Italy Weather in September 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

It's very pleasant in Italy during September. Temperatures have dropped and it's much cooler than it was in the previous two or three months. Although cities like Venice may experience some rainfall here and there, it remains largely dry in most parts of the country during the month. Long hours of sunshine and endless blue skies make for a great time to visit the European paradise!

Contrary to popular belief, September is still quite crowded in Italy. While it's not as packed as it was in August because most local tourists have concluded their travels, the near-perfect September weather retains much of the overseas crowds. That being said, beaches and countryside towns will not as busy as they were just a few weeks before the month began!

The relatively large number of tourists still continuing their travels results in September still being a somewhat expensive time to travel in Italy. Accommodation, transportation, and entertainment, all maintain significant price hikes during the month.

Although very pleasant throughout September, northern Italy experiences evenings that can be a little chilly, and this is especially true of the Dolomites. As such, be sure to also pack a few scarves, light jackets, cardigans, and sweaters, if you plan on visiting the famed mountains during your September holiday in Italy.

Italy Weather in September Overview

• Average temperature range: 14°C-27°C (57°F-81°F)
• Season: Pleasant and Dry
• Rainfall: 65 mm (2.5 inches) in Rome, 80 mm (3.1 inches) in Venice, 45 mm (1.8 inches) in Naples
• Rainy days: 6 in Rome, 7 in Venice, 5 in Naples

September Weather in Italy by Region

Weather conditions in Italy during September remain largely pleasant and dry with slight variations from region to region. 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: 14°C-24°C (57°F-75°F)

September in northern Italy is very pleasant. The average maximum temperature in the region is 24°C (75°F) and the average minimum temperature is 14°C (57°F).

About 80 mm (3.1 inches) of rainfall can be expected in northern Italy during the month of September. Although rainfall in these parts is spread out over a period of a week or so, conditions remain overcast for large parts of the month, with the sun making occasional appearance now and then.

Central Italy: 15°C-27°C (59°F-81°F)

Although it gets nice and cool at night, the days in central Italy can be quite warm. This is due to the average maximum temperature persisting around the 27°C (81°F) mark. The average minimum temperature in this part of the country, though, hovers around the cool and comfortable 16°C (61°F) mark.

A moderate figure of 65 mm (2.5 inches) of rainfall can be expected in central Italy during September. It rains for about 6 days of the month in these central regions, so much of the month is marked by mostly clear skies and long hours of sunshine.

Southern Italy: 18°C-27°C (64°F-81°C)

September is, hands down, one of the best months to visit southern Italy. The average maximum temperature, which is usually recorded during daytime, is closer to the 25°C (77°F) mark, whereas the average minimum temperature, which is usually recorded during nighttime, is closer to the 18°C (64°F) mark in the region.

A mere 5 days and 45 mm (1.8 inches) of rainfall can be expected in southern Italy during the month of September, so you can expect endless days of blue skies and sunshine throughout your time in this part of the peninsula.

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Best Places to See in Italy in September

1) Puglia

September is the best time to visit Puglia. Long gone are the big crowds of domestic tourists, meaning there's a lot more to enjoy without feeling like you're wading through a bunch of people all the time. This, coupled with the inch-perfect weather, make for ideal conditions to sit and relax on the region's many stunning sandy beaches, as you snack on fresh mozzarella and seafood.

2) Bologna

Although it is a little hot during September in Bologna and the region of Emilia-Romagna in general, if you're a foodie, you ought to visit the capital city during this time for sure. The city hosts its much-awaited Potato Festival during September and is also home to some of the finest Michelin star restaurants. The best part? It's not crowded during September!

3) Tuscany

Tuscany has everything from wine and cheese tasting to cycling and hiking to offer visitors, and during September, temperatures drop a bit, meaning it's much more comfortable than it was in the previous two or three months. We recommend visiting some of the region's towns like Montepulciano to try some of their famous wines, Pienza is you're a fan of Pecorino cheese, and Fortei dei Marmi if relaxing by the seaside is a priority of yours.

4) Dolomites

September is perfect for spending some time in the Dolomites. The crowds have long since dissipated and you can enjoy the vivid vistas without being in the company of many travelers. It's important to remember, though, that we recommend visiting the Dolomites during the first couple of months if this region is in your travel plans. It tends to start getting cold during the second half of September in the mountains and many businesses start closing up in preparation for the off-season.

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Crowds and Costs in September in Italy

In years past, September in Italy used to mark the end of the high travel season in the country. This has now changed due to the sheer volume of people traveling to the popular tourist destination constantly increasing.

Most of the local tourists have concluded their travels by this time, so it's primarily the foreign tourists that flock to Italy during September. This means places like Puglia and the beaches of Sicily or Tuscany aren't as crowded as they are during August.

Although it's not as crowded as it is during the peak summer months that precede September, you can still expect relatively large crowds, especially in the bigger cities of Italy during September.

This results in things still remaining expensive throughout the course of September in Italy. You can expect accommodation, entertainment, and transportation to all be more substantially more expensive than they would be during the off-season.

What to Wear in Italy in September

Changing temperatures during the month of September mean you should remember to pack a few layers for your visit to Italy. This is especially important if you intend on spending some time in the Dolomites. Cardigans, light sweaters and jackets, and a few long-sleeve shirts ought to do the job in keeping you warm as it's still not quite as cold as it will be towards year-end.

Scarves will help keep you warm and stylish in the evenings if temperatures drop but the added advantage with having a few scarves in your packing list is that they come in handy in covering your shoulders or thighs for those visits to religious sites like churches.

For most of Italy for most of September, though, you can easily manage by packing plenty of clothing options in breathable fabrics like linen and cotton. Think shorts, pants, short-sleeve shirts, and sundresses. Just remember to have some extra options in case you plan on dining in fancy Michelin star establishments.

If you plan on spending a lot of time at the beach, do remember to bring your swimwear, sunglasses, sunhats, sunscreen, and towels.

September Festivals in Italy

Bologna Potato Festival (Sagre): Sagre are local food festivals or feasts that can be found all over Italy – especially during the month of September – and the capital city of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna, plays host to the famed Potato Festival during the latter part of the same month.

Numerous food stalls celebrate the region's celebrated potato variety by showcasing the long list of Italian dishes that would not be half as tasty as they are today without the help of the humble potato. Some of these dishes include, you guessed it, gnocchi, tortelini, and croquettes, to name just a few items. So, if you love potatoes (who doesn't!), be sure you're in Bologna towards the latter half of September.

Venice Film Festival: If celebrity sightings get you excited, you'll be afforded the best opportunity to do just that during the beginning of September if you find yourself in Venice.

The city's internationally-acclaimed film festival celebrates the very best pictures and talents in the sphere of global cinema, so celebrity sightings aside, it's also one of the best opportunities for you to get ahead of the curve and watch some of the best movies from all around the world much before they're released in commercial theaters.

Milan Fashion Week: Milan, one of the four fashion capitals of the world, hosts the prestigious Milan Fashion Week every autumn showcasing the following year's spring and summer collections. You can enjoy the shows by purchasing relevant tickets to the various city-designated venues, or if you're like us, grab a spot at a street-side café and take in the vibe curbside.

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Monthly Weather in Italy