Italy blends ancient history, art, and fashion with everyday rituals of piazza life and café culture, from grand cities to quiet hill towns and coastal villages.
Discover Italy
Discover Italy
Why visit Italy?
What to expect
Explore Rome’s iconic landmarks, Milan’s design and shopping streets, and regions such as Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and the northern lakes for landscapes, wine, and seaside escapes.
Plan your trip
Use Rome and Milan as gateways to Italy’s rail and road network, linking quickly to the rest of Europe, ski resorts in the Alps, and islands in the Mediterranean.
Top experiences in Italy
Walk through ancient Rome
Stand before the Colosseum, wander the Roman Forum, and climb the Palatine Hill to trace the city’s imperial past in one compact historic district.
Live the Milan fashion and design scene
Browse boutiques around the Quadrilatero della Moda, admire contemporary design in converted warehouses, and end your day with an aperitivo in lively neighbourhood bars.
Cruise the Italian Lakes
Take a ferry across Lake Como or Lake Garda, stopping at pastel villages, grand villas, and lakeside promenades framed by mountains.
Journey through Tuscany’s countryside
Drive or cycle between vineyard-covered hills, medieval towns, and cypress-lined roads, with plenty of pauses for viewpoints and local wine tastings.
Explore the Amalfi Coast
Travel the winding coastal road or take a boat to see dramatic cliffs, colourful towns like Positano, and secluded coves along the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Discover Venice’s canals and islands
Glide along the Grand Canal by vaporetto, wander through quiet backstreets, and visit nearby islands for glassmaking, lace, and quieter lagoon views.
Climb to viewpoints in historic cities
Ascend domes and towers in cities such as Florence and Rome for sweeping views over terracotta rooftops, church spires, and distant hills.
Experience Italy’s way of life
Getting around
Italy’s high-speed trains link Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, and Naples efficiently, while regional trains and buses connect smaller towns; car hire is popular for exploring Tuscany, the lakes, and coastal areas at your own pace.
Local life & culture
You will notice daily life flowing around piazzas, neighbourhood bars, street markets, and evening passeggiata strolls, with strong regional identities from the relaxed south to the industrious north.
Where to unwind
Relax in thermal spa towns, linger in lakeside gardens, or hike gentle trails in the Dolomites and rolling countryside, pausing at viewpoints and quiet village squares.
A taste of Italy
National dishes & specialties
Italy is known for pasta, risotto, and wood-fired pizza, with each region offering its own versions, from rich sauces around Rome to rice dishes in the north and seafood-focused cooking along the coasts.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In Rome and Milan you will find neighbourhood trattorias, contemporary bistros, and cafés serving quick bites, while food courts and street-side venues make it easy to sample varied regional flavours in one day.
Signature & scenic dining
Look for meals on rooftop terraces with city views, vineyard restaurants in the countryside, and waterfront venues along the lakes and coastlines for long, unhurried lunches or sunset dinners.
Retail therapy in Italy
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Milan and Rome offer large shopping streets, gallerias, and modern centres where you can browse international labels, Italian fashion houses, and lifestyle brands under one roof.
Markets & local crafts
Seek out city markets and artisan districts for leather goods, ceramics, textiles, and stationery, particularly around Rome, Milan, and traditional craft towns in Tuscany and Umbria.
Evening retail scene
Major shopping streets in Rome and Milan stay lively into the evening, with illuminated windows, extended opening hours in some districts, and plenty of cafés and bars nearby for a post-shopping pause.
Best time to visit Italy
Spring (April to June) is a shoulder season, with mild temperatures around 15–24°C (59–75°F) in many regions and fewer crowds than midsummer. Summer (July to August) is the peak season, especially in cities and along the coasts, with temperatures often 25–32°C (77–90°F) or higher. Autumn (September to November) is another shoulder season, bringing 10–22°C (50–72°F), harvest festivals, and generally comfortable sightseeing weather. Winter (December to March) is the low season in most cities, with cooler temperatures from 0–12°C (32–54°F) and snow in alpine areas that becomes a peak season for skiing.