Italy blends timeless art, historic cities, and stunning coastlines with a relaxed way of life. You can wander from ancient ruins to elegant piazzas, then end your day by the sea or in the rolling countryside.
Discover Italy
Discover Italy
Why visit Italy?
What to expect
Expect grand capitals like Rome and Milan, medieval hill towns, alpine lakes, and sun-soaked islands. Your visit might include world-class museums, designer shopping, and slow days in vineyards or seaside villages.
Plan your trip
Italy is ideal for both first-time visitors and seasoned travellers, with fast trains linking major cities and easy connections onward into Europe. Use Rome or Milan as your base to explore neighbouring regions at your own pace.
Top experiences in Italy
Explore ancient Rome
Walk through history at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, then linger by the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona as the city lights up.
Discover Milan’s style and design
Admire the Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci’s famous mural, then browse boutiques in the Quadrilatero d’Oro and relax with an evening aperitivo.
Cruise the Italian lakes
Sail across Lake Como or Lake Garda, stopping at waterfront towns for garden visits, elegant villas, and mountain views.
Drive the Amalfi Coast
Follow winding clifftop roads between Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, pausing for sea views, lemon groves, and colourful villages.
Tour Tuscan hill towns
Base yourself in Florence or Siena and make day trips to medieval towns, vineyards, and olive groves across the Tuscan countryside.
Venture into the Dolomites
Head north for hiking, skiing, and cable-car rides, where dramatic peaks and alpine meadows offer a different side of Italy.
Wander Venetian canals
Lose yourself in narrow lanes and bridges, glide along the canals by boat, and watch the sun set over St Mark’s Basin.
Experience Italy’s way of life
Getting around
High-speed trains link Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, and Naples quickly and comfortably, while regional trains and buses connect smaller towns. For rural areas and coastal drives, renting a car gives you the most flexibility to explore.
Local life & culture
In Italy, daily life flows around neighbourhood squares, morning coffees at the bar, and evening strolls known as the passeggiata. Each region has its own dialect, traditions, and festivals, so the mood in Rome, Milan, and smaller towns can feel delightfully different.
Where to unwind
You can relax on sandy and pebbled beaches from Liguria to Puglia, or soak in thermal spas in Tuscany and northern Italy. National parks and mountain trails in the Dolomites and Apennines offer peaceful spaces to hike, picnic, and recharge in nature.
A taste of Italy
National dishes & specialties
Classic dishes vary by region, from Roman pastas and Milanese risotto to seafood along the coasts and rich stews in the north. Each area has its own cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal produce that shape local menus.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In Rome and Milan you will find relaxed trattorias, wine bars, and contemporary bistros on almost every street. Smaller cities and villages offer family-run spots where you can enjoy simple, regional cooking in a friendly setting.
Signature & scenic dining
For special occasions, you can dine on rooftop terraces overlooking historic skylines, or in restaurants set by lakes and coastlines. Many venues combine refined menus with memorable views of piazzas, vineyards, or the sea.
Retail therapy in Italy
Malls & lifestyle hubs
In Milan and Rome, main shopping streets and malls bring together international labels, Italian designers, and lifestyle stores. Larger complexes on the city outskirts often combine fashion, homeware, dining, and entertainment in one place.
Markets & local crafts
Street markets in Rome and Milan showcase leather goods, clothing, and everyday items, while smaller towns are known for ceramics, glass, and textiles. Regions such as Tuscany and Veneto are ideal for browsing artisan workshops and studios.
Evening retail scene
After dark, shopping streets in major cities stay lively, with illuminated window displays and late-opening boutiques. In warmer months you may also find evening markets and craft stalls set up in central squares and along promenades.
Best time to visit Italy
Spring shoulder season (April to June) brings mild weather of around 15–24°C (59–75°F), making city sightseeing and countryside trips comfortable before the main crowds. Summer peak season (July to August) is warm to hot, from about 25–33°C (77–91°F), especially in inland cities and along the coasts, with lively beaches and long evenings. Autumn shoulder season (September to October) cools to roughly 14–23°C (57–73°F), ideal for cultural visits and wine regions, while November to March low season is cooler at about 3–13°C (37–55°F), quieter in cities, and colder in the Alps.