Where to go on holiday around Italy's coast this autumn

Amy McPherson

There is something very alluring about Italy that draws me to visit time and time again. I have seen its coast stretching from the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas, which form part of the Mediterranean Sea, to the Ionian and the Adriatic.

Most people choose to visit Italy^* in the summer months for the beach clubs, warm temperatures and variety of hotels, yet personally, autumn has always been my favourite season to visit the Italian seaside.

There are many reasons why autumn is, in fact, a better time to visit: a season that is packed with the brilliant colours of nature, festivities around harvest and a quieter time to sample each destination's history, culture and cuisine.

Getting there: find affordable holidays to Italy with TUI^*, which offers breaks to a host of destinations around the country's beguiling coast.

Liguria

Most visitors to Liguria know the dramatic coastal villages of Cinque Terre along the Italian Riviera, famous for the photogenic scene of colourful houses that sprawl across rocky coves.

A visit in summer can feel impossible to move about, so mid to late autumn may be the best time to visit this beautiful but popular spot with fewer crowds and a cheaper trail access fee.

But don't stop here. Liguria's stretch of coastline between the French border and Genoa is equally rich in heritage and culture, especially in the autumn months when olive harvest and oil production take place.

It isn't going to be as warm here as in summer, but the reward for visiting during autumn is great hotel prices and beautiful, almost empty beach fronts for peaceful walks. Best for those looking for a quieter autumn experience.

Climate in Vernazza

September
- 23
- 23
- 7
October
- 18
- 20
- 5
November
- 13
- 18
- 4

The above guide shows the autumn climate in Vernazza.

Tuscany

Though Tuscany is best known for rolling hills lined with Cypress pines and hilltop villages, the Tuscan coast offers a different vibe, with crystal-clear Mediterranean waters still warm enough to dive in during autumn.

Against the picturesque backdrop of the nearby Apuan Alps, goldened by the earthy hues of the season, you'll find sandy beaches of the northern coastline from the Apuan Riviera to the Pisan and Etruscan Coast.

Beyond the cafés and restaurants serving great local seafood and cocktails to accompany a brilliant sunset, you'll find the rougher rock pools of the southern Maremma area complete with a vast coastal pine forest and castle ruins.

One of my favourite activities is cycling along the coast, through the forest trails, and taking the bike trail around the Orbetello Lagoon to spot flamingos.

Climate in Pisa

September
- 25
- 7
- 9
- 80
October
- 20
- 6
- 11
- 119
November
- 15
- 4
- 14
- 116

The above guide shows the autumn climate in Pisa.

Campania

Campania's Amalfi Coast has been much romanticised in films and is often packed with tourists. It becomes a delight in the autumn months, when it's quieter, and the hills are coloured in shades of red, with rows of vineyards heavy with ripe fruit.

Find epic views along the Path of the Gods © Bogusz - Adobe Stock Image

During the day, it can still be warm, but the nights bring cooler temperatures to relieve the heat, making it perfect to hike the Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of Gods, a clifftop trail with brilliant views of the coast.

This is also harvest time. Famous for its chestnuts, time your visit with the annual Festa della Castagna, the Chestnut Festival, in Scala, and join the celebrations of local food and wine.

Climate in Amalfi

September
- 24
- 24
- 8
October
- 19
- 22
- 6
November
- 15
- 19
- 5

The above guide shows the autumn climate in Amalfi.

Calabria

The toes of the Italian boot are still considered 'undiscovered', which makes Calabria one of the few regions in Italy where you can enjoy a relatively calmer holiday than the otherwise packed destinations elsewhere.

In autumn, the Calabrian coast enjoys warm sea temperatures around 20°C, still perfect for a beach holiday, and the resorts are excellent value at this time of the year. This is the time for fiery sunsets, plus foraging activities where you can learn to pick mushrooms, chestnuts, and other natural delicacies.

Like things a little spicy? Visit the town of Diamante in September for the annual Peperoncino Festival, which celebrates chillies and hosts the Italian Chilli Eaters' Championship. They do like it hot in Calabria!

Climate in Reggio di Calabria

September
- 28
- 25
- 8
October
- 23
- 22
- 6
November
- 19
- 20
- 5

The above guide shows the autumn climate in Reggio di Calabria.

Puglia

Due to the distance and difficulty of getting there, the Salento Coast of Puglia is arguably one of the least visited coastlines in Italy and one of my favourite spots to visit.

Sandwiched by the Adriatic and the Ionian seas, the heel of Italy enjoys warm (sometimes even still hot) autumns, and is alive with harvest activities throughout the coastal towns and villages.

Trulli houses in Alberobello, Puglia © Freesurf - Adobe Stock Image

It is the perfect road trip destination, with a wild, dramatic landscape of limestone cliffs plunging into the sea, small bays with beautiful beaches known only to those in the know, and a coastal route dotted with whitewashed villages that feel unlike the rest of Italy.

Climate in Lecce

September
- 27
- 8
- 7
- 57
October
- 22
- 6
- 10
- 87
November
- 17
- 4
- 12
- 90

The above guide shows the autumn climate in Lecce.

Emilia-Romagna

This region gave the world Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano) and 'Spaghetti Bolognese', which technically doesn't exist in Italy, but it shows how important food is in Emilia-Romagna.

An autumn spent on the Adriatic Coast here is guaranteed to be a delicious one, specifically when it is the time when cheeses, wines, and many of the regional delicacies are being harvested and made.

Tourists have long been drawn to Rimini's fine sandy beaches © Alexugalek - Adobe Stock Image

As an active traveller, I found autumn the best time to explore by bike along the region's many flat and scenic seaside bike paths, especially around Rimini, where the city has recently upgraded its seafront promenade, known as the Parco del Mare, as part of an urban regeneration project, in a bid to become one of the greenest cities in Italy.

Climate in Rimini

September
- 24
- 23
- 7
October
- 19
- 19
- 5
November
- 13
- 16
- 3

The above guide shows the autumn climate in Rimini.

Venetian Riviera

Who doesn't love the idea of Venice? With its historic buildings, fine arts, and romantic canals, Venice continues to be the second most visited city in Italy, after Rome.

Popularity comes at a cost, as the city has imposed a visitor fee during its busiest months. By autumn, however, Venice becomes free to visit once again, but don't just stop at visiting the historic centre.

Explore the rest of the Venetian lagoon and its riviera to experience the quieter sides of the city. Visit the island of Lido, or go further south to Chioggia, which feels like Venice but isn't Venice.

Beyond there, you'll find the Po Delta Regional Park, a UNESCO MAB Reserve and home to a variety of wildlife, including flocks of pink flamingos strutting around the shallow waters.

Climate in Venice

September
- 24
- 22
- 7
October
- 18
- 19
- 5
November
- 12
- 15
- 3

The above guide shows the autumn climate in Venice. Find out more about conditions across the entire country in our complete guide to the climate in Italy.

Ready to book your autumnal escape? Check out the latest offers on holidays from TUI, including half-term breaks and last-minute getaways.