Italy: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Wide, fine sandy beaches, impressive relics from antiquity and other eras, as well as the much-praised Dolce Vita, make Italy a top travel destination. In the north, you can experience an unforgettable hiking or skiing holiday in the fantastic mountain scenery of the Dolomites. Or how about a beach holiday on the Adriatic?
Table of contents
Italy - 8 most beautiful natural sights
Dolomites
Bozen, Gröden, and Cortina d’Ampezzo: The Dolomites are full of beautiful holiday destinations with a special flair. The area, mostly located in South Tyrol, is crisscrossed by ten high-altitude hiking trails. Particularly challenging is the 110 km long hiking trail from Pieve d'Alpago to Segusino. The climate of the Dolomites is continental. In winter, you can also ski or cross-country ski in the Dolomites. The Dolomiti Superski winter sports area includes a total of 1,200 kilometers of slopes. The Seiser Alm, on the other hand, invites you to extensive bike tours all year round to explore the small villages in the mountain panorama.
Blue Grotto
The hole in the impressive rock that grants access to the Blue Grotto is only two meters wide. As soon as the boat leaves the open sea behind, a fascinating wonder world opens up to you: Through another and larger opening, which is underwater, the sun's rays enter from above. They create the deep blue hue that prevails in the cave. You experience the atmosphere as particularly magical if you plan your visit at midday. Then the sun's rays break perfectly on the almost white sand that forms the floor of the cave.
Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre refers to a 12-kilometer-long coastal section in the Liguria region, which includes the wonderfully beautiful villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso, which were previously only accessible on foot or by ship. They are characterized by their dreamlike location on the cliffs above the sea. The five charming villages with their historic and colorful houses, the dreamy beaches, as well as sights and harbors invite you to stroll and relax. On magnificent hiking trails, you can explore the incomparable nature and repeatedly enjoy the breathtaking view from the cliffs over the sea.
Turkish Steps
The Scala dei Turchi is a white rock formation, the coastal section with the terraced sediment formation can be easily reached by car at Realmonte. It continues on foot along a path to the 50-meter-high rock. From its peak, visitors have a magnificent view of the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. Realmonte, with the Scala dei Turchi, is considered one of the most unusual bathing resorts in Italy. Over the centuries, wind and weather have eroded the stony material and given the rock its unique shape. On both sides of the Turkish staircase, golden sandy beaches stretch out, inviting visitors to swim and linger.
Abruzzo National Park
Clear mountain lakes, reflecting peaks up to 2,250 meters high, and dense forests characterize the Abruzzo National Park in Italy. In between, you will discover romantic places like Scanno, picturesquely situated by the lake of the same name. Hikers use the many marked trails to explore the fascinating holiday region. Summit climbers set off in the south of the national park for tours to the highest mountains, Monte Marsicano and Monte Meta (2,185 meters). If you're in the mood for sightseeing, the beautiful Castel San Vincenzo is worth a visit. It perches on a mountain above a lake.
Sibillini Mountains
At 1,452 m, Castelluccio is the highest village in the Apennines. The Romans already settled here. Popular hikes lead from Castelluccio to the mountain lake Lago di Pilato, located at 1,941 m on Monte Vittorio. But cyclists and equestrians also enjoy the Piano Grande plateau. Between the end of May and mid-July, during the "Fiorita di Castelluccio," thousands of lentil, poppy, daffodil, violet, and gentian blossoms transform the plateau into a colorful sea of flowers. From Castelluccio di Norcia, you can best enjoy this spectacle and unique photo opportunity.
Etna
The impressive Etna is very well developed for tourism. The Strada dell’ Etna takes visitors up to the Rifugio Sapienza station at nearly 2,000 meters altitude. From there, take the cable car to the mountain station. Off-road buses then take you up to 3,000 meters. The views over the bizarre volcanic slopes are an unforgettable experience, all year round. Also exciting is a 110-kilometer train ride from Catania around the volcano. On hikes in the Etna Nature Park, you will discover unique plants and animals that defy the lava stone and are unique in Europe.
Val d'Orcia
Take extensive walks along the namesake Orcia River and discover the enchanting nature, interesting culture, and excellent cuisine. The latter has made the region a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides olive oil, the delicious red wines from the Orcia Valley are considered true specialties. Those in search of cultural highlights will find them in the town of Pienza. Many historical buildings, the old town, churches, and palaces impress both large and small visitors alike. A well-known viewpoint over the Orcia Valley is Podere Belvedere, a farmhouse amidst olive groves and vineyards.
Italy - Climate
Since Italy stretches from the more than 3,000-meter-high peaks in the north to the Mediterranean island of Sicily, the weather is very varied. In South Tyrol, for example, snowfall is to be expected from November to March. Therefore, the conditions in the alpine ski resorts are excellent. The best time to travel for a beach holiday is from June to September, when the average water temperatures are between 23 and 25 °C. If you are interested in a city trip to Rome, spring and autumn with pleasant temperatures up to an average of 17 °C are ideal.
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.
Article
Italy - All travel tips for your holidays
Best topics in Italy
Italy - Top regions
- Adriatic
- Alto Adige/South Tirol
- Arezzo, Cortona and surroundings
- Dolomites
- Elba Island
- Florence Countryside
- Lake Como
- Lake Garda
- Lake Ledro
- Lake Maggiore
- Liguria
- Liguria Riviera Levante & Cinque Terre
- Liguria Riviera Ponente
- Marche
- North-Italian Lakes
- Piemonte
- Puglia
- Riviera degli Etruschi
- Sardinia
- Sicily
- Tuscany
- Tuscany Chianti
- Umbria
- Veneto