Why Italy is closed in August?
Ferragosto is a public holiday celebrated on August 15th in all of Italy. It originates from Feriae Augusti, the festival of emperor Augustus, who made the 1st of August a day of rest after weeks of hard work on the agricultural sector.
They Don't! August is indeed the traditional time that most Italians, and southern Europeans for that matter, go on their summer holiday. That being said, do not fret, as virtually every tourist destination on your bucket list will be open during the month of August.
The tradition of feriae augusti dates back to 18 BC, so you see that it is pretty much instilled in the Italian DNA to "vacate" the city for the month of August and "vacation"!
But Italy's August break is sacred - and for good reason, says Silvia Marchetti. Soon it will be that time of year again – Ferragosto, August 15th: one single holiday that justifies the shutting down of Italy for a whole month.
August is the worst month in many places: Not only does it get uncomfortably hot and muggy, but seemingly the entire country goes on vacation for at least two weeks (many Italians take off the entire month).
Italy in August is hot and crowded. But if you know where to go, you can plan the perfect summer holiday that all but ensures great weather and great adventure. And if you want to get in some beach time, we'll point you in the direction of the best and most secluded gems. Kristin C.
Assumption of Mary, also known as Assumption Day or Dormition of the Theotokos, is a major Christian holiday celebrating the assumption of Virgin Mary's body and soul to Heaven.
Many Romans are here too now. That said, many shops and restaurants, particularly the very traditional Roman ones, do shut down for some or all of August. However more and more shop owners are opting to stay open for some if not most of the month. The same is true for restaurants, even some really good ones.
Rome weather in August is perfect for sunbathing by the pool and with 13 hours of sunshine per day, you'll have plenty of time to work on your summer tan. The average temperature ranges from lows of 18°C and up to 30°C. The average sea temperature is 26°C, which is great for swimming or snorkelling near the coastline.
| Travel Seasons | Min/ Max Temperature | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5-25°C | Pleasant and Breezy |
| Summer | 18-38°C | Hot and Humid |
| Autumn | 8-28°C | Pleasant and rainy |
| Winter | -5-15°C | Dry and Cold |
Where do Italians go in August?
So where exactly do Italians go to spend their summer holidays in Italy? Sardinia, the Riviera Romagnola, Sicily, the Amalfi coast, Liguria, Tuscany and … Puglia! The following are the classical Italian summer holiday destinations: Sardinia, the Riviera Romagnola, Sicily, the Amalfi coast, Liguria and Tuscany.
Most offices and shops in Italy are closed on these public holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), January 6 (Epiphany), Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, April 25 (Liberation Day), May 1 (Labor Day), August 15 (Assumption of the Virgin—much of Italy takes its summer vacation Aug 15–30), November 1 (All Saints' Day), ...
The City becomes almost empty in August with most of the shops and restaurants are closed. Milan, usually described as Dante's inferno with suffocating humidity, may seem the last city in the world to be there.
Italy Weather in August
Temperatures vary throughout the country with averages of 18 to 30°C in the cooler north. Temperatures in Central Italy hover between 21 and 32°C, while southern parts of the country see mercury rise anywhere from 26 to 32°C.
Florence in August
While there may be some closures, most museums and cultural sites are open.
The best time to go to Italy: The best time to visit Italy is in the spring (April to June) or fall (September and October) when there is nice weather, moderate temperatures, fewer tourists, and lower prices. The summer months can be hot, crowded, and expensive.
Many Italians head to the beach in August, and they're joined by hordes of visitors from across Europe. At this time the beaches are packed and chaotic, and accommodation expensive. We think that a better time to visit is around late May and early June, or the second half of September and early October.
What is Ferragosto? Every year, Italians celebrate the peak of summer and the start of vacation on August 15. A happy combination of ferie (holidays) and agosto (August), the national holiday presents the opportunity to escape the heat – but not before one last hurrah. Yep, you read that right.
Buon ferragosto meaning
This is the standard way to wish each other a good day on this summer festivity. 'Buon' in Italian means good or, in expressions such as this one, 'happy' (like in Buon Compleanno – happy birthday in Italian).
National Son's and Daughter's Day on August 11th brings parents and their children together for quality time. On this day, be with the joys of your life.
How long is the August holiday in Italy?
No other Italian holiday lasts as long as Ferragosto, which technically is celebrated on Aug. 15 but can last a week or two – or even the entire month of August – for some citizens.
In much of Europe (especially Italy and France), cities are partially shut down in July and August, when local urbanites take their beach breaks.
Italians pack up and go on holiday in July and August, sometimes for more than a month. In residential parts of Venice you'll see shuttered buildings, shops and restaurants.
August is typically Italy's hottest month, and that's coupled with high humidity in many parts of the country. This is one of the main reasons August is the vacation month for most Italians (and many other Europeans) – they hang “closed” signs on their city storefronts and make a beeline for the nearest beach.
Italy's best travel months are May, June, September, and October. They're also the busiest and most expensive time to visit (with the north remaining just as busy throughout midsummer). Crowds aside, these months combine the convenience of peak season with pleasant weather.
Italy has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you're a sunseeker the best time to visit Italy is between June and September. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 24 C and an average low of 17 C.
The word for Sunday is domenica, which comes from the Latin name for God, dominus.
In Italy, summer vacation for elementary, middle and high schools normally starts the second week of June and lasts until the second week of September included, for a total of about three months.
July and August are by far the hottest (and driest) months of the year: the temperatures reach 30 degrees, so it's the best time to go to the beach or cruising the lake. Consider that in summertime the ferries work until late at night!
What's holding you back from becoming fluent? Find out with this free checklist! If you're asking yourself if you can move to Italy without speaking Italian, well, the answer is yes, of course, that you can. No one will stop you from doing so, if that's what you want or need to do.
Is July or August hotter in Italy?
The weather in Italy in August
On average, August is a little cooler than July—but not by much. The monthly average temperature for Rome is a high of 87° F, a low of 62° F.
Denim is always a good option when deciding what to wear in Florence in fall, but pass on distressed styles or cut off shorts. If you don't love a sleek pair of black, white, or wide leg indigo jeans, opt for a midi-length A-line skirt either in a jewel-toned neutral or a unique pattern.
Italians spend all their weekends in having fun, going out to restaurants and pubs to start a new week on Monday so basically is the busiest day of the week. This encourages the business owners to give their weekly days off on Monday as it would be the least in walk-ins and revenues.
You won't find tourist places shut (except maybe on their day of closing, often a Monday but you can check these out in advance). You may find some shops shut, even small supermarkets and bars, but it's not a desert, rest assured. The reason Italy 'shuts' in August is the torrid heat.
The "siesta" can refer to the nap itself, or more generally to a period of the day, generally between 2 and 5 PM. This period is used for sleep, as well as leisure, mid-day meals, or other activities.
Italians often close their shops at midday, and in the morning on Sundays and Mondays — for riposo, or as you may know it better: siesta.
When it comes to working hours, the standard office time is between 9:30 and 18:30 on weekdays. Lunch breaks can be as long as 2 hours. Factoring in the extra-long lunch breaks, you should expect to leave the office at around 19:30 - 20:00.
Italian Civil Code: All workers have the right to rest one day a week ( art. 36 of the Constitution) normally on Sunday (Sect. 2109 Civil Code ).
Temperatures vary throughout the country with averages of 18 to 30°C in the cooler north. Temperatures in Central Italy hover between 21 and 32°C, while southern parts of the country see mercury rise anywhere from 26 to 32°C. Naturally, beaches are jam-packed in August, especially in southern regions like Sicily.
Summer (June – August) is peak season in Italy. Peak season, particularly the months of July and August (and even extending into the first two weeks of September), is generally considered a very busy and expensive time to visit Italy's cities and major tourist areas like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.
Does Rome close down in August?
Many Romans are here too now. That said, many shops and restaurants, particularly the very traditional Roman ones, do shut down for some or all of August. However more and more shop owners are opting to stay open for some if not most of the month. The same is true for restaurants, even some really good ones.
Ferragosto, nowadays, generally refers to both the public holiday and the longer two-week vacations most Italians takes either before or after the 15th. Many businesses close or have limited hours through the entire month of August as their staff take vacations.