Italy's popularity as a tourist destination has grown hugely over the last few decades. With its beautiful climate, romantic scenery and world-class food, it’s one of the best countries in the world to visit. 

The ideal time to visit Italy can depend on what you want to see and do; however, the weather tends to be cooler in spring and autumn with smaller crowds, so these months can be an excellent time to visit. 

With so much to see and do across the country's picturesque countryside and cosmopolitan cities, it can be hard to squeeze everything into your itinerary. We've put together a guide on the best times to visit Italy to ensure you can fit everything in and plan your perfect Italian trip. 

1) See the Giro d'Italia up close

Whether you're a fan of bike races or simply enjoy cycling leisurely at the weekends, the chance to see one of the best cycling tours in the world should not be passed up. One of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Giro d'Italia offers you the chance to see some of the biggest names in cycling. The road cycling race is held in May, with multiple stages hosted across a variety of cities throughout the various regions and cities in Italy. There's plenty of opportunities to see some of the stars in cycling across the event in 2020.

2) Enjoy the Venice Carnival 

Venice Carnival forms part of the celebrations taking place across two weeks leading up to Lent. One of the most famous carnivals in the world, it offers a unique opportunity to see century-old traditions that are still carried on today. Across the fortnight, the spectacle offers an intriguing opportunity to see a range of fancy dress, parties and a variety of masked and costumed people through the streets of Venice. 

3) Visit the Vatican at Easter

During March or April, depending on when Easter occurs, the eyes of the Roman Catholic world turn to the Vatican and Rome.

 A range of events and celebrations take place across the Easter weekend, so this is the perfect time to visit Rome and the Vatican if you wish to enjoy one of the most important times in the Christian calendar. The Pope delivers his annual Easter address from Saint Peter's Square surrounded by over 30,000 flowers. Join in the Easter celebrations and experience one of the most important periods of the Christian calendar.

4) Celebrate Republic Day

Each year on 2nd June, Italians celebrate "Festa Della Repubblica", or Republic Day. This marks the anniversary of the formation of Italy’s modern republic, created after World War Two. Italians hold a range of parties and festivals showcasing the very best of Italian culture. Republic Day offers you a unique chance to see how Italy celebrates its history and join the festivities, whilst also giving you the opportunity to see the Italian Air Force's flyover, with its pilots displaying the Italian flag in the sky.