Discover Italy
Explore Italy with our complete travel guide to beautiful cities, spectacular coastlines, islands, food, attractions, travel tips and unforgettable holiday experiences.
Italy at a Glance
Italy is one of Europe's most exciting holiday destinations, combining ancient history, Renaissance art, beautiful cities, Mediterranean coastlines, islands, countryside and world-famous cuisine.
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Italian
Best for: History, art, food, city breaks, beaches and scenery
Popular destinations: Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Naples, Bologna, Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Sardinia
Italy is perfect for travellers who want to combine sightseeing with relaxing days, delicious food and beautiful scenery. You can spend a few days exploring famous cities before heading to the coast for a completely different holiday experience.
Best Places to Visit in Italy
From romantic canals and historic cities to Mediterranean coastlines and lively food destinations, these Italian cities are excellent choices for a holiday.
Rome
Rome combines ancient landmarks, lively piazzas, beautiful streets, cafés and unforgettable Italian experiences.
Don't miss:- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Vatican City
Venice
Venice is one of Europe's most romantic destinations, with gondolas, canals, historic buildings and beautiful squares.
Don't miss:- Grand Canal
- St Mark's Square
- Rialto Bridge
- Doge's Palace
- Murano and Burano
Florence
Florence is a beautiful city for art, architecture, romantic walks, cafés and unforgettable Tuscan views.
Don't miss:- Duomo
- Uffizi Gallery
- Ponte Vecchio
- Piazza della Signoria
- Boboli Gardens
Milan
Milan is ideal for a stylish city break, combining fashion, shopping, cafés, architecture, culture and Italian nightlife.
Don't miss:- Milan Cathedral
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Brera
- Sforza Castle
- La Scala
Naples
Naples combines Mediterranean views, colourful streets, lively neighbourhoods, amazing pizza and easy access to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
Don't miss:- Historic Centre
- Spaccanapoli
- Naples waterfront
- National Archaeological Museum
- Pompeii
Bologna
Bologna is a wonderful choice for food lovers, with historic streets, elegant arcades, cafés and some of Italy's best-known regional dishes.
Don't miss:- Piazza Maggiore
- Two Towers
- Historic arcades
- Quadrilatero food district
- Traditional Bolognese cuisine
Best Things to Do in Italy
Italy is made for memorable holidays. Mix sightseeing with food, beaches, scenic drives, romantic experiences and relaxing days.
Explore Ancient Rome
Discover the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon and famous fountains while enjoying Rome's lively cafés, restaurants and beautiful historic streets.
Take a Gondola Ride in Venice
See Venice from the water, cruise along the canals and explore historic streets, bridges and romantic squares.
Watch the Sunset in Florence
Explore Renaissance landmarks during the day and enjoy spectacular views across Florence as the sun sets over the city.
Enjoy the Amalfi Coast
Take in dramatic coastal scenery, colourful hillside towns, beautiful beaches and Mediterranean views along the Amalfi Coast.
Discover Italian Lakes
Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore offer lakeside villages, mountain scenery, gardens and relaxing holiday experiences.
Take an Italian Road Trip
Hiring a car can be a great way to discover countryside, villages, vineyards and coastal areas at your own pace.
Enjoy Italian Food and Wine
Try local pasta, pizza, seafood, cheese, gelato and regional wines. Food is one of the biggest reasons travellers return to Italy.
Relax by the Mediterranean
Finish your sightseeing holiday with a few relaxing days on the Italian coast or one of the country's beautiful islands.
Italian Food You Should Try
Italian cuisine changes from region to region, making food an important part of travelling around the country.
Pizza
Naples is famous for traditional Neapolitan pizza, while different regions have their own styles.
Pasta
Try different regional pasta dishes rather than ordering the same familiar recipes everywhere.
Risotto
Particularly associated with northern Italy, risotto comes in many regional varieties.
Gelato
A perfect holiday treat, especially when exploring Italian cities during warm summer evenings.
Tiramisu
A classic Italian dessert made with coffee, mascarpone and layers of soft biscuits.
Regional Cuisine
From Tuscan dishes and Neapolitan pizza to Sicilian seafood and Puglian specialities, every region has something different.
Italy's Best Coastlines and Islands
If you're looking for sunshine, beaches and Mediterranean scenery, Italy has plenty of holiday destinations to choose from.
Amalfi Coast
Famous for colourful cliffside towns, blue water, scenic roads and beautiful Mediterranean views. Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are among the most popular stops.
Cinque Terre
Five colourful coastal villages surrounded by cliffs, walking trails and spectacular sea views.
Sicily
Sicily combines beaches, ancient ruins, lively cities, volcanic landscapes and excellent food.
Sardinia
Sardinia is a fantastic choice for a relaxing beach holiday, with clear turquoise water, beautiful beaches and coastal scenery.
Puglia
Puglia offers beaches, traditional towns, countryside, local food and the distinctive trulli houses of the Itria Valley.
Calabria
Calabria is ideal for travellers looking for beautiful beaches, clear water, mountains and a quieter southern Italian atmosphere.
Which Italian Coast or Island Is Right for You?
| Destination | Best For |
|---|---|
| Amalfi Coast | Romance, scenery, luxury and coastal towns |
| Cinque Terre | Walking, villages and dramatic coastal scenery |
| Sicily | History, beaches, food and culture |
| Sardinia | Beaches, clear water and relaxing holidays |
| Puglia | Food, villages, beaches and countryside |
| Calabria | Quiet beaches and southern Italian scenery |
Popular Italian Regions
Italy's regions are wonderfully diverse, so you can create very different types of holidays depending on where you travel.
| Region | Why Visit |
|---|---|
| Tuscany | Florence, vineyards, countryside, villages and Renaissance art |
| Campania | Naples, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Capri and excellent food |
| Veneto | Venice, Verona, lakes and historic towns |
| Lombardy | Milan, Lake Como and northern Italian scenery |
| Liguria | Cinque Terre, coastal villages and Mediterranean scenery |
| Puglia | Beaches, trulli, countryside and historic towns |
| Sicily | Ancient sites, beaches, volcanoes and regional cuisine |
| Sardinia | Clear water, beaches, nature and island escapes |
Getting Around Italy
Italy has an extensive transport network, making it possible to combine several destinations during one holiday.
High-Speed Trains
High-speed trains connect major cities such as Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan and Naples and are often the easiest option for city-to-city travel.
Regional Trains
Regional services are useful for shorter journeys and exploring smaller towns around the main cities.
Car Hire
A rental car is useful for countryside holidays, villages, coastal drives and destinations where public transport is less convenient.
Domestic Flights
Flights can be useful for longer journeys, particularly when travelling between mainland Italy and islands such as Sicily and Sardinia.
Ferries
Ferries connect mainland ports with many islands and are useful for destinations around Sicily, Sardinia, Naples and other coastal areas.
How Much Does an Italy Holiday Cost?
Italy can work for different budgets. Costs depend heavily on destination, season, accommodation and travel style.
| Travel Style | Typical Approach |
|---|---|
| Budget | Simple accommodation, public transport, supermarkets and casual restaurants |
| Mid-Range | Comfortable hotels, trains, attractions and a mixture of restaurants and casual dining |
| Luxury | Premium hotels, private transfers, fine dining, exclusive tours and luxury coastal resorts |
10-Day Italy Itinerary
This itinerary is designed for a first-time visitor who wants to experience several of Italy's most famous destinations.
| Days | Destination | What to See |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Rome | Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican City and Trevi Fountain |
| 4–5 | Florence | Duomo, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio and historic centre |
| 6–7 | Venice | Grand Canal, St Mark's Square and Rialto Bridge |
| 8–10 | Amalfi Coast or Naples | Coastal scenery, Pompeii, Naples or nearby islands |
Italy Travel Tips
1. Book Major Attractions Early
Popular attractions in Rome, Florence and Venice can become extremely busy, particularly during peak travel periods.
2. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Italian cities are often best explored on foot and historic centres can have cobbled streets.
3. Learn a Few Italian Words
Simple phrases such as buongiorno, grazie and per favore are useful and appreciated.
4. Start Early
Getting out early can help you enjoy popular landmarks before the busiest part of the day.
5. Dress Respectfully in Churches
Some churches and religious sites require shoulders and knees to be covered.
6. Use Trains Between Major Cities
Trains are often convenient for travelling between Italy's major cities.
7. Don't Try to See Everything
Italy is too diverse to experience properly in one trip. Choose a few destinations and enjoy them at a relaxed pace.
8. Explore Beyond the Famous Cities
Smaller towns, beaches, villages, countryside and coastal destinations can provide some of the best holiday memories.
Italian Holiday Phrasebook
Useful Italian for hotels, restaurants, trains, shopping and everyday holiday moments. Tap a phrase to hear it spoken. The player is set to prefer an Italian female voice when your browser or device provides one.
Voice note: The page prefers an Italian female voice where one is available. Browser speech voices come from the visitor's device, so a female voice cannot be guaranteed on every browser. Pronunciation spellings are approximate.
Italy Travel FAQ
What is the best place to visit in Italy?
It depends on your interests. Rome is excellent for history, Florence for art, Venice for romance, Milan for fashion and design, and the Amalfi Coast for scenery and coastal holidays.
What is Italy famous for?
Italy is famous for its ancient history, art, architecture, fashion, food, wine, beautiful cities, coastlines and islands.
Is Italy good for a family holiday?
Yes. Italy offers beaches, cities, historical attractions, countryside, food experiences and family-friendly activities.
What is the best time to visit Italy?
Spring and early autumn are excellent for sightseeing. Summer is particularly popular for beaches and islands, while winter can be ideal for cities and skiing depending on the region.
Is it easy to travel around Italy by train?
Yes. Major Italian cities are connected by an extensive rail network, including high-speed services between many popular destinations.
How many days do you need in Italy?
Seven to ten days is a good starting point for a first trip. Longer holidays allow you to combine cities with beaches, islands or countryside.
What food should I try in Italy?
Pizza, pasta, risotto, gelato and tiramisu are obvious choices, but trying local regional dishes is one of the best parts of travelling through Italy.
Is Italy expensive?
Italy can suit different budgets. Major tourist destinations and peak-season accommodation can be expensive, while travelling outside the busiest areas can reduce costs.
Do I need a car in Italy?
Not necessarily. Trains and public transport are very useful for major cities. A car becomes more useful for countryside, villages and some coastal areas.
Ready to Discover Italy?
From ancient Rome and romantic Venice to the food of Naples, the beauty of Florence and the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Italy offers an unforgettable holiday.
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