A holiday in Italy is sure to capture your imagination, and wherever you decide to stay, there’s something for everyone. It’s no surprise it’s one of Europe’s hottest holiday hotspots; you can take a break in a bustling city, plan an island escape, experience a cultural adventure, or kick back and relax on one of the country’s beautiful beaches. You’ll find amazing architecture, Roman ruins, rustic villages, amazing wines, and fantastic food around every corner. Grab a gelato and wander along a waterfront, or go shopping in some of the high-end shops to be found in the resorts and cities. Italy’s full of romance and iconic places to visit, such as Rome’s Colosseum, Sicily’s majestic Mount Etna and the treasures of the Bay of Naples area. For some stunning sights, head further south to explore Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast. Italy’s perfect for couples and honeymooners. However, if you’re planning a holiday to Italy with some partying in mind, Milan and Sicily have some superb nightlife, from relaxed drinks to an all-night party. With so much to choose from, an Italy holiday can be whatever you want it to be.
Things to do
There are so many ‘must-sees’ in Italy that there’s probably no such thing as a comprehensive list! However, few Italy holidays would be complete without paying a visit to the grandiose Vatican buildings, eating pizza in its birth-place of Naples, or catching an opera in the amphitheatre in Verona. A trip to Pompeii is a fascinating look at one of the world’s most famous archaeological wonders. Touring Tuscany’s winding roads and vibrant vineyards is ideal for those who want to try some of the best of Italian food and wine. Take a leisurely boat trip along the southern coast, or wander the atmospheric waterfront promenades. If you’re on holiday in Italy with kids, keep them busy playing water sports on the beach, learning to ski, or unleashing their inner Sir Lancelot with a visit to one of the many medieval castles.
8–26°C
Italy enjoys a varied climate; with hot summers in areas like Sicily and Sardinia, and perfectly warm temperatures from April onwards in the Bay of Naples. The conditions in the Alps during winter are also perfect for skiing.
Approx 2 and half hours
The main international airports in Italy are Malpensa Airport in Milan and Leonardo da Vinci Airport (also known as Fiumicino) in Rome, although visitors also frequently fly to smaller airports, including Venice Marco Polo, Naples, Olbia and Comiso.
Travel guide
Things to do
Currency
Travel guide
Travel guide
Weather & Climate
Depending on where you go on your holidays to Italy, the climate can vary, particularly between the north and south. In general, summers are warm and bright, with temperatures climbing quickly to around 30°C in southern spots like Sicily. The spring and autumn months offer plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures for sightseeing, while, in winter, temperatures can drop to below freezing in the Alps, providing the perfect conditions for a winter skiing holiday.
Italy is best for…
Foodies: Italy’s world-class reputation as a culinary hotspot is on show in everything from the finest restaurants to rustic trattorias. Try some fresh, authentic pasta and you’ll never want to leave. Each region has its own specialities, and washed down with a glass of the local wine, it’s the perfect meal..
Couples: Italy is one of the most romantic countries in the world, inspiring Shakespeare to write Romeo and Juliet. You can experience a relaxing sailboat ride over to the island of Capri, enjoy candlelit dinners in Sorrento, or get your glad-rags on for the glamour of Sardinia’s exclusive Porto Cervo.
Nature lovers: The lakes, islands and scenery are a treasure trove of adventure on your Italy holidays.
Fast facts:
Language: The language spoken in Italy is Italian. While most of the staff in hotels, bars and restaurants speak some English, a casual ‘per favore’ and ‘grazie’ can go a long way..
Currency: You’ll need to change your pounds and pence for Euros before taking your holidays to Italy.
Local time: The Italy is the 1 hour GMT/UK time.
Fly to: Naples International Airport for Sant’Agnello (transfer 1 hour) and Amalfi, Sorrento and Ischia Porto, around 1.5 hours away. Verona Villafranca Airport for Lake Garda, around 1.5 hours away. Venice Marco Polo Airport serves Venice, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport serves Sardinia and Comiso Airport serves Sicily.
Flight time from UK: The flight time to Italy is 2.5 hours.
Tourist Information: Further Italy tourist information can be found at www.italia.it/en/home.html.
Visa / Health:
Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday to Italy.
Events
carnival Claasic: February sees carnival fever erupt across the country, with all the colour and celebration you might expect from the Italians. If you really want to immerse yourself in the experience, head to Sardinia’s Festival of the Madonna Del Rimedio, which can sometimes last up to 18 days, taking place in the town of Orosei from the first Friday in September.
Light Camera actions The legendary Venice International Film Festival occurs between August and September. Unlike many film festivals, there are tickets for film screenings open to the public, plus the chance to put on your best clothes and do some serious celebrity spotting by the red carpet. The summer film festival in Taormina, with many exclusive premieres, takes place in the open-air amphitheatre in June, every year.
Getting around
By bike: Italy’s smaller towns offer excellent sightseeing opportunities from the saddle of a bicycle. Bring your own or rent one when you arrive; the trains and ferries transport them free of charge.
By train: For longer journeys, there’s no beating the incredible views that roll past your window from the country’s speedy and affordable train network.
By taxi: When you need a cab, remember that authorised taxis are white and fitted with a meter, and you can hire one from the yellow taxi ranks.
Safety and Security:
For up to date advice on travelling to the Canary Islands, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/safety-and-securityThings to do
Italy is made up of sun-bleached beaches, spectacular countryside, rustic villages, and bustling cities. In addition to its romantic reputation, Italy is also famous for its Roman ruins, exceptional food and outstanding wines. With such a varied backdrop, rich history and vibrant culture, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Italy, so you can have the holiday of your dreams, an All Inclusive break, or a budget getaway. Whether you’re a foodie, a sun-seeker, a thrill-seeker, a history buff, or a dedicated shopper, we’ve got a list of all the best places to visit in Italy, and those top attractions to keep everyone happy.
You could spend the rest of your life exploring Italy, from the Renaissance splendour of Florence to the romance of Venice, Rome’s incredible ruins, or the eerie streets of Pompeii. Rome is an obvious choice if you want to package up a fabulous city break that’s full of culture, history, and amazing food, but beyond the capital there are so many more places to go in Italy. Why not visit Herculaneum, and its better-known neighbour, Pompeii? Or a visit to the Santuario di San Giuseppe church, in Sant’ Agnello? If you’re in the north of the country, Lake Garda is one of the most popular destinations for the rich and famous, and is also home to one of Italy’s best castles, the Castello Scaligero. If you love the outdoors, then there are mountains to climb, such as Monte Baldo and Monte Epomeo. If you’ve got the kids with you then Italy’s beaches such as the sandy Maronti Beach offer soft sand, warm waters, and plenty of things to do. In Italy, you’ll always have something new and exciting to discover.
Things to do in Italy
Sicily’s Mount Etna Italy
Sicily sits on the tallest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna standing at 10,890 feet. Get a feel for the majestic mountain by trekking on foot …Swim in the bay of Val di Sogno
Visitors are attracted to this pretty cove to gaze at the lake views and encounter nature. It’s located a little way away from the roads so if …Golfo del Pecoriello
Don’t miss the stunning little cove of Golfo del Pecoriello on your holiday to Sant’Agnello. A picturesque natural sight, it’s just a …Lido Di Jesolo Beach Italy
One of the most popular attractions on the Venetian Riviera is the beach in Lido di Jesolo. This Blue Flag winner has 17km of golden sands with …Shop ’til you drop
The first thing that Shopping on the Venetian Riviera ranges from high-end luxury boutiques to bustling weekly markets. You’ll find a good mix of designer brands …Amalfi Town Italy
When you go somewhere as beautiful as the Amalfi Coast, it’s tempting to spend more time sightseeing than relaxing. To make sure you take it …Herculaneum Italy
Pay a visit to one of the world’s most iconic ancient sites with a trip to Herculaneum. Less than an hour away from Sant’Agnello by road …Santuario Di San Giuseppe in Italy
A visit to the Santuario di San Giuseppe is an absolute must on your trip to Sant’Agnello. A beautiful old church which contains some lovely …Aqualandia Italy
When you go somewhere as beautiful as the Amalfi Coast, it’s tempting to spend more time sightseeing than relaxing. To make sure you take it …Currency
Italy travel money
If you’ve never travelled abroad before or aren’t familiar with things like exchange-rates or where to get hold of cash while you’re on holiday, here’s everything you need to know about the currency in Italy.What is the Currency of Italy?
In keeping with the rest of the EU, the Euro is the only form of legal tender in Italy. You’ll see it represented as either ‘EUR’ or €. The preceding currency of Italy, the Lira, was taken out of circulation in 2002, although it was officially replaced by the Euro in 1999. Lire are now worthless and cannot be changed up in banks or used in shops or restaurants.The paper money
Euro notes each depict something from Italy’s culture, both ancient and modern. In Italy, currency notes are also given notably different sizes, so that the visually-impaired can feel which note is which. The smallest note is worth the least, starting at €5 and increasing in value and size, up to €500. In addition, the Euros are markedly different in colour, making it easy for both the fully-sighted and the visually-impaired to distinguish between them. It’s worth remembering that many shops simply don’t have the change to deal with the larger notes, so you can make your life a lot easier by carrying only smaller denominations of the currency of Italy.Getting Cash while you’re Holidaying in Italy
Traveller’s cheques were once an easy way to change up currency in Italy, but they’re becoming less and less used. Your credit and debit cards are a much better bet, there are plenty of ATMs in the larger towns and cities in Italy, known as ‘Bancomats’. Some British banks charge commission on cash withdrawals in other countries, so it’s worth checking with yours what they charge on the currency in Italy, before you go. It’s also worth remembering that the majority of Italian ATMs will only allow a maximum withdrawal of €250 per day.Top destinations in Italy
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