Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe because of its history, culture, and beautiful scenery. While there are easily hundreds of things to do in this incredible country, this list of fifteen Italy bucket list items is some of the most essential things to do on your Italian vacation.
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1. Ride a gondola in Venice
If you’re asked to picture a place in Italy, one of the places that might come to mind is the beautiful canal city of Venice. A trip to this charming town isn’t complete without a ride on a traditional gondola.
Venice Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Venice. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Venice to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Venice itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Venice in addition to what already mentioned here.
2. Visit the Duomo in Florence.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was first built in 1296 and is the cathedral of Florence. You can admire it from the street or climb up the 463 steps to the top to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the historic city.
Florence Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Florence. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Florence to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Florence itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Florence in addition to what already mentioned here.
3. Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain.
According to tradition, if you toss a coin in with your right hand over your left shoulder while your back is towards the fountain, you will soon make another trip to Italy. In addition to taking place in this tradition, you can admire the impressive stone structure that makes up the fountain. It was built in 1762 and is likely the most famous fountain in the entire world.
Rome Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Rome. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Rome to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Rome itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Rome in addition to what already mentioned here.
4. Walk along the city walls of Lucca.
The walled city of Lucca contains a series of impressively well-preserved walls that date back to 3 BC. The majority of the walls were built starting in the 1600s and protected this historic city.
Lucca Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Lucca. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Lucca to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Lucca itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Lucca in addition to what already mentioned here.
5. Travel by Vespa in Rome.
This iconic Italian mode of transportation is popular throughout the country and can be found in many cities, but traveling by Vespa in Rome is a truly iconic experience. They’re available for rent and are easy to use.
Rome Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Rome. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Rome to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Rome itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Rome in addition to what already mentioned here.
6. See a show at the historic La Scala Opera House in Milan.
La Scala has been operating since August 3, 1778 when the production of Antonio Salieri’s Europa riconosciuta was performed there. At the time it was called Nuovo Regio Ducal Teatro Alla Scala, but that name was shortened to La Scala over the years.
Find your tickets to La Scala Opera House here.
Milan Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Milan. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Milan to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Milan itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Milan in addition to what already mentioned here.
7. Eat pizza in Naples.
Naples is widely considered to be the birthplace of this popular dish. Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba is the world’s first pizzeria, and the unique opportunity to try a slice at this location is definitely a bucket list item for any Italian vacation.
Naples Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Naples. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Naples to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Naples itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Naples in addition to what already mentioned here.
8. Go wine tasting in Tuscany.
Tuscany is one of the best wine regions in all of Italy and is famous for the stunning environment that surrounds the incredible vineyards. The most famous wine produced here is Chianti, which is largely produced with the Sangiovese grapes that are grown here. You can take guided tours of the wineries or simply wander the countryside at your own pace.
Tuscany Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Tuscany. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Tuscany to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Tuscany itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Tuscany in addition to what already mentioned here.
9. Tour the historic city of Pompeii.
The ancient city of Pompeii was once a thriving cultural center in Italy but was buried under a layer of ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The debris from the eruption combined with the layers of ash preserved the city at the exact moment of the eruption – remains of the people who were still in the city at that time were recovered by archaeologists in the last fifty or so years.
Pompeii Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Pompeii. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Pompeii to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Pompeii itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Pompeii in addition to what already mentioned here.
10. Tour the colosseum.
This oval amphitheater is situated in Rome and dates all the way back to 70 or 80 AD, and is the largest amphitheater ever built. You can walk through underground tunnels and learn about the gladiators that fought here. Despite damage that was caused to the structure over the years, it remains an iconic landmark in all of Italy.
Rome Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Rome. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Rome to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Rome itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Rome in addition to what already mentioned here.
11. Go hiking on the Amalfi coast.
The picturesque Amalfi Coast has plenty to offer it’s visitors. Composed of buildings that are built into the cliffside and overlooking the turquoise waters of the sea, the Amalfi Coast is a prime destination for anyone who likes to spend time outside. There are several towns that are spread out along the coast to visit, and you can plan a vacation visiting one or two or hiking between them.
Amalfi Coast Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Amalfi Coast. Also, find the list of the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Amalfi Coast itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do on Amalfi Coast in addition to what already mentioned here.
12. Explore the idyllic waters of Lake Como.
Lake Como has been a popular getaway for centuries. The sunny warm weather and beautiful landscape provide a stunning backdrop for relaxing, hiking, boating, and more. You can also take a funicular train up to the town of Brunate if you want to avoid an incredibly challenging hike. This town is the perfect place to take in all of Lake Como and the surrounding area.
Lake Como Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Lake Como. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Lake Como to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Lake Como itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Lake Como in addition to what already mentioned here.
13. See Michelangelo’s David in Florence.
This sculpture is perhaps one of the most famous works of art in the world and is a must-see on any visit to Italy. Today you can see the original statue in the Galleria dell’Accademia, an art gallery in Florence, but the statue was originally placed in a public outdoor town square outside of the Palazzo Vecchio. A replica of the statue sits at its original location.
Florence Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Florence. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Florence to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Florence itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Florence in addition to what already mentioned here.
14. Sample some gelato.
Gelato isn’t specific to one city or town in Italy so you can grab some of this incredible dessert anywhere you go. Gelato is similar to ice cream but it is denser and has less milk fat. The most common flavors that one can find in Italy are vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, cream, and stracciatella, which is a milk-based flavor with chocolate shavings. This refreshing treat is a must for anyone traveling to Italy.
15. Admire the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
The frescos that are painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are another example of work by Michelangelo. He started working on the paintings when he was just 33 years old in 1508. Although the work is incredibly well respected today, he was initially somewhat reluctant to take on the project as he considered himself to be a sculptor at the time. He completed the work four years later, in 1512.
Vatican City Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Vatican City. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Vatican City to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your Vatican City itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Vatican City in addition to what already mentioned here.
Video Guide: Italy Bucket List: 15 Best Things to Do & See in Italy
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Travel resources for planning an Italy bucket list trip
To make planning your Italy bucket list trip to Italy easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuroRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning an Italy bucket list trip?
Want to plan an Italy bucket list trip but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as an Italy bucket list trip are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations.
To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.
