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Fewer crowds, stunning fall foliage, olive harvesting, and truffle hunting – November can be a fantastic time to visit Italy, especially if you want to escape the crowds for a taste of the real Italy and its seasonal fall delights.
At the very start of the low season and preceding the hustle and bustle of the weeks-long Christmas holiday celebrations, you’ll experience a slower pace of life during your November visit. You may even have the opportunity to enjoy those typically packed bucket-list tourist attractions in Rome or Florence without waiting in lines.
While the weather can be hit or miss, with November and December being Italy’s wettest months, there’s really no wrong time to visit Italy! If you pack the correct items and plan indoor activities like museums or other historic sites accordingly, the benefits of lower tourist crowds might just outweigh the potential for rain and fewer daylight hours.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about visiting Italy in November, including what to pack for the weather, must-visit festivals & cultural events, and autumnal cuisine you must try – because when the temps drop, there’s no better time to dig into this season’s most sought after dishes!
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November Weather in Italy
The first thing to know about visiting Italy in November is that if you’re looking for blue skies and beaches, this may not be the time to plan a trip. It’s a common misconception much of Italy is warm and mild year-round, and the region you’re visiting will also be a factor in your decision.
Northern and Central Italy experience much cooler weather and many cloudy days in November, while the Southern regions are warmer but still not quite beach-worthy weather. For that reason, many shops and restaurants, especially in coastal villages and places like the Amalfi Coast, will close for the season, turning into absolute ghost towns. This is why a trip to the Italian seaside is better reserved for May to September.
November is the wettest month in Italy, with an average monthly rainfall of 3-4 inches in the northern and central regions. Rome, for example, averages around 8-10 days of rainfall during November. While it’s hard to predict exactly what the weather will do, you’ll likely have a mix of rainy and sunny days during your trip.
Average temperatures will vary by region. Here’s a breakdown of the average temperatures:
- Northern Italy: Average High 55°F – 59°F (12°C –15°C), Average Low 48°F – 54°F (8°C – 12°C)
- Central Italy: Average High 61°F – 64°F (16°C – 17°C), Average Low 48°F – 63°F (8°C – 17°C)
- Southern Italy: Average High 64°F – 68°F (17°C – 20°C), Average Low 50°F – 59°F (10°C – 15°C)
Especially in Northern and Central Italy, temperatures can drop come nightfall, and the days do get shorter in November, with the country switching to standard time in late October.
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What to Pack for Italy in November
Having personally experienced this, there’s no worse feeling than getting to your hotel and realizing you didn’t pack the right items for the weather. Not only it is a recipe for not being a happy camper, but being underdressed this time of year can also end up risking catching a cold on your Italian vacation. This is why planning ahead of time, dressing like an onion, and packing for the weather will be essential to your November Italy vacation. The last thing you want is to be caught in the rain with wet socks and feeling like you can’t warm up!
- Layered Clothing: The first piece of advice I would give to anyone visiting Italy outside of the hottest months of the year is to pack layered clothing! With varying temperatures throughout the day, having jackets, sweaters, and scarves you can take on or off will help you adjust to the changes. Bringing with you a merino underlayer, may just end up being a savior if the temperatures take a dip which is why during this time of year I always pack a few lightweight ones that can go under any shirt, sweater or cardigan.
- Rain Jackets & Umbrellas: As we’ve already mentioned, November is Italy’s wettest month, and your best bet for a great trip is to come prepared for it. Bring your best rain jacket to layer over your regular outfit and a compact umbrella you can throw in your bag so the rain doesn’t put a damper on your excursions! Personally, I love a long, oversized, water-resistant trench that you can wear chunky knits under, but you don’t have to worry about your umbrella getting your pants wet when you no longer need it and are carrying it in your pocket.
- Water-resistant shoes or boots: Nobody wants to walk around with wet socks. November is not the month for flimsy sandals or fancy footwear. Water-resistant tennis shoes or sneakers are an excellent option for daytime, while a stylish boot is a great option for a nighttime dinner out. Don’t forget to wear good socks underneath! I always choose ones with reinforced toes and heels for extra comfort, especially for enjoying walking tours and exploring cities by foot.
- Scarves or Pashminas: For the ladies, scarves or pashminas are versatile accessories for layering outfits. Also, it’s important to remember that many churches or religious sites require women to cover their shoulders, so something like this can come in handy.
If you don’t want to get on the plane feeling you’ve forgotten something, grab our FREE Italy Packing Checklist!
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November Cultural Activities and Experiences in Italy
November in Italy is a time of many local festivals and events that many may have on their travel bucket list. With fewer crowds and minus the scorching heat of the summer months, these autumnal events will make a perfect vacation for those ready to explore and immerse themselves in Italian culture.
Truffle Season & Festivals
Truffles are an essential part of Italy’s culinary culture, and truffle hunting season is certainly something you’ll want to witness in your lifetime. November to January is the peak season for White truffles, the most valuable variety found in Italy.
November falls in the middle of the season, especially in regions like Piedmont, Tuscany, and Umbria. Many festivals and celebrations take place throughout these regions. Perhaps the most famous is the Alba White Truffle Fair in Piedmont, which celebrates the prized white truffle with tastings, markets, and auctions. If you don’t like the crowds, you can also enjoy celebrating the season’s White Truffle at the Acqualagna White Truffles festival in the Marche region. A region you can immerse yourself in and all its culinary delights when you join us on Italy Uncorked or Italy’s Epicurean Journey.
The National White Truffle Fair in Acqualagna is one of central Italy’s largest and most important festivals, known for producing some of the highest-quality truffles in Italy. Rivaling the more famous fairs in Alba and Piedmont, this two-week-long festival offers a large truffle market, tastings, seminars, and guided excursions. There’s even a Truffle Museum!
Umbria also hosts many truffle festivals throughout November, like the Sagra del Tartufo in several towns, including Citta di Castello, Gubbio, and Norcia. Read more about the best food festivals in Umbria!
But you don’t have to brave November’s colder and wetter weather for a once-in-a-lifetime truffle hunting experience! Instead, you can join us on Italy’s Epicurean Journey in October to enjoy one of Italy’s hottest cultural commodities. And October is ideal for truffle hunting as you’re much more likely to enjoy nice weather in respect to November which is one of the rainiest months in Italy.
Olive Harvest & Festivals
The olive harvest continues in November, mainly in Puglia. Usually starting in mid-October in Marche, Umbria, and Tuscany and starting in Puglia during the end of October to mid-November, it is the perfect time to visit Italy and witness the ancient tradition of the olive harvest if you’re planning a trip to Southern Italy on Passport to Puglia.
With Italy topping the global charts as the largest extra virgin olive oil producer, the harvest season is a time of great cultural significance across the entire nation. The timing of the harvest is crucial because the ripeness of the olive affects the oil’s flavor and quality – also known as the level of polyphenols and antioxidants. Read more about the benefits of olive oil!
Weather is also a significant factor. In 2023, the olive harvest was affected by heavy rainfall and heat waves, which affected output in many regions, in addition to the pricing.
With the cultural significance of olive oil, many festivals and events are held to mark the occasion. In Umbria, La Mangiaunta celebrates the harvest with tours of local frantoi and tastings of olive oils paired with various dishes.
Wine Festivals
November is an exciting month for wine enthusiasts in Italy, marking the release of vino novello (new wine), and a variety of wine festivals celebrate regional vintages.
Vino Novello release celebrations happen all over the country, especially in Veneto, Tuscany, and Lazio.
Towns and wineries host tastings and events to celebrate this fresh, young wine, which is meant to be enjoyed immediately and is often paired with seasonal foods like mushrooms and chestnuts. You’ll find smaller-scale celebrations in towns known for wine production.
Additionally, olive oil or truffle festivals may combine and feature wine tastings, such as the Oil and New Wine Festival in Vignanello, Lazio, or the Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco in Umbria.
Other November Cultural Events
- Chestnut Festivals: Throughout November, various towns in regions like Marche, Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio, and Emilia-Romagna celebrate the chestnut harvest with festivals featuring roasted chestnuts, chestnut-based dishes, and local wines.
- Festa di San Martino (St. Martin’s Day) – November 11: Celebrated across Italy, especially in the Veneto and rural areas, this festival marks the end of the agricultural year. It features wine, chestnuts, and feasts. In Venice, children parade through the streets, singing songs and collecting treats.
- Feast of the Madonna della Salute – November 21: This religious event commemorates Venice’s deliverance from the plague in 1630. Venetians walk across a temporary bridge to the Church of the Madonna della Salute, lighting candles in a moving display of devotion.
- Christmas Markets – Mid-Late November: Many Christmas Markets open in mid to late November (depending on the region you’re traveling to) It’s a great time to explore without the crowds. And many towns decorate for Christmas around this time, so you’ll experience this lively time of the year without fighting the crowds. Because once the first holiday, December 8th, comes around, the crowds ramp up for Christmas vacation in Italy which ends on January 6th.
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While the weather in November can sometimes be unpredictable, a little planning and preparation can help you still have an unforgettable experience in Italy as long as you set your expectations right and have a back up plan for when the weather doesn’t go your way. With the olive harvest, truffle season, food festivals, and celebrations of vino novello, you’ll get a taste of the real Italy minus the peak season crowds.
Planning a trip to Italy can be stressful – read our guide for How to Plan a Trip to Italy or grab our FREE Italy Insider’s Guide to help you avoid common travel mistakes.
And if you want to skip the DIY planning and logistics altogether, plus enjoy the best time of year for outdoor activities like truffle hunting, join us on a tour! Although we believe you can enjoy Italy all year long, there are some months that are better than others and that’s why we’ve selected specific dates for each of our trips. Trips where you’ll be taken to all the hidden locations off the well-trodden tourist path—including exclusive experiences only guests of The Italian on Tour® with seasonal experiences carefully selected and curated so that you can get the most out of your Italian experience. Experiences that offer something for every type of food and wine lover wanting to escape the crowds, enjoy the creative comforts, and experience Italy like a local.
Ready for your backstage pass to immersing yourself in the best of Italy’s seasonal cultural and culinary delights? Click here to discover your next Italian vacation today!
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