Italy
When are you going to Italy?
October in Italy feels like a secret. The summer beach is empty, the weather is still mild, and you eat what the Italians eat themselves. However, October can also be rainy, and some smaller attractions are already closing. Here is exactly when you should go, and what you will get.
7 September 2026 · Wayloha editorial · 3 sources
Early October: still summer, less crowded
Early October (1-15 October) is worth its weight in gold. The weather is still warm, around 24-26°C during the day. The beaches have become empty, but swimming is still perfectly fine.
The big crowds are over. Venice, Rome, and the Cinque Terre are no longer packed. Queues at museums and restaurants are much shorter. At the same time, almost everything is still open: hotels, trains, and restaurants are still running in full swing.
October is also the start of the season for new harvests. You eat grapes, chestnuts, mushrooms, and the first game. This is the moment when Italian cuisine truly changes.
- Book a train ticket to Bologna and slowly take in the countryside: you see everything that is growing.
- Eat breakfast like the locals: a brioche with cappuccino around 7 or 8 o'clock, not in a tourist café but in a normal bar.
In October, you smell the year changing: the first grapes are fermenting, the temperature drops, and the tourists are gone.Italy
Mid-October to late October: cold and rain
From the middle of October, the weather becomes unreliable. It can still be beautiful (20-22°C), but rain occurs more and more often. This is the risk of October.
However, many smaller places such as Trento, Lake Orta, and Bologna have their best moment now. No tourists, full restaurants, and the local harvest in full swing. Emilia-Romagna, known for its food, comes alive now.
But be careful: smaller attractions may close earlier. Check in advance whether the museums and restaurants you want to visit are still open.
- Pack a coat and a waterproof jacket: October feels different from August.
- Arriving after a night flight? Take it easy on your first day. This is not the time to try to see everything in one day.
How long should you stay
For October, the rule is: plan at least 15 days. You are not travelling for the highlights (you see those in summer), but for the real Italy. This takes time.
In 15 days, you can properly get a feel for two or three regions. For example: Milan as a starting point, then the train to Bologna, then exploring the Emilian food region, and afterwards lakes Como or Garda. Or you combine Trento with Florence and Verona as day trips.
October requires patience. Travelling slower, staying in the same village for two days, taking the train instead of a car. This is why October works.
- Take the train: you see how Italy is truly built, and you are not tired when you arrive.
- Choose one region in depth instead of ten places superficially.
