First timer or foodie? Solo traveller or seasoned pro? Pick your travel style to discover the Italian adventure for you.
Everyone travels differently and luckily, Italy has a destination for every kind of explorer. Maybe you want sun on your face along the Amalfi Coast, mountains under your boots in the Dolomites or seafood in your belly in Sicily. This guide is your go-to for the best places to go in Italy based on how you like to travel – chasing culture, coastlines, food, family fun or solo adventures. Pick your vibe, pack your bag and let Italy do the rest.
For first timers
Italy’s on your radar but you’ve never been, so where do you start? For a first trip, you’ll want to see the big hitters, the spots that offer the clearest and richest ‘taste of Italy’ without being overwhelming. Sure, you need a little hand-holding and you might not yet be able to say a full sentence in Italian. But it doesn’t matter: Italians just so happen to be the friendliest, most gregarious people around so relax and lean into their hospitality.
Rome
If you’re looking for one big only-in-Italy style hit of history, culture and local energy, the capital combines major icons like the Colosseum and Vatican with intimate moments you can easily romanticise, like sipping an espresso at a tiny streetside cafe. They say if you toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, it ensures you’ll come back. So, start in Rome, toss your coin, then return for more.
Florence
You can’t go wrong starting off in the heart of Tuscany – home to Renaissance masterpieces. Da Vinci, Donatello and Michelangelo flourished here and you will, too. All the main sites can be discovered on foot and this is the easiest place to fall in love with Italian art and beauty. It’s walkable, compact and filled with beautiful markets, viewpoints, wine bars and a gentle Tuscan atmosphere. Its slower pace makes it a city with a small-town feel.
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For seasoned pros
You’ve already taken on Italy, seen the main sights and now you’re craving something a little more off grid. Travelling with a local leader could really enhance your experience, given they’ll take you to their favourite secret spots and show you what authentic Italian life actually looks like. There are so many quiet corners to discover in Italy, but here are two that belong at the top of your list.
Lucca
You loved Florence on your first trip to Tuscany, but now you want to dig deeper. Allow us to introduce you to Lucca. This underrated city has beautifully preserved Renaissance walls you can stroll along the top of – or even bike. It’s the kind of place where every corner is beautiful, but without the frantic must-see lists – just locals living their everyday lives. Think little markets, old men playing cards outside cafes and an easy, intimate culture that feels crafted for the people who live there – plus the occasional in-the-know traveller passing through.
Puglia
When people picture Italy, they rarely think of the heel of the boot – and that’s why Puglia feels so special. It offers a quieter Italy with empty country roads, whitewashed towns, ancient olive groves, limestone cliffs, hidden coves and fishing villages where time moves slowly. Here you’ve got Lecce – the Florence of the south – and Bari, the coastal capital that captures Puglia’s unpolished charm. See also the White City of Ostuni, with its dramatic sugar-cube-style old town, rising high above the Puglian plains.
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For solo travellers
Friendly, arm-around-your-shoulder Italy is one of the best countries for solo travel. A lot of people speak English, the public transport is a breeze, you can get around on foot and the slow pace of life makes things feel simple. Nobody wants to feel overwhelmed on their holiday.
Venice
No cars, no stress – just you wandering (and occasionally boating) through a floating city that holds hundreds of years of history. One minute you’re crossing a tiny bridge, the next you’re staring at a canal thinking, ‘is this real life?’. And then of course there’s all the backstreet bacari wine bars you’ll be forced to sample. Pop over to the Rialto, browse shops stuffed with masks and Murano glass, or snack your way through a cicchetti (small bites) crawl. Take a gondola ride, people-watch in quiet squares and get delightfully lost discovering hidden bookshops and gelato spots. Venice was made for solo travellers.
Florence
If Florence were a person, she’d be the charming friend who drags you to the best cafes, sneaks you into secret art shows and makes you fall in love with every street you wander down. The city is compact and totally walkable, with museums perfect for solo days filled with Renaissance brilliance and places to stay that make meeting people easy. Sip espresso, pop into wine bars or just get happily lost wandering its narrow streets. It’s safe, welcoming and endlessly inspiring.
For outdoor enthusiasts
Italy is way more than its Renaissance paintings, ancient ruins and narrow street cities. It’s also a great destination for those who love the outdoors and want to get out into the wild. Explore on two feet, two wheels or paddle through its waters – adventure awaits in Italy.
Dolomites
Nature lovers, welcome to the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage playground where dramatic peaks, lush meadows and Alpine lakes set the stage for adventure. Base yourself in Cortina d’Ampezzo or charming Dobbiaco, refuel with apple strudel and hike trails past rocky peaks such as Tre Cime di Lavredo, Cinque Torri and the Tofane. Cycle iconic passes, wander rolling meadows or be awed by the Earth Pyramids of Platten. With waterfalls, wildlife and epic scenery at every turn, the Dolomites are basically heaven for anyone who loves Mother Nature.
Lake Garda
Hiking, kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, biking – it’s all here in Lake Garda. If you’re looking for an active holiday in Italy, this is your spot – an idyllic lake surrounded by mountains in northern Italy. You can stroll through botanical gardens, relax in thermal spas, bike through cliffside tunnels, take a dip in the lake, hop in a kayak, take a cable car up Monte Baldo, scale a 2000 m mountain summit – all in one place. You could also head into the Dolomites from here, so it’s a great base for your active Italian adventure.
For coastal explorers
Coastlines have a way of pulling travellers in like the tide, especially when you’re looking for a relaxing holiday. Sometimes you just want to kick back and soak up the sun – and there are plenty of spots in Italy to do just that. Sail the sea, sip on limoncello and unwind in these Italian coastal favourites.
Amalfi Coast
Its Mediterranean weather, clifftop views and light-bathed waters make Amalfi feel like a fantasy. Sailing the Amalfi Coast solves its biggest problem – crowds. There’s a reason everyone wants to come here and you can escape the other visitors by experiencing the awe from the water. So, sit back, relax and let your skipper steer the way.
Cinque Terre
Another slice of coastal paradise, Cinque Terre is famous for its five colourful villages clinging to cliffs and dramatic rock formations plunging into the sea. To truly appreciate its scale and wild beauty, hop on a boat – you’ll reach hidden coves and swimming spots that land-based trails miss. Swim in a quiet cove, wander through a village, cruise to another for lunch, drift under towering cliffs for an afternoon nap at sea and finish the day watching the sunset from the water – with your phone firmly on ‘do not disturb’.
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For foodies
When people think about Italy, they think about food – savoury pastas, thin-crust pizzas, sweet tiramisu. Sure, you could go anywhere in the country and find a bite worth remembering, but each region has its own specialties – you just need to know where to go and what to order.
Sicily
Sicily deserves a shoutout for its food – specifically, its seafood. Even if you’re not quick to order fish, you have to try the fresh variety of seafood in Sicily – tuna, swordfish, shrimp and octopus. With its deep-rooted fishing culture and ancient techniques, these simple dishes and natural flavours are noteworthy.
Bologna
Sound familiar? That’s right, the home of bolognese. The city’s culinary claim to fame is obviously its ragu alla bolognese, but it’s also known for tagliatelle, mortadella and a range of cured meats. The Emilia-Romagna region has a lot to offer foodies, from Parmigiano reggiano to balsamic vinegar in Modena and the sparkling red delicacy of Lambrusco. Here, you’ve got world-class gastronomy, affordability and authenticity.
For the famiglia
Travelling with the whole family can be an adventure for everyone, from little explorers to the adults who still want to play (and relax). Even in those moments where you feel you can’t agree on anything, there’s one thing I’m sure you’ll all want to do – go to Italy.
Sorrento
This coastal city is a great launchpad for exploring the Amalfi Coast and Capri – especially if the kids have some energy to release and are up for a hike, sail or kayak. But you don’t even have to leave town to have a blast. In Sorrento, the whole family can dive into gelato-making, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on pizza class, then eat, laugh and sip while the kids run around. Adventure, treats, a little chaos – that’s a family holiday.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is basically one big playground for all ages, easy to get around and packed with kid-friendly activities such as bike paths, gentle hikes, swimming lidos, cable cars, boat rides, nearby theme parks and a passeggiata-friendly lakeside promenade. It’s the perfect base for a family holiday that balances fun and relaxation, letting parents sneak in a quiet Aperol spritz or espresso while the kids play and explore.
For the culturally curious
Italy doesn’t just feed your stomach – it feeds your curiosity. With centuries-old piazzas and museums, there’s a story around every corner. For those who want to dive into history, art and local life, Italy offers experiences that go beyond sightseeing. Wander, listen, watch and learn for the parts of Italy that stay with you long after you leave.
Naples
Looking for the real, beating-heart culture of Italy? Naples is raw, authentic and gloriously alive – older than Rome, with Pompeii and Herculaneum nearby. Street life, theatre, music and centuries-old traditions spill into every piazza and the city doesn’t perform for tourists – you get daily life, unfiltered. It’s full of energy, the birthplace of pizza and is the place to go if you want to experience Italy beyond the postcards and step into a city that lives its culture out loud.
Rome
Italy’s capital kicked off this list and it’s only fitting that it ends here, too. Like they say, all roads lead to Rome. This metropolis offers a 3000-year timeline in one walk – you can stroll from ancient temples to Renaissance palaces and Baroque fountains in a single morning. It’s a layered palimpsest-like city with art and culture woven into every corner, a place where Romans sip coffee beside 2000-year-old columns and locals hold concerts in Renaissance courtyards. It’s cultural immersion without having to look for it. In Rome, you don’t find culture, it finds you.
Embark on your next adventure by booking a small-group trip to Italy with Intrepid.
