Top 18 Things to Do in Italy
Discover the top 18 things to do in Italy—from famous landmarks and authentic cuisine to unforgettable cultural adventures.
October 17, 2025
6 minute read
Planning a trip to Italy? Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, this guide covers the must-do experiences that bring the country to life—from iconic landmarks to intimate cultural encounters. Here are the best things to do in
Italy and what makes each one unforgettable.
Why Should Italy Be on Your Travel List?
With its one-of-a-kind natural beauty and cultural depth, it’s no surprise that Italy remains one of the world’s most visited destinations. From gondolas floating through Venice’s canals to ancient temples rising in Sicily, every region has its own unique culture and past to be explored. Iconic landmarks, towering mountain ranges, and scenic coastlines make for the perfect backdrop while you experience a culture kept alive by locals, artists, chefs, and artisans.
New to guided travel? Read more about what to expect on a Collette tour.
Quick Overview: Top Things to Do in Italy
Ride through the canals of Venice on a gondola––then find out the secrets behind building it. Journey through Tuscany and taste wine along the way. See the art that colors Florence and shaped the Renaissance. In every region of Italy, there’s a story to uncover.
Top 18 Things to Do in Italy
1. Glide Through Venice by Gondola
Floating beneath arched bridges and palazzi in a gondola is one of Italy’s most iconic experiences. As you drift by canal-side cafés and picturesque terraces, you’ll see how the canals reveal Venice at its most romantic.
2. Savor the Flavors of Rome’s Trastevere
Explore the cobbled streets of Rome’s medieval district of Trastevere. There, you’ll discover cobbled trattorias and lively piazzas, offering famous culinary traditions to sample like supplì and wood-fired pizza. Taste and drink your way around and be sure to get some photos of your picturesque Aperol spritz.
3. Step Inside Florence’s Renaissance Treasures
Florence feels like an open-air museum, where Brunelleschi’s dome, the Uffizi gallery, and Michelangelo’s David remind you how this city reshaped the world. Walking tours in Florence connect you directly to the genius of the Renaissance and put into perspective how it changed the world.
4. Walk the Amalfi Coast’s Path of Lemons
This stunning seaside trail winds through fragrant lemon groves and terraced cliffs. With sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it offers both beauty and a glimpse into a way of life tied to the land. Meet lemon farmers and learn all the different uses for their harvest, from perfumes to limoncello.
5. Discover Gondola Craftsmanship in Venice
Behind Venice’s gondola rides lies a centuries-old craft. Visiting a remèr workshop reveals how artisans still carve oars and shape gondolas by hand, keeping a delicate tradition alive.
6. Explore the Valley of the Temples in Sicily
Among golden fields and almond trees, Sicily’s Valley of the Temples showcases some of the best-preserved Greek ruins outside Athens. It’s a place where ancient history still feels monumental and immediate.
7. Watch the Sunset Over the Bay of Naples from Sorrento
Perched on cliffs above the sea, Sorrento offers one of Italy’s most captivating sunsets. As the sky shifts from coral to violet behind Mount Vesuvius, you’ll understand why Italians call it la dolce vita. With a limoncello in hand, this is sure to be an unforgettable moment to share with your loved ones.
Ready to start dreaming about your Italian adventure? See Italy with Collette
8. Experience Vivaldi in Venice
Hearing The Four Seasons performed in Venice is more than a concert—it’s a homecoming. The music, written here centuries ago, seems to echo off the city’s stone and water.
9. Join a Hands-On Pasta Class in Romagna
Rolling tagliatelle and stretching piadina flatbread with local chefs turns a meal into a memory. Cooking classes here are as much about laughter and tradition as they are about recipes. Learning to cook a traditional meal is a souvenir you get to bring home and use to impress all your friends and family.
10. Sip Wine Beneath Mount Vesuvius
On the volcanic slopes outside Pompeii, vineyards flourish in rich soil. Tasting local vintages while gazing at the silhouette of Vesuvius is an experience steeped in both beauty and history.
Want to hear what it’s really like to travel here? Listen to our podcast episode featuring Sicily!
11. Ride an Ape Calessino Through Ostuni
In Puglia, hop into the backseat of a three-wheeled Ape Calessino to zip through whitewashed alleys. It’s playful, authentic, and a joyride through the “White City.”
12. Explore Naples’ Historic Heart
UNESCO-listed Naples pulses with energy, from bustling piazzas to eccentric monuments. It’s gritty, lively, and unapologetically itself—a window into the Italian South’s vibrancy.
13. Discover the Marble Quarries of Carrara
The dazzling white marble that built Michelangelo’s David and countless cathedrals still comes from Carrara. Going off-road through the quarries reveals both natural drama and artistic legacy.
14. Stroll Verona, City of Romeo and Juliet
Romance lingers in Verona’s piazzas, Roman arena, and Juliet’s famed balcony. Beyond Shakespearean lore, the city offers elegant streets lined with cafes and vibrant markets.
15. Visit a Winery in the Tuscan Countryside
Tuscany’s rolling hills, lined with cypress trees and vineyards, are a balm for the soul. A guided tasting at a family-run winery pairs the landscape with the flavors of its land. Sample different wines to get the full palette of Italy and learn what makes Italian wine the finest in the world.
16. Explore Cinque Terre’s Olive Groves
Beyond its candy-colored villages, Cinque Terre hides terraced olive groves clinging to cliffs. Walking these trails offers a deeper connection to the UNESCO heritage that sustains local life.
17. Step Into Taormina’s Greek Theater
With Mount Etna on the horizon and the sea at its feet, Taormina’s ancient theater offers one of Italy’s most stunning panoramas. Performances here have enchanted audiences for millennia. This is a great opportunity to learn about ancient theater and performance, and reflect on times past as you stand in the footsteps of history.
Planning tip: For fewer crowds at popular sites, visit in the shoulder seasons—spring (April–May) and fall (September–October).
18. Stay on Salina in the Aeolian Islands
This UNESCO-protected isle offers volcanic landscapes, vineyards, and relaxed island life. Once a Greek settlement dating back to the 4th century, there’s a unique mix of Greek and Roman culture to be experienced on the island. Sip Malvasia wine as the sun dips behind the sea to capture the slow rhythm of Sicily’s smaller isles.
FAQs About Traveling in Italy
When is the best time to visit Italy?
Spring and fall offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for sightseeing and food tours. Meanwhile, the summer months make for great island hopping and beach activities--and the chance to take part in some regional festivals. Read more to make the most out of your trip here.
What should I pack for Italy?
Comfortable walking shoes, a light scarf (handy for churches), and layers for variable weather. Essentials also include sunscreen, a camera for capturing the beautiful sights, and an adventurous spirit as you move from place to place. Don’t forget a reusable water bottle—Italy’s fountains are both historic and practical.
Is Italy good for first-time guided travel?
Italy is ideal for guided travel first timers. Italy has so much to offer, it can feel overwhelming to fit it all into one trip. Guided travel helps maximize your time while still allowing for discovery.
Planning Tools
Before you go, check out these free resources to make your trip easier:
Italy offers more than sights—it offers experiences that engage all the senses and connect you to centuries of history and tradition. When you’re ready to see it for yourself, explore Italy with Collette.
