Italy is one of the most popular destinations for holidays in Europe, and for good reason. The cities are packed with historic sites that have become the stuff of legend, while over on the coasts, pastel-hued villages cling to cliffsides overlooking the sparkling sea. Easy flight connections and a great public transport network make travelling around the country a breeze, and the balmy Mediterranean weather lingers long into the year, making Italy a year-round holiday location.
Yet Italy’s popularity can sometimes be a bit off-putting to potential visitors. We’ve been in places like Rome and Venice during the summer season and found the crowds in the streets and at the museums quite stifling. It really affected our experience, and we wished we’d planned our time there a little better. After all, you don’t want to spend hours standing in long queues for attractions or jostling for elbow room at major sights.
Thankfully, there are several ways to avoid the holiday crowds when you’re in Italy. Here’s what we suggest you consider when planning your next trip:
Avoid peak holiday times
If you can, try to avoid visiting Italy during the school summer holidays in July and August, especially at spots like the Amalfi Coast. Not only will popular places be crowded, but prices are much higher too. If having a bit of heat is non-negotiable, then May, June and September can be a good time to go. It’ll still be busy, but slightly less so than during the peak summer months.
We actually love exploring Italy in winter, when it’s much quieter and you don’t have to fight the crowds at the major sights. Our first visit to Venice was in December, and there were very few people around in the streets. We didn’t have to line up at attractions like St. Marks’s Basilica, and paid a lot less for our hotel than we would have in the summer.
Sure, it’s not as warm during the winter months, but if you’re coming from the UK or somewhere in northern Europe, it can still feel quite balmy down in the south, with plenty of sunshine around. If you’d rather avoid winter, April and October are lovely shoulder season options, with great weather and fewer tourists around than the months in between.
Stay outside the cities
Whilst you might fancy sleeping in the heart of the historic cities surrounded by gorgeous architecture and with top landmarks on your doorstep, it’s not always the best idea if you want a decent night’s sleep. We’ve been kept awake by traffic, late-night revellers and early morning risers during stays in cities like Rome, Verona and Venice, which didn’t do us any favours when it came to our own jam-packed sightseeing schedule.
City life is also non-stop, and can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re planning on staying for several days during the peak season. Therefore, we recommend heading out of town and into the countryside instead. There are lots of family-run guest houses, farm stays and villas in Italy that are perfectly located for combining city day trips with a bit of rural idyll. You’ll often have beautiful grounds to relax in after your excursions, and sometimes there’s even a pool to enjoy on those hot afternoons.
It’s easy to book tours and transfers for your day trips, either through your accommodation provider or a third-party specialist. Alternatively, you can hire a car which will give you the ultimate flexibility when it comes to exploring. However, we don’t recommend driving into the cities themselves – roads can be very congested, and parking is often a nightmare.
Visit lesser-known locations
Cities like Rome, Venice and Florence are always going to be busy. They’re some of the most famous cities in Italy and are on the bucket lists of many travellers. Equally, places like the Amalfi coast and Lake Como often feel overrun with visitors, which can have a negative impact on your stay.
So, why not visit some of Italy’s less well-known destinations instead? Many of these spots are just as beautiful as their famous counterparts but you won’t have to contend with quite so many tourists. If you’re craving city life, head to Turin or Bologna rather than the big hitters like Rome. Turin holds its own when it comes to palaces and Baroque architecture, while Bologna is full of charming piazzas, basilicas and buzzing street cafes.
Meanwhile, if you fancy the scenery of the Amalfi Coast but not its popularity, go instead to Salento in Puglia, down on the ‘heel’ of Italy. This pretty region is picture perfect and had a laid-back vibe, as well as jaw-dropping ocean views and hidden coves. It feels a world away from places like Positano and Amalfi.
Get up early
In the cities, a lot of tourists visit the main attractions on a guided group tour, whether that’s the Colosseum in Rome, the Doges Palace in Venice, or the Duomo in Florence. Many tours don’t kick off until mid-morning, often between 10am and 11am. So, to avoid arriving at the same time as the masses, set your alarm clock and get there for opening time. The same applies for later in the day. Hold off visiting until an hour before closing time and you’ll find that the crowds will be thinning out.
We also recommend avoiding visiting museums and monuments on the first Sunday of the month. Many attractions are free to enter on this day, so of course there will be lots of people taking advantage of this. If you can afford to pay the entrance fee, go at another time.
Another top tip we have is for anyone thinking about visiting Vatican City. On our last trip to Rome, we visited the Vatican Museums whilst the Pope was holding his Papal Audience on that famous balcony. This meant that most people were in St. Peter’s Square listening to his address, and the usually rammed Vatican Museums were blissfully quiet.
Italy is always a good idea
There’s honestly no real bad time to visit Italy, and whenever you go, you’ll fall in love with its buzzing culture and stunning architecture. By following the few simple tips above, you can easily ensure your trip isn’t spoiled by the crowds. And if you do find yourself in a long queue on a hot, sunny day, you can rest assured that whatever lies at the end will be worth it. Plus, you can reward your patience with some delicious gelato afterwards!
