Italy - August vs. September

[Pacolovestacos]

So I know I asked about a similar question a while back but I'm terribly confused about something. I've been wanting to go in September mainly for weather and low crowds. But I'm getting mixed reports and the hotel prices seem to confirm.

I've noticed that hotel prices sometimes double compared to what I would pay in August. So that doesn't seem to back up what people have said regarding crowds which is that August is packed and September is light. If that were true, wouldn't the hotel prices tend to match up with that (i.e. lower prices in September to attract more crowds).

 

[Praying Colonel]

So I know I asked about a similar question a while back but I'm terribly confused about something. I've been wanting to go in September mainly for weather and low crowds. But I'm getting mixed reports and the hotel prices seem to confirm.

I've noticed that hotel prices sometimes double compared to what I would pay in August. So that doesn't seem to back up what people have said regarding crowds which is that August is packed and September is light. If that were true, wouldn't the hotel prices tend to match up with that (i.e. lower prices in September to attract more crowds).

I've never been (hope to some day) but I was pricing some trips and noticed fall prices for Italy seem to be generally higher than August. This article from Rick Steves also indicates fall generally and September specifically are peak travel months in Rome.

 

[osopecoso]

The problem is that it's terribly hot in those months. Last time we went was end of October. Better weather and hotel fares much better. Plus the crowds were much lower at the popular areas.

 

[Wishing on a star]

August might be HOT....
I have no valid info or experience... But, would September be the beginning of the vineyards harvest and 'crush'?

 

[cedricandsophie]

August is brutally hot. Late sept and October are much nicer weather. Crowds can be higher in August because people want to visit Before school starts. We were in Rome and Abbruzi last year in late sept. Prices didn't seem out of line. I got air probably 9 months ahead. I don't remember what we paid but I thought it was less 800 a person for a nonstop from chicago.

 

[Togadadof2]

We were just in Italy for 2 weeks (Aug 12-25) and it was definitely hot. High 80's with some low 90's sprinkled in. It was also very crowded. Neither stopped us from having a good time, but I would imagine going in a shoulder month would help with that. As for hotel pricing, we used Airbnb and loved it. No problems at all and every place we stayed had AC. Average price was probably $150-200/night for 2 BR apartments and locations were perfect.

For reference we stayed 3 nights each in Venice, Monterosso, Siena, and Rome. We did additional day trips from there. We're a family of 4 with 2 kids (10 & 8). I'm happy to answer any questions or give any other info if it helps.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

The problem is that it's terribly hot in those months. Last time we went was end of October. Better weather and hotel fares much better. Plus the crowds were much lower at the popular areas.

October/November scare me because of the rainfall. Seems pretty high. I'd hate to get out there and then have it rain everyday.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Ferragosto..traditional time for Italians to go on holiday, resulting in the closure of many shops and restaurants. It's also very hot in August. We usually visit late spring or late fall.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Ferragosto..traditional time for Italians to go on holiday, resulting in the closure of many shops and restaurants. It's also very hot in August. We usually visit late spring or late fall.

Yes the restaurant closures is what's holding me back from August. Food is my #1 reason for returning so it wouldn't make sense to return if all the delicious mom and pop restaurants are going to be closed.

 

[low-key]

The price goes up during spaghetti season

 

[runwad]

Ferragosto..traditional time for Italians to go on holiday, resulting in the closure of many shops and restaurants. It's also very hot in August. We usually visit late spring or late fall.

Yep I still have family there, but I've never made the trip yet. But everyone takes holiday in August and goes to the sea where it is cooler.

 

[ronandannette]

October/November scare me because of the rainfall. Seems pretty high. I'd hate to get out there and then have it rain everyday.

Any chance you could go earlier? We went in the 2nd week of May this year to France, Italy and Spain. The weather was sublime; mid-70's every day and everywhere, except for our day of arrival in Paris. As for crowds? It was already pretty overwhelming but we were told it was a mere fraction of the people that would assemble in the summer and fall. And as it turns out, this summer with extreme heat, wildfires and drought, touring Italy would have been kind of a nightmare. We definitely lucked out and I'd recommend that time of year to anybody.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Any chance you could go earlier? We went in the 2nd week of May this year to France, Italy and Spain. The weather was sublime; mid-70's every day and everywhere, except for our day of arrival in Paris. As for crowds? It was already pretty overwhelming but we were told it was a mere fraction of the people that would assemble in the summer and fall. And as it turns out, this summer with extreme heat, wildfires and drought, touring Italy would have been kind of a nightmare. We definitely lucked out and I'd recommend that time of year to anybody.

I can't do May next year as I'm doing a big trip to Asia in the early part of 2018 and will need a "cooling off" period before I embark on another international trip. I did go in April 2015 though and thought it was pretty damn crowded.

 

[Skippy918]

We went to Italy in October several years ago. The weather was still warm in southern Italy (shorts and tank tops) and it was cooler in northern Italy (long pants and a light jacket at night). It didn't rain at all.