Top Things You Have To Do In Italy

Italy is made up of sun-bleached beaches, spectacular countryside, rustic villages, and bustling cities. In addition to its romantic reputation, Italy is also famous for its Roman ruins, exceptional food and outstanding wines. With such a varied backdrop, rich history and vibrant culture, you'll find plenty of things to do in Italy, so you can have the holiday of your dreams, an All Inclusive break, or a budget getaway.

Whether you're a foodie, a sun-seeker, a thrill-seeker, a history buff, or a dedicated shopper, we've got a list of all the best places to visit in Italy, and those top attractions to keep everyone happy.

Places to go

You could spend the rest of your life exploring Italy, from the Renaissance splendour of Florence to the romance of Venice, Rome's incredible ruins, or the eerie streets of Pompeii. Rome is an obvious choice if you want to package up a fabulous city break that's full of culture, history, and amazing food, but beyond the capital there are so many more places to go in Italy.

Why not visit Herculaneum, and its better-known neighbour, Pompeii? Or a visit to the Santuario di San Giuseppe church, in Sant' Agnello? If you're in the north of the country, Lake Garda is one of the most popular destinations for the rich and famous, and is also home to one of Italy's best castles, the Castello Scaligero.

If you love the outdoors, then there are mountains to climb, such as Monte Baldo and Monte Epomeo. If you've got the kids with you then Italy's beaches such as the sandy Maronti Beach offer soft sand, warm waters, and plenty of things to do. In Italy, you'll always have something new and exciting to discover.

Attractions

Italy attractions range from the naturally beautiful, such as the Emerald Grotto, to the family-friendly like the wonderful Aqualandia Jesolo water park and Gardaland Resort, where you'll find rides, roller coasters, and a host of entertainment for the kids.

If your holiday to Italy is all about relaxing in the sun then you have hundreds of beaches to choose from. Our favourites are Lido Di Jesolo Beach, a Blue Flag beach with 17km of golden, powder-soft sands that stretches along the Venetian Riviera, and the charming Maronti Beach in Ischia Porto. Our top tip: hire a car and seek out your own little slice of paradise, as there's plenty of secret coves and beaches to discover all along the coast.

Places to visit

There are so many places to visit in Italy that you'll want to come back again and again. Hop over to Sicily and visit the Valley of the Temples and the brooding Mount Etna volcano, or spend two weeks exploring the beautiful Amalfi coast. Mix with the celebs on Capri Island, or spend some quality time with your other half on a wine tasting tour in Sardinia.

There are so many attractions in Italy that it's difficult to narrow it down to just a few. From Sorrento's gorgeous central Piazza to the Emerald and Blue Grottos of Amalfi, you are bound to find something in Italy that makes your holiday special. Ready to go exploring? Book your holiday today and take a browse of our top pick of things to do in Italy below.

Things to do

Amalfi Walks and Tours

The Amalfi coast is one of Italy's jewels, and Amalfi itself is a real highlight you won't want to miss. Amalfi walks and tours are a wonderful way to delve into the heart of this beautiful town.

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Hruska Botanical Gardens in Lake Garda

Discover the magic of the beautiful Hruska Botanical Gardens created by the influential multimedia artist, Andre Heller, who aimed to combine the world's regions. Visit the 10,000 square meters of wild nature in the gardens

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Chiesa San Rocco

Prepare to be charmed by this elegant little church when you visit the Chiesa San Rocco. Quaint, traditional and surrounded by stunning scenery

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Il Chiosco

To enjoy a few drinks with spectacular views of Lake Garda, pull up a chair at Limone's Il Chiosco. Found on Via Campaldo in the upper part of town

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Wind Riders

Whether you're a complete novice or a seasoned pro, get involved with some kitesurfing on your holiday to Limone courtesy of Wind Riders.

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Explore Cassone

Cassone is just over two miles from Malcesine but it makes for a peaceful walk or bike ride, as the views of the lake are beautiful. The town itself is really picturesque with a small harbour, stone tower, fishing boats, colourfully painted ...

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Swim in the bay of Val di Sogno

Visitors are attracted to this pretty cove to gaze at the lake views and encounter nature. It's located a little way away from the roads so if you want peace and quiet you'll definitely find it here.

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Elalpaca Trekking at Monte Baldo

For those who love animals and doing something fun that is slightly out of the ordinary, Elalpaca trekking is perfect. How do you like the sound of taking an alpaca for a walk on the top of a mountain?

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Chiesa di San Prisco e Agnello in Sant'Agnello

A historic church with a peaceful atmosphere, make sure you visit the Chiesa di San Prisco e Agnello on your holiday to Sant'Agnello.

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Golfo del Pecoriello in Sant'Agnello

Don't miss the stunning little cove of Golfo del Pecoriello on your holiday to Sant'Agnello. A picturesque natural sight, it's just a few minutes walk from Stabilimento Balneare La Marinella.

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Stabilimento Balneare La Marinella

When you're ready for a relaxing day in the warm Mediterranean sunshine, head to Stabilimento Balneare La Marinella.

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Nuraghi Towers in Sardinia

You won't be able to miss the Nuraghi of Sardinia, as you'll find that over 7,000 circle shape structures located around the island. The stone tower structures were originally built using dry stone techniques

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Sorrento Best Water Parks

Escaping the summer heat in Sorrento doesn't have to be a challenge. There are plenty of Sorrento waterparks around where you can dive in, splash about and cool off.

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Italy nightlife

From lively clubs to cool bars and pubs, nightlife in Italy caters for all tastes and wants. Many of Italy's main cities have their own “It” place to go to where you can expect fantastic food, cocktails, wine and parties into ...

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Shopping on the Venetian Riviera

Shopping on the Venetian Riviera ranges from high-end luxury boutiques to bustling weekly markets. You'll find a good mix of designer brands and hand-made crafts in Venice but if you head for some of the islands in the Venice Lagoon

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Amalfi Coast Road Tips

Built into dramatic cliffs, the Amalfi Coast Road (or Amalfi Drive) is well known for its twists, turns and incredible views. This is one of those places where the journey is as much a part of the experience as your destination,

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Amalfi historical sites

Amalfi's a great place for history buffs. If you're also into hiking, you'll love the Torre dello Ziro. The ruins of this medieval tower are perched high up above Amalfi so you'll get an unbelievable view of the bay from ...

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Blue Grotto and Emerald Grotto

The Amalfi Coast could have been made for boat trips. Everywhere you look is stunningly beautiful but the Emerald and Blue grottos are something else. A trip into these sea caves is like visiting another world,

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Amalfi Town Italy

When you go somewhere as beautiful as the Amalfi Coast, it's tempting to spend more time sightseeing than relaxing. To make sure you take it easy and savour the view for at least part of your holiday,

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Capri Island Tips

Whatever you think you know about Capri, you're probably right, but there's a whole lot more to this idyllic little island than high-end designer shopping and celebrity boltholes.

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Baia Di Sorgeto

Get ready to bathe in the bath-like waters of incredible rock pool and soak up some warm Mediterranean sunshine with a visit to the Baia di Sorgeto.

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Castello Aragonese

Pay a visit to Ischia's most iconic landmark with a trip to Castello Aragonese. Perched atop a rocky islet overlooking the Gulf of Naples

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Maronti Beach

Spend a day at Maronti Beach and look forward to relaxing in the warm Mediterranean sunshine and splashing around in the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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Monte Epomeo

If you love a bit of adventure on your holidays, then lace up your hiking boots and climb Monte Epomeo. Lying in the heart of Ischia, you're in for a memorable experience with this exciting activity.

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Museo Del Mare

Pay a visit to the Museo del Mare and spend some time exploring Ischia's tribute to its maritime past. The museum's close to Ischia Porto's centre, and just steps from the Ponte Aragonese which takes you to the Castello Aragonese.

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Scaligero Castle in Lake Garda

Lake Garda is home to a large amount of medieval castles, visit the 13th century moated Scaligero Castle, which is said to be one of the most important in the whole of Europe. It was built for defence purposes and its huge 31 metre high ...

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Gardaland Resort

For a family adventure away from the glistening lakes, take a trip to Gardaland Park for rollercoasters and amusements. There's a great variety of restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops throughout the park.

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Chiesa Di San Benedetto Italy

Explore Limone's historic church when you visit the Chiesa di San Benedetto. Found in the northern part of town off the Via Monsignor Daniele Comboni

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La Limonaia Del Castel Italy

Pay a visit to La Limonaia del Castel, and explore one of Limone's most interesting attractions. Although wandering around a lemon museum might not sound all that appealing on the face of it

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Monte Baldo

Towering above Malcesine is the mighty Monte Baldo mountain, standing at 1,760 metres between the River Adige and Lake Garda. With a variety of landscapes it's a natural oasis for many different plants and animals.

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Castello Scaligero

Perched on a cliff edge beside Lake Garda you can't fail to notice this striking castle, it's the town's landmark. No one is sure of how old the castle is exactly but details of modifications throughout its history have been ...

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Archaeological Park Of Herculaneum

Pay a visit to one of the world's most iconic ancient sites with a trip to Herculaneum. Less than an hour away from Sant'Agnello by road and served by trains, it's an absolute must if you're interested in ancient history.

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Santuario Di San Giuseppe in Sant'Agnello

A visit to the Santuario di San Giuseppe is an absolute must on your trip to Sant'Agnello. A beautiful old church which contains some lovely frescoes

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Wine Tasting in Sardinia

As well as being a stunning summer holiday destination, Sardinia is well known for its delicious wine. The wine produced on the island tastes a lot different to those produced in the rest of Italy.

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Cavagrande Del Cassibile Italy

Spend a day at this cold water oasis, hidden in the hills near the little town of Avola. The Cavagrande del Cassibile is one of Sicily's best kept secrets with its natural rock formations

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Sicily's Mount Etna Italy

Sicily sits on the tallest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna standing at 10,890 feet. Get a feel for the majestic mountain by trekking on foot to see the nature, wildlife and ancient larva trails.

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Valley Of Temples Italy

Spend an afternoon at arguably Sicily's most famous site, the Valley of the Temples in the historic hilltop city of Agrigento. The dramatically preserved UNESCO archaeological park

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Volcano in Sicily

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and is home to many of Europe's most famous cultural and natural sights.

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Trip From Sorrento To Pompeii

Just a 40 minute drive from Sorrento is the historic archaeological site of Pompeii. The once thriving Roman city was buried in meters of molten lava from an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C.E,

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Piazza Tasso in Sorrento

Pull yourself away from the pool and head inland to Sorrento's main square, Piazza Tasso. The central area is named after poet, Torquato Tasso, who is said to be one of the greatest Italian writers of the Renaissance.

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Church of St Francis in Sorrento

Visit the iconic 14th century Church of St. Francis next to the Villa Comunale Park, which provides stunning views of Mt Vesuvius. The church is one of the most beautiful churches in Sorrento with its baroque style,

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Lido Di Jesolo Beach

One of the most popular attractions on the Venetian Riviera is the beach in Lido di Jesolo. This Blue Flag winner has 17km of golden sands with plenty of sunloungers and parasols, lapped by the inviting waters of the Adriatic Sea.

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Day Trip to Venice

If you want to surround yourself with traditional Italy, a visit to the Venetian Riviera isn't complete without a trip to Venice. Pack your day full of sight-seeing as you enjoy the city views from the Campanile di San Marco

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Aqualandia Caribe Bay in Lido di Jesolo

The kids (and big kids!) will love a day out at Aqualandia Jesolo, it's Italy's biggest waterpark, themed on shipwrecks and pirates. There are a whole host of thrill seeking rides for the whole family to enjoy including tube and ...

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