Ferragosto 2027

Ferragosto falls on 15 August and is Italy’s most important summer public holiday. In 2027 it falls on a Sunday. The name comes from the Latin Feriae Augusti — the festivals of Augustus — a holiday declared by the Roman emperor in 18 BC. The Catholic feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was later aligned with the same date, which cemented the day’s importance across Italy’s predominantly Catholic culture.

What Ferragosto means in practice

Most of Italy effectively shuts down for the week surrounding 15 August. Businesses that can close do close; it is not unusual for restaurants, shops, and even petrol stations in smaller towns to display a handwritten “chiuso per Ferragosto” sign and not reopen until late August or early September. This makes Ferragosto one of the trickier times to be a visitor in Italy unless you plan around it carefully.

Coastal resorts are the exception: beach towns along the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, and Ionian coasts run at maximum capacity through the entire August period. Beaches are packed, restaurants fully booked, and accommodation prices at their yearly peak. Italians who cannot afford seaside holidays head instead to mountain villages in the Alps and Apennines.

Cities such as Rome, Milan, and Florence empty out noticeably as residents leave for the coast or countryside. Ironically, this makes mid-August a reasonable time to visit major urban sights — museums and monuments are less crowded than in July, though reduced opening hours may apply.

Events and festivities

The evening of 14—15 August sees outdoor concerts, fireworks, and village festivals across the country. Many coastal resorts stage fireworks displays at midnight on 14 August (the vigil of the feast). Medieval towns including Siena and Gubbio hold torchlit processions and historical pageants; the Palio di Siena is run the following day, 16 August, making the two days together a significant cultural moment in Tuscany.

Midsummer food markets and sagre (local food festivals) proliferate in the weeks around Ferragosto. Many are dedicated to local specialities: seafood along the coasts, lentils in Castelluccio di Norcia, truffles beginning in parts of Umbria, and porchetta at countless central Italian villages.

Practical advice

If you are visiting Italy around 15 August 2027:

• Book accommodation well in advance — coastal hotels and mountain agriturismo fill months ahead for the Ferragosto period
• Arrive at major sites early — the Colosseum, Uffizi, and Pompeii still attract visitors, but crowds thin compared to July
• Check restaurant opening hours — neighbourhood places in cities may close for a week; tourist restaurants near monuments stay open
• Fill the car before 14 August — petrol stations in rural areas often close on the holiday itself

Trains run on a Sunday/holiday timetable on 15 August. The high-speed network between Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice operates as normal, but regional services are reduced. Book Trenitalia or Italo tickets in advance for travel on 14—16 August.

For more on visiting Italy in summer, see our Italy in August guide and our Italy festivals calendar.

For tours and activities during the summer period — including day trips, coastal boat tours, and city experiences — browse Italy tours on GetYourGuide.