The 10 best destinations in Italy for summer 2023

Summer is the ideal time to travel and discover the wonders of Italy. From north to south, there are many spectacular destinations to visit. Here is our list of the 10 best summer destinations in Italy.

1) Trentino-Alto Adige : The Trentino-Alto Adige region, located in northern Italy, is famous for its spectacular mountains and outdoor activities. It also offers a wide variety of activities, including trekking, mountain biking, climbing and rafting. Trentino-Alto Adige, located in the Alps, offers some of the most spectacular mountains in Europe. The region is famous for the Dolomites, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It shares Lake Garda with Veneto, the largest lake in Italy, where you can carry out activities such as swimming, sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, fishing, hiking and many more. Furthermore, along the shores of the lake there are many picturesque villages and towns, such as Riva del Garda and Limone sul Garda, which are very pleasant to visit in summer. Not to be missed is a visit to Bolzano, Trento and Merano. These cities offer a mix of architecture, history, culture and gastronomy. Trentino-Alto Adige is famous for its cuisine, which combines Italian and Austrian traditions. Typical dishes of the region are polenta, dumplings, sauerkraut and speck, accompanied by local wines such as Teroldego, Lagrein and Chardonnay. In summer, it is possible to participate in food festivals and festivals, where you can taste these dishes.

2) Cinque Terre: Located on the northwestern coast of Liguria, the Cinque Terre are a series of five picturesque fishing villages nestled between the hills and the sea. The white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean make this the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun. With its vibrant colors and stone houses, it is a perfect destination for those who want to hike in the hills, admire the sea and taste the local cuisine. Visit it by following its hiking trails and traveling by train to admire its unique views, without neglecting to taste its Ligurian cuisine, known in particular for its tasty and delicious Genoese pesto and fresh fish dishes.

3) Tuscany: Tuscany is famous for its picturesque rolling hills, vineyards, sunflower fields and olive groves, which offer breathtaking scenery, medieval villages and unforgettable cuisine made of simple, yet delicious dishes. Tuscany is known for its numerous cities of art, such as Florence, Siena and Pisa, where it is possible to admire masterpieces of art, architecture and culture. Furthermore, Tuscany hosts numerous summer festivals, including the famous Palio di Siena, which offers a real immersion in local culture. In summer, then, it is possible to taste traditional dishes such as Florentine steak, ribollita and cantuccio, accompanied by fine wines such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Are you a sea lover? and then you cannot help but visit some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy offered by this region, such as the beach of Cala Violina and that of Marina di Alberese. Hospitality? the people of Tuscany are famous for their friendliness and hospitality. In summer, it is possible to participate in local festivals and festivals, where you can meet the locals and experience true Tuscan life.
In summary, Tuscany in summer offers a unique combination of natural beauty, art and culture, food and wine, beaches and hospitality, making it an ideal destination for an unforgettable holiday. Visit it by sleeping in one of its historic villas or one of its beautiful castles, but if you can also dedicate a few days to the Island of Elba, located off the Tuscan coast, offering white sand beaches and crystal clear water.

4) Umbria: Umbria is known for its green hills, medieval villages, excellent cuisine. Nature lovers will appreciate walking and hiking among its natural beauty. Umbria is a region rich in history and culture. There are many medieval cities, such as Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto and Spello, which offer a beautiful journey back in time. Its artistic treasures with works by Giotto, Perugino and other great artists are envied throughout the world and they alone justify a trip to this region. Umbria is famous for its cuisine, which is based on fresh and local ingredients such as truffles, mushrooms, wild boar meat and lake fish and inebriates with some of the best wines in Italy, including Sagrantino di Montefalco and Classic Orvieto. During the summer it hosts numerous events, including music festivals, art exhibitions and cultural events such as the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto. In summary, Umbria is an ideal destination for those seeking a combination of natural beauty, history and culture, delicious food, summer events and relaxation.

5) Amalfi Coast : The Amalfi Coast is located along the southwestern coast of Italy, the Amalfi Coast is famous for its spectacular coastline, crystal clear waters and picturesque coastal towns. Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are among the most beautiful cities to visit, but no less beautiful are Atrani, Vietri sul Mare (with its famous ceramics), Maiori and Minori. The cuisine is Mediterranean with many Arab influences due to the navigators who left from here. The Amalfi coast is a perfect choice for those looking for a relaxing, but also cultural holiday. Don't forget to taste some typical desserts such as lemon delights, clearly accompanied by a glass of frozen limoncello, preferably artisanal.

6) Naples: Naples is famous for its unique cuisine and culture. Visit the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Piazza del Plebiscito, its underground, the many museums and natural beauties. Naples is a vibrant and colorful city, rich in a history of over 20 centuries, with masterpieces unique in the world such as the Veiled Christ, the Pharmacy of the Incurables, but also places that you will not forget such as the Fontanelle Cemetery, the Catacombs of San Gennaro, the Castello dell'Ovo, the Cathedral of San Gennaro and the National Archaeological Museum. The city is also famous for its busy streets, its musical traditions and its lively nightlife. Furthermore, Naples is located in a strategic position to explore other beauties of the region such as the Amalfi coast and the islands of Capri and Ischia. The city itself overlooks the Gulf of Naples and offers spectacular views of Mount Vesuvius. Naples is famous for the hospitality of its friendly people, for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, for its colorful and noisy markets. Ultimately, it is a perfect destination for those looking for a combination of culture, food, natural beauty and fun.

7) Puglia and Salento: Puglia, the "land of the sun", is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. With its long, sandy coast and historic cities such as Bari, Lecce and Ostuni, it is an ideal destination for a holiday of relaxation and discovery. Puglia is famous for its cuisine, its beaches and its unique architecture. You can visit cities such as Bari, with its beautiful basilica of San Nicola, Lecce with its baroque style and the white city of Ostuni. Apulian cuisine is famous for its fresh pasta such as orecchiette, bread cooked in a wood-fired oven from Altamura and local olives. Unique in the world is Alberobello with its Trulli. Located in the southernmost part of Puglia, the Salento peninsula is famous for its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The cities of Gallipoli and Otranto are among the most beautiful cities to visit.

8) Calabria: Calabria is one of the most beautiful and surprising regions in Italy, offering a unique mix of culture, history, nature and gastronomy. Here you will find breathtaking beaches among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, including those of Tropea, Capo Vaticano and the beach of Caminia, the very white one of Sibari (first colony of ancient Greece), but there are many others to discover. Calabria has a thousand-year history and culture, which is reflected in its numerous archaeological sites, medieval castles, churches and monasteries. Among the places not to be missed are the Castle of Federico II in Cosenza, the Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria and the Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola. Calabria is famous for its traditional cuisine, which uses fresh and genuine ingredients, such as chillies, 'nduja, caciocavallo and olives. Among the specialties to try are pasta alla 'nduja, fresh grilled fish and Calabrian pizza. For lovers of nature, trekking and mountain biking, Calabria is a region rich in uncontaminated nature, with natural parks, reserves and natural oases. Among the natural attractions are the Sila mountains, the Aspromonte National Park and the Capo Rizzuto Marine Nature Reserve. If you love craftsmanship, you should know that Calabria is famous for wrought iron, ceramics, embroidery and the production of wooden objects. Among the artisan workshops to visit are those of Stilo, Gerace and Pizzo. In short, Calabria is a perfect destination for a holiday dedicated to relaxation, culture and nature, with many activities to do and uncontaminated places to discover.

9) Sicily: Sicily, an island located off the southern coast of Italy, offers a wide variety of attractions, including beaches, historic cities and archaeological sites. Sicily is one of the most beautiful destinations in Italy, with its golden sandy beaches, baroque cities and thousand-year history. Visit Palermo, the city with its colors and unique culture, discover the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, enjoy the beauty of Taormina, face the Etna Volcano, an always active giant that dominates Catania. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, with a variety of landscapes, beaches and historical sites. You can visit the ancient ruins of Agrigento, the enchanting beaches of San Vito Lo Capo and Taormina. Sicilian cuisine is a mix of cultural influences, with dishes such as pasta alla Norma, cannoli, fresh swordfish and dishes of typical Arab influence such as Kus Kus.

Italy is a unique tourist destination in the world, rich in history, culture, breathtaking landscapes and delicious food. These are the 10 destinations that we recommend for the next summer holidays, but whether you prefer to spend them visiting a city of art, relaxing on a beach, walking on a mountain path, sailing on a lake or taking a dip in the spent visiting a historic village, Italy will certainly give you a full and authentically unforgettable experience.