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Holidays in Italy

Italy is a holiday heavyweight. With iconic history, artistic masterpieces, a dreamy Mediterranean coastline and perhaps the world's best food, this diverse country is a feast for all the senses.

No matter where you land on the boot, iconic cities await. Intoxicating Rome is a living museum, where crumbling ruins rub shoulders with era-spanning monuments. Retrace the steps of gladiators at the spectacular Colosseum, stroll through Roman Forum, and marvel at the Parthenon.

Head to Florence for some of the world’s most famous artworks – Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Giorgio Vasari’s Last Judgement – or romantic Venice with its canals, bridges, gondolas and gelato. Then there’s Naples, Palermo, Milan, Turin… the list goes on and on.

For the classic idea of Italy, picturesque Tuscany takes some beating. Tour vineyards, feast on hearty food in farmhouses and explore charming hilltop towns such as San Gimignano. You can hire a car and spend a relaxing week driving through a landscape dotted with olive and cypress trees.

If you’re travelling with the family, up the cool points by climbing an active volcano in Sicily, soaking up the rays in sun-kissed Sorrento or booking an all-inclusive holiday in the lakes of Como, Garda or Maggiore. If winter sports are more for you, the Dolomites and Italian Alps have impressive slopes and mountains of après ski pasta.

Beach holidays more your bag? Italy does them too. From Liguria in the northwest to the island of Sardinia, sit back with an espresso or Aperol spritz and indulge – this is the land of la dolce vita, after all.

Top Italy destinations

Take a look at our most popular Italian holiday escapes:

City Breaks

Rome

City Breaks

Venice

Italy

Sardinia

Italy

Sicily

Italy

Lake Garda

Italy

Lake Como

Italy

Sorrento

City Breaks

Florence

Italy

Tuscany

City Breaks

Milan

Italy

Naples

City Breaks

Pisa

Sicily

Taormina

Sicily

Catania

For families

Italy is very child friendly, with bambini welcomed in many restaurants and resorts. Sicily, the large island off the toe of Italy, is especially well set up for families. At Taormina, on the east coast, there are coves with sandy beaches connected to the historic centre by cable car. Nearby, children can experience the thrill of an active volcano on a visit to Mount Etna.

The lakes, in the north of Italy, have mountain hikes and lake swimming – there’s also Gardaland Resort, a theme park with three hotels, and Acquasplash Franciacorta waterpark. With the option to visit lakeside towns via boat or ferry, even getting around can be an adventure for little ones.

For travellers on a budget

While places such as Venice, Florence and Cinque Terre have a reputation for luxury, they also have affordable accommodation, just like the rest of Italy. Rome is a good choice if you’re on a tight budget, with cheap hostels with cooking facilities, free breakfast and many free activities around the city.

As well as being a great place to explore in its own right, Verona is also a good option for cheap holidays because it’s close to Venice. Regular trains connect the two, but accommodation is typically cheaper in Verona.

Umbria, in central Italy, has rolling countryside, medieval hilltop towns, and great food and is more affordable than better-known Tuscany.

For food and drink

Each region (and many nonne) would argue their case, but Bologna is known as the food capital of Italy. The northern city is home to ragu (don't call it spaghetti Bolognese), tortellini in broth and a delicious mortadella sausage. Nearby Modena and Parma, famous for balsamic vinegar and cured ham, complete the foodie triangle.

Tuscany has hearty cuisine including bistecca alla Fiorentina, a juicy steak from Florence. One of Europe's most renowned wine regions, Tuscany is the place for a good glass of Chianti and long evening meals.

For nightlife

Chic and cosmopolitan, Milan has high-end nightclubs, cocktail bars and music venues bringing all the glamour. The Navigli district is one of the best spots for a night out, with brewpubs and cocktail bars. Accommodation ranges from stylish hotels to comfortable hostels.

If you want something more laidback, Rome likes to party with a more casual vibe. There are clubs for electronic, dance and salsa music, and central Testaccio is the place for secret cocktail bars, bistro pubs and family-run restaurants.

For art and culture

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is all about culture. The Uffizi Gallery is famous for its collection of sculptures and paintings, including the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. The Accademia Gallery is the home of Michelangelo's David, and the magnificent dome of Florence's cathedral is a highlight on the skyline.

Rome, the Eternal City, has its own artistic treasures, not least the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. For ancient culture, it is also hard to beat, with the landmark Colosseum and Roman Forum.

For a weekend break

Venice is an ideal weekend break – those romantic gondola cruises are hard to resist. Its streets are free of car traffic, and you can easily walk between famous sites, such as Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge.

While Rome and Florence have more than enough to see in a weekend break, a more relaxed place to visit is Turin. The cobbled streets and baroque buildings draw fewer tourists, and it’s a convenient base for the ski slopes in the surrounding Italian Alps.

From pasta to Pompeii, Italy is packed with awesome things to see and do. Whether you’re seeking journeys through history or outdoor adventures, holidays to Italy can be as laidback or busy as you like.

Ancient Rome

Rome’s rich history is unrivalled. Start at the Colosseum, the spectacular amphitheatre built during the Roman Empire. Close to 2,000 years old, the arena hosted violent gladiator battles, theatre and public events.

Opposite the Colosseum, the vast Roman Forum was once the hub of day-to-day life in Rome. Today, you can explore the ruins of houses, temples and a basilica built by Julius Caesar.

Pompeii

Eerie and enthralling, this ancient city was buried after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The preserved ruins of full streets and buildings give you a unique insight into life before the tragedy. Guided tours are available and can help make sense of the city – casts of bodies, frozen forever make for uncomfortable yet intriguing viewing.

Sistine Chapel

Technically in Vatican City, the tiny city-state surrounded by Rome, the Apostolic Palace is the Pope's official residence and an art museum combined. Built in the 15th century, its interior walls and ceiling are adorned with frescoes painted by some of the Renaissance era's finest artists.

The best-known are works by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel – the highlight is the ceiling fresco depicting nine scenes from the Book of Genesis. It’s crowded, but your view won’t be hampered as you’re looking up.

Florence’s galleries

In Florence's historic centre, the Uffizi Gallery showcases its celebrated collection of ancient sculptures and paintings by Botticelli, Michelangelo and Caravaggio, to name a few. This is the most visited museum in Italy, so book ahead to reduce queueing time.

To see sculptures by Michelangelo – the star of the show being the towering David – visit Florence's Accademia Gallery.

Eat and drink

Pizza and pasta only scratch the surface of Italy's cuisine. Food tour your way around and try authentic ragu in Bologna, pizza in Naples and spaghetti carbonara in Rome.

Pair your dish with a smooth glass of red from the rolling vineyards of Tuscany before finishing with a digestif of limoncello, the lemon liqueur from the Amalfi Coast. During a post-dinner stroll, give in to gelato temptation.

Escape to nature

Blessed with lakes, mountains and a long coastline, Italy has a diverse landscape. Explore the seaside villages of Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera or the pretty towns hugging the stunning Amalfi Coast.

The lake district – Lakes Garda, Iseo, Como, Lugano and Maggiore – creates impressive package holidays with an air of Italian sophistication. For something more active, the Dolomites and Italian Alps have excellent hiking and skiing.

Late spring and early autumn are when Italy's weather is at its best. The sun shines, and temperatures are pleasant, sitting in the low 20s. There are still crowds in the popular spots but fewer than in peak summer. Ski season is roughly November to April.

The annual Carnival of Venice runs for about two weeks in February or March, ending on Shrove Tuesday. And of course, Milan Fashion Week draws the world’s fashionistas semi-annually in February/March and September/October. If you fancy a holiday around these times, it’s best to compare holidays well in advance of your break.

When is the cheapest time to visit Italy?

For a cheap holiday to Italy, consider travelling outside the peak season of May to September.

While cities like Rome and Florence draw tourists year-round, the best chance of getting a cheap deal is in late autumn or winter. The trade-off for fewer tourists and cheaper hotel rooms is the odd rainstorm and, especially in the north, chilly temperatures – winter temperatures can drop to single digits in January and February.

When should I go for the best weather?

Aim for May, June, September or October for a holiday in Italy – the weather is warm and dry, particularly in the south. Temperatures regularly rise above the 25C mark.

In the height of summer (July and August), average temperatures reach the 30s and the weather – and crowds – can be suffocating.

Good to know

Flight time

2 hrs 10 mins

(from London)

Currency

Euros (€)

Language

Italian

FAQs about holidays to Italy

What is the best way to travel around Italy?

Trenitalia and Italo trains are efficient and inexpensive ways to get around Italy. Buses are also cheap but have limited weekend service in smaller towns and villages.
All tickets on public transport must be validated at yellow ticket machines before your journey begins. Fail to validate and you risk on-the-spot fines.
Prefer to drive? With a cheap hire car, you can hit the roads easily. Motorways are well-maintained toll roads, though you may want to avoid driving in cities where scooters are common.

Do I need to have a visa to go to Italy?

You don't need a visa to travel to Italy for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you are travelling to Italy and other Schengen countries without a visa, your whole visit must be within the 90-day limit.

Are there any local customs I need to be aware of?

You must be able to show identification when asked (a photograph of your passport data page is fine). Be respectful and cover your shoulders when visiting religious places.