4 Best Places to Visit in Italy in September (2025)

Ischia

Ischia is an island off the coast of Naples. It's slightly farther away than neighboring Procida but still an easy ferry ride straight from Naples' city center.

Ischia is a great alternative for people who want to visit some Italian islands but aren't as excited by the touristic nature of the Amalfi Coast or Capri. That's not to say Ischia is unknown - for Italians, it's long been a summer vacation spot - but compared to those other nearby places, it doesn't see nearly the same number of crowds.

While Procida is pretty small and can be enjoyed as a day trip (although if you stay longer you're sure to reach full relaxation mode), Ischia is a bit bigger and best enjoyed over a few nights. The island is divided into a few main areas and while you can hop around, traffic can be tough so it's best if you're comfortable on a scooter. Or, better yet, get around by boat!

The most popular areas to base yourself in Ischia are:

• Ischia Port: Where many ferries arrive from Naples. This is said to be the party area of the island.
• Ischia Ponte: This area is near Ischia Port and is best for the incredible views of the Aragonese Castle. This area is also pretty touristic so it has a number of bars, restaurants, and shops for those that prefer that sort of entertainment.
• Forio: Another of the main ports. This port is smaller but from our experience, most boat tours leave from here. It also has a nice sandy beach right in town and a quaint vibe to it.
• Sant'Angelo: This area is best for those that are searching for the fishing village feel. It's small, picturesque, and great for those that prefer to relax.

I'm a sucker for spending time on the water so personally I think the best way to enjoy Ischia is by boat. The island is small enough that you can take a tour around the entire island and still get out and swim from time to time.

Others might prefer staying on land and enjoying the natural hot springs this island is famous for. Better yet, try them both!

We actually have our first trip planned to Ischia the first week of September. I'll update this article to share more from our first-hand experience and less from research when we get home.

Where to Stay in Ischia

I'll also update this section after our trip to Ischia when I have more confidence about where to stay. We've planned a few nights in Forio, which seems to be the right base for our plans but I'll update this afterwards so I'm absolutely certain first.

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Valdobbiadene

Love Prosecco? Who doesn't! If you're a fan like I am, you'll love Valdobbiadene, the Prosecco Valley of Italy.

Keep in mind, there is a small town called Prosecco just outside of Trieste. This is not where Prosecco is from! When we first realized we were moving here, I was super excited to have this in my backyard and was highly disappointed when I realized the name was nothing more than a coincidence.

The reason this is a good time to visit and drink your fill of Prosecco is that it's the start of harvest season. For those that really enjoy vineyard stays, this is the most exciting time to be around as you can see things more in action than in other times of the year.

This region is relatively quiet when you compare it to famous Tuscany but worth the visit for those that are looking for wine tasting and stays a little lesser known and for those that, like me, simply prefer Prosecco.

Although different in views than Tuscany, I can promise you this region is gorgeous. From my experience, it's more green and hilly and on clear days you can see the Dolomites in the backdrop.

If you don't want to stay at a winery, you can also stay in the small town of Valdobbiadene or nearby in Conegliano. Just know that although Conegliano is bigger and better connected, it's still a pretty small town.

Where to Stay in Valdobbiadene

For a cheaper stay, Conegliano is likely a better choice but since I've recommended Valdobbiadene to take part in the grape harvest and enjoy plenty of wine tastings, I'm going to only recommend places that's nearby the action.

This is a great time to stay at an agriturismo. These are locally run bed and breakfasts that usually sit on a farm. More often than not, they'll serve food made by them or their neighbors, usually including their own wine.

• Budget Stay: Agriturismo due Carpini: Located in the same area but outside of the small town of Santo Stefano, you'll absolutely love the sweeping views of the Prosecco vineyards from the rooms and the infinity pool. You're within walking distance to many vineyards here.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Locanda Sandi: If you're looking for a more rustic yet charming place to stay, this is the one for you. This hotel is right next door to Villa Sandi Vineyard and tasting room.
• Luxury Stay: Agriturismo Vedova: For a more modern place to stay, here you'll enjoy great views and even the privacy of your own sauna if you book a stay at the suite.

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Padua

Padua (Padova in Italian) is a super cool university city just 20 minutes from Venice, 45 minutes from Verona, and an hour from Bologna. Historians believe that Padua is the oldest city in Northern Italy, founded in 1183 BC.

We recently visited Padua on a day trip and both agreed we should come back and spend more time here. The small city is bursting with charm, history, and plenty of bars, shops, and restaurants. Although this isn't necessarily a unique thing within Italy, what is nice is the relatively small size with still so much to see and do.

This is perfect for those that enjoy walking around but don't want to have to walk 30 minutes in between attractions. Since the old town is so compact, every street has something to see. If you walked without stopping, I'd assume you could cover the entire center in just an hour. Not that I recommend you do that but just to put it into context.

What surprised me the most about Padua is that the architecture was far more reminiscent of Rome than nearby Venice. Think Rome with canals. To me, that's pretty perfect but I for one am a huge fan of Italy's capital city.

Although you can certainly do what we did and just take yourself on a walking tour of the city, to get more context to the layers upon layers of history, I'd recommend a guided tour.

Where to Stay in Padua

Even though Padua is pretty compact, I personally enjoy staying in the city center when the budget allows. I love being able to walk right outside my door and be in the thick of things.

• Budget Stay: A&F Apartment: Located in Piazza Garibaldi, this apartment is really well-positioned right in between the train station and the old town.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Palazzo Mantua Benavides Suites & Apartments: If you're searching for a historic stay, this one is for you. The building and the furnishings themselves will bring you back to a different era.
• Luxury Stay: Officine Cavour: Right in the heart of the city center at Piazza Cavour, this building offers a variety of modern rentals for different size groups.

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Perugia

Last but not least, head down to Central Italy to the region of Umbria. Perugia is the capital city of Umbria and a great hub to explore more of this lesser visited region. Just be sure you don't spend all of your time hopping to other places and give yourself at least a full day to spend in Perugia.

A thing people love so much about visiting Perugia is the fact that time seems to stand still here. The old town is incredibly well-preserved, with colorful homes, stone walls, and cobblestone pathways that have been traversed for centuries.

Other than getting lost in the winding alleyways above ground, you can also visit Underground Perugia. Maybe a little spooky but definitely a cool thing to see. Another big draw to Perugia is one of the biggest events in Italy, the Jazz Festival that takes place here every July. If you'd rather see that, consider a summer trip but know that the city does lose it's ancient charm when the crowds roll in.

From Perugia, I recommend you take the 20 minute train ride to Assisi or the 30 minute train ride to Spello, both small but very cute towns to visit. Lake Trasimeno, one of the biggest Italian lakes, is just a 30 minute drive from Perugia and another great day trip option. There may be ways to arrive via train or bus but from what I can see, driving seems to be the best way to arrive and explore the lake.

To be completely transparent, we haven't yet visited Perugia but do have it on our list. In case you can visit before us, we wanted to share the tip with you.

Where to Stay in Perugia

Like Padua, I'd recommend staying right in the old town in Perugia. Just keep in mind that the train station here is a slightly far walk from the center so you might prefer to stay closer in that direction if you plan to take a few day trips.

• Budget Stay: House 105 Suite Apartment: This apartment is close to the train station, so best for travelers who are planning to make Perugia their home base to explore more of the region.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Times Suites: This hotel is located right in the old town and ideal for seeing all that the town has to offer in a very cool place to stay.
• Luxury Stay: Locanda della Posta Boutique Hotel: Also located right in the center of old town, this boutique hotel is set in a building from the 18th century. For a real taste of the city's history, you'll love staying here.

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Where Will You Visit in Italy in September

When you visit Italy in September, you're really spoiled for choice. The weather is fantastic, with some slightly unpredictable days tossed in the mix, and its somehow the right time to do everything: go hiking in the mountains, head to Southern Italy for the beach, or traverse towns in the center of the country that tend to be far too hot to really enjoy in the summer.

With harvest season starting, it's a great time to go wine tasting and watch the grape harvest first-hand, something most people don't get to witness.

Although you won't be the only person who books a trip to Italy in September, the summer crowds have largely dissipated and the relaxed ambiance Italy is famous for starts to creep back in.