Crowds in November

Between Nov 1 and March 31 crowds are less. I am sure you can find tickets on the same day, although I haven't been recently.

We were in Italy the end of October into November. Its been my only trip to Italy, other than Sicily. I would characterize it as moderately crowded. We did the Rome RS tour so we didn't have to get tickets for places in Rome. Lines for the Colosseum were long. The Vatican museum was shoulder to shoulder people. In Florence, we got advance tickets to the Uffizzi, and there line was a couple blocks long. This was the fall before the start of COVID. I would get tickets in advance.

I was in Italy this past March and it was super crowded. We noticed the crowds the most in Florence (everywhere) and in Rome around all the popular sights.

For the Colosseum, 30 days before my visit, I got up at 2:00 am (9:00 am rome time) to get my tickets. The only tickets I saw available for this date were 8 tickets for the full experience—colosseum and arena. So, I would definitely try to get these ahead of time. If you look at some of the recent posts on the Italy forum, many are about not being able to get tickets. So, don’t wait. Good luck!!

We were in Italy Sept 15-Oct 4 2022. We had no trouble getting Uffizi, Academia, and other timed tickets on the same day or next day. The line to enter the Academia was long, but once inside the crowds were not huge. We could easily get unobstructed views of paintings and other objects. I would get tix when you arrive in Florence.

If you think you want to wait until you get to Italy to buy tickets, which I'd strongly discourage, please at least follow the official websites and watch the bookings. Things change over time. Travel numbers this coming November may well be greater than last November. I also think we are losing "shoulder seasons", with numbers continuing to increase over time..

As an example, we went to Sevilla about five or so years ago in November. I was advised that tickets to the Alcazar could be purchased day of. We followed that advice and waited at least 1.5 hours in the hot sun (yes, in November) to get in. Travel numbers have been ramping up even before the "pent up COVID demand". I totally get not wanting to lock into days and times, but sometimes, its just a necessity.

I have not been to Italy in November, but I arrived in Rome on February 11 this year. At that time online tickets for the Vatican Museums and the Borghese Gallery were selling out more than a week in advance. I had no interest in the Colosseum, but it is usually by far the toughest ticket in the city, so I think it would be a very big mistake to wait to buy tickets for any of those three sights until you get to Rome. Things have changed.

It was nearly 10 years ago now, and it’s a way different time now, but we were there in late November. I had advance tickets but they were unnecessary. My son and I walked in and spent 30 minutes completely alone with David. It was extraordinary.

Yep, and I've taken three trips to the Cinque Terre that were nearly free of other tourists. In the 1970s and 1980s. We only recognize the Good Old Days in hindsight.