Italy holidays

Explore labyrinthine canals, marvel at Gothic palaces, savor ‘cicchetti’ (small snacks) and fall in love with Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

From art to architecture, flavours to fashion, everything’s monumental in Rome. Walk in the footsteps of gods, emperors and legends on your next holiday to the Eternal City.

Walk in the footsteps of Da Vinci and Michelangelo as you explore the world-class museums, palaces and churches of Italy’s Renaissance city.

Elegant history meets urban grit in Italy’s stylish design hub and economic capital. Here’s all you need to know for an unforgettable holiday to Milan.

Overlooked by dramatic Mount Vesuvius and famous for its pizza, Naples is a postcard-perfect city with an authentic vibe. Prepare to fall in love with art, architecture and Mediterranean views.

The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily claims some of Italy’s oldest ruins, prettiest beaches and most exciting dishes. What you won’t find here? Crowds of tourists.

Sardinia has a stretch of sand for every beach lover. Pair lazy days with strolls around historic villages and archaeological sites, then chow down on fresh seafood.

With a painterly landscape of rolling hills, sun-drenched vineyards and historic villages, it’s easy to see why countless artists have been inspired by Tuscany.

Nestled in the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia brims with rustic charm. Explore its whitewashed villages and medieval castles to discover centuries of history.

You’ll find the Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome, but remnants of the distant past are everywhere. The town of Pompeii is preserved by the ash of a volcano eruption nearly two millennia ago, and Baiae is an ancient Roman party town partially underwater. For an archaeological wonder minus the crowds, don’t miss Sicily’s amazingly well-preserved Valley of the Temples.

Italy overflows with Renaissance paintings, sculptures and frescoes — think Botticelli’s ‘Venus’, Michelangelo’s ‘David’ and the Sistine Chapel. But just strolling the city streets past historical buildings and fountains can feel like touring a museum. Wherever you are, make sure to peek into churches, as they’re often decked out with brilliant frescoes and may even house a Caravaggio or Bernini.

One of the best things to do in Italy is to stay in the countryside. Rural accommodation runs the gamut from intimate bed and breakfasts to working farms, or ‘agriturismi’, offering horseback riding and cooking classes. What they have in common is the chance to connect with the culture at a slower pace. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited for a long lunch with your hosts.

The Italian coastline is home to limestone-ringed beaches and sandy shores that look almost Caribbean. The beaches on the Amalfi Coast are anchored by glamorous resorts, while Puglia’s waterside villages are wonderfully low-key. You’ll find fewer crowds and loads of sun on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. Wherever you go, know that many popular beaches require you to rent a chair.

Less famous than its cities but no less spectacular, Italy’s 25 national parks offer meadows, mountains and glacial lakes. Trade fountains for waterfalls at Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso in the north and painted frescoes for open-air vistas at Parco Nazionale dell’Aspromonte in the south. The Dolomite mountains beckon skiers in winter and rafters and mountain climbers in summer.

Fresh ingredients and centuries of tradition go into Italian cuisine. Some regional specialities to look out for at restaurants in Italy include Milanese risotto, Florentine steak and pizza Napoletana. There are more than 300 Italian pasta shapes and maybe just as many sauces, from pesto in Liguria to Rome’s ‘amatriciana’ (spicy tomato sauce with cured pork). Between epic meals, visit produce markets and speciality purveyors.

Plan ahead and pace yourself to fully appreciate the famous museums in Italy. There are headliners you can’t miss, like the Galleria degli Uffizi and Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence. Or the Vatican and Galleria Borghese in Rome and Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice. Buy tickets in advance to avoid long lines — some let you choose a time slot. And remember many museums are closed on Mondays.

The best time to go to Italy is in spring and autumn, which is when the weather is mild and the cities aren’t yet packed with visitors. Summer is a prime time to visit Italy’s beaches, while winter is more affordable and less crowded — you may even luck out with mild weather.

Even in the country’s major cities, it’s possible to have a cheap holiday in Italy. The average short taxi ride is about eight euros (€), but you can get around even more affordably by public transport. Outside of the most heavily touristed areas, a meal will cost roughly €15, and a cappuccino less than €2.