A visit to Italy in February has its advantages - especially in terms of the budget of the trip and the lack of crowds on tourist sites. However, there are also disadvantages, the main of which, of course, is the weather.
Weather in Italy in February
Although January is considered the coldest month in Italy, by and large, its difference from February in terms of weather is purely symbolic. In the north of the country, as in its other mountainous regions, it is still cold and snowy, while in the rest of the territory, the weather forecast is dominated by rains.
Nevertheless, February is able to please sunny days. As at any other time of the year, the further you climb south, the warmer the climate becomes. In the mountains, of course, one should expect snow and frost (even in the south of Italy and on the islands), but in the southern provinces the Mediterranean climate of the coast is also felt in the interior of the continent, which is characterized by the absence of snow and frequent rains.
Activities such as visiting beaches, exploring the hilly Tuscany or antique ruins in the open air are best excluded from a trip to Italy in February — cold and damp weather will clearly not contribute to these plans. On the other hand, winter is the best time for lovers of ski holidays. Mountain resorts in the northern and central regions continue to experience a boom in the season in February. Since the number of tourists this month is slightly lower compared to January, this is a great time to search for last-minute tours, unless, of course, there are visa problems.
Temperature in Italy in February to a large extent determined by the region of residence and can fluctuate in a fairly wide range:
Temperature in Rome in February: +5 + 12С
Temperature in Venice and Milan in February: -3 + 8С
Temperature in Palermo in February: +11 + 15C
Holidays in February
Although the dates of carnivals vary from year to year, they usually affect February. The most famous carnival in Italy is, of course, the Venetian, but you can visit the relevant celebrations in other regions. Regardless of when you read this post, the dates of carnivals in relation to your trip can be clarified in one of our previous posts: Dates of carnivals in Italy 2010-2020.
Venice is a popular tourist destination at any time of the year - even during cold and wet winters - but during the Carnival the city is undergoing a real invasion. As a result, prices for everything also rise sharply. Therefore, when planning a trip to Venice in February, do not flatter yourself that you will be able to save on the low season. Low season and Carnival are diametrically opposite concepts.
Snow in the northern regions of Italy is quite normal
In addition to Carnivals, February Italy can be interesting for other holidays. One of the most beloved by Italians - Valentine's Day. Another remarkable holiday, about which the Russian-speaking tourist knows to a much lesser extent (the date of its holding also changes annually) - Battle of the Oranges in Hebrew. Thousands of townspeople divided into 9 teams take part in the battle. The fact that the Battle of the Oranges is a large-scale event is evidenced by the fact that during the battles in 1994, 265,000 kilograms of citrus fruits were consumed.
In February, the Apennines host a huge number of different holidays and festivals, many of which are celebrated locally. It makes sense to visit the tourist information office in the region where you are traveling to find out more about local events. Many of them may turn out to be so interesting that they will force you to extend your trip in order to take part in them.
Summary
Weather in Italy in February - the cornerstone that makes you think about the question: "Does it make sense to plan your trip to the Apennines this month", especially if the Carnival in Venice is not included in your plans. Indeed - a trip to Italy in February can hardly be associated with a vacation for which you will need sunglasses and a swimsuit, however this solution also has its indisputable advantages.
February is a low season month and may be of interest to those travelers for whom the budget is an important factor. With some exceptions, the prices for airline tickets and hotels at this time of the year are at the lowest level. Another plus that can positively affect decision-making is the lack of crowds on travel sites, and the prices are pleasing for their availability.
It is important to pay attention to the fact that during the winter many tourist sites operate in an abridged mode, but this does not apply to the work schedule of service centers, shops and other entertainment venues located in ski resorts or in Venice during the Carnival.
