Here's why travel planners suggest avoiding Italy until after September 10

If you’re dreaming of Italy’s cobblestone streets, vineyard-draped hillsides, or sun-dappled piazzas, consider waiting until mid-September to make your move. While summer may get the spotlight (and the most sunlight), early autumn is when Italy truly shines—offering thinner crowds, gentler weather, and a more authentic rhythm of daily life, especially in the north and in the country’s most beloved destinations.

Italy in September

By mid-September, the tidal wave of tourists that floods Italy in July and August has begun to ebb. Families head home as school resumes, and many European travelers wrap up their holidays. Up until that point, much of Italy is one of the worst places to visit in Europe.

This shift is especially noticeable in hot spots like Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast, where shoulder-to-shoulder sightseeing and weeks-long restaurant reservations become more manageable. Wandering through the Uffizi or snapping a gondola selfie suddenly feels less like a competitive sport and more like a leisurely indulgence.

Expect quieter crowds in Italy in September

Better weather in Italy in September

Even better, the weather begins to soften in September. Northern Italy, which can feel sweltering and humid in peak summer, mellows into mild, comfortable days and refreshingly crisp evenings. Cities like Milan and Bologna become more walkable, and the Dolomites trade high-season hikers for golden-hued tranquility—ideal for scenic drives, peaceful trails, and wine harvest festivals.

Things to do in Italy in September

Food lovers, take note: September marks the beginning of harvest season. Markets brim with fresh figs, porcini mushrooms, and early grapes. Vineyards across Piedmont, Tuscany, and the Veneto buzz with activity, and many open their gates for tours, tastings, and even grape-stomping celebrations. It’s the perfect time to sip Barolo under pergolas or linger over a long lunch of truffle pasta on a vineyard terrace.

Which part of Italy to visit in September

Trains are less crowded, boutique hotels become more accessible, and locals—having weathered the tourist crush—tend to be more relaxed and welcoming all over Italy in September. With fewer tour groups clogging alleyways and better availability at restaurants and museums, your itinerary gains flexibility and serendipity.

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That said, the main tourist hotspots like Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Milan remain crowded. As such, you may want to consider lesser-explored areas. The heat can still be fairly intense in September in some parts of Italy, and you can avoid it by sticking to more northern and higher-elevation areas, such as the Dolomites. Alta Badia is a great option since it's less crowded than it is in summer, but you avoid running into a Dolomites dump of snow, which can happen as early as October.

Alta Badia, Dolomites in September

Visiting Alta Badia in September feels like stumbling into a secret season—one where the dramatic Dolomites cast long golden shadows, trails fall blissfully quiet, and the harvest hums through alpine villages. Nestled in South Tyrol, this Ladin-speaking corner of northern Italy is a hiker’s paradise and culinary gem, and September reveals it at its most enchanting.

The summer crowds thin dramatically after mid-month, making it easier to explore iconic routes like the Puez-Odle or the Via Alpina without jockeying for space. The weather remains comfortably crisp and clear, with vivid blue skies and larch forests just beginning to flicker with autumn gold.

The Dolomites in September

September also marks the beginning of the region’s celebrated food festivals and foraging season. You can savor Michelin-starred mountain dining one day and feast on rustic polenta and chanterelle mushrooms the next. Many mountain huts (rifugi) stay open through the month, offering cozy stops with hearty fare and stunning panoramas.

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Whether you're e-biking through mountains and quiet valleys, sipping local Lagrein in a sunlit piazza, or tracing WWI history along scenic ridgelines, Alta Badia in September invites a slower, richer kind of adventure—one steeped in alpine beauty, culinary depth, and soul-stirring solitude.

But, if you really can't help yourself and feel you HAVE to go to the Dolomites in August, consider joining a group trekking trip instead of having to scramble to find last-minute lodging and tours to join.

Why not to visit Italy until after September 10

In short, September gives you all the beauty of Italy, minus the burnout. Come for the art, the food, the landscapes—but stay for the space to breathe. But, there's a big difference between early September and mid-late September. Why? The answer comes from an Italian friend who runs a tour operating business all over Italy.

I reached out to him about where to go in Italy in early September. I figured that, like Americans, most Italians will have returned to work and school so the country would be less crowded than it was in August. Here's his response.

"The crowds will be like hell all over Italy until after the kids go back to school on September 8 or 10." He couldn't have been more clear.

Ciao!

Yahoo CreatorCassandra BrooklynI'm Cassandra, a freelance writer, guidebook author, and photographer who loves all things outdoors. I've written for The New York Times, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure, and dozens more. My work tends to focus on sustainability, accessibility, and the outdoors and I have a special love for hiking, biking, and kayaking. I started as a solo traveler, now do a lot of family travel, and also multi-gen and accessible travel.FollowFollow