11 Things To Do In Italy

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Italy is a beautiful country, with something for everyone, from beaches, natural beauty, football, food, fashion and everything else you could want in a summer holiday. I have written up the ultimate list of things to do in Italy, perfect if you are just about to go on a trip to this stunning country, but I will endeavour to keep adding more as I take on more trips to their sunny shores.

If you’ve just been and feel something has been missed off, write it as a comment at the bottom of the page so others can have a read. I’ll write in more details about individual cities within Italy in future articles, so keep an eye out.

1) The Colosseum

The Colosseum, also originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was built in AD 72 and has truly stood the test of time, offering entertainment to vast audiences as they watched gladiators battle each other to death, fighting lions and…well, you’ve seen the film Gladiator, you get the point.

There is a very brutal history around the Colosseum, however it is very interesting to learn about it, but it might not be wildly popular with animal lovers as you hear some of the really disturbing stories, such as how they would regularly butcher thousands of wild animals for nothing more than a bit of fun and to wow the audience.

You can walk through the underground tunnels, plus you’ll get amazing views from the upper levels once you climb up the steps. The arena looks big in postcards and movies, but it really feels massive once you’re there.

2) Cinque Terre

Along the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is continuously seen in galleries and lists of the most beautiful places in the world, with beautifully colourful houses built on cliff edges, alongside deep blue waters and mountains.

Found in Northern Italy between Genoa and Pisa, this is a must-see on my list, while the list of things to do while you are here is incredibly long, from sports such as fishing, swimming and hiking, to the more relaxing and cultural days out. You could also take a boat trip so you get a different view of the scenery, whether that’s a cultural boat trip or a bit more of a wild one with drinks included, both are available.

This was a relatively poor region historically, however the boom of tourism has helped the local economy, offering a new source of income for many who live here.

I would strongly recommend sticking around for sunset and finding a high point to watch it from as you do get stunning views, perfect to eat dinner with or enjoy a beverage. The area has a number of seafood restaurants, serving locally caught fish, as well as having a surprisingly decent cocktail selection.

3) Pompeii

I went here when I was 13 years old, however I would say I would have appreciated this a lot more now than when I was younger, so it might not be one for the younger visitors. Also, my sisters spent the entire holiday certain the volcano was going to errupt.

With the release of the film Pompeii, starring my schoolmate Kit Harington, the area saw an influx of tourism, reaching out to a whole new demographic of audience.

You can walk along the top of the volcano, which I did enjoy and I remember buying fossils and rocks along the side, something I need to find in the house. The views of Mount Vesuvius are stunning, while a trip here isn’t complete without heading over to the Ampitheatre.

4) Blue Grotto

This one is much more up my street, the Blue Grotto is truly stunning, a natural beauty as the sun blazes in through a little gap in the cave, illuminating the cave in a blue light, with the walls looking silver all around you.

You can take a boat trip to see this amazing view, which involves a proper boat and then transitioning to a small rowing boat to enter the cave as the entrance is too small for a big boat holding everyone. I really mean small, as you will be asked to lie back in the boat when entering so that you don’t bump your head.

You can find this cave on the island of Capri, which is located off the Southern coast of Italy. Now you’re not going to go all the way to Capri just for a cave visit, there are so many amazing things to do here, from the rock formations of Faraglioni to the gorgeous beach area around Spiaggia di Marina Piccola.

I mentioned it lights up in this electric blue colour, but now you must be wondering why. There is actually a very large opening underwater in the cave and as the light shines through, the other coloured wavelengths like red and yellow are absorbed, but the blue light actually travels further and is reflected off the sandy seabed back through the cave.

Now the story goes that Emperor Tiberius used to use the cave as his private swimming spot, the lucky bugger. If you want to visit yourself, the morning time is inevitably the best time to go, but try to visit outside of the summer peak as the queues can get quite long.

5) Lake Como

We considered going to Lake Como for our honeymoon, as it really is a picturesque location, with waterfront restaurants to dine in the evening and ferry rides to enjoy during the daytime.

You have to visit the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’, Bellagio (not the casino), an amazing town along the lake. From here you can shop or relax in a cafe with those incredible views out at the lake. In my eyes, this is the first step to complete, the main port of call if you don’t have a huge amount of time.

If you’re staying a bit longer, then you should head over to the calmer Varenna, another lakeside area, but with very colourful houses and those mountains behind you.

While it’s nice to look out at the water, you should really book yourself onto one of the ferry rides, which will take you to each of the towns, an alternative to ordering a taxi or an Uber.

You might have noticed every bar and restaurant around the world has started to embrace the spritz, well you’ll certainly see these here and I’m very happy about it! The perfect drink after dinner while looking out at the lake and mountains.

This was once a hidden gem, that has long gone as it’s very busy during the summer time, therefore I’d actually recommend visiting during spring or autumn.

6) Grand Canal in Venice

Taking a gondola ride along the Venice canals is probably one of the most romantic images we see in movies and media, with people proposing left, right and centre as they listen to the sound of Italian opera, looking out at the beautiful canals and up at the stars in the night sky.

I visited Venice when I was 14 with my family, so it probably didn’t have the same effect on me that it would have had if I’d visited with the love of my life, so I might have to go there again at some point.

The gondola rides were actually very expensive, but you can alternatively get to experience the canals on a water taxi or a water bus, going along the Grand Canal which is almost 4km long.

If you’re looking for a key spot to stop and get a photo, the Rialto Bridge is such a famous part of Venice and offers some amazing views of the canals. Just the same, St Mark’s Square is also worth visiting, where you’ll find the famous Basilica and beautifully crafted buildings.

The vast majority of people visiting are just coming for the day, therefore if you stay locally then you’ll get a slightly calmer experience in the evening as the crowds diminish. But the part that really stands out to me is the lack of cars, something I wish we had more of in big cities.

7) Embrace Food & Cooking Classes In Calabria

There are so many food based activities in Calabria, so this one jumps out for anyone who is really into their food and cooking. You can learn to make bread and be educated on how each family in the region has their own yeast (yer I know that sounds gross) which they pass down for generations.

There are pasta making classes, which are sometimes combined with bread making, while you get to eat at the end, something I loved doing, as it was a huge buffet style feast! They also had cheese making classes, pictured above, where you can make ricotta and mozarella. They talk you through the entire process before you get to eat a meal, including the freshly made cheese and a number of other locally sourced ingredients, with a farm on-site.

You can also wander around markets, something I loved doing in Soverrato, while picking up a few souvenirs for back home. Plus you have to try all the local dishes like Parmigiana di Melanzane, Pipi e Patati, plus all the dishes coated in Nduja. You can read my full list of things to do in Calabria here.

8) The Vatican

I’m stating ‘things to do in Italy’, but it should be stated that technically, the Vatican City is a country independent from Italy and is actually the smallest country in the world, with a population of around 800 people. Despite the small size, you’ll still find the basic necessities within, such as a police force, a post office and they have their own stamps and car license plates.

As I’m sure you’ll already know, this is where the Pope lives, meaning you can always hope to get a glance of him, as many people do. St Peter’s Basilica is one of the biggest attractions while visiting, a truly giant church which is believed to have been built where the tomb of Saint Peter lies. But most importantly for me, it’s free to enter.

The Sistine Chapel is another key sight that you’ve probably heard of, with the famous cielings painted by Michelangelo. Unfortunately you’re not allowed to take photos inside, so please respect the rules as you don’t want to get in trouble or anger locals.

St Peter’s Square can also be found here, a huge open space where you’ll find thousands of tourists, not to mention thousands of pigeons, while it was designed by Bernini.

I want to provide a gentle reminder to book your museum tickets in advance, if you want to avoid disappointment or huge crowds to purchase them.

9) Leaning Tower of Pisa

When they were constructing this tower in 1173, they noticed the lean once they had reached the third storey. The tower is known to sink further with every year that passes. Rather than making it an embarrassment of the country, it has actually become one of the most synonymous images of Italy, just showing that even when Italians muck something up, they still exhale beauty.

You’re allowed to climb up the Pisa, which is about 250-300 steps, so get ready for a decent amount of cardio. People only ever see the tower in images, but there are other local attractions, including the Cathedral and Baptistery.

Now I know a few people might be freaking out that it could come crashing down when they visit, but you’ll be happy to know it’s now considered completely safe. It was to do with soft ground being below the foundations when they began, but after decades of work by expert engineers it was declared safe.

So many people get the photo where it looks like they’re leaning on the tower, but for good reason, that’s a great shot, so I’d 100% recommend doing the same, or go even more creative with it. Maybe pack some fancy dress!

10) Sassi di Matera

This is an ancient cave, which has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, made up of rock cut settlements, the most well structured remaining in the Mediterranean. Historically, the locals struggled with poverty and lived in these cave dwellings, while this area was completely abandoned and people were forced from their homes by the government in 1952, as many as 15,000 people being re-homed.

It is said to be dated all the way back to Palaeolithic times, therefore history buffs and archeology fans would be delighted to know that you can stay in a cave hotel and eat in a cave restaurant! As with others on this list, you can also get a great view of sunset. If you enjoy a good hike, you could head over to Murgia National Park.

11) Chianti Wine Route

Now you’re talking, a complete tour of all the wine regions can’t be left off this list. One just for the adults, if you’re a fan of wine then you really do have to tick this off before you die. I wouldn’t have cared about this just a few years ago, however I did a wine tour across Argentina and it was absolutely amazing, beautiful scenery, great friends and we were insanely drunk at all times

The Chianti wine region is set between Florence and Siena, while you might want to book somewhere to stay before you get there, so you’re not walking, or biking, around with more alcohol than is recommended for a full grown rhino.

Have you ever heard of the rolling hills of Tuscany? Well this is what you can expect, surrounded by vineyards in all directions, as well as medieval villages you can explore before the wine tour starts.

When you book a vineyard tour, you can expect to be taken around the manufacturing and vineyard, as well as meeting the producers and learning about the history of the company. You’ll also be taken down to the cellars to see the copious amounts of bottles they have stored.

This is before the wine tasting starts, the most important aspect of any tour! But Chianti isn’t just about drinking wine, you can explore the olive oil farms and try some for yourself, as well as packing some for back home so you’re not using the blended oils we get in our supermarkets. You can also try the local cuisines at the many restaurants, as well as enjoying that magnificent Tuscan countryside.