In Italy for the most magical season? Here are 10 things to do in Italy in autumn suggested by locals.

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Going on holiday in autumn? Visit Italy like a local.

You'll have so much to see, smell, taste and experience.

September always comes with a veil of melancholy: let's put it aside and welcome a crisp and lively new season. 

Things to do in autumn in Italy like a local

Things to do in autumn in Italy like a local

Portovenere, Italy - Photo credit: Cristina Gottardi - Unsplash

Autumn in Italy smells of the must that permeates the air at harvest time, a ritual turned into a celebration that is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. 

A tour of Italy's most beautiful villages will offer the pretext for total immersion in the most authentic local cuisine, which is at its best during this season. 

 If you have been putting off visiting that museum you always wanted to, this is your chance.

There's also something for those who just can't resign themselves to putting aside their swimming costumes and sarongs.

Here are 10 things to do in autumn in Italy, like a local.

10. Looking for local festivals

Italy in autumn: looking for local festivals

Autumn is the perfect time for attending local festivals, the famous Italian sagre. Discovering the most curious, unusual and tasty ones is undoubtedly one of the Italians' favourite occupations

Summer vacations have long gone, but a weekend away can offer the perfect opportunity to smell the holiday mood again. The favourite destinations? Generally, small towns rich in history and tradition, little-known villages that have made their gastronomic products a flagship.

The stoic spirit of the average Italian comes out in such circumstances. In order to taste the designated delicacy, they are ready to face endless queues after hours spent in the traffic of some incredibly unscathed roads so winding to challenge the Bolivian Carretera de la Muerte.

Irony aside, there is no doubt that the atmosphere during these celebrations provides a peculiar warmth and sense of family— it's hard to resist it, even if you are not used to similar experiences. Indeed, attending a sagra is one of the most authentic things to do in Italy

If you want to know which events you should note down to live the Italian autumn like a local, we suggest our article featuring the 10 festivals you shouldn't miss.

Book food experience in Italy

9. Taking part in the grape harvest

 Italy like a local in autumn: grape harvest

September marks the beginning of the annual grape harvest. A tiring but fascinating ritual, la vendemmia is increasingly establishing itself as one of the activities that arouse the most interest among tourists on holiday in Italy. 

Whether in a Tuscan estate, a vineyard in Sardinia or a Ligurian terrace, forking up a pair of shears and getting your hands on large bunches of grapes hanging from perfectly-designed rows of vines has been transformed over the years from a 'poor' task into an elite experience. 

Indeed, the grape harvest is the main autumn event in Italy and, therefore, one of the most authentic things to do here. It's not only hard work and commitment but also a tremendous collective rite of joy and sharing. 

Celebrations that involve and bring together generations, from grandparents to grandchildren, invade every small family-run estate.

Each region has its own traditions related to the grape harvest, differences and specificities that make the many local wine productions unique. How to discover them?

Between September and October, many vineyards open to the public for both tastings and harvesting. To give you an idea of what you'll find, we have prepared a report of a typical day of wine tourism.

Visit a winery

8. A trip to the woods in the time of the foliage

Long walks in nature equipped with a camera to capture the chameleon-like colours of the Italian woods. The magic of the foliage paints autumn with warm reds, ochres and oranges. The Italians don't disdain a classic weekend-saver outing among the Boot's mountain and hill landscapes. 

The most romantic experience? On board a historic train. You'll have an unforgettable daytime in an actual en plein air painting. The scenic Centovalli - Vigezzina railway along the Piedmontese valleys is one of the most beautiful ever. If you are looking for things to do in autumn in Italy, don't miss a tour on its Foliage Train, an enchantment for adults and children alike. 

Suppose you are in Tuscany and looking for an itinerary that is not too demanding but full of charm and poetry. In that case, we suggest one that crosses the lands loved by Tiziano Terzani, in the Pistoia Apennines.

The unforgettable Florentine journalist and traveller, a cult author of equally memorable books, chose Orsigna as his last destination. Reaching this small town is a journey at a slow pace in the intimacy of a landscape 'from another era'. 

Book a tour in the woods

7. Going to the beach in Italy with the locals

Italy like a local in autumn: going to the beach

Fancy going to the beach in autumn in Italy? It's not only possible but recommended. Many seaside resorts are at their best in the low season. When most tourists have left, the locals reclaim their shores and coastlines, which are more beautiful than ever at the turn of summer.

No intense heat, no insistent hubbub, and goodbye sand torpedoes as you try to sunbathe lying on your towel. 

The splendour of the beach in autumn is the best-kept secret for all those who live by the sea. Postponing the traditional August holiday by a few weeks can be a wise choice. Of course, weather permitting: luck plays a vital role in cases like this. 

Sicily is an evergreen choice when it comes to autumn and swimming. The season is promising for relaxing with your feet firmly planted in the sand and discovering its most mesmerising cities, baroque art and, last but not least, its rich food and wine tradition.

The event not to be missed is the Cous Cous Fest in San Vito Lo Capo. More than a gastronomic festival, it's a celebration of the happy encounter of Mediterranean flavours and cultures.

Discover Sicily's Baroque cities

6. Visiting Italy's most beautiful villages

Touring the most beautiful villages is another terrific way to spend the Italian autumn. The possibilities suit every tastes: small, perched, colourful, sea-view little townlets, hidden gems and famous centres, ghost towns or vibrant borghi. 

All you have to do is set your navigator and reach the destination that inspires you the most. On Visit Italy, you'll find plenty of hints and tips to help you choose your next destination. Lucky for you, we're feeling particularly good, so here are three right away. Or rather, four.  

Arquà Petrarca, in Veneto, is a place that requests long stops. Breaks are mandatory to admire its stunning vistas and delightful medieval centre. But also for testing local specialities (jujubes are a must-try) and, above all, sipping the fine wines produced in the area.

Amidst the Prosecco hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is a small village with an enchanting panorama that can't help you reminding the logo of a famous Italian biscuit brand. Refrontolo, with its precious watermill, turns on the imagination with its fairy-tale name meaning 'inhabited place among the woods.'

Further south, in Basilicata, Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa seem like dizzyingly inviting cribs perched on the Lucanian Dolomites. Reach them without a second thought. How? We tell you everything in our journey on the road in Basilica.  

Book tour in Tuscany

5. Things to do in autumn in Italy like a local: eating chocolate

Italy in autumn like a local: eating chocolate

Italians are gluttons. Gluttons and gourmets. While gelato is undoubtedly the sin they indulge in the most during summer, as temperatures drop, they turn gradually towards more dense, enveloping flavours and textures.

Like chocolate. Revered in any form and format, the food of the gods is the absolute, undisputed star of one of the tastiest events of the Italian autumn, Eurochocolate in Perugia (check our trip in the chocolate town).

An iconic appointment eagerly awaited by cocoa lovers, it has been held annually in October since 1994. For one week, stands and stalls enliven the historic centre of the Umbrian city with one unashamedly (un)veiled intention: to make visitors get a hankering for chocolate delicacies. Mission generally successfully accomplished.

Since 2021, the kermesse has taken place at Umbriafiere for the indoor edition. It's a kind of Willy Wonka's factory, where you can take part in guided tastings, learn tips and tricks directly from the master chocolatiers, attend cooking shows and discover the whole world hidden inside a chocolate bar.

Book chocolate tour

4. Visiting a museum

 Italy in autumn like a local: visiting a museum

Those who stay in the cities have plenty of opportunities to end the week in beauty. How many occasions? 3,337, the number of museums scattered around Italy (some, in our opinion, are worth seeing at least once in a lifetime). 

In addition to the most famous expositions and museums everyone has on their bucket list, there is a profusion of equally interesting (although decidedly lesser popular) galleries worth getting to know. 

Many adhere to the so-called Domenica al Museo (Sunday at the Museum), the initiative promoted by the Ministry of Culture that provides free entrance on the first Sunday of the month. However, some museums are always free all year round. 

Only Rome counts dozens of those, including the archaeological complex Villa di Massenzio on the Appian Way.

If you are in the Capital and have never yet visited the Vatican Museums, take the opportunity for a free tour on the last Sunday of the month. Just keep in mind that booking in advance will not be possible and you'll have to queue.

Visit Roman museums with Visit Rome Pass

3. Harvesting chestnuts

Italy-like-a-local-in-autumn-chestnuts

Chestnuts - Photo credit: Markus Spiske - Unsplash

Italians love to organise walks and day trips to collect chestnuts during this season.

The woods are coloured in endless shades of red and gold, the days are not yet short, and the temperatures are mild and ideal for easy hikes. 

No matter the region, you can easily find parks, forests, and paths where you can try your hand at chestnut picking. It's a great way to discover many places surrounded by nature and beautiful villages, too.

Trentino Alto Adige is a must-visit destination, where the trails in the Cembra and Isarco valleys stand out. The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, located among Abruzzo, Marche, and Lazio, offer incredible views of chestnut groves. Calabria and Sicily are also excellent choices for a chestnut-picking adventure.

After a day of exploring, it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Put your chestnuts in the oven and savor them piping hot!

2. Taking a trip to Sardinia

Autumn in Italy like a local. Taking a trip to Sardinia

There is a tendency to associate Sardinia with summer travel. Yet autumn is such a lively season, full of events and activities to do while staying (not too) far from the sea. 

When the tourist crowds disperse, the island becomes a place where discovering culture, nature and local traditions is a true pleasure. 

Autumn in Sardinia leaves plenty of room for cultural initiatives, folklore events, trekking and fun. 

Time is excellent for discovering the centuries-old villages and landscapes of Barbagia, an inland region featuring a large number of events between September and December, and for an experiential tale of flavours, history, and handicrafts. 

An ideal itinerary includes visits to the numerous nuraghi sites dotting the island, but also to the caves of Is Zuddas (where a Nativity scene is set up for Christmas) and those of Su Marmuri, and to lesser-known and unusual areas on board Trenino Verde (little green train). 

In our dedicated article, you can find a detailed list of the best things to do in Sardinia in autumn. Also, check our tips for a perfect trip to Cagliari

1. Go trekking

Autumn in Italy like a local: go trekking

Monte Ivigna, Merano - South Tyrol - Italy - Photo credit: Wilfried Santer - Unsplash

Autumn is often considered the perfect time for walking by many Italians. Whether you prefer short or long itineraries, staying away from crowded tourist areas is key.

Walking is an excellent way to explore the hidden gems of Italy, gain a better understanding of a region, immerse yourself in nature, and visit charming villages and natural parks. With su many hikes and trails available, you can choose the one that best suits your preferences.

You can opt for short itineraries lasting just a few days, such as the Oropa Trail in Piedmont, which leads to the sanctuary of the same name, or the Path of the Gods along the extraordinary Amalfi Coast.
For experienced hikers who have several weeks to spare, there are numerous routes to choose from. Regardless of the path, you'll always find enchanting landscapes, charming villages and towns to explore, peaceful surroundings, and plenty of delicious food.

Book guided trekking on the Path of the Gods

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LA DOLCE VITA
LA DOLCE VITA

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