November brings cool, clear days and chilly nights to Italy, along with smaller crowds and better value for money than in the peak summer months. However, you can still enjoy Italy's classic sites alongside seasonal festivities and autumn's vibrant colors.
The start of truffle season in October sees the delicacies grace menus, you can join in chestnut or wine festivals in different regions, or simply wander quieter city streets to appreciate a more local pace of life.
In this article, you'll discover the top destinations to visit and activities to take part in on your tour of Italy in November, allowing you to plan your dream fall escape to the country’s most iconic and off-the-beaten-path gems.
Average Temperatures in Rome, Italy: 62°F High • 45°F Low
While still mild compared to winter, Rome's temperatures drop in November and there’s more rainfall. However, downpours are short and common on sunny days that are perfect for visiting ancient monuments and lively piazzas.
Layers are key, as cooler nights require jackets and occasional stormy spells call for umbrellas. However, by dressing appropriately, visitors can comfortably explore Rome's captivating streets and soak up seasonal cheer as autumn fades into winter.
Learn more: Best Time to Visit Rome
Tuscany • Best Place for Sightseeing
Tuscany shines as a top November destination, thanks to its plethora of Renaissance architecture, postcard-perfect hill towns, and a landscape bursting with fall colors. Crowds have thinned out after the summer tourist rush and you’ll find popular hubs like Florence and Siena still brimming with energy, yet easier to navigate.
The white truffle season puts a tantalizing spin on Tuscan cuisine, so base yourself in or take day trips through photogenic towns like San Gimignano, known for its medieval towers, while the Val d’Orcia valley unfurls resplendent autumnal panoramas.
Other highlights include visits to Renaissance strongholds like Lucca, as well as the world-famous Chianti and Brunello wine regions. With cooler days ideal for long walks around these stunning historic centers, paired with top-notch cuisine and wine, November is an ideal time to soak up the essence of Tuscany.
Learn more: Best Time to Visit Tuscany
Sicily • Best Place for Great Weather
Sicily enjoys warm, sunny weather for most of the year. With around 300 days of sunshine annually and mild winters, it's an ideal destination for those seeking reliable, good weather. That said, in November, Catania and Syracuse on the east coast are better for beach weather compared with Cefalu and Palermo in the north.
Sicily benefits from a relatively small annual temperature range, thanks to the moderating influence of the surrounding seas, and though November is the wettest time of the year in the region, you can still enjoy the coastal scenery, explore photogenic towns, or hike volcanoes.
Learn more: Best Sicilian Cheese and Street Food to Try on Vacation
Turin • Best Place for Families with Children
November is a delightful time to visit Turin with kids as the city hosts special holiday festivities. From the luminous light display along the River Po to chocolate festivals and the opening of the Christmas markets showcasing handmade gifts and treats, there is seasonal magic around every corner.
The comfortable fall weather also makes it ideal for little ones to explore Turin’s many museums and grand piazzas at a leisurely pace. And with fewer tourists in town, families can easily navigate must-see attractions like the Palazzo Barolo museum. November provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable family getaway in Turin.
Learn more: Top Things to Do in Italy with Family
Trieste • Best Place to Avoid the Crowds
For those seeking an Italian escape without the crowds, Trieste in November fits the bill. As the charming port city empties of summertime visitors, its characterful streets and captivating sights open up for peaceful exploration. Wandering the halls of Miramare Castle, the seaside promenade, or Europe’s largest piazza becomes a delight, minus the selfie sticks.
If you choose to combine your Italy trip with a stop in Slovenia, Trieste’s location near the border provides easy access to that country’s unspoiled nature during a cooler time. From the restaurants of Borgo Teresiano to the trails of the Carso, visitors in November can soak up the magic of Trieste without the crowds.
Learn more: Best Time to Visit Northern Italy
Genoa • Best Place for Couples or Honeymooners
With its romantic harbor setting and welcoming Italian charm, Genoa entices couples and honeymooners in November. Crisp fall air and thinning crowds allow for peaceful strolls through narrow medieval lanes lined with palaces and pastry shops.
The city’s vibrant food culture means lovers can bond over plates of pesto, seafood, focaccia, and fine local wines in cozy trattorias. As the days grow shorter, visitors can steal a romantic moment admiring Genoa’s glittering harbor lights with no one but each other.
Learn more: Our Best Romantic Trips to Italy
Indulge in the Flavors of Truffles
Few experiences capture the essence of November in Italy like sampling delicate white truffles freshly unearthed by local hunters and their trusty dogs. From Piedmont to Tuscany, cities like Alba and San Miniato host truffle fairs celebrating these aromatic “diamonds”.
You can join guided walks through the forested countryside as experts pinpoint truffles, then observe demos on cleaning and slicing them at restaurants. Nothing does justice to enjoying truffles more than at the source, whether shaved tableside over handmade pasta or scrambled eggs.
Enjoy All Things Jazz and Avant-Garde
Each November, music fans flock to Rome for the Roma Jazz Festival, which features top international and Italian jazz artists. Stages are set up across venues like the Parco della Musica auditorium, Teatro Olimpico, and Casa del Jazz, where festival-goers can hear performances from jazz greats late into the night.
Autumn in Rome also ushers in the highly acclaimed Romaeuropa Festival, which attracts avant-garde art aficionados for a cultural extravaganza spanning dance, theater, music, and digital arts. Romaeuropa provides adventurous audiences with the pulsing energy of Rome’s contemporary arts scene in October and November through cutting-edge collaborations and captivating premieres.
Welcome Christmas Cheer
Nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany just outside Florence, the medieval town of Signa brings Yuletide charm to central Italy with its annual Christmas market. Starting in late November, Signa transforms its historic stone piazzas into magical spaces where vendors sell local artisanal gifts, sweet panettone bread, and warming vin brulè wine.
Children gather to pet farm animals and meet Babbo Natale, while parents admire fir trees glittering with twinkling lights. Brass bands, choirs, and colorful mercatini stalls evoke the spirit of an old-world Italian Christmas for visitors to enjoy.
From indulging in seasonal delicacies to less-crowded sightseeing, November lures travelers with mild weather and Italy's authentic charms before winter. With Christmas markets and holiday decor just starting, the festive mood sets in without the heavier crowds. Whether interested in food and wine or history and nature, Italy in the fall is idyllic.
For more insider tips on the best places to visit, activities, and accommodations, take a look at our Italy travel guide, or find more inspiration in our Italy tours.
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