Italy in September: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Average Temperatures in Rome, Italy: 80°F High • 59°F Low

September in Italy brings splendid weather, with plenty of sunny days and temperatures that are still mild and comfortable across most of the country. While the heat persists in Sicily and the southern regions, northern areas like Venice and Milan experience a noticeable drop in temperatures by mid-month.

Daily highs reach into the 70s, cooling off at night, offering conditions ideal for sightseeing and outdoor dining. With cooler temperatures than in summer, but still abundant sunshine, September has some of the best weather of the year for exploring cities like Florence and countryside regions like Tuscany. Be sure to bring layers though, as cooler nights call for a light jacket or sweater.

Rome • Best Place for Sightseeing

As the capital and one of Italy’s most popular cities, Rome offers iconic sites to experience firsthand, from the Colosseum to the Sistine Chapel. With school back in session, September brings fewer families and crowds to attractions like the Roman Forum and Vatican Museums.

The warm but comfortable weather in September in Italy also makes walking between landmarks enjoyable. Enjoy more room to appreciate the details as you explore Rome’s renowned sites and museums, balancing sightseeing activities with cultural immersion for a trip that satisfies first-time visitors and repeat travelers.

Learn more: Rome Vacations & Tour Packages

Sicily • Best Place for Great Weather

As the Mediterranean summer winds down, Sicily maintains gloriously sunny days, with temperatures often reaching the 80s. The warm weather lingers longer in Sicily than in mainland Italy, with heat that is more dry than humid by September.

Beach-goers can enjoy an extended swimming season on golden beaches along coasts like Mondello and Cefalù without the peak summer crowds. Sicily’s balmy September weather means ideal conditions for sunbathing by day, while sitting at an outdoor trattoria under a comfortable night sky. Hike Mount Etna under refreshingly clear skies or explore Taormina’s cafés and boutiques with fabulous views of glittering blue waters.

Learn more: Sicily Tours & Vacation Packages

Emilia-Romagna • Best Place for Families with Children

The Emilia-Romagna region on Italy's northeast coast suits families with its mild September weather and abundance of kid-centric activities. Families can enjoy the last days of the busy beach season along the Adriatic Riviera before cooler weather sets in.

Kid-friendly hiking trails and biking paths allow energetic youngsters to explore while soaking up the sunshine. The region also boasts family-style dining options focused on Emilia-Romagna’s famous dishes that appeal to parents and children. With chillier weather on the horizon, September allows families to embrace the last tastes of summer in Emilia-Romagna.

Learn more: 3 Exclusive Itineraries to Emilia-Romagna

Puglia • Best Place to Avoid the Crowds

In September, Puglia provides a sanctuary from Italy’s tourist hotspots. On the Salento peninsula, charming towns like Otranto and Gallipoli remain holiday escapes, with turquoise waters, gleaming beaches, and colorful fishing villages untouched by mass tourism.

Puglia’s trulli homes dot rolling hillsides void of crowds, but overflowing in pastoral beauty. Places like the 15th-century Castel del Monte commune wow visitors with perfectly geometric architecture against an expansive and private landscape setting. Puglia’s under-the-radar status rings especially true after the summer rush, when you can wander maze-like streets in ancient cities like Lecce.

Lake Como • Best Place for Couples or Honeymooners

With its scenic setting against the alpine foothills, Lake Como, one of Italy’s most romantic places, casts a magical, romantic spell in any season, but September brings ideal conditions for couples and honeymooners. Resort towns like Bellagio and Varenna retain their beauty, but with fewer tourists jostling through narrow cobblestone streets.

Leisurely ferry rides on the tranquil lake allow travelers to soak up the views of lush mountains and opulent lakefront villas in privacy. Endless winding walking paths and historic villas to explore make Lake Como feel like a secret garden retreat just for two. Watching the golden evening light reflect over the waters with a glass of local wine makes September on Lake Como an intimate escape for romance.

Taste Italy's World-Famous Wines

September marks the harvest season in Italy as luscious grapes ripen along the vine-stippled hills. Witness the harvest at vineyards in Tuscany. Sample fresh vintages filled with fruity notes and the essence of fall. Or head to the Piedmont region when barrels are brimming with new Barolo and Barbaresco vintages, then tour the vineyards and charming estates where these prestigious Italian wines originate.

Learn more: Italy Food & Wine Tours

Explore Italy's Charming Seaside Villages

September still serves up sublime coastal weather to explore Italy's picturesque seaside villages without summer crowds. Wander pastel-hued Cinque Terre or sample southern Italy’s beaches and cuisine under the lingering summer sun. Hop the Mediterranean’s bluest coves around jet-set hotspots like Portofino, Capri, or the rugged Aeolian Islands off Sicily.

Learn more: Italy Coastal Tours & Vacations

Tour Iconic Sites with Fewer Crowds

Visit iconic attractions like Rome’s Colosseum and the Vatican Museums, or cruise down the glittering Amalfi Coast on sunny days with fewer tourists to contend with. With kids back in school, revel in access and atmosphere not found during summer's bustle. Stroll through Florence’s Uffizi galleries or the ruins of Pompeii at a leisurely pace best for admiring these storied sites.

Hike Italy's Stunning Landscapes

September invites hiking Northern Italy's postcard-perfect landscapes dressed in fall's colorful foliage. Cinque Terre's seaside villages, connected by mountain trails, offer spectacular vistas of vibrant vineyards and pastel-hued properties hugging steep cliffs over the sea. Further north, Lake Como’s forested trails, filled with chestnut and walnut trees, start their annual color transformation against glistening waters.

Discover Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path

Trade crowded hotspots for Italy's small towns steeped in heritage. Visit Basilicata’s mystical Sassi cave districts of Matera. Get lost wandering Tuscany's Val d'Orcia countryside, where 14th-century farms and hilltop castles dot emerald hills straight from a Renaissance painting. In Abruzzo, medieval mountain towns like Santo Stefano and Castel del Monte provide portals back in time away from the crowds.

Learn more: Hidden Gems in Italy to Visit on Vacation

From comfortable weather ideal for vineyard hopping to thinner crowds at treasured landmarks, September brings perfect conditions in Italy for travelers. Connect with locals during harvest season, explore destinations in peace, and recharge with authentic Italian culture and nature's beauty in balance.

Italy offers boundless inspiration any month of the year. For more ideas to inspire your trip, explore our comprehensive Italy travel guide or start planning with our collection of featured Italy tours.