How many days do you need to see the main things to do in Italy?

If it’s your first time, plan to spend seven to ten days. That’s enough for a classic route like Rome, Florence, and Venice, with time to relax. With two weeks, you can add the south, the coast, or the lakes and still take it easy.

What is the best time of year to visit Italy?

Late April to June and September to October offer warm weather, fewer crowds, and open coastal towns. July and August are hot and crowded, especially in cities and along the coast. Winter is good for city trips and lower prices, but some coastal places slow down.

Is Italy expensive for a holiday?

Costs vary a lot. Big attractions have fixed entry fees (the Colosseum from €18, the Last Supper about €15), but walking around, visiting free churches, and having a quick coffee are cheap. Where you stay and when you visit matter more than the sights themselves.

What are some free things to see and do in Italy?

There’s a lot you can do for free. St Peter's Basilica, the Pantheon in Rome, most churches, the Trevi Fountain from the square, coastal viewpoints, and just wandering Venice or Florence all cost nothing. Often, the best parts of**** Italy are the walks between the paid sights.

What are the best things to do in Italy for families with children?

Pompeii and the Colosseum make history exciting, gelato stops keep everyone smiling, and boat rides on Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast are more fun than long museum visits. For families, the best things**** to do in Italy mix short sightseeing with lots of food and outdoor time.

Top 10 Things to Do in Italy in 2026: A Local-Style Guide

Italy is the kind of place that spoils you for anywhere else. One moment you’re standing where gladiators once fought, and the next you’re enjoying gelato on a cliff above the bright blue sea. The challenge isn’t finding things to do in Italy; it’s narrowing them down, because there’s just so much. This guide makes it easier. Here are ten of the best things to do in Italy in 2026, from Rome to the Amalfi Coast and up to the northern lakes. You’ll find tips on what to book in advance, who will enjoy each spot, and the local details most guides miss. Think of this as a shortlist of experiences in Italy that truly deserve a spot on your itinerary.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Italy in 2026?

1. Stand Inside the Colosseum and Toss a Coin at the Trevi Fountain

The Colosseum is Italy’s most popular attraction, and it’s easy to see why. In 2024, nearly 15 million people visited. Standing on the arena floor where gladiators once fought, surrounded by the rising stands, makes the effort to get tickets worthwhile. After your visit, head to the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand; legend says it will bring you back to Rome. The coins aren’t wasted; about €1.5 million is collected each year and donated to a charity that supports Rome’s poor.

Location: Rome, Lazio
Ideal for: First-time visitors and anyone who loves history
Plan ahead: Book your Colosseum tickets online as early as possible (standard entry starts at €18). Access to the arena floor and underground areas requires a guided tour, and these spots fill up quickly. Starting February 2026, there will be a small €2 fee to get close to the edge of the Trevi Fountain.

2. See the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel

Vatican City may be its own country, but you can explore its incredible art collection in just a morning on foot. The museums lead you to the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo painted the famous ceiling between 1508 and 1512. He actually stood on scaffolding to do this, not lying on his back as many believe. Look for the almost-touching hands of God and Adam, then take a moment to stand quietly. Guards will ask for silence, since the chapel is still in use. Right next door, St Peter's Basilica is free to visit, and if you climb to the top of its dome, you'll get the best rooftop view in Rome. For art lovers, this is one of the must-do things in Italy.

Location: Vatican City, inside Rome
Ideal for: Art lovers, couples, and first-time visitors
Plan ahead: Reserve a timed ticket to avoid long lines, visit early or late in the day, and make sure to cover your knees and shoulders or you won't be allowed inside.

3. The Last Supper and Other Things to Do in Milan

Of all the things to do in Milan, seeing Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is a must and often shapes entire travel plans. Since it was painted on a dry wall between 1495 and 1498, it started to flake early on. Because of this, only 40 visitors are allowed in for 15 minutes at a time. But Milan has much more to offer, like the impressive Duomo, the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and a rooftop aperitivo at sunset. In short, the best experiences in Milan go to those who plan ahead.

Location: Milan, Lombardy
Ideal for: Art lovers and couples looking for a city getaway
Plan ahead: Tickets for the Last Supper (about €15) are released in three-month periods and usually sell out within hours. Be sure to book as soon as your preferred dates become available.

4. Ride the Canals of Venice

Venice doesn’t have real roads, which always feels a bit magical. Wandering through the canals, taking a vaporetto along the Grand Canal at sunset, and spending time in St Mark’s Square are some of the most romantic things to do in Italy. If you want to save money, skip the expensive gondola ride and try a traghetto, the standing ferry locals use to cross the Grand Canal for just a few euros.

Location: Venice, Veneto
Ideal for: Couples and honeymooners
Plan ahead: On 60 busy days between April and July 2026, day visitors will need to pay a €5 access fee, or €10 if you book last minute. Overnight guests don’t have to pay. Be sure to register on the official city website to get your QR code.

5. Walk the Frozen Streets of Pompeii

Visiting Pompeii is one of the most powerful things to do in Italy. In 79 AD, Vesuvius covered the Roman town in metres of ash, preserving its streets, shops, and even the remains of its people. You can walk along the original stone roads, explore old bakeries and bath houses, and see the plaster casts of those who could not escape. Most historians now believe the eruption happened in October, not August, after a charcoal inscription was found in 2018. After exploring, you can climb Vesuvius for a stunning view over the Bay of Naples.

Location: Near Naples, in the Campania region
Ideal for: History enthusiasts and families with older kids
Plan ahead: Only 20,000 visitors are allowed each day, and tickets are issued in your name, so be sure to book early and bring your ID. Tickets for Vesuvius cost €10 and need to be booked online. Wear sturdy shoes, as the stone paving can be uneven.

6. Meet Michelangelo's David in Florence

Florence brings the Renaissance to life in one easily explored city. The main attraction is Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia, a five-metre marble statue carved from a block that other artists had given up on. You can see a replica for free in Piazza della Signoria, but the real statue is a different experience. With the Uffizi’s Botticelli paintings and Brunelleschi’s red-tiled Duomo dome, Florence offers two days packed with top things to see and do in Italy.

Location: Florence, Tuscany
Ideal for: Art lovers and couples
Plan ahead: Book tickets for the Accademia (to see David) and the Uffizi in advance, as both often sell out during busy months. If you want to climb the Duomo dome, you’ll need a separate timed reservation.

7. Hike the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is made up of five colourful fishing villages set along the Ligurian cliffs, all connected by trains, boats, and a scenic coastal path. The most popular walk is the Sentiero Azzurro, or Blue Trail, and the romantic Via dell'Amore between Riomaggiore and Manarola reopened in 2024 after being closed for twelve years. As you travel between villages, take time to enjoy focaccia, try pesto (which originated here), and go for a swim near Monterosso.

Location: Ligurian coast
Ideal for: Active couples and people who enjoy walking
Plan ahead: From 14 March to 2 November 2026, you’ll need a Cinque Terre Card (Trekking Card from €7.50) to access the paid trails. The Via dell'Amore is open only one way, with timed entry and a limit of 200 people every 30 minutes.

8. Drive the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast runs along the southern coast of Italy, where colourful towns perch on steep cliffs above the sea. Positano slopes down to the water, while Ravello sits high with its garden terraces. The road connecting them is one of Europe’s best coastal drives. It’s a favourite for romantic things to do in Italy, so try to visit during the shoulder season when the roads are quieter and the light is gentle.

Location: South of Naples, in Campania
Ideal for: Couples, honeymooners, and those who like to travel at a relaxed pace
Plan ahead: Roads are narrow, and buses can get crowded. It’s best to stay in one town and take ferries to visit Positano, Amalfi, and Sorrento. The best times to go are May, June, and September.

9. Eat Your Way From Naples Northwards

In Italy, eating is not just something you do on the side; it is one of the main things to do in Italy. Pizza comes from Naples, and trying a real Neapolitan margherita with its soft, blistered crust is an experience you should not miss. Gelato is different from ice cream; the best shops make it fresh every day and store it in covered tubs instead of piling it up. Try fresh pasta in Bologna, sip an espresso while standing at the bar (it costs less than sitting down), and enjoy local wines. With all this, your getaway can feel like a food-focused holiday.

Location: All over Italy, with each region offering its own special dishes.
Ideal for: Anyone visiting Italy, but especially those coming for the first time.
Plan ahead: Choose restaurants with short, seasonal menus, reserve your dinner spot in big cities, and ask your travel advisor to include a food tour or cooking class in your plans.

10. Slow Down on Lake Como

When city life feels overwhelming, the northern lakes offer a refreshing escape. Lake Como stands out, surrounded by mountains and grand villas, and is best experienced from the water. Take ferries between Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, stroll through lakeside gardens, and enjoy lunch with a stunning view. It’s one of the peaceful and elegant things to do in Italy.

Location: Lombardy, in northern Italy
Ideal for: Couples, honeymooners, and anyone looking for a relaxing holiday
Plan ahead: Stay in Varenna or Bellagio and use the car ferries to get around. Visit in late spring or early autumn for warm weather and fewer crowds.

Tribe Travel Tip: Don’t try to see everything in one holiday. Italy is bigger than it seems, and travelling by train from Venice to the Amalfi Coast, for example, can take up a whole day. Choose two or three regions that match your travel style, enjoy them in greater depth, and save the rest for another visit. With ten days, you’ll have enough time for a classic route like Rome, Florence, and Venice, or Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii.

Make Your Italy Holiday Truly Yours

There is no one-size-fits-all way to experience Italy. The best things to do in Italy in 2026 really depend on what you love, whether that's knowing ancient history, relaxing by the coast, enjoying world-class art, or savouring great food at a leisurely pace. That’s where expert advice makes a difference. At Holiday Tribe, we’re holiday advisors, not just a booking site. We design land-only Italy holidays based on how you want to travel, whether you’re a couple, a family, honeymooners, or visiting for the first time. Just share your dates with us, and we’ll take care of everything else.