Travelling in Italy
Travelling in Italy means art and history in almost every town, a cuisine that changes from region to region, and landscapes ranging from the Dolomites and the northern lakes to the coasts of Campania, Sicily and Sardinia. Rome, Florence and Venice are easy to link by fast train, and the countryside rewards slower travel.
When to go
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) are the most pleasant seasons for cities and countryside alike. Summer is hot in Rome, Florence and the south, but ideal for the coast, the lakes and hiking in the Dolomites; August is when Italians themselves go on holiday, so beaches fill up. Autumn brings the grape harvest and truffle season in Piedmont. Winter means skiing in the Alps and quieter cities.
Where to go
Rome
Rome layers every era of its history: the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Baroque squares like Piazza Navona, and the Vatican with St Peter's and the Sistine Chapel. In the evening, Trastevere and Monti are the neighbourhoods for a long dinner.
Florence and Tuscany
Florence holds the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David and Brunelleschi's dome above the cathedral. Beyond it lie the Chianti hills, Siena and its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the towers of San Gimignano and the cypress-lined roads of the Val d'Orcia.
Venice
A city built on water, explored on foot and by vaporetto: St Mark's Square and Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, the quieter canals of Cannaregio and Dorsoduro, and the islands of Murano and Burano. Staying overnight lets you see it after the day visitors leave.
Naples and the Amalfi Coast
Naples is chaotic, generous and full of history, with its historic centre, its pizza and Vesuvius on the skyline. To the south, the Amalfi Coast strings together Positano, Amalfi and Ravello above the sea, with Capri and Sorrento a short boat ride away.
Sicily
An island at the crossroads of the Mediterranean: Greek temples at Agrigento and Segesta, Baroque towns such as Noto and Ragusa, Palermo's markets and Arab-Norman churches, Taormina above the sea and the volcanic slopes of Etna. Sicilian cooking is a reason to go on its own.
The northern lakes
Lake Como has villas and gardens around Bellagio and Varenna, Lake Garda mixes Sirmione's castle, the lemon houses of Limone and windsurfing in the north, and Lake Maggiore has the Borromean Islands. All three combine well with a stay in Milan.
What to do
Regional cooking
Every region eats differently: carbonara and cacio e pepe in Rome, pizza in Naples, tortellini, ragù and Parmigiano in Emilia-Romagna, pesto in Liguria, arancine and cannoli in Sicily. Eat where locals do, in trattorias and osterias, and follow the season.
Pompeii and Herculaneum
Buried by Vesuvius in the year 79, Pompeii preserves the streets, houses, frescoes and forum of a whole Roman town. Herculaneum is smaller but better preserved, with wooden structures and upper floors. Both are easy day trips from Naples or Sorrento.
Walk the Cinque Terre
Five colourful villages cling to the Ligurian cliffs between vineyards and the sea. Footpaths link Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, while the train and boats connect them when legs get tired. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for walking.
Hiking in the Dolomites
The pale, jagged peaks of the Dolomites offer spectacular trails, from the loop around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo to the Alpe di Siusi meadows and the via ferrata routes of Alta Badia. Mountain huts serve hearty food along the way.
Sardinia's coast
Sardinia has clear water and very varied beaches: the granite coves of the Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena archipelago, the white sand of La Pelosa near Stintino, and the cliffs and coves of the Gulf of Orosei, reached by boat or on foot.
Hot springs in Tuscany
Southern Tuscany is dotted with natural thermal waters: the cascading pools of Saturnia, the medieval square of Bagno Vignoni with its steaming basin, and the white travertine terraces of Bagni San Filippo. They pair well with a trip through the Val d'Orcia.
Practical tips
- Frecciarossa and Italo high-speed trains link Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples in a few hours; regional trains reach smaller towns more slowly.
- Many historic centres are ZTL, limited traffic zones monitored by cameras; driving in without authorisation means a fine, so park outside and walk.
- To enter churches, including St Peter's, shoulders and knees must be covered; a light scarf in your bag solves it in summer.
- Book the Vatican Museums, the Uffizi, the Borghese Gallery and Leonardo's Last Supper in Milan well ahead, as entry is by timed slot.
- In August, especially around Ferragosto in the middle of the month, Italians head to the coast: beaches fill up while some city shops and restaurants close.
As a couple, family or with friends
Italy works for every group: Venice or the Amalfi Coast for couples, the lakes, Rome or a Tuscan agriturismo with a pool for families, Sicily or Puglia for friends. Renting a farmhouse in Tuscany or Umbria is a classic for larger groups. In Gata you can save ideas and choose the stay and the route together.
Save ideas and stays and decide as a group with the Gata app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Italy?
A week lets you see Rome, Florence and Venice by train, at a fairly fast pace. With ten days to two weeks you can add Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast or the lakes. Sicily, Sardinia and the Dolomites each deserve a trip of their own.
When is the best time to visit Italy?
Spring and autumn offer mild weather and fewer crowds in the art cities. Summer is the season for the sea and the mountains, though Rome and Florence are very hot. Winter is quiet and good for museums, skiing in the Alps and mild days in Sicily.
Train or car: what is the best way to get around Italy?
Between big cities the train is fast and drops you in the centre, avoiding traffic and limited traffic zones. A car makes sense for Tuscany, Umbria, Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia and the Dolomites, where villages and viewpoints are spread out.
What food should you try in Italy?
Try each region's own dishes: carbonara in Rome, Neapolitan pizza, tortellini and ragù in Bologna, bistecca alla fiorentina in Florence, risotto in Milan, pesto in Genoa and cannoli in Sicily. Gelato, espresso at the bar and local wine are found everywhere.
