If you’re planning to visit Italy in August, think twice, especially if you’re eyeing the middle of the month. Better yet, book our Rome street food tour for September, when the country comes back to life after its summer slumber. Why? Because Ferragosto, the most anticipated holiday in Italy, practically empties the cities, turning them into ghost towns. Yet you can join Southern Italians for a midnight swim on August the 14th!
WHAT IS FERRAGOSTO?
Ferragosto, celebrated on August 15th, is more than just a public holiday in Italy—it’s an institution. The name traces back to “Feriae Augusti,” an ancient Roman festival established by Emperor Augustus in 18 BC. Originally, it was a period of rest and celebration to honor the hard work of farmers after the harvest. Over time, this pagan festival blended with Christian traditions, marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which commemorates the ascent of Mary to heaven. Today, Ferragosto is a mix of religious celebration and the pure Italian love of taking a break.
ITALY EMPTIES OUT
From Rome to Milan, Florence to Venice, Italian cities experience an exodus during Ferragosto week. Italians take this time to escape the heat of the cities and head to the beaches, mountains, or countryside. The result? Shops close, top-notch restaurants shut their doors, and even some of the most famous tourist attractions reduce their hours or close entirely. You’ll find bustling piazzas eerily quiet and streets where the only movement might be the occasional stray cat…or desperate tourists seeking freshness under trees. While cities empty out the beaches get overcrowded. Restaurants on the seaside are packed and music all over the coast just kill the magic of a quiet and romantic Italian summer night.
For travelers expecting a lively Italian experience, this can be a shock. The vibrant, bustling Italy that you read about in guidebooks seems to have vanished. Instead, you’re left wandering through empty streets, peering into shuttered windows, wondering where everyone has gone.
SOUTHERN ITALY: THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 14TH
In regions like Campania, Calabria, and Sicily, families gather for a special meal, often by the sea. It’s a night of food, music, and fireworks, as locals indulge in a feast that lasts until the early hours. The beaches are dotted with the so-called “falò” (bonfires). It’s a beautiful, vibrant contrast to the empty urban centers, highlighting the deep cultural roots of Ferragosto in these communities. When midnight strikes, hordes of young people run towards the sea, cheering and shouting for the traditional midnight swim. The rest of the night is music, dances food and drinks till the sun comes up to whistle the end. This is exactly what you should do to feel the Italian spirit in Ferragosto. Manage to enjoy this with an Italian friend and you will have a blast!
WHY VISITING ITALY IN MID-AUGUST IS A BAD IDEA
Unless you’re seeking solitude in an empty city, Ferragosto is not the best time to visit Italy. The lively restaurants and charming shops you’ve heard so much about? Closed. The vibrant markets? Silent. Even the locals are nowhere to be found…oh yes! find them at the beach! You’ll miss out on the authentic Italian experience, as the very heart of the cities seems to take a holiday too.
Instead, plan your visit for September. Italy wakes up from its August slumber, with cooler weather, reopened businesses, and a renewed energy. The streets buzz with life once again, and you can truly enjoy the full flavor of Italy—literally and figuratively. Plus, you can join us for a Rome street food tour, where the post-Ferragosto culinary delights will be waiting for you. Take advantage of our 15% discount offer valid until August 25th. Use code “blog1508” to redeem the discount!
In the meantime, if you find yourself in Italy during Ferragosto, head south for a taste of the local celebrations. Just be prepared for quiet days and empty streets in the cities—after all, it’s Ferragosto, and all of Italy is on vacation.
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