anywhere except our car. Don't think I didn't consider sleeping in it! You would probably be safe to consider the U.K. I haven't been to Scandinavia yet, so I can't offer anything there.

OK, if you want something close to a guarantee that you won't be uncomfortably hot, then I would suggest the UK or Scandinavia in July. We've done both and been quite comfortable most of the time. But anywhere else and you run the risk of a heat wave. It isn't just Italy that gets hot. The most uncomfortably hot I've ever been in Europe was in Prague.

As some others have said, if it's when you can go, go. I have heard that Venice isn't very pleasant in the heat because of the canal odors and the mosquitoes. I was in Venice in October and my hotel gave me a plug-in to deter the mozzies. Maybe someone who's been recently can opine on whether there is AC in the museums - Vatican, Academia, Uffizi, etc. Churches are usually a cool respite from the heat and each one is a museum. Water from the ubiquitous fountains throughout the country spout icy cold water, about the best in Europe. Keep a small bottle with you and fill up often. Take a micro-fabric cloth (quick-dry) and you can wet that to wipe a sweaty brow or cool the nape of your neck. Plan to do outdoor things early in the day, like the Forum in Rome. Even there, there are a couple of buildings so you can get a brief respite from the heat. At the colosseum you'll be in and out of the sun - lots of shady areas. In July, I doubt that north/south will make a difference. Higher elevations will be more pleasant because of less humidity.

Safe bets where is almost never hot in Europe in July: Iceland, northern Scandinavia, Scotland, Ireland.

I have been to Italy twice in July due to my work schedule (high school teacher) and while both times were hot, it was not a deal breaker, and will not be the next time I go back. The best thing I packed was a reusable water bottle that I could refill at one of the many drinking fountains. I also got out early, took a siesta mid-afternoon, and then went out again in the evening. No problem. If your heart is set on Italy, go to Italy.

If you have to travel in July and want to avoid heat, kill two birds with one stone by going to Scandinavia (particularly since you have a friend there). Not only is it not hot, but the "good weather" season in that area is relatively short. Plus, it's cheaper to go then, because the hotels have discounts in the summer when the business travelers aren't there. So, summer is actually the best time to visit. Rick Steves Scandinavia has lots of great tips, including ways to save money (very necessary for this potentially expensive area). However, I also agree that if the only time you can go is July, and Italy calls to you, go. Just be prepared for the weather. If you can possibly go at another time, though, I'd do so.