Month guide · Bologna · Italy
Bologna in August
What August is really like in Bologna: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alex.J.Collins, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Many locals leave and some restaurants and shops close around Ferragosto, but hotels are cheaper and the city is calm.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Bologna: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 19°C (66°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with July (31°C (88°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:18
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:21
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
Summer (June–August). Hot, humid days, free outdoor cinema in Piazza Maggiore and quieter August weeks when many locals head to the coast.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in March). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
- Ferragosto public holiday (15 August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Park · Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore
Giardini Margherita
Bologna's largest park, laid out in 1879 just outside the old walls by Porta Santo Stefano, has a small lake, shady lawns, playgrounds and kiosks with outdoor seating.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Landmark · Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain
Try the 'whispering gallery' under the Palazzo del Podestà with a friend: stand in opposite corners facing the wall and speak quietly.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
- After dark
Religious site · Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
Basilica of San Petronio
One of the largest churches in Europe, San Petronio was begun in 1390 and never finished: the upper facade is still bare brick.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Rainy day
Landmark · Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda)
Check whether Asinelli climbs are running before you plan around one; for views over the red roofs, the San Luca hill is a reliable alternative.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 19°C and 5 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Bologna?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Bologna in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Bologna?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Many locals leave and some restaurants and shops close around Ferragosto, but hotels are cheaper and the city is calm.
+How warm is Bologna in August?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Bologna in August?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.