Ready for your dream Italy vacation? From the canals of Venice to the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, the museums of Florence to the ruins of Rome, this guide outlines the ultimate Italy itinerary.
These easy-to-use itineraries help you find the best things to do in Italy—featuring Renaissance art, sun-soaked villages, world-class pasta, ancient wonders, and coastal drives.
Want to make your Italy trip even more special? Learn basic Italian before you go
- Rome: The Eternal City is a living museum—Colosseum views, pasta al dente, and centuries of history around every corner.
- Venice: A floating masterpiece of canals, gondolas, and timeless charm—get lost in the maze and love every minute.
- Florence: A Renaissance dream where art, architecture, and Tuscan vibes create one of Europe’s most romantic escapes.
- Milan: Italy’s fashion and design capital serves up sleek style, world-class shopping, and a buzzing aperitivo scene.
- Naples: Raw, real, and delicious—Naples is the birthplace of pizza and gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and Capri.
- Amalfi Coast: Cliffside villages, sparkling seas, and lemon-scented breezes—Positano and Ravello are as dreamy as they look.
- Cinque Terre: Five colorful cliff-hugging villages along the Ligurian coast—perfect for hiking, sea views, and wine at golden hour.
- Pisa: Home to the iconic Leaning Tower and much more—think medieval charm, riverfront walks, and student energy.
- Verona: Shakespeare’s romantic city charms with ancient arenas, cobbled lanes, and Juliet’s legendary balcony.
- Bologna: A foodie haven with red rooftops, endless porticos, and tagliatelle al ragù that might just ruin all other pasta for you.
- Turin: Elegant and historic with alpine views, rich chocolate, and a quieter, classy northern Italian atmosphere.
- Palermo: Sicily’s cultural capital—street food paradise, layered history, and bold Mediterranean soul.
- Taormina: A hilltop gem on Sicily’s east coast with ancient theaters, sea views, and la dolce vita in full swing.
💡 Italy Tips
- Eat regionally: Each Italian region has its own specialties. Always ask for local dishes instead of generic Italian food.
- Avoid tourist traps: Stay away from restaurants with photos on the menu or aggressive hosts. Look for spots filled with locals.
- Order coffee like a local: Cappuccino is for breakfast. After 11 a.m., go with an espresso (“un caffè”).
- Don’t rush meals: Italians take their time eating. Embrace the slower pace, especially during dinner.
- Cover charges are normal: A “coperto” (cover charge) is common, especially in sit-down restaurants. It’s not a tip.
- Tipping isn’t required: A small tip (5–10%) is appreciated but not expected.
- Bread isn’t free: It’s often included in the coperto but not always. If unsure, ask before eating.
- Try the house wine: It’s usually local, affordable, and surprisingly good.
- Learn basic Italian phrases: Even a simple “grazie” or “per favore” goes a long way.
- Reserve ahead: For popular trattorias and osterias, booking in advance is often necessary.
🇮🇹 Italy Menu
- Pizza Margherita (Naples): A true Neapolitan classic with tomato, mozzarella, and basil.
- Pasta alla Carbonara (Rome): Creamy pasta made with eggs, guanciale, pecorino romano, and black pepper.
- Spaghetti al Pomodoro (Nationwide): A simple, iconic dish of spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce, olive oil, garlic, and basil.
- Gelato (Nationwide): Italian-style ice cream, denser and richer than typical ice cream.
- Tiramisu (Veneto): A layered dessert with mascarpone, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and cocoa.
- Lasagna (Emilia-Romagna): Layers of pasta, ragù, béchamel, and cheese baked to perfection.
- Tagliatelle al Ragù (Bologna): Flat pasta served with a rich, slow-cooked meat sauce (often misnamed “Bolognese”).
- Risotto alla Milanese (Milan): Creamy risotto flavored with saffron and often served with ossobuco.
- Fiorentina Steak (Tuscany): A thick-cut T-bone steak, grilled rare and served simply.
- Pesto alla Genovese (Liguria): Fresh basil pesto traditionally served with trofie or trenette pasta.
- Arancini (Sicily): Fried rice balls stuffed with ragù, peas, and mozzarella.
- Cacio e Pepe (Rome): A simple yet bold pasta dish with pecorino romano cheese and black pepper.
- Ossobuco (Lombardy): Braised veal shanks cooked with wine, broth, and vegetables, traditionally served with risotto.
- Parmigiana di Melanzane (Southern Italy): Baked eggplant slices layered with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Supplì (Rome): Fried rice croquettes filled with mozzarella, similar to arancini but Roman-style.
- Gnocchi alla Sorrentina (Campania): Potato dumplings baked in a tomato and mozzarella sauce.
- Italian Wine (Nationwide): From Chianti in Tuscany to Barolo in Piedmont, Italy offers world-class red and white wines that pair perfectly with local cuisine.
📅 Italy calendar
- Carnevale di Venezia (February, Venice): Masked balls, costumes, and canal parades
- San Marino Carnival (February, San Marino City): Colorful costumes, local sweets, and a festive winter atmosphere
- Milano Fashion Week (February & September, Milan): Global designers debut their collections on runway stages across the city
- Settimana dei Musei (Museum Week) (March, Nationwide): Free entry to state museums and monuments
- Anniversary of the Arengo (March 25, San Marino): Traditional ceremonies honoring San Marino’s early democracy
- Easter in Rome (March/April, Vatican City): Mass with the Pope and religious processions
- Rome Marathon (March/April, Rome): Run past iconic monuments in the Eternal City
- Giro d’Italia (May, Nationwide): Italy’s top cycling race through mountains and cities
- Infiorata Flower Festivals (May–June, Spello & Genzano): Streets covered in intricate flower carpets
- Estate Sforzesca (June–August, Milan): Open-air concerts, opera, and ballet in the Sforza Castle courtyard
- Opera Season in Verona (June–September, Verona): Outdoor operas in a Roman amphitheater
- Palio di Siena (July & August, Siena): Famous medieval horse race in the town square
- Umbria Jazz Festival (July, Perugia): One of Europe’s best jazz festivals with international artists
- Lake Como Film Festival (July, Como): Art cinema meets dramatic lake scenery in open-air settings
- Medieval Days Festival (July, San Marino City): Step back in time with knights, parades, falconry, and street performances
- Venice Film Festival (August–September, Venice): Glamour, cinema, and red carpet on the Lido
- Palio del Golfo (First Sunday in August, La Spezia / Cinque Terre): Fierce rowing races and village pride on the Ligurian coast
- Ferragosto (August 15, Nationwide): National holiday with fireworks and beach celebrations
- Feast of Saint Marinus (September 3, San Marino): San Marino’s national holiday with fireworks, concerts, and official ceremonies
- Festa della Rificolona (September 7, Florence): Lantern parade through historic streets
- Cinque Terre Walking Marathon (October, Vernazza to Monterosso): Non-competitive scenic walk through the trails connecting all five villages
- Eurochocolate (October, Perugia): A city-sized chocolate festival for food lovers
- Alba White Truffle Festival (October–November, Alba): Truffle tastings, wine, and local markets
- Christmas Markets (December, Bolzano, Milan, Rome): Twinkling stalls with mulled wine and Alpine charm
- Christmas of Wonders (December–early January, San Marino City): Markets, lights, and a festive village with ice skating and decorations
- Como Città dei Balocchi (December–January, Como): Lake Como’s holiday lights and Christmas market festival