35 Things to do in Italy, 2026/2027
Discover 35 of the best things to do in Italy, from Renaissance Florence and Tuscan food to Lake Como cruises and Sardinia's beaches.
Discover the best of Italy
Italy brings together extraordinary art and architecture, world-renowned food, iconic landscapes and a captivating history all within one remarkably varied country.
Your dream Italian vacation can include Renaissance cities, ancient archaeological sites, vineyard lunches, warm Mediterranean beaches, mountain adventures and some of Europe's most beautiful lakes and countryside. For the more adventurous, a multi-centre trip by hire car, train or plane also opens the door to an epic trip where you can experience some of the most iconic things to do across Italy, all on one incredible vacation!
When looking where to stay, our award-winning collection of villas in Italy place you close to many of these top experiences, with luxury self-catering villas and apartments across the most scenic and renowned destinations. From Tuscany, Venice, Sicily and Sardinia to the Italian Lakes, Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Le Marche, Piedmont, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna and beyond, explore our collection and fall in love with this iconic country all over again!
Things to Do in Rome & Vatican City
1. Discover Ancient Rome
Location: Rome, Lazio.
Best For: History, families, couples, first-time visitors.
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 days.
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; €–€€ for major archaeological sites.
Walk through thousands of years of history in Rome, where Ancient Roman landmarks sit alongside Renaissance piazzas, fountains and lively neighborhoods. Start with the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill before exploring the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Allow time to wander through areas such as Trastevere rather than racing exclusively between famous monuments.
Insider tip: combine the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill on one day and dedicate another to central Rome and the Vatican area.
2. Discover the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Location: Vatican City, within Rome.
Best For: Art lovers, history, architecture, first-time visitors.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day.
Cost / Entry: €€; Vatican Museums admission required, St. Peter's Basilica generally free.
Discover some of the world's most extraordinary artistic treasures at the Vatican Museums, home to centuries of sculptures, paintings and Renaissance masterpieces. Highlights include the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's magnificent ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Continue your cultural experience at St. Peter's Square and the impressive St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most important religious landmarks in the world.
Insider tip: book Vatican Museums tickets through the official website well in advance and allow several hours for your visit. Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required when entering religious sites.
3. Run through the streets of Rome
Location: Rome, Lazio.
Best For: Runners, active travelers, sporting events.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day for race day; several days for the trip.
Cost / Entry: €€; race registration required.
See the Italian capital from a different perspective by entering a major road race or joining a guided running tour. The Rome Marathon is especially memorable, taking runners past ancient monuments and historic neighborhoods, while shorter routes offer a more accessible way to combine exercise with sightseeing.
Insider tip: build recovery time into your itinerary after a major race rather than planning an intensive sightseeing day immediately afterwards.
Things to Do in Tuscany
4. Explore Renaissance Florence
Location: Florence, Tuscany.
Best For: Art, history, couples, first-time visitors.
Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 days.
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; €€ for major museums and attractions.
Discover the birthplace of the Renaissance in Florence, where the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria sit within a highly walkable historic center. Art lovers can see Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci at the Uffizi Galleries before visiting Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, while panoramic viewpoints such as Piazzale Michelangelo reveal the city's distinctive terracotta rooftops.
Insider tip: book the Uffizi and Accademia ahead and spread the major museums across separate days rather than trying to see everything at once.
5. Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Location: Pisa, Tuscany.
Best For: Families, couples, architecture, history, photography.
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours.
Cost / Entry: Free to explore Piazza dei Miracoli; €€ for tower admission.
Visit one of Italy's most recognizable landmarks, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, standing within the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli. Climb the tower's 273 steps for panoramic views across Pisa, then explore the impressive cathedral, Baptistery and historic monuments surrounding the square. The city's riverside streets, lively cafés and nearby museums offer plenty more to discover beyond its famous leaning landmark.
Insider tip: book a timed tower ticket in advance, particularly during summer. Children under eight cannot climb the tower, so families with younger children may prefer exploring the surrounding square.
6. Explore Tuscany's medieval hill towns
Location: Tuscany.
Best For: Couples, road trips, history, food and wine.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days.
Cost / Entry: Mostly free to explore.
Leave the major cities behind and drive through Tuscany's countryside to medieval destinations such as Siena, San Gimignano, Cortona, Lucca and the towns of the Val d'Orcia. Historic streets, authentic local restaurants and pizzerias, vineyard landscapes and panoramic viewpoints make these towns ideal for slower day trips from a private Tuscany villa.
Insider tip: limit yourself to two or three towns in one day so you have time to explore rather than spending most of the trip in the car.
Things to Do in Northern Italian Cities
7. Spend a day in Milan
Location: Milan, Lombardy.
Best For: Shopping, art, architecture, city breaks.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day to 2 days.
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; €–€€ for attractions.
Experience Italy's fashionable northern capital, beginning with Milan Cathedral and the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II before exploring the cafés, boutiques and galleries of Brera. Other highlights include Castello Sforzesco, La Scala and Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, making Milan an easy cultural addition to a vacation around Lombardy or Lake Como.
Insider tip: reservations for The Last Supper are limited, so secure tickets well before your visit.
8. Explore Venice by canal and on foot
Location: Venice, Veneto.
Best For: Couples, families, architecture, photography.
Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 days.
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; €€–€€€ for gondolas, attractions and boat trips.
Discover Venice beyond its famous postcard views by combining landmarks such as Piazza San Marco, St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace with quieter backstreets and canals. Travel by vaporetto for a practical view from the water or add a gondola ride, then venture farther across the lagoon to islands such as Murano and colorful Burano.
Insider tip: explore early in the morning or after dinner when many day visitors have left the central streets.
9. Experience an opera at Verona Arena
Location: Verona, Veneto.
Best For: Couples, music lovers, history, romantic evenings.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day for sightseeing; 3–4 hours for an evening performance.
Cost / Entry: €€–€€€; sightseeing and opera ticket prices vary.
Experience an unforgettable evening at Verona Arena, a remarkably preserved Roman amphitheater that hosts spectacular open-air opera performances during the summer. Enjoy world-famous productions beneath the stars, surrounded by ancient architecture in the heart of Verona's historic center. Before the performance, explore Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet's House and the city's romantic streets, or enjoy dinner at a traditional Italian restaurant.
Insider tip: book opera tickets early for popular performances and bring a cushion for the historic stone seating. If you're visiting outside the opera season, the Arena is also open for sightseeing on selected dates.
10. Explore Bologna and Ravenna
Location: Emilia-Romagna.
Best For: Food, architecture, history, art.
Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 days.
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; €–€€ for museums and monuments.
Combine two distinct cultural experiences in Emilia-Romagna. Bologna is known for its medieval streets, extensive porticoes and exceptional food scene, while Ravenna is celebrated for early Christian and Byzantine mosaics preserved within remarkable historic monuments, including San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.
Insider tip: stay overnight in the region so you have time to enjoy Bologna's restaurants after your main sightseeing day.
Things to Do Around the Italian Lakes
11. Explore Lake Garda
Location: Lake Garda.
Best For: Families, couples, water sports, sightseeing.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days.
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; activity charges vary.
Explore Italy's largest lake through historic towns, water activities and scenic drives. Visit Sirmione for its castle and Roman ruins, spend time around destinations such as Desenzano and Peschiera, or head onto the water for sailing and windsurfing. Hiking, cycling and family attractions provide plenty more options for longer stays.
Insider tip: choose one part of Lake Garda as your base rather than spending too much vacation time driving around the entire shoreline.
12. Cruise Lake Como
Location: Lake Como, Lombardy.
Best For: Couples, families, scenic boat trips.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day.
Cost / Entry: €–€€€ depending on ferry or private boat.
Explore Lake Como from the water to appreciate its mountains, elegant villas and waterfront villages from their best perspective. Public ferries connect destinations such as Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Como, while a private charter or boat rental gives families and groups more freedom to stop for gardens, lakeside lunches or secluded viewpoints.
Insider tip: stay in one of our Lake Como villas and dedicate a full day to traveling by boat rather than relying entirely on lakeside roads.
13. Visit the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore
Location: Lake Maggiore, Piedmont and Lombardy.
Best For: Couples, gardens, boat trips, architecture.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day.
Cost / Entry: €€; boat and attraction tickets apply.
Take a boat from Stresa to explore the Borromean Islands, each offering a different experience. Isola Bella combines a grand palace with elaborate terraced gardens, Isola Madre is known for botanical landscapes and Isola dei Pescatori retains the feel of a traditional fishing settlement surrounded by mountain and lake views.
Insider tip: start early if you plan to visit several islands so you can explore their gardens and buildings without watching the clock.
Things to Do in Umbria & Le Marche
14. Explore the hill towns and landscapes of Umbria
Location: Umbria.
Best For: Couples, road trips, history, nature.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days.
Cost / Entry: Mostly free to explore.
Discover medieval towns, green countryside and a slower pace in the heart of Italy. Assisi, Perugia and Gubbio provide history and culture, while Lake Trasimeno and Marmore Falls add outdoor attractions to a region known for rolling landscapes, traditional food and atmospheric hilltop communities.
Insider tip: a rental car is particularly useful when staying in an Umbria villa, giving you much easier access to smaller countryside towns.
15. Discover Urbino and the Conero Riviera
Location: Le Marche.
Best For: Culture, beaches, couples, road trips.
Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 days.
Cost / Entry: Mostly free to explore; museum charges apply.
Experience both the cultural and coastal sides of Le Marche by pairing Renaissance Urbino with the Adriatic scenery of the Conero Riviera. Urbino's historic center includes the Ducal Palace and important Renaissance collections, while destinations such as Sirolo, Numana and Portonovo offer beaches, rocky coves and green headlands overlooking the sea.
Insider tip: split your stay between inland sightseeing and the coast rather than treating Le Marche solely as a beach destination.
Things to Do in Naples, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast
16. Soak up the Amalfi Coast from the beach, or by boat
Location: Amalfi Coast, Campania.
Best For: Couples, families, coastal scenery, swimming.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day.
Cost / Entry: €€–€€€.
Soak up the sun-drenched sands along the Amalfi Coast, or take it all in from the water with a boat trip past uninterrupted views of cliffs, terraces, hidden coves and colorful towns clinging to the mountainsides. Boat trips can include swimming stops and time ashore in destinations such as Amalfi and Positano, while private charters offer more flexibility for families and groups.
Insider tip: book private boats early during summer and confirm conditions on the day if anyone in your party is sensitive to rough seas.
17. Eat pizza in Naples
Location: Naples, Campania.
Best For: Food lovers, families, couples.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day.
Cost / Entry: €–€€.
Try traditional Neapolitan pizza in the city most closely associated with it, where carefully prepared dough, intense heat and a small number of quality ingredients create the classic style. Start with a Margherita or marinara, then compare one of Naples' long-established pizzerias with a newer neighborhood favorite.
Insider tip: the best-known pizzerias can attract long lines, so eat outside the busiest lunch and dinner periods where possible.
18. Explore Pompeii
Location: Pompeii, Campania.
Best For: History, archaeology, families with older children.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day.
Cost / Entry: €€; admission applies.
Walk along ancient streets preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and discover houses, temples, public baths, theaters and civic spaces that reveal everyday life in a Roman city. Pompeii is extensive enough to occupy several hours, while nearby Herculaneum provides a smaller archaeological site with exceptionally well-preserved buildings and interiors.
Insider tip: wear comfortable shoes and carry water and sun protection, particularly when visiting during the warmer months.
Things to Do in Puglia & Basilicata
19. Explore Alberobello and the Itria Valley
Location: Puglia.
Best For: Families, couples, architecture, road trips.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day.
Cost / Entry: Free to explore; attraction charges vary.
Discover Puglia's distinctive trulli in Alberobello before continuing through the Itria Valley, where whitewashed towns, vineyards and ancient olive groves create one of southern Italy's most recognizable landscapes. Nearby Ostuni, Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca are ideal additions to a leisurely driving itinerary.
Insider tip: visit Alberobello early in the morning before continuing to one or two quieter towns later in the day.
20. Explore the ancient cave city of Matera
Location: Matera, Basilicata.
Best For: History, couples, photography, architecture, cultural sightseeing.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day to 2 days.
Cost / Entry: Mostly free to explore; €–€€ for museums and guided tours.
Step back in time in Matera, one of southern Italy's most fascinating destinations, famous for its UNESCO-listed Sassi cave dwellings carved into limestone cliffs. Wander through ancient alleyways, explore historic cave churches and discover traditional homes that reveal centuries of local life. The city's dramatic setting above the Gravina ravine provides spectacular viewpoints, while atmospheric restaurants and restored cave buildings make Matera a memorable destination for a cultural getaway.
Insider tip: explore the Sassi districts in the late afternoon when the limestone buildings glow in the golden light, then stay until evening to see the illuminated cave city.
Things to Do in Sicily & Sardinia
21. Explore Mount Etna
Location: Eastern Sicily.
Best For: Adventure, families with older children, geology, scenery.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day.
Cost / Entry: €–€€€ depending on route, cable car and guide.
Explore Sicily's volcanic landscape on Mount Etna, where walking routes, cable-car journeys and guided excursions reveal historic lava flows, craters and changing scenery. Lower slopes feature forests and vineyards, while higher elevations become increasingly stark and volcanic, creating one of the island's most distinctive outdoor experiences.
Insider tip: access to higher areas changes according to volcanic activity and weather, so follow current restrictions and use qualified guides where required.
22. Walk through the Valley of the Temples
Location: Agrigento, Sicily.
Best For: History, archaeology, families, photography.
Estimated Time Needed: 3–5 hours.
Cost / Entry: €€; admission applies.
Walk through an exceptional archaeological landscape containing some of Sicily's most impressive surviving Ancient Greek monuments. Major structures include the temples of Concordia, Juno and Heracles, set across a broad ridge surrounded by olive and almond trees near Agrigento.
Insider tip: visit early in the morning or towards late afternoon during summer, as there is limited shade across much of the site.
23. Cruise Sardinia's Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena
Location: Northern Sardinia.
Best For: Beaches, couples, families, boating.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day.
Cost / Entry: €€–€€€.
Experience northern Sardinia from the water, where clear turquoise seas, granite coastline and secluded coves surround Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena Archipelago. Full-day boat trips offer access to island beaches and swimming spots that are difficult to reach by road, while the coastline around Porto Cervo and Palau provides further opportunities for waterfront stops.
Insider tip: choose operators that respect protected zones and local anchoring restrictions within the archipelago.
Best Italian Food & Wine Experiences
24. Taste your way through Italy's wine and food regions
Location: Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, Umbria and across Italy.
Best For: Couples, groups, food and wine lovers.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to several days.
Cost / Entry: €€–€€€.
Experience Italy through its regional cuisine, from Chianti and Brunello wines in Tuscany to Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont and distinctive local produce throughout Sicily and Umbria. Winery tastings, food markets and family-run restaurants reveal how dramatically dishes and ingredients change between regions, making food-focused day trips an excellent addition to a villa vacation.
Insider tip: arrange winery visits in advance and consider a private driver if everyone in your group wants to enjoy the tastings.
25. Take an Italian cooking class
Location: Across Italy.
Best For: Families, couples, groups, food lovers.
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours.
Cost / Entry: €€–€€€.
Learn techniques you can take home by joining a regional cooking class focused on dishes such as handmade pasta, Tuscan specialties, Neapolitan pizza or traditional Sicilian and Puglian recipes. Some experiences start with a local market visit, while private lessons can also turn a relaxed day at your villa into a memorable culinary experience.
Insider tip: choose a class focused on the specialties of the region you're visiting rather than a generic Italian menu.
26. Work your way through Italy's gelato
Location: Across Italy.
Best For: Families, couples, food lovers.
Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes at a time.
Cost / Entry: €.
Make gelato tasting part of your sightseeing as you travel between Italian towns and cities. Classic flavors such as pistachio, hazelnut and chocolate sit alongside seasonal fruit sorbets, with individual gelaterias often changing their selection according to local ingredients and the time of year.
Insider tip: look for smaller batches and natural-looking colors rather than towering displays of unusually bright gelato.
27. Go truffle hunting
Location: Tuscany, Piedmont and Umbria.
Best For: Food lovers, couples, groups, autumn trips.
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours.
Cost / Entry: €€–€€€.
Follow an experienced truffle hunter and trained dog through woodland in search of one of Italy's most prized ingredients. Tuscany, Piedmont and Umbria all have strong truffle traditions, with different varieties available throughout the year and autumn particularly associated with highly prized white truffles.
Insider tip: choose an experience that finishes with a tasting or meal so you can learn how locally found truffles are prepared and used.
Best Beaches & Outdoor Adventures in Italy
28. Hike between the Cinque Terre villages
Location: Liguria.
Best For: Hikers, couples, photography, coastal scenery.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to several days.
Cost / Entry: Free–€ depending on trail and pass requirements.
Explore Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore using a combination of coastal trails and local trains. Walking routes climb through terraced hills and vineyards above the Mediterranean, rewarding hikers with dramatic perspectives that cannot be seen from the village centers alone.
Insider tip: check current national-park trail conditions before setting out because individual routes can close following bad weather or maintenance.
29. Spend the day on an Italian beach
Location: Sardinia, Sicily, Puglia, Tuscany, Liguria and Amalfi Coast.
Best For: Families, couples, swimming, relaxation.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day.
Cost / Entry: Free–€€ depending on beach and lido.
Italy's coastline offers everything from sandy family beaches and organized lidos to rocky coves surrounded by dramatic Mediterranean scenery. Sardinia is celebrated for turquoise water, Puglia has both Adriatic and Ionian shores, while Sicily, Liguria, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast offer their own distinctive combinations of beaches, coastal villages and waterfront restaurants.
Insider tip: popular beaches are busiest in July and August, so visit early in the day or consider June and September for a more relaxed experience.
30. Hike through the Italian Dolomites
Location: Dolomites, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto.
Best For: Families, couples, hiking, nature lovers, outdoor adventures.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days.
Cost / Entry: Free–€€; guided hikes and mountain lifts extra.
Discover some of Italy's most breathtaking mountain scenery on a summer hiking adventure through the UNESCO-listed Dolomites. Scenic trails wind through alpine meadows, forests and dramatic limestone peaks, with popular destinations including Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Val Gardena and the beautiful Alpe di Siusi plateau. Routes range from gentle family-friendly walks to challenging mountain hikes, while traditional rifugi provide welcoming stops for regional food and panoramic views.
Insider tip: visit between June and September for the main summer hiking season, checking trail conditions and mountain lift schedules before setting out. Start walks early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, which can develop quickly in the mountains.
31. Plan a photography trip
Location: Tuscany, Venice, Italian lakes and coastal regions.
Best For: Photographers, couples, scenic road trips.
Estimated Time Needed: Half day to several days.
Cost / Entry: Free independently; guided tours extra.
Build your itinerary around Italy's changing landscapes and light, from misty Tuscan hills and quiet Venetian canals to reflections across the Italian lakes and colorful Mediterranean villages. Photography trips work particularly well when you slow the pace, return to locations at different times of day and leave space for spontaneous roadside or village stops.
Insider tip: plan important locations around sunrise and sunset, when the light is softer and many busy sightseeing areas are quieter.
Festivals & Seasonal Things to Do in Italy
32. Experience Italian Carnival season
Location: Venice, Viareggio and cities across Italy.
Best For: Families, couples, festivals, photography.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days.
Cost / Entry: Many outdoor events free; selected shows and balls ticketed.
Visit Italy during the weeks before Lent to experience elaborate costumes, historic traditions and colorful parades. The Venice Carnival is internationally famous for its masked celebrations set against the backdrops of Venetian canals and palaces. Viareggio on the Tuscan coast meanwhile is known for the annual 'Il Carnevale di Viareggio' - showcasing enormous satirical papier-mâché floats and lively processions, which take to the streets each February during carnival season.
Insider tip: accommodation can fill quickly around the busiest Carnival weekends, particularly in Venice and Viareggio, so plan well ahead.
33. Explore Italy's Christmas markets
Location: Florence, Rome, northern Italy and other cities.
Best For: Families, couples, winter trips.
Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours.
Cost / Entry: Mostly free; shopping and food extra.
Visit during late November or December to see Italian cities decorated with lights, nativity scenes and seasonal stalls selling food, crafts and Christmas gifts. Northern Italy has particularly strong Christmas-market traditions, while Florence's Piazza Santa Croce and festive events in cities such as Rome and Milan add plenty of options to a winter itinerary.
Insider tip: check the current year's opening dates before booking specifically around a Christmas market, as schedules change annually. Explore our guide for the best Christmas markets in Europe.
34. Ski in the Italian Alps
Location: Northern Italy.
Best For: Families, skiers, snowboarders, winter vacations.
Estimated Time Needed: Full day to a week.
Cost / Entry: €€€; lift passes and equipment extra.
Swap Italy's coastlines for snowy Alpine scenery in winter, with extensive skiing and snowboarding available throughout the Dolomites, Lombardy, Valle d'Aosta and Trentino-Alto Adige. Mountain villages, scenic rifugi and long lunches add a distinctly Italian character to the experience alongside terrain for both families and experienced skiers.
Insider tip: January and later-season trips can sometimes be quieter than the busiest February school-holiday periods.
35. Take an off-season trip to southern Italy
Location: Sicily, Puglia and southern Italy.
Best For: Couples, culture, food, quieter sightseeing.
Estimated Time Needed: Several days.
Cost / Entry: Varies.
Visit southern Italy outside the main summer season to explore historic towns, archaeological sites, countryside and regional food without making beach days the center of your itinerary. Cooler temperatures can make destinations such as Sicily and Puglia more comfortable for sightseeing, while restaurants, markets and cultural attractions provide plenty to experience away from the coast.
Insider tip: check seasonal opening hours in smaller resort towns and plan the trip around food, culture and sightseeing rather than guaranteed beach weather.
