September is one of the best periods to visit Italy and to enjoy its natural beauties and its many different landscapes. This month will offer you warm and sunny weather everywhere and you’ll be able to live a late summer experience on the beaches of Southern Italy. In September, you’ll also find fewer tourists around and better fares for accommodations and activities. This is an ideal period to enjoy some open-air activities and to plan an active vacation full of trekking, walks, swims, and close contact with Italian pristine nature.
September is the perfect month for being in the open-air.
Table of Contents
Best Places to Go in Italy in September 2021
1. Trekking in the Cinque Terre Area (Liguria)
What: Cinque Terre area is rich in trekking trails with different lengths and levels of difficulty. Every trail is worth it, thanks to the amazing views of the sea and the countryside. The common frame of all the trekking paths is called “Blue Trail” and it connects the 5 villages of the area.
The entire walk requires about 4h30, but you can also choose one of its sections: “The Love Trail” from Riomaggiore to Manarola (the shortest and most spectacular one), the Manarola-Corniglia trail (very close to the sea), the Corniglia-Vernazza trail (in the middle of a nice wood) and the Vernazza-Monterosso trail (the longest and most challenging trail).
What to see: Plan a short stop in each village (a 30-40 minute stop is enough, since they’re really small). The villages are: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. If you still have some time, reach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero by taking a panoramic trail starting in Riomaggiore and winding through the vineyards.
How long: A weekend
Why September: You’ll find warm and sunny weather instead of the previous hot summer temperatures so that walking is a lot easier in September. The trails are usually less crowded in late summer/early autumn, so you can better enjoy the natural landscape. If you still feel like having a swim you can have it everywhere, at least in the first half of the month.
Weather: The average temperature is 22°C with sunny weather.
Practical tips: You can buy a Cinque Terre Trekking Card, which is a prepaid card allowing you to access every portion of the trail and to take the guided tours available in the chosen period.
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2. Discover an Italian Historical and Literary Figure at the “vittoriale Degli Italiani” in Gardone Riviera – Garda Lake (Lombardia)
What: Vittoriale degli Italiani is an architectural complex made of several buildings, streets, squares, a theater, and a large park. It is located in Gardone Riviera, on the banks of Garda Lake. It was built by the famous Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio to celebrate the exploits of the Italian soldiers during World War I. Inside the complex, you’ll also find the house of the poet himself.
What to see: The open-air theater which was inspired by Roman amphitheaters, the “Mausoleum of the Heroes” housing the tomb of D’Annunzio, and the nice citrus garden overlooking the lake. If you still have some time, don’t miss the botanical gardens of Gardone Riviera!
How long: A weekend in Gardone Riviera
Why September: The lake is particularly beautiful in late summer and it’s an excellent period to take some really good pictures. Moreover, it’s still possible to enjoy the night visits to the Vittoriale to admire the evocative lighting effects throughout the entire complex.
Weather: The average temperature is 20°C with sunny weather.
Practical tips: You can only visit the house of D’Annunzio with a guided tour to be booked in advance. The rest of the complex can be visited in complete autonomy. More information here.
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3. Enjoy the Landscapes of Elba Island (Tuscany)
What: It is the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago which is made of 7 small islands located in front of the coast in Central Italy. Elba island has a tall mountain (Mount Capanne, 1000m high) from where you can enjoy the view of the entire archipelago. This island offers a great variety of landscapes, from the mountain to the beaches.
What to see: Fetovaia beach with its white sand and pristine water, S. Andrea beach with its cliffs and the trekking trails of Mount Capanne. Stay in Portoferraio and save some time to visit its archeological museum to discover the history of this archipelago, from the Etruscan era to modern times.
How long: A weekend on the island during a longer Tuscany tour.
Why September: Like many other seaside destinations, Elba island gets really crowded in summer, while it’s quieter in September. During this month you’ll have the chance to enjoy nature to the fullest. Keep in mind that most of the hotels start to lower their fares too!
Weather: The average temperature is 22°C with sunny weather. You can still have some swims too, especially during the central hours of the day.
Practical tips: You can reach Elba island by ferry from Piombino and the journey takes about 50 minutes. More information here.
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4. Enjoy the Beaches of Lily Island (Giglio Island, Tuscany)
What: It’s the second-largest island of the Tuscan archipelago and it’s famous for its beaches. The best ones are Campese (the largest and most popular one), Cannelle (with its tropical look), Caldane (the smallest one which is only reachable by the sea or a trail) and Arenella (with both sand and rocks).
What to see: Giglio Porto, a nice and vibrant tourist destination and the medieval castle of the island. Don’t miss a boat tour to admire the coast and spend some time on the beach, of course!
How long: A weekend on the island during a longer Tuscany tour
Why September: Because the beaches are quieter and there are fewer tourists everywhere. September is the perfect month for a calm and relaxing beach holiday.
Weather: The average temperature is 22°C with sunny weather. You can still have some swims too, especially during the central hours of the day.
Practical tips: You can reach Lily island by ferry from Porto Santo Stefano and the journey takes about 1h30. More information here.
5. Enjoy a Beach Holiday on the Amalfi Coast (Campania)
What: It’s a portion of the Campania coastline that takes its name from the town of Amalfi. It’s worldwide famous for its beautiful landscapes and its picturesque towns.
What to see: The best locations for your beach holiday are Amalfi (the largest town on the coast), Cetara (for its famous Marina beach), Positano (the most famous spot on the coast, which has been celebrated by many poets and artists) and Vietri (a nice town full of monuments and pieces of heritage).
How long: 1 week
Why September: Amalfi Coast offers the perfect weather for a late summer beach holiday. During the second half of the month, you’ll also find very few people on the beaches since both locals and tourists are done with their summer breaks and you’ll have the chance to enjoy the sea and the landscape in a really quiet atmosphere.
Weather: The average temperature is 24°C with sunny weather. Water is still warm and nice until early October.
Practical tips: Most of the beaches are in the shade during the afternoon, so that you’d better sunbathe in the morning!
You might be interested in:
- The best towns to visit on the Amalfi coast
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6. Enjoy the Beaches of Salento Area (Puglia)
What: It’s an area of the Puglia Region that is “squeezed” between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. It’s one of the most popular destinations of a typically Italian beach holiday. This area is also called “The Heel” because of its geographical position.
What to see: The best locations for your beach holiday are Marina di Pescoluse (its surname is “the Maldives of Salento”), Gallipoli (with its picturesque fortified citadel), and the Bay of the Turks (an isolated spot offering pristine water and nature).
How long: 1 week
Why September: It’s still full summer there, but you’ll find way fewer tourists than in July and in August. Prices are also lower in September.
Weather: The average temperature is 24°C with sunny weather and some hot days too.
Practical tips: You’d better rent a car to explore the coast and the beaches since local public transports are not very efficient.
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7. Discover the Unique Buildings of Alberobello (Puglia)
What: Alberobello is famous for its peculiar buildings called “trulli”. They are white-washed dry-stone houses with a conic roof. They are very ancient and the first ones were built in the XIV century.
What to see: Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola, that is the area of the town where you can find the highest concentration of trulli. Among the most iconic ones, don’t miss Casa Pezzolla and the Trullo Sovrano.
How long: 1 day-trip from Bari, Brindisi, Taranto, Lecce or Matera.
Why September: Even though it’s still full summer, you’ll find fewer tourists and you’ll have the chance to explore the town at your own pace and to admire the buildings in a quieter atmosphere.
Weather: The average temperature is 23°C with sunny weather.
Practical tips: Live an authentic local experience by staying overnight in a real trullo. There are many B&B offering this kind of stay in Alberobello and in the countryside nearby.
8. Enjoy the Beaches of Gallura Area (Sardinia)
What: Gallura is the name of the North-Eastern part of Sardinia. It’s a very popular destination for seaside tourism.
What to see: Olbia (with its Pittulongu beach), San Teodoro (with its Coda Cavallo beach), Santa Teresa di Gallura (with its Spinosa beach) the Luras Olive tree (a wild olive tree that is said to be 4000 years old).
How long: 1 week
Why September: It’s still full summer there, but you’ll find way fewer tourists than in July and in August.
Weather: The average temperature is 24°C with sunny weather and some hot days too.
Practical tips: Don’t worry if you see some seaweed in the water or on the beach: it’s just the confirmation of the excellent quality and health of this part of the coast!
9. Discover Cagliari: a Beautiful City Untouched by Mass Tourism (Sardinia)
What: Cagliari is the capital of the Sardinia Region and, despite being a large city full of heritage, it’s almost untouched by tourism. That’s because Sardinia is mostly considered a seaside tourist destination and people go there in search of beautiful beaches and pristine waters. Nevertheless, this Region also offers some nice historic cities that are worth a visit!
What to see: The bastion of S. Remy with its belvedere, the Sanctuary of S. Bonaria, which is the main religious place on the island, the gothic cathedral of S. Mary, and the green park on top of Urpinu hill.
How long: 1-day trip during your beach holiday in Sardinia.
Why September: To add a cultural trip to your late summer beach holiday
Weather: The average temperature is 24°C with sunny weather and some hot days too.
Practical tips: Cagliari is a relatively small city and you can easily walk your way through the city center. You can reach it by train from the main tourist destinations of the island.
10. Enjoy the Beaches of Lampedusa Island (Sicily)
What: Lampedusa is a small island located south of Sicily, very far from the coast. It’s a popular destination for a beach holiday and for snorkeling and diving lovers.
What to see: Guitigia cove (the most popular and touristy spot on the island), Rabbits’ beach (the most scenic beach), Chick’s cove (only reachable with a 40 minutes’ walk on a rocky path), and the recovery center for sea turtles.
How long: 1 week
Why September: Because it’s far less crowded than July and August and you can enjoy the beautiful beaches in a quieter atmosphere. The patronal feast is on September 23rd, so you’ll have the chance to see the fireworks and to take part in some popular community games and events.
Weather: The average temperature is 25°C with sunny weather and many hot days.
Practical tips: The island is really small so don’t rent a car to explore it but choose a more ecological bike!