All you need to know to visit Italy in July. Is July a good month to visit Italy, the weather in Italy in July, what to pack, recommended booking timeline for accommodation, tours and attractions.
July is one of the most popular months to travel around Italy and high season for tourism, both international and local.
July in Italy is the heart of the summer: schools are closed, office work tends to slow down and tourism is at its peak, cities, beaches and mountains all seeing large numbers of visitors making the most of the summer vacations.
Depending on how you look at this, you can consider July one of the best or one of the worst months to visit Italy.
If you are looking for good weather, don’t mind the sun and want a summer experience, possibly with days on the beach, July is a wonderful month to visit Italy.
July is also a glorious month if you want to go off the beaten track.
If you are hoping to hit Italy’s most famous sites, explore Italy’s main cities or you don’t like the heath, then July is possible the worst choice, followed swiftly by August, also hot and crowded.
In this guide, I share practical info about Italy in July: I hope it will help you decide if July is the best time for your trip and how to make the most of it.
Disclaimer: this is a seasonal travel guide about Italy in July, to help you decide the best time of the year for your visit. It does not address the current state of travel. For official information please always refer to official info before making any plans.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Please note: as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Table of Contents
How hot is Italy in July? Weather overview
July in Italy is the heart of the summer and you can expect sunny weather and high temperatures pretty much anywhere you go
The exact temperature and feel will depend on your specific destination but overall, you can expect consistent sun and heat all day long… and night!
If you don’t do well with high temperatures, this is a hard month in Italy.
Your best bet, in this case, is to stay close to water or on the mountains: the Dolomites, for instance, are gorgeous at this time and see mild, spring-like temperatures
Below, I am going to give a quick overview of the weather in July in Italy, in the most popular areas.
As always, with the weather, I include links to the official source and I invite you to check the specific forecast for your dates of travel when packing your bags!
What to expect in July in Italy’s most popular areas
This is an overview of what to expect in an average month of July in Italy
How hot is Lake Como in July?
July is one of the most popular months to visit Lake Como.
People flock here from MI to find relief from the oppressive Milan summer and indeed, the lake is a good bit cooler than the city center, making it the perfect getaway.
Cooler, however, doesn’t mean cold: lake Como in July has an average temperature of 22C/72F which means you have hot days and pleasant evenings.
This is a good time to enjoy outdoor dining and the many watersports the lake offers.
Your biggest enemy in Lake Como in July is the crowds: try to avoid the weekend for a chance of a slightly quieter day.
Is Venice hot in July?
The presence of water might suggest Venice is pleasant in July but this is not the case.
Venice gets oppressively hot in summer: the water causes unpleasant humidity, mosquitoes reign supreme and the crowds are intense so overall, this is far from being the best month to go.
However, if this is the only time you can visit, you can still make the most of it.
Make sure you get a hotel with air conditioning, bring very light clothing and plan your Venice itinerary carefully so that you can take a rest during the hottest hours of the day.
How busy is Cinque Terre in July?
July is one of the busiest months of the year for visiting Cinque Terre so advance planning is mandatory.
The weather here at this time is hot and sunny and will allow you to have al fresco dining and to lounge on the coast.
The famous Cinque Terre hikes tend to be open at this time but be careful: the sun is intense and sunstroke possible.
Make sure you bring sun protection and water if tackling the most demanding hikes and avoid walking in the middle of the day.
Is July a good month to visit Tuscany?
July can be a wonderful time to visit Tuscany although this very much depends on what you are hoping to do.
if you are planning on an extended time in Tuscany, renting a villa in the countryside, for instance, July is fantastic.
You will want air conditioning and access to a pool but, overall, you can expect sunny days, long afternoons sipping wine and pleasant evenings.
The situation changes drastically if you want to visit Florence, which gets oppressively hot in summer.
We spent very hot summer months there and we did enjoy it.
However, you can expect temperatures in the high 30C / 86F which will demand a slow pace and long rests in the shade or even indoors in the middle of the day.
Is July hot in Rome?
July is a beautiful month in Rome but it is also very hot and crowded.
Visiting Rome in July will give you long sunny days and plenty of opportunities for al fresco dining but it comes with significant trade-offs: long lines, high priced and serious heat.
If planning a stay in Rome in July, I highly recommend you select a hotel in with a pool and plan some day trips to get away on the most oppressive days.
Need to know: Rome is really busy in July and advance booking of accommodation and the main attractions is a must. See below my recommended providers for accommodation and attractions.
How busy is the Amalfi Coast in July?
The Amalfi Coast is very busy in July, this month being among the busiest of all.
The area sees beautiful summer weather at this time and you will be able to enjoy breakfast on the terrace, a day on the beach and dinner out!
however, his is a very difficult time for moving around the Amalfi Coast: the famous coastal route is jam-packed with cars and this often means you find yourself in traffic for hours even just to cover a few kilometers.
If visiting the Amalfi coast in July, opt for a home base and embrace the local ferries, the best way to hop around in summer!
What to pack for Italy in July
When packing for Italy in July, you want light, breathable summer clothes.
You can find our full packing list from Italy in summer here.
Make sure you include your Italy travel essentials:
- All your travel documents (passport, Visa, Insurance, etc)
- Broken in walking shoes (find my shoe recommendations here)
- Walking sandals
- Power bank
- Travel adapter
- Italian phrasebook
- Phone/Camera
If you are planning on visiting the Alps, you will need to also add an outer layer like a windbreaker and proper hiking gear as well as a cardigan or sweater.
What there is to do in Itay in July?
July is a month for summer activities in Italy and a time to enjoy the sea, sun and beautiful nature of Italy
- Go boating on Lake Como
- Get outdoorsy on the Italian Alps
- Escape the crowds in beautiful Marche
- Go on a boat trip around Capri
- Visit otherworldly Matera
- Relax in a villa in Tuscany
What to book in advance in Italy in July
July is a very busy month in Italy and advance booking of accommodation and tours is mandatory.
I recommend you book everything as soon as your trip is confirmed.
For accommodation, I recommend booking.com which you can access here.
They have an excellent selection and great cancellation options (please check the rules for each room as they have different prices depending on the flexibility of your reservation)
I recommend the following attractions as soon as your trip is confirmed:
Last Supper, Milan: often booked out weeks in advance, book as soon as your trip is confirmed via their official site here or via GetYourGuide here, which offers excellent cancellation options
Colosseum, Rome: the official site gets booked out months in advance (although you may be in luck if only looking for one or two tickets). However, guided tours are usually available on GetYourGuide here
Vatican, Vatican City, Rome: tickets sell out fast and operate on a time slot system. You can get them on the official site of the museums or choose a guided tour via GetYourGuide here: I highly recommend them as the museums are vast and easily overwhelming, without a guide.
Train tickets: I recommend you book early high-speed trains to get seats together and the best price.
Visiting Italy in July with kids
July is a wonderful time to visit Italy with kids if you are looking for a sea and sun vacation or time in the mountains.
Among my favorite places to visit in Italy with kids in July there are:
The Etruscan Coast (Tuscany), blessed with wonderful sandy beaches, plenty of kids activities and nice villages
Sperlonga, a lovely whitewashed village with a sandy beach and easy access to several attractions in the South of Italy
The Dolomites, which have perfect temperatures, plenty of hiking opportunities also for small kids and lots of opportunities for animal encounters and farm visits.
The Amalfi Coast, if you stay put in a child-friendly locality
Cinque Terre, if you select a child-friendly town or, even better, stay a little farther West along the Liguria coast.
I hope you enjoyed this overview of Italy in July and it helped you plan your trip at best. Happy travel planning!
About the author: Marta Correale is an Italian mama of 2, born and bred in Rome. Avid traveler, Marta graduated in Classics at the University of Rome and married her love for history and travel in a career as a travel writer. She is the writer and editor behind Learning Escapes, a successful travel blog about cultural travel with kids, the creator of the successful Mama Loves Rome, an in-depth travel site about her native city of Rome and co-editor of the global family travel site Little City Trips.