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What It’s Really Like to Visit Italy in November (+ Top Travel Tips)

What It’s Really Like to Visit Italy in November (+ Top Travel Tips)

Are you thinking of traveling to Italy in November, but not sure what to expect and whether it’s a good time to go? In this article, you can find practical information and tips for visiting Italy in November. In addition, we are sharing our personal experience from several different trips to Italy in the beginning and also in the second half of November.

If you are just looking for a short answer to the question of whether it’s a good idea to visit Italy in November, then I’d say go for it. Italy is always a good idea and there are many advantages of traveling to Italy in the fall. Read on to find out more!

Our experience: We have been to Italy countless times and visited in November three times. Once, we spent a week in Cinque Terre, Porto Venere, and the Italian Riviera with a short stop at Lake Como at the beginning of November. Another time, I traveled to Lombardy (Milan and Bellagio, Lake Como) at the end of November. We loved both those trips just as much as we loved visiting Italy in other seasons! In a way, maybe even more…

So recently we also visited Rome in November. It was great, and fewer crowds and cooler weather allowed us to see and do so much more than ever before (see our 4-days Rome itinerary for some inspiration).

In this article, you will learn what the weather is like and what to expect when visiting Italy in November. In addition, you can find a short overview of all the positive and negative sides of traveling to Italy at this time of the year. And finally, at the bottom of the article, you can also find our top tips for visiting Italy in November. Find out!

READ ALSO: Best Places to See in Italy

Milan in November
Milan in November
 

What is the Weather Like in Italy in November

The weather is one of the main concerns when planning a trip to Italy in November. However, please keep in mind that Italy is a big country and differences in temperature and precipitation in the fall can be immense between Northern Italy or for example, Sicily or Sardinia. Not even to mention the mountains where winter comes early…

Furthermore, you cannot compare the weather in Italy at the beginning of November to that at the end of the month…

November is said to be Italy’s rainiest month. However, we only had two half days of rain out of two one-week trips to Italy in November…

The reality is that, unless you are booking your trip last minute, it’s impossible to say how the weather will be. November is a rather unpredictable month. In general, you should expect to get at least a few rainy days in Italy in November, and, normally, you’ll also need to pack some warm clothing and an umbrella or a rain jacket.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here is what the weather is like in different parts of Italy in November:

  • Rome: Temperatures 7-17°C (45-63 F). 9 days of (some) rain.
  • Milan or Venice: Temperatures 6-12°C (43-54 F). 6 days of (some) rain.
  • Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Sardinia: Temperatures 10-19°C (50-66 F). 7-9 days of (some) rain.

Good to know: There are about 9-10 hours of daylight in Italy in November, depending on where and when exactly you travel.

Portofino in Italy in November
We had warm and sunny weather at the beginning of November in Portofino (Italian Riviera)
November weather in Italy - Lake Como on a grey day end of November
Lake Como – grey cold weather in the 3rd week of November. As you can see, there was already some snow in the mountains as well
 

Our experience

When we visited Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera in the first week of November, we had some sunny warm days with daytime temperatures of 18-20 °C (65-68° F) and we could just wear t-shirts.

But in that same week, we also had a few rainy days when the temperatures were just around 12°C (54°F) and we needed a sweater and a rain jacket.

When I was in North Italy at the end of November, I was wearing a warm winter jacket and my UGG winter shoes… The weather was dry but cold with temperatures around 5-10°C (40-50°F). At the same time, it was raining quite hard in the other parts of Italy…

When we visited Rome in the first week of November, we had daytime temperatures of 18-20°C (65-68° F) and one day with lots of rain. The rest of the time – despite the rain in the forecast – it was really nice.

Beautiful fall weather in Cinque Terre at the end of October - beginning of November
We had amazing warm weather when we visited Cinque Terre
Stormy weather in Camogli Italy in November
Just two days later we had cold stormy weather in Camogli
 

Crowds

November sees a rapidly decreasing number of visitors all over Italy. The more north you go, the fewer tourists you’ll see. But also in the south of Italy, November is the start of the low season.

Many European countries have school breaks in October – the first week of November. So some places, especially in southern Italy, will still be quite lively at the beginning of November. But if you visit Italy in the second week of November or later in the month, even the most popular places will be rather quiet.

That being said, the biggest cities in Italy are always popular. And so also in November, during the day, you’ll see tour buses and groups of tourists at the main attractions.

TIP: Visit the most popular landmarks just as they open. In the morning in November, you are likely to have them completely to yourselves. The cities also tend to be quite empty in the evening. Because it gets dark quite early in November, you can enjoy the beautifully-lit Italian cities without the crowds.

Milan canals in November
Milan canals were empty at around 7 PM on a weekday in November
 

Our experience

When we visited Italy at the beginning of November, the only busy place was Cinque Terre. It was nothing compared to what it’s like in the high season, but still, it was rather busy at some places (and some others were very quiet).

Most of the other towns nearby – Portovenere, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, or Lerici – were just pleasantly lively. Some smaller places like Camogli in that same region or Cernobbio (Lake Como) were really quiet.

When I was in Milan in the third week of November, the city was lively with locals, but there were very few tourists. We could even visit the terraces of Duomo without any queues whatsoever. The only place of all the main landmarks and attractions in Milan where you really have to reserve tickets long in advance is The Last Supper by da Vinci; this is also the case in the lower season.

Lake Como was completely deserted at the end of November. Como town itself was pleasantly lively because it’s a town where many people actually live. Whereas other places along the lake, including the world-famous Bellagio, were really quiet.

As we left, Como was preparing to open its yearly Christmas Market (starting from the last weekend of November). And also in Milan, they were about to light the Christmas decorations. So if you visit Italy in the last week of November, you’ll likely find a very nice Christmas atmosphere already.

Rome was quite busy in the first half of November as well, but mostly at the main sights in Rome. Most lesser-known places in Rome were quiet. And we also managed to visit the most popular places without the crowds by getting up earlier. The city was very quiet in the morning before 9-10 AM. But the better restaurants in Rome were always full at lunch as well as at dinnertime.

Bellagio in Italy in November
The most picturesque street in Bellagio was deserted at the end of November (in summer, you can’t even see the stairs between the people here)
 

Is Everything Open in Italy in November?

As the weather cools down and gets wetter, more and more places in Italy start to close for the season in November. However, it really depends on the place.

Smaller towns that live from tourism, and especially coastal towns and villages all around Italy, go into winter sleep. Tours stop running, restaurants and shops close, and many hotels in tourist areas also close for the winter (November to March).

This is not the case in bigger cities, where most of the attractions, hotels, and restaurants remain open throughout the year. So if you are planning to travel to Italy in November, know that it’s a perfect time to visit the most popular towns such as Rome, Florence, Milan, Naples, or Venice.

Portovenere in Italy at the beginning of November
Everything was open in Portovenere & Cinque Terre at the beginning of November
 

Our experience

As we visited Cinque Terre, boat tours were supposed to be closed at the end of October already. However, because the weather was really nice, they just continued to run in the first few days of November as well.

We found plenty of restaurants open and there was still no sign of it being low season. It was the same in Portofino, where boat tours were still running (albeit not as frequently as in high season).

However, the smaller and less popular towns looked a lot more sleepy already. There were local restaurants open, but the more tourist-oriented places had already closed.

In Milan and Como, everything was open at the end of November. In the meantime, in Bellagio, pretty much everything was closed for the season. Most hotels had their wooden shutters closed and the town looked deserted. There was one gelateria open in town and a few local restaurants (excellent food!), but all the shops were closed.

In Rome, everything was open in November. Only the Vatican Museums were closed on the 1st of November (public holidays).

Charming old buildings in Bellagio, Lake Como
Most of the hotels, shops, and restaurants were closed in Bellagio at the end of November
 

Where to Go in Italy in November

Big Cities

November is a great time to visit the most popular cities in Italy that are overcrowded in the high season. Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Naples, Bologna, Siena… – they have so much to offer in any season and in any weather. And there should always be at least a few days of dry sunny weather that will allow you to enjoy outdoor attractions as well!

Italian towns are just as enjoyable (if not more) in the cooler weather than they are in summer. Furthermore, if the weather is really bad, you can always visit some amazing museums, go to a concert, or have a really long lunch at a local restaurant… And when the weather is good, you can stroll the picturesque streets, beautiful parks, and maybe even take a tour to the countryside.

I loved Milan in November! Being able to explore this city without the crowds, completely changed my perception of what Milan is truly like. I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Also Rome was great at this time of the year. Mild temperatures make sightseeing so much more enjoyable and you can do so much more than in the summer.

TIP: Even during the low season, it’s still advisable to book skip-the-line tickets for the most popular landmarks in the main cities. For example, the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, the Colosseum in Rome, Doge’s Palace in Venice, or the Last Supper in Milan are popular the whole year.

READ ALSO:
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Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the main landmarks of Milan Italy
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan – very quiet on a morning in November
 

Smaller Towns

If you like to get a feeling of the more authentic side of Italy, also consider visiting some smaller towns. Especially those that are extremely popular in summer but are very quiet in November. We absolutely loved Bellagio and Camogli in November. These places are just as picturesque as in other seasons, but having them all to yourself is simply magical!

Exploring the popular coastal towns or places like Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast in the low season can be an unforgettable experience. The same for the most popular resorts along the Italian lakes. Also the best towns of Tuscany have a more local and authentic feel in the low season.

Although I haven’t been there in November, the Emilia Romagna Region and San Marino were both amazing at the end of September. I think these places would be just as enjoyable in November as well.

TIP: If you are planning to visit smaller towns in Italy in November, do some research upfront in order to make sure that you can actually do what you are planning to. Some attractions might be closed in November and there might be fewer transport connections, to mention just a few.

Locals on the main square of Vernazza - Cinque Terre offseason
There were more locals than tourists at the main square of Vernazza in Cinque Terre when we visited
 

Nature

There are many places in Italy where you can admire autumn colors and enjoy what nature has to offer. Just keep in mind that it might be rainy. So it’s best to have a backup plan in case your nature adventure plans fall through.

November is probably not the best time to head to the mountains in the north of Italy. Most hiking trails are already inaccessible whereas the ski season hasn’t started yet.

On the other hand, some ski resorts might start operating in late November, and prices will be much lower than later in winter.

Colorful autumn leaves in Italy in November
Colorful autumn leaves at Lake Como at the end of November
 

Events, Celebrations, and Christmas Markets

Fall is a popular time when many events and celebrations are held throughout Italy, also in November.

Depending on where you are traveling, take a look at the website of a local tourism board to see what there is to do in that area during your travel dates.

Many places in Italy have really nice Christmas markets and light shows and some of them already start in November.

Christmas Market in Como Italy at the end of November
Christmas Market in Como – 3rd week of November
 

Cost

Fewer tourists and lower demand mean that it’s much cheaper to visit Italy in November than in the high season. Flights are generally cheaper in the lower season and also hotel prices are generally lower.

This may not always be the case in big cities (where major events and business meetings can have a big influence on accommodation prices), but hotel prices in smaller towns of Italy are generally much lower this time of the year.

Como in Italy in the low season
One of the main pedestrian streets of Como in the low season
 

Public Holidays in Italy in November

There is just one nation-wide holiday in November in Italy and that’s the 1st of November, All Saints’ Day.

Most local businesses, banks, post offices, and big shops are closed on the first of November. However, we were in Italy on All Saint’s Day and didn’t notice much impact in the tourist areas. Souvenir shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions were open as usual. As already mentioned before, the only place that was closed on November 1 was the Vatican Museum.

The 2nd of November, All Souls Day, is not a national holiday, but it’s actually just as important. That’s the day when most people visit the graves of their late relatives and friends. Since most people actually have to work on this day, for practical reasons, they visit graveyards on All Saints Day instead.

All Saints Day in Italy - almost all shops and all restaurants were open in Santa Margherita Ligure
All Saints Day in Italy – almost all shops and all restaurants were open on the 1st of November in Santa Margherita Ligure and also in Portofino
 

Advantages & Disadvantages of Visiting Italy in November

To summarize, here are the main advantages of visiting Italy in November:

  • Fewer crowds.
  • Cheaper flights and hotels.
  • More authentic feeling.
  • Better light for photography without having to get up early or stay up very late.

These are the main disadvantages of visiting Italy in November:

  • Colder and rainy weather.
  • Many tourist places are starting to close and smaller towns can feel deserted.
  • Some attractions have limited opening hours or are even closed.
Local fishermen making nets - authentic side of Italy in November
Local fishermen making fishing nets – November is a great time to experience a more authentic side of Italy
 

Tips for Visiting Italy in November

  • Do some research to make sure that the places you want to visit are actually open. Keep in mind that many places might have shorter operating times than in high season. Some others might even be closed on certain days of the week.
  • Book skip-the-line tickets for the main landmarks and try to visit them first thing in the morning before tour groups arrive. We recommend booking tours and tickets via the GetYourGuide website. They have the biggest selection of tickets and tours and the best customer service with the most flexible cancelation policy.
  • Plan to visit indoor places (museums, churches, etc), but keep your plans somewhat flexible so that you can take advantage of the nice weather as well.
  • If you are planning to visit smaller towns, try to visit at the beginning of November. The chances of places being open are much higher in the first week of November than at the end of the month.
  • If you are on a tighter budget, plan to visit in the second half of November. The prices are even lower than at the beginning of the month.
  • If you are visiting big cities, see if you can get tickets for an opera performance or a concert. It’s a great advantage of visiting Italy in November – there are so many events!
  • Prepare for all kinds of weather and always pack a rain jacket or a small travel umbrella.
  • Wear comfortable waterproof shoes.
Camogli - Italian Riviera in November
Camogli in November – we had the whole town and beach almost to ourselves
 

Is It a Good Idea to Visit Italy in November – Conclusion

November is a great time to travel to Italy, and especially to the big cities like Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, or Naples. It’s also a wonderful time to visit the main landmarks and cultural attractions that Italy is famous for and actually be able to enjoy and truly appreciate them.

Just imagine strolling the maze of narrow streets and canals of Venice without the crowds, and then compare that to the craziness of the high season when tens of thousands of cruise ships passengers flood the city…

Also the smaller towns of Italy are amazing this time of the year! It’s the time when you can mingle among the locals, savor seasonal produce, visit museums without the crowds, and enjoy stunning coastlines and empty beaches with a dreamy off-season atmosphere.

With fewer tourists than during most other months, November is actually one of the best times of the year to experience the more authentic side of Italy.

READ ALSO: Best Time to Travel in Europe

 

Have you been to Italy in the off-season? Feel free to share your experience with us – you can do so by leaving a reply below.

More tips for your trip to Italy:

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Complete guide to visiting Italy in November
Traveling to Italy in November - weather, crowds, where to go, and tips for your visit
 

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Kathryn Piersanti

Tuesday 17th of October 2023

Thank you so much for writing about Italy in November. My daughter lives in Florence and we spent the week of Thanksgiving there last year. My husband and son would like to do the trip again this year, but I want to see other places while there. We've been to Italy numerous times. Are boats running in Como during the 3rd week of November? Would love to see Cinque Terre too but maybe not the best time. Also, any good suggestions of where to go in Europe during Christmas? Thank you!

Kathryn Piersanti

Thursday 19th of October 2023

@Jurga, Thank you Jurga. Yes we've been to Florence too many times. Because my daughter lives there and because this is the only time my son can take a vacation, traveling during this time frame is difficult for a family trip. I was looking to keep Florence as a base and travel around because I'm getting tired of always going to Florence. I know that sounds awful but it's the truth. So in 2024, my husband is going to take me to all the places in Italy I have never seen, like Cinque Terre, Portofino and may up to France, (Provence). I will look at your suggestions for Florence. I think we've done it all though. Love your blog and read about Bologna. That looks like an interesting city.

Kathryn Piersanti

Wednesday 18th of October 2023

@Jurga, Thank you for getting back to me. I should know better since my family lived in Como. I guess we can make Florence our home base and travel to Venice, Bologna or Siena or maybe even Montepulciano. Lucca is close by or maybe a lunch on a vineyard in Chianti. Last year we rented a car and drove to Pienza. It was a gorgeous day in late November. On my bucket list for 2024 is to come to Belgium. I'd love to see Bruges! I hear it's beautiful.

Jurga

Wednesday 18th of October 2023

Hi Kathryn, there are boats on Lake Como the whole year round, but they run on a rather limited schedule in the low season. For the rest, it really depends on the weather. Both - Lake Como and Cinque Terre - aren't really the best off-season destinations, but if you have dry weather and don't mind that some restaurants are closed, it can be a very enjoyable visit without the usual crowds. As for suggestions for Christmas, everywhere can be nice depending on what you are looking for. For beaches and sunshine, check out the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, etc.). For Christmas Markets, Belgium, France, Germany (most close before 25/12, but here in Belgium they remain open throughout the holidays). For sightseeing, Spain and Portugal can also be very nice at that time of the year. For skiing, the highest resorts in the Alps (at the lower altitudes, you risk of not having enough snow in December). Hope this helps.

George X

Friday 28th of October 2022

Thank you so much for taking the time to share and help us make the most of our holidays.

Amazing of you

Best

Jurga

Sunday 6th of November 2022

Glad to help, George. Have a great time in Italy!

Kenzie

Thursday 12th of May 2022

Thanks for writing this! Currently planning my honeymoon for the third week in November and this really helped guide us on planning where to visit!!

colleen

Saturday 19th of August 2023

@Kenzie, hi there, so curious how you packed for end of November, considering just a carry on for 2 weeks, is it possible with heavier warmer clothing? we are from Alberta Canada so not scared of cooler weather lol , we are heading there nov 23 this year , any advise would be awesome !

Jurga

Monday 16th of May 2022

Glad to help. Good luck with the planning and enjoy your honeymoon in Italy!

Meher

Wednesday 24th of February 2021

Awesome Article... Loved it. This is extremely helpful since I am planning for an October end-November 1st week trip. If possible can you please let me know if a motorbiking trip is alright in the 1st week of November? I have been struggling to get an answer for that...

Thanks you in advance :)

Jurga

Friday 26th of February 2021

Hi Meher, everything is possible, but so much depends on the weather you get and the places you visit. We had some amazing weather in Italy in November that would be perfect with a motorbike as well, but that is not guaranteed. Some areas (Dolomites, Trentino) will probably have snow already. But if you do some more research as to where to go (and go more to the south), it should definitely be possible. Once again, nobody can predict the weather, however. So maybe build in some flexibility in your itinerary just in case. All the best!

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