Are you thinking about traveling to Italy in November and are not sure what to expect? Doubtful to plan your trip because of the unpredictable weather? Think again, November is a wonderful time to travel to Italy, and here we will tell you everything about it.
A most authentic experience where you will be mingling with locals rather than other tourists, in November major landmarks will have smaller queues and the weather pleasant enough to let you walk for hours.
For this, and many other reasons, November is really one of my favorite months and fall is my favorite season altogether. Even though daylight becomes shorter, November in Italy is when I feel like exploring and going out more than ever.
In this guide, you will find all you need to know to plan your trip to Italy in November, what to expect weather-wise, what to pack to be prepared and avoid surprises, and fantastic places to visit to fully enjoy this magical time of the year.
Traveling for Christmas instead? Discover what to expect from Italy in December!
4 reasons to visit Italy in November
- Smaller crowds. This is one big reason to visit Italy in November. After the huge crowds and lines of the summer months, Italy experiences a lower tourist season. While tourism in Italy is never non-existent, November is one of the very lowest seasons. This is why if you are one of the few lucky ones, this is the right time to face the major landmarks with usually overwhelming queues.
- Cheaper rates. International flights to Italy are usually cheaper when it’s low season, and so are the domestic flights between regions. In Italy, there is an extensive train network run by Trenitalia and Italo Treno. They often do offers and promotions, especially in lower seasons like fall. Apart from the transportation, in November you will also find slightly cheaper hotel rates.
- Beautiful colors. Falling leaves and seasonal skies make the autumn light warm and romantic. Wherever you travel in Italy in November, you will experience suggestive views and foliage mixed with yellow, brown, and orange hues in just about all Italian regions. This is why photographers or Instagram enthusiasts will love Italy
- Local foods. Every region has its own local dishes, and often, Italian foods can be a bit heavy, such as Roman specialties like coda alla vaccinara oxtail or bucatini amatriciana, Florence’s local dishes like Florentine steak, or the canederli from the Trentino-Alto Adige tradition.
Pros and cons of traveling to Italy in November
Is November a good time to travel to Italy? If you are wondering whether November is a good month for you to plan your trip to Italy, our pros and cons will help you make up your mind.
Pros
- Cheaper prices. The fact that several services are cheaper in November allows you to either go for a sweet upgrade to your hotel room or stretch your holiday further. If you have planned a week’s vacation, you can stretch it a bit and treat yourself to 10 days in Italy or even longer.
- Quiet. With the landmarks not overflowing with visitors, your sightseeing can be calmer. There won’t be the need to rush, you can enjoy some slow travel, you can devote more time to exploring historical sites and museums, and in general, you can enjoy the destination at your own pace.
- More relaxed. Let’s face it, we all love summer, but the heat and the crowds make you rush and force you into frantic planning lest you miss some scheduled entrance. If lines are shorter, you might decide last minute whether you want to visit a place or not, unless you know you really want to. If crowds are smaller, there is no rush and no stress when sightseeing.
Cons
- The weather. I like storms, thunders, and rain, but I’m aware that they are not ideal if you are traveling. However, if there is a thunderstorm in November it’s most likely at night and during the day only some rain. And in Italy, there are plenty of things to do if it rains (think of food and museums!).
- Shorter days. Between the time change and winter approaching, daylight hours in November are shorter than the previous months so you might have little inspiration for sightseeing. However, this is when you can enjoy big cities as well as smaller towns, with buildings and famous landmarks lit up for the night.
Holidays in November in Italy
Sort of underrated between two big seasons, the summer one finished not long before and the Christmas time is fast approaching, November doesn’t have many holidays. There are mainly two special days and they both are at the beginning of the month, the 1st and the 2nd of November.
- November 1st. This is All Saint’s Day and it’s a holiday. This means that schools and offices are closed, as also shops in residential and non-touristy neighborhoods. In tourist areas, however, shops and restaurants will be open, as well as large shopping malls even if in the suburbs.
- November 2nd. This is the day of the dead and it’s not a holiday. Schools are open unless it’s in between the holiday and the weekend, such as on a Friday. In this case, we do “ponte”, bridge, meaning, we connect all the days and it becomes a little 4-day break.
How long are the days in November in Italy?
Depending on the region and whether it’s the beginning or the end of the month, the duration of daylight in November in Italy varies. On average, a day lasts between 9 to 10 hours.
- In Rome, we go from 10 hours and 25 minutes of daylight on November 1st, when the dawn is at 6.39 am and sunset at 5.04 pm, to 9 hours and 23 minutes on November 30th, when the sun rises at 7.14 am and sets at 4.37 pm.
- In Venice, we go from 10 hours and 12 minutes of daylight on November 1st, when the dawn is at 6.47 am and sunset at 4.59 pm, to 9 hours and 2 minutes on November 30th, when the sun rises at 7.26 am and sets at 4.26 pm.
- In Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige, the daylight lasts 10 hours and 8 minutes on November 1st, when the dawn is at 6.53 am and sunset at 5.01 pm. On November 30th, we have 8 hours and 56 minutes of light, with dawn starting at 7.34 am and sunset at 4.30 pm.
- In Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, we go from 10 hours and 16 minutes of daylight on November 1st, when the dawn is at 6.49 am and sunset at 5.05 pm, to 9 hours and 9 minutes on November 30th, when the sun rises at 7.27 am and sets at 4.36 pm.
- In Palermo, Sicily, the daylight lasts 10 hours and 38 minutes on November 1st, when the dawn is at 6.30 am and sunset at 5.08 pm. On November 30th, we have 9 hours and 45 minutes of light, with dawn starting at 7.01 am and sunset at 4.46 pm.
- In Cagliari, Sardinia, on November 1st the day is 10 hours and 35 minutes long with dawn being at 6.49 am and dusk at 5.24 pm. On November 30th, the daylight lasts 9 hours and 40 minutes as the sun rises at 7.21 am and sets at 5.01 pm.
- In Bari, Puglia, the daylight lasts 10 hours and 28 minutes on November 1st, when the dawn is at 6.21 am and sunset at 4.49 pm. On November 30th, we have 9 hours and 29 minutes of light, with dawn starting at 6.55 am and sunset at 4.24 pm.
10 best places to visit in Italy in November
Rome
Rome in November is magical. It’s one of the lowest tourist seasons so crowds are very small and your experience inside each landmark, especially famous ones and the most popular Rome museums, will be of higher quality than in July and August. With fewer tourists and locals busy running their daily life, your experience in the city will certainly be an authentic one.
Photography enthusiasts will love the palette of golden, orange, and brown hues, and looking for a place to enjoy the foliage is one of the coolest things to do, both in the city and in the surrounding parks and towns.
Even though fall is in full swing, Rome in November is not very cold. Its temperatures range between 7°C (44°F) the lowest at night and 17°C (62/63°F) the highest during the day.
Apart from the fewer crowds, another big pro of visiting Rome this time of the year is the cheaper rates of both international flights and hotels. Due to being low travel season, also domestic flights and trains might have cheaper rates and more offers and promotions.
Trentino-Alto Adige
Immersed in nature, November is a great month to visit the Trentino-Alto Adige region if you are chasing foliage with golden hues and suggestive photography subjects.
The weather in Trentino is certainly colder than in Rome and towards the end of November, it starts snowing also at low altitudes. In fact, some ski resorts in Trentino Alto Adige’s Dolomites such as Madonna di Campiglio start opening around the 20th of November, many by the end of the month, and others at the beginning of December.
Trentino-Alto Adige is a fascinating region to visit in November also because of the Yuletide spirit all around. The Christmas markets start opening around the end of the month and street lights, snow, and the smell of mulled wine (vin brulé) do the rest.
Some of the best bigger cities to visit in Trentino-Alto Adige in November are Trento, Bolzano, Merano, and Bressanone.
Florence
In November, Florence’s weather starts to get chilly, albeit not as much as in northern Italy. Like Rome, Florence, too, experiences probably the lowest tourist season of the year, so if you are one of the few visitors, enjoy its beautiful landmarks without crowds.
While it might be too cold to have gelato, there are many delicious foods to try in Florence in November. This is the time of the new cold-pressed olive oil and white truffles. With the cold season approaching, this is a perfect time to tuck into the hearty local specialties that in summer might result too heavy to digest.
With cheaper rates, you might even be able to stretch your vacation further and instead of two days in Florence, you can stay four or five, or even a week if you can afford some time off!
Venice
Is Venice nice in November? Well, being November a rather wet month compared to the rest of the year, you need to put that into account especially visiting Venice. Venice is in general very humid, also in summer, so in November humidity will be up to the roof.
However, taking all the due precautions, if you are planning your trip to Italy for November, it might sound like a pity not to include Venice at a time when the usual huge crowds are much smaller. The only time in November when Venice might have more tourists is at the beginning around the 1st and the 2nd, All Saints and the Day of the Dead.
This is a great time to visit the islands around Venice like Burano, Torcello, and Murano, as well as more popular tourist attractions such as Ponte di Rialto and Ponte dei Sospiri bridges, Canal Grande, and Palazzo Ducale.
Venice in November can get quite foggy, adding to the mystery of an already utterly romantic city. The typical Venetian occurrence of the high waters, especially in low-level zones like Piazza San Marco, completes the scene of a magical city.
Naples
Even though Naples’ weather in November is quite mild, it can be unpredictable like in any other region of Italy. Truth be said, Naples is a fantastic destination all year long. With delicious local food, a rich culture, and a long and stormy history, you are sure to have a great trip.
Some of the things to do in Naples are a stroll around the central and quaint Spaccanapoli and the scenic seafront. If it’s raining, but also if it isn’t, don’t miss wonderful sights like the marble sculpture of the Veiled Christ, the amazing Palazzo Reale (royal palace), the majestic Maschio Angioino castle, and the rich collection of vestiges in the National Archaeological Museum.
While in Naples, check the weather forecast and if it’s not raining, make your way to Pompeii. With the summer heat long gone, walking through the alley of the ancient Roman city is a pleasure.
Of course, being Naples, I recommend tucking into the local dishes because they are amazing and pizza is really only one of the many.
Temperatures range between 10°C/50°F (the lowest) and 18°C/65°F (the highest) on average. Even though not much, it rains in Naples too. The rainy days in Naples in November are estimated for an average of 7 to 9 days.
Turin
We love Turin. With so many things to see and do, it’s always a good time to visit the capital of Piedmont. If it rains, you can spend a good couple of hours inside Museo Egizio, the Egyptian Museum displaying a rich collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, mummies, decorations, and all types of objects.
Turin is not famous for its friendly weather. This is why it features several porticoes and covered galleries. This is a royal city, the former home of the Savoy royal family, and the porticoes had mainly the purpose to protect the member of the aristocracy from the rain.
Temperatures are quite chilly in Turin in November, so wearing layers and a coat is recommended.
Milan
Trendy stores, fancy galleries, cool aperitif places, and countless clothes windows are what to expect in Milan in every season, and fall is not an exception. Take a tour of the gorgeous Duomo, see Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, visit the Sforzesco Castle, and explore the Pinacoteca di Brera museum if the weather doesn’t inspire you to walk.
If temperatures are not hostile and it’s not raining, join the local fashionistas in the city’s shopping streets and sip on a drink in the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
Check out our tips if you have only one day in Milan.
Bologna
Bologna is a great destination to visit in Italy in November. A lively and vibrant city full of activities, landmarks, and things to do, Bologna doesn’t let its visitors down even in November.
Between October and November, you can attend some of the concerts as part of the annual Bologna Jazz Festival, or walk around the city center and visit its main attractions.
Your children will love a stop at the FICO Park, where they can take part in many food-themed activities, workshops, and, obviously, play in the rich playground. Usually, at the beginning of November, they organize Halloween-themed samplings, shows, and activities. Adults will definitely enjoy their time sampling local delicacies.
The weather in Bologna will likely feature some fog and especially in the mornings and evenings, temperatures will be pretty chilly. Rain is possible as the month has on average an estimated 6 to 7 days of rainfall, but it will hardly be a factor that will ruin your holiday.
Check out our article about the best things to do in Bologna.
Sicily
If you want to enjoy the typical November perks of cheaper prices and smaller crowds but still want nice weather, Sicily is your best destination. Charming cities like Palermo, the most Arab city of Italy, for its museums and churches, Catania for its beautiful architecture, markets, and churches, Taormina and Ragusa for the gorgeous views, and Agrigento for its museums and the nearby Valle dei Templi.
All year long, Sicily is a great destination for its food, and November makes no exception. Sweets like the creamy cannoli and seafood pasta are only some of the local specialties you will enjoy on your Sicily trip. All around the island, you will find plenty of occasions to attend a sagra, local food fairs focusing on a single ingredient or preparation such as sausage or chestnuts.
Blessed by a mild Mediterranean climate, the weather in Sicily in November is still pretty unpredictable but temperatures are 15°C/60°F on average with the lowest being around 8°C/46°F and the highest touching peaks of even 20°C/68°F.
Sardinia
Even though Sardinia is mainly known for its beaches, the island is very rich in traditions, and the inland is as interesting, if not more, as the coastline.
Like in the rest of the country, the beginning of November in Sardinia is marked by All Saints’ Day and the Day of the Dead. Unlike other regions, however, the day of the dead is very much felt.
In some towns of the island, such as Sedilo in the Oristano province, families set up the table on the night of November 1st with cooked food for their dead. The food usually consisted of spaghetti and wine, then pictures of the dead, and sometimes also candles.
All over the island, on this occasion, they prepare a specific sweet known as “pabassini” or “papassini” depending on the area.
The weather in November in Sardinia changes frequently and suddenly.
Central and southern provinces like Oristano and Cagliari are quite warm, while northern cities like Olbia or Santa Teresa di Gallura might be slightly colder, but really 1 or 2 degrees of difference. Probably you will find a little chillier temperatures in the eastern Barbagia region in Nuoro province, in towns like Mamoiada and Orgosolo.
Even though not much of a swimming season, don’t miss the beachfront at least once: the rough sea is spectacular!
Bari
The capital of the wonderful Puglia region, Italy’s “heel”, Bari is a vibrant and fascinating city packed with historical sights and beautiful views. With less than a week of rainfalls and an average temperature of 16°C/61°F, Bari is a great place to visit in Italy in November because the weather is pleasant enough to walk for hours.
Apart from the landmarks inside the city, you can also take some day trips and head to places such as Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, and Castellana Grotte. The bravest will also swim in Puglia in November, but even if the weather can be quite warm, I don’t think the water will be.
Thermal springs
As the weather starts getting chilly, it’s very pleasant to soak in some thermal springs. From the natural springs of the Terme dei Papi in Viterbo to those in Tuscany such as Terme di Saturnia or Terme di Chianciano thermal baths, are a fantastic destination.
If you are going to northern Italy, in Merano there is a famous thermal park equipped with year-round spa facilities, saunas, pools, and a fitness center. Along with the beauty treatments, in Terme di Merano thermal park you can enjoy also brunch in the morning or aperitif in the evening.
Where NOT to go in Italy in November
Amalfi Coast
Is Amalfi warm in November? Yes and no. While its temperatures are not extremely cold (13°C/55°F to 18°C/65°F on average), this is when the rainy season starts in the area. Since the Amalfi Coast is famous mainly as a sea resort type of holiday, when it rains, there is not much to do.
On top of that, most hotels in both the Amalfi Coast and Positano are closed, so you would even have to resort to an accommodation that might not be ideal for your needs.
Cinque Terre
Similarly to the Amalfi Coast, also the Cinque Terre is not the most ideal Italian destination in November. The weather starts becoming chilly, the marine air makes it quite crispy, and rain is always possible.
The accommodation facilities and the summer activities are closed because the high season has just ended and this is the low season. So if you want to visit the Cinque Terre in November, my guess is to make it a day trip from another city that’s a better fall destination such as Genoa.
Make sure you plan your visit when it’s nice weather. The Cinque Terre is mainly a nature-focused trip and the main attraction is its beautiful scenery and great hiking paths, so you really don’t want to go on a rainy day.
Don’t miss our guide to visiting the Cinque Terre.
Tips + Need to know when traveling to Italy in November
As winter is approaching, there are a few tips and rules to keep in mind.
- If you have decided to drive in Italy, keep in mind that from the 15th of November it’s mandatory to have winter tires or keep snow chains in the car. If you are renting a car in Italy upon arrival, it will be fully equipped according to the law.
- Whenever you are coming, even if it’s at the beginning of the month, pack at least one change of warm winter clothes. November is quite unpredictable and you never know how you need to dress.
- Some areas with a very low tourism season in November might slow down with their service offer. Check out the destination you are considering going to and see if hotels and restaurants are open as well as tourist landmarks.
Check out our full Italy travel guide to plan your trip any time.
What to wear in Italy in November
Are you unsure whether you plan your trip or not because you have no idea how you should dress in Italy in November? As the weather is erratic and can change a couple of times on the same day, remember that the secret is layering.
Here are some of my tips about what to wear in Italy in November.
- Raincoat. Being November a pretty rainy month in Italy, a waterproof raincoat is usually a good solution to stay warm and protected from the rain. If you are wearing a warm jumper underneath and a few layers of clothing, your raincoat doesn’t even need to be padded.
- Coat or jacket. Depending on where you are going, November in Italy requires either a coat or a jacket. If you are heading north, a coat is probably more recommended, while in southern regions or Sicily, a jacket will be enough, provided that you are wearing a jumper underneath.
- Comfortable trousers or jeans. Since you are likely to spend most of the time sightseeing and walking, a pair of comfortable trousers is a must. Depending on what type of trip you are going to have, you will choose what trousers are a better fit. For big cities, a pair of jeans or smart cotton trousers will be fine. Check out what shoes to wear with skinny jeans to be always trendy. If you are going to trek in the mountains, you will probably prefer lightweight hiking trousers. In case of rain, waterproof trousers or overtrousers feel like a sound choice.
- Jumper or sweatshirt. In November in Italy, a jumper is recommended. If you are in northern Italy, you are likely to keep it on, but if you are visiting southern Italy in November, you can take it off and remain in your cotton top especially midday or on unusually warm days that lately are happening always more often.
- Long-sleeve tops. Excellent for layering, cotton long-sleeve tops are perfect to wear underneath your jumper that you can eventually take off if it’s too warm.
- Short-sleeve tops. If you are traveling to southern Italy, let’s say from Rome southward, in November you can still use short-sleeve tops but mainly for layering rather than for a complete outfit. Summer is long gone and winter is approaching.
- Ankle boots or sneakers. Due to the likely rainy weather forecast and the fact that we are in fall, shoe-wise, a pair of ankle boots is a good solution to avoid getting wet. If you know it’s not going to rain, in November in Italy you can also wear sneakers or maybe trekking shoes if you are going to one of the mountainous regions such as Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, or Valle d’Aosta.
- Scarf. A scarf is an essential clothing item in November in Italy. It can be humid, chilly, and at times windy, so you might need protection for your neck and throat both during the day and in the evening/night.
What to pack for a trip to Italy in November
Apart from the clothes you will need, there are also some items you should pack if you are travel to Italy in the fall.
- Umbrella. Wherever you decide to go and whatever the duration of your trip, packing an umbrella is a good idea. I recommend opting for a small, foldable umbrella so you can easily pack it in your luggage and carry it around in your backpack ready whenever needed.
- Backpack. Whether you are traveling to big cities or planning a more nature-focused trip, a backpack comes in always handy. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that in many important landmarks such as the Colosseum it’s not allowed to enter with a backpack. Some landmarks will have a cloakroom, but not all. In case you can’t enter or leave it anywhere, a cross-body bag is a better choice.
- Camera. Seriously, why would you come to Italy without a camera? Whether it’s a DSLR or a smartphone, you will want to capture the beautiful fall colors.
- International driving license. If you are from outside the EU and want to rent a car in Italy, along with your country’s driving license, you will also need an international one. For citizens of the EU, their normal license is enough. Check out Discover Cars for the prices and to book.
- Medicines. In Italian pharmacies, you can find every type of medicine, but if you are already taking some and you know they require a prescription, it’s always better to pack them in your luggage. In case of cold or flu, remedies like paracetamol, aspirin, vitamins, anti-inflammatories, and such, are over-the-counter medicines.
How cold is it in November in Italy?
The weather in November in Italy differs a lot depending on the region. While in southern regions wearing a jacket might be sufficient, in places like Valle d’Aosta, Piedmont, and Trentino-Alto Adige, a coat will likely be more adequate.
The chance of rainfall is all over the country, but temperatures vary. If in Sicily the thermometer can reach 20°C/68°F, in Valle d’Aosta the average highest is 12°C/53°F.
In the northern regions like Valle d’Aosta and Trentino, the snow starts falling around the end of November and you can already see snow-capped peaks. Some snow can fall also on the peaks in other parts of Italy such as Mount Etna in Sicily or Roccaraso in Abruzzo, but usually to see snowflakes around Italy we need to wait until later months.
Is November a rainy month in Italy?
November is one of the rainiest months in Italy. The rainfalls are on average for a week. This means that even if it’s supposed to rain, it doesn’t mean that it will for the whole day. Sometimes, actually often, it will rain at night and the result will be a crispy morning.
If it rains during the day, you might have some showers, a couple of hours when it lasts longer, but hardly a whole day. With so many important museums, coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, and historic sites, you will find plenty of things to do even if it rains.
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