Packing for Rome in October? Let's Make It Easy!

Packing for Rome in October? 

After more than 20 years of living in Rome and enjoying our beautiful autumns, I can tell you just what to pack, how to plan for fall weather, and how not to overpack.

Find out what kind of weather to expect, how I dress in October, and what not to leave at home.

Packing for Rome in October - what to bring and how to dress

You could say that October is the perfect month for visiting Rome. 

The days are mostly sunny, but not stiflingly hot. The nights are cool but not cold, and it doesn't seem to rain much. Also, we are still in Daylight Saving Time, so the days are still fairly long.

But the best thing about October weather in Rome is the "Ottobrata Romana," which means the phenomenon of the stunning sunsets we get this month, more than any other time of year. I am a sunset lover as you might know from my Instagram and from photos on this website, and so I always look forward to the surprising sunsets I'll see in Rome in October.

Whether you're visiting Rome in early, mid-October, or late October, I recommend packing some light layers. October is usually not as cold as many people expect.

On this page, you'll find:

• What weather to expect in Rome in October
• Preparing for rain in Rome
• How I dress in Rome in October - my best advice
• Things to pack in any season

Weather in Rome in October

Most people are shocked to learn that October is one of the busiest months of the year in Rome and other Italian art cities, such as Florence and Naples.

They say things like, "Oh, but I thought it's shoulder season and since it's not summer, it would be quieter."

Right - it's not steamy hot summer, so it's just a lovely time to be in Rome.

The days are long and mostly sunny, I can walk around Rome and not get overheated or feel much of a chill, I'm always properly dressed for visiting the Vatican and other holy sites like the catacombs, and I can still enjoy evening strolls and sipping cocktails at some of my favorite rooftop bars waiting for those famous October sunsets.

The temperature in Rome in October can vary across the month. At the start of October, temperatures average around 75-79 Fahrenheit/24-26 Celsius during the day and around 56-60 Fahrenheit/14-16 Celsius at night.

By the end of October, the clocks change and fall is here, with daytime temperatures averaging 16-18 Celsius/60-64 Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures averaging 8-10 Celsius/46-50 Fahrenheit.

Dressing for the rain in Rome in Rome in October

I don't think of October as a rainy month, although some rain in Rome in October is possible, especially at the end of the month when it starts feeling more like fall.

Any rain showers we get in October are usually over quickly, so even if it does rain, it shouldn't stop you from having a great time.

Bonus tip - After the rain, you can hunt for puddle reflections. These make wonderful photos and beautiful memories.

When I talk about what to pack for Rome for other months, I often suggest a rain hat and travel umbrella, but I don't think you need these for visiting Rome in October.

October in Rome is usually much warmer than people expect, but since I suggest bringing at least one jacket, you could bring a waterproof shell that doesn't weigh a lot.

This could be useful either for the rain or for just going out in the evenings when the temperatures drop a bit.

Packing for Rome in October - How I dress

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I walk around Rome a lot.

I love to walk everywhere when I can, because in Rome, there is always something new to see. I also love looking at things I know well, like the Colosseum, and seeing it in a new light, or finding a new detail. 

So I know just how to dress in Rome year-round.

These are my recommendations for what to include when packing for Rome in October, many of which I own or use:

October is a month full of things to do in Rome, with many outdoor events usually still in swing.

For example, the Colosseum runs night visits in summer, and often, these go throughout part of fall. If the Colosseum is offering night visits in October, you might want to do this.

Some other considerations for packing for Rome in October include any shows or events you might be attending. You don't need to bring fancy clothes with you when you visit Rome, but you might want to dress up a little bit if you attend a show, concert, or special meal.

There are lots of shows and concerts (visit our dedicated page about concerts in Rome here) happening in October, so you may want to attend one.

Rome's rooftop scene has exploded with new venues in recent years, and October remains a popular time to enjoy drinks or dinner on a rooftop.

If you want to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving while in Rome, you can. Believe it not, there are places in Rome where you can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Although I'm American, I have Canadian friends in Rome, and I've shared Thanksgiving dinner with them at a wonderful Trastevere restaurant, where they served all the traditional dishes. Not very Roman, I know. But fun if that's something you want to do.

Visit our page about Rome Events in October for current listings.

For more packing inspiration, check out my video about what to pack for autumn in Rome:

General Rome packing tips for any time of year

What else do you need to consider when packing for Rome in October?

These are just a few of my recommendations for what to pack for Rome, any time of year:

I've got lots more suggestions for what to bring when you visit Rome.

See my page about What to Pack for Rome where you can download a handy packing list, and visit my Amazon page for all my shopping recommendations.

Find more information on what to expect when traveling to Rome in October here, here for general tips about visiting Rome in autumn, and here for current exhibits and events in October in Rome.

---

Visit our dedicated pages about what to pack for Rome for every month:

---

---