Where to holiday in Italy in October is a big question! You can end up feelign spoiled for choice. Italy is definitely one of those countries in Europe that itâs enjoyable to visit all year round. Its climate varies significantly from North to South and from region to region and there is plenty to see and do whatever time of year you choose to holiday here. Perhaps you’re visiting because you’re a keen foodie and just can’t get enough of the Italian cuisine. Or perhaps you are a culture vulture and are visiting to enjoy the incredible museums and galleries that Italy can boast. Or maybe you just simply want to breathe in the beautiful Italian countryside without the crowds that peak Summer would bring…. Whatever the reasons for visiting Italy in October, we can assure you that it really is a great time to holiday in Italy.
In fact, many people argue that the best time to travel to Italy is in the âshoulderâ months of which October is one. There is certainly much in favour of travelling to Italy in October. For one thing, cities tend to be quieter and popular tourist destinations will typically be far less crowded in October than in the previous three months. Just bear in mind that some of these tourist attractions may have reduced opening hours and some transport options may be operating a reduced service so you may just need to plan a bit more carefully. And, weather wise, whilst temperatures can vary massively from region to region, conditions are still usually quite pleasant, albeit you may occasionally need to put on an extra layer in the evening once the sun goes down.
So, here are our top recommendations on where to book a villa holiday in Italy for October.
We love Tuscany in October. After the intense heat of the Summer, the weather is much more pleasant with average high temperatures sitting at 22°C. These are perfect temperatures to be out and about sightseeing in Tuscany, exploring incredible cities such as Florence, Pisa and Siena as well as for roaming around its beautiful countryside.
October also sees the continuation of the Tuscan vendemmia (grape harvest) which commenced in September. For those interested in wine, there is arguably no better time to visit since itâs also the month where many towns and villages in Tuscany have festivals to celebrate the harvest. The very first weekend in October sees the Sagra del Vino wine festival in Montescudaio, whilst October is also the month that the Festa dellâ Uva takes place in Cinigiano. During the event, the townâs wine cellars are opened to the public allowing visitors to enjoy wine tastings galore frequently paired with complimentary local food tastings. And letâs not forget to mention the small and rather charming village of Cascio whose central fountain spews out wine rather than water during their annual wine festival!
Grapes are not the only thing to be harvested in Tuscany in October though. There are plenty of other festivals in Tuscany in October to celebrate the harvest. There are sagra to celebrate the chestnut, olive and mushroom harvests as well as events to mark the start of the truffle season.
Events don’t just revolve around food either. Tuscany can boast a number of historic festivals well worth seeing in October, including the Sagra del Tordo in Montalcino. Expect streets filled with residents adorned in historic costumes, plenty of music as well as archery competitions. And there are some rather quirky events too. Our favourites are the Palio del Papero (a duck palio in Balconevisi) and the Palio dei Caci in Volterra (which to all intents and purposes involves rolling cheese through the streets of the town!) If this isn’t reason alone to visit Tuscany in October, then I don’t know what is!
Explore the Tuscany villa rentals available from Italy villa rental specialists, Bookings For You.
It’s probably not surprising (given they’re neighbours), that Umbria is just as great a destination as Tuscany to travel to in October. They share a similar climate so once again, it’s ideal weather to be out and about sightseeing. The temperature is perfect both to explore the hilltop towns and villages in Umbria as well as for walking in its beautiful rural countryside.
As in Tuscany, youâll find the vineyards busy as grapes here are also being harvested in October. Enjoy a drive along the Strada del Sagrantino through towns and villages such as Bevagna and Montefalco to see the landscape in all its colourful Autumn best and to call in at some of the top wineries in the region. But, like Tuscany, it’s not just grapes that are harvested at this time. Saffron is harvested in Umbria in October too and the month also sees the start of the truffle season. It’s also the perfect time to forage for chestnuts, hazelnuts and quince.
And like Tuscany, Umbria also has its fair share of festivals in October too. Our favourites are Eurochocolate in Perugia and The Feast of Saint Francis in Assisi.
There are plenty of other reasons to visit Umbria in October too. For one thing, you’ll be avoiding the mosquitoes that inevitably come during the peak Summer months and you’ll find far fewer tourists too.
Take a look at some of the Umbria villa rentals available to rent from Italy villa rental specialists, Bookings For You.
Rome
October is the perfect month to visit Italyâs capital city, Rome. Average daytime temperature highs hover around 22°C and typically the month sees very little rainfall. But, even if it does rain, there are so many things to see and do in Rome which are indoors, away from the elements, that a few Autumn showers certainly don’t need to spoil your trip.
Romans even have a name for this period of the year – Ottobrata Romana. Literally meaning Roman October, historically it refers back to a time when Romans would have left the city to take part in the festivities beyond the city walls at the time of the vendemmia (grape harvest). These days, it’s a month when the mild temperatures trick you into thinking it’s still Summer and that Winter is not just around the corner! Certainly if you opt to visit in October, it’s the perfect time to explore the sites of the city as well as enjoying a few day trips from Rome. And if staying in the city, watch out for the stunning sunsets that are typical of this time of the year.
Whilst the city will be quieter than in peak holiday season, visitors should be under no illusion that there won’t be crowds in Rome at that time. Rome is popular all year round. As a result, we still recommend that you book skip the line tickets to Rome attractions as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Florence
Florence is one of our favourite cities in Italy and October is a great time to visit. As with Rome, temperatures in Florence are much milder than they have been in the preceding couple of months with average highs around 19°C. Again, we canât guarantee that you will be free of rain, but there is so much to see and do in Florence when it rains, that a spot or two of wet weather doesnât need to dampen your enjoyment.
Head to Florence on October 8th each year to witness one of Florence’s most popular annual festivals â Santa Reparata – when residents will dress in historical clothes and parade through the streets, making their way from the Piazza di Parte Guelfa to the Cathedral of Santa Reparata. The festival marks the moment when the Roman Saint intervened in a battle which turned out to be one of the defining events that established Christianity in Florence.
As with Rome, do still expect the city to be crowded so make sure you book your Florence skip the line tickets to all the major attractions to avoid standing in queues.
Villa holiday in the Italian Lakes
The Italian Lakes is another great holiday option for those looking to travel to Italy in October. Just be aware that the Summer ferry timetable tends to run from the beginning of April to the end of the first week of October. So, at a very practical level, if you intend to visit later in the month, just be aware that boats will operate a little less frequently so you may need to be more organised in your planning.
The weather in the Italian Lakes can never be guaranteed – it is usually beautifully green all year round and there is a reason for this! Rain! However, the impact of climate change is extending the shoulder season within Italy and whilst days on the beach can no means be guaranteed in the Italian Lakes in October, they’re now certainly possible even this late in the season. In October, the heat of July and August is also still having an impact on the water temperature of the lakes and it’s not unheard of for visitors to still be swimming in the lake at the end of the month.
Even if you aren’t lucky enough to be able to have a beach day during your trip, there is so much to see and do in the Italian Lakes aside from this. And you won’t be competing with the crowds in October to do them as you would in peak season. Whilst Lake Maggiore remains relatively undiscovered, large parts of Lake Como have arguably become too popular. This means that in July and August here, the lakeside roads can literally be teeming with visitors, and it can almost be impossible to hire a boat unless you’ve booked in advance.
Check out the range of Italian Lakes villa rentals from Italy villa rental specialists, Bookings For You, including Lake Maggiore villas and apartments, Lake Como apartments and Lake Garda villas.
Villa holiday in the Amalfi Coast
The sunny weather continues long into Autumn on the Amalfi Coast so October is a great time to visit this part of Italy. The Amalfi Coastâs picturesque clifftop roads can get extremely snarled up in July and August but visit in October and you will be able to enjoy the incredible coastal views without the crowds around you. Itâs also still warm enough to swim in the sea or to enjoy relaxing days poolside at your Amalfi Coast villa rental. We just recommend that you pack a sweater or jacket for the evenings when temperatures can start to drop. It’s also worth trying to visit the Amalfi Coast in the first two weeks of the month rather than the last two as some beach clubs and businesses can start packing up from mid month onwards.
Temperatures are also ideal not just for lazy days on the beach but also for sightseeing. Two of the most popular sites in this part of Italy are Pompeii and Vesuvius, both of which are far more enjoyable to discover in October than in peak Summer. Trying to do justice to the incredible Roman remains in Pompeii is pretty difficult in the sweltering heat of August. There is very little shade and it takes at least three or fours hours to really do justice to this massive archeological site… not great with the sun burning down on you all that time!
We also think that no visit to the Amalfi Coast would be complete without spending at least 24 hours in Naples. And October is a great time to head to this city too.
Take a look at some of the Amalfi Coast villa rentals available to book through Italy villa rental specialists, Bookings For You.
Venice
Another great Italian city break that we recommend in October is Venice. The stifling temperatures of July and August, along with the bugs that the heat attracts, both die away leaving warm and pleasant temperatures without the humidity and mugginess of preceding months. You’re also not yet in the rainy season so the chances of having to carry your umbrella everywhere with you is still pretty remote. Visitor numbers in the city have also dropped considerably by this time in the year. October is therefore the perfect month to explore the narrow streets, bridges and canals of Venice without having to fight through crowds of tourists vying to get the best view or the perfect photo.
As when visiting all Italian cities, just make sure you book your Venice skip the line tickets ahead of your stay to avoid any queuing for the cityâs top attractions.
Last but not least on our list is Puglia in the very south of Italy. October is a great time to consider holidaying in a Puglia villa rental. Whilst in the peak Summer months, visitors are almost forced to flock to the beaches to escape the oppressive heat of the countryside, in October, you can instead enjoy the opportunities for sightseeing and explore Puglia’s rural towns and villages to your heart’s content.
What is more, just as in Tuscany and Umbria further north, October is the continuation of harvest time in Puglia. Whilst it may not be as famous as Tuscany’s Chianti region, Puglia is famous for its wine making and is home to the famous Primitivo, Negramaro and Malvasia grape varieties. Harvest time can start in either September or October dependent on the grape, but when it does begin, expect to find local wine producers holding âopen daysâ for visitors to experience the magic of this special season.
Take a look at some of the Puglia villa rentals available to book through Italy villa rental specialists, Bookings For You.