How will Rome be in October?

Hi James and fellow Toledoan. I'll be in Rome/Florence in October as well. I've been twice to Italy in mid-October and found the weather positively gorgeous and the crowds do-able. Lots of people around but not oppressively so. I have read though that crowds are down all across, likely do to our economy. So I'm not quite sure what to expect this time either.

We were in Rome in mid October 2007 and there were fewer tourists and room rate was excellent. It was a bit cool and we had some rain but the visit was great. Campo Fiori had huge pumpkin displays and chestnuts were being roasted on sidewalk grills everywhere. Enjoy Rome!

Both of our trips to Rome have been around mid October. Still people, but not horribly crowded. Day time temps in the 76 to 82 degree range and around 68 at night. Very little rain both trips. We would probably not choose to go at any other time of the year.

We'll be in Rome in October as well. I love to travel in the fall - all the kids have gone back to school and so the family trips are done. The weather is a bit cooler so you're not sweating and the lines are shorter for everything.

Thanks guys. Those are the responses I was hoping for. I'd like to see other tourists and people out and about, but didn't want it to be overly crowded. First time in Italy. I can't wait.

You're going to have a wonderful time. Rome is amazing! (We're planning to do an October visit, too, maybe next year.)

Hi James,

We were in Rome on RS tour Oct. 03-06. The temp. was nearly 90 degrees mid-day. The only crowds were at the Vatican in the morning but we bypassed the line-ups with our local tour guide and reservation. The only place that we really felt hemmmed in was in the Sistine Chapel. If it's true that late afternoon is less busy, then I would choose to go at that time. Everywhere else was busy but not crazy.
Great season to sit at outside trattoria tables afternoon and evening and watch the world go by without sweltering. We thought that Oct. was a great month to visit and will probably return at same time of year. Enjoy,
Sherry

Hi! 7 of us our planning our trip this October and will be Rome on 10/6. We have a private tour scheduled for the Vatican on the day we arrive at 2:30, it should be less crowded and we arranged it through our travel agent, pre-paid for less than 50 euros which includes transportation from our hotel to St. Peters. Maybe you should look into that because when you arrive there is a separate line that goes right through with a Tour Guide who thankfully speaks the language beautifully!

We were in Rome in late October. It wasn't packed with tourists but it wasn't empty either. Lines will be shorter but there are still lines. I would call it "manageble" crowds vs. "insane" crowds.

So glad to hear all this. We will be in Rome October 1-4 and I am hoping for mild temps, fewer crowds and a wonderful time. Any feedback re: temps and crowds in Venice, Florence or Sorrento late Sept-early October would be appreciated as well.

Venice in October 2006 and 2007 was just plain crowded, by day. Once the daytrippers and cruise ships leave, the city becomes tranquil.

One year we went to Venice first, arriving about the 8th. The weather was lovely. The second year we went to Venice last, arriving about the 22nd. That was a mistake. So cold and so rainy later in to October. Or maybe we were just unlucky.

I'll be in Rome/Florence mid-October as well! We'll probably be passing each other in the streets =) I was wondering about the temps as well. Thanks for all the helpful info!

I was in Rome the last few days of September and first few days of October in '08. The weather was mid-70s, anywhere from brief, very light rain to totally sunny and gorgeous. Of course there were people everywhere, but it certainly was not overly crowded. I'd go back during that time of year easily; I don't like hot weather!

We are visiting Rome this October 7-12 and discovered that the Vatican is open to the public on Friday evenings in Sept and Oct. This will be a different tour for us than previous visits and we are looking forward to being there at night.

We went in November and it was FANTASTIC weather...not too cool and not too warm. It's supposed to be their rainy season but we had no rain at all for the entire 10 days we were in Italy. October should be GREAT....but find out if there are any local holiday's that you may be coming in to...it was the Italian Independance day when we arrived in Venice and it was PACKED...but the rest of the vacation was not crowded at all. Go figure.

I was there in October 2006 and the weather was great, sunny and generally in the 70's during the day and low 60's at night. I will be in Rome again this October and can't wait. Here is to us both having great weather!!!!