11 Best Things to Do in Italy in 2025

For travel enthusiasts, visiting a medieval town in Italy is a lifelong dream. There is nothing more alluring than experiencing Renaissance art in person, wandering the streets of Rome and discovering the treasures of the Eternal City, once the heart of the Roman Empire.

For our Italy Country Director, Nicholas Pompa, each trip to Italy strengthens his connection to his Italian heritage and the country’s rich heritage.

“My great-grandfather came to the United States from Bari, Italy, in the late 1800s, and I grew up in a family with strong Italian roots. As I started to spend more and more time in Italy as I grew up, I realized that our family dinners and traditions were only one tiny piece of the amazing diversity and variety that truly makes Italy such a unique place.”

When you land in Italy, start by taking in the hiking trails and coastal scenery. As you mentally go over your Italy bucket list, get ready to form your connection with everything Italian. Here is a deep dive into the 11 best things to do in Italy.

Find Out the 11 Best Things to Do in Italy

1. Stay in Historic Italian Buildings
2. Check Out the Arena di Verona
3. Hang out in a Piazza
4. Take a Gondola Ride
5. Learn about Art
6. Peruse Works by Local Artisans
7. Make Pasta & Enjoy Italian Cuisine
8. Explore Italian Lakes and the Amalfi Coast
9. Go Hiking
10. Speak Some Italian
11. Take a Day Trip to Vatican City

The Grand Canal at sunset, with the Santa Maria della Salute watching over Venice.

1. Stay in Historic Italian buildings

While you’re in Italy, staying in a chain hotel seems downright boring. There are a number of historical sites and centuries-old accommodations in the country that have been renovated to add modern comforts. Try staying in a castle, a historic B&B or an Albergo Diffuso, also known as a “scattered hotel.”

Albergo Diffuso is a form of hotel where guest rooms are spread out across historical buildings in small Italian borghi, or medieval towns. The idea was born in the 1980s to bring tourists to Italy’s smaller yet picturesque destinations without the need to build a brand new hotel. The rooms are designed to minimize environmental impact in both construction and operation, while preserving the original building’s style.

Try this authentic and sustainable accommodation to fully immerse yourself in Italy’s forgotten and ancient history.

2. Check Out the Arena di Verona

An amphitheater is an open-air venue for outdoor entertainment, performances and sports. There are a number of impressive amphitheaters in Italy starting with Rome’s Colosseum, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a perfect example of what beautiful ancient ruins look like.

When you visit Rome, head to the historic center to see the largest amphitheater in the ancient world. The Colosseum, completed in 80 AD, was the first freestanding amphitheater not built into a hill. For hundreds of years during the Roman Empire, it was the site of gladiator fights and other violent events. The exact number of people who died within its walls remains unknown.

The remains of the four-story high structure and its underground tunnels are an impressive sight, but Rome’s Colosseum is certainly not the only amphitheater of note.

If you’re traveling in Northern Italy, the Arena di Verona is a site worth visiting, which is still an active performance site. The Arena di Verona is the third-largest remaining Roman amphitheater and the world’s largest open-air opera house in the world. Built in 30 AD, it has stood the test of time thanks to its strong foundation, created by digging the hill known as Pastello and using a concrete base.

The Verona Arena in Northern Italy is a well-preserved amphitheater.

3. Hang out in a Piazza

Town squares or piazzas are the heartbeat of Italian cities and villages across the country and make a good starting point to delve into each city’s history. The Romans tended to create roads in grids, and the piazzas were constructed where the two main roads crossed. Piazzas were central hubs for religion, government, and commerce, serving as key gathering spots for local residents.

Saint Peter’s Square is a large piazza in the Vatican, often mistaken as Italy’s largest. Outside of the Vatican, Piazza San Marco in Venice is a well-known town square. It’s home to Saint Mark’s Basilica, its bell tower Campanile di San Marco, the museum Museo Correr, and Doge’s Palace, which was the residence and seat of power in Venice for around 900 years.

Another popular piazza is the Piazza del Duomo, home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This 56m tower took nearly 200 years to build and first started to lean in the late 1170s due to its soft and unstable foundation.

Rustic Pathways students check out Piazza San Marco in Venice.

Elsewhere in Italy other piazzas of note include Florence’s Piazza della Signoria and Verona’s Piazza Brà and Piazza delle Erbe. In larger towns in Italy you’ll see the generic terms Piazza della Signoria, a “political plaza,” and Piazza delle Erbe, a “plaza of herbs.”

Verona’s Piazza delle Erbe was the ancient Roman forum, bordered by the town hall. It’s adorned with captivating frescoes and a fountain with a statue called Madonna Verona. As an added bonus, a balcony that inspired William Shakespeare is nearby, marking the spot where Romeo is said to have declared his love for Juliet.

4. Take a Gondola Ride

Nothing screams “I’m in Italy” more than taking a gondola ride in Venice. Today water buses are a more common means of transportation in the city. But taking a gondola boat tour transports you back in time and is an Italian bucket list experience for a reason.

Rustic Pathways students enjoy their gondola ride in Venice.

Hundreds of years ago there were about 10,000 gondolas in the city. Today, there are about 400. A boat tour is a popular way to view the Grand Canal, but riding a gondola outside of the busiest areas gives you a different perspective of Venice. There are about 150 canals to choose from.

Did you know that gondolas are custom-built to order, costing as much as 50,000 euros? Typically, gondoliers, people who steer the gondola, don picturesque outfits consisting of black pants and a striped shirt. And yes, there are some gondoliers who sing, but don’t expect that.

5. Learn about Art

Italy is literally bursting at the seams with opportunities to see art. Among the country’s most famous artists were Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli and Giovanni Bellini. Some of the best known pieces like Michelangelo’s Pieta and his Sistine Chapel frescoes are found at Vatican City. But you’ll find artwork everywhere in Italy.

You have to look in every direction in Italy to see all the artwork.

The National Archaeological Museum in Naples is a must-visit location where travelers can experience remarkable relics and architecture from the Roman Empire. Similarly, the museum in Reggio Calabria showcases the famous Riace Bronzes, emphasizing the cultural and historical significance of these institutions.

In Northern Italy, you can see works like da Vinci’s The Last Supper in Milan at the Santa Maria delle Grazie. As you head south, you can see works like David by Michelangelo on display at the Accademia Gallery in Florence.

Wherever you end up, there are frescoes, sculptures and architectural wonders throughout the country. It’s a key reason the country has 58 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which protect and preserve important cultural and natural landmarks for future generations.

6. Peruse Works by Local Artisans

While you’re learning about art, don’t forget there are multiple centuries-old practices in the country that artisans can showcase for you. In Venice you can see how glass blowing works and view exquisite glass pieces. The Venice island of Burano is also known for its lace making.

In the Emilia-Romagna region, you may see leathermaking, and in Milan there are goldsmiths and silversmiths. In other regions you can see the work of wood workers. Wherever you are in the country, witnessing the handiwork of local artisans is a cultural wonder.

Handcrafted wooden treasures on display in a charming Italian workshop.

7. Make Pasta & Enjoy Italian Cuisine

Italy is sometimes ranked as the best nation in the world for cuisine, and the nation is known for inventing foods, including the ice cream cone and pizza. Italians also love espressos, wine tasting, gelato and of course, pasta, which has been a mainstay in the country for centuries.

For our Italy Country Director, Nicholas Pompa, his favorite type of pasta is Pasta Alla Nerano. However, according to him, it’s hard to find, even in Italy.

“My favorite pasta dish, Pasta Alla Nerano? I’ve never seen it on a menu in the U.S. Even in Italy, you’ll only find it in a small region of the Amalfi Coast.”

Rustic Pathways students learn how to make pasta in Italy.

Italians are also serious about coffee. As a local tip, don’t order a cappuccino or milk based coffee drink after 11am since it’s typically reserved only for breakfasts. Cafés will always make it for you later in the day if you want, but you just flagged yourself as a tourist if you order one!

Regardless of the time of day, diving into these delectable dishes and drinks is a must. On top of that, you can’t beat the experience of making authentic Italian pasta and sauce from scratch. Consider joining cooking classes using regionally-grown ingredients to make dough, cut it in different shapes and create an unforgettable sauce. Buon appetito!

8. Explore Italian Lakes and the Amalfi Coast

The canals in Venice certainly aren’t the only scenic waterways in Italy. Travelers journey down to see the emerald coast of Amalfi. The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline in Southern Italy overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno.

Closer to hotspots like Venice are the beautiful and often less-crowded lakes in the northwest corner of Italy.

Rustic Pathways students unwind by the shores of Lake Garda.

There are beautiful lakes and waterways in Italy where you can swim or take a break. The enchanting landscapes of Tuscany, with its iconic rolling hills, contribute to the region’s allure, inviting visitors to explore its mesmerizing beauty.

North of Milan is the celebrity-favorite Lake Como. Closer to Verona is Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda. The lake was created by glacial action and is bordered by sweeping mountainscapes and olive groves and features five islands. Consider taking a scenic boat tour around these lakes to witness the stunning shorelines dotted with charming medieval towns and elegant villas. Bonus tip: visit the medieval castles and fortresses overlooking Lake Como.

9. Go Hiking

While exploring the lakes, take some time for outdoor adventures. Italy offers thousands of trails. In the Dolomite Mountains, trails like the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or Three Peaks of Lavaredo, showcase jagged rocky peaks and rugged landscapes. The characteristic white color of these mountains makes them unique in the world.

For less challenging hikes, you can trek through sites like the Euganean Hills in Southern Italy that are visible from Venice. This area includes a park and hot springs and is a great place for an afternoon hike. Try out hiking tours of hill towns along the Amalfi Coast to escape the summer crowds near the coast.

The Gargano National Park is a national park in the province of Foggia. The park also includes the Tremiti Islands archipelago and the wetlands Lago Salso. Fun fact: If you look at the boot shape of Italy on a map, the Puglia region, specifically in Foggia, is known as the “spur” of Italy’s “boot.”

While staying in Naples, make sure to visit the ancient city of Pompeii and hike up the crater of Mount Vesuvius. What’s notable is that Mount Vesuvius was actually formed by two volcanoes, Vesuvius and Monte Somma. Pompeii itself is an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a glimpse into daily life during the Roman Empire before the devastating eruption in 79 AD.

The Euganean Hills provide a backdrop for a nice easy hike in northern Italy.

10. Speak Some Italian

Amidst your Italian food tour and exploration of Italy’s wonders, you don’t want to forget to interact with the warm local residents. And you’ll get more immersed in their culture if you try to speak some Italian. This Romance language evolved from Latin and is spoken by about 85 million people.

The good news is that Italian is considered an easy language for English-speakers to learn. In the language, most words are pronounced the same way they’re written and nearly every letter is pronounced, except for “h.”

Also, since English has borrowed multiple words from Latin, you’ll see some Italian words that may seem familiar but just have a different suffix. So enjoy some divertimento (fun!) and learn a bit of Italian!

11. Take a Day Trip to Vatican City

“The School of Athens” by Raphael in the Stanza della Segnatura, Vatican City

An Italian vacation is not complete without visiting Vatican City. The Vatican is the heart of the Catholic Church and serves as a pilgrimage spot for Catholics and Christians. If you visit on a Wednesday, you can see the Pope give his General Audience to the public.

St Peter’s Square symbolizes the gathering of Christianity, and is home to Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Must-see parts of the Vatican museums include the Gallery of the Maps which contains a series of 40 painted topographical maps of the world.

If you want to try all 11 of the best things to do in Italy, join Rustic Pathways today on your next Italian adventure! Check out our Italy programs for students ages 14-18 here.