How to pack for Italy in August: complete packing list for all ages to be comfortable and cute on your Italian Vacation.
Deciding what to pack for a trip to Italy in August is often more complex than it may seem.
On the one hand, August in Italy is guaranteed to be hot and sunny, so you know you need summer clothes and don’t need to stress over layers, changes of shoes etc.
On the other hand, only some places in Italy in August a shorts and t-shirt destinations: some places require a different approach to weather or style.
If you are going to the mountains, for instance, you will need to pack for chillier weather than if you are planning on a sea and sun vacation or sightseeing.
If you are going to cities with significant churches, like Rome, Florence or Venice, you will need to have clothing that offers a little more coverage.
Striking the right balance between comforts, appropriateness and appearance may require a bit of tuning, depending on your exact travel plans.
However, it is definitely possible!
I am Italian and have written this Italy in August packing list based on my experience of Augusts in Italy. The photos are of my family on our August Italian vacations!
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The Weather in Italy in August: overview
August in Italy is a hot and sunny month, the hottest of the year.
In general, August in Italy sees average temperatures in the high 20C/68F with some cities and the hottest hours of the day often climbing up to over 40C/104F.
High August temperatures are at their highest in cities and pains and do not differ much from North to South.
The real difference in Italy is made by the presence of the sea and altitudes.
Hilltops and the Mediterranean coast are milder than cities and plaines; high mountains like the Dolomites get a completely different climate again thanks to the presence of high peaks.
Because of these several microclimates, if packing for a trip to Italy in August to more than one location, it is worth being prepared for different places.
If you are going to one destination only, these packing lists will help:
- Dolomites in the summer packing list
- Cinque Terre Packing list
- Rome in August packing list
- Venice packing list
- Amalfi Coast Packing list
What to wear in Italy August – clothing packing list
I like packing for Italy in August because, despite the sometimes excessive heat, it is the time when you can have fun with August clothes and accessories.
My must-have packing list for Italy in August includes:
- Underwear
- Skirts: I like to have a mix of short and below-the-knee skirts to cover all situations, including church visits
- Shorts: there is a common item of clothing for kids and very young visitors, but less common in women over 30 or so. This is not an absolute rule and you can wear shorts no problem if this is your style.
- Shorts from men are very common, especially chinos or those with pockets.
- Summer dress
- T-shirts and tops. Make sure you have at least one top that covers your shoulders for church visits.
- Linen/cotton trousers/pants: very handy for when you need more formal attire: think gentlemen in higher-end restaurants etc
- Polo shirts for men for nicer restaurants
- Light summer pajama/ nightgown
- Swimsuit
What to pack for Italy in August: shoes
- Good walking sandals. I am fond of my Teva, perfect for all situations, even water. I love these for all of us, including the kids!
- Flip Flops for the beach.
Good to know:I recommend you refrain from counting on flip-flops as you daywear outside of seaside destinations. This is because of the need for more support to the feet and style: flip-flops are considered beachwear in Italy and while you can wear them if you want, they would not a universal type of shoes and you may feel out of place in some upper end establishments.
- Water shoes for the kids: many Italian beaches have pebbles and rocks, so kids tend to do much better with watersheds protecting their feet.
You can find here >>>our favorite water shoes for kids
Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat – I know you may feel this is a tourist item but please: do not underestimate the sun in Italy, cover your head with a breathable hat!
- Refillable water bottle
- Cooling towels (a very nice to have, especially for kids!)
- Mini fan – this is a lifesaver, especially if you have small kids in a stroller but you’ll see many visitors are fond of them
What to pack for Italy in August: toiletries
You can buy toiletries in Italy, supermarkets, pharmacies and other shops.
If you are bringing your own, don’t forget:
- Shower gel(suitable for the whole family)
- Body and face moisturizer
- Deodorant
- Shaving cream + safety blades
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Brush /comb/hair ties
- Dental kit: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss
- Tweezers
- Nail file
- Sun-cream
- After sun
- Makeup if using
- Mosquito repellent <<< This is a very important one: mosquitoes in Italy are voracious!
What to pack for August in Italy: medications
We usually always pack:
- Paracetamol or equivalent
- Basic first aid kit
- Any medication you may be using at home regularly. If prescription, make sure you carry them in their original packaging and take note of the active agent should you need to source it in Italy
- Motion sickness remedy if using
Packing for Italy in August: tech
- Phone
- Charger cables
- Power adaptor and converter – this is essential if you are traveling from the US, for instance, and want to use items such as a curling iron or a hairdryer.
- Extra battery pack
Bags
I love crossbody bags for travel.
They are easy to carry, safe against pickpockets (not a huge concern in Italy but better safe than sorry) and there are so many options to choose from you are sure to find one to suit your taste and style.
I do not believe you need to invest in an anti-theft one; however, many people feel safer that way and swear by the Travelon brand.
Wet bags
I started packingwet bags like thesewhen my kids arrived, and now I am hooked!
I love them, and they are a lifesaver if you find yourself stuck with a wet swimsuit just at the time when you need to pack.
In terms of Luggage for Italy, I am fond on travel backpacks. However, spinner bags also work well.
You can find here >>>my favorite bags for Italy travel
What to wear in August in Italy to visit churches
Some good ways to strike a balance between respect and dealing with the heat are:
- Bring a shawl with you, so you can easily cover your shoulders when entering a church, yet take it off as soon as out.
- Wear flowy, breathable maxi dresses and skirts (they also protect your legs from the sun, they can be great!)
- Opt for light linen pants as a comfortable, lightweight and stylish alternative to shorts for the day
- Carry a maxi skirt with an elastic band at the waist. You / your daughter can quickly slip on your shorts for church visits.
- Get boys to wear pants with zip-off legs that convert easily from long to short and back.
How to pack for Italy August style tips
In Italy, you can wear pretty much whatever you want!
I always hear people worrying about ‘looking like a tourist’, but no one will care!
The only important thing when picking for Italy in August is to be safe from the scorching heat – the rest is details!
That said, there are some style tips that I believe can help.
Dresses and maxi skirts are my favorite types of clothes for Italy in August.
As well as fashionable (they are very popular with locals too!), they are safe to wear in churches and can work well for both day and evening occasions.
Lately, harem pants are trendy in Italy and a great alternative to skirts if you prefer additional coverage.
Shorts are very common for kids,men and young women, a little less for middle age women and up.
This is not an absolute rule, but it may be handy to know if you wonder why locals seem to embrace them!
For men, athletic wear is considered sports gear and would not be local everyday attire. On the other hand, chinos are very common for men and acceptable in all situations except the most high-end restaurants, where long pants are required.
Colorful necklaces
The fastest way to feel like an Italian is to embellish your look with colorful necklaces.
Italian women are fond of them, and I am partial to them.
They dress up even a simple outfit adding color and texture. Moreover, they are cheap and pack light, basically the best friend of the stylish traveler!
Documents
Of course, you don’t want to forget your document, including:
- Passport
- Visa if needed
- International driven permit if needed
- Kids’ birth certificate if needed (for instance, if traveling along with a minor with a different surname than you)
- Prescriptions
One more thing!A small dictionary or Italian phrasebook
English is widely spoken in tourist areas especially. However, having basic Italian helps!
You can find here >>> my must-have list of Italian phrases for travelers.
but a goodItalian phrasebookcan be handy too.
What to pack for Italy in August for kids
In addition to the above, if traveling to Italy with kids, I recommend you also bring:
- Stroller – a lifesaver with all the walking you will be doing, don’t let cobbles deter you! You’ll be happy to have your kids down occasionally!
- Carrier – if you can, opt for ahot weather carrierto limit overheating
- Diaper changing essentials for the journey – you can then source all baby products once in Italy in supermarkets and pharmacies.
Read here >>>where to buy baby essentials in Italy.
- Teether/toys
- Small, battery-operated fan for the stroller/pram – this is a lifesaver! This small object doesn’t cost much, and it is great to clip onto the pram’s hood to help with air circulation and cool the baby down.
- Baby mosquito net for the stroller/pram/baby bed
- Sippy cup
- Sterilizing equipment if using
- In terms of clothing, kids will be the most comfortable with shorts and summer dresses.
Good to know: The dress code for small kids is not as strict, so you do not need special clothing for them to visit churches. If you have older kids, below-the-knee shorts, skirts or pants with zips that convert from long to short are a great option.There is no exact cut-off date for kids wearing shorts in churches, so the best way is to go with the spirit of the rule. If your child is old enough that short shorts may be considered ‘immodest’ by a strict interpretation of the word, it is best to get them more covered up to avoid being turned away.
- Beach gear: is spending time on the coast, I recommend also adding water shoes, rash guard (if used to much milder sun) and snorkeling gear
I hope I answered your questions about what to wear in Italy in August! Safe travels!
