It’s a special time in Italy in October. The weather is transitioning, changing the colors of nature, making it look like a canvas painted by one of Italy’s famous artists. The northern region is cool, while the southern region is still holding on to the warmth. But both regions have comfortable weather, making it the perfect time to explore Italy’s historical offerings. Plus, this is the off-season, so you are going to have many attractions and experiences to yourself and the few smart tourists who choose October.
Is October the best time to visit Italy?
After considering factors like prices, crowds, and weather, it can be surmised that October is the best time to visit Italy. In the peak season, Italy can be so crowded that you won’t even get to enjoy an attraction properly. You will feel rushed, but in October, you can see and do things at your own pace. You can also score some great deals that will save you money on many things like hotel stays, attraction tours, flights, and other transportation.
Weather in Italy in October
Italy weather in October is in a transitional phase and it varies slightly in the different regions of the country in the hilly north, it is on the colder side, and the southern region with its beaches is warmer. But the common factor is that this weather is great throughout the month and allows you outdoor fun. It also rains a few days but this rain is gentle and does not last too long. Here’s more info on the weather:
- Temperature: Low – 15°C, High – 22°C
- Humidity: Around 72%
- Chance of Rain: 40% chance
- Daylight: 11 to 11.5 hours
- Sunrise: Around 07:19 AM
- Sunset: Around 06:27 PM
Things to do in Italy in October
Now, many might think with the weather change, there won’t be many things to do in Italy in October. But on the contrary, there are many activities you will be able to enjoy minus the crowds. Here are those activities:
Catch a Football (Soccer) Match
Apart from food, the other thing Italians are passionate about is their football. Italy is home to the Serie A League. 20 teams belonging to different cities and towns in Italy fight for the top spot and matches are held all year long. You can buy tickets and witness these exciting matches. The stadiums are huge but the tickets go fast. So, if you miss out on a Serie A match, you can also get tickets to a Serie B match which is the secondary league but just as competitive. Italians love their football and the matches can get very exciting. Even if you don’t love the sport, go and see the match just for the experience.
Food & Wine Tasting
This is the month when many fruits and vegetables are in season. Grapes, for instance, are harvested in September and October and winemakers get busy creating Italy’s signature wines. Places like Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige, Puglia, etc. harvest grapes and start making their world-famous wines. You can enjoy these wines on wine tours and tastings. Food-wise, chestnuts, pomegranates, beetroot, Brussel sprouts, pumpkins, broccoli, celeriac, cavolo nero, truffles, cabbage, fennel, carrot, leeks, etc. come in season and are used extensively across cuisines. This is the time to eat delicious soups, pastas, risotto, stews, jams, and bakes made from these seasonal foods. Most of these foods can be found all over Italy.
History Tour
One of the biggest reasons people come to Rome is the history of this place. The Roman Empire began in this region and has left behind remnants of some amazing monuments and architecture. Even in the Renaissance period, many wonderful monuments came into being that still amaze the people. So, embark on a historical journey and explore places like St Mark’s Basilica, Roman Arena, Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel del Monte, Valley of the Temples, Pompeii, Trevi Fountain, Basilica de Franceso, and Piazza del Campo. Most of these places are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are well preserved. So, whichever city you visit, make a list of the historical sites present there and make a beeline for them.
Outdoor Fun
The October weather is still in favor of outdoor activities and you can indulge in them to have a great time during your vacation. The famous Dolomites is the best hiking option in October as the hiking trails here are clear, daytime temperatures are warm and you can see wonderful sites. You can also witness the change in color of the trees and plants that showcase the onset of autumn. Cinque Terre is another awesome place where you can hike and enjoy the natural beauty of Italy. In the southern region, enjoy water sports and activities like scuba diving as daytime temperatures keep the waters perfectly warm. Some unique fun outdoor activities that you can also do are olive picking and grape crushing.
Shopping Excursions
Italy is, without a doubt, the fashion capital of the world. Almost every major luxury brand of clothing and accessories has its headquarters here in Italy, so it would be quite a waste if you don’t shop in Italy. If you are in Milan, Italy’s fashion capital, try shopping at Via Montenapoleone. Here, you are going to find amazing collections. In Florence, the Via Giovan Battista Zannoni is the place for bags and leather products. Even Michelangelo’s leather shop is still here. Via Del Corso in Rome is the place to be if you want to do street shopping. Le Mercerie in Venice, Via Garibaldi in Genoa, Via Polo in Turin, Via Rizzoli in Bologna and Via Mazzini are some other excellent shopping avenues in other Italian cities.
Places to Visit in Italy in October
Some places are the best places to visit in Italy in October. Without seeing and experiencing them, your trip cannot be considered complete. Here are awesome places:
Rome
The city of Rome holds the world’s smallest country within itself. The Vatican City, the home of the Catholic religious head, the Pope, is located inside Rome and has many amazing attractions that are iconic in stature and stunning in architecture like the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome also has ancient Rome, which is full of historical monuments like the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and the Colosseum. There are many galleries in museums here as well that hold masterpiece paintings and sculptures of famous artists like Michelangelo. The Trevi Fountain is another site that cannot be missed. Rome also has great food and shopping. It is an amazing city that’s also geographically blessed. You can also have a good day trip from Rome to Naples if you are staying in Rome.
Naples
This is the place you come to get the best pizza in Italy. Naples is the city that gave the world pizza and its pizzeria, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is the best in the country. The city was founded by the Greeks and still has many monuments and historical places like Naples National Archaeological Museum, Naples Cathedral, and Castel dell’Ovo. But the most unique place here is the Castel dell’Ovo Historic Center. It’s a locality of churches, streets, and alleyways that have been inhabited for centuries. Naples San Carlo Opera House and museums and galleries are other must-see places. The city is the main stop on the way to Pompeii, Vesuvius, and Amalfi Coast. This is a city that is unique and historical and worthy of being a great tourist stop.
Wine Regions
September and October are peak wine seasons as grapes are harvested in these months. So, you have to check out places like Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige, Abruzzo, and Puglia that make the best wines. The best way to explore these regions and their offering is by taking wine tours. In these tours, you are shown how the wines are made through age-old processes and even some modern methods. There are many tours available that also include wine tastings and food. Most tours are for a day, but there are many longer tours as well that take you to all the different wine regions over the course of multiple days.
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic locations in the world. It is so beautiful that it even has the UNESCO World Heritage status. The famous liquor Limoncello was made in this region. Amalfi is full of charming towns that are just as beautiful as the nature here. Take the Path of Gods trail and you will get to see lush greenery, dramatic cliffs, tiny islands, and icy blue waters. Amalfi Coast also has some hidden gems like the Fjord of Furore. For beach activities, visit Marina Grande and Spiaggia Grande as they are the best beaches here. The whole coast is dotted with idyllic villages where you can eat delicious seafood and drink amazing wine. This place will make you fall in love with Italy.
Le Marche
Enjoy the best of what Italy has to offer minus the crowds only at Le Marche. Tourists rarely go here, and yet, this place has some of the most amazing attractions. The Frasassi caves are one of the largest cave systems in the world, and the Monti Sibillini National Park is a park teeming with flora and fauna. These are just a few examples of Le Marche’s nature. This is a good city to relax in as it has beaches like Porto Recanati, Senigallia, and Sirolo that are great for relaxation. Le Marche towns are just as beautiful. Ancona and Ascoli Piceno are gorgeous and have many attractions but Urbino is the one to see with its renaissance architecture. Le Marche is a hidden gem that must be explored.
Events & Festivals in October in Italy
The month of October has a few events & festivals that make this more enjoyable. It is highly recommended that you also take in the following events & festivals in October in Italy.
Festivals in Italy in October
Take part in the following festivals in Italy in October to have a great time and feel like an Italian:
International White Truffle Fair
Celebrate one of the world’s most rare and tasty ingredients, the truffle. Alba holds the nine-week-long International White Truffle Fair which celebrates this ingredient. During these nine weeks, visitors can experience cooking shows, workshops, seminars, wine tastings, and even folk performances. This is a wonderful festival with amazing food.
When: 12th October to 8th December, 2024
Location: Old Town in Alba
The Merano Grape Festival
One of the oldest grape harvest festivals in the world, the Merano Grape Festival is much-awaited by everyone. Amazing wine is served in this festival along with delicious autumn special dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Many bands from the region also play the festival and there is a parade in which everyone from the festival participates.
When: 19th to 20th October, 2024
Location: South Tyrol
Rome Film Festival (Festa del Cinema di Roma)
Now in its 19th edition, the Rome Film Festival is one of the most-awaited film festivals in the world. Many world premieres take place here, and talented filmmakers from around the world submit their movies for selection. At the end of the festivals, votes are gathered from the viewers, and the Cinema d’Oggi award is given to the people’s choice. This is a great place to experience heart-touching films.
Events in Italy in October
There are some awesome events in Italy in October that are worth being a part of. You are guaranteed to have a great time at the following events:
Boccaccesca Festival
Come, celebrate the life of Giovanni Boccaccio with delicious wine, yummy street food, and amazing crafts. Food, especially, has a special focus on the event as there are cooking shows, famous chefs, and amazing innovative delicacies being cooked throughout. The festival has been bringing a lot of eyeballs to the medieval town and many people have been regulars of the event. It’s an amazing carnival!
When: 10th to 13th October, 2024
Location: Certaldo
Halloween
Though celebrating Halloween has not been common in Italy, for the past few years, the Italians have been getting on board with parties, costumes, dances, and trick-or-treating. So, you can also be a part of the celebrations and have a memorable Halloween in Italy. Celebrations happen in all major cities.
When: 31st October 2024
Location: All over Italy
Travel Tips for Visiting Italy in October
The following travel tips will help you better navigate Italy in October. Use these tips to plan a hassle-free vacation.
- Try to get deals on tours, flights, and hotels. You might get lucky as this is off-season and tour operators are looking for customers.
- Beware of pickpockets as this has become rampant in Italy. Also, study up on the various tourist scams happening in Italy.
- Be sure of what food to order, inform about allergies beforehand, and finish that food. Italians get offended if you waste food or try to change the recipes.
- Carry a warm jacket and umbrella as in October, Italy is prone to weather changes, so it is better to be prepared.
- Don’t forget to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables like persimmons, pomegranates, grapes, tomatoes, cavolo nero, and chestnuts.
Things to Know Before Visiting Italy in October
What to pack for Thailand in October?
Owing to the transitional weather, you should pack some clothes for warm, cold, and rainy weather. Also, pack additional accessories for the weather. Meds, chargers, important documents, IDs, money belts, and umbrellas are a must. Pack all the important things that you don’t want to buy in Italy.
What to wear in Italy in October?
If you are in the northern region, wear layers as the temperatures are cooler. Put on more layers in the evening as it will get cooler. In the southern region, the weather is warmer, so wear cotton clothes. High-quality shoes are a must as you have to get around Italian attractions on foot. Umbrellas and raincoats will also be required.
Getting around in Italy in October
Trams, trains, buses, and taxis will get you around easily. The transport system in the country is top-notch because Italy is heavily reliant on tourism. For coast-to-coast travel, boats and ferries are regularly used by locals and tourists. Travel in Italy is never a hassle.
Where to stay in Italy in October?
Airbnb, homestays, 5-star, 4-star, and 3-star hotels, lodges, etc. are some of the many options you have to stay in Italy. They will fit most budgets as October is not a busy tourist month. One recommendation is that when in the countryside of Italy, try finding good homestays and experience true Italian living.
What to eat in Italy in October?
The fall is a season of many wonderful delicacies that are only available in this type of weather. Some fall dishes worth trying are Tortelli di Zucca, Castagnaccio, Strangozzi al Tartufo, Cinghiale alla Cacciatora, Vegetable Minestrone, Strudel di Mele, and Pici al Ragù di Cinghiale. And don’t forget to pair them with a great wine.
FAQs about Italy in October
These FAQs about Italy in October are what most people traveling to Italy in this month are curious about. These FAQs will help plan your Italy trip.
1. Is there any extreme weather in Italy in October?
No, there isn’t. Since the weather is changing towards winter, the temperatures are a mix of hot and cold and there are a few days for moderate rainfall but nothing that will hamper your trip. Just carry the right clothes and accessories.
2. Where does it rain in Italy in October?
While there is barely any rain in the south, northern cities like Venice and Milan see some moderate rainfall in October. But the rain is not extreme and will not hamper tourist activities. Rainfall increases in the latter months and continues up to Jan. So, those vacationing in Italy in October need not worry.
3. Why is October better than any other month?
Many think that the peak tourist months are the best, but there are problems like crowds and high prices. But these issues don’t exist in October. And the weather being great is just another bonus. Many wonderful things become available this month, including wines.
4. How many days should one spend in Rome?
Rome has so many wonderful attractions that it’s normal to want to stay in the city longer to explore its history. But a 3-day Rome itinerary is enough to catch all the best sites the city has to offer. 2-day itineraries are also fine. Rome is a fabulous city whose beauty and history are unmatched.
5. Will Italy be expensive in October?
Not at all. Since the tourist number has dwindled significantly by now, people in the tourism industry are looking to attract more people. For this, many deals and discounts are offered that will make your vacation even more affordable. Search online and book early to avail the best offers.
There are so many best places and cities to visit in Italy that you will feel one vacation is not enough. But if you follow all the information given above, not only will you have a great and fulfilling vacation, but you will also get to catch the best of what Italy has to offer.
