A Complete Guide to Visiting Naples in September

Naples in September is possibly one of the best times of the entire year to plan your trip for, with perfect weather conditions and lots of fun things still happening. However, if you come this month, you won’t be alone!

September in Naples is right for a lot of people. The temperatures start to fall, making it cool enough to be out all day sightseeing but still warm enough to go to the beach and swim in the sea. There is also still a perception that with the end of school holidays, travel will be easier and crowds will have eased.

Choosing the right place location to base yourself in in Naples during a September trip can make or break your trip.

Where September is one of the busiest times of the year in Campania it is hard to find somewhere that offers the right balance of things to do, ease of access and the ability to escape the crowds.

However, we believe that the island of Capri offers all of this and more for anyone visiting in September.

The mainland – Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast – are just a ferry trip away,  and staying on Capri in September means you can enjoy this region’samazing later-summer weather surrounded by the island’s famous natural beauty.

While Capri is very popular with visitors at this time of year, the majority come for a day trip, meaning you’ll see the island relax considerably during the evenings leaving you to enjoy La Dolce Vita freely.

September Naples weather is everything you could want from a vacation destination. The average temperature during the day starts off around 82°F/28°C, steadily dropping to around 77°F/25°C by the end of the month.

The average low temperature follows a similar pattern, reaching lows around 62°F/16°C, so it feels a lot milder in the evenings. We don’t see a lot of rain falls in September but the average rainfall and cloud cover does start to creep up as we get closer to October.

These lower temperatures make September perfect for being outside a lot. Climbing Mount Vesuvius will reward you with stunning views and you can spend hours exploring Pompeii without being as worried about the heat.

The average temperature further south on the Amalfi coast is very similar to Naples so it’s still plenty warm enough to go swimming and enjoy the beaches in the sun!

Packing for Naples in September is all about being flexible and having a few different options available.

At the start of September we still get very warm temperatures during the day but the evenings are already starting to cool down. You should pack some slightly heavier layers like a cardigan or light pullover ready for when the sun sets, but you won’t need this during the day.

Cotton pants or hiking pants paired with light t-shirts or short sleeved tops will work well for sightseeing. You can wear shorts if you prefer but you may feel chilly if you go inside churches or visit an underground site so I’d recommend long pants or dresses/skirts instead.

Towards the end of September the chance of some rain gets slightly higher so I’d recommend packing a travel umbrella just in case you need it. The weather in Naples starts to have a hint of fall in it so I’d recommend packing slightly heavier clothes and definitely a light jacket for the evenings.

How crowded is Naples during September?

Why is September so busy? This isn’t just the case in Naples, many other places in Italy like Rome, Venice and Florence are equally as full in September.

I think it’s because it’s a beautiful time of year for the visitors who crave a quieter, slower-paced experience here. These people tend not to base their vacations on school schedules so they come in huge numbers, ironically to avoid the summer crowds.

This makes Naples in September high season, and the crowds don’t really go away until November. In September Naples hotel rates are higher than in August and flights can also be on the higher side.

Luckily, even with the increase in visitors, Naples and Campania have such a wide variety of things to do that you can easily visit places that aren’t packed! Take a look at our page here about what to do beyond Naples for some ideas.

If you do want to go to the top sites like Pompeii, make sure to book your tickets well in advance (or arrange a tour) and try to plan your visit for either the very start or end of the day when the crowds are smaller.

September holidays and special dates in Naples

There are no national holidays in September but there is one big Neapolitan holiday to be aware of:

September 19 – Festa di San Gennaro

While the feast of San Gennaro that happens in May commemorates the day his body was moved to the catacombs that bear his name, September 19 commemorates the day he died in the early 4th century.

As in May (and again in December) the ampoule that holds his blood is brought out and after a passionate service is held, it is inspected to see if the blood has liquefied. If the blood is indeed liquid, this is a cause for huge celebration as it bodes well for the city!

Explanations for the blood solidifying and then liquefying have long been discussed, with some people convinced it is all a trick of some kind. Whatever the truth may be, it is a truly unique ceremony which Neapolitans are very passionate about.

I have been fortunate enough to be in the presence of the liquid blood in the Royal Chapel of San Gennaro and the atmosphere was electric. I choose to believe in what it means to the people of Naples even if it may be that the blood itself isn’t real – count how many representations of the saint you see all over the city and you will see what I mean!

Naples springs back to life after the relaxed month of August, which means that the program of events and exhibitions also fills up again too. There is a wide selection of different options to choose from, and as September is a busy time in the city, you’ll want to secure your tickets quickly!

Free Things to do during September 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 explore the narrow streets of the historic center, browse the stalls in San Gregorio Armeno (‘Christmas Alley’) or head up to the Vomero hill and admire the view of the city and Mount Vesuvius – just some of the other free Naples experiences!

More ideas for things to do in Naples during September

Maybe this is your second, third, fourth or more time visiting Naples, or you have time in your itinerary to spare and want to see more of Campania. Luckily, as well as all the must-see Naples and Campania attractions, there are lots of fantastic things to see and do here!

Take a look at our dedicated page all about going further afield to explore beyond Naples for some ideas, or set your sights on other Italian destinations. With the excellent rail network running up and down the country you could easily do day trips to Rome or Florence, or head south to Salerno to see a different city!