The traditional Italian holiday calendar has long revolved around July and, above all, August. Yet September travel is taking on a bigger role in 2026, as Italian travellers shift their breaks beyond the hottest and busiest weeks of summer.
According to eDreams, the first three weeks of September account for a sizeable share of Italians’ planned autumn getaways. The move is tied to practical concerns: more manageable temperatures, less pressure at major resorts and a chance of lower travel costs after the August rush.
For anyone planning a late-summer break in Italy, the appeal is fairly clear. Coastal towns are still in season, ferries continue to connect islands and mainland ports, and historic cities can be less punishing to explore on foot.
Italians are concentrating holidays in early September
eDreams booking data shows that September departures are particularly focused around the start of the month:
- 28% of Italians planning a September holiday chose the week of 30 August to 6 September
- 25% selected 6 to 13 September
- 22% booked 13 to 20 September
The figures point to a strong preference for travelling soon after August, rather than waiting for the deeper autumn shoulder season.
Short breaks also feature prominently. Some 36% of travellers booked trips lasting three to four days, while 25% planned stays of seven to 13 days.
Ferry fares can fall by up to 40% after August
The cost difference between August and September can be particularly noticeable for island travel. QuiFinanza reports that sector observers and booking platforms, including Ferryscanner, indicate price reductions of up to 40% against the August peak for ferries and maritime connections to islands and coastal destinations.
Accommodation prices in these areas also tend to come down as demand falls. This can matter for trips to places dependent on sea crossings, including Sicily, Sardinia, the Aeolian Islands, the Tremiti Islands and the islands in the Bay of Naples.
There is an important caveat. September prices are lower when compared with the high season that has just passed, rather than necessarily being low in absolute terms.
Foreign visitors are keeping Italy busy in September
Italy’s late-summer travel demand is not driven only by domestic holidaymakers. QuiFinanza notes that foreign tourists continue to support visitor numbers as summer draws to a close.
Among the foreign markets identified in the eDreams analysis, the largest shares of travellers heading to Italy are from:
- Spain: 28%
- France: 25%
- Germany: 14%
This means September is unlikely to feel deserted in the headline destinations. International travellers remain a major presence, particularly in places with strong flight connections, established cultural itineraries and popular coastal stays.
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