The Best Things To Do On An Italian Getaway

Last updated on June 21st, 2025 at 04:48 am

Whether you’re into food, fast cars, art, history, or getting out into the wild, there’s a version of Italy that suits your style. You can spend one trip sipping spritzes in sunny piazzas, and the next one trekking volcanoes or hearing the roar of Formula 1 engines. It’s that mix of pace and passion that makes it one of the best places to explore, no matter what kind of traveller you are.

Here are five of the best things to add to your Italian getaway, whether you’re planning a big adventure or just a few unforgettable days!

Eat Your Way Through Bologna’s Food Markets

Bologna doesn’t try to be flashy – it just quietly does food better than almost anywhere else. This is the home of tagliatelle al ragù (never call it Bolognese here), hand-rolled tortellini, mortadella, and balsamic vinegar that actually deserves its price tag.

Spend your time wandering the Quadrilatero Market, where prosciutto legs hang above cheese counters and the smell of fresh pasta draws you into little alleyway trattorias. Visit Mercato delle Erbe for a more local feel, and book a food tour or pasta-making class if you’re up for rolling up your sleeves.

And while it’s tempting to just eat and nap on repeat, don’t miss the Portico di San Luca – a 4km covered walkway with over 600 arches leading up to a hilltop basilica. Walk it off and earn that next plate of tortelloni.

Feel the Speed at the Monza Grand Prix

If you’re a motorsport fan or just love high-energy moments, the Monza Grand Prix is as thrilling as it gets. Held just outside Milan at one of the fastest circuits in Formula 1, the atmosphere at Autodromo Nazionale Monza is electric. It’s not just about the race; it’s about the whole experience: Italian fans waving Ferrari flags, the roar of the engines through the forest, and the champagne-soaked podium celebrations.

Make a weekend of it in Milan and enjoy the city’s sleek aperitivo culture, hit the designer stores in the Quadrilatero d’Oro, and spend your evenings people-watching at Navigli with a negroni in hand. Then on race day, join the thousands heading out to Monza and feel the adrenaline build.

Secure your Monza Grand Prix tickets today to be part of the action, with options for travel packages, prime grandstand seating and airport transfers for a seamless experience at Monza. 

Climb Mount Etna in Sicily

Etna isn’t just Europe’s highest active volcano; it’s one of the most fascinating landscapes in Italy. Located on the eastern coast of Sicily, the climb offers a mix of lunar-like craters, thick forests, and views out over the sea that make the effort more than worth it.

You don’t need to be an expert hiker either. Local guides offer everything from gentle walks around the lower craters to full treks up to the summit, depending on conditions. Along the way, you’ll walk over cooled lava flows, hear the ground crunch underfoot, and maybe catch a plume of smoke reminding you this mountain’s very much alive.

After the adventure, reward yourself with Sicilian wine at a local vineyard, or take a detour to Taormina or Catania for seafood, sunshine, and unbeatable views. 

If you’re seeking Sicily’s best holiday villas, there are some incredible properties available near Etna. These exclusive villas offer the perfect base for your Sicilian adventure, with spacious rooms, outdoor terraces and pools for an upscale experience. 

Glide Through Venice at Golden Hour

Whilst Venice might be one of the most popular Italian destinations, it’s a must for first-time visitors. The city is truly beautiful, especially when you experience it just before the sun sets, when the crowds thin out and the city turns gold.

Hire a private water taxi or take a classic gondola ride through the quieter back canals (your driver will know the good ones). Float past shuttered windows, under low bridges, and into scenes that feel almost cinematic. Then walk to Dorsoduro for a drink along the Zattere promenade or stop by Cantina Do Mori, one of the city’s oldest wine bars.

For a less-touristy option, hop over to Burano for colourful houses and seafood risotto by the water, or spend a day getting lost in Castello, where locals still outnumber visitors.

Take a Boat Across Lake Garda

Lake Garda gives you a slice of the Alps, a splash of Mediterranean charm, and plenty of water to explore by ferry, kayak, or private boat. It’s one of Italy’s most relaxing spots, but also perfect if your group loves a bit of movement.

Base yourself in Sirmione, where you can wander the ancient streets, visit a castle that looks like it belongs in a fairytale, and soak in natural hot springs. Then head across the lake to towns like Limone sul Garda or Malcesine, where lemon groves and cliffside cafes wait. Feeling energetic? Take the Monte Baldo cable car and hike your way back down.

You’ll eat well here too – trout, lake fish, fresh olive oil, and wines from nearby Valpolicella and Lugana. Evenings are best spent on a terrace with friends, passing around local dishes and watching the sun dip behind the mountains.

Where Will You Go First?

Italy’s not short on highlights. You can fill your days with adrenaline, art, amazing food, or a little bit of all three. From the thrill of Monza to the quiet of an alpine lake, there’s something here to suit every mood and moment.

Where will your Italian getaway take you next?