Best Time to Visit Emilia-Romagna

If your primary goal is to enjoy sightseeing in Emilia-Romagna, the best time to visit is in April or May or mid-September through October when the temperatures range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s. There are likely to be some crowds and lines to wait in, but it won’t be nearly as busy or as hot as the peak summer months.

If you don’t mind chilly weather and gray days, you might have some of the sights to yourself from November to early December, and most of January after the New Year’s holiday. This is also a great time for a budget-friendly trip, just be sure to bring clothing that can be layered, a warm waterproof coat and boots, a hat, and gloves. During the winter, keep in mind that the days are quite short, so you’ll need to plan accordingly with sunset at 4:40 p.m. in late November.

Emilia-Romagna boasts a thriving food scene that’s been called a foodie paradise with many unique and delicious products like prosciutto di Parma, mortadella di Bologna, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Modena’s traditional balsamic vinegar. Like most regions in Italy, it also produces some excellent wine, Lambrusco, a semi-sparkling red. It can all be enjoyed year- round but the best time to visit Emilia-Romagna for the food and wine is in autumn. Mid- September through mid-October is the sweet spot, with all sorts of festivals for sampling the many gastronomic delights like the Tortellino Festival, Portico di Romagna, and MortadellaBo.

During this time the days are pleasantly warm to crisp and cool, and you might enjoy shoulder season discounts on accommodation and airfare, especially in October. The truffle-hunting season is on now too with truffles generally harvested from March through November. There will be ample opportunities to sample and purchase pure truffles and truffle products too.

Emilia-Romagna hosts many festivals, and as mentioned, lots of them are focused on food and/or wine. In August, the Porcini Mushroom Fair takes place in Castel del Rio, while September brings the Parma Ham Festival to Parma. Castelfranco Emilia celebrates the Tortellino Festival during the second week of September.

For four weekends over late October through mid-November, the international white truffle festival Tartofla takes place in the hamlet of Savigno, complete with tastings and guided walks that search for the prized white truffle. There are medieval festivals hosted in early June in Brisighella, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, featuring all sorts of traditional medieval customs, battles between knights, and a colorful crowd of musicians, artisans, and knights, along with concerts, dances, and delicious dishes cooked according to ancient recipes. In August, street performers come from across the globe for the Ferrara Buskers Festival which includes more than 100 free shows featuring musicians, jugglers, acrobats, and more.

Temperatures increase slightly in February, but it’s not much different than January. It will be cold with an average of about 1.4 inches of precipitation and typically more gray days than sunny ones, but you can expect to enjoy some bright blue skies during your visit. It’s essential to pack warm clothing, including a winter coat, hat, and gloves. Of course, if you’ll be skiing in the Apennines, you’ll want the appropriate gear for the activity too.

Those who come to sightsee will appreciate the lack of crowds away from the slopes as well as the discounts on accommodation and airfare. If you’re here for Valentine’s Day with your significant other, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate here with lots of fine wine and delicious dishes. Carnival celebrations fill the streets this month, and while not as flashy as Rio de Janeiro’s, it’s a lot of fun with activities, elaborate masks, and costumes.

Springtime is officially here with the lower elevations enjoying high temperatures in the mid-60s although nights are still cold with lows averaging in the mid-40s. There might still be enough snow in the mountains for skiing which means it can be a little too early to enjoy hiking the trails. Expect a mix of sunny and cloudy days, with some afternoons that are warm enough for alfresco dining.

To prepare for the somewhat unpredictable weather, bring clothing that can be layered, easily peeled off when it gets too warm, and put back on when it gets cold. About 2.3 inches of rain falls over 10 days this month so it’s a good idea to bring a rain jacket too. You’ll want sunglasses for bright days  as well. April is a shoulder season month at the ski resorts and throughout the region, making it a good time to save on accommodation to avoid big crowds.

Early June is the perfect time to take advantage of the comfortable warm weather and sunshine, with afternoon highs of 80 degrees in the lower elevation areas and around 70 degrees in the mountains. It is busier now, but crowds are likely to be more manageable as compared to July and August. You’ll want to book your airfare and accommodation well in advance for the best choices and prices with so many others enjoying their vacations now.

Bring items that will keep you protected from the sun, including a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, along with summery attire such as shorts, capris, skirts, dresses, tank tops, and short-sleeved shirts. You’ll have lots of daylight for seeing the sights as the sun doesn’t go down until after 9 p.m. on June 21st (Summer Solstice). In mid-June, the Renaissance city of Ferrara hosts the Ferrara Summer Festival, a music festival featuring renowned Italian artists.

Generally, August is when most Italians take their vacations, often heading to the beaches, so the cities will be quiet while the shores are jam packed. In places like Bologna, some businesses will be closed but there are always some shops and eateries open. In terms of the weather, it’s not much different than in July with the high temperature in lower elevations close to 90 while the mountains enjoy more pleasant temperatures around the mid-70s.

Rain is rare, other than the occasional thunderstorm. It’s essential to book air-conditioned accommodation well ahead of your trip to ensure a comfortable space for sleep. There are quite a few festivities to enjoy this month, including bonfires on the beach, concerts, and festivals. Celebrations for the August 15 th Ferragosto holiday will be taking place throughout the region. The beaches of Lido delle Nazioni and Lido degli Estensi often host early morning concerts followed by various entertainment events, concluding with fireworks.

October can be a wonderful month to visit as a shoulder season month that often brings bright blue skies with cool, crisp days while tourist crowds are relatively thin. In the lower elevations, the temperature averages around 70 degrees while the mountain towns are usually in the low 60s, perfect for memorable hikes.

The brilliant colors of autumn will be blanketing the landscapes providing fabulous photo ops and rain is relatively minimal with only a little over three inches of precipitation on average. It’s lovely sweater weather, with long pants or skirts with leggings common. This is also a great time for food and wine festivals celebrating the seasonal harvests, from the ancient surroundings and incredible aromas of the White Truffle Fair in Rimini to Mortadella Bo in Bologna honoring mortadella with demonstrations, guided tastings, and cooking lessons. If you come late in October, be aware that Daylight Savings Time ends now, with sunset around 5 p.m.

Early December is similar to November and a great time to come for a budget-friendly trip without the crowds. After the first week of the month, the number of visitors increases while temperatures decrease. The lowland areas are relatively mild with afternoon highs around the mid-50s but up in the mountains it will be much colder with plenty of snowfall and ski resorts opening for the season. Snow is possible in cities like Bologna, but unlikely.

Visitors can enjoy all sorts of festivities for the Christmas holidays, including lots of twinkling lights, holiday décor, and markets, but you’ll want to book accommodation well in advance. Rimini is wonderful during this time of year and offers one of the best Christmas markets with its castle creating an especially enchanting atmosphere. The medieval village of Bagno di Romagna also hosts a fabulous market for Christmas with music, street performers, and stands selling local, handcrafted goods.