Things to Do in Italy
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1. Sip Wine in Tuscany
There are a lot of things to do in Italy but one of the most enjoyable pastimes is eating local Italian pasta and drinking red wine under the setting sun. Luckily, a trip to rural vineyard provides the opportunity to indulge in such a thing! Head to the wineries in the Tuscan countryside and learn about the process of making wine before sampling some of Tuscany's very best bottles.
Best time to visit: April – September. The summer months are the hottest and busiest time of the year to visit Tuscany, and with that comes expense. For a more budget-friendly trip, try visiting in the low season of November – February, but double-check vineyards are open for tasting tours.
Good to know
- Make reservations for wine tasting in advance as most wineries in Tuscany accept bookings only in advance, particularly if you'd like to take a look at the vineyard rather than simply looking at the bar and sampling glasses.
- Pay a visit to the incredible Castle of Vicchiomaggio, which sits atop a hill in Chianti surrounded by vineyards. Indulge in the wine tasting tours that it offers to passing guests.
- Sip on Tuscan wines in San Gimignano, a famous medieval town that sits in the heart of Chianti and has the finest wineries in the whole of Italy.
If Tuscany is not on your list, the country still offers many great destinations for wine tasting opportunities. A weekend wine tasting trip in Faenza might just do the trick.
The Vatican Museums are made up of Christian and art museums found inside the perimeters of Vatican City, Rome.The museums display an array of artifacts and paintings gathered over the centuries by past popes and includes some of the best Renaissance art and Roman sculptures in the world. Among various things to do in Italy, if you’re looking forward to a cultural awakening, it is must to visit the Vatican museums. Get ready to make a beeline for these museums, it's worth it!
Best time to visit: April – June. Avoid the crowds at the Vatican and visit in the shoulder season.
Good to know
- Book your Vatican museum tickets online in-advance and try to visit the site first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday crowds. Note that the museums are free on the last Sunday of every month.
- Take a Vatican & Sistine Chapel tour which takes you to the Vatican museums and the Pope’s home as you marvel at ancient Rome! It also covers the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Ruins of Pompeii are one of the most talked about archaeological ruins in history, and a visit to this protected site offers a historical insight into life in Italy in 79 AD. To put things into perspective, take a tour up to Mount Vesuvius to marvel at the very volcano that erupted and made the small village of Pompeii history.
Best time to visit: November – April (avoiding Christmas). The shoulder season brings with it far fewer tourists and exploring Pompeii’s narrow streets is easier without a crowd.
Good to know
- Take public transport independently to Mount Vesuvius as opposed to bus tours. Though the latter is easier, commuting through public transport will be more adventurous. Note that there’s a USD 11.25* entrance fee to the park regardless of your mode of transport.
- Explore the Ruins of Pompeii on foot with a private guide and soak up the very best of Pompeii.
Tucked into the charming streets of Verona sits a stone terrace building with a small balcony with a significant history. The house that’s been dubbed as inspiration for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has become a popular attraction and many travel far and wide to visit the location of Shakespeare’s inspirations. The house has been transformed into a museum, and a quick visit inside explains the history of the property over the years.
Best time to visit: June – October. The summer months are ideal for strolling the city and soaking up the sun, but for a more affordable trip with fewer crowds try visiting in February to May.
Good to know
- Take a 15-minute walk from Juliet's house and visit the Capuchin Monastery of San Francesco al Corso, this is where the Shakespearean tragedy is said to have ended.
- Check out Juliet’s Tomb inside the monastery of San Francesco al Corso which is where the tragedy took place. Also, just around the corner from Juliet’s balcony sits Romeo’s home, a majestic Montague house and medieval building, don’t miss it!
15. Explore Italy through its cuisine
We have already given pizza a slot of its own on things to do in Italy because it clearly deserves it. The good news is, there is so much more to try on an Italian holiday. The bad news is that you cannot have your fill of everything. There is an endless variety of pastas, an entire gamut of cured meats and cheeses and the best of truffles too. Oh! What would we not give to devour a scoop (or two) of gelato right now? For coffee lovers, Italy opens up a whole new world. If you are in Trieste, do not miss out on caffe triestino — an espresso with whipped cream on top.
Join a cooking class on your trip to Italy, recreate the taste of the country back home and be the envy of your family and friends.
Best time: Any time.
Good to know
- Aperitivi are pre-meal drinks and snacks that can easily turn into a full-blown meal, and they are easy on the wallet. Accompany your aperitivi with antipasti — a platter of cured meat, seasonal vegetables and a selection of cheeses — and you are good to go.
- Be part of a food tour to learn more about Italian food culture. You can either book day tours specializing in local dishes or go for multi-day ones that take you on a gastronomic journey through the country.