For those who can afford a vacation outside the classic schedule of the summer break, September is an ideal month to travel in Italy. In September the peak of summer is already behind us, temperatures become more bearable, tourist destinations begin to breathe again and the days still offer enough daylight to enjoy the sea, villages, walks, and outdoor lunches. The presence of tourists also tends to decrease, and in many destinations you can find more favorable price conditions than during the central weeks of August.
From north to south, the month of September offers a different Italy, made of harvests, gastronomic festivals, nature that changes color, and major events by the lake. Here are five destinations to note on your September itinerary for holidays in September.
Trapani and the Egadi Islands, Sicily
Sicily is one of the destinations that best embodies the charm of September. In the area of Trapani and the Egadi archipelago, the sea still retains its summer character while the most intense heat gives way to days that are more pleasant for exploring villages, saline flats, nature reserves, and coastal spots. And, above all, one leaves behind the August crowds that fill even the quiet coves of the Egadi.
The major event of the month is the Cous Cous Fest, scheduled in the nearby San Vito Lo Capo from September 18 to 27, 2026. For ten days the famous Sicilian town becomes a real international crossroads dedicated to couscous and cultural integration. The Cous Cous Houses and the Expo Village will be open every day from 12 to midnight along the waterfront and in the central streets of the town, with tastings, local products, cooking shows and competitions among chefs from different countries.
Langhe, Piedmont
Between rolling hills, vineyards and villages, the Langhe become even more enchanting with autumn’s arrival. September coincides with one of the year’s most important moments for this area: the harvest.
At Cascina Fontanette, in Santo Stefano Belbo, the Harvest Festival offers from September 12 to October 4, 2026 an experience also designed for families: you can participate in grape picking and manual stomping, visit the vineyards and the winery, and accompany the experience with tastings of locally produced heritage products. Another event to note is scheduled for Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2026 at the Villaggio Narrante in Fontanafredda, in Serralunga d’Alba. Two days with music, performances, street food, activities for adults and children and, of course, the traditional barefoot grape stomping.
Casentino Valley, Tuscany
For a vacation far from beach tourism, the Casentino Valley in Tuscany offers a completely different option. Here September marks the transition from summer to autumn, and the landscape of the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna gradually starts to take on a new look.
The woods offer milder temperatures for hikes and the first autumn hues, while wildlife becomes the star of one of the season’s most evocative natural spectacles: the roar of the deer. But Casentino is not just nature; it is also a land where you can weave into your itinerary places of great historical and spiritual value such as the Romena Fraternity, the Pieve di Romena and the Castle of Romena, set in a landscape that naturally invites a slower pace.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is one of those destinations that continues to work perfectly even as summer slides into its final phase. The event calendar also makes Garda particularly interesting at this time. Among the most important events is the 76th Garda Centomiglia International Regatta, scheduled for September 5–6, 2026, a historic sailing race organized by Circolo Vela Gargnano and capable of involving several towns around the lake.
In Salò, from September 17 to 20, Salò Botanica returns, a plant and flower fair that animates the lakeside promenade and the historic center. On the other side of the lake, Castelnuovo del Garda celebrates the 60th Grape Festival, an event that links tradition, territory and food and wine, and in 2026 will be accompanied by cultural and experiential initiatives.
The Villages of Umbria
Umbria in September is a perfect destination for those who want to truly disconnect, perhaps with an itinerary between Assisi, Spello, Bevagna, Spoleto and Montefalco, that blends art, nature and enogastronomy.
September also brings several events. In Assisi, on September 5, the Marcia delle Otto Porte takes place, while in Scheggino, on September 6, the SpoletoNorcia Gravel offers an interesting chance to discover the area on two wheels. Throughout the month, cultural events and initiatives continue in Umbrian villages, while the International Green Music Festival runs until September 20, 2026 between Montefalco and Assisi.
