The best time to visit Italy is during spring and autumn, when the temperatures are pleasant and there are fewer people. The landscape is vibrant, the prices are lower and the climate is ideal for exploring everything the country has to offer. Late spring and early fall offer the best weather in Italy, but there are more people. In most parts of the country, temperatures rise, flowers bloom and there are fewer tourists than in summer.
During this time, accommodation prices are cheaper, there is more space in Italy's highest-grossing museums and attractions, and airfares tend to be lower. Although you can still find hotel and accommodation deals in spring, Holy Week and May 1 can be considered high season in many cities. It's wise to book tickets to popular museums in advance during this season, but budget travelers can also get away with it without booking ahead of time. The disadvantages of visiting Italy in spring are few, but they include the possibility of cold, rainy weather or even a snowstorm in late spring (especially in northern Italy).
Fall is also an intermediate season that is becoming increasingly popular, so if there is a hierarchy of intermediate seasons in terms of prices and crowds, spring is ahead of that race. Spring (April-May) and fall (October) are the best times to visit Italy and enjoy the outdoors with pleasant weather and fewer crowds, especially in the most popular destinations such as Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast. Rome is at its best in late spring and early fall, but it's still a wonderful destination all year round. The beaches will be less crowded and it is possible to swim in the sea in late spring, although most swimmers prefer to tan rather than on their backs when the sea is still very cold.
While we've found more pleasant than bad days when we travel to Italy in spring, be sure to check the weather reports before traveling and pack layers to be prepared for the colder days. Spring is generally pleasant in most parts of Italy, although rain and even snow are possible in early spring. The crowds increase in spring compared to winter, but are generally not as dense as in summer. I define spring as the months of March, April and May in Italy, but due to Italy's Mediterranean climate (and probably climate change in general), May can be as hot as June or July these days.
But what if you don't like the idea of a trip during the hot, crowded summer more than during the cold winter? That's where the intermediate seasons come into play, in this case, spring. Italy's cities and small towns get a dreamy glow when the sun sets and the streetlights come on, so be sure to witness it at least a few times when you travel here in spring.
