Why visit Italy?
Italy offers historic cities, romantic coastal towns, and rolling countryside, all layered with art, fashion, and everyday elegance. You experience a country where ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, and lively neighbourhoods sit side by side.
What to expect
Each region of Italy has its own character, from Rome's grand boulevards and Vatican views to Milan's design districts and Alpine gateway. Beyond these hubs, you find hilltop villages, lakes, islands, and wine regions that reward slow travel.
Plan your trip
Italy is easy to combine with wider European journeys, thanks to extensive rail links and short intra-European flights. You can base yourself in Rome or Milan, then add side trips to nearby regions, creating an itinerary that balances culture, countryside, and coast.
Discover Italy
Discover Italy
Top experiences in Italy
Walk through ancient Rome
Explore legendary landmarks, from grand forums and amphitheatres to stately piazzas and fountains that tell the story of the city.
Admire Renaissance masterpieces
Visit museums and churches filled with frescoes, sculptures, and paintings that shaped European art and continue to inspire today.
Stroll Milan's fashion and design districts
Browse elegant streets lined with boutiques, galleries, and showrooms that showcase Italy's influence on global style.
Relax by Italy's lakes and countryside
Head to tranquil lakes and vineyard-covered hills where you can hike, cycle, or simply enjoy scenic views and quiet villages.
Discover Italy's coastal towns
Spend time in colourful seaside towns with cliffside paths, small harbours, and panoramic terraces overlooking the sea.
Enjoy Italy's café culture
Pause at outdoor tables in lively squares, sipping coffee or an evening drink while watching local life unfold around you.
Explore historic cathedrals and piazzas
Step into ornate churches and grand squares where architecture, sculpture, and daily city life come together.
Join local festivals and events
Time your visit with music, film, or seasonal celebrations that bring extra energy and colour to Italian streets.
Experience Italy's way of life
Getting around
High-speed trains connect major Italian cities such as Rome and Milan in just a few hours, making multi-city itineraries straightforward. Regional trains, buses, and domestic flights help you reach smaller towns, lakes, and coastal areas with ease.
Local life & culture
In Italy, much of daily life unfolds in piazzas, neighbourhood cafés, and local bars where people gather to talk and unwind. Each region has its own traditions, dialects, and styles, so you notice subtle changes as you travel from north to centre and beyond.
Where to unwind
Italy offers many places to slow down, from lakeside promenades and mountain viewpoints to landscaped city parks. Coastal walks, countryside retreats, and spa towns give you different ways to relax between busy days of sightseeing.
A taste of Italy
National dishes & specialties
Italy is known for its regional dishes, from rich pastas and slow-cooked sauces in central areas to risottos and hearty fare in the north. Rome and Milan each reinterpret national favourites with local ingredients and techniques.
Casual & modern dining hubs
You find casual trattorias, contemporary bistros, and quick-service spots across Italian cities, ideal for relaxed meals between sightseeing. Each neighbourhood offers different flavours, letting you explore both classic comfort food and modern, creative menus.
Signature & scenic dining
For special occasions, Italy offers rooftop terraces, historic palaces, and refined dining rooms with cityscape or countryside views. Seaside and lakeside restaurants pair scenic backdrops with thoughtful menus, creating memorable evenings.
Retail therapy in Italy
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Rome and Milan feature modern shopping streets and centres where international labels sit beside Italian designers. You can explore lifestyle precincts that combine fashion, homeware, and cafés in one convenient area.
Markets & local crafts
Italy is rich in neighbourhood markets and artisan shops, especially in cities like Rome and Milan and in historic regional towns. Here you can browse leather goods, textiles, ceramics, and other locally crafted pieces that reflect regional traditions.
Evening retail scene
In Italy's major cities, shopping streets often stay lively into the evening, with illuminated windows and late-opening boutiques in central districts. Many neighbourhoods blend evening strolls, window shopping, and café stops into a single, relaxed experience.
Best time to visit Italy
Peak season: June to August, when much of Italy is warm to hot, with average temperatures around 25–30°C (77–86°F) in many cities and coastal areas. This is the busiest time for sightseeing and beaches.
Shoulder season: April to May and September to October, with pleasant days around 15–24°C (59–75°F) and cooler evenings. These months often balance comfortable weather with fewer crowds.
Low season: November to March, when many regions are cooler, around 5–13°C (41–55°F) in cities like Rome and Milan, with colder conditions in the mountains. This is a quieter time with a more local feel.