Things to Do in Italy
Explore Italy through its history, landscapes, flavours and traditions of relaxation. Discover ancient sites and art, outdoor adventures, regional food and wine, or thermal spas, then open the guide that best fits your holiday.
Explore Italy by Interest
Start with the experiences you enjoy most. These four guides bring together ideas for cultural visits, active days, local flavours and relaxing breaks.
History & Art
Ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, museums and historic architecture. Explore Italy’s cultural heritage and choose the sites and experiences that fit your trip.
Explore history & art
Nature & Outdoor
Mountains, lakes, national parks and coastal trails. Find ideas for hiking, scenic walks, boat trips and outdoor days across Italy’s varied landscapes.
Explore nature & outdoor
Food & Wine
Regional cooking, lively markets, vineyards and farm visits. Discover local flavours through cooking classes, tastings and food experiences connected to each destination.
Explore food & wine
Spa & Wellness
Thermal springs, historic spa towns and peaceful wellness breaks. Find ways to slow down, from Tuscan hot springs to island thermal parks and Alpine spas.
Explore spa & wellnessQuick Planning Answer
Choose History & Art for archaeological sites, museums, churches and cultural visits.
Choose Nature & Outdoor for mountains, lakes, national parks, coastal walks and active holidays.
Choose Food & Wine for regional cuisine, markets, cooking classes and vineyard experiences.
Choose Spa & Wellness for thermal water, spa towns and slower restorative breaks.
For a balanced holiday, combine two themes. History and food work naturally for city breaks, while nature and wellness suit mountain, lake and countryside stays.
History & Art in Italy
Italy’s cultural heritage connects ancient ruins, medieval architecture, Renaissance masterpieces and richly decorated churches. A history-focused trip can include major museums, archaeological parks, castles, abbeys and smaller sites that reveal a different period of Italian life.
Rome brings together ancient monuments and Vatican collections. Florence is closely associated with Renaissance art, while Venice combines palaces, churches and lagoon history. Beyond these well-known centres, Pompeii and Herculaneum reveal Roman daily life, Ravenna preserves Byzantine mosaics, and Sicily brings together Greek, Norman and baroque heritage.
Best for: archaeology enthusiasts, art lovers, cultural explorers and families who enjoy varied historical visits.
Experiences to explore:- Roman ruins and archaeological parks
- Renaissance galleries and historic churches
- Byzantine mosaics and Greek temples
- Castles, abbeys and cultural walking routes
Nature & Outdoor in Italy
Italy’s landscapes range from Alpine peaks and lakes to forested national parks, volcanic terrain and Mediterranean coastlines. Outdoor experiences can be active or relaxed, with options for mountain hiking, cycling, easy walks, boat trips and scenic days in nature.
The Dolomites suit travellers looking for dramatic mountain scenery. Lake Garda combines outdoor activities with lakeside towns, while Lake Como offers ferries, gardens and scenic walks. Abruzzo provides Apennine landscapes and national parks, Liguria combines coastal towns with trails, and Sicily and Sardinia add volcanic and rugged island environments.
Best for: hikers, landscape enthusiasts, active couples and families who enjoy time outdoors.
Experiences to explore:- Mountain hikes and panoramic walks
- National parks and lakeside escapes
- Coastal trails and marine landscapes
- Cycling routes and boat trips
Food & Wine in Italy
Italian food reflects the place where it is made. Pasta, cheeses, wines, olive oils and traditional dishes vary between regions, making local food an important part of understanding a destination.
Emilia-Romagna is associated with pasta traditions, Parmigiano Reggiano, cured meats and traditional balsamic vinegar. Tuscany and Piedmont offer vineyard-focused trips, while Veneto includes Prosecco and Amarone wine areas. Sicily, Naples and Puglia combine regional cooking with markets, street food and coastal flavours.
Markets, cooking classes, vineyard visits and farm lunches provide experiences beyond a restaurant meal. Choose activities close to your base so there is time to enjoy both the food and its surroundings.
Best for: food lovers, wine enthusiasts, couples and travellers who enjoy a slower regional holiday.
Experiences to explore:- Regional cooking classes and food walks
- Markets and street-food experiences
- Vineyard visits and wine tastings
- Olive farms, cheese producers and agriturismo meals
Spa & Wellness in Italy
Italy’s wellness traditions connect historic bathing culture with natural thermal water and modern spa facilities. A relaxing break can centre on a spa town, an island thermal park or a countryside hotel with wellness facilities.
Tuscany is known for destinations such as Saturnia, Bagno Vignoni, Bagni San Filippo and Chianciano Terme. Ischia combines thermal parks with island scenery, while Bormio and other Alpine destinations pair spa facilities with mountain landscapes. Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme offer established thermal stays near Padua.
A wellness day can also fit between cultural visits or outdoor activities. Check access, reservations and age rules when choosing a particular spa or thermal facility.
Best for: couples, slow travellers and visitors who want to balance active days with relaxation.
Experiences to explore:- Thermal springs and organised spa facilities
- Island thermal parks
- Alpine spa breaks
- Countryside wellness stays
Combine Two Experiences
Choose one main theme and add a second to vary the pace of your holiday.
History & Food
Combine archaeological sites, museums and historic streets with markets, regional dishes or a cooking class. This pairing works well for cultural city breaks.
Nature & Wellness
Balance hiking, lakeside walks or mountain activities with a thermal pool or spa visit. Choose facilities near your base to keep the day relaxed.
Food & Nature
Connect vineyard visits and farm meals with countryside walks or scenic routes. This combination suits regional holidays and agriturismo stays.
History & Wellness
Add a quieter spa day between cultural visits. A nearby thermal town or wellness hotel can provide a change of pace without another accommodation move.
When to Plan Each Experience
History & Art
Cultural visits work throughout the year. Spring and autumn often offer more comfortable conditions for walking, while museums provide useful indoor options in colder or wetter weather.
Nature & Outdoor
Choose the season for your activity and elevation. Summer is generally the main period for high-mountain hiking, while lower trails and coastal walks can suit spring and autumn. Check local conditions and route access.
Food & Wine
Regional food experiences are available throughout the year. Seasonal produce and harvests change what is offered, so check the focus and availability of specific tastings or farm visits.
Spa & Wellness
Many thermal facilities operate throughout the year, while some island parks have seasonal opening periods. Winter pairs well with Alpine spa breaks; milder seasons suit countryside wellness trips.
FAQs About Italy Experiences
Which experience is best for a first trip to Italy?
History and art provide a natural starting point through major landmarks, museums and archaeological sites. Adding food and wine experiences brings local culture into the itinerary.
Can you combine culture and outdoor activities?
Yes. Choose cultural visits and outdoor activities within the same area so travel remains manageable. A museum day followed by a nearby walk, lake excursion or countryside visit creates a varied holiday.
Which experiences suit families?
Outdoor days, cooking activities, castles and archaeological sites can all work well. Choose experiences for the children’s ages and interests, keep visits varied and check age restrictions before booking.
Do you need a car for these experiences?
Major cultural cities can usually be explored without a car. A car is more useful for remote parks, rural vineyards and countryside spas, although organised excursions and local transport can provide alternatives.
Make Your Italy Holiday Your Own
Start with the theme that interests you most, then add experiences that fit your destination and pace. Explore the four guides above and choose a convenient place to stay for the activities you want to enjoy.