Cities are largely deserted
If you’re in a city or town, prepare for it to feel strangely empty away from the obvious tourist destinations.
In Rome, car journeys that once involved a half-hour battle through wild traffic may become surprisingly quick and stress-free. And where are the crowds at your usual after-work drinks spot in Milan? Even the smallest towns will be noticeably quieter than usual.
This is because many Italian residents have packed up and gone to the beach or the mountains for a month. Next year, you’ll know to do the same.
But beaches are packed
Italy is a nation of 'staycationers', with most Italians choosing to holiday in their own country.
You'll notice the impact of this in August, when it’s tutti al mare: everyone flees to the beach (or maybe the mountains) at the same time.
READ ALSO: Why do Italians take such long summer holidays?
Expect resorts to be packed and hotels, Airbnbs and campsites to be fully booked, especially with international tourist numbers booming this summer.
Shops have ‘closed for the holidays’ signs
Shop workers and owners take time off like everyone else and it’s very common for small independent businesses like bakeries, pharmacies and flower shops to close for up to a month.
Chiuso per ferie fino al 32 pic.twitter.com/AB1K9emeVg
— MR ESTINZIONE (@MrESTINZIONE) August 12, 2022
Some will tell you when they expect to reopen, others just put up a sign on the window saying chiuso per ferie - 'closed for the holidays'.
The summer sales are (still) on
Those shops that do remain open - mainly large chain stores and supermarkets - offer discounts throughout most or all of August to those dedicated shoppers who aren’t at the beach.
READ ALSO: Saldi: When do Italy’s summer sales start and end in 2025?
Italy only allows two retail sales a year, and one of those runs throughout July and August, and in some regions, into September.
Everyone you contact is out of office
Need to contact anyone urgently at work this month? If they're in Italy, then too bad.
Office workers are also usually on holiday, and many offices close altogether for three or four weeks.
Forget about out-of-office email replies suggesting an alternative contact or that the person will be checking their email sporadically – they will be at the beach and whatever you want can wait until they are back.
This applies to banks and any kind of government service. You may also have trouble getting medical appointments at this time of year.
There are ‘red alert’ heat warnings in place
Italy has already experienced one extreme and prolonged heatwave this summer, and more are likely to follow.
But even without heatwaves, temperatures within the 'normal' summer range in Italy can be hot enough: expect the mid-30s (Celsius) and beyond in many areas of the south.
As we get into August, temperatures will no doubt be high across the board, meaning health authorities put heat warnings in place on the hottest days and strongly advise people to stay out of the sun during the hottest hours of the day.
Every major road has a traffic warning
Italy’s state police make liberal use of the red pen when putting together the official traffic forecast for August.
All weekends tend to feature ‘red dot’ traffic warnings as people head off on holiday, or return home.
READ ALSO: CALENDAR: The worst dates to travel on Italy's roads in August 2025
The final weekend of August, when people drive home in time for il rientro (the return to school and work in September) is also best avoided.
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