It’s summer in Italy, and life is exactly as you imagined it – long evenings in lively piazzas, weekend escapes to coastal villages and quiet mornings sipping espresso while the town stirs to life around you. If you had a home here, this is the season you’d spend outdoors, soaking up sunshine, music and community.

And in 2025, there’s even more to look forward to, from new cultural attractions and flight routes to major celebrations, safety updates and a booming holiday rental season.

• Entertainment in Italy this summer
• Extra tourism during Italy’s Jubilee year
• What happens in August? Italians go on holiday
• A longer summer season — and more flight routes
• New UNESCO site in Sardinia
• A bridge to Sicily: Approved at last
• Stricter pool safety rules on the horizon
• The Italian property outlook – Summer 2025
• If you lived here this summer…

Entertainment in Italy this summer

Italy’s summer lifestyle is all about open-air culture, whether impromptu concerts in village squares to international music festivals headlined by the world’s biggest names. And all with guaranteed good weather too, by the sea, in the countryside or in the mountains.

A time to celebrate, summer in Italy

This year, stars like Justin Timberlake, Dua Lipa, Drake and Bruce Springsteen are lighting up venues across the country:

• Roma Summer Fest (June to September) at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome

• Unipol Forum in Milan

• Lucca Summer Festival

• Arena di Verona open-air concerts

Beyond the big names, many towns put on free evening concerts, street performances and food festivals (sagras). Some, like the medieval Palio in Oria, Puglia, transform sleepy villages into buzzing cultural hotspots that draw thousands of visitors.

If you lived here, your weekends would be booked with village fairs, folk dancing and long dinners under string lights.

Extra tourism during Italy’s Jubilee year

The Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year – held once every 25 years – is bringing record numbers of visitors to Italy. While Rome and the Vatican are at the centre of the pilgrimage, other regions like Umbria and Le Marche have seen visitor numbers increase by more than 30% compared to 2024 (source: ENIT).

Top religious and cultural attractions include:

• The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Umbria

• The cave churches and rock-cut frescoes of Matera, Basilicata

• The Holy Shroud in Turin, Piedmont

• The Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari, Puglia

• The Loreto Basilica in Le Marche – said to house part of Mary’s home from Nazareth

This boost in tourism is great news for property owners and holiday rental investors in spiritual or heritage-rich areas.

See a selection of properties for sale in Umbria. 

What happens in August? Italians go on holiday

August is Italy’s national break, and for many, it’s sacred. It is an important time to spend with family. Those that have moved to the cities for work like to escape the heat and visit family in other parts of the country, or take a holiday by the sea or in the mountains. Smaller towns and seaside resorts become the social heart of Italy

The key holiday is Ferragosto (15 August), a tradition that stretches back to Emperor Augustus, who first introduced it as Feriae Augusti in 18 BC. Estate agents and builders often pause work during this period, and property vendors will suspend viewings. Don’t even try contacting an Italian when they are enjoying time with the three Fs – food, Ferragosto and family. Summer in Italy is for resting and enjoying yourself.

If you’re in Italy in August, expect a slower pace and take the chance to embrace the lifestyle — food, Ferragosto, and family.

A longer summer season — and more flight routes

Summer tourism is stretching beyond August, with many visitors now choosing spring and autumn for their trips — taking advantage of milder weather and fewer crowds.

According to ENIT, international arrivals increased by 4.5% from March to May 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

New UK–Italy routes (British Airways):

• Heathrow → Rimini

• Gatwick → Salerno

• London City → Olbia (Sardinia)

New US–Italy flight routes in 2025 include:

• New York JFK → Catania (Delta)

• New York JFK → Bari (Neos)

• Boston → Catania (Delta)

• Philadelphia → Milan (American)

• Newark → Palermo (United)

• Dallas → Venice (American)

Regions with extended rental seasons – like Puglia and areas near cities of art and culture – are increasingly popular with holiday home buyers who want to maximise  their stay or rental income from April to November.

New UNESCO site in Sardinia

Italy added a new UNESCO World Heritage site this year – the Domus de Janas, ancient tombs carved into rock and scattered across Sardinia.

Italy now has 61 UNESCO sites, the most of any country in the world.

According to Isnart, one in four tourists visit a UNESCO site during their stay in Italy; a strong reason to consider buying near culturally significant areas.

A bridge to Sicily: Approved at last

On 6 August, the Italian government gave final approval to construct a €13.5 billion suspension bridge linking Villa San Giovanni (Calabria) to Messina (Sicily).

The Strait of Messina

Once complete (projected for 2033), it will be:

• The longest suspension bridge in the world

• Open to cars and trains

• Just 20 minutes from Reggio Calabria Airport

• A major boost for property values and tourism in north-eastern Sicily

Construction is set to begin in 2026. Investors looking for long-term opportunities may want to explore property in the Messina province, while prices are still competitive.

Stricter pool safety rules on the horizon

New safety legislation is being proposed to reduce drowning incidents, particularly among children.

For private and public pools, the proposed requirements include:

• A barrier or fence around the pool

• A first aid kit and life belt every 100m²

• Safety grates on suction pumps

• A rigid pool cover when not in use

• Local authority permissions for new installations

While the bill is still under review, these changes would bring Italy in line with other EU countries and are worth considering if you’re buying or building a property with a pool.

The Italian property outlook – Summer 2025

According to the Italian Housing Market Survey (Banca d’Italia):

• Prices rose in June and July 2025

• Demand from foreign buyers remains strong

• Fewer properties came to market over summer, but more listings are expected after Ferragosto

• Some cities saw international purchases double in H1 2025

Luxury properties are especially in demand, partly due to Italy’s flat tax scheme for new residents: a fixed €200,000 per year on foreign income, for up to 15 years.

Buyers today are seeking:

• Energy-efficient properties (Class E by 2030, Class D by 2033)

• Renovated homes with modern amenities and fast internet

• Sustainability features and strong energy ratings

• Character homes with low-maintenance upgrades

If you lived here this summer…

You’d know which piazzas have the best gelato at night. You’d walk home from free concerts under a lavender sky. You’d pick up sun-warmed tomatoes from the market and chat with your neighbour about the best beach near Bari.

You wouldn’t be visiting Italy, you’d be living it.