All you need to know to plan a trip to Italy in October: weather, what to pack, best places to visit in Italy in October, recommended booking timeline, travel tips.
October is a wonderful month to visit Italy.
At this time, the Tuscan hills start turning golden, tables start to see autumnal produce such as delicious mushrooms and pumpkins, and the temperature is ideal for sightseeing in Italy’s cultural cities, the oppressive heat of the summer well and truly gone.
While October can also bring rainy days, this is still very much a pleasant time to visit Italy.
Easily October, especially in the South, can still even feel summery while the end of the month is very much the autumn, albeit usually a sunny, bright one!
October in Italy is the fall.
However, this doesn’t mean the country gets into low tourism season: while for some areas of Italy October is quieter, for others such as Rome, October is very busy and this means long lines and high prices.
In this guide, I will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip to Italy in October at best.
Happy travel planning!
Please note: this is a seasonal travel guide about Italy in October, meant to help you decide the best time of the year for your visit. For official information and travel advisory that may affect your trip, please refer to your Government travel advisory. Check here for official info if traveling from US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand.

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Table of Contents
Is October a good time to visit Italy? How how is Italy in October?
October is one of the best months to visit Italy, especially if you are interested in cultural tourism and city exploring.
For this, the weather is ideal: despite the occasional rainy day, October tends to be mild and, in the South of Italy, still usually warm.
Slightly less but still very much on the pleasant end of the spectrum in the north, in the area of Milan and Venice.
October is, on the other hand, not a good month if you are hoping for a sea and sun vacation or you have your heart set on the Amalfi Coast of Cinque Terre.
While both areas are still accessible, October is the start of the low season and you will have reduced ferry services and a reduced number of restaurants and hotels open.
Also, this is not the time for bathing in most of Italy: for that, your best bet is to come to Italy in July or August.

Is Italy busy in October?
How busy Italy in October is, depends where in Itay you go.
In general, Rome in October is at peak tourist season (so yes, very busy) and so is Milan, if you are there during events, common in this season.
Very popular paces such as Florence city center are also likely to be very busy while smaller centres and the countryside tend to see lower crowds in this season than in spring or summer.
October in Italy’s most popular destinations: what to expect
Is October a good time to visit Venice?
I love Venice in October and consider it one of the best months of all for a trip to the Serenissima.
In October, Venice tends to be quiet, even for this ever busy city, and the weather is chilly but mild, perfect for long walks and the occasional stop for food in a Venice’s bacaro.

The only potential problem in Venice in October is that it can get acqua alta, the high tide.
Due to its natural position, Venice is prone to getting flooded in some areas when the tide is high.
This is a recurring event and usually not a dramatic one: the city is usually able to handle it with minor issues just by placing boardwalks in the affected areas to guarantee mobility.
For the tourist, acqua alta is no more than a small inconvenient and can even add a novelty factor to your stay. However, for planning purposes, I would suggest to keep en eye on the weather to gauge whether it will affect you.
Find all our travel guides to Venice here:
What is Lake Como like in October?
October is a wonderful, beautiful month on Lake Como but one to enjoy the lake views, more than its waters.
At this time, the lake has magical foliage and colder temperatures, perfect for hiking and tuck into the area’s delicious food.
October is not a time for swimming in Lake Como but more one for lakeside walks and driving.
Is October a good time to visit Cinque Terre?
October is a tricky month to visit CIbque Terre, mostly due to the high chance of rain.
When it rains, in Liguria, it pours and this is a bit of a nightmare in localities knows for their hiking paths and coastal views.
This is not to say that going to Cinque Terre in October is a bad idea, it only means it hit and miss when it comes to weather.
Pay particular attention at the time of your visit if you intend to hike: paths tend to close at this time so the flexibility of your plans is a must.
Find our guides to Cinque Terre here:
Is October a good time to visit Tuscany and Florence?
Tuscany is a land of food, wine, art, and hilly landscapes and it is absolutely magical in October!
The weather in Tuscany in October tends to be sunny and mild but the land start producing all the wonderful autumnal produce Tuscan cuisine does so well.
Mushrooms, risotto, wild boar ragu: October is the perfect time for mixing sightseeing and a foodie escape!
Find our travel guide to Florence and Tuscany here:
- Best places to visit in Tuscany
- Best things to see in Florence
- How to see Florence in one day
- Visiting Tuscany with kids
Is October busy in Rome?
Rome is very busy in October!

This may come as a surprise to many but October in Rome is a glorious, dry, sunny month and visitors know it, meaning you have long lines and high prices, especially towards the beginning of the month.
Advance booking of accommodation and main attractions is mandatory (see below).
If you go to Rome in October, you may be lucky and get there for the so-called ‘Ottobrate Romane’, beautiful sunny days with almost a summery feeling, typical of the season!
Find my guides to Rome here:
Is October a good month for the Amalfi Coast?
October is hit and miss on the Amalfi Coast.
In October, the wether heads slowly but steadily towards winter and this affect the temperature of the water and sea conditions and weather is possible. Towards the end of the month ferries also tend to diminish is frequency.
Whit this in mind, I recommend visiting this are with the aim of visiting towns and being open to potential rainy afternoons in the hotel, rather than planning on extensive boating or time on the beach.
A lovely reason why October can be wonderful on the Amalfi Coast is that, often, it is not too busy!
Find our guides to the Amalfi Coast here:
- Best places to see on the Amalfi Coast
- Visiting Amalfi Coast with kids
- What to see in Amalfi town
- Travel guide to Minori
What to book in advance if planning a trip to Italy in October
I recommend to book anything that is a must to you well in advance. This includes accommodation, museums / attractions and all classes and structured experiences you would be sad to miss out on.
I recommend to book accommodation up to 6-9 months in advance, trains 3/4 months in advance and car rental also about 5/6 months ahead.
You do not need to book restaurants unless you have a specific one in mind for a certain date or you want to go to one know to international tourism.
Below, you will find my favorite ticket providers: they have good cancellation options (Many up to 24h before your tour), for peace of mind.
For accommodation, I recommend booking.com which you can access here.
They have an excellent selection and great cancellation options (please check the rules for each room as they have different prices depending on the flexibility of your reservation).

I recommend the following attractions as soon as your trip is confirmed:
Last Supper, Milan: often booked out weeks in advance, book as soon as your trip is confirmed via their official site here or via GetYourGuide here, which offers excellent cancellation options.
Colosseum, Rome: the official site releases tickets about 30 days in advance.
Vatican, Vatican City, Rome: tickets sell out fast and operate on a time slot system. You can get them on the official site of the museums or choose a guided tour via GetYourGuide here: I highly recommend them as the museums are vast and easily overwhelming, without a guide.
What to pack for October in Italy
October in Italy is a time of transition and layers are a must.
You can find my full packing list for Italy in the autumn here, however, this is a quick overview of essentials:
- All your travel documents (passport, Visa, Insurance, etc)
- Face covering (masks are compulsory in indoor attractions, shops, restaurants etc)
- Broken in walking shoes (find my shoe recommendations here: October is not the time for sandals)
- Clothing essentials
- Jeans / long trousers / pants (no shorts)
- Short and long sleeve tops
- Cardigan
- Light jacket
- Reusable water bottle
- Power bank
- Travel adapter
- Italian phrasebook
- Portable travel umbrella
- Phone/Camera
Where in Italy is best in October? My favorite things to do in October in Italy
October is a great place to explore Italy and some of my favorite experiences to seek out in this season are:
- Experience the famous Ottobrate Romane with a long-ish stay in Rome
- Go on a food tour of Emilia Romagna, the land of Parma ham and Parmigiano!
- Go on a road trip around Tuscany
- Soak up the last summer sun with a road trip to Puglia and Matera
- Visit Sicily without the crowds
- Get lost in romantic Venice
October in Italy with kids: the best things to do
October is a fun month to visit Italy with family, with good temperatures and a lot of entertainment options.
Among my favorite things to do in Italy with kids in the autumn, there are:
- Eat tons of pizza and gelato (yes, October is ok for gelato!)
- Visit the child-friendly side of Florence
- Explore the family-friendly side of Venice
- Discover why Rome with kids is the best
- Learn to make pizza with a family-friendly pizza class like this one we took in Rome
- Escape the rain with an art class like this mosaic class we took in Rome
I hope you enjoyed this overview of Italy in October and it helped you plan your trip. Safe travel planning!