Italy Packing List For Fall
Updated: Feb 8
What to Pack for Italy in Fall: FREE Printable Italy Packing List
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Are you planning an Italian getaway this fall? October is a great time to visit Italy as the weather has cooled off, but it’s not too chilly to spend all day exploring outside. October is also the time that tourism generally slows down in Italy, so there will be fewer people at popular tourist attractions, restaurants, etc.
Typically, the weather in Italy in October is between the 50s to 70s. However, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for slightly cooler or hotter weather when traveling in the fall. We visited Cinque Terre and Rome within a week of each other (northern and mid-Italy), and the temperature was vastly different in both places. We were wearing jackets and long pants in Cinque Terre, but short sleeve shirts in Rome.
Layers make for the easiest way to deal with unpredictable weather. Wearing a short sleeve shirt, for example, but bringing a jacket in case it gets cold, is more convenient than wearing a sweater or long sleeve and roasting all day long because it's warmer than you thought it would be. But let’s throw that stress of packing out of the window; we’ve got it all figured out for you! So, what should you pack for Italy in October?
What to Wear in Italy in October
Check out the downloadable and printable Fall Italy Packing List below after you’ve covered the basics. It’s FREE for you to use and plan your trip to Italy!
Jacket
As mentioned above, it’s a good idea to bring along a jacket to Italy in the fall as temps can reach the 50s. You don’t want to let the chill ruin your Italian adventures! There are so many sites to see no matter where you go in Italy, and chances are you’ll be walking outdoors a lot. So pack a jacket easy enough to carry with you or throw in your bag.
Pants
You’ll definitely want to bring pants of some kind. Chances are, it will be too cold for any shorts or skirts in Italy in October, so long pants or capris are a great choice. We both like to bring nicer, classier pants to wear out and about and to dinners, etc., but we also bring a comfier pair of pants specifically for travel days. This is if we plan on going to multiple places in one country and know we’ll have some long train rides or plane rides. You also will not see locals wearing shorts in October, so bring a couple of pairs of pants and you’ll be set!
Short Sleeve Shirts
If you tend to run hot or know you’ll be traveling around southern Italy, then short sleeves are a great idea to pack. They also make for perfect layering. The sun is very toasty in Italy, so you might start your day comfortably and warm enough in a short sleeve shirt, but by dinner time you’ll be chillier. And that’s where your jacket that you packed comes in handy!
Tennis Shoes
Chances are, you will be covering lots of ground and walking a lot in Italy. There are so many historical monuments and tourist attractions to see in pretty much every city in Italy, and many are within walking distance of each other. So pack your most comfortable pair of tennis shoes and get those legs ready for walking.
Sweater or Long Sleeve
If you run cold, then one long sleeve or sweater can be thrown into your suitcase. As soon as the sun goes down, you’ll immediately get chillier, so having a nice sweater you can wear out for dinner or for waking up early to see the sunrise is a great idea. Which, by the way, you don’t want to miss out on an Italian sunrise.
Undergarments
These are obvious, but they get forgotten the most. Pack socks for all of your walking adventures and make sure your feet stay warm. You won’t need super thick or long socks unless you plan on visiting the Dolomites or somewhere else in northern Italy. Just don’t forget these necessities!
Pajamas
You also want to be comfortable when you’re sleeping, so you can rest and get ready for more walking and adventuring the next day! We recommend a short sleeve shirt and a pair of breathable pants for pajamas. You most likely won’t need super thick winter pajamas in Italy in October, but be prepared for chillier nights. Every Airbnb we stayed in had heaters, so you should be able to warm up your place if necessary.
For Northern Italy & Naturally Cold People
If you’re planning on visiting northern Italy in October, you probably want to bring along the following items as well. It’s significantly colder than southern Italy, so if you have room in your bag, throw in a few extra layers so you can make the most of your time here and explore to the max without freezing. I run very cold, so I'm glad I had the following items with me!
Beanie or Hat
Especially if you’re going to visit the mountains or the northern Italian coast, you’ll want to pack a beanie or two as well. The wind by the coast gets very nippy, but the coastal views are still incredible. So pack a beanie and hike along the coast for some dreamy views without freezing your bum off.
Scarf
If you’re basically cold-blooded like me, throw in a scarf for outdoor exploring. Nature in Italy is absolutely breathtaking, so don’t let the cold ruin it for you. Bring a scarf to throw around your neck or even your shoulders as another warm layer.
Sweatshirt
Having another warm layer is a good idea if you plan on doing outdoor activities, such as hiking. Comfort is also important, so having a sweatshirt to throw on in the chilly mornings and evenings is nice. If you have room in your suitcase, throw in another layer such as a sweatshirt.
Extras, Not to be Forgotten
These are items other than clothing that you do not want to forget to pack for Italy. From electronics to your passport, they’re obvious but so easy to forget to throw in your bag. So take this as your reminder!
Laptop
If this Italy trip is going to be a relaxing, work-free trip for you, then forget the laptop! Take this time to recharge and focus on la dolce vita that’s unavoidable in Italy. But if you’re a digital nomad or remote worker who plans on checking off some tasks while traveling in Italy, then definitely do not forget your laptop and all your necessary chargers! If you don’t have an adapter for all of your electronics already, this universal adapter has been excellent and we bring it everywhere.
Kindle
Any other book lovers here? If you love reading and can’t go anywhere without a book, then grab a Kindle and download as many books as you would like! This kindle is great because you can have so many books with you, yet they’re all on one small device that’s so much easier to pack and travel with. We love reading on plane rides, so having a kindle in our carry-on loaded with books is a lifesaver (at least it keeps us busy while on long journeys).
Passport
You won’t get very far on your trip to Italy if you forget your passport. So this is your friendly reminder: pack your passport! There’s no getting through security without a passport, which means no trip to Italy, which means lots of sadness. So pack your passport and watch your joy grow in Italy!
RFID Covers
Fraud and electronic theft are sadly everywhere these days. Be extra careful and pack some RFID Passport and Credit Card covers. They hardly take up any space or weight, they are tear resistant, and they provide an extra barrier against identity theft and fraud.
Day Bag
Having a small bag that you can easily carry around with you will come in handy. It’s very easy to spend all day out and about exploring while in Italy, so pack a day bag. This is an oldie below, but my new favorite is this compact, lightweight backpack! This comes in handy for putting away that jacket you’re packing as well as all the cool souvenirs you’ll find throughout your travels.
Meds and Toiletries
Any meds and toiletries need to be packed as well. Make your life easier and keep everything organized in this handy toiletry bag! Shampoo and conditioner are rare in Italian accommodations and there's a good chance there won’t be any in your Airbnb. Pack some travel-size shampoo and conditioner, or stop by a local store and pick some up when you’ve arrived. You can generally buy small bottles of both from any supermarket. Make sure you pack your meds and any OTC meds you might need. We always bring a bottle of ibuprofen with us as we both get headaches easily, and it’s easier to bring our own small bottle than trying to figure out what medicine you need in another language.
We hope you now feel prepared to pack for your trip to Italy this fall! After spending a month in this wonderful country, we narrowed down the essentials and figured out what we didn’t need. So these are the must-haves for what to bring to Italy in October.
Read Also: Best to do in Pisa
Don’t forget the non-clothing items as well; you don’t want to be traveling without these essentials. We hope you’re prepared for your vacation now, and you know exactly what to bring to Italy if you’re visiting in October! Download and print the FREE Italy Packing List for Fall below.
Want more ideas for planning your Italy vacation? Check out our Cinque Terre Itinerary, and our favorite Hotels and Airbnbs in Rome! There's so much more to learn about that we've covered for you, and we're here to help you plan your dream trip to Italy!
We greatly appreciate your support so we can keep helping others travel and explore this wondrous world! And now for the fun stuff! How do you pass time on long flights and train rides? Let us know in the comments!
Grab your FREE Fall Italy Packing List Printable below!
