November is far from an ideal month to travel to Italy during insofar as the weather is concerned. The temperatures have plummeted compared to the previous few months, so it's not possible to sit and laze around soaking in the sun on the beach, and it's very likely it'll rain, so you'll be best prepared carrying an umbrella around with you wherever you go!
That being said, November can actually be a great time to visit Italy! Most tourists – even those who spent the shoulder travel month of October in Italy – have long since gone, and while the most popular museums of Rome and Venice may remain busy, you can visit most tourist hotspots in relative peace and quiet. The general downtick in tourism also results in substantially lower costs for travelers.
So, all in all, if you don't mind getting a little wet but are certainly not into the idea of traveling with big crowds or spending a lot of money, November actually ends up becoming a good month to travel to Italy during.
Just remember to pack your most trusted travel umbrella or raincoat, along with a good amount of warm clothing including sweaters, jackets, coats, boots, scarves, and winter hats with you. Dress in layers and you'll be sure to have a great time during your November trip to Italy!
Italy Weather in November Overview
- Average temperature range: 8°C-16°C (46°F-61°F)
- Season: Cold and Rainy
- Rainfall: 126 mm (5 inches) in Rome, 103 mm (4.1 inches) in Venice, 148 mm (5.8 inches) in Naples
- Rainy days: 11 in Rome, 8 in Venice, 10 in Naples
November Weather by Region
Weather in Italy during November is marked by largely wet and overcast conditions with some variations depending on which part of the country you're traveling to. By studying the country's three separate climate regions described in detail below, you'll have a much better idea of what to expect as far as expected precipitation and average temperatures are concerned.
Northern Italy: 5°C-12°C (41°F-54°F)
November in the northern regions of Italy is marked by unpleasant weather conditions and moderate temperatures. The average maximum temperature (usually recorded during daytime) hovers around the 14°C (57°F) mark whereas the average minimum temperature (usually recorded during nighttime) hovers around the 6°C (43°F) mark.
Northern Italy also sees limited hours of sunshine and high amounts of rainfall during November, with an average of 103 mm (4.1 inches) of rainfall usually being shed on the area during the month. If you like cool, overcast, conditions, a trip to Venice could be well worth it!
Central Italy: 7°C-15°C (45°F-59°F)
Weather conditions in central Italy during November, although far from ideal, remain tolerable. The average maximum temperature in the region is usually around 15°C (59°F) while the average minimum temperature in the area is usually around 10°C (50°F).
November is also arguably the rainiest month of the year in central Italy, with the area in and around Rome experiencing an average of 126 mm (5 inches). Do not be very hopeful of bright, sunny, days.
Southern Italy: 10°C-19°C (50°F-66°F)
Weather wise, November is perhaps not the absolute best month to visit southern Italy, but then again, November is not ideal weather wise for most of Italy. It is, however, not as cold in southern Italy as it is in the central and northern regions of the nation, with daytime temperatures hovering around the 18°C (64°F) mark and nighttime temperatures hovering around the 12°C (54°F) mark.
November is also a month marked by heavy rainfall in southern Italy, with an average of 148 mm (5.8 inches) of rainfall expected during the month in these parts. That being said, it's not overcast and you can expect the sun to make appearances throughout the day for most of the month.
Best Places to See in Italy in November
1)Naples
Although it is certain to rain in Naples during November, it's not quite as grey or overcast in this ancient metropolis as it is in most other cities throughout Italy. The sun will make appearances throughout the day meaning you can visit the sites and enjoy Mount Vesuvius – before making your way to Pompeii – in relative ease.
Naples is home to some of the finest and most exquisite Italian fare on the planet and we're not just talking about pizza, so do definitely spend plenty of your time in the city eating as much as you can! And them some!
2)Venice
Venice in the winter months is magical! Yes, some rain and a few crowds can be expected but it's nowhere near as busy during November as it is during the other months. Sure, you definitely won't be the only person making your way through the famed canals of this historic city but at least you won't be looking forward to spending more time than is necessary queuing up to be let into those museums you've been looking forward to for months!
3)Lake Como
Lake Como and its surrounding smaller lakeside villages are lively without being overly busy during November, making it an excellent time to go for walks, or even just sit by the lake. The area can be quite expensive to visit throughout the year but November, being part of the tourist off-season, sees prices drop significantly, so getting that villa by the lake is much more feasible than it would be during the summer months.
November Crowds and Costs
Although the weather is far from perfect, November can, in fact, be a terrific month to visit Italy because this is a time when costs are low and crowds are thin in most major tourist hotspots.
Even those travelers that stayed on in the country during the height of the shoulder travel month of October have long since departed, meaning you can enjoy most galleries and attractions in relative peace and relaxation. And of course, the general downtick in tourism results in significantly lower prices on everything from airfare and transportation to entertainment and accommodation.
The exceptions to this rule of thumb are perhaps major cities like Rome and Venice, which are home to museums that attract large crowds year-round, so as far as visits to those two cities and their famed museums are concerned, lines and crowds ought to still be expected.
What to Wear in Italy in November
It's important to keep the cold, rainy, November weather in mind when packing for your trip to Italy during this time. You will need to pack plenty of warm clothing including sweaters, jackets, coats, boots or warm shoes, scarves, and winter hats. Scarves are always a good bet due to their universality.
It's likely to rain no matter where you are in Italy during November, so do carry along a quality travel umbrella or raincoats with you as well.
November Events in Italy
All Saints Day: November 1st marks All Saints Day, also known as Tutti i Santi or Ognissanti, in Italy. The day is meant to be an observation in which people commemorate saints and martyrs, and families remember their dead, so the holiday is generally spent by attending mass and visiting cemeteries of loved ones to pay respects. It's not uncommon to see people cleaning gravesites of their loved ones and leaving behind flowers as a token of their love.
The day is a national holiday, meaning most workers are given the day off. That being said, most businesses in major tourist hotspots – especially those in bigger cities – may remain open so as not to miss out on commerce.
If the festival falls on and around a weekend, many will take the opportunity to extend their time off by taking additional days off. Public transportation can see an uptick in business on All Saints Day, so it's wise to plan things ahead on this day.
All Souls Day: All Saints Day on November 1st is followed by All Souls Day, also known as Giorno dei Morti, on November 2nd. Similar to All Saints Day, All Souls Day is also a festival commemorating one's departed loved ones and just like on All Saints Day, people spend the day visiting and cleaning the gravesites of their ancestors, before spending time at the site with their deceased family members and good friends. Unlike All Saints Day, though, All Souls Day is not a national holiday in Italy.
Explore Italy with Global Highlights
Looking to plan your perfect November trip to Italy? Let Global Highlights plan your dream vacation for you! We specialize in creating tailor-made tours that not only consider your travel goals but also keep in mind ongoing weather conditions to make your dream trip as memorable as possible. Let us deal with the planning stress so that you can just enjoy the journey!