Italy Bucket List: 27 Best Things to do in Italy

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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you must add these 27 activities to your Italy bucket list!

Italy is one of the most diverse countries in Europe, with thousands of years of history and culture waiting to be discovered. 

Whether you want to discover ancient Roman history, or you want to relax and enjoy Italian wines in Tuscany or beaches on the Amalfi coast, there is something in Italy for everyone.

Let’s get started with your Italy to do list!

Italy Bucket List

See the Spanish Steps

While it is not allowed to sit on the Spanish steps anymore, they are still a must do in Italy. Decorated in the Roman Baroque style, the stairs are a beautiful sight to see with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top, and they offer a great panoramic view over the city. 

Watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo offers one of the most stunning views over Florence, and the square is especially popular to visit for sunset. Grab a drink, and sit on the steps while enjoying one of the best sunsets in Italy.

Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Seeing the unique Leaning Tower of Pisa is on everybody’s Italy bucket list. This medieval tower leans visibly to the south because it was built on unstable ground. Today, its unique looks attract millions of tourists coming to see it. You can also climb 251 steps to the top of the tower and enjoy a view over Pisa!

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Relax on the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast became a synonym for a luxurious vacation over the years. Picturesque, colorful towns built on steep cliffs like Positano earned their spot on everyone’s Italian bucket list.

These towns are perfect for relaxation, as you can walk around cobblestone streets, enjoy delicious Italian food or just relax on the beach with stunning views. 

Attend the Carnival of Venice

Venice is beautiful at any time of the year, but you’ll see a different side of this popular city if you visit during Carnival.

Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Venice to get their faces painted in traditional Venice mask style and stroll the streets, taking pictures of extravagant costumes with beautiful Venice backdrop. 

Snap a photo at Juliet’s Balcony in Verona

Romeo and Juliet’s love story is based in the Italian city of Verona. While most of the story is fiction, some parts are historically correct! The house where young Juliet lived is one of them, and today you can visit the famous  Juliet’s Balcony in Verona and even write your own love letter to Juliet. 

Day trip to Vatican City

Did you know that Vatican City is actually a separate country? Located inside the city of Rome, with a landmass of just 0.49 km2, the Vatican is the smallest country in the world. Visiting the world’s smallest country should definitely be on your Italy bucket list!

Ride a gondola in Venice

Venice is one of the most romantic places in the world, and riding a gondola through the Venice canals might be the most romantic thing to do in Venice. Find a gondola that you like, settle comfortably, and get ready to explore the city from a different perspective, away from the crowds!

Take an Italian cooking class

Italian cuisine is one of the most influential cuisines in the world that is part of everybody’s diet. Do you like pizza and pasta? If your answer is yes, then you need to take an Italian cooking class to learn how to make them the original, Italian way!

Explore Sforzesco Castle

While Italy is not known for its castles, like France or Germany, the country is home to some incredible medieval fortifications. Sforzesco Castle in Milan is one of the most impressive castles in the country.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was one of the largest citadels in Europe. Today, you can stroll the grounds of this large castle, and imagine what it was like to live there centuries ago!

Visit the gorgeous Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a nickname given to 5 fishing villages on the rugged Italian coastline – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. The villages got popular for their colorful houses built on the steep cliffs around small coves, and they are some of the most picturesque places in Italy!

Climb the Duomo in Florence

Florence Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as Duomo, is one of the most impressive religious buildings in Italy.

While it is mesmerizing to look at on its own, climbing the top of the Duomo is well worth it as offers incredible 360-degree views of Florence, including the Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio.

Hike in the Dolomites

Italy is not just about history and culture, this diverse country is home to incredible nature. Hiking in the Dolomites is one of the best adventurous things to do in Italy. The hiking trails in the Dolomites range from leisurely walks to extreme via-ferrata trails. 

Step back in time at the Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum is probably the number one item on everybody’s Italy bucket list. It is the best place to step back in time and see what life in ancient Rome was like for thousands of gladiators who fought in these historic arenas. 

Spend a day in Lake Como

The upscale lakeside resort of Como, with its pebbled beaches, is a unique take on the summer holiday. Surrounded by the Alps, lake Como is one of the most magical places in Italy. You can spend a day discovering the villages along the lake as it is the third largest Italian lake with plenty of things to do. 

Dine on traditional pasta

If there is one food that you can’t miss in Italy, it is Italian pasta. Nobody does pasta like the Italians. This simple dish garnished with Parmigiano becomes a true masterpiece in Italy. The best way to enjoy a delicious plate of pasta is paired with Italian wine in a family-run restaurant in Trastevere.

Go on a vineyard tour

Italy is home to some incredible vineyards. Italy is the world’s largest producer of wines, with vineyards throughout the country. The most famous wine regions in Italy are Veneto, Tuscany, and Piedmont, but you can add wine tasting to your Italy itinerary regardless of your route!

Visit Vesuvius

Did you know that you can visit a real volcano in Italy? Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in 79 AD when it destroyed the ancient town of Pompei. Luckily, the volcano is safe to visit today and you can just walk around and admire this majestic nature site.

Soak in the Saturnia Hot Springs

If you like hot springs, you’re in luck! As you might have noticed with a volcano, Italy is situated in a geologically active area that creates some incredible hot springs. The most well-known hot spring in Italy is Saturnia Hot Springs. The best part, it is completely free to visit!

Eat all the gelato you can

Another Italian culinary specialty is ice creams. But not just any ice cream, creamy Italian gelato is like nothing you’ve tried before, and it must be on your Italy bucket list! Some of the best flavors to go for are pistachio, hazelnut, and tiramisu. 

Wander the gardens at Pitti Palace

Majestic Pitti Palace was home to the Italian aristocratic families of Pitti and Medici. Today, it houses several important museums and galleries, transporting you back in time to see what it was like to live in medieval Italy.

However, the beautiful Boboli Gardens are a reason to visit in itself. The gardens are huge, with plenty of ground to discover and a stunning viewpoint at the top of the hill.

Go skiing

North Italy is home to some incredible mountain ranges, perfect for enjoying winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. The most popular skiing area is the Dolomites, with 12 major ski resorts. However, you can’t go wrong with Val d’Aosta or the Savoy Alps either!

Throw coins into the Trevi Fountain

They say if you toss a coin over your left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, it ensures you’ll come back to Rome. Once you visit the eternal city, you’ll definitely want to come back, so make sure to do this!

Take a trip to colorful Burano

The colorful island of Burano, right off the coast of Venice, is a perfect spot for a day trip from Venice. This small island is best known for its picturesque, colorful houses along the canals that make for perfect Instagram photos.

You only need a couple of hours in Burano, and it is easy to reach by water bus from Venice. 

Enjoy pizza in Naples

Another Italian classic that should be on your Italy bucket list is pizza. This simple dish became a staple in many households, but it actually originated in Italy. The best palace to try real Neapolitan pizza is L’antica Pizzeria da Michele Forcella.

See Da Vinci’s Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous Italian artists, and the Last supper is arguably one of his best works. Seeing this stunning piece of art is a must do in Italy. Unlike most of his art that is kept in museums and galleries, the Last Supper is a mural on the wall in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church.

Explore Pompeii

The tragic history of Pompeii, a Roman city destroyed by a volcano eruption in 79 AD gave us one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Italy. Stroll the streets of this ancient town that was covered in ashes and pumice for centuries, leaving it almost untouched to admire today.

And there you have it, your ultimate Italy bucket list! 

From the breathtaking Dolomites in the north to the picturesque Amalfi coast in the south, Italy is full of diversity, culture, and history!

With so many incredible places to visit, it might seem hard to plan your Italy trip. However, with this Italy to do list, you’re safe that you won’t miss any of the must-see places in Italy.