October is a great month for visiting Italy. Destinations are quieter, the weather is mild rather than cold, and the autumn calendar brings plenty of events. There are many places worth packing for across the country. Art cities, peaceful beaches for a final swim of the season and postcard-worthy hill towns can all make for a lovely autumn break.
Here are some of the best places for an October holiday in Italy.
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is well suited to an October holiday. The stretch of coastline between Vietri and Positano is associated with its cliffside villages and far-reaching sea views. Amalfi, Positano and Ravello are all within reach, each with narrow paved lanes, historic churches and dramatic coastal outlooks.
As autumn begins, the sea is still warm enough for a swim, and the Amalfi Coast also has interesting walking routes in the countryside. There are numerous trails, many with sea views. The Path of the Gods is among the best known.
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Cagliari
Cagliari, Sardinia’s lively capital, suits travellers who enjoy the sea as much as culture. October is a good time to spend a few days in the city, thanks to the still-pleasant weather and the drop in visitor numbers, which leaves its beaches and attractions quieter.
The city combines history with natural scenery. Its historic centre, overlooked by the Castello district, has wide views and winding streets. For beach time, Poetto runs for kilometres, with white sand and clear water that suit a walk or one last dip of the season.
With decent weather, day trips can take in nearby towns or hidden coves along the coast, including Cala Fighera beach. Historical sights such as the Roman amphitheatre are also worth fitting in.
Gargano
Gargano is a lovely option for an October holiday. Easy to reach, the area has attractive beaches, thick woodland and historic towns. October days are often still warm and sunny, leaving beaches quieter and more relaxed.
One of Gargano’s strengths is its variety. A morning hike in Gargano National Park can easily be followed by an afternoon on one of its golden beaches. Its position in the heart of Puglia also leaves many art and heritage sites within easy reach.
Peschici, Vieste and the Tremiti Islands take on a different feel at this time of year: quieter and less shaped by the summer rush, they tend to leave a lasting impression.
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Where to go trekking in Italy: hills, lakes and mountains
For an active October break, Italy has plenty of opportunities for trekking. Cooler temperatures make it easier to explore mountain and hill trails while taking in the autumn foliage.
Langhe
The Langhe, an area of southern Piedmont between Cuneo and Asti, makes a good destination for an October break. The region has vineyard-covered hills and a strong food culture. October is also the time of the vendemmia, or grape harvest, with the chance to sample Italian wines.
The hills of the Langhe are covered in vineyards producing some of Italy’s most celebrated wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco. Wine is only part of the picture, though. The area is also associated with local specialities such as Alba white truffle, celebrated during its October festival.
Nature lovers and outdoorsy types will find plenty to keep them busy. Cycling and horse-riding excursions are available, alongside historic sites and quieter stretches of countryside.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda works well for an October holiday. It has plenty to do, established trekking routes and, on warmer days, the possibility of a refreshing swim. It sits between Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, bringing together natural scenery, history and culture.
Among the places to see at Lake Garda are Sirmione, with its thermal baths and Scaliger Castle, and Gardone Riviera, home to the Vittoriale degli Italiani, the former residence of artist Gabriele D’Annunzio. Well-known towns such as Riva del Garda and Desenzano are also nearby.
Another advantage is its location. Lake Garda is straightforward to reach by car, train or plane, while many of the area’s best walking routes begin at clearly signposted points.
Chianti Hills
The Chianti Hills in Tuscany need little introduction. The area produces one of Italy’s best-regarded wines and has postcard-like scenery, marked by rolling hills and old farmhouses.
One of the area’s best-regarded routes is the Radda in Chianti circular walk, which suits those keen to explore the Chianti area. The route is around 24 kilometres long and links several historic villages and striking old parish churches.
Another option is the Via Romea Sanese, a historic route which once connected Florence and Siena, crossing the region’s wine country. Autumn is particularly well suited to walking in the Chianti Hills, thanks to comfortable temperatures and the warm colours that take over the countryside.
Art cities for an October weekend
For anyone drawn to the energy of Italian cities, October provides plenty of appealing options. Cooler weather and fewer visitors make it a good time to explore Italy’s larger cities and their lesser-seen corners.
Rome’s long history, Naples’ backstreets and Perugia’s art and culture all bring a different side of the country, along with museums, galleries, restaurants and shops.
Palermo
Palermo is shaped by its long history and lively culture. Its historic centre has architectural landmarks including the Cathedral and the Palazzo dei Normanni, both reflecting Arab and Norman influences.
The cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù, each in municipalities within the wider province, are also worth visiting. Just outside the city lies Mondello beach, which works well for a final swim or a walk along the seafront. Palermo brings together art, the sea and long-standing local traditions.
Perugia
Perugia makes a good October break for history, art and food. The Umbrian city has a medieval historic centre and Etruscan walls, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
It also hosts major events, including Eurochocolate, held in November. The event brings local chocolate specialities and a packed programme of related activities. Perugia’s museums and monuments include the Rocca Paolina, Palazzo dei Priori and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.
Umbrian cooking is another highlight, rooted in seasonal ingredients and straightforward flavours. Typical dishes include torta al testo, a flatbread cooked on a griddle, black truffle and local pulses.
Rome
Often called the Eternal City, Rome has a particular atmosphere in October, when the weather is mild enough to be described locally as an ottobrata. Trees along the River Tiber begin to turn yellow, while the city’s sunsets bring out the warm tones of its historic streets and monuments.
In addition to lesser-known landmarks in Rome, the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon are obvious stops, alongside the Vatican, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
Rome is not only about its historical sights. October brings a busy calendar of cultural events, including the Romaeuropa Festival and the Rome Film Fest. Roman classics such as carbonara and amatriciana also feel far more enjoyable once the August heat has passed.
The best village to visit in October
A stay in one of Italy’s most beautiful borghi, or historic small towns, can make for a calmer kind of holiday, away from the pace of larger cities. Many sit among valleys and hills, so the journey there is often part of the appeal.
Civita di Bagnoregio
Civita di Bagnoregio is a small borgo in Lazio’s province of Viterbo, widely called “the dying city” because of the continuous erosion of the tufa ridge on which it stands.
Founded by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago, it retains an ancient, almost fairytale-like atmosphere.
In October, morning mist often hangs over the Valle dei Calanchi, giving the town the appearance of floating above the clouds as autumn shades take hold across the surrounding area. The long pedestrian bridge, the only way into the town, is a key part of the visit, along with its stone lanes, the Church of San Donato and old cellars carved into the tufa.
Civita di Bagnoregio also has plenty of scope for outdoor activities. Trails wind through the Valle dei Calanchi, and viewpoints along the way look out over the surrounding countryside.
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