Ferragosto tends to catch Italy travelers by surprise. They plan a summer holiday to a classic Italian town only to find the streets eerily quiet, the air heavy with heat, and most businesses shuttered. They don’t know that Ferragosto is one of Italy’s most significant holidays, and the country literally slows to a halt.
Even though the number of tourists who get caught off guard is shrinking, we still hear from travelers stuck in a major Italian city on August 15th, wondering why everything is closed. That’s why we always recommend building your August Italy itinerary around Ferragosto.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know: from the history of Ferragosto, how it’s celebrated across different regions, what to eat, where to go, and where not to go. Whether you’re planning your first time in Italy or looking to travel deeper, here’s how to make the most of the celebration of Ferragosto.
Why You Should Trust Us
After living in Italy for more than a decade, studying Italian history, and experiencing Ferragosto in places across the country, I’ve come to love this holiday for what it is: a cultural pause, a period of rest, and a fascinating blend of ancient roots, religious celebration, and modern summer escape.
As one of the Salt & Wind Travel Italy experts, I share what I’ve learned when I craft custom Italy trips to help my clients experience the best or ITaly, even during your summer vacation.
What Is Ferragosto?
Ferragosto is a public holiday celebrated in Italy each year on August 15th, marking the height of the summer vacation period. It marks the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation in Catholic countries and a much-anticipated day of rest. But Ferragosto is more than just a religious celebration. It’s also a popular tradition rooted in ancient Roman customs and still celebrated across the country today.
For Italian families, Ferragosto signals the peak of summer holidays, a long weekend spent escaping the summer heat. From coastal towns to mountain retreats, the celebration of Ferragosto includes beach parties, packed lunches, city-wide parties, and even water balloons.
It’s one of the most beloved events in Italian culture, where good food, local festivals, and cultural sites unite in joyful chaos.
The History of Ferragosto
The Ferragosto tradition has ancient roots dating back to Roman times. The term Ferragosto comes from the Latin phrase “Feriae Augusti,” meaning the “festivals of the Emperor Augustus.”
It was first instituted in 18 BC by Octavian Augustus, who declared the first day of August a pagan festival to honor days of rest for draft animals and agricultural workers following the harvest.
During Emperor Augustus’s reign, these festivals featured organised excursions, feasting, and games and were designed to unify the lower classes of the Roman Empire. As the pagan holiday evolved, the Catholic Church shifted the day of rest from August 1st to August 15th to coincide with Assumption Day and the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
By the 5th century, this religious celebration was a cornerstone of Catholic countries, marked by religious processions, solemn masses, and community events. In the 20th century, under Mussolini’s fascist regime, Ferragosto became a bank holiday and a nationwide August holiday. The government offered discounted rail travel for the lower classes, prompting millions of Italians to leave their Italian cities and explore parts of Italy they’d never seen.
Today, Ferragosto is less about politics and more about relaxation and making memories. The spirit of those organised excursions lives on as Italians flood the trains and roads, heading off to the best beaches, cultural centers, and countryside getaways.
Six Tips for Traveling in Italy During Ferragosto
Having lived in Italy for over a decade, I’ve seen both the beauty and the chaos of traveling during Ferragosto. Here are my top tips to help you make the most of this August holiday:
Expect Closures
Many public offices, post offices, restaurants, and shops will close for the entire month of August or at least the Ferragosto week. Even major tourist attractions, like the Vatican Museums, may close on 15th August.
Prepare for ghost towns
Major Italian cities like Rome or Milan often feel empty, and many locals leave for coastal towns or the south of Italy. This can be peaceful, but it also means limited services.
It’s crowded elsewhere
While cities empty, beaches, mountains, and tourist destinations will be packed with young people, families, and vacationers. Expect high prices, heavy traffic, and fully booked public transportation.
Book early
Book months in advance if you’re planning to stay in an agriturismo, hotel, or vacation rental, or want a dinner reservation. The ponte di Ferragosto (the long holiday weekend) is Italy’s busiest, and many things are booked up or closed on August 15th and August 16th.
Avoid driving, if possible
Highways get jammed as Italians make their long weekend getaway. Use trains or plan for extra time.
Visit lesser-known destinations
Skip the tourist hotspots and head to off-the-beaten-path parts of Italy for a more relaxed, local culture experience.
Regional Differences in Ferragosto Celebrations
The Ferragosto tradition varies widely depending on where you are in Italy:
- Coastal areas host raucous beach parties and fireworks.
- Mountain towns celebrate with hikes, cool weather, and hearty local fare.
- In the North, you’ll often find structured festivals and public events.
- In the South of Italy, the holiday leans more toward religious observance and extended family gatherings.
- You may experience near-total shutdowns and empty streets in urban centers, while rural areas come alive with local festivals and food fairs.
Five Places to Go for Ferragosto
If all this has got you thinking and you’re wondering where to go, these are some of my tried and true favorite places to enjoy Ferragosto.
Abruzzo’s Countryside
Abruzzo is a region in southern Italy that is said to have two hearts: the mountains and the sea. In August, its rolling hills and quaint villages provide a peaceful escape.
It’s the perfect place for hiking, picnicking, or simply enjoying local cuisine. You can relax here and avoid the crowds in other, more popular locations while enjoying some of the most beautiful countryside in Italy.
Matera
In the “arch” of the Italian boot is a town called Matera. It’s a place known for its ancient cave dwellings, which were popularized by the movie The Passion of the Christ. Matera’s unique architecture makes it a perfectly enchanting Ferragosto destination.
The day of Ferragosto itself is a solemn religious holiday, and there are beautiful candlelit processions worth seeing. The rest of the week, however, is filled with sagre or festivals, live music, and other fun events.
Siena
Siena is a medieval town in Tuscany that is a classic day trip from Florence. On the day of Ferragosto, much is closed in the city, but the very next day, on the 16th of August, is one of the biggest events of the year.
On that day, the Palio di Siena historic horse races take place. You can experience medieval pageantry and passionate rivalries in this thrilling event. It gets crowded, but it’s something worth seeing once in your life.
Puglia
In southern Italy, in the heel of the boot, is the glorious region of Puglia. There is much to do here, from stunning beaches to historic towns. Head to Lecce to experience the “Florence of the South”, or Gallipoli for water that looks straight out of the Caribbean.
Dolomites
For mountain lovers, escaping the heat with a trip to the Dolomites might be worth considering. You can hike, get fresh air, visit charming towns, and even don a light jacket in the evening.
The towns of Cortina and Bolzano are lovely places to be year-round, but are near perfect in August.
Three Places to Avoid for Ferragosto
Next are a few places I personally would avoid over Ferragosto.
The Amalfi Coast
While breathtaking, all the Amalfi Coast towns are packed with visitors and vacationers during this national holiday. Expect congestion, long wait times, and lots of traffic.
Venice
Venice draws massive crowds in summer. Navigating the city can be overwhelming, especially in the heat, and the canals can also get smelly.
P.S. If you’re traveling there any other time of year, you’ll want to read up on our recommendations of the best place to stay in Venice for you!
Cinque Terre
Though beautiful, the villages of Cinque Terre are often overcrowded in August. This makes it a lot harder to enjoy their charm. Additionally, the trains from town to town don’t take reservations and will be extremely busy. You may have to wait for multiple trains before you get onboard. Instead, explore some other equally lovely towns along the Italian Riviera.
Traditional Ferragosto Foods and Celebrations
Ferragosto is about good food, relaxation, and celebration. Whether you’re celebrating with Italian families or on your summer vacation, here’s what to expect:
- Packed lunch and picnics: A popular tradition for those heading to the beach or mountains. Think cold pasta salads, roast chicken, traditional dishes, and fresh fruit.
- Grilled meats: Many locals fire up the grill for a Ferragosto celebration that includes sausages, steaks, and local vegetables.
- Cocomero (watermelon): The unofficial fruit of Ferragosto, watermelon is often ice-cold under a beach umbrella. However, we also like it in this twist on a spritz or this farro salad.
- Local festivals: Many towns host a gran ballo di Ferragosto, a city-wide party with dancing, fireworks, and food stalls.
- Religious processions: This day includes solemn masses and flower-strewn parades, especially in smaller towns and the south of Italy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ferragosto
It depends on your travel style. If you enjoy vibrant local culture, beach vibes, and festivals, then yes, it can be a great time. But expect closures, high prices, and big crowds. It's best for travelers who plan ahead and are flexible.
Yes, especially in smaller towns and the South of Italy, where religious processions are common on Assumption Day. However, for many Italians today, the holiday is more about summer travel and family time than religion.
On August 16th, Siena hosts the Palio dell’Assunta, a historic horse race and cultural spectacle. It's one of Italy’s most iconic local festivals, drawing huge crowds and showcasing centuries-old popular traditions.
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Italian National Holidays
Ferragosto is just one of the many holidays you should know about before traveling to Italy. To help you decide which you might want to witness IRL (and which to avoid), we have this guide to the top 10 Italian National Holidays, including Epiphany, All Saints Day, Liberation Day, Republic Day, and more.
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Have Us Plan Your Italy Trip
Depending on how you arrange it, traveling during an Italian holiday can be a super enjoyable (or frustrating) way to experience the country. If you want help making all your Italy travel come true, contact us for a travel consultation with one of our expert Italy planners!
