Which is better--Italy in June or July?

I'd suggest the earlier in June the better! Enjoy your travels.

I would also try earlier in June. Not just for crowds but for the weather. By July it will be hot, hot, hot. Great for the beach but not fun for touring. Most of the major sites will be crowded in June and packed in July.

To not answer your question at all but... I went, with some trepidation, to Rome this August the date chosen mainly because I got a good deal via airmiles. I was a bit worried because every guide book says "don't go in August!" I half expected to spend the week tortured by hellish heat and closed restaurants.

Well, it was a bit hot, around 30 deg C but no more than you'd expect that far south in summer. Yes the stone and concrete held the heat but as long as you didn't do any crazy route-marches and took the excuse to stop for a coffee or cold beer every now-and-then it was nothing to worry about. That's from someone from the rainy part of England so, I guess, in a round about way my point is that I'm not sure a Texan should give that much thought to the temperature.

In case anyone cares I didn't have any problems with summer closings either, the touristy bits especially were working full stream. Maybe it's more of an issue in the 'burbs?

Hi Jill - As the others have mentioned - June is better - weatherwise than July BUT - Not to worry - Either month you'll have a Great time and - If it's a bit warm I'm sure you can handle it!

Enjoy Italy, Greg

Look at it this way: if Rome were a thousand miles closer to the equator, would you just not go at all? Any time you can get any where is the time to do it. Just go!

May.

Interesting. Are you saying you've heard that July is better than June? Or is it just that you've seen that July isn't absolutely terrible? I can't imagine anyone choosing July over June.

I think most people agree that given a CHOICE June is better than July. But if you have NO choice going in July can be certainly doable and enjoyable.

We went during the second half of June when it was exceptionally hot. Rome was still fine (25 C) but everywhere else we had 30-35 C. It was great as long as we had enough gelato breaks and could spent time at the pool at the agriturismo in Tuscany. But hiking in the Cinque Terre was rather difficult. We should have gone swimming instead or done the hike much much earlier in the morning (my then 13 year old daughter rates it as one of the most horrible experiences in her life ...).

I'm a teacher, too. We were in Rome last July and this year will arrive there June 6, two days after school is out. We want to avoid the heat (though we're in Texas and quite used to it!) but most of all the crowds.

Enjoy your trip!

June, especially early June, is just slightly more off season than July - might help a little more with crowds. Both can be hot but going to Italy ANY time is much better than not going at all.