Best time to visit · Milan · Italy
The best time to visit Milan
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Milan are April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and the lakes are at their best. Check the calendar first: Design Week in April and the Fashion Weeks in February and September push hotel prices sharply up. August is hot and many local businesses close, though hotel rates drop.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, July and November–December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 30°C (86°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 6°C (43°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~10 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- August
Seasons
Milan has a humid subtropical climate: cold, foggy winters with occasional snow, hot and humid summers with thunderstorms, and mild but rainy springs and autumns.
March–May
Spring
Mild, increasingly sunny days, blossom in the parks and Design Week in April; showers are common.
June–August
Summer
Hot, humid days and lively evenings by the canals; August is quiet as locals leave and some businesses close.
September–November
Autumn
Warm September with Fashion Week and the Grand Prix, then mild October and foggy, damp November.
December–February
Winter
Cold and often foggy, with Christmas markets, opera season, the January sales and quick access to Alpine ski resorts.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C | -1°C | 6 | 9.1 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 9°C | 0°C | 6 | 10.3 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 14°C | 4°C | 7 | 11.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 18°C | 8°C | 9 | 13.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| May | 23°C | 12°C | 10 | 14.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 27°C | 16°C | 8 | 15.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 30°C | 18°C | 6 | 15.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 29°C | 18°C | 7 | 14.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 24°C | 14°C | 6 | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| October | 18°C | 9°C | 8 | 10.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 11°C | 4°C | 9 | 9.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 6°C | 0°C | 7 | 8.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Winter sales (usually from early January); Men's Fashion Week (usually January) |
| February | Women's Fashion Week (usually late February); Carnevale Ambrosiano — Milan's carnival, which ends later than elsewhere (February or March) |
| April | Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week (usually April); Liberation Day — public holiday (25 April); Milano Marathon (usually April) |
| June | Men's Fashion Week (usually June); Pride Milano (usually late June) |
| July | Summer sales (usually from early July) |
| August | Ferragosto — public holiday (15 August) |
| September | Women's Fashion Week (usually late September); Italian Grand Prix at Monza (usually early September) |
| November | Christmas lights and markets begin (late November) |
| December | La Scala season opening and the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! market (7 December, Sant'Ambrogio); Christmas market around Piazza del Duomo (usually December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in August, and the sights are quietest in January and August.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Milan?
The best times to visit Milan are April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and the lakes are at their best. Check the calendar first: Design Week in April and the Fashion Weeks in February and September push hotel prices sharply up. August is hot and many local businesses close, though hotel rates drop.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Milan?
Usually in August. Many Milanese leave around Ferragosto, so some shops and restaurants close, but hotel prices fall.
+What is the rainiest month in Milan?
May, with about 10 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Milan get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 30°C (86°F) and lows of 18°C (64°F).