Italy blends ancient history, art, and breathtaking landscapes with a relaxed everyday rhythm, from grand piazzas and waterfront promenades to small hill towns and coastal villages.
Discover Italy
Discover Italy
Why visit Italy?
What to expect
You can explore Rome’s landmarks and neighbourhoods, Milan’s fashion and design districts, and nearby lakes and countryside, with each region offering its own architecture, dialects, and traditions.
Plan your trip
Italy works well for both city breaks and longer journeys linking major hubs like Rome and Milan with smaller towns, and it is also a convenient gateway to wider Europe by rail and air.
Top experiences in Italy
Explore ancient Rome
Walk between the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon, then linger in the city’s historic piazzas as day turns to evening.
Discover Vatican City
Visit St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums to see masterpieces of Renaissance art and sweeping views over Rome from the dome.
Milan’s fashion and design districts
Stroll through the Quadrilatero d’Oro, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and contemporary design showrooms that define Milan’s modern identity.
Lake Como and the Lombardy lakes
Take a day trip from Milan to the lakeside towns of Como or Bellagio, framed by mountains, villas, and waterfront promenades.
Italian art cities and galleries
From classical sculpture in Rome to contemporary spaces in Milan, Italy’s galleries and churches hold works spanning many centuries.
Iconic Italian piazzas
Spend unhurried time in Rome’s Piazza Navona or Milan’s Piazza del Duomo, watching local life unfold around historic landmarks.
Coastal escapes
Use Rome as a springboard for nearby seaside towns, where beach promenades and fishing harbours offer a change of pace from the city.
Football and stadium atmosphere
Join fans at matches in Rome or Milan to experience the country’s passion for football in historic stadiums.
Experience Italy’s way of life
Getting around
High-speed and regional trains link Rome, Milan, and many other Italian cities, while local metros, buses, and trams help you move easily within urban areas, and rental cars suit countryside and smaller towns.
Local life & culture
Daily life in Italy often revolves around neighbourhood squares, local shops, and strong regional identities, with long-standing traditions in fashion, design, arts, and family-run businesses shaping each city’s character.
Where to unwind
Relax in Rome’s historic gardens and riverside paths, enjoy Milan’s parks and canal-side walks, then venture into surrounding hills, lakes, or coastal areas for nature trails and scenic viewpoints.
A taste of Italy
National dishes & specialties
Sample pasta and thin-crust pizza in Rome, rich risottos and veal dishes in Milan, and regional variations in breads, cheeses, and cured meats across the country.
Casual & modern dining hubs
You will find relaxed trattorias, neighbourhood bars, and contemporary bistros throughout Rome and Milan, with menus ranging from classic family recipes to modern interpretations of regional cooking.
Signature & scenic dining
Look for rooftop terraces in Rome with city views, elegant dining rooms in Milan’s historic buildings, and waterside restaurants on nearby lakes for memorable meals.
Retail therapy in Italy
Malls & lifestyle hubs
In Milan and Rome, you can browse luxury boutiques, international labels, and Italian designers in grand arcades, flagship stores, and modern shopping centres.
Markets & local crafts
Browse neighbourhood markets in Rome and Milan for leather goods, accessories, and everyday items, and look out for smaller towns known for ceramics, textiles, and handmade crafts.
Evening retail scene
After dark, central shopping streets in Rome and Milan stay lively with illuminated window displays, late-opening boutiques, and people enjoying evening strolls between shops and cafés.
Best time to visit Italy
Spring (April to June) is a shoulder season across much of Italy, with mild temperatures around 15–24°C (59–75°F), longer days, and blooming parks in cities like Rome and Milan. Summer (July to August) is the peak season, bringing hot weather of roughly 25–32°C (77–90°F), busy city centres, and a lively atmosphere in coastal areas and around the lakes. Autumn and winter (September to March) range from shoulder to low season depending on the month, with cooler temperatures from about 5–20°C (41–68°F), quieter streets, and a more relaxed pace ideal for museums and city walks.