Are you thinking of an autumn holiday but you’re not sure where to go? Today, we’ll make the case that Bologna is a wonderful spot for a visit in September, October or November. We’ll go over both a couple of arguments and the weather forecast so you can have a full image of what you’d be signing up for. Let’s take a look!
The capital of Italian cuisine
And food festivals in Bologna
Bologna and the area surrounding it are considered the capital of gastronomy in Italy. Italian cuisine is a vast and diverse topic and we certainly can’t pinpoint it to one single source, though many dishes were perfected in Bologna. The reason why autumn is a great time to experience it in particular is that it’s the harvest season. You can find wine tours and proper food festivals this time of year in Bologna. One tiny benefit of autumn is also that the heat slowly subsides, so you can look forward to a warm filling meal with more enthusiasm than when it’s 35 degrees outside.
The truffle season!
Truffles in Italy
Truffles are the equivalent of gold in Bologna. They’re harvested in October and November in the nearby forests and hills. As such, you’ll find plenty of truffles in shops around Bologna, though that’s merely one option. Alternatively, you can opt for truffle hunting tours!
Budget holidays
Cheap holidays in Bologna
If you want to save a bit, flights and accommodation are always a lot cheaper in the low season. In autumn, we’d recommend November, as that’s when the temperatures go down enough to deter many people from wanting to visit Bologna. You can grab some real bargains around that time.
Hiking across Bologna
Trekking in Italy
Autumn’s the perfect time for hiking in Italy – it’s usually too hot in summer for long walks without melting along the way. Autumn softens the heat a little and leaves us with a pleasant mild heat, still warm enough to not necessitate many extra layers. You can also take part in group hikes around that time, like with the Trekking col Treno initiative.
Beautiful golden autumn
A lovely time of year
Whether you’re strolling along the street or hiking higher up, autumn’s a fantastic time for photos around Bologna. The beautiful rusty townhouses surrounded by golden autumn leaves creates an incredible impression. If you have more time on your hands in Bologna, then it’s fantastic to just spend half an autumn day in the local parks.
Weather in September
Temperatures in Bologna
Temperatures in October historically sit around 26°C average during the day and 16°C during the night, so about as warm as many of us can hope for in summer. The sea is also still very pleasant, at 23°C. You can treat September as a mini-summer – you still have the heat, often going over the 30°C mark, though it’ll be a little milder and the crowds will get a bit smaller. One unfortunate trait of September is that the rains already begin at this point, with about 7 rainy days on average.
Weather in October
Temperatures in Bologna
October is much more mild, with average day temperatures dropping to 20°C average. Nights also get a lot chillier, down to 11°C. It’s still ideal for hiking or exploration, though probably not so much for the beach anymore. Especially as the sea also drops below the 20°C mark, down to 19°C on average. It’s also even rainier than September, up to 8 rainy days a month. Umbrella is a must.
Weather in November
Temperatures in Bologna
November is the prelude to winter and winters in Bologna are not your typical ‘southern holidays with 15-20°C in winter’ type of winters. November already drops down to an average of 12°C during the day and 6°C during the night. Don’t even think about the sea unless you’re very, very brave. The rainfall also goes up to 9 rainy days a month. Still, if you don’t mind the extra layers, it’s going to be the cheapest and most peaceful of the autumn months by far.
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