Traveling to Italy in June: What You Need to Know :: Italy Explained (2024)

June is the start of what is technically the start of summer in Italy, although – as you know if you’ve been following along – the tourist high season is already in full swing by this point. The weather in May is so reliably good that it’s now firmly in the high season, which means that in June the high season is pretty much at its peak.

What does that mean, exactly? It means that the crowds will be at their largest and prices will be at the highest points they’ll reach all year. The weather will continue to get hotter as the summer goes on, but June temperatures throughout Italy are already plenty warm.

If you’re traveling to Italy in June, here’s what you need to know about weather and holidays.

Weather in Italy in June

As mentioned, the temperatures in May have been warm enough in recent years – and predictably so – that by June it often feels like summer is already well underway. The June temperature averages listed below are the ones on record, but in the past decade it’s gotten even hotter. (In other words, you should definitely heed my advice below about checking current forecasts before you leave home.)

Keep in mind that in much of Italy it’s not just hot, it’s humid. Even if you’re not usually someone who has trouble with heat, it’s probably a good idea to make sure your hotel has AC, and you’d be smart to carry a refillable water bottle when you’re out sightseeing. Staying hydrated can help mitigate the effects of a hot day immensely.

Some average temperature ranges for different parts of Italy in June are:

• Northern Italy: 55-80°F (13-27°C)
• Central Italy: 60-80°F (16-27°C)
• Southern Italy: 70-85°F (21-30°C)

And, as always, check the current extended forecast for where you’re actually going just before you leave – when you’re packing is the perfect time – so you can find out in advance if it’s unseasonably cold or warm.

Read more on my Italy weather page

Holidays & Festivals in Italy in June

The biggest holiday in June is right at the beginning of the month – the Festa della Repubblica on June 2nd. This national holiday celebrates the founding of Italy as a unified republic (which only happened in the 19th century), and there are typically big parades and fireworks displays in cities throughout the country. Because it’s a national holiday, some attractions may be closed, and transportation will be operating on a reduced holiday schedule.

Other events that take place in June include the start of Verona’s annual summer opera festival and patron saint feast days in Rome, Florence, Turin, and Genoa. Spoleto’s Festival of Two Worlds often begins in June, and Florence’s medieval Calcio Storico (Historic Soccer) match usually takes place in June, too. There are many additional local festivals during the summer that have roving dates – sometimes they’re in June, sometimes they’re not – so it’s always a good idea to check in with the local tourist information office when you arrive in a town to find out whether anything’s on the calendar while you’re there.

Browse my list of holidays and festivals in Italy to get started on your June events research.

Why should you go to Italy in June?

June trips to Italy are sun-soaked, ideal for beach visits or hikes through the Tuscan hills, and that glorious weather makes it easy to see why this is such a popular month to be in Italy. The bigger crowds and longer lines to get into main attractions, however, aren’t to everyone’s liking. Visiting Italy in June means that you need to be prepared for – and comfortable with – crowds.

Going to Italy in June also means you’re going to be spending more than if you went in, say, the winter or spring, so you’ll need to be prepared for that, too. Demand drives up prices, and everything from airfare to hotel rooms to tours are more expensive in the high tourist season. Budget travelers will have a harder time making their euro go further in June (and the rest of the high season), unless you avoid the main tourist cities altogether.

August is the traditional Italian holiday month, when basically the whole country (and, really, most of Europe) goes on vacation, but that doesn’t mean the beaches are empty in June. You’re competing with every other vacationer in Italy for space on the beach and hotel rooms nearby, and on weekends you’ll also be competing with Italians who just want a break from the city – so book lodging well in advance.

The bottom line is that if budget isn’t your primary limiting factor, if you don’t mind crowds, and if you thrive in warm climates, then June in Italy can be fantastic. I do recommend booking things like hotel rooms and entry tickets to things like the Uffizi Gallery in Florence or the Vatican Museums as far in advance as you can to avoid waiting in long lines. And don’t forget your sunscreen.

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