Italy offers timeless art, ancient ruins, stylish cities, and dramatic coastlines, where history and modern life sit side by side in every piazza and alleyway.
Discover Italy
Discover Italy
Why visit Italy?
What to expect
From the historic heart of Rome to Milan's fashion-forward streets, you will find elegant architecture, animated neighbourhoods, and vivid contrasts between north and south.
Plan your trip
Italy works well for both first-time city breaks and longer journeys combining several regions, and it is also a natural gateway to explore the wider Mediterranean and Europe.
Top experiences in Italy
Walk through ancient Rome
Explore iconic sites such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon to trace the legacy of the Roman Empire in the modern city.
Admire the Vatican's masterpieces
Take in the grandeur of St Peter's Square, visit the Vatican Museums, and look up at the celebrated ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Soak up Milan's style and design
Stroll from the Duomo to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the fashion district, where flagship boutiques and design showrooms line the streets.
Enjoy Italy's café culture
Pause at a pavement café for an espresso or aperitivo while watching daily life unfold in lively squares and narrow side streets.
Discover Italy's art and museums
Visit world-class galleries and museums that showcase Italian painting, sculpture, and design from antiquity to contemporary times.
Experience Italy's way of life
Getting around
High-speed trains connect major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, and Naples, while regional rail and buses reach smaller towns, and domestic flights link more distant regions.
Local life & culture
In Italy, days revolve around neighbourhood squares, casual conversation, and a strong sense of regional identity, with each city expressing its own pace, accent, and traditions.
Where to unwind
You can relax in historic city parks, along lakeshores and coastal promenades, or in countryside retreats surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills.
A taste of Italy
National dishes & specialties
Italy is known for pasta, pizza, cured meats, and cheeses, with each region offering its own specialties, from rich dishes in the north to lighter coastal flavours further south.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In Rome and Milan, you will find everything from family-run trattorias to modern bistros, wine bars, and street food spots serving a wide range of Italian favourites.
Signature & scenic dining
Enjoy dining in stately palazzi, rooftop terraces with city views, or elegant restaurants that pair refined Italian cooking with thoughtful wine lists.
Retail therapy in Italy
Malls & lifestyle hubs
In Milan and Rome, major shopping districts and modern malls bring together international brands, Italian fashion houses, and contemporary lifestyle stores.
Markets & local crafts
Across cities such as Rome, Milan, and Florence, markets showcase leather goods, clothing, homewares, and handmade crafts that reflect local style and traditions.
Evening retail scene
After dark, shopping streets in Italy's larger cities stay lively, with illuminated window displays, late-opening boutiques, and cafés that keep the atmosphere relaxed and social.
Best time to visit Italy
Spring (April to June) is a shoulder season, with mild temperatures around 15–24°C (59–75°F), ideal for sightseeing before peak crowds. Summer (July to August) is peak season, with warmer weather between 25–32°C (77–90°F), especially in inland cities. Autumn (September to November) is a shoulder season, with cooler days around 12–22°C (54–72°F) and a more relaxed pace in most destinations. Winter (December to February) is low season in many parts of Italy, with temperatures from 3–12°C (37–54°F) in cities such as Rome and Milan.