If you are considering a trip to Italy in October, rest assured—it’s one of the best times of year to visit. Even travel guru Rick Steves cites October as a monththat combinesconvenience with pleasant weather.
Italy is consistently ranked among the world’s most popular tourist destinations. With all its culinary, cultural, architectural, and historical charms, it is never totally devoid of tourists.
But if you have a flexible schedule and can travel during one of the shoulder seasons, October can be an ideal time to go. You have missed the high season (and higher costs) from May to September, and the hordes of summer tourists waiting to visit museums and historical sites are (mostly) gone. Yet the weather remains generally mild, with sunny days and crisp evenings.
Although October travel is becoming increasingly popular, you’ll encounter fewer tour groups than in the high seasons, allowing you to enjoy a more authentic experience.
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The Lures of Italy in October
By October, the oppressive heat and humidity have diminished, making touring much more comfortable. And if you’re heading south, the weather may still be warm enough to enjoy the beaches.
Fewer tourists mean shorter queues at popular attractions, greater ease in making reservations at popular restaurants, museums, historic sites, and entertainment venues, and lower prices for flights, auto rentals, and accommodations.
Food and wine lovers will delight in the bounty of mushrooms, truffles, and olives and the seasonal wine harvests and festivals throughout the month.
Yummy Food Festivals
October is an incredibly wonderful time for food lovers to visit Italy. Manyfood festivals (sagre)take place in different towns and regions throughout the country, each focused on a particular food or dish associated with the area.
Here are just a few examples:
- Visitors can indulge in white truffles at the International Fair of the White Truffle in Alba and attend the National Chestnut Fair dedicated to chestnuts (both in the Piedmont region).
- The Porcini Mushroom Festival, celebrating the King of the Woods, is held in Casal di Pari, in the province of Grosseto, and a Porcini Mushroom and Chianina Meat Festival takes place in Castelfranco di Sotto, in the province of Pisa (both in Tuscany).
- The Pizzocchero d’Oro Festival celebrates a unique pasta shape made in the town of Teglio in the province of Sondrio, and the ancient village of Tirano (also in Sondrio) holds an Apple and Grape Festival (both in Lombardy).
- MortadellaBo, the festival of mortadella, takes place on Piazza Maggiore in Bologna (Emilia Romagna), its namesake city.
Because the dates of these festivals vary from year to year, it’s prudent to check with the regional tourism bureaus to learn more about these and other food festivals. (More information about some of these festivals is provided below).
In addition, October is a great time to go foraging for mushrooms or truffle-hunting in the forests.
Weather in Italy in October
Average temperatures in Italy in October range between 45°F and 75℉, varying widely by destination. The weather in the south is usually warmer than in the north, but we even caught some beachgoers inDiano Marina (Liguria) in October. The weather will likely be milder at the beginning of the month than at the end.
Sicily is one of the warmest regions. Sicilians consider October to still be beach season, and securing lounge chairs and umbrellas is likely easier. (Mondello Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sicily.)
The moderate weather is perfect for those who love the outdoors; it can be ideal for hiking or trekking in the countryside except at high altitudes.
While it may rain, there is less rain than in the spring and far less precipitation than in November through April (November is the rainiest month). Southern regions, like Sicily and Naples, tend to have less rain in October.
Like the U.S., the weather varies considerably depending on which of Italy’s 20 regions you visit. For example, in Milan (in the north), temperatures average between 50℉ and 66℉; in Bari (located in the south), they range from 61℉ and 71℉. (Read about some of the hidden gems of Milan)
And like everywhere else, there are fluctuations from year to year. With global warming, Italy, too, has seen increases in average temperatures and more extreme weather conditions.
What to Pack for Visiting Italy in October
Because the weather can vary, it’s best to dress in layers and be prepared for fluctuations from day to day and even over the day. Packing a cardigan, denim jacket, or shawl is a good idea if the weather gets chilly.
Men may be comfortable with a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and cardigan (or travel vest) for extra warmth. Because it won’t be too cold, there’s no need to pack heavy overcoats or boots.
With the weather becoming increasingly unpredictable worldwide, women should bring a few lightweight tops and capri pants in case it turns unseasonably warm. We always take rain jackets and umbrellas wherever we go—just in case.
October holidays in Italy
Two national holidays fall in October:
- Columbus Day, October 12; and
- United Nations Day, October 24th.
On these days, offices and most stores are closed, so keep this in mind as you plan your visit. In beach resorts or other summer getaways, hotels and restaurants may have closed for the season, so be sure to check openings before you go.
The Feast of Saint Francis (October 4) isn’t a public holiday, but it is observed in many churches, particularly in Perugia. While Halloween is not a traditional Italian holiday, some themed events are often organized for children.
Italy in October: Best places to go
Depending on your interests, no destination in Italy is really off-limits in October, although some have more special appeals than others. Here are some suggestions.
Piedmont in October
Piedmont is known for its International White Truffle Fair, held in Alba every weekend in October. Here, visitors can learn about and taste this gastronomic delicacy. There are chefs’ dinners, cooking classes, wine tastings, and folklore events.
It’s a lovely time to stroll along the Po River, which runs through Torino (known as the country’s chocolate capital), and soak in the city views from another perspective. There are so manythings to do in Turin, and no visit to Turin is complete without a stop at the Royal Palace of Turin, which houses a magnificent collection of art and artifacts from the House of Savoy family. It’s a great time to see the autumn foliage as well.
Piedmont, home of the famous Barolo and Barbaresco wine regions, offers truffle tastings and wine and chocolate events during the month of October.
Although prices drop in November, you’re more likely to hit rainy weather.
Sicily in October
Sicily in October is a good option for beach lovers. The water temperature may even be warm enough to swim, and the risk of rain is relatively low. Average daily temperatures range between 19ºC and 24ºC.
One appealing option is Mondello Beach, a favorite of many locals. Liberty-style villas and an architecturally stunning bathing station (now housing a restaurant and bar) frame the water. Another seaside favorite is the beach at Cefalu.
The less crowded season is also a great time to explore the multicultural treasures of cities like Palermo, Taormina, and Siracusa. Established in Palermo in 2006, Le Vie dei Tesori is a unique cultural festival that transforms cities and small villages across Sicily into widespread museums with concerts, art exhibitions, and more. In October, visitors can participate in a series of events in Catania, Sciacca, Alcamo, Ragusa (the setting of Detective Montalbano), Scicli, and Noto.
Tuscany in October
Tuscany is filled with cultural treasures, including museums, churches, medieval architecture, and well-preserved small towns and villages. The countryside offers verdant landscapes filled with olive trees and vineyards with a tapestry of fall colors as their backdrop.
While large cities—like Florence, Siena, Lucca, and San Gimignano—are crowded with tourists in summer, the crowds thin out a bit in October when kids are back in school, making it a perfect time to tour and visit museums. The Lucca Comics & Games convention, the largest comic festival in Europe, is traditionally held at the end of October.
Some of our favorite smaller towns to visit in Tuscany include San Gusme and Castellina in Chianti (both in the Chianti region), and the beach resorts of Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio, both on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Many food festivals are held in October throughout the region. The olive harvest that produces the region’s extra virgin olive oil and the white truffle season (in San Miniato) begin.Vino novello, a young and fruity red wine, begins to appear before its traditional release on Saint Martin Day in November.
Terre di Pisa is a relatively young (and still undiscovered) wine region in Tuscany that is worth exploring.
Val d’Aosta in October
Val d’Aosta, Italy’s smallest region, is slightly off the beaten track. This has left its quaint village more authentic and unspoiled by mass tourism.
Weather in the Aosta Valley can be glorious in October. The fresh mountain air lures hikers who soak in breathtaking mountain views of the valley with its fall foliage on display.
The region is known for its Alpine foods and wines, including more than 100 varieties of cheese, including the prized DOP Fontina. Many people say that the fondue in Val d’Aosta is the best to be had.
Fall is the chestnut and mushroom (especially Porcini) season and the time for the Vendemmia, the grape harvest. On the last Sunday in October, Chatilion, the region’s “honey capital,” hosts a festival dedicated to its delicious honey. In October, there are also apple festivals in the town centers at Antey and Gressan.
Another unique festival held in Val d’Aosta in October is the Black Bread Festival (Lo Pan Ner). Historically only a few families could produce the bread at different times of the year, which involved women kneading the flour, men baking, and children awaiting the tasting.
Umbria in October
Umbria is called the green heart of Italy. Its hills are covered with more than seven million trees,yielding five different types of olives. In October, the region boasts an average of five hours of sunshine each day.
While the month of October is low season for tourists, one exception is the town of Assisi, where the country’s largest religious procession, the Feast of St. Francis, takes place.
Each year, the EuroChocolate festival is held in Perugia (the region’s capital and the birthplace of Perugina chocolate). The event brings chocolate art displays, sculpting, tastings, and street performances to the city. Held since 1933, it is one of the largest chocolate festivals in Europe.
White truffles are showcased at the autumn food festival at the end of October in the small medieval town of Gubbio (featured in the long-running Don Matteo TV series). The festival includes cooking events and meetings with starred chefs. Many religious festivals also honor St. Francis of Assisi on his feast day, October 4.
Puglia in October
Puglia, located at the heel of Italy’s boot, has become one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations.
In October, the temperature is pretty mild. There is abundant sunshine most of the time, but there can be some rain. It’s a nice time to visit some of the interesting towns and villages in the region, including Ostuni, Locorotondo, Trani, Martina Franca, Galatina, and Alberobello (home of the trulli).
Wine lovers can enjoy winery visits and tastings of some of the region’s special wines (such as Rosato, the pink wine of Puglia) during the low season when producers have more time to spend with them.
Emilia Romagna in October
October is typically the driest month in Emilia Romagna, the region known for having some of the best foods in Italy.
In the fall, the region is a foodie’s paradise with food fairs and festivals. The Castel del Rio Chestnut PGI Fest is held every Sunday in the village center. At the beginning of October, the Mostra del Fungo e del Tartufo e Festa dell’Uva (the mushroom and truffle exhibition and grape festival) is held in the streets of the ancient village of Bobbio.
Every year, Tartufesta (the white truffle festival) is held between October and November in the Appennino Bolognese (the hilly area around Bologna). If you are a truffle lover, this National White Truffle Fair in Sant’ Agata Feltria is an event not be be missed. The fragrance of white truffles permeates the air as vendors proudly display truffles and other seasonal products. You can even sit at long tables under a tent and enjoy a prepared meal with truffles.
Music lovers flock to the cities of Parma and Buseto from mid-September to mid-October for the Verdi Festival, and motor enthusiasts can attend the second round of the ACI Racing Weekend in Imola.
No visit to Emilia Romagna would be complete without a stop in Bologna, the region’s capital city. Although the Holy Day is on November 1, a host of weekend activities take place preceding it, both in the city and surrounding villages.
Liguria in October
Wedged between the mountains and the sea, Liguria is known for its agricultural products and seafood. Most tourists flock to the coastal towns of Portofino, Cinque Terre, and Sanremo, but more than 200 small towns and villages are tucked into the mountains further inland. Visiting after the prime tourist season allows you to experience these towns and villages like the locals.
While the weather in Liguria in October is generally sunny, it can get breezy with some rain towards the end of the month.
In the second half of the month, a Science Festival is held in Genoa with exhibitions, workshops, shows, and conferences geared to adults, children, and researchers. In October, the Castagneta and Polenta (chestnut and polenta) festival in Cogoleto showcases Ligurian food delicacies and desserts.
There are also anchovy festivals in several small seaside towns like Laigueglia in the province of Savona.
The Ligurian hill town of Triora, known as the City of Witches, hosts a yearly Halloween festival.
Veneto in October
An easy day trip from Venice, the weather in the Veneto region can be quite pleasant in October, averaging 65℉. Located in the northeast, Veneto is one of the major wine-producing regions of Italy. In October, the trees and vines are adorned with fall colors.
Visitors to Veneto can enjoy the white truffle and porcini mushroom season in October. It also isn’t too late to see grape harvests (particularly for red and late-harvest wines) during this period. The wine region has more than 90 producers in 18 municipalities that offer tastings and vineyard tours by appointment.
Asolo (dubbed the Pearl of Treviso and City of 100 Horizons) is perfect for those who love art, history, architecture, and wine.
The Vicenza Opera Festival, held in the Teatro Olimpico,is held inVicenza (about 35 minutes from Venice by train). It features opera, ballet,and classical music. Other performances take place throughout the year. This is the city where you can see all the architectural masterpieces of Andrea Palladio.
If you are a fan of architecture, history, and/or culture, theRegional Institute of Venetian Villasand theAssociation for Venetian Villas sponsor a two-day national event that tells the story of villas through visits, tastings, workshops, readings, performances, conferences,and exclusive meetings.
Deciding where to go in Italy in October
There are so many places to go that choosing “the” place depends on where you’ve been and what you want to experience. Rain or shine, it’s hard to make a mistake when visiting Italy.
What will air travel be like?
TripIt, myfavorite travel organizing app, released a report onOctober bookings, which suggests that October travel to Italy is becoming more popular than in years past.
Reviewing prospective October bookings by TripIt users and comparing them to 2022 volumes, they found a 64% increase in bookings to top destinations (such as Rome in Italy). One takeaway: To avoid hordes of tourists, choose smaller towns.
IF YOU GO
A few last pieces of advice: The timing of the grape harvest, which generally takes place in September and October, varies from place to place and depends on weather conditions. So, confirm the harvest dates with any wineries you want to visit. Here are some of the regional wine tastings and tours to consider.
Similarly, the dates of some religious and cultural festivals fluctuate from year to year. Local tourism offices can provide up-to-date information.
Also, if you are planning to travel, don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time (DST) in Italy ends on the last Sunday of October, so you must set back your watch.
This article about the best July vacations in Europe includes several destinations in Italy for those who can’t wait until October!
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