When is the best time to visit इटली?

January is Italy’s coldest month, so whichever part of the country you visit, be sure to layer up for the winter weather. In the north, the average temperature tends to stay between 4°C and 7°C, while the central and southern regions climb up to 14°C. The new year rolls in with more national holidays so expect many local businesses to be closed for a couple of days early in the month.

Christmas celebrations carry over into the new year, with Epiphany (known as La Befana) celebrations held on 6 January. Festivities vary between cities, with some of the best taking place in Venice and Urbania in the Marche region. January is a great time to ski in Italy, with many of the best resorts in the Alps and the Dolomites less crowded than in peak season. The Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot takes place on 17 January in many towns in northern and central regions. Expect plenty of bonfires, dancing and toasts to the patron saint of butchers, domestic animals, basketmakers and gravediggers.

By February, temperatures begin to climb but it’s certainly still coat-worthy weather across the country. Ski season peaks in tandem with the school holidays so expect the slopes to be more crowded. Temperatures across the country range from lows of 0°C in the northern Alps region to 15°C in the typically sunnier south.

One celebration stands out above all the others in February, and that’s Carnevale. Although many towns hold these pre-Lenten celebrations, Venice’s offering is by far the most famous. The Floating City transforms into an open-air theatre, filled with elaborate masks, stylish cloaks and lavish carnival balls with dinner and entertainment. Other notable carnivals are held in Viareggio, Verona and Ivrea which holds a giant food fight known as The Battle of the Oranges. If you’d prefer not to play with your food, head to the Umbrian town of Norcia to sample some prized tartufo nero (black truffle).

The unpredictable weather in March means you’ll want to pack for rain or shine. Early March is usually cold and wet, but as spring starts to spread across most of the country, temperatures rise up to 16°C towards the end of the month. If you’re not planning on doing weather-dependent activities like scenic hikes or sunbathing, then this less-crowded off-peak period is perfect for a trip to Italy.

Depending on the liturgical calendar, Carnevale and Easter can often fall into March, so check the events schedule before you plan your trip. Other notable festivals include International Women’s Day on 8 March and the open monuments weekend when buildings usually closed to the public open their doors to everyone. The actual weekend varies each year so be sure to plan ahead if you want to attend. Elsewhere, runners head to Rome for the annual marathon while foodies flock to Florence for its three-day food fair held inside Stazione Leopolda.

Spring is in full swing and Easter week celebrations take centre stage across the country throughout April. The unpredictable weather patterns continue so make sure you pack some waterproof clothing or an umbrella at the very least to cope with those April showers. Milder temperatures make for more comfortable outdoor exploration, particularly in the flowering mountains of Calabria and Sicily which have an average temperature of around 18°C.

April brings a long haul of festivals, from Milan’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile showcasing eye-catching furniture to the start of Florence’s Maggio Musicale Fiorentino which fills the city with theatre and musical performances. Verona holds its annual Vinitaly wine and spirits exhibition, complete with tastings, workshops and book readings. 25 April administers a double dose of celebrations as the entire country celebrates Liberation Day and Venice holds a huge party in honour of St. Mark – the city’s patron saint.

Known as the month of roses, May ushers in the first signs of summer with warmer temperatures and blooming countryside scenery. Average highs tend to be between 18–21°C but you should pack a light jumper or coat for the cooler evenings.

1 May is a public holiday across the country so you might see some interesting festivals and parades, but expect many services such as shops and restaurants to be closed. Italy’s biggest bicycle race – the Giro d’Italia – starts in early May and goes on for most of the month as it passes through gruelling Alpine routes and urban city centres. This month also sees many cities like Rome and Florence hold their annual Museum Night when major galleries offer free entry, special events and later opening times. On the last weekend of the month, the Cantine Aperte festival opens doors to hundreds of wine cellars across the country. Taste wines from various regions and meet the producers to find out about everything from grape harvesting and distribution.

It’s officially summer in Italy, so pack your shades and shorts for warm weather and plenty of sunshine. The average temperature is around 21°C at the start of the month but highs of 30°C are a possibility as the month draws to a close.

Republic Day, held on 2 June, is a national holiday which brings parades and parties to all corners of the country. Rome tends to put on the biggest show with an aeronautical display from the Italian Air Force and free entry to city-run museums. Make the most of the good weather by wandering through the beautiful Tuscan countryside or relaxing on the sandy beaches of Sardinia or the Amalfi Coast. For something a bit different, check out the Giostra del Saracino – a medieval jousting tournament held on the third Saturday in June in the Tuscan town of Arezzo.

July is one of the hottest months of the year, with minimal rainfall and temperatures up to 31°C. School’s out for summer and families head for the mountains and sandy beaches of the south. Cities and villages put on their best show to pull in the crowds with festivals galore.

Despite the wonderful weather, exploring cities can get tiring due to the intense heat so be sure to pack plenty of lightweight clothing, sunscreen and drink lots of water. Music lovers won’t be short of options, with festivals such as Sicily’s Alkantara Fest and Umbria Jazz Festival both taking place in July. There’s also the Ravello Festival which offers a range of music performances in a beautiful setting along the Amalfi Coast. Not one to be upstaged, Rome puts on its performance-packed Estate Romana which features everything from live concerts and dance shows to late-night museum access.

There are two keys words to describe Italy in August – overpriced and overcrowded. Most of the locals go on holiday so many businesses such as shops and restaurants will be shut for the entire month. It’s best to avoid visiting in August if you’re flexible, but if not, there’s still plenty to see and do – just be ready to deal with soaring temperatures up to 32°C.

Summer festivals continue in Sicily, with an international fire-dancing festival in Palermo and Ypsigrock in Castelbuono hosting some renowned rock acts. On 15 August, the public holiday known as Ferragosto takes place, when Catholics celebrate the assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. Most locals start their summer holidays at this time, so expect cities to empty out and beaches to fill up.

September is a perfect time to explore Italy as temperatures begin to fall and summer crowds begin to dwindle. The average high rounds out at around 27°C, but there is more chance of rain than in previous months so bring your brolly.

The glamorous Venice International Film Festival holds star-studded premieres on Lido Beach, usually from late August to early September but dates change every year. The Floating City also holds the historic Regata Storica di Venezia on the first Sunday of September, featuring teams of costumed gondoliers battling it out in a race along the Grand Canal. Shakespeare fans can join in the celebrations for Juliet’s Birthday on the first weekend of the month when hundreds of people parade through the streets of Verona dressed in period costumes. September also brings the beginning of the grape harvest, so if you’re in the mood for vino, head to Chianti for the annual wine expo or the Douja d'Or National Wine Show in Asti.

Autumn sweeps across Italy in October with milder temperatures around the low 20s. However, frequent rainfall and colder evenings mean you should still pack some extra layers. It’s a prime time to visit the beaches of the south which become less crowded but maintain the warmer weather.

Rome holds its annual film festival in the latter half of the month, when Hollywood stars descend on the historic capital to attend world premieres of almost 40 films. To discover some of Italy’s famous food scene, those with a sweet tooth should head to Perugia’s Eurochocolate event. As well as lots of chocolate, there’s also music, workshops and wine tastings. If you pass through the Piedmont town of Alba, you can experience Italy’s biggest truffle fair, held every Saturday and Sunday in October and November.

November is off-peak season for tourism in Italy, so it’s a good time soak up culture without the crowds – albeit with a wintery chill in the air. Temperatures dip as low as 4°C in the north, with the south remaining relatively warm with averages between 13–18°C. Layered clothing and waterproofs are a must, with lots of rainfall across the country.

The month kicks off with All Saints’ Day on 1 November – a national holiday offering the chance to attend services at historic churches like Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice and St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Truffle season is in full swing, with town’s like Alba and Asti in Piedmont and the medieval Tuscan hill town of San Miniato hosting fairs devoted to the fancy fungi. November is a great month for opera fans who can catch performances at world-famous venues like La Fenice in Venice or La Scala in Milan.