Why Italy

How much of Italy is open/closed in August?

We are going to Italy at the end of the summer. We are selecting our dates and will most likely end of spending our last week there during the first week to 10 days of August. How much of the sites and restuarants will be open/closed beginning August 1st?? Any help/recommendations would be appreciated!

Public Comments

1. Everything is pretty much open in big touristic cities. I was in rome in august and it was beautiful (no much traffic). Museums, restaurants everything were open. In small towns is a little different. If you go in places by the sea is going to be packed like crazy. Overall I think you are going to be just fine. It's going to be hot :)
2. I think August is the worst month to go to Italy! I have been to Italy several time in the last 12 years, but my last visit in august was horrible. I spent time in Rome and on the Amalfi coast/Sorrento. Because all italians, who is not working in the tourist industry is on vacation, the city seems to be filled only with tourists. You can not have a real feel of the city, bec locals are running away from the heat. Besides the once who stayed in the city and worked, were absolutley rude with the tourist. As if they were looking down on us, and they job was way below them! I am a positive person, but I got in fights with shop assistants, waiters every day, because they were very unpatient and rude. They even swore at us when they didnt know that i spoke italian, when I touched a showcased shirt in a shop. And it didnt happened just once! It was a bitter holiday in an amazing country. No Italy in August please! The majority of the shops outside of the central touristic areas are closed for Ferragosto.