Luxury Holidays Italy

Destination Overview

Time difference: GMT +1
Capital: Rome
Currency: Euro
Flight time: 2.5 hours

Europe’s ‘boot’ is ironically as famous for its footwear as it is for its cuisine, shopping, history and rolling landscapes. From north to south it runs the gamut of snow-capped mountains, tranquil lakes, glorious beaches and rolling countryside, with a rugged interior and plenty of history. Romantic Rome is replete with well-preserved ruins, so you can literally walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans as you stroll among the columns of the fascinating Roman Forum; for history buffs, Naples and the Amalfi Coast also bridges truly ancient sites like Herculaneum and Pompeii, with Italy’s long and tumultuous timeline displayed like a rich tapestry throughout its streets. Art lovers will find treasures galore in Florence, fashion mavens can seek solace in Capri and Milan, outdoorsy types will adore the Lakes while explorers can seek out hidden coves in Puglia and Sardinia while foodies can go wild for Portofino’s seafood and Sicily’s cucina povera. As a travel destination, Italy is as rewarding as they come.

Explore Luxury Holidays Italy

Amalfi

When to travel

The season in Amalfi typically starts at Easter and runs until the beginning of August. During high summer, temperatures can soar and the roads and resorts become quite crowded. The ideal time to visit is in May, June and September, when you’ll find pleasant temperatures, abundant blooms and fewer tourists.

WEATHER: Coastal breezes keep Amalfi cool even in the hottest months, with sunny skies and warm temperatures from May to September.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

12 13 15 18 22 26 29 29 26 22 17 13

Sun(hrs)

4 4 5 6 8 9 10 10 8 6 4 3

Rain(mm)

47 30 28 38 29 32 24 37 44 37 49 65
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

12 4 47

Feb

13 4 30

Mar

15 5 28

Apr

18 6 38

May

22 8 29

Jun

26 9 32

Jul

29 10 24

Aug

29 10 37

Sep

26 8 44

Oct

22 6 37

Nov

17 4 49

Dec

13 3 65

Capri

When to travel

The isle of Capri is cooled by coastal breezes that take the edge of its high temperatures; it’s often cooler here than on the mainland, with the same sunny skies and luxuriant florals. The small island becomes crowded in the peak summer months, with the best times to visit between April and early November.

WEATHER: Capri’s island locale means cooler temperatures than the mainland, with welcoming sea breezes to take the edge off the hot, dry summers.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

9 9 11 13 18 21 24 24 21 17 13 10

Sun(hrs)

4 4 5 6 8 9 10 10 8 6 4 4

Rain(mm)

85 69 64 53 38 23 23 39 58 89 120 102
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

9 4 85

Feb

9 4 69

Mar

11 5 64

Apr

13 6 53

May

18 8 38

Jun

21 9 23

Jul

24 10 23

Aug

24 10 39

Sep

21 8 58

Oct

17 6 89

Nov

13 4 120

Dec

10 4 102

Florence

When to travel

Florence is a year-round destination, with mild winters and hot, humid summers when its streets are packed with tourists. Sightseeing is best during spring and autumn as it can get chilly between November and March, and if you want to visit the wider region of Tuscany you’ll find it stays pleasant into the later half of autumn.

WEATHER: Florence’s ancient streets are ideal for city breaks year round, with mild and sometimes cold winters and hot summers.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

7 8 10 14 18 22 25 24 21 16 11 8

Sun(hrs)

5 6 7 9 11 11 13 12 10 7 5 5

Rain(mm)

11 8 9 13 9 8 5 6 9 12 14 13
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

7 5 11

Feb

8 6 8

Mar

10 7 9

Apr

14 9 13

May

18 11 9

Jun

22 11 8

Jul

25 13 5

Aug

24 12 6

Sep

21 10 9

Oct

16 7 12

Nov

11 5 14

Dec

8 5 13

Portofino

When to travel

The Italian Riviera is a hubbub of activity from June until early September, when superyachts bob in the harbour and the bays become a magnet for both chic Italians and travellers alike. Late September sees the amount of visitors dwindle to a trickle, while the last of the honeysuckle scents the streets; peace at last.

WEATHER: Portofino is a little suntrap on Italy’s west coast Riviera, with mild winters and hot summers. Visit from May to early October for the best weather.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

9 9 12 14 17 21 24 25 22 18 13 10

Sun(hrs)

2 2 2 6 7 5 7 7 5 3 1 1

Rain(mm)

80 70 100 110 80 60 30 70 80 160 70 90
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

9 2 80

Feb

9 2 70

Mar

12 2 100

Apr

14 6 110

May

17 7 80

Jun

21 5 60

Jul

24 7 30

Aug

25 7 70

Sep

22 5 80

Oct

18 3 160

Nov

13 1 70

Dec

10 1 90

Puglia

When to travel

During the summer thousands of Italian holidaymakers descend on Puglia’s unspoilt beaches. The ‘heel’ of Italy stays warm long into autumn, when the crowds thin and the heat becomes more bearable. For sightseeing you can visit its ancient towns for much of the year; for beaches you’ll want to time your trip for May-September.

WEATHER: Puglia is blessed with some of Italy’s best weather, with very hot summers and mild winters; the shoulder season is best for sightseeing.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

9 9 11 14 18 22 24 24 21 17 13 10

Sun(hrs)

4 4 5 7 8 9 10 9 8 6 4 3

Rain(mm)

62 57 50 69 35 14 24 30 50 66 99 92
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

9 4 62

Feb

9 4 57

Mar

11 5 50

Apr

14 7 69

May

18 8 35

Jun

22 9 14

Jul

24 10 24

Aug

24 9 30

Sep

21 8 50

Oct

17 6 66

Nov

13 4 99

Dec

10 3 92

Rome

When to travel

The Eternal City can be visited year-round; if you’re not fussed about sun, it’s best to visit in the off or shoulder season (October to March). From early spring until autumn the city smoulders and is crowded with tourists, but this is when you’ll find the best exhibitions and street festivals, alfresco dining and a lively atmosphere.

WEATHER: Hot in summer, mild in the autumn and winter, Rome is a year-round destination ideal for short breaks.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

8 9 12 14 21 23 26 24 22 18 13 10

Sun(hrs)

6 8 8 10 12 13 14 13 10 8 7 6

Rain(mm)

25 20 19 18 33 6 7 0 42 38 49 96
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

8 6 25

Feb

9 8 20

Mar

12 8 19

Apr

14 10 18

May

21 12 33

Jun

23 13 6

Jul

26 14 7

Aug

24 13 0

Sep

22 10 42

Oct

18 8 38

Nov

13 7 49

Dec

10 6 96

Sardinia

When to travel

During August, Sardinia is filled with Italian holidaymakers and tourists seeking its hot sun and white sand beaches. May and June offer pleasant temperatures and clear skies, while September sees warm sees and a calm descend on the island. Most resorts are closed from late autumn until Easter.

WEATHER: Sardinia is one of Italy’s sunniest isles, with hot summers and wet winters. Spring brings wildflowers and sunny skies, while autumn is cooler and calmer.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

10 11 12 14 17 21 24 25 22 18 13 11

Sun(hrs)

4 5 6 7 9 10 12 10 8 6 5 4

Rain(mm)

18 14 23 26 19 9 2 3 24 41 39 38
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

10 4 18

Feb

11 5 14

Mar

12 6 23

Apr

14 7 26

May

17 9 19

Jun

21 10 9

Jul

24 12 2

Aug

25 10 3

Sep

22 8 24

Oct

18 6 41

Nov

13 5 39

Dec

11 4 38

Sicily

When to travel

Like much of Italy, August is peak season in Sicily when an exodus of Italians arrives on its shores to enjoy the superb weather and excellent beaches. Due to its southerly location the island stays pleasant well into late October, with the season starting earlier in late April and early May.

WEATHER: Sicily’s Mediterranean climate means hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters, with its mountainous terrain resulting in regional variations in climate.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

9 9 10 12 15 19 22 22 21 17 13 10

Sun(hrs)

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 7 6 6 4

Rain(mm)

66 40 34 35 14 10 10 17 28 48 67 79
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

9 4 66

Feb

9 5 40

Mar

10 6 34

Apr

12 7 35

May

15 8 14

Jun

19 9 10

Jul

22 10 10

Aug

22 9 17

Sep

21 7 28

Oct

17 6 48

Nov

13 6 67

Dec

10 4 79

The Lakes

When to travel

The best time to visit Italy’s northern lakes is between April and September, when the temperatures are ideal for sightseeing. Springtime in the lakes brings with it a carpet of wildflowers, while late autumn and winter can be chilly and often wet. Summer months can be crowded, and require advance booking for hotels.

WEATHER: The Italian Lakes are at their best between April and September, with sunny skies, warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

5 5 8 11 15 19 22 21 18 14 9 6

Sun(hrs)

3 5 6 6 7 9 10 9 7 5 4 3

Rain(mm)

59 55 75 86 90 94 91 112 103 131 98 58
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

5 3 59

Feb

5 5 55

Mar

8 6 75

Apr

11 6 86

May

15 7 90

Jun

19 9 94

Jul

22 10 91

Aug

21 9 112

Sep

18 7 103

Oct

14 5 131

Nov

9 4 98

Dec

6 3 58

Venice

When to travel

The city of Venice floats on a web of canals and is therefore subject to high humidity year-round. The summer heat can be quite oppressive, and you may wish to avoid the ‘acqua alta’ floods, which usually occur in November and December. Otherwise, Venice is a popular destination at any time of the year.

WEATHER: Appropriately called the ‘city of water’ and not just for its canals, northerly Venice has cold, wet winters and hot, humid summers.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp(C)

3 5 8 12 17 20 23 23 20 14 8 4

Sun(hrs)

2 3 3 7 11 13 13 11 8 6 3 3

Rain(mm)

40 50 60 60 70 90 70 70 70 70 70 50
Month

Temp(C)

Sun(hrs)

Rain(mm)

Jan

3 2 40

Feb

5 3 50

Mar

8 3 60

Apr

12 7 60

May

17 11 70

Jun

20 13 90

Jul

23 13 70

Aug

23 11 70

Sep

20 8 70

Oct

14 6 70

Nov

8 3 70

Dec

4 3 50