Is Italy worth visiting?
YESSSSS. Obviously.
Honestly, Italy is one of my favourite countries in Europe, and considering how much I’ve travelled around Europe and beyond, I don’t say that lightly.
There is just SO much variety.
You can have mountains and ski resorts in the north, beautiful lakes, colourful coastal towns, beaches, huge cities, tiny villages, ancient ruins, incredible architecture, vineyards, islands and some of the best food you will ever eat.
And somehow, all of that is in one country.
Italy is also one of those places where you can have completely different trips depending on where you go. You can do a city trip to Rome, a road trip through Tuscany, backpack around Northern Italy, spend a week at the beach in Sicily or go skiing in the Dolomites.
And honestly?
Italy is basically a Pinterest board in real life.
But…
I also don’t want to pretend Italy is perfect.
Because there are definitely some things about travelling around Italy that I think you should know before you go.
So, is Italy worth visiting?
Let me give you my honest answer.
So, Is Italy Worth Visiting?
YES.
A thousand times yes.
If you asked me to recommend countries in Europe to someone who had never travelled here before, Italy would be very high on my list.
And I think the biggest reason is simply how much variety you get.
You can literally go from skiing in the mountains to swimming in the sea.
You can spend the morning looking at Roman ruins that are thousands of years old, have pasta for lunch, drink an Aperol Spritz in the afternoon and finish the day sitting on a tiny terrace somewhere watching the sunset.
That is Italy.
And I love it.
Italy Has Everything
One of the things I love most about Italy is that you don’t have to choose between different types of holidays.
Want mountains?
You’ve got the Dolomites, the Alps and some incredible ski resorts.
Want beaches?
Italy has SO much coastline, plus islands like Sicily and Sardinia.
Want lakes?
Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore…
Want beautiful cities?
Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Naples, Palermo…
Want history?
Italy is basically one giant history lesson.
Want architecture?
Everywhere you look there is another beautiful building, church, piazza or historic street.
Want nature?
You have mountains, lakes, beaches, countryside, vineyards and national parks.
And that variety is honestly one of the biggest reasons I think Italy is worth visiting.
You can come back multiple times and still feel like you’re discovering a completely different country.
The Cities Are So Different
Another thing I love about Italy is that the cities don’t all feel the same.
Rome feels completely different from Milan.
Milan feels completely different from Florence.
Florence feels completely different from Bologna.
Venice feels like its own little universe.
And then you have southern cities and islands that give you a completely different atmosphere again.
Even within the same region, places can feel completely different.
That’s why I don’t think you can really say you’ve “seen Italy” after visiting one or two cities.
Italy is HUGE compared with what you might imagine when you look at it on a European map.
And that is both one of the best things about it and one of the biggest problems when planning a trip.
We’ll get to that.
Italy Is Surprisingly Easy to Travel Around
Another reason I think Italy is worth visiting is that you don’t necessarily need a car.
For a lot of trips, trains are genuinely one of my favourite ways to get around Italy.
You can connect major cities relatively easily, and for a backpacking trip or city-focused itinerary, travelling by train makes a lot of sense.
I’ve also travelled around Italy using buses and other public transport, and depending on the route, it can be a really easy way to move between places.
But Italy is also PERFECT for a road trip.
Especially if you want to explore smaller towns, countryside, coastal areas or places where public transport becomes less convenient.
So whether you’re a backpacker travelling by train, someone who loves spontaneous bus journeys or someone who wants to rent a little Fiat and drive around Italy with the windows down…
Italy works.
And yes, the little Fiat is obviously mandatory for the aesthetic.
Italy Is Actually Pretty Affordable
I also don’t think Italy is ridiculously expensive compared with some other popular European destinations.
Obviously, this depends massively on where you go.
Rome, Venice, Milan and some of the famous coastal destinations can get expensive, especially during peak season.
But Italy can absolutely be travelled on a budget.
You can stay in hostels, take public transport, eat pizza and pasta, grab cheap coffee, have an aperitivo and explore cities mostly on foot without spending an insane amount of money.
And honestly, some of my favourite Italian experiences have been incredibly simple.
A €2-ish coffee.
A cheap plate of pasta.
A pizza eaten outside.
A supermarket picnic.
An Aperol Spritz before dinner.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of euros every day to have a good time in Italy.
And that makes a huge difference if you’re backpacking or travelling for a longer time.
The Food Is Obviously a Reason to Visit Italy
I mean…
Do I even need to explain this?
Italian food is one of the biggest reasons I would go back to Italy again and again.
Pizza.
Pasta.
Gelato.
Tiramisu.
Focaccia.
Fresh seafood.
Arancini.
Cannoli.
Cheese.
Wine.
And approximately seventeen million different ways of preparing carbs.
I genuinely don’t think you can have a bad food trip around Italy.
Okay, that’s probably an exaggeration.
But you get my point.
And then there is aperitivo.
Honestly, Italy’s aperitivo culture deserves its own paragraph.
Sitting outside in the evening with an Aperol Spritz, some little snacks and absolutely no reason to rush anywhere?
YES.
That is the lifestyle.
The only downside?
You might come home slightly thicker than when you left.
But honestly?
Worth it.
100 percent.
Italian Culture Is One of My Favourite Things
Italy also has a lifestyle that I really love.
There is something very laid-back about sitting outside for hours, eating slowly, having drinks with friends and just enjoying being somewhere.
People actually seem to take time for things.
And then there is the whole Italian obsession with food, coffee, family, socialising and spending time outside.
I love that.
Even something as simple as getting a coffee can feel like part of the experience.
And then there are the scooters.
People casually flying through tiny streets on scooters while you are standing there thinking:
“How are you not dead?”
But somehow it works.
Italy has that whole effortless Mediterranean feeling that makes even doing absolutely nothing feel like a holiday.
Italy Is Basically a Pinterest Board
I know this sounds incredibly cliché.
But it genuinely is.
You can walk through a tiny Sicilian street and see laundry hanging between buildings.
You can sit on a terrace overlooking the sea.
You can drive through rolling Tuscan hills.
You can wake up next to a lake in Northern Italy.
You can walk through Rome and suddenly find yourself standing next to something that has existed for thousands of years.
You can have an Aperol in a little piazza while everyone around you is doing exactly the same thing.
And then you take one photo and suddenly your camera roll looks like you have become a lifestyle influencer.
Italy is just ridiculously photogenic.
But… Italy Does Have Some Downsides
Okay.
Now let’s talk about the part people don’t always put on Instagram.
Because as much as I love Italy, there are definitely things that have made me uncomfortable while travelling there.
And I think it’s important to be honest about that too.
I Have Felt Less Safe Here Than In Some Other European Countries
This is obviously personal, and everyone’s experience will be different.
But Italy is one of the European countries where I have personally felt the most uncomfortable from unwanted male attention.
I’ve experienced quite a lot of whistling, staring and catcalling while travelling around.
And for me, that can really change how comfortable you feel walking around, especially when you’re alone.
It is also something I noticed enough that I wouldn’t just leave it out of an honest Italy travel guide.
That doesn’t mean Italy is an unsafe country and it definitely doesn’t mean you should avoid it.
But if you’re a solo female traveller, I think it’s worth being aware that unwanted attention can happen and that you should trust your instincts.
I personally wouldn’t let this stop me from travelling around Italy.
I would just keep it in mind.
Italians Can Be VERY Direct
And I mean this in the best and worst way.
Italian people can be incredibly warm, expressive and friendly.
But they can also be very direct.
Sometimes VERY direct.
And sometimes that intensity can take a little getting used to.
If you’re used to people being more reserved, you might occasionally find the way people speak, gesture or interact with you a little overwhelming.
Personally, I actually quite like the passion and expressiveness.
But I can also understand why some people might find it intense.
Italy is not necessarily the place to expect everyone to quietly keep to themselves.
There is a lot of personality.
A LOT.
Pickpocketing Is Something to Take Seriously
This is probably one of the biggest practical things I would warn travellers about.
Especially in very busy tourist areas and on crowded public transport, keep an eye on your belongings.
Don’t leave your phone sitting on a café table right next to the street.
Don’t walk around with your backpack completely open.
And maybe don’t put your phone in the back pocket of your jeans while walking through a packed tourist attraction.
Basically:
Use common sense.
You don’t need to be paranoid, but you also shouldn’t assume that nothing can happen.
Italy is a very popular tourist destination, and crowded places are exactly where you should be a little more aware of your belongings.
Italy Is BIGGER Than You Think
This is something I think people underestimate when planning an Italy trip.
You cannot realistically see all of Italy in one trip.
At least not properly.
And I think trying to do that is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
You might look at the map and think:
“Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Sardinia? Easy!”
No.
Please don’t.
You’re going to spend half your holiday moving around and the other half wondering why you’re exhausted.
Italy is much better when you choose a region or a few destinations and actually give yourself time to enjoy them.
For example, you could focus on Northern Italy.
Or Rome + Florence + Tuscany.
Or Naples + Amalfi Coast.
Or Sicily.
Or Puglia.
Or a northern Italy road trip.
There is always another place you could add.
You just have to resist the temptation.
You Need to Accept That Some Places Will Be Tourist-Heavy
Italy has some of the most famous tourist destinations in Europe.
And there is a reason for that.
The Colosseum is famous because it’s incredible.
Venice is crowded because everyone wants to see Venice.
Florence gets busy because the city is genuinely beautiful.
The Amalfi Coast gets expensive because, well…
Look at it.
So yes, some places can feel extremely touristy.
Especially during the summer.
Personally, I think this is one of those situations where you need to decide what matters more to you.
Sometimes I am happy to deal with the crowds because I really want to see something.
Other times I’d rather go somewhere slightly less famous and have a more relaxed experience.
And Italy gives you plenty of opportunities to do both.
So… Who Is Italy Actually For?
Honestly?
Almost everyone.
Italy is great for:
- Backpackers
- Solo travellers
- Couples
- Families
- Road trippers
- Food lovers
- History nerds
- Beach lovers
- Hikers
- Skiers
- City-break travellers
- People who just want to sit on a terrace drinking Aperol
And that’s probably the biggest reason I think Italy is worth visiting.
You can make Italy whatever kind of trip you want.
Want a backpacking adventure?
Easy.
Want a luxury holiday?
Also easy.
Want a cheap road trip?
Possible.
Want to spend two weeks eating your way through the country?
Honestly, probably the best option.
Want to hike through the mountains?
Go north.
Want to spend your entire holiday on the beach?
Go south.
Italy really does have something for almost everyone.
How Many Days Do You Need in Italy?
This depends completely on how much of the country you want to see.
For one region, I would much rather spend 7–10 days properly exploring than try to squeeze five regions into the same trip.
If you’re doing a classic first-time Italy trip, around 7–10 days can give you a really nice introduction to places such as Rome, Florence and Tuscany.
If you have two weeks, you can start adding more destinations.
And if you have three weeks or more?
Even better.
But don’t think you need a month before Italy is worth visiting.
Even a long weekend in Rome can be an amazing trip.
The trick is simply to choose your destinations realistically.
If you’re trying to figure out how many days you need, I have a separate guide where I break down different Italy itineraries by trip length.
Is Italy Worth Visiting for a Road Trip?
YES.
Actually, Italy might be one of the European countries I’d most happily road trip around.
Especially if you want to explore beyond the big cities.
You can stop in tiny villages, drive through beautiful countryside, discover beaches and viewpoints, and change your plans whenever you feel like it.
And honestly, that flexibility is one of the best things about a road trip.
Just remember that driving in historic city centres can be a completely different story.
Tiny streets.
Scooters everywhere.
Limited parking.
And Italian drivers who seem to have a personal relationship with the accelerator.
So I wouldn’t necessarily rent a car for a city-focused Italy trip.
For that, trains are usually much more convenient.
But for exploring countryside, smaller towns or more remote coastal areas?
Road trip.
Absolutely.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Italy?
You can visit Italy throughout the year, but when you go makes a BIG difference.
Personally, I love spring and early autumn because you can get lovely weather without dealing with the absolute peak of summer.
May is probably one of my favourite months.
September is also a great option, although weather can vary depending on where you’re going.
Summer is obviously amazing if you want beaches, swimming, lakes and long evenings outside, but July and August can be HOT and very busy.
And winter is perfect if you’re interested in skiing or want to experience Italy’s cities without the summer crowds.
So there isn’t one single perfect month.
It depends on what you want from your trip.
If you want a more detailed breakdown, check out my full guide to the best time to visit Italy.
My Favourite Things About Italy
If I had to narrow down everything I love about Italy, these would probably be at the top of my list:
The food.
Obviously.
The variety.
You can go from mountains to beaches to ancient cities.
The architecture and history.
There is genuinely something incredible around almost every corner.
Aperitivo culture.
Cheap Aperol Spritzes and snacks? Say less.
The landscapes.
Lakes, mountains, coastlines, countryside… all of it.
The atmosphere.
Slow meals, terraces, scooters, sunshine and people actually enjoying themselves.
How easy it is to combine different experiences.
A city trip can become a beach trip can become a road trip can become a hiking trip.
And that is why I keep coming back.
My Honest Verdict: Is Italy Worth Visiting?
So…
Is Italy worth visiting?
YESSSSS.
Italy is one of those countries where I genuinely understand why people fall in love with travelling there.
It has beautiful cities, incredible history, ridiculously good food, mountains, beaches, lakes, islands, ski resorts, road-trip routes and some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe.
It’s also relatively easy to travel around, can be surprisingly affordable if you travel smart, and you can completely adapt your trip to your own travel style.
Of course, it isn’t perfect.
You need to be aware of catcalling and unwanted attention, especially as a solo female traveller. You should keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. Some cities and attractions can be insanely busy. And Italy is so big that trying to see everything in one trip is just going to leave you exhausted.
But honestly?
None of that is enough to make me say no.
If anything, the downsides are just things you should know before you go.
Because once you’re sitting somewhere in Italy with a plate of pasta in front of you, the sun is shining, you’ve got an Aperol in your hand and you’re watching scooters drive past a beautiful old building…
You’re probably going to think:
“Yeah. Okay. I get it.”
Italy is absolutely worth visiting.
Just don’t try to see the entire country in one trip.
And maybe bring clothes with a little extra room.
You know.
For the pasta.
Planning Your Trip to Italy?
Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.
That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.
→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides
Italy Planning Guides
- How Many Days in Italy? The Perfect Italy Itinerary by Trip Length
- Best Time to Visit Italy: When to Go for Good Weather & Fewer Crowds
- Northern Italy Travel Guide: Cities, Lakes & Honest Tips
FAQ: Is Italy Worth Visiting?
Is Italy worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. Italy is worth visiting for its incredible food, historic cities, beautiful architecture, mountains, lakes, beaches, islands and diverse landscapes. It is also relatively easy to travel around by train, bus or car depending on your itinerary.
Is Italy expensive to visit?
Italy doesn’t have to be extremely expensive. Major tourist destinations such as Rome, Venice, Milan and popular coastal areas can be expensive, especially during peak season, but you can travel Italy on a budget by staying in hostels, using public transport and eating at casual local restaurants.
How many days do you need in Italy?
For a first trip, I would recommend at least 7–10 days if you want to combine several destinations. However, even a few days can be enough for a city trip such as Rome. If you want to explore multiple regions at a slower pace, two weeks or more is ideal.
Is Italy safe for solo female travellers?
Italy is a popular destination for solo travellers, but that doesn’t mean you should completely switch off your awareness. Personally, I’ve experienced unwanted attention, including whistling and catcalling, and I think solo female travellers should be prepared for this. As anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings and trust your instincts.
Is Italy good for backpacking?
Yes. Italy can be a great backpacking destination, especially if you enjoy cities, food, culture and travelling by public transport. Hostels are available in many popular destinations, and trains and buses make it possible to build a multi-stop itinerary without renting a car.
Is Italy good for a road trip?
Absolutely. Italy is excellent for road trips, especially if you want to explore smaller towns, countryside, coastal areas or places that are less convenient to reach by public transport. For major cities, however, trains are often easier than driving and dealing with parking.
What is Italy best known for?
Italy is best known for its food, historic cities, Roman history, Renaissance art and architecture, beautiful coastlines, mountains, lakes, fashion, wine and Mediterranean lifestyle.
What are the best places to visit in Italy?
That depends on what you want from your trip. Rome is incredible for history, Florence for art and architecture, Northern Italy for lakes and mountains, Tuscany for countryside and villages, the Amalfi Coast for dramatic coastal scenery, and Sicily for beaches, food and a very different side of Italy.
What is the best time to visit Italy?
For a balance of pleasant weather and fewer peak-season crowds, I personally prefer spring and early autumn, especially May and September. Summer is ideal for beaches and swimming but can be very hot and busy, while winter is a great choice for skiing and quieter city trips.
Is Italy worth visiting more than once?
Definitely. Italy is far too big and diverse to experience properly in one trip. You can visit completely different regions and have an entirely different experience each time. After visiting several parts of Italy myself, I still feel like there is so much more to see.
