Are you wondering what to wear in Italy in September? Italy in September sees summer officially coming to an end and moving into Fall. However, the weather is still warm. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Italy in September 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 September
Even though summer is ending in Italy in September, the temperatures are still pretty hot.
Generally speaking however you can expect the temperatures in Italy in September to be:
- Central Italy: 55-75°F (13-24°C)
- Northern Italy: 65-80°F (18-27°C)
- Southern Italy: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
In places such as Rome you will find the high temperature is 27ºC/80F while in places like Sicily the temperature range is 63-84˚F (17-29˚C).
You will also find that it is quite humid in Italy in September, particularly in the South.
Does it Rain in Italy in September?
September isn’t the driest month in Italy, that honour goes to July, however September is still pretty dry.
Typically there is a 57% chance of a sunny day in September and the average rainfall is 35mm.
The North is more likely to see rain than the South but it is still overall dry.
And when you get rain in August it is more likely to be showers and storms rather than prolonged rain and constant drizzle.
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 September
- What to wear in Florence in September
- What to wear in Milan in September
- What to wear in Venice in September
- 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 Garda
- 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:
How do locals dress in Italy in September
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 still be in their summer wardrobe in Italy in September, slowly transitioning to add more layers towards the end of September.
And you will find that their Summer clothes are stylish opting more for maxi dresses and flowing skirts over short shorts particularly in the city
What to Wear in Italy in September for Women
September in Italy is a transition month. While the early part of the month is more akin to summer, it does start to cool into fall at the end of the month. For this reason we recommend sticking to your summer capsule wardrobe as well as a couple of layers with you if you are visiting in September.
When looking at how to dress in Italy in September the key is sticking to natural fabrics over manmade.
Fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk are more breathable and will be much more comfortable to go out sightseeing in over manmade ones.
So now you know the fabrics you should choose what about the types of clothing that should be on your packing list for Italy in September?
Maxi Skirt / Maxi Dresses
Anything in Maxi length fits perfect for Italy. Maxi dresses and skirts are great as a day to night transition item and also work for beaches in places such as Positano.
They also conform to the Italian church dress code rules which states that knees and shoulders must be covered at all times.
At this time of year you won’t need tights to pair with your dress as the weather is still pretty warm.
Trousers
Trousers are a great alternative to dresses and skirts for Italy. At this time of year I recommend selecting trousers made of linen and cottons. As these are cool for the hotter weather.
I also find trousers are great for dinner in Italy where you may be dining alfresco especially for those cooler nights and also in places where you may find some mosquitos in summer such as Venice.
Usually I find that September is too warm for jeans, particularly in the South, however towards the end of the month in the North jeans may be appropriate.
Shorts
I recommend limiting shorts in September for coastal areas such as Sicily and Sardinia. However they aren’t great for in the cities where you may visit churches.
Shorts should be reserved for beachwear and hotels rather than for sightseeing in the cities.
Blouses
Blouses are perfect in Italy in September especially if you select a natural fabric one with a looser fit. This will help prevent sweating and also still meet the dress code for churches.
T Shirt
T Shirts are great for Italy no matter whether you are visiting beaches, mountains, countryside or cities.
In September short sleeve t shirts are more useful than long sleeve ones as the weather is still hot. Also if you want to blend in with local more plain color t shirts are more commonplace and I would also leave text shirts and graphic tees at home as these aren’t very Italian.
Cardigan
Although the weather in Italy in September is still warm it is worth packing some layers with you. And while you won’t need a coat or heavy jacket cardigans and sweaters are a good idea.
The layer in the month you are traveling the more layers you are going to need.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Italy without a pashmina no matter the season. It is great for adding modesty when entering churches such as the Vatican and Pantheon.
PJs
Not all hotels in Italy will have air conditioning and it can still be hot in September.
For this reason I recommend bringing lightweight pjs with you in September especially for islands and in the south of Italy.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. If you plan on wearing lots of sneakers we recommend having sneaker socks with you.
Sunglasses
The sun is strong in Italy no matter the month. For this reason sunglasses are an essential.
Sunhat
A wide brimmed hat is a necessity no matter where you travel in Italy in September but is particularly essential in the South in places such as Naples, Sicily and Puglia.
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 or an island or if you accommodation has a pool. Otherwise it won’t be used.
What to Pack for Italy in September for Men
If you want to know what to pack for Italy in September for men, I would say the same general principles apply for men and women.
Breathable fabrics are going to be your best friend and they will help to reduce sweat in the hotter part of the month.
Also as with women, you will need to keep your shoulders and knees covered for churches and if you are visiting the Vatican.
Chinos
Lightweight chinos or linen trousers 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.
Shorts
Shorts are a good pick for the coast and even in the city on days you are not visiting churches. Although shorts are not commonly worn by locals in the city, they are a good choice for tourists in the heat.
We just recommend packing shorts that are more tailored and smarter to be in more keeping with local style.
Cargo shorts are definitely on my what not to wear in Italy list along with shorts paired with socks and sandals.
T Shirts and Shirts
During the day t shirts are great. For men short sleeve tees are probably going to be the most useful for you for visits in September.
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. Short sleeve or long sleeved are fine for September.
Linen Jacket
My husband always like to travel with a jacket when in Italy for going out for dinner. September is still too warm for blazers therefore a linen jacket is a better pick.
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 September
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. Therefore for this reason 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. Just be sure to pick a lightweight pairs as it is still hot in September.
While sneakers are our number one shoe for Italy we also recommend bringing
Sandals
As it is still hot in September sandals are another good pick. Just be sure you pick the right type of sandal for the activities you are doing.
If you plan on doing lots of hiking you will need a walking sandal however for beaches, dinner and city you can pick a more fashion sandal just be sure to pick something that is good for walking.
We don’t advise packing flip flops when walking, however they are useful on the beach and around pools but not for days when you are doing lots of walking.
What to Pack for Italy in September (non-clothing)
- September – the sun is strong in Italy even in September.
- Aloe Vera – no one wants to get sun burn but this will help if you do.
- Mosquito repellant – for areas near still water such as Venice where mosquitos can thrive even in September.
- Reusable Water Bottle – it is hot in September so you will need to stay hydrated. And with all the ancient water fountains around cities such as Rome it is a good environmentally and budget friendly way to stay hydrated.
- Crossbody bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Italy is no different. Protect your belongings by having a crossbody bag with lots of zips. If you are heading to a beach you may also want to a beach bag into the mix.
- Travel Adaptor
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Quick dry towel – only necessary if you are heading to a beach.
How to dress in Italy in September for Special Events
There are a few special events in September in Italy however none of them really have any special dress codes that you need to be aware of.
FAQs about Italy in September
Do you need a jacket in September in Italy?
In Early September you won’t need a jacket weather wise. However in late September you may want a jacket for evenings and for when dining al fresco.
Can you wear jeans in Italy in September?
There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in September. However I find it too warm for jeans in early September in Italy.
However in late September it can feel like Fall, so jeans may be appropriate later in the month.
Have you been to Italy in September? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments.