20 Sublime Places To Visit In Italy In Summer | Italy Travel + Hidden Gems (2024)

2nd June | Festa Della Repubblica – Italy Republic Day

On the second day of June, the entire country of Italy comes to a halt to commemorate the country’s transformation into a democratic republic. During this time, expect public venues to be filled with festivities and ceremonies.

BEST TO SPEND IN: Rome

Amalfi Coast | Popular place in summer in Italy

Towns like Amalfi, Arienzo, Atrani, Cetara, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Salerno, Scala, Tramonti, and Vietri Sul Mare should be included to your list of places to see in summer in Italy.

The azure, turquoise Mediterranean sea isn’t the only incentive to visit the Amalfi Coast in the summer. High cliffs, blue flag beaches, and historic architecture characterise the entire coastline.

Polignano a Mare

Visiting Puglia in the summer, you can’t miss enjoying the pebbled beach of Polignano a Mare. The picturesque town is the most popular among tourists thanks to the natural beauty and the picture-perfect hanging houses on the cliffs.

Polignano is a tiny town on the coast that becomes very busy during the summer month. Actually, the main beach of Polignano is not our favourite during summer, because it is too crowded and made of stones. If you want to uncover more excellent beaches, go around the coast or to our next stop, Monopoli.

Monopoli | Underrated place to visit in Italy this summer

The best beach town near Bari, Monopoli, is on top of our list of places to visit in Puglia. The white-washed houses are worth the ride ticket on the typical Italian train from Bari. Monopoli is an off the beaten path destination in Italy but worth visiting in summer. Check our guide on what to do in Monopoli.

Gallipoli

Gallipoli is considered by many the Ibiza of Italy; I did spend my 18th birthday in Gallipoli with friends. The southern part of Puglia has some of Italy’s best beaches and lively nightlife with Disco Clubs, bars, and beach parties.

However, in June and the first part of July, Gallipoli is mainly for families, with many organised hotels and resorts. Check out some of the best accommodations in Gallipoli, all-inclusive for couples and families

Pescara | Best cities to visit in Italy in July

Pescara is in Abruzzo, on the centre-east side of Italy and is not very known among tourists. However, the Adriatic coast of Pescara is famous among locals because it is affordable and with some of the best lidos in the whole country.

Easy to reach everywhere in Italy, is about two hours away from Rome and perfect for longer holidays. The affordable accommodations and a fully functional city make Pescara perfect for your following Italian summer holidays. The long beach and coast side stretch for miles through other little towns; every beach has organised lidos and many offers activities in the evening.

Naples

Our home town is always included in the guides about Italy. The third city in the bel paese for several inhabitants is for many the best city to live in Italy, and one of the most balanced for lifestyle and services.

Spend two days in Naples, walking around the old town alleys and discovering local traditions. Not many know the finest beaches in Naples.

You don’t have to travel far to the Amalfi Coast to find a lovely stretch of sand, but also the city has some pleasant beaches, many hidden by the caves and hidden spots. So take a beer and a pizza from a local vendor, and with your towel, enjoy the seaside and the view of the gulf.

Parma

Through the hills of Emilia Romagna, there is Parma, named Italian Capital of Culture 2020. The beautiful Emilian city isn’t the most popular, but worth a visit if you are looking for hidden gems.

We spent a few days in Parma while on a road trip through Italy, and the city was a pleasant discovery. For the perfect retreat in Italy in summer, scour the typical Agriturismo in the surrounding valleys. Then, sip a glass of wine produced by locals and fresh parmesan typical of the region or prosciutto.

San Gimignano | Tuscany Hills

Away from the crowded cobblestone streets of Florence, in the calm and relaxing atmosphere of the Tuscany countryside, there are many tiny villages worth a visit. San Gimignano is another of Italy’s magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a charming little town on the hilltop of Tuscany. The entire town is full of charm and has a long history dating back thousands of years. The quintessential place is full of legends and traditions soaked in the stone walls. There are 14 towers, in a tiny territory, in a perfect melting pot of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

Taste the local lifestyle, made at a slow pace, jumping from a tavern to the piazza’s bar, chatting with locals. Book your wine tasting tour, one of the most popular worldwide.

Montepulciano | Tuscany Hills

Introducing you to San Gimignano, you can’t miss spending a few words about Montepulciano.

The small town nestled in the Tuscany Hills is renowned for fine wine. However, Montepulciano is near the historic city of Siena, famous for its rivalry with Florence in the Mediaeval past.

Some of the best activities are eating at one of the local agriturismo, tasting fine produced wine, participating in wine tasting or cycling around the Tuscany Hills. Use Montepulciano as a hub for organising your Italy road trip; you will not be disappointed.

Sorrento | Best places to stay in Italy in summer

Walk through lemon groves halfway between Naples and the Amalfi Coast. The lovely town of Sorrento is nestled in the gulf that opens the way to heaven, the stretch of coast, the dreamy place of every traveller. Sorrento is one of our favourite destinations in Southern Italy, offering the best of a city, with some of the finest beaches a few minutes away from the Amalfi Coast.

Sorrento can be the perfect hub to start your trips around the cliffs and appreciate the cobblestone alleys and the local cafes. The little town is charming, and you should note down to take a coffee at the Fauno Bar in the main square, Piazza Tasso, pay a visit to the Cathedral of Saints Philip and James, or go to a local restaurant with a lemon grove garden. Check out the best accommodations in Sorrento, which are great for discovering the Amalfi Coast at your own pace.

Pompeii & Herculaneum

The two old roman towns are famous for the ruins, which attract millions of tourists every year. We consider Herculaneum nicer than Pompeii, but the second is more prominent.

However, the two cities are close to Naples, and Pompei is in the middle of the Amalfi Coast. So combine the best Italy summer holiday, including some rest time on the beaches of the best stretch of coast globally and some cultural and fun time in the Roman ruins.

Alberobello

The cone-shaped roofs are well known among tourists all over the world. Alberobello is always busy, particularly in the summertime when there is literally no room in the cobbled alleys to pass by. Although summer is not the best time to visit Alberobello, it is worth mentioning in our guide about the best summer destinations in Italy because it is too crowded, expensive, and too hot.

The Unesco World Heritage Site is about one hour away from Bari and the ideal day trip to Puglia. Worth considering a full organised tour with experiences to avoid the hassles and bustles of public transport, parking and tickets.

Matera

Matera, also known as the “City of the Stones,” is famed for its cave houses, which are currently used as stores, cafes, and hotels. Matera is the European Capital of Culture and a Unesco World Heritage Site. Thanks to the advantaged position in central-southern Italy, it benefits from mild temperatures even in summer. However, is easy to have storms and thunderstorms in August, which, despite that, remain the hottest month with an average temperature of 23°C.

Matera is genuinely unique, with a breathtaking environment, fascinating history, and delectable cuisine. It’s as lovely as many Italian cities, but it’s far less congested. Organise your visit to Matera while on a road trip in Puglia, visiting also other cities in the nearby region. The closest airport to Matera is Bari, served by low-fare flights.

Rome

You can’t miss Rome. We have to include the Italian capital as a summer holiday. As it is a famous movie, you can walk in the footsteps of the Hollywood stars enjoying the Italian dolce vita. Rome is beautiful, and every corner has a story to tell. We can give you complete itineraries of Rome, so if this is your plan for next summer, just head to our Rome guides. Not many know that Rome has its beachside, Ostia, and it is easy to reach the city centre by public transport, bus, and trains.

Florence

One of the most glamorous cities to visit in Italy in summer. Florence has it all, but be aware that summer is busy. The high season is the peak for tourists in Florence, but you can still have one day in town and the rest of the time resting on the surrounding hills. The Tuscan Hills are famous for producing fine wine and their friendly lifestyle, calm atmosphere and perfect experiences.

Take a wine tour through the vineyard of Chianti or Sangiovese, admire the iconic landscapes of San Quirico d’Orcia, or push yourself to the seaside in search of amazing beaches in Viareggio or Forte dei Marmi.

Cinque Terre

This is a beautiful set of 5 fishing villages located on the coast of Italy. The best way to get around is by taking the train, which stops at all the beautiful villages. You can also hike from one town to another along the scenic trails.

You can take a train ride through the most gorgeous landmarks in Europe for a stress-free summer in Italy. Hop on and off from the scenic train ride, as it is an inexpensive way to travel through the Cinque Terre.

Also, consider renting a car and making a complete road trip to Cinque Terre on your terms. It is attractive and very romantic, especially travelling through Manarola at sunset.

The Dolomites in Summer

The Dolomites are a mountain range in northeastern Italy and are one of the most popular places in summer. You can go hiking, mountain biking, or take a cable car up to the top for stunning views.

The Dolomites in summer are such fun, and later on, checking about visiting Trentino, you can understand why. Organise a perfect 7-day itinerary in the Dolomites, and check out some agriturismo for the best traditional food. We have got you covered with our guide about where to stay in the Dolomites, highlighting some of the best locations accommodations-wise.

Trentino

We visited Trentino in the summer, and it was a blast. We didn’t imagine that a region in the northern part of the country, mainly known for the best winter chalets in Italy, was so fun in summer. The central city in Trentino is Trento, and you can reach it by flying into Venice, Verona, Milan or Milan-Bergamo airport.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo is a group of three peaks in the Dolomites popular among climbers and hikers, perfect for beginners. You can take a cable car up to the top, enjoying some dramatic views of the mountains.

For the ideal adventure in Italy, go on a hike through the Via Ferrata, one of the most pleasant itineraries on top of the Italian Peaks.

Lake Como | Italy summer destinations

It is a beautiful lake in northern Italy famous for its dramatic scenery and chic towns. You can enjoy the sunny weather and swim in the lake or go for a boat ride. In recent years, Lake Como has become one of the most famous movie locations, with movies like Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale being filmed here.

Verona

The city of the romantic story Romeo and Juliet is one of the best in northern Italy. The atmosphere is perfect for couples retreats in Italy or surprises your other half, with a pinch of history and culture roaming around the cobblestone streets. Enjoy the visit to the epic arena, and check out some summer concerts, which are incredible and unique experiences.

Milan

The most famous northern city is popular among tourists. Milan is the Italian fashion capital with a great history and plenty of sights and monuments.

Enjoy two days in Milan or organise a short break to the well known Italian city for a quick one day.

From Milan, you can manage many day trips or just enjoy the best of the city, walking on the Naviglio Pavese, or strolling around the Cathedral. Visit the top of the Cathedral for the best view of Milan and the most instagrammable spots.

Trieste

Trieste, located in northern Italy between the Croatian and Slovenian borders, is a city at a cultural crossroads and a favourite retreat for many artists.

Summer in Trieste is hot and humid, but the winds help cool things down. The sun shines most of the time, although rain or thunderstorms might happen. Unmissable visits to Trieste, Italy, in summer are the Miramare Castle, the Antico Caffe’ San Marco, the Civic Museum of History and Art and the Museum of the Oriental Art features.

The position of Trieste is the ideal to organise a perfect road trip through Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.

Capri, Ischia and Procida

Recently named the Italian Capital of Culture, Procida is an off the beaten path destination for travellers but none less beautiful than the nearby Capri and Ischia.

The first is Capri, famous for the local lifestyle and the epic movies of the ’80 and ’90 with all the world jet-set arriving on the island to enjoy the local natural beauties. However, locals prefer Ischia for the summer holidays, as it is cheaper with fewer foreigners around. On the other hand, Procida features pristine natural landscapes, and that style is worth the whole Italian summer.

Sardinia

Sardinia is another large island in the Mediterranean known for its clear blue waters and sandy beaches. You can visit the city of Cagliari, go to one of the many beaches, or take a tour of the Nuraghi, ancient ruins that are scattered across the island.

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In the summer, most of Italy’s popular cities are crowded. To avoid unpleasant surprises while travelling to Italy this summer, make reservations for your favourite activities ahead of time.

We’ve created a list of things to do in Italy that you’ll enjoy. The city organises these and include both day trips and overnight stays. Consider booking your tickets at least two months in advance of your trip. Exhibits and galleries sell out rapidly, limiting your experience and wasting time queuing if you’re lucky.

MILAN | Last Supper (Milan)

ROME:

• Vatican Museums (Vatican City, Rome)
• Colosseum (Rome)

FLORENCE | Uffizi Gallery (Florence)

NAPLES |Capri Boat Tour (From Naples)

BARI | Pasta making class with a local nonna

TUSCANY | Chianti Hills and Wine tasting from Florence

AMALFI COAST | Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, Full Day tour from Naples

CINQUE TERRE | Cinque Terre from Milan & Full Day tour from Florence

We hope this blog post has given you some inspiration to organise your next trip to Italy in summer. As you see, there are many places worth a visit, as Italy is a beautiful country. Weather is your scope of the visit; there are multiple locations that you can consider or combine for an epic vacation. Consider Italy as the perfect workation country in Europe, looking for some of the best places to visit in Italy in summer and staying long term to reduce costs and get more into the skin of the places.