Monday, August 17th
Rail works completed on Milan–Venice line
Summer is a popular time for railworks in Italy, but several of the main projects are wrapping up in the coming days.
Works on the Milan–Venice high-speed line, which began on August 2nd, should finish on Sunday.
Though the disruption should be over by Monday, it's best to check your train operator's website for updates in case works are extended or delayed.
End of summer sales in Liguria
In Italy there are only two official saldi (sales) periods per year: one in summer and one in winter. You can score some serious discounts – in some cases up to 70 percent off – as stores switch their inventory over to the next season.
Each region sets their own schedule for the sales periods, with most beginning in early July and lasting about 60 days.
READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Italy in August 2026
Liguria is one of the first Italian regions to end this summer's sale season, with Monday being the last day of discounted shopping.
On the other hand, some tourist towns in Trento and Bolzano are just beginning their saldi estivi. Sales begin on Friday, August 21st in Tires, Castelrotto, Renon, Ortisei, S. Cristina and Selva Gardena.
Tuesday, August 18th
Rail works completed on Milan–Bologna line
Train traffic should resume as normal on the Milan–Bologna line from Tuesday after eight days of suspended service between Piacenza Est and Melegnano.
Friday, August 21st
Heavy weekend traffic begins
Every weekend in August is expected to have heavy traffic as people head to and from the summer holiday destinations.
Motorways and state roads connecting major cities to popular seaside holiday destinations or mountain resorts are more likely to see the worst traffic jams.
READ ALSO: Italy’s August traffic calendar: The best and worst days to travel
If you're planning to hit the road, you might want to plan your journey for a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, as those days are expected to be less crowded.
Mediterranean Games begin in Taranto
Italy is the host of this year's Mediterranean Games – a regional athletic competition held every four years in which athletes compete in dozens of sports – which kicks off on Friday in Taranto, Puglia.
The 20th edition of the sporting event will run through September 3rd.
Trenitalia will be running extra trains between Rome and Taranto for the games. The trains, which depart from Rome in the morning and from Puglia in the afternoon, will also make stops in Foggia, Barletta and Bari.
Saturday, August 22nd
**Notte della Taranta, Salento **
Also taking place in Puglia this weekend is one of the region's most hotly anticipated events of the summer: Notte della Taranta.
The annual folk festival is held in Melpignano, outside Lecce, and is all about pizzica. The high-energy traditional dance is said to originate from the legend that anyone bitten by a tarantula would have to dance in a frenzy for days to flush out the venom.
Sunday, August 23rd
Festival of Celestinian Forgiveness, L'Aquila
The Festival of Celestinian Forgiveness is the most important event in L'Aquila, Abruzzo – this year's Italian Capital of Culture. It has been held every August since 1294 and is recognized by UNESCO.
The medieval festival spans across several days, culminating in a historical parade through the town that ends at the pink-marbled basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio – there, the Holy Door (Porta Santa) is opened, symbolizing Pope Celestine V’s pardoning of sins.
This year's programme begins on Sunday and concludes on Saturday, August 29th.