A Complete Guide to Visiting Naples in November

Want to visit Naples when there’s no one else around? Come to Naples in November! Learn why it is so quiet at this time of year with our guide.

November is the ultimate low season in Naples. The start of the fall season means the resorts in Sorrento and on the Amalfi coast are closing up. Cruise ships are much less frequent. Few people take vacation in November, and are often waiting for the Christmas time festivities to start.

Deciding where to base yourself during your stay in Naples will make a huge difference to your trip. Not only are the transport connections and dining options crucial, the type of accommodation needs to suit your travel style and requirements.

In November Naples is as quiet and peaceful as the city ever gets. The summer crowds have vanished and the holiday season hasn’t started yet, which means that the normally packed streets of the Spanish Quarter are much calmer.

We love staying here as winter starts, as we can explore without the crowds. It is much easier to get a seat at some of Naples’ best restaurants, and you can reach all of the main sights on foot. The prices of the accommodation in the Spanish Quarter this time of year are also on the lower side, so you can find some real bargains.

November is when we see the highest chance of rain in Naples, with around a 35% chance of rain through the month. This isn’t actually too high, we are in southern Italy of course, but when it rains, it tends to rain hard and fast. If it starts to rain, it’s best to stay indoors or take shelter to wait out the worst of it – trust me, you will be absolutely soaked if you choose to keep walking!

Even with the higher chance of rain, November is not the coldest month of the year. The average temperatures during the day sit around 62-65°F/16-18°C and the average temperature at night is around 50°F/10°C.

If you’re thinking of heading south to Sorrento or the Amalfi coast, the temperatures are about the same as in Naples. However, with the average wind speed picking up, the chance of storms and heavy rain is higher. The beach clubs are all closed by November, and with an average water temperature of 64°F/18°C it will feel very cool if you decide to go for a swim!

Warmer and waterproof clothing is key for November trips, with some lighter layers.

The weather in November can change quickly from comfortably warm fall sun to chilly rainy days, so it’s important to pack plenty of layers. Jeans or heavy cotton pants paired with a long-sleeved top and a heavier cardigan or pullover work well. I tend to go for a mix of dresses, leggings or tights and ankle boots as I feel these are better when it rains, but sneakers or walking shoes would also be suitable.

With the likelihood of seeing some rain during your trip, make sure to bring a travel umbrella and light rain jacket to put on quickly if needed.

As long as you’re okay with the chance of rain and cooler temperatures, November is absolutely a great time to visit Naples!

You don’t have to book anything in advance, there are no queues for anything and even popular sights like Pompeii are pretty quiet. Hotel prices and flights tend to be cheaper so you can get a good bargain if you’re on a budget, and can walk into almost any restaurant and get a table immediately.

I would not recommend visiting Sorrento, Capri or the Amalfi coast in November however. Many hotels, restaurants and shops close to give their staff a well-earned break after the summer high season rush, so you won’t have many options. Ferry services are also very reduced and don’t offer a lot of choice.

If you’re keen to see the Amalfi coast in some form, Ravello is a better option as it’s not on the coast. The main towns of Positano and Amalfi are slightly more lively, but it’s still not the same experience as you’d get if you came in high or shoulder season.

How crowded is Naples during November?

Not at all, except for the first weekend. The first weekend of November is almost an extension of October, thanks to the public holidays at the start of the month.

Since November 1 and 4 are both holidays, if these dates fall anywhere near a weekend, there will be a ‘bridge’, a 3-4 day long weekend. Locals often travel to Naples for this extended weekend so it’s a pretty busy time to be in the city.

In addition, some people have caught on that October is peak season. These people are pushing their trip to early November, counting on still pretty nice weather, and hoping for lower hotel rates. By the second week of November, things have slowed down a lot however.

As I mentioned above, the coastal destinations have mostly closed up for business so they are all extremely quiet.

The start of the fall season means we have an abundance of all sorts of lovely fruit and vegetables this time of year. You can choose from pumpkin, cardoons (not that easy to find, but super tasty), cabbage, leeks, chicory, carrots, fennel and more!

My favorites are the grapes and pomegranates, both of which come into season as the weather in Naples gets colder. The sweet fruit is a lovely contrast to the heartier food that becomes normal on menus this time of year.

Make the most of the cooler temperature and indulge in plenty of rich pasta dishes. Slow-cooked Neapolitan ragù or Genovese meat sauces are not light but so good in a cozy Neapolitan restaurant with a big glass of wine!

If you’d like to learn more about Neapolitan cuisine, why not join a food tour to explore the city?

November holidays and special dates in Naples

There are a number of holidays and events to be aware of in November:

November 1 – All Saints’ Day/Ognissanti

The main holiday in November is All Saints’ Day, Ognissanti in Italian. This holiday originates from the Catholic tradition of honoring all saints who have passed on to their next life in heaven. Nowadays, combined with All Souls’ Day (below), all people who have passed are remembered, not just saints, so it is an important day for many Italians.

As November 1 is a national holiday, many businesses will be closed. Most major sites remain open but you should still check in advance if you wish to visit a specific museum or restaurant on this day.

November 2 – All Souls’ Day/La Commemorazione dei Defunti

November 2 is All Souls’ Day, also known as the Day of the Dead, in Italian, Commemorazione dei Defunti, or more commonly, Giorno dei Morti.

Traditionally this is the day when Catholic church goers commemorate the souls in purgatory, but as with All Saints Day, the two days have become about a general remembrance of family and friends.

On this day, Italians visit cemeteries and pay their respects to their departed loved ones.

It is not a public holiday so no sights or businesses will be closed.

November 4 – National Unification and Armed Forces Day/Giornata dell’Unità Nazionale e delle Forze Armate

National Unity and Armed Forces Day is an Italian holiday commemorating victory in World War I, celebrated every year on November 4 since 1919.

There are some events around the city, including a parade and ceremony at Piazza del Plebiscito .

As another national holiday, businesses may be closed, but most museums and sites do not. Sometimes state and civic museums open for free on this day so check schedules in advance as these are popular local events.

There’s always a lot going on in Naples and November is no exception. This is the perfect time of year to check out the different things going on in the city and beyond. There are less people visiting so a lot of event spaces will be very quiet, particularly on weekdays.

Check out what’s happening ahead of your visit:

Free Things to do during November in Naples

On the first Sunday of each month, a number of museums, art galleries and archeological sites are open for free to all visitors all over Italy.

In the city of Naples you can get free entry to many places, including these locations:

• MANN – National Archeological Museum of Naples
• Royal Palace of Naples
• Capodimonte Museum
• Castel Sant’Elmo
• The Museum and Charterhouse of San Martino

In Campania, you can visit some locations for free as well, including:

• Pompeii
• Herculaneum
• The archeological park and museum at Paestum
• The ancient Roman villas at Oplontis and Stabiae
• The sites within the Phlegrean Fields area

Booking in advance for the Free Sunday is not generally possible so aim to arrive early and expect large lines at the most popular sights – particularly Pompeii.

If you have another day when you could visit Pompeii, I would recommend avoiding the Free Sunday event and visiting one of the other free sites, saving your Pompeii sightseeing for a different day when it will be easier to get in.

Of course, there are lots of other things you can do for free at any time. You could walk down past the Royal Palace to admire the stunning views of Mount Vesuvius across the bay, or spend time exploring Naples cathedral. You could also get ahead on your holiday shopping and stroll along San Gregorio Armeno in the historic center, also known as Christmas Alley.

More ideas for things to do in Naples during November

There are lots of fun things to see and do here besides the obvious must-sees. If you would like to see a different side of Naples, take a look at our page here all about exploring further afield for some ideas and inspiration. There’s so much more to Naples and Campania than the Amalfi coast and Pompeii, so even if you’ve visited in the past you will have plenty to choose from!

You could also consider traveling a little further away in Italy for some day trips. From Naples there are easy and fast connections to Salerno, Rome and Florence so you can see another part of this wonderful country!