This Is Italy
It's summer in July! That means tourists from all over the world flock to Italy. Italian school children are off, more many companies traditionally close their doors August. However, July is a busy and warm month. What can you expect when you travel to Italy in July?
Summer can be hot in Italy. For most people – including the Italians themselves – the July and August heat is not pleasant. The climate forces you to adopt a different routine.
Get up early, do some shopping in the morning and spend the rest of the day between thick walls, only to go out again in the evening.
High season: heat and crowds
But it is July, so it's high season and the campsites and holiday homes are overflowing with tourists, who often want to do more than just lie in the shade by the pool.
Traveling in July
First of all, you have to take into account high rates for the summer months. You pay the high season rate everywhere which can be more than 3 times the low season rate. It can also be difficult to find accommodation during this period if you have not booked in time.
The biggest plus of traveling in the middle of summer is that you will almost certainly have good weather. Beach lovers will enjoy themselves perfectly in July.
In this article we give you the best tips for your trip to Italy in July.
Holiday period
In the months of July and August, children are on holiday, so for many families from the Netherlands and Belgium this is the appropriate period to go on holiday.
Children in Italy also have vacation in July, but their parents often only in August. That is why August is traditionally the holiday month for the Italians themselves.
This has the advantage that in July you do not yet have the massive shopping and museum closures that you see in August. Towards the end of the month it can already become quiet in urban areas, when Italians go to the mountains or the sea to celebrate their holidays.
What you have to take into account in July is that it can get very busy at the tourist highlights. Book tickets in advance and try to plan your morning and evening activities.
If you want a quiet holiday, then July is really not the best month to travel. That also applies if you don't want to spend too much money during your vacation.
💡Saving tips: want to experience an affordable Italy holiday? Then also read this.
The weather in July
We can be brief about the average temperature in Italy in July: it is hot in July. Perhaps slightly less hot than in August, but still hot. The humidity is also relatively high. Keep this in mind if you want to do activities during your summer vacation.
Of course it makes some difference whether you are in the north, center or south of Italy, but despite that it can get very hot in the entire Boot at this time of year.
If you don't like too high temperatures, it's best to travel to the mountains in July. Look for the Alps or the Dolomites.
General advice is also definitely not to plan your days too full. The best thing to do is like the Italians do in the summer: take a long siesta and plan your activities for the early morning and late afternoon or evening.
When you go out, always take a bottle of water with you that you can fill at the taps in every village or town.
These are the average temperatures for Italy in July:
The average temperatures in Italy in July are:
- Northern Italy: 18-30°C
- Central Italy: 18-32°C
- Southern Italy: 24-32°C
As you can see on the map, temperatures in the 30s are very normal in the month of July. Also considerably higher temperatures occur regularly, while the temperature this month will rarely drop below 18 degrees Celsius.
Packing Summer Clothes!
If you travel to Italy in July, it is best to pack as much summer clothing as possible. The chance of bad and cold weather is really minimal. We always have at least one cardigan or warm sweater with us, but we have never needed that in July.
Italians themselves also put on their summer clothes in July, even if they want to look neat. And even if the weather is exceptionally chilly for the time of year.
Of course it depends on the type of holiday you are going to celebrate, but you may want to bring a smart dress or suit so that you can appear "dressed" somewhere too.
You should in any case be dressed if you want to visit sanctuaries such as churches and monasteries during your holiday. Entering the church in shorts and spaghetti strap singlets and bath slippers is not appreciated.
Of course you should remember to bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
💡Tip: shortly before you travel to Italy you can expect the via weather.it to look at. You will find reliable weather information via this site. You can adjust what you put in your suitcase according to that.
Activities in July
What about the activities in one of the main holiday months? In July it is quieter with activities than you might think. There are no major national holidays. Many Italians also find it too hot during the day to do anything.
However, there are many feast e sagre in July and August. Those are the local summer festivals that many towns and cities organize. Often with local specialties and music. The chance that there is something to do at your holiday destination is therefore high.
Below we list a number of major events in the month of July for you.
Palio of Siena
At the beginning of July, the first day of the Palio of Siena will be held. The second day takes place in August. The horse race is a special, traditional event that often lasts only a few minutes, but around which a whole spectacle is created.
Arena Opera Festival
Another special activity is the Opera Festival in the Arena of Verona. In July there are several shows for which you have to book your tickets in time.
Feast of the Redeemer
The program Feast of the Redeemer is an annual festival in Venice, on the third Sunday of July, in memory of the plague epidemic of 1577.
Decorated gondolas surround St. Mark's Square and the Venetian Lagoon, and there is a pontoon that leads to Giudecca Island to get to Il Redentore church. Groups of friends take a boat and eat and drink at the Canale della Giudecca. There is also a large fireworks display.
Festa del Cristo degli Abissia
Do you want to experience something unique? During the Feast of the Christ of the Abyss, descend to a statue of Jesus located 15 meters under the water.
This party takes place at the end of July in the Bay of San Fruttuoso in Liguria. The front participants of the procession put a laurel wreath on the bronze statue of Jesus.
Lucca Summer Festival
If you go to Tuscany, you might be able to visit the Lucca Being Summer Festival. For quite a few days in July, Italian and international artists perform, some of them very famous. The festival takes place in Piazza Napoleone, a large square in the historic center of this underrated Tuscan city.
Ravello Festival
Can classical music appeal to you? The Ravello Festival is one of the oldest and most famous festivals in Italy. It takes place every year in July right next to Italy's most photographed tree. If only because of the setting very special.
Medieval Monteriggionia
A visit to the high and walled Monteriggioni has always been a special, medieval experience. But during Monteriggioni Medievale, it's even more of a medieval experience. Music, costumes, medieval activities. You have to see that.
Travel Destinations for July
Do you need tips for travel destinations if you want to travel to Italy in July? Okay, here they come.
The lakes
Lake Como, Lake Iseo, Lake Maggiore or the Lake Garda. The large (or somewhat smaller) Italian lakes are a popular destination in the summer months. Choose a campsite right on a lake so you can go swimming any time of the day.
The mountains
You can cool off in the mountains. There is a lot of greenery and you can look higher up. In parks such as Gran Paradiso in the Aosta Valley you will also find numerous streams and lakes where you can find some coolness. But Trentino-South Tyrol also offers many beautiful and high-altitude campsites where it is still pleasant to stay.
The Adriatic coast
The Adriatic coast is located on the east side of the Italian peninsula. The De Marken region with its wide sandy beaches is especially recommended.
Italian Islands
Op Islands often a cooling breeze blows. The beach is also never far away. A holiday on an Italian island is therefore always a good idea if you travel to Italy in the summer.
The magical Amalfi Coast
Another topper representing the magical Amalfi Coast. But a coastal drive and enjoy all the beauty that places like Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi have to offer. Note that you do have to share the coast with Americans and other tourists.
What you should also pay attention to
Whatever you do in July, make sure you have a good place to relax. Preferably a holiday home with thick walls and/or air conditioning.
If possible, book something with a swimming pool, so that you or the kids always have something to do when it's too hot to do anything.
Or look for lodging near a river or lake where you can swim. You will have no regrets.
In addition, think of bottles of water, sunscreen, sunglasses and aftersun. Mosquito repellent can also come in handy, although you can also buy it on site.
Ready to see how Snowflake works?
July is a busy and hot month, but if you're in the mood for summer and want to avoid the empty cities of August, then July is a good alternative.
In July, attractions, shops and museums are generally open as usual. You benefit from warm weather and the campsite is in full operation.
Popular places in Italy are where you will find the large tourist crowds, as they travel to Italy from all over the world in the summer.
Of course you pay top rates in hotels, holiday homes and campsites. Car rental and other costs during your holiday are also high. Keep in mind that hotels and other accommodations are fully booked months in advance.
Are you traveling by car? Then check the profile of the tires and the fluids beforehand. Also check if you have all the things you are obliged to bring. Please note that the last Saturdays of July are often black Saturdays are with extra traffic on the road.
Are you a fan of Italy in July? Or do you prefer the crowds and the heat? Do you have any good tips for other travelers in high season? Then leave your comment below.
💡Tip: more tips to survive the summer in Italy? Check out our handy survival guide.
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