Italy

⛱️ Best Beaches

Italy is home to postcard-perfect beaches with vivid blue waters surrounded by dramatic natural scenery and charming towns. These beaches should top travelers’ lists:

• Cinque Terre – Five beautiful cliffside towns on Italy’s west coast. The beach in Monterosso is especially popular. 
• Lama Monachile – A small but picturesque beach nestled between two cliffs in Polignano a Mare. 
• Maddalena Archipelago – A stunning group of islands in northern Sardinia. Visit beaches like Cala Corsara and Cala Coticcio. 
• Spiaggia Marina Grande – A popular and scenic beach on the island of Capri with dramatic views. 
• La Isola Bella – A rocky but naturally beautiful beach plus an island, located in Sicily just below Taormina.

⛰️ Best Mountains

Northern Italy is home to dramatic Alpine mountains while Southern Italy’s volcanic activity makes for stunning and active peaks.

• Mt. Etna – Located in Sicily, Etna is the tallest volcano in Europe and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. 
• Mt. Vesuvius – A volcano along the Gulf of Naples. Most famous for the ancient eruption that destroyed Pompeii. 
• Monte Bianco – The highest mountain in the Alps. Sits on the border between Italy and France. Also known as Mont Blanc. 
• Marmolada – The tallest mountain in Italy’s Dolomites mountain range. Popular for winter sports. 
• Path of the Gods – Not a specific mountain, but a stunning hiking path along the Amalfi Coast’s cliffs.

⛷️ Best Ski Resorts

Hit the slopes across Italy’s diverse mountainous areas in the north and south. These ski resorts provide a mix of ski runs and scenery.

• Courmayeur – This alpine ski resort is at the base of Monte Bianco on the Italian side. It’s family-friendly with ski runs for different levels. 
• Arabba Marmolada – A Dolomites ski resort near the base of Marmolada. Better for more experienced skiers. 
• Etna Sud & Etna Nord – Ski resorts on the south and north sides of Mt. Etna in Sicily. Both resorts cater to all ski levels.
• Bormio Ski – Combine winter sports and wellness at this scenic alpine resort town. You can ski year round. 
• Cervinia Valtournenche – The highest ski resort in Italy, located on the Swiss-Italian border. Good for beginners and intermediates.

♨️ Best Hot Springs

You’ll find steaming and relaxing hot spring pools all across Italy from the Alps to the Tuscan countryside and beyond. Each one is unique.

• Bormio Thermal Baths – Natural hot springs come from Monte Reit in the Alps. There are three thermal baths in town. 
• Vulcano Thermal Baths – These healing mud hot springs are located on the island of Vulcano, part of the Aeolian Islands. 
• Saturnia Hot Springs – These scenic and terraced hot spring pools in Tuscany are known for being minerally rich. 
• Fosso Bianco – Another hot spring in Tuscany, more off the beaten path. Known for its unique calcium deposits. 
• Sorgeto Hot Springs – Cliffside thermal pools on the island of Ischia, just off the coast of Naples.

🎢 Best Theme Parks

Take a day off from typical travel activities with hair-raising rollercoasters and fun-filled rides at these amusement parks, found all across Italy.

• Gardaland Resort – A fun-filled amusement park outside of Lake Garda with tons of rollercoaster rides. 
• Mirabilandia – The biggest amusement park in Italy, located in Savio in the Emilia-Romagna region. 
• Cinecittà World – A movie-themed park just outside of Rome with live theater shows and rides. 
• Edenlandia – Families with children will love this amusement park just outside of Naples, filled with kid-friendly rides. 
• Etnaland – This amusement park outside of Etna, Sicily features roller coasters, water rides, and more.

🖼️ Best Museums

Italy is overflowing with museums, especially when it comes to art and historic artifacts. Florence is especially abundant with museums, but you’ll find them all across the country. 

• Uffizi Galleries – This Florence museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Renaissance art and numerous masterpieces. 
• Vatican Museums – A huge museum dedicated to the art and collections of the Catholic Church. Where the Sistine Chapel is located. 
• Accademia Gallery – A Florence art gallery that’s main attraction is Michelangelo’s infamous Statue of David.
• National Archaeological Museum of Naples – A large Naples museum with thousands of archaeological artifacts and artworks. Notably ancient Greek and Roman works. 
• Santa Maria delle Grazie – A church in Milan where you’ll find Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper.

👉 Tips & Things to Know

• 🇮🇹 – Learn a Little Italian – Learn some basic Italian phrases. English is common in big cities, but don’t expect it everywhere. 
• 🚆 – Validate Your Train & Bus Tickets – A newer rule. Validate your train and bus tickets ahead of time to avoid fees and hassle. 
• ⛪ – Cover up at Religious Sites – Be sure to have your shoulders and knees covered when entering churches. 
• 🎟️ – Book Ahead – Attractions in Italy are popular for a reason. Book ahead to ensure you see your top sites.
• 🗣️ – Don’t Generalize – Italy is an extremely diverse country in terms of local culture. Customs and language can vary a lot from north to south. 
• ☕ – Be Patient – Italy’s culture is more flexible and the pace of life is slower. Be patient and try to go with the flow. 
• 🚰 – Water is Safe to Drink – Tap water is safe to drink just about everywhere in Italy.

🧳 What to Pack

• 👟 – Comfortable Shoes – Italian cities are walkable, but also full of cobblestones. Save your feet (and sanity) by packing comfortable walking shoes. 
• 🧣 – Scarf – A scarf is an Italian staple for its versatility. I recommend buying one in Italy for style and as a memento. 
• 🎒 – Secure Bag – Pack a bag with closures and one you can wear securely. Pickpocketing is common in Italy. 
• 💧 – Water Bottle – Italians don’t drink as much water as Americans are used to. Pack a reusable bottle for hydration and convenience. 
• 🤚 – Hand Sanitizer – Aside from general hygiene, many public restrooms lack soap. Bring hand sanitizer or soap leaves to be prepared. 
• 🧻 – Toilet Paper – Similar to above, many public restrooms don’t have toilet paper. Bring tissues or some toilet paper. 
• 🪪 – International Driving Permit – You’ll need an international driving permit if you plan on driving in Italy from outside of the EU.

🤓 Facts & Info

• Population (2024) – 58.99 million
• Capital – Rome
• Currency – Euro 
• Language – English and Italian
• Largest Metro Area – Rome 
• Time Zone – Central European Time (UTC +2)
• Demonynm – Italian
• USPS Abbreviation – IT
• President – Sergio Mattarella
• Plugs – Type C, F or L, 230V / 50Hz.

💵 Costs & Budgeting

The majority of establishments take credit/debit cards, but bring enough cash just in case. This is handy when you travel to more remote areas or want to shop at local markets. While ATMs are widely available, I recommend sticking to ATMs in banks for extra security.