The Ultimate Travel Guide to Italy

We can’t say this enough, but there really are endless things to do in Italy. Outside of the typical delights and attractions, adventure seekers will find a crazy amount of things to do in Italy, ranging from biking, hiking, skiing, whale watching, beach-friendly activities

Let’s take a look at some of the best adventures in Italy.

Hiking in Italy

When it comes to top-notch hiking spots, Italy is rich. Seriously. This country is rolling in million-dollar trails carved into epic mountainous regions. For grand excursions, go hiking in the Dolomites, where soaring grey peaks cradle shimmering lakes and wildflowers blanket meadows. The views are otherworldly, supernatural, and unforgettable. One of the best hikes in the Dolomites is the Lago di Sorapiss Hike. This 8.4mi route winds past rocky peaks to a vibrant blue lake, backed by mountains.

You can also find magical hiking in Gran Paradiso National Park. You can access the collection of stunning trails from either Piedmont or Aosta. If you’re in this region, consider the Alpe Money Hike for 10.1mi of pure natural bliss!

But that’s not all! Explore more phenomenal trails in Alpi Marittime Natural Park. If you want a super long hike—which can turn into a backpacking adventure—look into the 13.7mi Rifugio Pagari Hike. This one is tough. You can stay at the Rifugio Nice del overnight!

Okay, two more? For hikes with cliffside sea views, look into the best hikes on the Amalfi Coast, and for meanders in rolling hills of green, check out the most epic hikes in Tuscany.

Skiing and snowboarding

Can’t make it to Italy in the thick of summer? No problem. You’ll get to enjoy the powdery bliss blanketing the mountains lining this country backyard. All skills levels can find a ski resort best suited for their vacation:

• Beginners and young families will enjoy Passo del Tonale Ski Resort.
• Intermediate skiers and snowboarders and families will love the slopes at Corvara.
• Experts will appreciate the long runs at Cervinia, which also connects to Zermatt, the Swiss resort.

The region of Piedmont also offers exceptional heli-skiing opportunities. The Monterosa ski park gives unspoiled powdered bliss in the hush of the wild. There are 20 drop zones within this area.

Sea activities

Grab your paddles, your snorkel, your towel, and go to the water! The salty coastline wrapping around a lot of Italy makes for fun water activities—or beach lazing if that’s what you’re in the mood for. Let’s take a look at some water sports you can do:

Kayaking

Navigate the blue waters within the Gulf of Naples! If you go to Sorrento, you can paddle along Roman ruins—who wouldn’t want to combine adventure with some fascinating remnants of Italian history? You can avoid the planning process altogether by booking the Amalfi Coast and Ischia Walking Tour!

Scuba diving

It’s almost impossible with so many seafront locations not to grab your snorkelling or diving gear and swim with the rainbow of fish. Find extraordinary diving opportunities on the Amalfi Coast, where you can swim through caverns and caves. Or Sardinia provides vibrant images of the underwater world. Meanwhile, Portofino has you gliding in super clear water, and you can explore shipwrecks in Sicily.

Beaches

Italy is home to an array of stunning, pristine beaches! Suppose you’re going to Italy for a blend of delicious local cuisine and sun-soaking. In that case, Scala dei Turchi in Sicily, Atrani in Campania, or Chiaia di Luna in Ponza or La Pelosa in Sardinia may suit your vacation style. Most of these beaches are backed by soaring cliffs or charming, storied towns.

Sailing

Sailing the Mediterranean Sea gives unique perspectives of seaside towns, cliff-backed beaches, and Roman ruins. Discover scenic excursions along the Amalfi Coast, in the Italian Riviera, or around Sicily.

Camping in Italy

You can find camping opportunities all over Italy! While most North Americans bring hot dogs, marshmallows, and beer, be prepared to pack bread, fancy cheese (for Canadian standards), and wine!

If you’re driving across Italy, you can look out for camper stops (Aree di Sosta). They may not be the most picturesque spots in the world, but they give you a chance to live on a budget. Use the app Park4Night to find where to go as it’s tough to find an official list of these places.

Another option is to go farm camping, giving you a chance to stay somewhere for super cheap and learn a little about local life. You may have luck finding these particular locations at Go Campr.

Travellers with caravans, tents, and campervans will also enjoy the luxuries offered at camping villages. Some of these places even have swimming pools. The website, PitchUp, may help you find a decent spot to park your van or pitch your tent.

Now we’re on to the super fun part: choosing your adventure tour in Italy. If you prefer planning your own vacations, let the following tours be a source of inspiration. However, if you want to skip the tedious planning process, take a look at the memorable adventure trips in Italy below.

Italy’s Biking Tours

Alba Bike Tour: This 6-day guided biking tour winds through Piedmont’s lush countryside, unveils exquisite views and includes scrumptious fulfilling dishes of local cuisine and sips of great wine. Collect images of historical wonders, such as the medieval castle in Barolo, en route!

Puglia Cycling Tour: Cycle from Polignano a Mare to Lecce, along Italy’s heel, on this 8-day self-guided tour! The Puglia Cycling Tour seamlessly blends adventure with refreshing sea views. But that’s not all. You’ll pedal by a film reel of mesmerizing villages, such as Alberobello, where you can marvel at lanes of Trulli’s (white stone houses).

Tuscany Cycling from Pisa to Florence: Squeeze in exercise and iconic city explorations as you wind through verdant Tuscany scenery on this 7-day self-guided cycling tour. Enjoy stops at classy wineries and rolling pictures of Tuscany’s striking countryside. Stamp the beginning and end of your journey with sightseeing opportunities in Pisa and Florence.

Italy’s Hiking Tours

Aosta Valley Hiking Tour: Say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of reality and escape to the Alps. This 9-day self-guided hiking tour winds to remarkable landscapes and sprawling views, but just because you’re in the mountains doesn’t mean you won’t escape cheese (expect Fontina and Toma cheeses). Spend your evenings in cozy mountain towns and your days climbing to breathtaking views.

Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking tour: Traverse wild meadows, alpine lakes, refreshing forests as you hike from hut to hut in the Dolomites on this 7-day self-guided tour. Plus, travelling from hut to hut doesn’t require you to carry super heavy backpacking bags, so you can enjoy the fascinating scenery passing you by without the extra weight.

Hiking in Sardinia: Trek deep into the unspoiled landscapes cloaking Sardinia on this 8-day self-guided hiking tour. Encounter a compilation of ancient ruins and stunning scenery on this trip—as well as tasty local dishes. Enjoy dips in the sea en route, too!

Walking tours

Campania Guided Walking Tour: Explore the heart of Naples, La Mortella Gardens on Ischia, and go on a day trip to Capri. This 6-day guided walking tour really packs a punch when it comes to scenic sights and cultural delights. You’ll also go on a 3-4 hour hike on the only active volcano on Europe’s mainland: Mount Vesuvius.

Syracuse and Southern Sicily Walking Tour: Hop in a time-travelling machine and go back to Italy’s prehistoric era on this 7-day guided walking tour. Explore a montage of archaeological delights and rest your feet each night at a cozy Sicilian countryside farmhouse.

Walking and Wine Tour through Barola: Pair daily exercise with a supercut of Piedmont countryside views and samplings of some of the best wines in the region on this 8-day self-guided tour! This tour takes you on a long-distance walk that twists to and through attractive villages and by phenomenal historical remnants and incredible views.

Family-friendly tours in Italy

Ischia Family Tour: This 7-day guided family-friendly tour provides neverending entertainment for the entire family! Learn how to make pizza together, go to a suspended ropes course, admire the Mortella Gardens, marvel at the Aragon Castle, and so much more.

Italy’s Outdoors

Italy’s outdoors flourishes with diverse landscapes and enchanting seascapes. To the north, you’ll find foothills holding Lake Garda and Lake Como while the snow-capped Alps and Dolomites soar in the backdrop. Go south, and picturesque meadows, rolling hills—growing grapes and olives—and bubbling brooks dividing the green scenery will captivate. Continue going south to encounter three towering volcanoes: Mount Vesuvius, a volcano on Stromboli, and Mount Etna (on Sicily).

To top it off, 4971.0mi of coastline hug this boot-shaped country. Find soaring jagged cliffs along the Amalfi Coast and pristine sandy beaches on Sardinia. Four different seas surround Italy, too! You’ll find the Adriatic Sea in the east, splash in the Ligurian Sea or the Tyrrhenian Sea in the north, and bathe in the Ionian Sea in the south. These four seas are arms, extensions, bays, and parts of the Mediterranean Sea!

During your adventures in Italy’s outdoors, you may spot some animals roaming their natural habitat. Look out for Lynx in central Italy or the north. It’s rare to spot one, but still keep your eye out for it. Other wildlife to look out for are grey wolves, marmots, golden eagles, Corsican hare, ibex (wild goats), and wild boars.

What do Italy’s travel costs look like? The following numbers come from Numbeo, personal resources within our 10Adventures team, and various other websites.

The best time to visit Italy weather-wise is during the shoulder seasons: April to June and mid-September to October. The temperatures are pleasant and fewer people crowd the streets. It’s warmest during the summer months (July and August), but this is the most popular time for tourists to visit. It doesn’t get too cold in the south in the winter, but the north can experience snow.

Here are some places to consider going in the specific seasons:

Summer: It’s best to go to beach-centric places since the weather can be sweltering. Consider checking out the Italian Riviera, Tyrrhenian Sea coast, or head to the mountains (Alps or Dolomites) for fewer crowds, less heat, and enjoyable hikes.

Fall and spring: These seasons are excellent times to go sightseeing in the cities, try out wine tours (fall), and spend time in the countryside. Consider checking out Tuscany’s countryside (spring), Cinque Terre (fall), Piedmont (fall), Verona (spring), Florence (fall) during these months!

Winter: This is when the prices are low, and the visitors are few! Grab your skis and hit the mountains during this season. Head to the Dolomites or the Alps!

Like we mentioned earlier, you can easily get around Italy via public transport, you can rent a car, or if you want, you can look into taxis, although this option will be the most expensive.

For busses and travelling long distances across Italy, look into Flixbus or Blabla Bus. For trains, look into times or online booking options via Omio.

Want to be in charge of when you go and how long you take? You can find rental options on Discover Cars!

Do note that there’s only Uber in Rome and Milan, and it’s Uber Black, meaning jacked prices. Most people use taxis as an alternative to Uber. You can look into the app mytaxi, which is an excellent substitute for Uber.

If you’re staying in the city, it’s easy to get around on foot, but countryside locations may require you to rent a car to get around.

To get to places in Italy quickly (and for cheap), you can fly via the notorious, well-known Ryanair. Sometimes the prices are crazy low, so look out for seat sales. But it’s best to bring a carry-on bag on these flights to keep the price at a minimum, so you may need to leave your luggage somewhere else. They’re also strict with the size of your carry on; either wear a lot of clothes on the plane or pack super light.

Best Places to Stay in Italy

You can find many places to stay in Italy, whether you’re looking for swanky, chill, cheap, or rugged. It’s common for people to choose to stay in hostels or to book bed and breakfast.

When it comes to booking places to stay in Italy, it’s pretty straightforward: you’ll find an abundance of hostels, hotels, and even Airbnb or Vrbo (they offer beach houses, condos, cabins, and maybe you can find a mountain hut to stay on your hikes) options in the cities, but if you want to visit somewhere in the countryside, look into Airbnb or Vrbo options.

As we mentioned above, if you have a caravan, campervan, you can use the app Park4Night to find a spot to park your car and sleep. Or you can check out camping villages if you have a tent!

For hostels, look into Hostelworld! You’ll find a collection of hostels dotting each city, some tailor-made for backpackers and partying, while other hostels, while still budget-friendly, can be more on the upscale side.

And with hotels, we prefer using typical hotel search sites, but with historical masterpieces and natural wonders scattered across Italy, it’s hard to ignore some incredible unique locations to stay.

For example, in the Umbria area, you can rest your head in a 1,000-year-old castle. Behind the ancient walls, you’ll find modern amenities that work to elevate the luxurious ambiance, such as a pool, WiFi, restaurant, and bar. You can find more details on this magical castle at booking.com.

Experience the best view of the Dolomites at the Miramonti Boutique Hotel, where expansive windows replace walls, giving a sky-high view of the layers of snow-capped mountains sprawled from just outside your hotel to the horizon. It’s the perfect location for adventurers who want to explore by day and bask in luxury by night!

Useful Travel Tools

While we’ve mentioned some remarkable travel tools already, it may help you to see our favourite ones to use (and more) in one spot. Let’s take a look at awesome tools and apps to use to make your planning experience a little easier.

To Book Accommodation

The following sites give you a chance to filter your search to help you find your ideal accommodation for your budget!

• Booking.com
• Hotels.com
• Expedia.com
• Agoda.com

For fantastic bed and breakfast finds, we suggest looking into vrbo.com!

To Book Flights

The websites shared below scan a variety of sources for the best deals! We like using:

• Skyscanner.com
• CheapOair.com

To Rent a Car

We’ve mentioned Discover Cars, but we really like rentalcars.com. You can find a plethora of cars, listed from small to medium to large to SUVs on this site. And they’re affordable!

And many of our team members also love using Europcar, which we found were always very helpful and easygoing.

To Get Gear

The following provide excellent gear for outdoor adventures, whether you’re looking for intense backpacking gear, simple hiking swag, adventure-friendly clothes, shoes and boots, or other outdoor-related equipment and accessories.

We advise checking out:

• Arc’teryx
• MEC
• Helly Hansen
• Patagonia
• Salomon
• MSR
• REI
• Backcountry.com
• Moosejaw
• Running Room

Other Useful Travel Services

We’ve talked about various transportation and camping apps throughout this article, such as Flixbus, Omio, Blabla Bus, but it’s also worth mentioning:

• Airportparkingreservations.com! Americans and Canadians can look into this service to find ideal deals and places to park their car while they’re away.

Visa Requirements When Travelling to Italy

Italy is within the Schengen area! Many citizens from a vast collection of countries can travel within the Schengen area for 90 days. This means you can spend 0-90 days in Italy or hop in and out of Italy and explore other neighbouring countries (ones within the Schengen area). You could fly into Italy, then go to Croatia for a week, and return without a hitch.

Suppose you want to leave the Schengen area and go somewhere like London. In that case, you’re allowed to spend a total of 90 days in Schengen countries within 180 days, meaning you can spend two months in Italy, go to London for a month, and then return to Italy for another month.

Some of the nationalities that can fly here and obtain a visa on arrival are Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, and many more. For more information on flying into Italy, take a look at the requirements for a visa in Italy here.

Interesting Facts About Italy

Let’s face it: Italy is fascinating. So it has to have some cool facts, right? Here are some random, interesting facts about Italy:

• Despite being rich in history, Italy has only been an official country since 1861. What?!
• Tourists throw around 1.5 million CAD into the Trevi Fountain each year.
• Italy boasts of the most UNESCO sites on Earth.
• Italy not only has an extensive coastline but there 1,500 nestled into this country’s immaculate landscape.
• You probably already knew this, but if not, here you go: pizza was invented in Naples.
• The name Italy means “calf land.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Italy

What is the best way to travel in Italy?

If you don’t have a car or haven’t rented one, we suggest taking public transportation, such as Flixbus, Blabla Bus, or looking into Omio to book train travel. It’s very easy to travel from place to place in Italy via public transport. It’s also easy to get by on foot in bigger cities.

Can I wear leggings in Italy?

You can, but it may be best to wear jeans instead! Rocking leggings can help locals easily depict you as a tourist. But if you’re wearing short shorts or a short skirt to the Vatican, you can bring along leggings to cover up your legs.

What is the most dangerous city in Italy?

Unfortunately, the highest crime rate is in Italy’s fashion capital: Milan. It takes the number one spot for theft rate.

What’s the most beautiful city in Italy?

A lot of people believe that the most beautiful city in Italy is Florence! While most cities in Italy are beautiful, Florence tends to take the top spot on most lists.

What is considered rude in Italy?

Try to avoid carrying around an open bottle of alcohol and blatant drunkenness in public. It’s also rude to burp and fart when you’re out and about!

How do you dress in Italy and not look like a tourist?

Avoid wearing leggings, gym clothes, or baggy clothing when you’re walking around cities. If you’re hiking or doing an active activity, gym clothes are obviously okay, but you’ll look out of place meandering city attractions in workout gear. Basically, it’s best to avoid wearing clothes that don’t belong to wherever you are. For example, if you’re in the city, don’t dress like you’re going to the beach (flip flops, bathing suits).

Do and don’ts in Italy?

Do pay attention to how you dress
Do be mindful of pickpockets
Do carry some cash with you since some stores may not accept your credit card
Do remember to cover your shoulders and knees if you plan on going into churches
Do try to learn basic phrases in Italian

Don’t say ciao when you meet someone, Buon Giorno (good morning) or Buona Sera (good afternoon/good evening)
Don’t wear flip flops when you’re walking around cities
Don’t think that pedestrians have the right of way when crossing the street

There you have it! The ultimate Italy adventure travel guide. Hopefully, it helps to make your trip planning experience slightly easier.