What to pack for Italy in September: get the free printable packing list!

What to pack for Italy in September: my complete packing list for all ages to be comfortable and cute on your Italian Vacation.

September is one of the best months travel around Italy, a personal favorite of mine to go exploring my beautiful country!

September in Italy is the last month of summer and, for the most part at least, a time of sunny days, blue sky, flowers, and outdoor dining. It is not, however, usually as hot as July or August, especially once you get to the second part of the month .

You can think of September in Italy as a spring and summer month all rolled into one.

Depending on the day, you can get nice and mild temperatures or hot days, depending on the exact time of the month, where you are in Italy and a bit of luck!

I take time in September to travel the length of Italy every year and this, plus the fact that I am from Rome, means I have a lot of experience about the weather in Italy in September and what is best to pack.

Today, I share this experience and my September packing list for Italy.

I hope it helps you make your packing easier and relieve the anxiety you may have about the weather, church attire, dress code and more!

The Weather in Italy in September: overview

September in Italy is a transition month between summer and the very beginning of the fall.

The start of the month is still very much summer time: while the most oppressive of the heat usually subside by the start of the month, the first two weeks of September are still a time for summer dresses, short sleeves, shorts etc.

In most places, you won’t need more than a light cardigan or hoodie as outer layer.

As you get further into the month, temperatures tend to star getting lower and it is safe to expect to have to wear sweaters in the morning and evening.

Rain is possible and, with it, lower temperatures may also come.

I wouldn’t plan for heavy rain however, I would pack a good sweater just in case.

Rain that requires full jackets and shoes tends to be an isolated, unpredictable event so, for September, I wouldn’t pack for it.

In general, September in Italy sees average temperatures between 30C/86F and 20C/68F with significant differences between locations and day / evening.

The hottest parts of Italy in September are the South (Sicily especially) and the cities. The coldest part of Italy in September is the mountains, which have very much a climate of their own and will require at least a light jacket.

Packing List for Italy in September: how to use this list

This packing list wants to help decide what to pack but you don’t have to bring all of these with you! Especially for kids, things such as a baby bed is not a must, most places will provide them.

I have included them anyway so you can pause a moment to make sure you have made provisions for all situations: just tick those you do need and strike off or ignore the others.

What to wear in Italy September – clothing packing list

I like packing for Italy in September because it is the time when you can have fun with summer clothes and accessories without having to worry excessively about scorching heat.

My must-have packing list for Italy in September includes:

• Underwear
• Skirts: I like to have a mix of short and below-the-knee skirts to cover all situations, including church visits
• Shorts: there is a common item of clothing for kids and very young visitors, but less common in women over 30 or so, especially in cities. This is not an absolute rule and you can wear shorts no problem if this is your style!
• Shorts from men are very common, especially chinos or those with pockets.
• Summer dress
• T-shirts and tops. Make sure you have at least one top that covers your shoulders for church visits.
• Cardigan / light sweater: handy for the evening, hilltops and ventilated coastal areas at night, especially
• Linen/cotton trousers/pants: very handy for when you need more formal attire: think gentlemen in higher-end restaurants etc.
• Polo shirts for men for nicer restaurants
• Light summer pajama/ nightgown
• Swimsuit

What to pack for Italy in September: shoes

In Italy, you are guaranteed to walk a lot; therefore, getting shoes right is essential!

So essential, in fact, that I have a full guide about it here >>> the best shoes for Italy travel

In a nutshell, I recommend you bring:

• Good walking sandals. I am fond of my Teva, perfect for all situations, even water. I love these for all of us, including the kids!
• Flip Flops for the Beach.
• Sneakers – they may or may not be necessary, depending on the sandals you have. However, I do find it handy to have them, especially in late September when the weather may call for a little more than open toe sandals (a lot depends on what you are personally used to, in terms of temperature. September has that temperature that some may find hot and others just ok)

Good to know: I recommend you don’t use your flip-flops as your daily shoe-wear outside of seaside destinations. This is because flip-flops do not offer enough arch support (you definitely want it, with all the walking you’ll do!) and style. Flip-flops are considered beachwear in Italy and while you can wear them if you want, they are not a universal type of shoes and you may feel out of place in some establishments, a little as if you were wearing slippers rather than shoes!

• Water shoes for the kids: many Italian beaches have pebbles and rocks, so kids tend to do much better with watersheds protecting their feet.

Accessories

• Sunglasses
• Sunhat – I know you may feel this is a tourist item but please: do not underestimate the sun in Italy in early September – it can get very intense, especially in archeological sites such as the Roman Forum or Pompeii or if out on long boat trips
• Cute hair accessories
• Refillable water bottle
• Selfie stick

What to pack for Italy in September: toiletries

You can buy toiletries in Italy, supermarkets, pharmacies and other shops.

Find here >>> all you need to know about Italian supermarkets

If you are bringing your own, don’t forget:

• Shower gel
• Body and face moisturizer
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Deodorant
• Shaving cream + safety blades
• Brush /comb/hair ties
• Dental kit: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss
• Tweezers
• Nail file
• Sun-cream
• After sun
• Makeup if using
• Female hygiene essentials
• Hand sanitizer
• Mosquito repellent <<< This is a very important one: mosquitoes in Italy are voracious!

What to pack for September in Italy: medications

In Italy, you can buy medications in pharmacies.

However, it is a good idea to pack some essentials. We usually always pack:

• Paracetamol or equivalent
• Basic first aid kit (plasters etc)
• Any medication you may be using at home regularly. If prescription, make sure you carry them in their original packaging and take note of the active agent should you need to source it in Italy
• Motion sickness remedy if using

Packing for Italy in September: tech and electronics

• Phone
• Charger cables
• Power adapter and converter – this is essential if you travel from the US, for instance, and want to use items such as a curling iron or a hairdryer as anything non dual voltage will fry with the system her (most places provide hair dryers but not all or they may not be very powerful. If you are used to doing your hair a certain way, it can be handy to bring your own)
• Extra battery pack
• Tablets/kids entertainment if using
• E-reader if using

Bags

• Day bags:

I love crossbody bags for travel.

They are easy to carry, safe against pickpockets (not a huge concern in Italy, despite what the web might say, but better safe than sorry) and there are so many options to choose from you are sure to find one to suit your taste and style.

I do not believe you need to invest in an anti-theft one; however, many people feel safer that way and swear by the Travelon brand.

My husband and kids normally carry small backpacks with daily essentials.

We find camelback backpacks to be ideal: they are small enough not to be bulky yet good for essentials and perfect to collect the delicious water of Italy’s water fountains.

• Wet bags

I started packing wet bags like these when my kids arrived, and now I am hooked!

I love them, and they are a lifesaver if you find yourself stuck with a wet swimsuit just at the time when you need to pack!

In terms of Luggage for Italy, I am fond of travel backpacks. However, spinner bags also work well. You can find here >>> my favorite bags for Italy travel

What to wear in September in Italy to visit churches

A big worry when packing for September in Italy, especially at the very start of the month when it may still be rather hot, is to have items that can be cool enough to withstand the hot weather yet modest enough to allow visiting churches.

Some good ways to strike a balance between respect and dealing with the heat are:

• Opt for t-shirts. Big churches require to cover shoulders but have no problem with arm showing. September is usually not that hot that you’ll want only strappy or sleeveless tops, t-shirts are a good item at this time
• Bring a shawl with you, so you can easily cover your shoulders when entering a church if wearing a spaghetti strap top
• Wear breathable maxi dresses and skirts (they also protect your legs from the sun, they can be great!)
• Opt for light linen pants as a comfortable, lightweight and stylish alternative to shorts for the day
• Carry a maxi skirt with an elastic band at the waist. Then, you / your daughter can quickly slip on your shorts for church visits.
• Get boys to wear pants with zip-off legs that convert easily from long to short and back.

Good to know! The dress code for small kids in churches is not as strict, so you do not need special clothing for them to visit churches. If you have older kids, below-the-knee shorts, skirts or pants with zips that convert from long to short are a great option. There is no exact cut-off date for kids wearing shorts in churches, so the best way is to go with the spirit of the rule. If your child is old enough that short shorts may be considered ‘immodest’ by a strict interpretation of the word, it is best to get them more covered up to avoid being turned away.

Documents

Of course, you don’t want to forget your document, including:

• Passport
• Visa if needed
• Travel Insurance
• International driven permit if needed
• Kids’ birth certificate if needed (for instance, if traveling along with a minor with a different surname than you)
• Prescriptions

Need to know! I hear all the time, on travel forums, misleading information about driving permits. Please, only trust OFFICIAL SOURCES when figuring out if you need one! For instance, if you are from the US, you can use your embassy website page to get reliable info >>> https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/transportation-driving/ Please remember that is the permit is a legal requirement for you, the fact that others on the web ‘were not asked’ when picking up the car rental is irrelevant and does not mean it is ok to go without one – if the police finds you without, they will fine you.

• One more thing! A quick Italian reference phrase list!

English is widely spoken in tourist areas especially. However, having basic Italian helps!

You can find here >>> my must-have list of Italian phrases for travelers.

How to pack for Italy in September – style tips

In Italy, you can wear pretty much whatever you want!

I always hear people worrying about ‘looking like a tourist’ and I can understand the concern. However, please don’t worry too much!

In terms of safety, there are so many tourists, you will not stand out almost anywhere.

You’ll have more visitors in popular locations than locals (think Florence Duomo area, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast) so your tourist gear will perfectly blend in with the people around.

For style, there is a huge variety nowadays even among locals, so there is no right or wrong or at least, no more than back home!

You may need to dress up for a fancy restaurant or special events but for standard sightseeing, the only important thing when picking for Italy in September is to be comfortable and weather appropriate – the rest is details!

That said, there are some style tips that I believe can help.

• Dresses, maxi skirts, harem pants and jumpsuits are very popular and great for Italy in September.

As well as fashionable, they are safe to wear in churches and can work well for both day and evening occasions.

Lately, harem pants are trendy in Italy and a great alternative to skirts if you prefer additional coverage.

• Shorts are very common for kids, men and young women, a little less for middle age women and up.

This is not an absolute rule, but it may be handy to know if you wonder why locals seem to embrace them!

• For men, athletic wear is considered sports gear and would not be everyday attire for locals; it’s usually what ‘gives away’ you are a tourist. Not a problem! This is background information more than a stye do / don’t

Locally, chinos are very common for men and acceptable in all situations except the most high-end restaurants, where specific dress code may apply

• Colorful necklaces

The fastest way to feel like an Italian is to embellish your look with colorful necklaces.

Italian women are fond of them, and I am partial to them too!

They dress up even a simple outfit adding color and texture. Moreover, they are cheap and pack light, basically the best friend of the stylish traveler!

What to pack for Italy in September for babies and toddlers

In addition to the above, if traveling to Italy with kids, I recommend you also bring:

• Babygrows and onesies
• Baby socks
• Stroller – a lifesaver with all the walking you will be doing, don’t let cobbles deter you! You’ll be happy to have your kids down occasionally! Find here >>> tips for using a stroller in Italy
• Baby Carrier
• Portable high chair: not a must but a fabric one that folds small can be handy on occasion
• Blackout blinds if using
• Baby summer sleeping bag
• Diaper changing essentials for the journey – you can then source all baby products once in Italy in supermarkets and pharmacies. Read here >>> where to buy baby essentials in Italy.
• Teether/toys
• Small, battery-operated fan for the stroller/pram – this is a lifesaver, especially early in the month! This small object doesn’t cost much, and it is great to clip onto the pram’s hood to help with air circulation and cool the baby down.
• Baby mosquito net for the stroller/pram/baby bed
• Baby cup
• Sterilizing equipment if using
• In terms of clothing, kids will be the most comfortable with shorts and summer dresses. Good walking shoes for early walkers or sandals.
• Beach gear: if spending time on the coast, I recommend packing water shoes, rash guard (if used to much milder sun) and snorkeling gear
  

I hope I answered all your questions about what to wear in Italy in September! Safe travels!

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