Things to Do in Italy

1. Go Truffle Hunting: Truffle hunting is an age-old tradition here and one of the best things to do in Italy. Truffles, which are edible mushroom-like fungi that grow beneath the ground ear roots of trees, are such an intrinsic part of the Italian cuisine that the country also celebrates International Truffle Festivals!

What makes truffle hunting an exciting thing is that they are extremely hard to find and are considered to be a food fit for the Gods. They are found only inside dense forests and a truffle hunting tour will take you on elusive trails. Dogs trained in sniffing truffles also accompany some tours. The highlight of this activity is that after the tour, you are served a delicious meal made of the truffles that you picked.

Location: The best locations for truffle hunting are Tuscany, Le Marche, and Langhe.
Price: Truffle hunting costs start from Euro 110, INR 9175
Timings: The best season for this activity is between April to September.

2. Try The Amazing Street Foods: You are never left wanting when thinking of what to do in Italy for food! Italian food is not only about fine dining, pizza, pasta, and gelatos. Italy’s street food is extremely varied, interesting, and quite unique.

Some of the best things to try are Arancine (deep-fried rice balls served with arrabbiata sauce), Panzerotti (Calzone-type savoury pastry filled with cheese & tomato), Crema Fritta (Fried custard), Polenta (cooked cornmeal fried in sugar) and Olive All'Ascolana (crisp olives and filled with spiced meat spiced and parmesan).

Location: Central Italy for Olive All'Ascolana, Southern Italy for Arancini & Panzerotti, and Northern Italy for Polenta.
Price: Street foods start at around Euro 6, INR 500.
Timings: Summers are the best time as this is when you’ll find the maximum number of street food trucks and pop-up shops.

3. Hike to an Active Volcano: Go beyond mountain hiking on your next trip to Italy! Try hiking up till the crater of Mount Vesuvius, one of the only two dormant volcanoes in Europe, which is one of the most adventurous things to do in Italy. The fact that this mountain is still active and is dangerous has been attracting climbers since the 16th-century.

It is an exciting experience to see the mountain responsible for burying Pompeii city in ash in 79 AD. You will take an easy 30-minute hike to the top and traverse through trails covered entirely in ash & pumice. At times hikers have been able to spot the crater spewing a bit of stream.

Location: Naples.
Price: To be able to hike till the crater, you need to pass through Mount Vesuvius Park, the entrance fee of which is Euro 10, INR 834.
Timings:
- March- October: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- April, May, June, and September: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- July & August: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- January, February, November, and December: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

4. Take a road trip on Amalfi Coast: One of the most thrilling things to do in Italy is to see this place of extraordinary beauty, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This road trip will let you pass through picturesque medieval villages like Ravello, Praiano, and Positano.

The coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea is famous for its breathtaking beauty, expanses of stark blue-green waters, dramatic cliffs, and pristine white sandy beaches. Don’t miss stopping for a breather in the lush vineyards, olive groves, ancient churches and coves on your route. No wonder this trip finds a mention in National Geographic’s’ ‘Drives of a Lifetime’.

Location: The road trip can be started from Naples, known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast.
Price: The entire 8-day trip would cost around Euro 2,000, INR 1.67 lacs. This includes accommodation, food, parking & petrol charges, entry fees, etc.
Timings: The road trip is most enjoyed between April-October.

5. Enjoy a Sailing Tour: Thinking of what to do in Italy on the weekend? Italy’s long coastline is dotted with remarkable beaches and islands that offer the perfect reason and opportunity to sail. This is the best way to step away from the usually crowded places and plunge into the stunning seaside beauty of the country.

You can rent powerboats, catamaran, skippered, or a bareboat that will let you explore colourful harbours, ancient villages, churches, and hidden sea coves.

Location: Bay of Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, and Tuscany.
Price: Sailing tours start from Euro 143, INR 11,200.
Timings: The peak sailing season is between May and October.

6. Enjoy Cave Exploration: One of the most exciting things to do in Italy is to explore the dense network of its intriguing underground caves that have existed here since the Bronze Age dating back to 1200 BC.

These caves include walkways dug thousands of years ago with still-evident pick marks, ancient religious sites, deep ravines, and walls covered in pagan paintings and scriptures. These catacombs have seen centuries of wars and include sacred burial chambers and prayer places belonging to the Stone Age.

Location:Tuscany, Vintimiglia, and Toirano.
Price: The tours start at Euro 120, INR 10,000.
Timings: May-October is the best time to go cave hunting.

7. Take a Dolomites Hiking Trip: The Dolomites are famous for their stunningly rugged landscape, amazing hiking trails, and the panoramic views that they offer. One of the best things to do in Italy is to enjoy hiking amidst miles of woods, green-golden meadows, mountain lakes, and rugged cliffs in these ranges.
Some of the best routes to explore here are the Tre Cime Di Lavaredo Loop, Seceda to Wolkenstein, and Alpe Di Siusi.

Location: Northeastern Italy extending from River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east.
Price: The trek cost starts around Euro 50, INR 4176.
Timings: Period between June-September offers the best views and weather.

8. Take a Classic Gondola Ride: Cruising through its famous canals on a gondola and is considered to be one of the best activities to do in Italy. So much so that no trip to the country is complete without it! These watercraft emerged more than 1000 years ago in Italy for transporting people and goods and are now one of the most popular things that travellers tick off their bucket list.

Cruising slowly beneath the quaint bridges amidst magnificent architecture is something that you won’t forget anytime soon.For the best experience, you can opt for a gondola with a singer on board who will serenade you as you enjoy some of the greatest landmarks in the world. There are numerous tours to choose from- daytime tours and sunset & wine tours, etc.

Location: The best gondola rides are enjoyed in Venice.
Price: Gondola rides start at around Euro 44, INR 3700.
Timings: It can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

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1. Colosseum: One of the most recognised buildings in the world, the Colosseum is what landmarks Italy. Named after the nearby statue of Nero (Colosseum), it was built in 72 AD as a space for public games and fights.

Initially built to house over 50,000 people, Colosseum’s inner arena was where legendary gladiator fights and exhibitions of exotic animals took place. Don’t miss to see the centuries-old Arch of Constantine, walk amidst the underground tunnels and trap doors in the Hypogeum, and the Ludus Magnus, which used to serve as a Gladiator training school.

It is quite a surreal experience visiting this larger than life place that was at the core of stories about ancient Roman wizardry, witchcraft, magic, and demonic spirits.

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Location: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, Rome.
Entry Fee: Euro 12, INR 1002
Timings:
- Till February 15th: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- February 15th-March 15th: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- March 16th-Last Saturday of March: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Last Sunday of March-August 31st: 8:30 am to 7:15 pm
- 1st September-September 30th: 8:30 am to 7:00 pm
- 1st October- Last Saturday of October: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm

2. Lake Como: Considered to be amongst the most remarkable of Italian Lakes, Lake Como is a once in a lifetime place. Shaped like an inverted ‘Y’, the lake is bestowed with picture-postcard-like beauty. High mountain peaks, charming villages, cobbled-street walkways, and acres of flowering gardens surround the crystal clear waters of the lake.

It is a great place to enjoy water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and taking long relaxed cruises, some of the best things to do in Italy. Round off your day with a classic Italian meal and coffee at the nearby village cafes.

Location: Lombardy, Italy.
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timings: The best time to visit is between March-November.

3. The leaning tower of Pisa: One of the most fascinating buildings in the world, this building was originally built as a bell tower in the 11th-century. The famous slant of the tower, caused by its soft foundation and poor architectural planning, still continues albeit in minuscule degrees.

Taking the marble stairs threading through beautiful archways and stonewalls to the top of the tower and seeing the magnificent views of the city, its lush grasslands and red-tiled houses is one of the most amazing activities to do in Italy.

Location: Pisa, Italy.
Entry Fee: Euro 18, INR 1503
Timings:
- November-February: 9:45 am to 5:15 pm
- 5th December-8th December: 9:00 am to 6:30 pm
- 21st December-6th January: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
- 1st March-23rd March: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- 23rd March-29th March: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- April-September: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- 17th June-31st August: 8:30 am to 10:00 pm

4. Ancient ruins of Pompeii: One of the most important custodians of Roman art, culture, history, and traditions, Pompeii’s ruins are a must-visit. Stepping into the ruins of the city, that was lost for centuries after it got buried under volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, is like travelling in a time capsule and is one of the most surreal activities to do in Italy.

You will see still intact houses with intricate text & paintings, amphitheatre with painted frescos, temples, thermal baths, etc. Don’t miss to see places where grindstones, coins, furniture, and jewellery of the erstwhile residents are stored by archaeologists.

Location: Campania, Italy
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timings: Can be visited anytime.

5. Capri Island: Known as one of the most stunning islands in Italy with extraordinary natural beauty, taking a day trip to the almost 2000-year-old Capri Islands is one of the best things to do in Italy. The highlight of the island is Blue Grotto, which is a sea cave illuminated in the most brilliant hues of blue by angular columns of sunlight.

You can take a boat trip around the island to savour its ever-changing scenery and the massive rock formations known as Faraglioni. You can shop at popular shopping streets of Piazetta and Marina Piccola and round off the day with the famous Caprese Salad and ground almond chocolate cake.

Location: Tyrrhenian Sea, off the Gulf of Naples, Campania, Italy.
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Timings: April-Mid June, and September-Mid October.

6. Trevi Fountain: Undoubtedly the most beautiful fountain in Rome, this 17th-century fountain is an architectural marvel. Built in the Renaissance-era, this fountain is shrouded in interesting myths. Every year, over a million Euros are collected from the fountain thrown by people in their wish to fall in love or marry an Italian!

The stupendous Baroque architecture features the statues of Oceanus (God of Water), Salubrity, Agrippa, and Abundance surrounded by sea horses, chariots, hippos, and conch shells. Seeing the fountain beautifully illuminated in the evening is one of the best free things to do in Italy.

Location: Trevi District, Rome.
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.
Timings: The fountain is always on.

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You don’t have to think too much about what to do in Italy with your partner. Not when you are in one of the most romantic places in the world! Some of the most romantic things to do here are:

1. Lock your love, Florence: In Italy, you can lock your love, quite literally! The entire country has places where couples place lovelocks, a First World War tradition, for each other. One of the most famous sites to see thousands of such tiny symbols of love and tie your own locks is Florence’s most famous bridge, the Ponte Vecchio. Undoubtedly, one of the most romantic and free things to do in Italy

2. Explore the Vineyards, Tuscany: What’s a trip to Italy without visiting the lush fragrant vineyards of Tuscany, which is one of the most exciting activities to do in Italy. There are numerous old family-owned historic properties that let you sample selections of excellent vintage wines accompanied by traditional snacks like roasted meats, cheese, olives, truffles, etc. Couples can even take cooking classes together, pick olives, and stroll for hours in the luxuriant olive groves surrounded by oak-covered forests and hills.

3. Relax in a Thermal Spa: Take a break from sightseeing and head over to one of the several exotic locations for an authentic thermal spa experience. The resort town of Sirmione is one of the best places where you and your partner can enjoy mud baths, massages, and spa from spring waters 2100 meters below the earth.
Maremma town has a spa that uses water from the Saturnia spring, born in a volcanic crater. Other great thermal spas are at Terme di Saint Vincent (Aosta Valley), Terme di Popoli (Pescara), and Terme di Grado (Gorizia).

4. Create your Signature Perfume, Florence: There is nothing more romantic than having a perfume exclusively created to celebrate your love. And that’s exactly what you can do at Lorenzo Villoresi’s perfumery in Florence, one of the most offbeat things to do in Italy.
Lorenzo constructs bespoke fragrances for couples using ancient distillation techniques with exquisite ingredients like Bulgarian rose, oakmoss, Mysore sandalwood, coastal blossoms, etc.

Shopping is one of the must-do activities to do in Italy. The best places to shop in the country are:

1. Milan
Known as the fashion capital of the world, Milan is an absolute must-visit for people who love the fine things in life. The most popular shopping jaunt is the Via Montenapoleone Street famous for its classic designer boutiques and handmade collectibles. Some of the world’s best brands have set up shop here like Gucci, Pinko, Antonia, Bvlgari, etc.

2. Naples
Naples is famous for designer jewellery, precious stones, and designer brands for shoes, apparel, and accessories. To scour through the best of these visit Via Toledo Street that’s home to numerous old and new stores.

3. Venice
One of the best places to shop, Venice is packed with numerous shopping streets and squares like Mercerie that house everything ranging from luxury boutiques, jewellery & watch stores, souvenir shops, and outlets selling kitschy collectibles like wooden puzzles, handmade masks, and doorknockers, etc.

Some of the best outlets to visit here are L’Angolo Delle Idee, Liber Venezia, Filo, and San Marco 55.

4. Florence
Italian leather accessories like bags, jackets, and belts are amongst the most unique in the world both for their quality and design. The best place to pick the best of the lot is at Michelangelo’s Florentine Leather located at Via Giovan Battista Zannoni Street.

For chic high-end brands like Gucci, Fendi, Miu Miu, Marni, Armani, etc. you must visit iconic shopping streets like Via Roma, Via de’ Tornabuoni, Via della Spada, and Borgo Santi Apostoli.

5. Portofino
This chic resort village and its Harbour streets are popular for its high-end brand stores like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Armani, etc. While here don’t miss exploring the shops of local artists, craftsmen, and jewellers for picking up authentic Italian souvenirs, paintings, and handicrafts.

The best things to enjoy in Italy when travelling with kids are:

1. Enjoy The Stunning Coastal Scenery, Cinque Terre: Kids are the happiest when outdoors and what’s a better location than one of the prettiest coastal areas in the world! Made up of 5 charming villages, Cinque Terre on the Northwest coast is a place where you can enjoy a hike to see these scenic fishing villages and indulge in delectable food. This 6-hour hike can be broken with a train ride in case the kids get tired.

2. Try Thrilling Rides, Gardaland: Located near the Lago di Garda Lake, Gardaland is the largest theme park in the area. Children can spend hours exploring rides like Jungle Rapids, Colorado Boats, and The Sea Aquarium. The highlight of the place is the Legoland Water Park and its millions of Lego Bricks, water games, slides, and rides. The park is located in the Province of Verona.

3. Sample The Delicious Italian Food, Bologna: Eataly World in Bologna conducts a tour where you can sample almost all of the world-famous Italian cuisine like gelato, pasta, pizza, and desserts. Not only this, but this tour will allow the kids to know and appreciate where their food comes from and even participate in its making process. You get a chance to visit over 45 restaurants in this tour.

4. Get Gladiator Training, Rome: Now this is something that you can’t experience anyplace else in the world. The Gladiator School Museum lets the children (and adults!) don the traditional dress of the warriors and practice moves of this ancient fighting tradition.

5. Explore a Life-size Ship, Genoa: Genoa, the erstwhile coastal city, has The Galata Museo del Mare maritime museum and its life-size ship is a great place to visit with children. It’s fascinating for them to know about different vessels and how they run. All the displays at the museum are visually stunning and exploring them is amongst the most fun things to do in Italy with children.