The 26 Ultimate Things to Do and See in Italy

This internationally beloved dish was born in Naples, and there’s no doubt that Naples does it best. The authentic pies are baked in a wood-fired oven for the smoky flavor of the wood and there’s a careful balance that’s struck between crunchy crust, sauce and cheese. Check out our guide to the best places to grab a pizza in Naples.

If you enjoy mountains, you’ll find total joy in the Dolomites, where the natural scenery is truly majestic and there’s all kinds of activities like hiking, skiing and snowboarding. Check out the bling-bling town of Cortina, or the quieter Corvara. Of course, we can’t forget the best outdoor sport of all, which is eating hearty local food in the restaurants nestled away in the mountaintops.

These gorgeous ruins date back to the 5th century BC. That’s 2,500 years that they’ve been hanging around, which is pretty stunning in itself. The site itself is incredibly well-preserved and the grandeur and beauty of the place is incomparable. Those who love ancient history will find their paradise here in Sicily.

The cream of the Old Master crop floats to the top here at the Uffizi, where art lovers will find true bliss. You know that picture that’s always on postcards? The real one is probably here. You’ll be nose-to-nose with ethereal Botticelli women, eye-to-eye with Michelangelo muscle men and person-to-person with the dark beauty of Caravaggio.

The Arena in Verona is an open-air amphitheater dating back to Roman times. It’s an astounding piece of history, but it also has a very contemporary life, with all kinds of plays and concerts being held there. Go for the summer festival when you’ll get to watch an Italian opera in a Roman ruin.

Roman Catholicism might be what they put on forms, but soccer is the true national religion here. There will be singing, chanting, jumping and shockingly inventive ways to curse at the referee. It’ll end in either ecstatic joy or bitter tears. You can plan a trip to the stadium, cram yourself into a sports bar, or find a public square where the games are shown on maxi-screens. Just make sure you’re cheering for Italy.

This is a highly underrated region in the middle of Italy that’s full of incredible natural beauty and delicious food. The rolling hillsides are dotted with medieval villages, farms and vineyards. Italians come to savor the best lentils in the country, the hearty pasta and meat dishes.

This region is the home of delicious products like prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar from Modena. It’s also the historic birthplace of Sangiovese and Lambrusco. All through the season, you’ll find food and wine festivals as Emilia Romagna celebrates its best. Check out the Festival del Prosciutto di Parma, or the white truffle fair at Sant’Agata Feltria.

Off of the northeastern coast of Sicily, a few tiny islands are scattered across the clear, blue sea. They can be reached by ferry from Milazzo, and you’ll find a paradise of volcanic landscapes and perfect beaches.

In Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn is an unhappy princess constrained by her courtly duties. Then, for a glorious day, she escapes from the palace and meets a hunky, broke journalist played by Gregory Peck. Just imagine that you could live out that fantasy straight from the brain of vintage Hollywood – plus or minus hunky journalist.

Puglia is the heel of the boot-shaped Italian peninsula. It’s an unpretentious yet stunning place with plenty of coastline. In an agriturismo, you’ll get to experience the beauty of the landscape, get a glimpse of rural life and of course, eat some incredible homegrown food.

Italian pastries are amazing and in Sicily, you’ll find some of the most delicious sweets you’ll ever taste. They’re usually eaten at breakfast with a little cup of coffee, or whenever the fancy strikes you. Trust us, between cannoli and cassata, it’ll be hard to stop yourself.

Trieste is the coffee capital of Italy, which is saying something. In the 18th century, it was the port where beans were brought in and traded out all across the Mediterranean. It’s still the headquarters of Illy, the famous Italian brand of coffee. To get a taste of something really authentic, head to the Caffe San Marco, which boasts a rich literary history as the rendezvous place for writers, poets and artists. All that intelligence clearly soaked into the surroundings because the interior is incredibly beautiful. There’s also a bookshop in the back where you’ll find students and writers working.

Venice is a labyrinth, full of illogical twists and dead ends that no map can help you understand. The only way to navigate is to be adventurous and to ask people face-to-face.

The little area is the number one producer of wine in Italy, which is saying something in a country brimming with good wine. Do a tour of the vineyards for the full experience, or head to a local enoteca to try Valpollicela, Barolo or Amarone.

Inaugurated by the emperor Titus in 80CE with a 100-day spectacle of gladiatorial combat, exotic animal hunting and public executions, the Colosseum is the iconic symbol of ancient Rome. This awe-inspiring monument is the largest amphitheatre ever built and attracts over six million visitors each year. Recommended by Emma Law.

Despite the efforts of many a valiant tourist to straighten it out, the Leaning Tower of Pisa stands 3.9 degrees off vertical. The freestanding bell tower of Pisa Cathedral has even withstood a number of strong earthquakes since its completion in 1372. Beautiful because of its flaws, the white marble tower affords beautiful views across Piazza del Duomo and beyond. Recommended by Emma Law.

Intricately carved from travertine stone, the Trevi Fountain is a masterpiece of Baroque art. It depicts the sea-god Oceanus and is supplied by the Acqua Vergine aqueduct, an evolution of the ancient Aqua Virgo that was constructed by Agrippa in 19BCE. Tradition says that tossing a coin into the fountain will ensure your return to the Eternal City. Recommended by Emma Law.

Florence Cathedral, known in Italian as the Duomo di Firenze, is the star of the city’s Renaissance skyline. Covered in white, pink and green marble and capped by Brunelleschi’s famed red dome, the entire structure took almost 150 years to build. The elaborate Gothic Revival façade on the west side of the church was added in the 19th century. Recommended by Emma Law.

In 79CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered Pompeii in a thick layer of volcanic ash and rubble. The city and its inhabitants were rediscovered in the 16th century in a remarkable state of preservation, giving archaeologists and historians precious details about what life was like in ancient Roman society. Today, visitors to the site can explore the very same streets, houses and even a brothel this city’s ill-fated inhabitants frequented millennia ago. Recommended by Emma Law.

Considering himself a sculptor not a painter, Michelangelo was originally hesitant at the idea of painting the Sistine Chapel. Pope Julius II, however, insisted and the subsequent frescoes, including the famous Creation of Adam, are now admired by 20,000 people a day in peak season. After finishing the ceiling 25 year later, Michelangelo returned to the Sistine Chapel and created another masterpiece – the Last Judgement on the altar wall. Recommended by Emma Law.

Known in English as St Mark’s Square, Piazza San Marco is Venice’s social, political and cultural hub. Aside for crowds of tourists, this gorgeous square also contains a number of the city’s top sights – the Basilica di San Marco and its instantly recognisable campanile, the Doge’s Palace, and the Museo Correr, which chronicles Venetian art, history and culture. Recommended by Emma Law.

Declared the most beautiful lake in the world by the Huffington Post, Lake Como combines over 100 miles (161 kilometres) of winding shoreline with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Aristocrats have been holidaying here since Roman times and today’s rich and famous, with their elegant waterfront villas, continue the trend. It’s also a popular destination for sailing, kayaking and other outdoor activities. Recommended by Emma Law.

It’s not the grandest church in Italy (or even in Milan, for that matter) but Santa Maria delle Grazie houses one of the world’s most recognisable artworks – The Last Supperby Leonardo da Vinci. The 15th-century mural on the wall of the church’s refectory depicts the moment when Christ announced to his disciples that one of them would eventually betray him. Entry to the church is free but reservations must be made in advance to see Da Vinci’s masterpiece. Recommended by Emma Law.

Between eating pizza and sfogliatella, visitors to Naples should delve into the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. The building was originally a cavalry barracks and later the seat of the city’s university, before being turned into a museum in the late 18th century. As well as treasures from Pompeii, the museum is also joint-home to one of the world’s finest accumulations of Greco-Roman art, the Farnese Collection – of which other pieces are on display at the British Museum in London. Recommended by Emma Law.

The Amalfi Coast is, according to Unesco, an area of ‘great physical beauty and natural diversity’. This stunning stretch of coastline in the Gulf of Salerno, just south of Naples, features colourful towns nestled precariously into the mountainside, as well as terraced vineyards and citrus groves replete with outstanding local produce. Recommended by Emma Law.