Italy is one of the most interesting and dynamic destinations to visit in the entirety of Europe. From the peaks of the Dolomites to the beaches of Sicily, from the canals of Venice to the historic streets of Rome – Italy is a destination that has something to offer everyone.
With so many places to see and so many distinct regions, cities and towns, planning a trip to Italy can end up being a bit overwhelming. If you’re in the process of mapping out your perfect trip to this incredible country, the articles in this Italy travel guide are sure to point you in the right direction.
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Planning an Italy Route
Italy is a massive country full of distinct regions and areas to visit. This can make planning the perfect route through the country a bit difficult.
Though it’s simple to get from Venice to Florence to Rome on one of the most common routes, there is so much more to see and do in Italy that it’s necessary to plan properly to ensure you have the best time possible.
The articles below will help you map out your ideal itinerary, especially if you’re looking to dig deep into specific regions of Italy and get a great feel for the diversity of this incredible country.
Places to Visit in Italy
Italy is a massive country with countless different regions and corners to visit. One region to the next can feel as if you are in a completely different country and has something different to offer visitors.
Because Italy is certainly not a monolith, we have divided the following articles up by region in order for you to figure out exactly where you’d like to go. Whether you’re looking for sunshine-soaked coasts of the south or the fast-paced cities of the north, we have you covered.
Lombardy & South Tyrol
Home to the fashion-forward city of Milan, the Lombardy region has so much to offer visitors to Italy even beyond this incredible city.
From gorgeous Lake Como to cool Bergamo, Lombardy is a wonderful region to explore full of interesting places to visit. Browse the articles below to plan out your ideal time in the Lombardy region as well as the mountainous region of South Tyrol.
Emilia-Romagna & Veneto
The main draw of the Veneto region is undoubtedly the beautiful city of Venice, but don’t miss heading to Verona and other areas in the region, as well!
Nearby, the region of Emilia-Romagna is home to some of Italy’s most famous gastronomic exports – from Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, ragu bolognese and balsamic vinegar.
If you’re interested in traversing through these regions, make sure to browse the articles below.
Piemonte & Liguria
Lesser-visited than the above regions of northern Italy but no less worth travelling to, the regions of Piemonte and Liguria are home to the cities of Turin and Genoa respectively.
However, both of these areas have more than just these cities. From world-class wineries to the striking villages of Cinque Terre, head to this area if you want to venture a bit from the beaten tourist path in Italy.
Browse the articles and guides below if you’re interested in visiting Piemonte and Liguria!
Central Italy
Encompassing a number of regions from Tuscany to Lazio to Umbria, central Italy is defined by hill towns and wine regions, coasts and historic cities.
Whether you want to learn about the Renaissance in Florence, explore the Colosseum of Rome, sip wines in a Tuscan hill town or venture a bit off the beaten path in Umbria, Central Italy is a joy to visit.
The articles below encompass a number of different areas of Central Italy in order to try to plan out your perfect trip to this region.
Southern Italy
Whether you want to soak up the sun on the Amalfi Coast, dine on pizza in Naples or enjoy the historic towns of the Puglia region, Southern Italy is the region for you.
There is so much to explore here and if you want to plan your trip to the south of this amazing country, make sure to browse through the articles below.
Sicily
A destination all to itself, planning a trip to Sicily can seem distinct from visiting the rest of mainland Italy.
From the chaos and energetic streets of cities like Palermo and Catania to the temples of Agrigento to the beautiful coastline throughout, Sicily is one of the most dynamic areas to visit in the entirety of the country.
If you’re interested in heading to Sicily, then make sure to have a look through the articles below in order to plan out the ideal trip to the Mediterranean’s largest island.
Accommodation in Italy
When planning out your trip to Italy, it can feel overwhelming to understand exactly where to stay and what kind of accommodation to choose. Depending on your budget and travel style, the sky is really the limit when it comes to options in Italy.
Want to stay in a cosy bed and breakfast in a sleepy Tuscan village? You’ll be spoilt for choice. Looking to lounge in the lap of luxury on the Amalfi coast? There are countless options for this, as well.
Whether you don’t know which neighbourhood or village to base yourself in or you simply want some recommendations, the guides below are sure to help you find your ideal accommodation while travelling in Italy.
Best Time to Visit Italy
Because of its size, there are countless different climates in Italy and the weather can vary drastically depending on the time of year and the region you happen to be in.
For example, if you happen to be travelling in Italy during the month of January, you could experience everything from snowfall and skiing in the Dolomites to mild temperatures and sunshine in Sicily.
And while summers can be warm and pleasant throughout the north and centre of the country, they can be blisteringly hot in the south and in Sicily. Before travelling, make sure to check the weather and precipitation averages for the cities and regions you are visiting in order to be prepared for your trip.
If you want to know more about visiting a few different cities in Italy during the winter months specifically, then make sure to check out the articles below!
Cost of Travelling to Italy
A major factor when planning a trip to Italy is the cost of travelling in the country. And while, in general, Italy is an affordable destination, the prices can vary widely from region to region and city to city.
It’s worth knowing that a trip to Rome may be a bit more expensive than an itinerary through Sicily and knowing what kind of prices to expect in advance can allow you to budget more effectively.
So if you’re wondering about the cost of a trip to Italy, have a browse through the guides below!
Packing for Italy
With so many different climates to contend with and such a diversity of destinations to visit in one single country, it can be hard to know what exactly to pack when travelling to Italy.
Known to be exceptionally fashion-forward, you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb and it’s a good idea to pack in a way that blends in with the locals.
When planning what to pack for your trip, make sure to keep an eye on the weather averages of your intended destinations to ensure you have the proper clothing.
And because it’s likely that you’re going to be doing quite a bit of walking, it’s essential that you have some comfortable (yet stylish!) shoes to traipse around in, as well.
If you’re wondering what to pack for Italy, browse through the articles below for some inspiration.
Travelling in Italy is truly one of the joys of a trip to the European continent. So so much history, amazing food and great vibes to offer, this is a country in which one can never get bored. Incredibly diverse and dynamic, Italy is a destination that just keeps on giving.