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Alfresco lunches, fewer crowds at Florence’s top sites, and a wealth of festivals celebrating the region’s bounty make October an excellent time to visit Tuscany. Harvest season is in full swing, and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts.
The weather in Tuscany in October, although a little more unpredictable than in September, remains warm and sunny for the most part.
The slower pace and cooler temperatures make it the perfect time to wander aimlessly along medieval cobblestone alleys full of surprises in the prettiest small towns in Tuscany, explore the area’s art-filled churches and museums, eat your way around charming food markets, and witness the iconic landscapes dressed in warm autumn shades.
Visiting in mid-fall also means new wine and olive oil tasting, truffle hunting, and an unparalleled chance to imbibe in the local culture.
From truffle-infused delicacies to gorgeous autumnal views, here’s why October is the best month to visit Tuscany.
The weather is lovely
While September can feel like an extension of summer in Tuscany, October is the time when fall really starts to roll in. That means comfortable temperatures for sightseeing, exploring the countryside, engaging in outdoor activities, and even sunbathing on the coast.
The average temperature in Tuscany in October is around 20°C, with lows around 13°C during the night. Rain is not uncommon during this time of year, but there are tons of amazing museums, majestic basilicas, and cozy trattorias to seek shelter in.
And, if you’re thinking about what to wear in Tuscany in October, my advice would be smart but comfortable. You will generally need a sweater, trench coat, or cardigan in the evening, but days remain warm and sunny, perfect for jeans and tees or cute midi dresses that you can dress up and down.
There’s room to breathe
September is still the high season in central Italy, but October marks the transition to the low season in Tuscany. Hence, if you’d like to visit the region’s storied countryside and its quintessential hill towns without throngs of people, now is the time.
The rolling hills of Chianti are bursting in rusty reds and vibrant yellows, Siena’s marvelous medieval streets and squares are reclaimed by locals, and delicious sagre (local food/wine festivals) breathe life into the area’s charming medieval villages.
Florence’s summer crowds start to thin out, classical music performances take over the city’s churches and historical opera houses, and the Tuscan capital celebrates its co-patron saint (Santa Reparata) with a medieval procession towards the Duomo. Moreover, on the first Sunday of the month, state-run museums like the Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia, as well as Palazzo Pitti and Giardino di Boboli are free to visit.
Prior to anything else, acquire a city pass.
October is also a wonderful month to bike around the old city walls of Lucca, discover the medieval nooks and crannies of Pienza – the ideal Renaissance town, and stroll along Siena’s honey-colored streets, lined with splendid palazzi and sweet-smelling pastry shops.
Fewer tourists also mean lower prices, less time spent in line at major attractions, better photo opportunities, and a superior, more authentic travel experience overall.
It’s food lovers’ heaven
Tuscany is at its most delicious during autumn, no doubt about it. In October, the local markets and surrounding woods are teeming with mushrooms, game dishes feature heavily on restaurants’ menus, chestnut stalls pop up across the region, and, by the end of the month, vino novello (young wine) starts to make an appearance on the shelves.
Olive harvest runs from September to December and provides a golden opportunity to try the local fett’unta, toasted bread soaked in newly pressed extra virgin olive oil.
This is probably the best time of the year to embark on a foodie trip across Tuscany, discover its rich culinary traditions, and indulge in sumptuous local produce. Foodies may want to swap their gelato for a slice of castagnaccio, warm up with a bowl of thick, hearty ribollita and a plate of pappardelle with wild boar ragu in a cozy trattoria, and celebrate the season in style with some creamy risotto crowned with precious tartufo bianco.
Mid-October marks the opening of the white truffle season, and hunting for them in the hills of San Miniato, between Florence and Pisa, is a classic Tuscan experience not to be missed. Our favorite activity is this Tuscany truffle hunt by Eating Europe, which culminates in a spectacular home-cooked meal paired with delicious local wines on a century-old farm.
Otherwise, there are lots of opportunities to join guided tastings, cooking classes, harvest festivals, and traditional local fairs featuring seasonal delicacies.
Whether you’re on the hunt for memorable Michelin meals, cucina povera at its best, or the ultimate wine-tasting session, we have the perfect guide to the best culinary adventures in Tuscany.
There’s a wealth of festivals
From antique fairs to organic markets to harvest festivals that celebrate the tastes of fall, there’s a wealth of festivals and things to do in Tuscany in October. If you’re planning to explore these events, learn more about how to rent a car in Tuscany for convenient travel.
On the last Sunday of the month, the charming walled town of Volterra in the province of Pisa plays host to Volterragusto, a unique gastronomic event dedicated to the area’s white truffles. The event also includes a historic cheese wheel rolling competition called Palio dei Caci Volterrani.
Meanwhile, Montepulciano’s Oil and Autumn Flavours Festival invites participants to enjoy an equestrian show and a guided walking tour among the town’s famed olive groves, while Montalcino puts on a spectacular medieval feast complete with historical parades, archery contests, and delicious communal dinners starring authentic Maremma specialties and world-class Brunello di Montalcino by the glass during the annual Sagra del Tordo (Festival of the Thrush).
The local marone chestnut takes center stage at Campiglia d’Orcia Chestnut Festival, and in Piancastagnaio, a medieval village at the foot of Monte Amiata, Crastatone celebrates the end of the chestnuts’ harvest with music, dancing, and all sorts of regional specialties made from the sweet local nuts, from castagnaccio (chestnut flour cake) to sweet chestnut polenta.
…And a tapestry of autumn colors
Nature lovers visiting the Tuscan countryside in October can truly enjoy some wonderful scenery. This beautiful region is at its most pastoral in the autumn glow, when the vineyards of Chianti turn into a riot of russet and gold, and the winding cypress-lined roads of Val d’Orcia invite scenic fall drives and relaxing biking rides.
Everywhere you look, soft oranges, browns, and yellows melt into one another like in a watercolor painting, creating fantastic photo opportunities. Verdant cypress trees, silver-green olive groves, and rustic terracotta tile roofs complete the picture, while the occasional stone house emerging from the mist adds to the scene’s bucolic charm.
The Foreste Casentinesi National Park in eastern Tuscany is one of the best places in Italy to experience fall foliage. One of Europe’s largest forests, this leafy gem is home to over 40 species of trees and no less than 650 km of trails. The best time to catch the changing leaves is from mid-October through mid-November, when the area’s maple, oak, and beech trees blaze into countless shades of autumn.
Where to stay
The Sonetto – For a sleek city stay in Florence, The Sonetto powered by Sonder tackles all the right boxes – chic, smartly appointed rooms and a killer location on the banks of the Arno River, 800 meters from the Uffizi Gallery.
Claudio Papetti – Perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway in the Tuscan countryside. Soak up the local life in the authentic town of Pergine Valdarno and book a car to explore the surrounding rolling hills, Arezzo, and Florence.
Maestà Del Sasso – Larger families and groups of friends will love this elegant private villa in Cortona. The interior is tastefully decorated and equipped with everything you could need for a perfect “Under the Tuscan Sun”-style vacation.