Renting a Villa in Tuscany in October or November: What to Look For

For a villa in Tuscany in October or November, look for three things: a reliable way to heat the house, something warm to do outdoors in the daytime, and a comfortable place to spend the longer evenings. Doorways Villa Vacations has been choosing villas in Tuscany since 1994, and below are the ones we suggest for fall, with the questions to ask before you book.

Tuscany in October and November: quick answers

• Weather: about 68 to 71°F by day in October and 57 to 60°F in November, with nights in the 40s and 50s. November is the rainiest month of the year in Florence.
• Is it a good time to go? Yes, especially for food, wine and quieter towns. October feels like late summer early in the month; November is cool, green and quiet.
• Heating: in Florence, Siena and Lucca, heating systems can legally run from November 1. Ask how a villa stays warm before then.
• Swimming: unheated pools are cold after early October. Choose a heated pool or a private spa, or a thermal spring like Saturnia.
• What to pack: layers, a waterproof jacket, closed shoes for cobblestones and something warm for the evenings.
• Crowds and prices: fewer people than summer, and villa rates are often lower, with some owners accepting stays shorter than a week.
• Don’t miss: the olive harvest and new oil, white truffles in November, chestnut festivals and a fire on a cool evening.

What is the weather like in Tuscany in October and November?

In Florence, October days reach about 68 to 71°F and nights drop to around 52°F. November is cooler, with highs of 57 to 60°F, lows in the mid 40s and about ten rainy days, which makes it the wettest month of the year. The hill towns, such as Cortona and Montepulciano, run a few degrees colder than the valleys. Early October can still feel like summer at lunch; plan for a sweater at dinner either way.

Daylight shrinks fast. The clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, and by the end of November the sun sets in Florence at about 4:40pm. The upside is color: the first rains turn the fields green again, and the vineyards go gold and red from late October. Snow is rare in the Tuscan hills in November and usually limited to the mountains, such as Monte Amiata. For more on the season, see our guide to Italy in the fall.

Do Tuscan villas have heating in October and November?

Italy sets the dates when heating systems can be switched on. In Florence, Siena and Lucca the season starts on November 1, for up to 12 hours a day. In higher, colder towns, including much of the province of Arezzo, it starts on October 15. Town councils can allow it earlier during a cold spell, but in early October many villas rely on fireplaces, wood stoves or heat pumps to take the chill off.

Before you book a villa for October or November, ask:

• What heats the house, and does it reach every bedroom?
• Is heating included in the rate, or charged by use? Many villas bill it separately in the cooler months.
• Is firewood supplied for the fireplaces?
• Do the bathrooms have towel warmers or heated floors?

We check heating when we inspect a villa, so we can answer these for any house on our list.

Can you swim in October? Heated pools, spas and the sea

An unheated pool is too cold for most swimmers after the first week or two of October, and many close for the season. If swimming matters, choose a villa with a heated pool and ask how warm it is kept and until what date; pool heating is often an extra charge.

By November, an indoor spa is the better bet. These villas have their own sauna or steam room for cool afternoons. For more, see our wellness villas and the best thermal springs in Tuscany, which are at their best on a crisp fall day.

What about the sea? The water along the Tuscan coast is still swimmable for the hardy in early October, but most beach clubs close at the end of September. If beach days matter, look further south: the Amalfi Coast in October, Sicily and Puglia stay warmer for longer.

What to look for indoors: fireplaces and room to gather

With dark evenings, you will spend more time inside than in summer. Look for a living room with a working fireplace, a dining table that seats everyone and a kitchen big enough to cook together.

When is the olive harvest and truffle season in Tuscany?

The olive harvest usually starts in late October and runs through November, and the local mills press the new oil within hours of picking. Staying on a working olive estate is the easiest way to see it, and to taste oil that is days old. Read more in our guide to the olive harvest in Italy.

Fall is also white truffle season. San Miniato, between Florence and Pisa, holds its white truffle market on weekends in November, and our concierge can book a truffle hunt with a local truffle hunter and dog. The grape harvest is mostly finished by October, but wineries are still busy and happy to host tastings; see our tips for wine tasting in Tuscany and our vineyard villas.

What festivals are on in Tuscany in October and November?

October and November are festival season in the Tuscan countryside, with village sagre built around chestnuts, mushrooms, new wine and truffles. Dates move a little each year, so check with the town before you go, or ask us when you book.

• Chestnut and mushroom festivals, October weekends. Vivo d’Orcia, on the slopes of Monte Amiata, holds its mushroom and chestnut festival on the second and third weekends of October, and Marradi, in the hills northeast of Florence, celebrates its chestnuts on Sundays in October.
• Sagra del Tordo, Montalcino, last weekend of October. The town’s four districts compete in an archery contest in medieval dress, with food stands and Brunello. Arrive early, as parking fills fast. Villas in the Siena countryside are an easy drive.
• Lucca Comics & Games, late October to November 1. One of the largest comics festivals in Europe fills the walled city. Fun if you plan for it, crowded if you don’t; if you are staying near Lucca that week, see our Lucca day trips for quieter days out.
• San Martino, November 11. Towns across Tuscany mark St. Martin’s Day with the first new wine of the year and roasted chestnuts.
• White truffle markets, November weekends. San Giovanni d’Asso, in the Crete Senesi south of Siena, holds its truffle festival on the second and third weekends of November, and San Miniato’s market runs on the last three weekends of the month.
• Florence Marathon, late November. Expect road closures in the city on race Sunday.

What to eat in Tuscany in October and November

Fall is the best eating season in Tuscany. Menus change with the harvest, and many dishes only appear for a few weeks. Look for these:

• Fettunta. Grilled bread rubbed with garlic and soaked in olive oil from the new harvest, still bright green and peppery. Simple, and the best way to taste the new oil.
• Porcini. Wild mushrooms tossed with fresh tagliatelle, or grilled whole and served like a steak.
• White truffles. Shaved over thin tagliolini or a fried egg in November, when the season peaks.
• Pappardelle al cinghiale. Wide ribbons of pasta with a slow-cooked wild boar ragù, as hunting season opens in the hills.
• Ribollita. A thick bread and vegetable soup made with cavolo nero, the Tuscan kale that tastes sweetest after the first cold nights.
• Chestnuts. Roasted on street corners, baked into castagnaccio, a dense chestnut-flour cake with rosemary, pine nuts and raisins, or folded into necci, chestnut crepes filled with ricotta, around Lucca.
• Schiacciata all’uva. A sweet flatbread baked with wine grapes, sold in Florence bakeries during the harvest.
• Pan co’ santi. Siena’s walnut and raisin bread, baked for All Saints’ Day on November 1.
• Vin santo and cantucci. Almond biscuits dipped in sweet dessert wine to end the meal, with persimmons and pomegranates piled up at the market.

For where to order them, see our Tuscany restaurant guide and Florence restaurant guide. Or bring the season to the villa: our concierge can arrange a private chef or a cooking class built around porcini, chestnuts and the new oil, and our tips for wine tasting in Tuscany will help you choose the bottles.

What to pack for Tuscany in October and November

Pack for three seasons in one day: a cool morning, a warm lunch outside and a chilly evening. Layers matter more than any single coat.

• A light waterproof jacket and a small umbrella, especially for November.
• Sweaters or a fleece to layer over T-shirts; linen works in early October, wool by November.
• Closed, comfortable shoes with good grip for cobblestones and wet stone streets. Leave the sandals for early October.
• A scarf or shawl, which also covers shoulders in churches. St. Peter’s and the Vatican require covered shoulders and knees.
• A swimsuit if your villa has a heated pool or spa, or if you plan a day at the thermal springs.
• Walking shoes that can get muddy, if you want to join the olive harvest or walk the vineyards.

Italians dress up a little more in the cities in fall: dark jeans or trousers and a jacket are the norm for dinner in Florence or Rome.

Stay close to a village

Shorter days mean more driving after dark on country roads, and the gravel roads that lead to many farmhouses can turn muddy after rain. A villa within walking distance of a village, or a short drive on a paved road, makes dinner out much easier. Browse our villas within walking distance of a village. Some country restaurants close for a few weeks in November, so check before you set out, or start with our Tuscany restaurant guide.

What is open and closed: holidays, museums and strikes

• November 1, All Saints’ Day, is a national holiday. Offices and many shops close, buses and trains run on Sunday schedules, and the Vatican Museums are closed. Many Italians travel that weekend, so book restaurants and trains ahead.
• Free museum Sundays. Italy’s state museums, including the Uffizi and the Accademia in Florence, are free on the first Sunday of each month. That means long lines; if you want to see the art in peace, choose another day or book a private tour.
• Strikes. Italy has regular, announced transport strikes, usually lasting a day. Check the official strike calendar before travel days, and consider travel protection that covers delays.
• Seasonal closures. Beach clubs close at the end of September, and some country restaurants and small hotels take their holidays in November. Cities, wineries and olive mills stay open and busy.

What to do in Tuscany on a rainy day

• Go to a museum: the Uffizi, the Accademia and the Duomo museum in Florence, or the Duomo and Museo dell’Opera in Siena.
• Book a cooking class at the villa, or a private chef demonstration; our concierge can arrange either.
• Soak in the thermal springs: warm water feels best when the air is cool. See the best thermal springs in Tuscany.
• Taste wine in the cellars, where the weather never matters. Our Chianti day trip ideas include estates with indoor tastings.
• Visit an artisan workshop in Florence’s Oltrarno, where leatherworkers, goldsmiths and bookbinders still work by hand.
• Light the fire, open a bottle and stay in. That is what the villa is for.

Is Florence worth visiting in November?

Yes. November is a good month for the city: shorter lines at the Uffizi outside the free first Sunday, rooms in historic palazzi at better rates, and evenings for long dinners. Two or three days is enough to see the highlights. These Florence apartments have a fireplace, and one has its own sauna. See more on Florence, our Florence restaurant guide and private tours in Florence.

Thanksgiving in Florence or Rome

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, and a few restaurants in Florence and Rome serve a traditional dinner for American visitors. These have done so in recent years; menus and prices change, so confirm with the restaurant and book early, as they fill up. We are happy to reserve for you.

In Florence

• Ristorante Accademia, near Piazza San Marco, has served a Thanksgiving dinner for more than 25 years: pumpkin soup, turkey with stuffing, traditional sides and a choice of desserts.
• Four Seasons Hotel Firenze adds Thanksgiving dishes, such as a turkey roulade, to its menu.
• The Place Firenze has offered a four-course Thanksgiving dinner.
• Hard Rock Cafe Florence serves slow-roasted turkey, with a children’s price.

In Rome

• Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria hotel, hosts a Thanksgiving buffet with live cooking stations and turkey.
• Adelaide at Hotel Vilòn, near the Ara Pacis, serves a multi-course dinner with stuffed turkey.
• VIVI Bistrot, on Piazza Navona, has a Thanksgiving menu with vegetarian and vegan options.
• Bakery House offers turkey dinners to eat in or take away.

See our Florence and Rome restaurant guides for the rest of your stay, and our Rome villas and apartments. For more ideas, see our Rome day trips, and if you are in Rome in October, read about the Ottobrata Romana, the city’s old tradition of long lunches among the vineyards.

Or have Thanksgiving at the villa

For a family gathering, a private chef can cook Thanksgiving dinner in your villa, with the turkey roasted in the kitchen and Tuscan sides such as chestnuts, porcini and the new olive oil. Whole turkeys are not easy to find in Italy, so the butcher needs notice; tell us when you book and our concierge will arrange the chef and the shopping. At Villa Aiola near Siena, a Tuscan cook can prepare the meal, and the dining room at Villa Valorea in Florence seats twelve, with a kitchen set up for a private chef. Browse our staffed villas for more.

Is Tuscany busy or expensive in October and November?

October is still popular, especially in Florence and on weekends, because the weather is good and the harvest is on. November is the quietest month outside winter, apart from the All Saints’ weekend. Villa rates in both months are often lower than in summer, and some owners accept shorter stays than their usual Saturday-to-Saturday week. For a first visit, plan a week at a villa, with two or three days in Florence before or after; we can book the hotel too. Compare areas on our Tuscany page, or go straight to Chianti, Siena, Cortona and Lucca, and find more answers in our Tuscany villa FAQ.

Send us your dates through our contact form, and we will check heating, pool and harvest timing for each villa before we suggest it.

Frequently asked questions

Is October a good time to visit Tuscany?

Yes. Days are often warm enough to eat outside, the grape harvest is ending and the olive harvest begins late in the month, and crowds and villa rates are lower than in summer. Choose a villa with good heating and a fireplace for the cooler evenings.

Is November a good time to visit Tuscany?

Yes, if you like food, wine and quiet. November brings the new olive oil, white truffles and chestnuts, and the countryside turns green again. It is the rainiest month, with highs around 57 to 60°F, so pack layers and a waterproof jacket.

What is the weather like in Tuscany in October?

In Florence, October highs are about 68 to 71°F and lows around 52°F. Early October can feel like summer at midday; by the end of the month evenings are cool and the clocks go back.

How cold is Tuscany in November?

November highs are about 57 to 60°F and lows in the mid 40s in Florence, a little colder in the hill towns. Snow is rare except in the mountains, such as Monte Amiata.

Do Tuscan villas have heating in October and November?

Most do, but Italian rules set when heating systems can run: from November 1 in Florence, Siena and Lucca, and from October 15 in colder areas such as much of the province of Arezzo. In early October many villas use fireplaces, wood stoves or heat pumps. Ask what heats the house and whether heating is charged separately.

Can you swim in Tuscany in October?

An unheated pool is usually too cold after the first week or two of October, and most beach clubs on the Tuscan coast close at the end of September. Villa Colli and Casa Bachicche in Chianti have heated pools, Villa Morea and Villa Chiara have private spas, and the thermal springs at Saturnia are warm year-round.

What should I pack for Tuscany in October and November?

Layers, a light waterproof jacket, an umbrella, closed shoes with good grip for cobblestones, a scarf that can cover your shoulders in churches, and a swimsuit for a heated pool, spa or thermal springs.

When is the olive harvest in Tuscany?

Usually from late October through November. Villas on olive estates, such as Villa Leonardo in Chianti and Villa Laura near Cortona, are the best places to see it and taste the new oil.

What festivals are in Tuscany in October and November?

Chestnut and mushroom festivals on October weekends, the Sagra del Tordo in Montalcino on the last weekend of October, Lucca Comics & Games around November 1, San Martino on November 11 and white truffle markets in San Giovanni d'Asso and San Miniato on November weekends.

Is Florence worth visiting in November?

Yes. Lines are shorter outside the free first Sunday of the month, rates are lower and the city is at its most local. Two or three days covers the highlights, and the sun sets at about 4:40pm by the end of the month.

What is closed in Italy on November 1?

All Saints' Day is a national holiday. Offices and many shops close, public transport runs on Sunday schedules and the Vatican Museums are closed. Many restaurants and museums stay open, but book ahead, as it is a busy travel weekend.

Where can I have Thanksgiving dinner in Florence or Rome?

In Florence, Ristorante Accademia near Piazza San Marco has served a Thanksgiving dinner for more than 25 years. In Rome, the Rome Cavalieri hotel and Adelaide at Hotel Vilòn serve turkey dinners. Book early, or have a private chef cook Thanksgiving at your villa.