Northern Italy in late August

Generally I don't like to travel to Italy in August because it's too damn hot. However I lived there for almost 3 decades and occasionally have to travel there in August to take care of family/business matters. Any tourist location in Italy, whether it's Venice or any towns in the Dolomites or at the seaside, will not shut anything down in August. That's when they do the most business. Some big cities may have some restaurants still closed for the vacation period, but that's more likely in the first two-three weeks in August. Most people are back from vacation by the time you get there. Take a jacket to the Dolomites. It's warm during the day, but it gets chilly at night.

Just FYI on Venice being a "large city." There are only 65,000 residents in Venice, so it's not large, but your main point is still true, since Venice is so geared to tourism. It will pretty much be business as usual, esp. outside the week of 8/15.

Michael:
Venice is a large city, because the city limits include Mestre in the mainland. Plus the tourists way outnumber the residents, therefore we can't really judge the size of Venice from the residents in the ancient core. Yes, Venice doesn't close in August. (but Mestre might).

Thank you for the replies. Roberto, does Venice generally get very humid in August?

Yes. It can get hot and sticky in August in Venice. But it's not like Florida or even New York.

We were there pretty much the same dates last year. Dolomites was the highlight of our trip while Venice being the lowlight. It will be a very nice time of year to travel in the Dolomites, Venice will be hot not just from the weather but from all the PEOPLE and CRUISE SHIPS!!!! There is way more to do in the Dolomites then there is in Venice- well thats if your into outdoorsy stuff.

Sheron,
Consider cutting your stay in Venice back to 3 nights. I think you'll relish an extra night in the Dolomites. We went for 3 nights in July and next year will go back for an entire week. Do you have a place selected in the Dolomites? I can recommend Ortisei and the Hotel Garni Walter. Bellissima! And yes, it will be cool at night, and up in the Alpe di Siusi downright cold in the mornings (like 44 degrees F.). We found that very refreshing during a hot Roman summer.

Laurel, great suggestion. I will try to add a third night to the Dolomites. The hotel you suggested also looks wonderful. Thanks for your input.

Hello Sheron From Aug 25 in the dolomite begins slow season and is cheaper then central aug. I have been in many places but now prefere Selva val Gardena have great time
giaqcomo from vernazza

Here is a comparison at different elevations (although this was in July). My wife and I rented a chalet in Val di Rabbi at an elevation of about 1300 meters. Daytime temperatures struggled to exceed 20° C, and the temperatures dipped to as low as 3° C at night. We visited Trento, elevation of 190 m, less than an hour's drive away. Midday temperatures were above 35°. BTW, the "Dolomites" comprise just one small area of the much more extensive Italian Alps. If you want to experience the Italian Alps, don't think you need to limit yourself to just the Dolomites.

Wow, the Dolomites will be much cooler both during the day and at night than I expected. Good to know though...I will definitely pack some warmer clothes & a warm jacket. It will probably be nice to cool down a bit after visiting Venice. Thanks for the input.

Driving around here in late August can be a very frustrating experience. You have all the German and Dutch tourists returning from their vacations at Jesolo and Lago di Garda so the A4 and the A22 can get very congested. I won't even try to drive the A22 during the entire month of August. I've spent way too much time sitting in traffic jams surrounded by German and Dutch cars pulling huge campers, I'm traumatized.