For many people, the final weekend of August is a good time to get away: beaches become a little quieter, and prices return to more reasonable levels. It is a useful window for a two- or three-day break without the Ferragosto crowds, while still enjoying the light and warmth that this time of year brings.
Seaside towns such as Vieste and the Cinque Terre, the golden hills of Val d’Orcia, and still-wild islands such as Favignana all feature among the best destinations for a late-August weekend.
Where to go for a late-August weekend
Picking the right destination for a late-August weekend means finding a balance between summery weather, places that are easy to reach, and a more relaxed mood than during peak holiday season. Temperatures remain high and days are still long, but visitor numbers begin to drop.
Cinque Terre
By the end of the month, the Cinque Terre begins to quieten down. These postcard-like villages can become overcrowded during summer, but in the final week of August they regain a more manageable pace, while keeping their spectacular appeal.
Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are connected by scenic walking trails with striking views across the Ligurian Riviera. The best-known of these is the Sentiero Azzurro, or Blue Trail, which allows visitors to walk between villages through terraced vineyards and Mediterranean scrub.
Each village also has plenty of good food: freshly baked focaccia, very fresh pesto and Monterosso anchovies are food experiences well worth seeking out.
- Houses for sale in the Cinque Terre
- Houses for rent in the Cinque Terre
- Holiday homes in the Cinque Terre
Val d'Orcia
While the Cinque Terre is all blues and greens, Val d’Orcia is shaped by gold and terracotta. This UNESCO-listed corner of Tuscany comes into its own in late August, with freshly harvested fields, cypress trees drawing neat lines across the hills, and remarkable evening light.
Pienza, Montalcino and San Quirico d’Orcia are the three villages not to miss. In Pienza, visitors can taste Italy’s best-known pecorino cheese; in Montalcino, there is Brunello wine to enjoy in historic cellars; and in San Quirico, the Italian-style gardens of the Horti Leonini are worth a slow wander.
Everything is only a short drive away, which keeps a weekend here pleasantly straightforward.
Matera
The Sassi of Matera, cave dwellings carved into tuff rock and inhabited for millennia, form a landscape unlike any other. At the end of August, the long summer evenings are particularly enjoyable for walks through lit-up lanes, without the crowds of the mid-season period.
A weekend gives enough time to explore Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, visit frescoed rock churches, and look out over the Gravina, the canyon that separates the city from the Parco della Murgia Materana.
Matera is also a handy starting point for exploring the beaches of Basilicata’s Ionian coast, which can be reached in under an hour.
Egadi Islands
The Egadi Islands — Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo — show a more authentic, untamed side of Sicily. At the end of August, the sea remains warm and clear, while arrivals begin to fall noticeably, creating a far more intimate atmosphere.
Favignana is the largest and easiest island to reach, and is well suited to getting around by bike. The former Florio tuna fishery, now a museum, tells the story of the island’s industrial past, while Cala Rossa — repeatedly named among Italy’s finest beaches — has turquoise waters. It was also popular in 2026 because it was transformed into Ithaca for the film Odyssey.
For something even wilder, Marettimo is a small haven of hiking paths and sea caves accessible only by boat. Levanzo, the smallest island, is home to the Grotta del Genovese, which contains prehistoric cave paintings dating back thousands of years. A weekend is enough to explore at least two of the three islands.
Where to go at the end of August on a budget
Tourist demand begins to fall at the end of August, so it makes sense to focus on places with a wide choice of accommodation, where competition between properties brings prices down. These destinations provide sea, mountains and nature at more accessible prices.
Val di Fassa
A late-August weekend does not have to mean a trip to the coast. Val di Fassa, in the heart of the Trentino Dolomites, has pleasant temperatures, remarkable scenery and significantly lower prices than during the peak winter season.
Mountain refuges are still open, trails remain fully walkable, and the days are long enough for demanding hikes without rushing. Catinaccio and Sassolungo are the great landmarks of the local scenery, though even a simple walk beside the Avisio stream brings a real sense of calm.
Conero Riviera
Late August is a good time to explore the Conero Riviera. The beaches around Sirolo, Numana and Portonovo remain lovely, although tourist pressure visibly eases. Due Sorelle beach, accessible only by sea, is a natural amphitheatre of white pebbles and clear water.
Those who prefer sand will find beaches in Numana, along with the many small coves of Conero, where there are free stretches to lay down a towel without paying very high prices.
Accommodation on the Conero Riviera also remains competitive. Campsites, agriturismi in the surrounding countryside, and small family-run hotels tend to have fair rates. Local Marche dishes, including fish brodetto and vincisgrassi, are flavourful and down-to-earth.
Gargano
Italy’s spur has prices that remain accessible alongside plenty of natural beauty. At the end of August, Gargano brings Caribbean-like sea, ancient forests and a decidedly authentic atmosphere. Vieste and Peschici are its principal seaside towns, with long sandy beaches broken up by sea stacks and marine caves that can be explored by boat.
Gargano is not only about the coast. Inland lies the Foresta Umbra, an ancient beech forest and UNESCO World Heritage site. Camping and holiday-residence accommodation can start at very modest prices, while a seafood dinner at a restaurant can remain affordable.
- Houses for sale in the Gargano National Park
- Houses for rent in the Gargano National Park
- Holiday homes in the Gargano National Park
Costa Verde
A final option is a little-known stretch of south-west Sardinia. Costa Verde takes its name from the lush Mediterranean scrub covering its dunes — among the highest in Europe — and reaching almost as far as the emerald-coloured sea.
Piscinas beach is the main attraction: kilometres of almost deserted golden sand, dunes that recall the Sahara, and just one hotel directly facing the beach.
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