15 Things to do in Italy, 2026/2027
Things to do in Italy include tour Rome’s Colosseum, see Florence’s art, ride Venice canals, taste Tuscany wines, explore the Amalfi Coast & visit Pompeii.
Discover things to do in Italy
Italy combines world-famous cities, Mediterranean coastlines, lakes, countryside and islands within one remarkably varied destination. You can spend one day surrounded by Renaissance masterpieces in Florence, another exploring vineyards and medieval villages in Tuscany, then continue to the Italian Lakes, Venice or the beaches of southern Italy.
Our award-winning collection of villas in Italy spans destinations including Tuscany, Sicily, Sardinia, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Lazio, Puglia, Piedmont, Liguria, Umbria, Venice and the Amalfi Coast. Choose from traditional farmhouses and countryside estates, lakeside retreats and coastal villas, with many offering private pools, terraces, gardens and outdoor dining spaces.
Italy rewards slower travel, so rather than trying to cover the whole country in one trip, base yourself in one or two regions and use your villa for day trips into nearby cities, villages, beaches and wine country.
Popular Villas in Italy
Things to Do in Italy: Tuscany, Florence & Rome Highlights
1. Explore Renaissance Florence.
Location / Neighborhood: Florence, Tuscany. Best For: Couples, families, art lovers, first-time visitors. Estimated Time Needed: Full day to 2+ days. Cost / Entry: Free to $$$ depending on museums and attractions.
Florence feels like an open-air museum, with Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti all within its historic center. The Uffizi Gallery holds masterpieces by artists including Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo, while the Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s original David. Stay in one of our Florence villas to combine days exploring the city with time among Tuscany’s surrounding vineyards and countryside. Insider tip: pre-book the Uffizi and Accademia, then leave plenty of unstructured time for wandering the historic streets and crossing the Arno.
2. Taste wine in the Chianti countryside
Location / Neighborhood: Chianti, Tuscany. Best For: Couples, groups, food and wine lovers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $$–$$$; tastings and tours vary.
The rolling Chianti countryside is dotted with vineyards, medieval villages, castles and family-run wineries producing one of Italy’s best-known red wines. Join a winery tour, sample local vintages or combine tastings with a leisurely lunch among the vines. Our Chianti villas provide a peaceful countryside base surrounded by vineyards and classic Tuscan scenery. Insider tip: book a driver or organized excursion if several tastings are planned.
3. Discover Ancient Rome and the Colosseum
Location / Neighborhood: Rome, Lazio. Best For: Families, couples, history lovers. Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days. Cost / Entry: $$; major archaeological attractions require tickets.
No first visit to Italy feels complete without seeing Rome’s Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the ancient world and one of the city’s defining landmarks. Continue through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill before exploring the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Our Lazio villas place guests within the wider region surrounding Rome, making the capital an essential addition to a Lazio stay. Insider tip: reserve timed admission for major archaeological sites and divide Ancient Rome and the historic center across separate sightseeing sessions.
4. Cruise around Lake Como
Location / Neighborhood: Lake Como, Lombardy. **Best For: **Couples, families, sightseeing, romantic trips. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $–$$$ depending on ferry or private boat.
A boat trip is one of the easiest ways to appreciate Lake Como, where grand villas and gardens sit between mountain slopes and elegant waterside villages. Popular stops near our Lake Como villas include Bellagio, Menaggio, Cernobbio and Tremezzo, while Como itself combines a cathedral, museums and a funicular ride towards Brunate. Stay in one of our Lake Como villas for easy access to boat trips and lakeside sightseeing. Insider tip: public ferries work well for independent exploring, while a private boat gives groups more flexibility.
5. Explore Venice by water
Location / Neighborhood: Venice, Veneto. Best For: Couples, families, architecture and culture. Estimated Time Needed: Full day to 2+ days. Cost / Entry: Free to $$$ depending on boats and attractions.
Venice is best experienced both on foot and from the water. Cruise the Grand Canal by vaporetto or gondola, passing palaces and the Rialto Bridge before exploring St Mark’s Square and the maze of smaller canals beyond the busiest routes. Our Venice vacation rentals include stays close to the city’s canals, restaurants and historic attractions. Insider tip: a vaporetto along the Grand Canal provides an affordable introduction to the city, while early mornings and evenings reveal a quieter side of Venice.
7. Discover the villages of Cinque Terre
Location / Neighborhood: Liguria. Best For: Couples, hikers, photographers, coastal trips. Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days. Cost / Entry: $–$$; trains and some trails may charge.
The five villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore cling to an 18-kilometer stretch of Ligurian coastline surrounded by steep vineyards and Mediterranean scenery. Travel between them by train, boat or hiking trail rather than car. Our Liguria villas provide a relaxed base for exploring Cinque Terre and the wider Italian Riviera. Insider tip: choose two or three villages for a relaxed day rather than racing through all five.
8. Explore the Amalfi Coast
Location / Neighborhood: Amalfi Coast, Campania. Best For: Couples, families, boat trips, scenic drives. Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days. Cost / Entry: Free to $$$ depending on transport and activities.
The UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast combines cliffside villages, citrus terraces, small beaches and dramatic Mediterranean views. Explore Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, take a boat along the coast or hike the Path of the Gods for an elevated perspective. Our luxury Amalfi Coast villas range from coastal retreats to larger homes with spectacular sea views. Insider tip: boats and ferries can be more relaxing than driving during the busy summer season.
9. Step back in time at Pompeii and Herculaneum
Location / Neighborhood: Near Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Campania. Best For: Families, history lovers, archaeology. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $$; admission required.
Buried by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii and Herculaneum preserve an extraordinary picture of everyday Roman life. Pompeii stretches across ancient streets, temples, houses, theaters and public baths, while smaller Herculaneum preserves remarkably detailed buildings and interiors. Guests staying in our Amalfi Coast villas can incorporate these celebrated archaeological sites into a wider Campania itinerary. Insider tip: choose one site if you only have half a day and consider a guide to bring the ruins’ history to life.
10. Wander through the trulli of Alberobello
Location / Neighborhood: Itria Valley, Puglia. Best For: Families, couples, photographers. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to explore; individual museums may charge.
Alberobello is famous for its extraordinary collection of whitewashed trulli, traditional dry-stone buildings topped by conical roofs. More than 1,500 trulli have helped make the town a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Rione Monti and quieter Aia Piccola districts offering contrasting experiences. Our Puglia villas make it easy to combine Alberobello with beaches, olive groves and other historic towns across southern Italy. Insider tip: visit earlier in the morning or stay into the evening when the streets feel calmer.
11. Find your favorite beach in Sardinia
Location / Neighborhood: Sardinia. Best For: Families, couples, beach lovers, boating. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: Usually free; parking, beach clubs and boats extra.
Sardinia is renowned for pale sand, secluded coves and remarkably clear Mediterranean water. The glamorous Costa Smeralda combines beaches with Porto Cervo’s restaurants and marinas, while other parts of the island offer quieter coastal landscapes. Our Sardinia villas put private pools, sea-view terraces and some of the island’s beautiful coastline within easy reach. Insider tip: rent a car if you want to discover smaller beaches, but check summer parking arrangements before heading towards the most famous coves.
12. Explore Mount Etna in Sicily
Location / Neighborhood: Eastern Sicily, near Catania. Best For: Families with older children, hikers, photographers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $$–$$$ depending on cable car and guided excursions.
Rising above eastern Sicily, Mount Etna is Europe’s largest active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its landscape changes from vineyards and forests at lower elevations to stark lava fields higher up the mountain. Our Sicily villas provide a private base for combining volcanic landscapes with beaches, historic towns and the island’s celebrated food and wine. Insider tip: volcanic activity and weather can change access at short notice, so check conditions before setting out and bring warm layers even when the coast is hot.
13. Spend a day around Lake Garda
Location / Neighborhood: Lake Garda. Best For: Families, watersports, outdoor adventures. Estimated Time Needed: Full day. Cost / Entry: Free to $$$ depending on activities.
Italy’s largest lake is particularly easy to enjoy as a family. Explore historic towns such as Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda, relax on lakeside beaches or try boating, cycling and watersports. Families looking for a bigger attraction can also visit Gardaland nearby. Our Lake Garda villas offer easy access to lakeside villages, restaurants and outdoor activities. Insider tip: use ferries to combine several towns without spending the whole day in the car, especially during summer.
15. Go truffle hunting
Location / Neighborhood: Piedmont, Tuscany and Umbria. Best For: Couples, groups, food lovers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: $$–$$$.
Join an expert truffle hunter and trained dog to search woodland for one of Italy’s most prized ingredients. Piedmont, Tuscany and Umbria all have strong truffle traditions, with experiences often followed by tastings or a truffle-focused meal. Browse our Piedmont villas, Tuscany villas and Umbria villas to build a food-focused countryside stay around the experience. Insider tip: different varieties have different seasons, with Alba’s celebrated white truffle season centered on fall.
Plan your Italy Trip
Plan your Italy trip around the regions and experiences you most want to enjoy. Choose Tuscany for wine, countryside and Renaissance cities; Lake Como, Lake Garda or Lake Maggiore for lakeside scenery; Venice and northern Italy for culture and city breaks; or head south towards the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Sicily or Sardinia for Mediterranean beaches, boat trips and warm-weather adventures.
Our Italy villas provide couples, families and large groups with a private base between sightseeing days, with many properties offering private pools, landscaped gardens, terraces, fully-equipped kitchens and alfresco dining areas. Selected stays can also be enhanced through our Concierge services, including private chefs, airport transfers, car rental, groceries and bespoke itineraries for a seamless getaway.
