Italy in September: Best Activities, Destinations, Weather, & Packing Guide
Personally, I think September in Italy is one of the best times for visitors. In fact, I’m writing this from Italy now, in September, as we typically come here in Autumn.
Italy in September and early October usually means good weather and beautiful sunsets. While there are still crowds in Italy’s top destinations and main attractions in September, at least it’s no longer the peak tourist season of the summer.
In this post, we’ll go into more depth about September weather in Italy, the best things to do, what to pack, and answer your questions about the best place to visit Italy in September.
What to Expect With Weather in Italy in September
September is an ideal time to visit Italy for weather. It’s the transition between summer and fall, so the hot temperatures of the summer months are long gone, though you can still expect plenty of warm days in early September.
The nights and early mornings are a bit cooler, especially towards the end of the month. The chances for rainfall are quite low but a late summer rain shower or thunderstorm can happen once in a while.
The weather in Italy in September varies from each region, but overall you can expect mild and pleasant weather.
September temperatures in Italy range anywhere between 65-80°F, which is the average temperature for Central Italy.
Average temperature in Northern Italy is cooler at 55-75°F (it starts snowing in the mountains, too) while it’s slightly warmer, 70-80°F, in Southern Italy.
| Location | Sept Temperatures | Rainy days (average) |
| Milan | 61F – 75F | 5 days |
| Venice | 57F – 77F | 5 days |
| Florence, Tuscany | 59F – 81F | 5 days |
| Rome | 59F – 81F | 5 days |
| Sicily | 70F – 82F | 4 days |
| Dolomites | 45F – 63F | 6 days |
What to Do in Italy in September
The list of things to do in Italy in September is endless because it’s really an ideal time for most activities. Here is just a sample:
- Go hiking
- Sightsee in the cities
- Visit ancient historical sites
- Go cycling or ride ebikes
- Enjoy watersports like sailing
- Swim and sunbathe
- Try a food tour
- Take a cooking class
- Visit museums
- Go wine tasting and see the grape harvest
- Sample olive oil, cheese, or other specialities from local producers
- Shop for souvenirs
- Enjoy al fresco dining at sunset
- Attend one of the festivals or events in Italy (see below)
Tip: Italy still has many visitors through September. To avoid crowds, the best time to see top attractions in Italy is early in the morning.
Festivals and Events in September in Italy
The month of September does not have any national holidays in Italy. But there are many events from local festivals to international events throughout the different regions in Italy.
- Tocatì in Verona – A family-friendly weekend festival of traditional games, sports, and folklore
- Ferrara Balloons Festival – The biggest hot air balloon festival in Italy with teams arriving from all over the world
- Palio di San Rocco – A festival celebrating the folklore of the town of San Miniato, Tuscany with exhibitions, music, and games for children
- Regata Storica in Venice – Spectacular historical water pageant and races showcasing Venetian rowing
- Venice International Film Festival – One of the world’s oldest and most important film festivals
- Verona Opera Festival – Opera performances in an ancient Roman amphitheater traditionally beginning at dusk
- Palio di Asti – A traditional medieval festival with horse races in the town of Asti
- Prosciutto Festival in Parma – Culinary event celebrating the taste and origins of Parma ham with food tastings and exhibits
- Saracen Joust in Arezzo – A historical reenactment of a medieval jousting tournament
- Paper Lantern Festival in Florence – An event to celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary with the tradition of lighting colorful paper-maché lanterns
- Living Chess Match in Marostica – Locals dress in period costume to perform a live chess game every even numbered year
- Juliet’s Birthday in Verona – Costumed performances, concerts, and readings of letters with love stories addressed to the famous Juliet
- Quintana Joust in Foligno – An elaborate jousting tournament and historical parade with magnificent baroque costumes
- Feast Day for Saint Gennaro in Naples – Parades, religious processions and musical entertainment commemorating the patron saint of Naples
The Best Places to Visit in Italy in September
You can’t really go wrong visiting Italy in September. However, each region of Italy offers something slightly different.
Tuscany in September
Tuscany in September is one of the best places to be as the region celebrates the approaching harvest season culminating in big farmers markets and other food festivals.
Tuscany is where we have visited when we came in Fall of 2017, 2019, and 2022.
Admittedly, Florence in September seems just as crowded as ever, except in the mornings, even post-pandemic. Whereas towns like Lucca and Bolgheri, on the Tuscan Coast, are a bit calmer and shops haven’t yet shuttered for the winter.
The grape harvest in Tuscany is perfect for wine lovers who want to celebrate local produce in the wine festivals in countryside vineyards. We highly recommend visiting the Etruscan Coast’s wine and olive region.
Early September is also still warm enough to head to Tuscany’s beautiful beaches for a swim. It’s also a great time to visit the hot springs and thermal baths for a relaxing experience.
Visiting Florence in September is also a great option to see the Paper Lantern Festival. The weather is mild with occasional showers and it isn’t as crowded compared to peak season.
The photo above was taken in Tuscany at the end of September 2022. It was mostly sunny that month with just a few hours of moody, stormy weather on a few days.
Umbria in September
Umbria, a region bordering Tuscany, is known for its medieval hill towns and local cuisine, particularly wine and white truffles.
September is great for walking or cycling tours around the region’s medieval towns (Orvieto, Assisi, Gubbio just to name a few) as the weather is warm and sunny but not too hot.
Aside from exploring and sightseeing, Umbria is great for day trips outdoors like to the Marmore Falls, man-made waterfalls by the ancient Romans with panoramic views and tourist hiking trails. It’s definitely more crowded in August, so visiting during this time of year is better.
Sardinia in September
Sardinia is a large island in the Mediterranean Sea known for its beaches and rugged mountains. It’s one of the most popular destinations for summer in Italy during the high season (July and August), but September is also a good time for a post-summer holiday.
The weather varies around the island because of its landscape, but on average it’s quite pleasant at around 77F during the day.
Swimming is more pleasant during the first half of the month, with sea temperatures at around 73F. It’s also around this time that there’ll be fewer tourists.
With that said, as the month goes on, there’s usually fewer services available, especially buses. So having a car or booking a tour with transportation is recommended.
Puglia in September
A southern region forming Italy’s “boot,” Puglia is known for its sprawling Mediterranean coastline, picturesque villages and hill towns.
September in Puglia has some of the best weather conditions with an average of around 70F, though it still gets warmer during early September.
The midday temperatures are perfect for swimming at the beaches as the crowds have already thinned out.
Enjoy slower Fall days by sightseeing the architecture of the beautiful villages and whitewashed towns such as Bari, Lecce, Martina Franca, and Locorotondo.
September also marks the beginning of wine season, making it a great opportunity to visit wine festivals and try native Apulian grapes.
What to Pack for Italy in September
When planning what to wear in Italy in September, it’s all about being prepared for warm days and cooler evenings. Some people like to dress up and embrace Italy’s reputation for fashion, but style is really down personal preference.
The weather isn’t always consistent day to day throughout the entire month. The best strategy is to pack light clothes and layers.
Start off the day sightseeing in fresh short-sleeve shirts and lightweight pants. And pack a light cardigan or thin travel jacket for when it gets chillier at night.
Keep in mind that the weather in Italy in September varies from region to region, so we recommend checking the average temperatures for each destination in your itinerary and packing accordingly. The weather can also be quite different between early and late September, so it all depends on your travel dates as well.
Essential items:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Short-sleeved tops
- Thin long-sleeved top for layering
- Light pants, capris, or jeans
- Dress or skirt
- Light cardigan or pullover
- Windbreaker or light waterproof jacket
- Light scarf
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Socks and underwear
See more of our recommendations here:
Packing list for Fall/Winter in Europe
Lightweight Travel Jackets We Recommend
Long-Term Travel Clothing Recommendations
Walking Shoes for Fall Travel in Europe
Booking in Advance When Visiting Italy in September
You might be wondering if you need to book in advance for things like trains, hotels, and tours when visiting during September in Italy.
While booking ahead is somewhat a personal preference, it’s important to know that many of the best accommodations will be booked up come September. The further ahead you can reserve a hotel or vacation rental, the more choices you’ll have available to you.
For train rides, it’s recommended to book longer journeys or routes critical to your trip, several weeks in advance. Train tickets can be booked online.
However, most regional train rides, from Florence to Pisa for example, can be purchased at the station the day you travel. Second class seats for shorter journeys don’t have seat assignments and your ticket can be used at any point during the day.
🚊 Book train tickets through Rail Europe and single- or multi-country rail passes through Eurail >
Tours are plentiful through September in Italy. For multi-day vacations, you’ll certainly want to confirm your spot in advance. With day trips and short guided tours, a few days should usually be enough to find things to do. Again, booking further in advance can give you more options.
Check GetYourGuide for top rated tours in Italy.
Traveling to Italy in September is one of the best travel choices you can make! There are plenty of things to do in Italy in September, from food festivals, outdoor activities like swimming and hiking, and sightseeing in ideal weather conditions.
The pleasant and warm temperatures combined with the decline of crowds makes it one of the best times to make the most out of your last days of Summer and welcome the Fall.
Have you visited Italy in September? Planning a trip? Let us know your tips or questions in the comments below.
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