Italy holidays

For beach breaks: try Sardinia, Sicily and Puglia, all renowned for their beautiful beaches.

For family fun: explore Sorrento and Naples, scoff pasta in Rome, or get active at Lake Garda.

For couples' escapes: Venice and Florence are made for romance. Drive the idyllic Amalfi Coast. And chill out beside Lake Como.

You’ve chosen well – Italy’s home to some glorious cities! Here’s a quick summary of our top recommendations to help you decide:

Rome
• Rome was once at the heart of the Roman Empire, so you’ll find archaeological wonders like the Colosseum amphitheatre and the Roman Forum in amongst the hubbub of city life.
• You can also visit Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Pantheon temple.
• Kickstart your day in the capital with a caffe latte and a cornetto (the Italian croissant, not the ice cream!) and head out exploring.
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Venice
• A fantastically walkable city, famous for its canals, bridges and lack of roads. You can’t help but get up close to the sights when you’re exploring those winding little streets on foot!
• Snuggle up with your favourite person on a romantic gondola ride along the canals, passing palatial old buildings on the way.
• Top Venice experiences include visiting St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, shopping for beautiful glass on a boat trip to Murano, and watching the sunset over the Grand Canal.
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Milan
• Famed as one of the most fashion-forward places on the planet, Milan is for you if like your cities to come with bags of elegance and style.
• Not bothered about haute-couture or designer shopping? Well, there’s tons of history and art too, from the unmissable Duomo cathedral (it’s huge!) to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
• Unwind with a mesmerising concert at La Scala opera house, a lakeside picnic in Parco Sempione, or a leisurely meal of risotto alla Milanese and the local osso buco stew.
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Florence
• Art lovers rejoice! Florence is chock full of works by some of history’s most renowned painters and sculptors. You might want to make the Uffizi Gallery the focus of your stay.
• The architecture here’s so incredible, the whole city centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Take in the view from the top of the Duomo (Florence Cathedral), have a selfie with Michelangelo’s David, browse the shops on Ponte Vecchio (the picturesque bridge) and take a wander through the sensational Boboli gardens.
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Naples
• The beautiful coastal city of Naples (Napoli to the locals) is a perfect launch pad for exploring the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Or catch the ferry to Capri island.
• Stroll around the atmospheric Old Town (Centro Storico) – highlights include the street of Spaccanapoli, the underground ruins of ancient Neapolis, the modern art at Madre Museum, and the avant-garde nightlife.
• Tuck into a classic Neapolitan pizza, a mouthwatering sfogliatelle pastry, or the catch of the day. Don’t miss the chance to go wine tasting at the foot of Mount Vesuvius!
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Yes, Italy's network of transport options makes it super easy to explore when you don’t want to hire a car.

• Hop on the local bus or tram to get around the city sights and out to nearby towns and villages. You’ll need to buy a ticket before you board.
• There are also underground metro systems in several cities, including Naples, Rome, Milan and Turin (Torino).
• Intercity rail services mean you can even make a day trip to Rome from Milan if you’re up for the 3-hour journey.
• In more rural areas, such as around Lake Garda, buses are the most common public transport. Plus there are train services for longer journeys.

Find out more from Discover Italia.

It can be, if you plan ahead. Here are our top tips for cheap holidays to Italy:
1. If you can, book your holiday for spring or autumn. As a general rule, it’s cheaper to get away outside peak season.
2. Check out these budget hotels in Italy. You might be surprised what you can get for less than £500 per person!
3. Think about staying just outside the main towns. Using public transport instead of staying in a prime location will help you save some pennies.
4. Find out where the locals dine. Trattorias are usually a low-cost option and these family-run restaurants give you an authentic experience too.
5. Make the most of free attractions, from coastal walks to museums. Even some of Italy’s most famous sites, including the Colosseum in Rome, offer free admission on certain days, so it’s well worth doing your research before you go.
6. If you’re planning on lots of sightseeing, a multi-attraction pass could be a really cost-effective option, combining several top things to do in one price.

Italy’s main airport is Rome Fiumicino (airport code FCO) but that doesn’t mean it’s the one you’ll want to fly to. There’s at least one airport that’s handy for each destination, and we’ll get you booked on flights to the best one for the part of Italy you’re visiting. So you can look forward to spending more time enjoying your holiday and less time travelling!