A vacation in Italy is always a good idea.
With its rich culture, enviable way of life, and world-changing history, the Bel Paese (Beautiful Country) has fascinated world travelers for millennia and will surely leave an impression on you.
13 Must-do Summer Activities when Traveling to Italy
With so many wonders to see and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to try, it might be hard to write your summer itinerary. But we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we are going to walk you through 13 tried-and-true ways to spend a summer in Italy.
13. Stroll in Amalfi Coast
This is one of the most beautiful places not just in Italy, but in all of Europe.
The Amalfi Coast is located in southern Italy, about a three-hour drive from Rome.
One of the most well-known towns on the Amalfi Coast is Positano, and when you see this place in real life, you will hardly believe it. With its mountainous backdrop filled and colorful villas against the Mediterranean Sea, Positano will steal your heart.
If you can handle the narrow roads, we recommend driving along the entire coastline to see every beautiful town.
One notable place on the coast is the city of Atrani. It's one of the best-preserved medieval towns on the Amalfi Coast.
For a more adventurous activity, you can take a hike on “The Path of the Gods,” a six kilometres (3.7 miles) trail that takes you above the cliffs of the coast and where you will enjoy some of the most jaw-dropping views.
12. Lake Como and Lake Maggiore
Lake Como is located at the base of the Alps and renowned for its beautiful scenery and luxury villas. It is known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
When visiting Lake Como, you can stop at the lovely town of Bellagio or take a ferry to the other lakeside villages.
Celebrities such as George Clooney have villas here, and it has quickly become a popular place among the jet setter.
After Lake Como, head to Lake Maggiore and take a ferry to Isola Bella – meaning “the beautiful island.”
This charming little haven is part of the Borromean Islands and is home to a stunning castle (Palazzo Borromeo) with its luxuriant park.
11. See the Valley of the Temples
Located in the town of Agrigento, Sicily – it’s one of the world’s most stunning examples of Greek architecture.
There once were seven temples built here by the Greeks in the 5th century B.C. but unfortunately, they were burnt down by the Carthaginians, and rebuilt by the Romans four centuries later.
One of the most well-preserved is the Temple of Concordia, which features the classic Greek pillars.
In the summertime, the Valley of the Temples dresses in its most spectacular evening gown, hosting haute couture shows, theater plays, and opera shows for spectators.
10. Zipline Between Villages
Who doesn't love a good thrill ride?
The Volo dell'Angelo, meaning "Flight of the Angel," is a daring adventure activity in the mountains of Basilicata, southern Italy.
The picturesque villages of Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano are perched on opposite sides of a steep valley, connected only by an arduous road route that zig-zags down and up again.
Here you have the highest zip-wire in the world, and one of the fastest and longest. When riders are “launched”, gravity sends them zooming down the wire, reaching a top speed of around 120km/h (70mph).
9. Hike the Dolomite Mountains
In Italy's spectacular Dolomite Mountains, there’s nothing better than spending the night under a blanket of stars.
Have a weekend in one of the many “rifugi,” high-altitude accommodations — some of them at 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) above sea level.
The region of Trentino has more than 140 rifugi, typically open from June through September. Some are reachable only by foot, while others are connected by roads or cable cars.
Accommodations range from cozy private rooms and family rooms to simple dorms.
Whether you’re traveling alone or with your tribe, nothing beats a good old campfire, a glass of wine, and the Milky Way above your head!
8. Explore Matera
Matera, in the southern region of Basilicata, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and very well-known for its “Sassi,” cave-homes carved into the limestone.
Indeed, the ancient people of this region used to carve their homes into its surface and live inside these caverns like almost neolithic cave-dwellers.
Lose yourself in Matera's honey-colored maze of houses and piazzas and enjoy the timeless beauty of the city, which was the cradle and set of many blockbuster movies like Wonder Woman, Ben Hur, The Passion, or the latest 007 featuring Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux.
7. Stroll in Cinque Terre
A few hours from Florence, the five seaside villages of Cinque Terre are a stunning section of the Italian Riviera with beautiful views and cultural treasures.
Each town has its own picturesque character, but all share the same stunning elements: colorful houses on steep terraces that hang on fishing harbors filled with boats and shops.
But the real treasure lays in porcelain plates: fresh seafood specialties, along with the Liguria region's world-famous pesto sauce and nonna's handmade pasta.
6. Learn how to make the perfect pizza
What’s more pleasurable than a delicious pizza after a day strolling around beautiful Italian villages?
Embrace your inner pizzaiolo and learn how to make the perfect pizza with a private cooking class in Naples, where the pizza was first created!
Followed by a real pizza baker, you will learn the tips and secrets that Italian people pass down through generations.
You will get to know the secret recipe, the art of mixing and kneading your own dough, and you will master the selection and pairing of fresh ingredients for your toppings.
5. Etna - Hike a Volcano
When it comes to Sicily, you can’t leave the island without trekking to the Etna summit.
On the east coast of Sicily, Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and it’s the most active volcano in Europe, but don’t be scared! Hiking is only permitted when no volcanic activity is registered.
When it's safe, hike from Torre Del Filosofo at 2,920 metres (1.8 miles) and climb your way up to the summit at 3,350 metres (2 miles).
You will experience the thrill of walking on a mystic lava field and have the impression that you've stepped into a movie.
4. Tuscany - Be Under the Tuscan Sun
Located in central Italy, Tuscany is famous for its landscapes, history, and artistic legacy.
It’s a land full of rolling golden hills dotted with countless little hilltop towns.
One of the most picturesque cities in Tuscany is San Gimignano, a stunning medieval city perched upon a hill and one of the most iconic features of the city is the medieval watchtowers – 14 in total.
The towers were built as a result of competing families who wanted to build the tallest and most grand tower – we can say that San Gimignano was the Manhattan of the Medieval age!
3. Visit Puglia
Located on the boot hill of Italy, Puglia is a region famous for its whitewashed towns and magnificent coastline.
Polignano a Mare is undoubtedly a must-see place. It's a stunning town right on the Adriatic coast and built right on the sea cliffs.
One of the most famous places in the city is Cala Porto, probably the most recognized place in Puglia with a stunning beach surrounded by cliffs, coupled with crystal clear Mediterranean water.
If you visit Polignano a Mare in July, be sure to watch the Red Bull Cliff Diving. The best cliff divers from around the world gather here every year to dive and crown the best diver in the world.
2. Eat in a Sea Cave - Grotta Palazzese
If you are looking for an intriguing (and romantic!) experience, look no further!
Carved from the cliff face's limestone, Grotta Palazzese hangs out 74 feet above sea level, allowing diners to watch and hear the waves lap the shores just beneath them.
The restaurant attracts thousands of visitors each year, including the jet set.
There's no debating that this location will take your breath away!
1. Visit Sardinia's secluded beaches
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and has some of Europe's best coastlines, pristine beaches, and the bluest water you will ever see.
Sardinia is definitely the place you need to go during the summer.
One of the most impressive spots in Sardinia is the Baunei coast with its 40 kilometres of coastline that's made up of massive limestone cliffs and secluded beaches.
The Baunei coast isn't the easiest place to reach and most places require a hike or a boat ride, like Cala Goloritzé, a paradise of insane rock formation coupled with crystal clear water.
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