Italy in August

Picture a week or 2 at WDW in August, at the parks all day every day. With masks on.

Actually Italy's climate is more like California, being less humid than Florida, it is more comfortable at 75-85 in the places you mentioned. Except, for Venice which smells a little like sulfur on hot days. Just wear loose cotton or linen and comfortable walking shoes and a brimmed hat and you're good to go. I think that you can still fly into Istanbul. Good Luck with your plans for next year. Maybe we won't need masks by then!

Kathleen has a good point. There is a lot less humidity in the inland heat in Italy in the summer. We spent 2 weeks in 3 cities in Italy in 2019 and were able to comfortably tour around during the day. We did want to make sure all of our accommodations had AC so we could sleep comfortably at night. It was about 10 degrees cooler in Venice than Rome and Florence when we were there but the humidity was noticeably higher (granddaughter’s curls popped out). The dry, higher temperatures inland were tolerable to someone used to high summer temperatures as we are in inland California—walk in the shade, drink lots of water, dress in loose clothing, wear sandals and take a stylish wide brimmed hat.

You will just face a lot more heat. The potential for very hot weather is higher in August than your earlier scheduled May. But adjust. But that is why they have the tradition of the siesta.

I do think making the Dolomites one of your stops would be a good idea. It's a lovely area, and if you stay up in the mountains (not in one of the valley cities like Bolzano), you're likely to have a very nice break from the heat you'll likely experience elsewhere.

The problem to come in Italy in August is more of the cost, than the temperature. Is the standard month for factories shut down, so the 70% of Italians are on holiday (on standard years, of course). That means that on the shore is crowded, while the inland cities and towns are much less populated (so like 30/40% of shops and restaurants are closed).
The most of restaurants, bars, museums and a lot of shops have AC, like the hotels, so in fact the high summer temperature can be afforded without so many trouble for a person who live in Florida. For very high temperatura inland we are talking of 38/40°C during the day. In the Padan plane the humidity decreased a lot in the last 15/20 years, so when there are 38°C usually there is a 35/40% of humidity and I believe that is affordable.

I am from Georgia in the USA and don't find the Summer so bad in Italy. I am used to heat and it is worse here in Georgia that time of the year.

Summer in places with higher altitudes, like in northern Italy is not bad at all.

This is actually encouraging. I do agree that cost may be an issue. We have a nice place in Menaggio on Lake Como picked out and it is much cheaper in May than in August.

I do like the idea of visiting the Dolomites for a break in the heat. We probably would have to divert days from our current itinerary to do that. We have 4 nights Assisi, 3 nights Venice, 3 nights Verona (day trip to Lake Garda), and 3 nights Menaggio, Lake Como. We would spend last night in Milan before flying out. Logistically, Assisi is the obvious one but I am wondering if Venice might be the one to skip. It sounds the least pleasant in August.

As much as i love Venice, it is brutal in July so August probably isnt much better. Since i worked in the school system we always had to go in the summer. Last time we were there, July 2018, it was hot and crowded. The only place we found any relief was at the Hard Rock Cafe. Their ac was great and so was their bathroom. So yes, i would skip and save for another trip.

Another thing to add is that in August many shops, restaurants are closed as the locals head out for their vacation.

It depends on your tolerance for heat, humidity, and crowds. If you can take a relaxed pace and spend the heat of the day inside (hotel room/museum/church/restaurant that is cool) it’s manageable. Be an early riser - nothing is crowded at 8AM, and the heat is less. Stay out into the cooler evening, hang out outside after dark. If you are trying to push your way through the Rialto bridge at 1PM, that’s a nightmare.
Do make sure your hotel has decent A/C! I’ve never had a problem but this is definitely something to make priority in hotel choice.

I was in Naples in August 2 years ago. It was hot but fine. Wear a hat, drink water, move slowly, avoid big tourist sights in midday. The concern over heat is overblown if you are somewhat used to it. The crowds are another matter. Whether COVID makes next year more or less crowded is anyone’s guess, assuming travel is even realistic.

I would prefer August to winter or early spring (rain). But for me rain details my enjoyment of being outside in a way heat does not.

Como's lake is surrounded by the Alps, so even there you can easily do daytrips above 1000m where find a colder air.
If your idea is to rent a car you could do a round trip Verona - Como - Sondrio - Pinzolo - Verona. The problem is to change every day hotel.
Or, if you prefer the Dolomite area, you could stay 2 nights in Venice (I know that is warm and humid and sometimes even stinky in Summer, but is wonderful...) , than move to Belluno, than Auronzo, than Brunico and go down to Verona for another couple of nights.

BTW: if you like a little bit cycling and want to get inspired about Alps, is running in Italy the "Giro d'Italia". On Wednesday 21st will be run the first stage on the Alps: Bassano - Madonna di Campiglio. Than another strong stage Pinzolo - Cancano, doing the Stelvio Pass. Than a relaxing stage near Como's lake: Morbegno - Asti. Than a final very strong stage from Alba to Sestriere, doing Izoard and Agnello.
https://www.giroditalia.it/en/tappe/stage-17-bassano-del-grappa-madonna-di-campiglio/

Regarding saving it for another trip - how high is Italy, especially this itinerary in your priority list? If there’s another place you want to go equally as much, then postponing might make sense. If Italy is clearly your top priority, think twice about skipping. If this year has taught us anything it’s that circumstances could always mess with your plans! If Italy is your #1, I suggest doing it when you can, you never know what is coming.

I agree with geovagriffith. Our first trip to Europe began in Rome in August and our British guide was talking about how hot it was-it was 89. We thought that was hilarious-89 in August is considered pleasant in every place we've ever lived.

Lots of good ideas. Thanks.

About where Italy is on a travel list: We are in our early 60s and traveled twice to Europe before children. We went to Florence and Rome but not Venice. At the time (probably 35 years ago at this point), I heard the canals smelled so I had no interest.

I now would really like to go to Venice and would put it near the top of my travel list. Our kids are now grown and for the past three years we had traveled to Europe. And then the pandemic hit. Our intend was to travel each year to Europe until we can't. So hopefully, we will have multiple opportunities to travel to Italy.

I want to love Venice and am not sure that will happen in August.

We could see other parts of Italy and plan to visit Venice another time which, of course, has the risk of not happening (not that anything in Europe next year is very sure either).

Or we could postpone the whole trip and maybe visit somewhere else, if it is possible.

I don't agree that the humidity is lower in Italy.
I've been to Italy many times, and this past September all I could think of was when I could get into my next cool shower.
I averaged 4 showers a day for 2 weeks.
Each day the weather apps showed humidity in the high 80's.
This was the first two weeks of September.
The actual temps. were about 80-88F each day.
We were in Rome, Florence, Naples and Lucca, and each was as humid and hot as the next.
We had ac in every apartment.
If I were you planning to go in August, I would make sure of ac, be near water so you could swim occasionally, or save your trip for a time when you could go in May or June.
Next time, I will go later in the year.
You may love to be in humid, hot weather; but as a tourist walking around all day, it is very uncomfortable.
Just my opinion!

I have never been in Venice in August.

But I have been in many other months of the year, and intended to be there this year in April and June, but other things intervened. I would have been there last year in June but medical issues intervened. So it has been 3 years since I have been there - the longest gap in a long time.

So while I can't directly address August I can say that in all my visits to Venice I have never experienced unpleasant canal odours or smells.

To be fair, when I have been near large crowds, at whatever time of year, and not limited to Venice, I have sometimes come across body odour...

We visited Venice in July last year during a heat wave and didn’t suffer. And we are from Vermont where 80 is HOT!!

We slowed down, stayed inside in the afternoons (restaurants, churches, museums, chill time in the apartment), stayed off the main drag during peak tourist hours, did lots of walking around on the little side streets where it’s always shady. We had vaporetto passes and took lots of boat rides; wonderful in the heat.

Our apartment had A/C, but we didn’t really need it. It was right on the Zattere overlooking the Giudecca canal, and there was always a breeze.

We absolutely loved Venice and will be back. And no, it didn’t smell.

Beth you can check out some statistics at https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/it/sesto-fiorentino/LIRQ/date/2020-8-13. I picked a random date, August 13, 2020 in Florence. The mid day temperatures were in the mid to high 90s. The humidity at midday was 19-23%. All of this varies if there is moisture in the air from a summer storm but I would think to a Floridian, this would qualify as dry heat.

So I looked up average humidity in August where I live-73%! So Italy is definitely less humid than Florida. So I think we could manage and enjoy it, especially if we spent some time in the mountains.

The idea of going further north in August is a reasonable one. I will have to give that more thought too. We were in Edinburgh in July two years ago and it was in the 50s. Now I was cold so maybe not that far north!

Now if we can just all travel in 2021...even if it is in August!

I would never travel to Italy in the summer again. I live in Southern California and disagree the weather is like here. True it was hot but that's not the problem. The HUMIDITY is the problem. I was miserable....

I now travel in late April or early to mid May.

Thank you Robin!
Seems like you are the only one who agrees with me that the humidity is intolerable in summer.
And the friend I was with last year went around with a wool cardigan tied round her waist in case she got cold!
Some people.... :))
I'm still teasing her about it.

I have been to both LA and Alberta, Canada which is certainly Western Canada. Both have very low humidity. I think Italy is humid in comparison . Italy is less humid for those of us who live in steamy climates.

Given the next wave of the pandemic that appears to be starting across Europe, including in Italy, I can't imagine booking anything at this point. Do go ahead and do lots of planning, but be prepared to have to kick that can down the road many months, if not a year or two.

Yes, we are lucky here in W. Canada to have relatively low humidity, even in our infrequent hot summers here on the Coast.
I think that's why I just couldn't bear it last year in Italy: just not used to it.
I like the heat though, but only up to about 85F!

We spent last August, 2019 into September in Bologna, Venice and Florence. We live in the desert southwest---southern Arizona--- and we're use to the extreme summer heat and found it uncomfortable to be out in the afternoons so siesta'd most afternoons. We're use to the heat but it wasn't pleasant walking around. This worked fine particularly in the crowded summer destinations of Venice and Florence. We're glad we had air con in all three locations or it would have been unbearable. Happy planning.

It’s not really about the weather.

In August in Italy, many restaurants and shops close for the entire month. We stayed a week in August in Bologna once and struggled to find an open restaurant.

Dear Beth, Sun 8.50 pm

My family and I spent Sept and Oct 2018 in Italy, then Switzerland and northern France. From my travel diary the following temperature entries may be of interest to you and yours. Might help reference to late August. A little prose on what we did on a day.

Sept 5th 7.30am into Roma 13.5 hours flight from Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific. Other family members from Melbourne arrived at Roma approx. 6.30am. By 11am had picked up lease vehicles. 28c and humid in Roma. Drove to b&b at Tivoli. 27c, lovely.

Sept 6 Tivoli. 27C Villa D’Este, glorious

Sept 7 Drove to Carapelle Calvisio Abruzzo (Alt 900metres). Stopped at Lago di Sinizzo for picnic lunch 25c lovely

Sept 8 Rented farmhouse for a week. Carapelle and surrounds 27C ditto

Sept 9 Drove to Pescara for children to swim then to Vasto for lunch 26C ditto

Sept 10 Santo Stefano for lunch then Castelvecchio Calviso. Dined in local restaurant 25C ditto

Sept 11 Drove to Roccascalegna for lunch 26C ditto

Sept 12 Spent the day in Sulmona. Lunch and replenish food stocks 26C ditto

Sept 13 Castello Del Monte for dinner 25C Ditto, light rain at night.

Sept 14 to Roma 6am more family arriving from Melbourne. Roma early morning humid and Warm. Carapelle 28C beautiful.

Sept 15 Drove to Petroro Umbria (near Todi). Rented villa for the week. 26C blissful

Sept 16 At villa by pool and bbq. 26C ditto

Sept 17 Toured area to buy from local villages and farms. 26C A spectacular late evening thunderstorm. Superb meal at restaurant in Todi.

Sept 18 At villa 28C delightful.

Sept 19 Drove to San Feliciano, Lago Trasimeno for lunch 28C ditto

Sept 20 Drove to Norcia and picnicked at plain of Castelluccio. 26C ditto

Sept 21 At villa 28C ditto

Sept 22 drove to Villa at Montevarchi (rented for a week) via Montepulciano 24C A little cool.

Sept 23 At villa 28C glorious. The villa had a big pool.

Sept 24 Spent the day in Florence 23C was a little humid.

Sept 25 Toured Chianti area. Grape harvest underway. Lunch at Greve. Early dining in Radda. 22C occasional light breeze.

Sept 26 Day at Sienna 22C Lovely

Sept 27 Drove to Scarperia. My sons purchased some knives and discussed opportunities to import to Australia. Toured local Mugello GP racetrack. 26C glorious again.

Sept 28 At villa and around Todi 25C superb.

Next day drove via Lugano through the alps to Lauterbrunnen for a week. Then onto farm stays in northern France.

Do not recall need for AC. At home normally would only turn on AC when temperature reached 33c or more. Australia left the old British currency, weights and measures in the late 60’s. I cannot remember Fahrenheit equivalents anymore. Only reference point is 36C is the old 100F.

Stay safe. Keep good mental health. If safe give someone a hug.

Regards
Ron

If Venice is near the top of your list - GO! It is a wonder. Yes- it's over touristed and yes- it will be hot. But 3 nights is not a big deal to be able to experience & enjoy the beauty of the cathedral/churches, palace and art. As well as the ambiance that is Venice & Italy all rolled into one location.

Find a hotel or apartment within the city, splurge for AC and location and enjoy the city before and after tour hours.

I think Venice is a good point on many routes/travels through Europe.
If you fall in love with it - you can come back again and explore more - at a cooler time of year. One thing to remember - in August there will not (generally) be much rain - so little chance of floods really impacting your visit. And more excuses for gelato breaks!

I agree with Ricky.

Cost (and availability of accommodations) is the bigger issue in August. Not so much in cities like Rome or Florence, which generally have a slight drop in visitors in August (Italians don’t visit those hot cities in August), but if you visit coastal seaside towns, islands, countryside and mountain locations, or lakes, vacancies will be limited and prices sky high.

As mentioned above, Italy’s climate is similar to Northern California. Not as humid as Florida, but definitely hot, especially in the interior valleys. Mountain locations and coastal areas are less hot (but more crowded in August)

I have been to Italy twice, once in June and once in August. Both times it was so hot that I ended up just staying at the hotel and using its swimming pool. I too live in Florida and it is as hot or hotter if not as humid. It was not pleasant. I was supposed to go to Italy in May of this year and now think it will not be something an American can do until 2023. 21 will still be trying out the vaccine and the virus may still be around. Stay in the US as I am doing and go when it is really safe. I think it is fool hardy to plan on visiting Europe for at least two years.

I was in Como (Belaggio) without ac and we had to check out. Italy is just too hot from June to late September unless you are high in the mountains. I was planning on visiting Bolzano until I read that it is so hot in the summer months and we would have been there at the beginning of June. In Verona I bought a red dress and wore it that night. When I got undressed later my white underclothes were pink from al the perspiring I did. One expression I quickly learned was "molto calde". Not all the places had ac and you don't have the energy to do sight seeing when you are so uncomfortable. By the way I was not overweight and in my late 50's at the time. I will never go to Italy in the months of June-September.

Yes, I agree that August is not optimal. But feeling a bit like it may not matter. I am feeling rather discouraged watching the numbers right now about prospects of visiting Italy in August or any other time right now.

Sigh.

I was impressed by poster who had the temperature by the day for his vacation.

You can check actual, historical, day-by-day temperatures for most major and medium-sized cities on the website timeanddate.com. The data goes back about 10 years. I always check the last 3 to 5 years when I'm deciding whether I dare visit a hot city in the summer or a cold city in the spring or fall. I see that in August 2020, Assisi hit 90F or higher on 24 days. On 13 of those days, the high temperature reached at least 95F.

I live in a city that is quite hot and extremely muggy for a good chunk of the year, but the temperature doesn't affect me all that much at home, because I am not outdoors for 6 or more hours a day as I often am in Europe. And virtually any indoor venue here is well-air-conditioned. That will not always be the case in Italy.

A big perk to the month of august is that most locals head to the beach or mountains so the cities a very quite
that being said quite a few things may close