How to avoid the worst of the Italian heat

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:50:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Italy's scorching heatwave forces a red alert on 27 major cities—here’s how to stay cool, stay safe, and still enjoy Rome, Venice, and beyond.

Italy is in the grip of a devastating heatwave, prompting a nationwide red alert that covers 27 of the country’s biggest cities, including Rome, Milan, Naples, and Venice. Tourists and locals alike face elevated risks as temperatures climb toward record highs. Experts advise scheduling visits to popular landmarks in the cooler evening hours, taking advantage of hotel and museum air‑conditioning, and selecting shaded outdoor spots such as parks and churches. Local guides recommend flexible booking, early‑morning tours, and alternative activities like cooking classes, wine tastings, and boat rides to keep visitors cool while still soaking in Italy’s culture.

How to avoid the worst of the Italian heat

The Ministry of Health has issued a red alert across Italy’s 27 largest capitals as temperatures surge past 35 °C, a fever that threatens public health and comforts. The heatwave is already affecting tourists moving between Rome, Venice, Naples and Milan.

Plan your outings for cooler parts of the day

Visiting outdoor landmarks after lunch can be a “big mistake”. Directors in Rome, Milan and Warsaw are extending operating hours to let crowds enjoy sites when the sun’s glare has lessened. The schedule for August includes:

Colosseum – Fridays & Saturdays 19:45‑23:30

Pantheon – every day 19:00‑23:00 except Thursdays

Sforza Castle – 17:30‑19:30

Sundays, strategic rest days are promoted to keep crowds small.

Cool off on the Colosseum grounds and other sites

Cooling fans and mist spray line the Colosseum’s entrances. Medical stations have been increased, and plans to plant shade‑providing vegetation are underway.

In Rome, early‑morning tours at 08:00 and late‑night excursions at 22:00 keep visitors in shaded environments. Wind‑conditioned museums and churches are the easiest way to stay chilly while exploring Italian heritage.

Seek out parks, studios and waterways

Villa Borghese, Villa Adriana and the Acquedotti Park offer shade for strolls. In Naples, supermarkets with air‑conditioning are a practical alternative to long queues at tastiest focaccia spots.

Water features provide a splash of relief: boat trips offer a cooling swim against an architectural backdrop. The Garfagnana hinterland in Florence is a popular escape for drivers seeking hill shade.

Book ahead and stay hydrated

Tickets for the Vatican, Colosseum, and other major sites now sell online up to a few days in advance and refill quickly. Deadlines are tight, so a firm plan addresses the twin problems of waiting time and scorching sun.

Regardless of the route, experts advise five simple rules: stay hydrated, put on a hat, apply sunscreen, use shade whenever possible, and pack a reusable water bottle.

Indulge in local culture safely

A cinema in Florence’s Odeon café or a night at Venice’s Teatro La Fenice provides a cool refuge while still soaking in history. Veterans of Italian landscapes find that staying beneath a cathedral roof or within a museum’s climate‑controlled hall is the best defence against the July heatwave.