10 things to do in Autumn in Italy like a local

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.

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.

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, an Apulian vineyard 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❯

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❯

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.

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. 

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❯

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!

As the temperatures start to dip, Italians again embrace their love for cooking by turning on their ovens and cookers. They enjoy setting the table and whipping up a tasty lunch to relish with their loved ones.

The Italian cuisine becomes more complex and refined as the season transitions into autumn. From fish to vegetables to meat, the menu becomes more elaborate with warm and nutritious recipes packed with the flavours and colours of the new season.

With the first rains, pots and pans are filled with mushrooms, a symbolic ingredient of autumn. Chanterelles and porcini mushrooms are the most popular and are always present in Sunday lunches, whether used in a delicious risotto or as a side dish.

From September, Italian tables are tinged orange with pumpkin, which we find in soups and risottos or sliced and baked in the oven. And then again, cabbage, broccoli and tasty roasts!

Learn how to prepare an Italian dish❯

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 a plethora of routes available throughout the national territory, 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.