Italy is a fairly temperate climate year round, and it attracts visitors all year long. The seasons in Italy are quite well defined. Generally speaking the south of Italy is warmer and drier, while the north is cooler. Of course, Tuscany, Italy is more in the northern area of this country. Still, Italy remains a destination that people seek out all year long. The same holds true for parts of Tuscany.
If you are interested in Tuscany weather, you have to look at what time of year you plan to visit in order to predict what kind of temperatures you will have on your visit. This can help you determine what kind of clothing to bring, and the seasonal changes also may affect the kind and price of hotel you plan to book.
The Tuscany summers tend to be quite warm – in the upper 80s and 90s. July and August tend to be the hottest months. Not all mid-priced hotels have air conditioning, so if your trip is set for these times you may want to evaluate the usual temperatures in the cities you plan to visit, and then book a Tuscany hotel with air conditioning, or “air con,” to help make your stay more pleasant. Not all restaurants have air conditioning either, so take this factor into account when planning your Tuscany vacation.
Across all of Italy and in the Tuscany region, there is a short off-season. It’s generally from the middle of January to the middle of March and then from the middle of October to the middle of December.
Tuscany in Spring
Italy is outstanding in the spring. At this time, the weather and temperautes remain fairly mild. While there is some rain, it’s never generally excessive. One downside is that hotels can be expensive and airline flights are expensive, as well. So, plan to book your hotel room early, as most hotels fill up.
Easter is an incredibly popular time in Italy. There are many field trips and young children here at this time plus massive groups of Catholic pilgrims. These factors make it hard to enjoy the sights and major tourist attractions.
Tuscany in Summer
While most Italians vacation during the summer, this is still an excellent time to visit Tuscany. The weather is generally good although it can get warm in Tuscany during July and August. Across Italy there also are many great festivals during the summer, making it a prime cultural time to visit Tuscany. These include concerts, festivals and other events outside that take advantage of the summer season.
However, keep in mind that many shops and restaurants in major cities close in August for vacation. Most of Italy isn’t air conditioned, so book your hotel room accordingly to truly enjoy your trip. It might be worth paying a little more per night so you can sleep well and enjoy your stay – rather than trying to save a buck and feeling miserable because you can’t sleep in the heat at night.
Tuscany in the Fall
Fall weather also is mostly mild and comfortable. Most people don’t visit in the fall, so it’s a nice time to go. Most children are home with their parents getting ready to go back to school, so crowds are at a minimum. However, October is when the rainy season starts in Italy.
Tuscany in Winter
November to March is considered the off-season across Italy. It’s the least popular time for visitors, so attractions are at the least crowded. Airfares also are as cheap as they get with the exception of the time from Christmas to New Years. Keep in mind that many hotels and accommodations take a two or three week break during the holidays, so you may have fewer places from which to pick. But service tends to be most attentive during the winter, as most visitors are gone. Rain and even snow are possible, so keep these in mind.
