Italy is one of my favourite destinations in Europe, especially in the summer time! There is so much beauty in the small coastal towns, the flowery mountain ranges, and the inland countryside! Here is a list of the best places to visit in Italy this summer!
1. The Dolomites, Northern Italy
The Dolomites is by far one of the best places to visit in Italy! It is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges I have seen, with colourful flowers lining the purple mountains throughout the summer season! We spent 8 days here over the summer on a road trip between hikes, views and mountain huts! The nature here is unique and something you have to see at least once in your life!
The Dolomites cover a large area of Northern Italy, and the culture is quite unique. The language is a mix of German and Italian and every place has two different names!
Top things to do in The Dolomites:
- Hut to hut hiking in Tre Cime Lavaredo
- Hike (or take the cable car up) Seceda 2500m
- Take a row boat ride in Lago di Braies
2. Venice, Northern Italy
Venice is one of the most magical places to visit in Italy! It is a city of history, culture and beauty. Whether you are thinking of visiting for a short weekend away or part of a longer trip, it is the perfect destination for a slow weekend wandering around the streets and really taking in the vibrant city!
Top things to do in Venice:
- Take a gondola ride
- Visit Burano Island
- Food: Pizza from Happy Pizza and pasta from Tuttinpiedi
- Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
3. The Cinque Terre, Northern Italy
The Cinque Terre is a group of 5 colourful villages, all perched on top of the hillside. The villages are linked together with a track that passes through the vineyards and hills behind. The area is quite popular, however it still has a local fisherman vibe. In the heart of the villages you will find fresh seafood being sold on the streets, and the harbours bustling with boats going out on day trips. Each village has its own unique beauty, whether its Riomaggiore with its colourful houses overlooking the harbour, or Monterosso, a long beach covered with bright sun umbrellas and crystal blue waters! The area is a UNESCO world heritage site and a lot of the walks and houses are protected, meaning the whole town feels very authentic.
Top things to do in The Cinque Terre
- Take a sunset cruise around the villages
- The pesto class at Nussun Dorma
- Hike between Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso
- Cliff jump in Monterosso
4. The Amalfi Coast, Southern Italy
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy, and maybe even the world. This rocky coastline is home to towns such as Positano and Amalfi with connections out to the island of Capri. The cliffs are covered with colourful houses overlooking the beaches below, with a hike that connects all the villages being the best way to explore it all!
The towns themselves are the perfect mix of culture, tourism and luxury, with more of an upscale market than that of other coastlines such as the Cinque Terre. There are so many luxury hotels and eateries dotted between the local shops and restaurants, that makes it the perfect place for any sort of holiday! Here you can enjoy boat rides between the islands, beach days, beach clubs, and strolls around the villages simply enjoying the culture!
Top things to do on the Amalfi Coast
- A day trip to Capri
- Take a drink at Café Mirante
- Visit Positano
5. The Region of Tuscany, Northern Italy
For so many reasons, this is my favourite place to visit in Italy! Tuscany is a beautiful region, the countryside full of wanders you can see nowhere else in the world! If you are interested in anything from Eetruscan culture to hidden swimming spots, this is the place for you!
We didn’t visit any of the major cities this trip as we wanted to find out a bit more about the local culture! Manciano is a smaller city in the South of Tuscany, with close proximity to more cultural gems such as Pitigliano, as well as hot springs like Terme di Saturnia and Bagni San Filipo. This is also a great place to see the rolling Tuscan hills, and visit local wineries!
Top things to do in Tuscany
- Take a day trip to Pitigliano
- Swim at Bagni San Filipo
- Stay in an agritourismo
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I think you nailed it with the tip five places in Italy to go! One personal favorite of ours is Lake Garda 🙂 a little less known than Lake Como but equally stunning little towns to explore along the lake! I hope we can get back to Italy sometime soon!
Thanks so much! I was really hoping to make it to Lake Garda this year – I have heard so many good things about it! Thinking we will postpone and do a big trip next year instead though!