Are you wondering what to wear in Italy in October? Fall is in full swing in October but the temperatures throughout Italy are conducive for sightseeing but can be a challenge to pack for. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Italy in October whether you are traveling to the North, South or to the Italian islands such as Sardinia and Sicily as well as special events with special dress codes in Italy.
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Weather in Italy in October
I said October is definitely classified as Fall or Autumn in Italy. However depending on which part of Italy you are traveling to will greatly affect what you can expect from the weather.
Generally speaking however you can expect the temperatures in Italy in October to be:
- Central Italy: average temperature range of 55-70°F or 13-21°C
- Northern Italy: average temperature range of 45-65°F/7-18°C
- Southern Italy: 65-75°F/18-24°C.
In places such as Rome you will find the average temperature is around 64°F/18°C. while in places like Sicily the temperature range is 56-69˚F / 14-21˚C.
Does it Rain in Italy in October?
October isn’t the driest month in Italy. In fact you will notice the chance of getting a perfect sunny day in October is greatly reduced from September.
Typically there is a 49% chance of a sunny day, and 51% chance of a mixture of sunshine and cloud. However the average rainfall across all of the month only amounts to 38mm. However having said that I have on several occasions been caught in torrential downpours in Rome in October. For this reason it is important to have some waterproof wear on your packing list for October.
It is also worth pointing out that the North is more likely to see rain than the South.
To get a more accurate weather overview, be sure to check out our monthly city what to wear guides:
- What to wear in Rome in October
- What to wear to Tuscany in October
- What to wear in Florence in October
- What to wear in Milan in October
- What to wear in Venice in October
- What to wear in Sicily
- What to wear in Sardinia
- What to wear in Pisa
- What to wear to Pompeii
- What to wear to the Amalfi Coast
- What to wear to Cinque Terre
- What to wear in Lake Como
- What to wear in Positano
- What to wear in Sorrento
And if you trip spans two months be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
- What to wear in Italy in September
- What to wear to Italy in November
How do locals dress in Italy in October
If you want to be more in keeping with the locals you will need to know how locals in Italy dress.
Locals in Italy tend to have started to put away their summer wardrobes in October and have started adding more layers to their outfits.
What to Wear in Italy in October for Women
When looking at how to dress in Italy in October the key to your outfits has to be layers.
Trousers
Trousers are my go to bottom layer for Italy in October over skirts and dresses as they can cope with the variety of weathers.
And unlike in summer, jeans are a great choice for Italy in October. The weather has cooled significantly enough that you won’t be uncomfortable wandering round sightseeing famous landmarks or museums in jeans.
But it is worth having some smarter trousers too for going out at night or going for dinner in Italy. I like to have a pair of black pants with me for Italy in October too.
Dress
Although I tend to avoid dresses for sightseeing in October, I would usually take one with me for evenings out.
However I would always pack a pair of tights to pair with a dress as nights can be chilly especially in the north.
Also be sure to try and select a dress that covers your shoulder and knees if you plan to wear a dress in the day as this will conform to the Italian church dress code rules.
Click here to shop long sleeve dresses for Italy here.
Blouses
Blouses are perfect in Italy in October. I tend to select a blouse made out of a natural fabric with a looser fit. This will help prevent sweating and also still meet the dress code for churches.
T Shirts
T Shirts are great for Italy no matter whether you are visiting beaches, mountains, countryside or cities. For October I recommend packing a mixture of both long and short sleeve t shirts as the weather can be changeable in October.
I also recommend packing plain color t shirts if you want to blend in more with the locals. I would also leave text shirts and graphic tees at home as these aren’t very Italian. Click here to shop t shirts.
Cardigans / Sweaters
Cardigans and sweaters are an essentials for Italy in October. I would pack a couple of top layers in different weights to cope with the variety of weather.
Also I would pack at least one smarter sweater or cardigan for restaurants with a smart casual dress code.
For information on how to pack a capsule wardrobe for Winter check out our packing techniques:
Coat
Although a thick coat is not required for Italy in October, unless you are going up into the mountains which are much much colder.
Instead for women in October I tend to pack a waterproof trench coat. This is both in keeping with the local style and can cope well with the different temperatures.
Click here to shop waterproof trench coats.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Italy without a pashmina no matter the season however they are an essential for October. It is great for adding modesty when entering churches such as the Vatican and Pantheon but more importantly can be an extra layer on a cold day or night.
PJs
For October I would start packing a slightly heavier weight pyjama as the temperatures start to drop.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
Sunglasses
Although October is no longer summer it is still important to protect your eyes. For this reason we never travel to Italy without sunglasses.
Swimwear (optional)
Swimwear is optional in Italy depending on where you are visiting and the activities you are doing.
I only recommend bringing swimwear if you are heading to the coast at the start of the month or if your accommodation has a heated pool. Otherwise leave it at home as it won’t be used.
What to Pack for Italy in October for Men
If you want to know what to pack for Italy in October for men, I would say the same general principles apply for men and women.
And remember that as with women, you will need to keep your shoulders and knees covered for churches and if you are visiting the Vatican.
Trousers
Lightweight chinos or jeans are great for day and night in Italy.
These are perfect for day to night transition and are great for churches you want to visit. And jeans won’t be too hot in October.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
T Shirts and Shirts
During the day t shirts are great. For men a mix of short sleeve tees and long sleeves are probably going to be the most useful for visits in October.
Again I would recommend avoiding anything with a graphic or slogan or in overly loud colors if you want to fit in with the locals.
Also, as Italians tend to dress more smartly for dinner I would recommend adding some shirts with you for eating out in Italy.
Rain jacket
A jacket for the day time is an essential for October. If you are heading to the North to do activities such as hiking then an all weather jacket is an essential. However for city sightseeing a smart waterproof trench coat is perfect to keep in style with the locals.
Click here to shop mens rain coats on amazon.
Blazer
My husband always like to travel with a jacket when in Italy for going out for dinner. Blazers are the perfect weight for October over a linen jacket.
Layers
Layers are essential in form of cardigans or sweaters and you will need more the later in the month you decide to visit.
Best Shoes for Italy in October
It doesn’t matter the month you are visiting Italy, there will always be a lot of walking involved. In fact, Italy is a country best seen on foot. However for October because of the weather and likely activities you will be doing we recommend packing:
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for sightseeing in Italy no matter the season. And don’t worry about locals not wearing them, I promise you they do!
Sneakers really can’t be beaten for sightseeing in Italy.
While sneakers are our number one shoe for Italy we also recommend bringing
Ankle Boots
The weather in Italy in October is just turning and even though sneakers are ok on the what to wear for dinner in Italy, I personally prefer to wear a smarter shoe.
The best shoe in October is in my opinion an ankle boot that is water proof and also has a thick heel and good sole that will work on Italy’s uneven streets.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
What to Pack for Italy in October (non-clothing)
Our essentials to pack for Italy in October are:
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type as with any tourist city or attractions can have issues with pickpockets around main tourist attractions.
- Sun Screen – an essential for all travel packing lisst.
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun – no one wants to get burnt however it is better to have this with you just in case.
- Lipbalm with SPF – Our favorite brand at the minute is sun bum.
- Reusable Water Bottle – There are water fountains all around Italy i.e. Rome where you can refill your water bottle. This will save you money and is better for the environment so be sure to pack one with you.
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Power pack / Battery Pack
- Travel Adapaters for electronics – Italy uses standard European outputs and plugs.
How to dress in Italy in October for Special Events
There are no real special events in Italy in October that have special dress codes. Therefore there is nothing that you need to pack special.
It is also worth noting that Halloween is not a big thing in Italy generally so you don’t need to worry about bringing things related to this holiday.
FAQs about Italy in October
Do you need a jacket in October in Italy?
I would personally never travel to Italy in October without a jacket. I tend to opt for a waterproof trench coast at this time of year for both men and women.
Can you wear jeans in Italy in October?
Jeans are one of my favorite choices for Italy in October as the weather has cooled enough to be comfy to sightseeing in.
Have you been to Italy in October? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments.