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An aerial view of Amalfi Coast.
An aerial view of Amalfi Coast.Marco Bottigelli/Getty

Our Ultimate Italy Travel Guide

Is it any wonder travelers are so enamored with Italy? This country has perfected such objects of adoration as the cappuccino, the leather jacket, and the modern film—among so many others—and is home to some of the world's most important, iconic, and beautiful cities and landscapes, from flourishing golden vineyards to ancient ruins. And with Rome, Florence, and Venice among our readers' top-booked cities last summer, it's clear that you cannot get enough Italia.

Planning your own trip? You've come to the right place. This is our ultimate guide to Italy, a resource compiling all of our recommendations and tips, whether Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Tuscany, Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast, or Sicily are on your itinerary. See below for Italy's unmissable destinations, hotels, Airbnbs, iconic landmarks and attractions, shopping, restaurants, bars, gelato, pasta, pizza, panini, and more—all gathered by Condé Nast Traveler writers and editors, whose recommendations were informed by hundreds of trips over the magazine's years. Cin cin! Alex Erdekian, travel bookings editor

What to do in Florence

Best Things to Do in Florence
History and art at every turn.
Best Restaurants in Florence
There’s never been a better time to dine out in Tuscany’s capital.
Best Bars in Florence
There's a watering hole here to fit your every mood.
The Best Time to Go to Italy
Whether you're hitting the big cities or longing for a sleepy week on a Positano beach, there's an ideal time for your visit.

What to do in Venice

Best Things to Do in Venice
Yes, it's a major tourist town, so let us steer you to the stuff that's really worth seeing.
Best Restaurants in Venice
It takes a little foresight to eat well in this tourist-filled city, but seek out the places where serious chefs use excellent local ingredients, and you’ll find that Venice has everything a gourmet could wish for.
Best Bars in Venice
Where else could drinking wine from plastic cups feel this cool?
Top 20 Hotels in Italy: Readers’ Choice Awards 2023
Condé Nast Traveler readers rate their top hotels in Italy, outside of Rome, Florence, and Venice.
Inspiration
Why I Travel With My Best Friend Like She’s My Wife
Our most recent trip, to Lake Como in Italy, came after she got married. (Not to me, I promise.)
Destinations
Lake Como's Prettiest Towns, From Bellagio to Tremezzo
Historic ruins, palatial villas, and all the charm other regions could only wish for—these are the gems of Lake Como.
Destinations
Wintering in Lake Como Reveals Italy's Greatest Lake at Its Best
Freed from the summer crowds, there’s a hazy, romantic atmosphere to this iconic Italian spot.
Destinations
The Best Things to Do in Lake Como
Lake Como's best places to see and things to do on your next trip.
Inspiration
On a Family Trip Before College, Discovering Just the Right Time to Finally Do Europe
After decades of delays, a trip through Italy together turned out to be the perfect end of an era.
Readers' Choice Awards
The 20 Best Hotels in Italy: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
Precision, discretion, and round-the-clock dedication are the standards that make travelers at these Italy hotels feel not just taken care of, but at home.
Adventure
A Ski Safari Across Italy's Dolomites
More than just the slopes await.
Travel Specialists
This Company Offers Trips With the Most Coveted Tastemakers in Travel
With the launch of Fatto a Mano, travel specialist Prior has created an intimate and immersive version of experiential travel through Italy.
Wellness & Spas
How to Stay Present During Vacation
Simple mindfulness habits can keep you focused on your vacation, instead of stressors waiting for you back home.
Style & Culture
Andrea Bocelli Returns to Tuscany in His New Concert Film Retrospective
His new concert film, a Tuscany-set celebration of his 30 years in the music industry, is now in theaters.
Style & Culture
How ‘Conclave’ Imagines the Most Hidden Parts of the Vatican
Watching this film is as close as most travelers will ever get to the papal conclave.
Women Who Travel
Harvesting Olives in Sicily to Cope With My Parents' Sudden Split
In the midst of a major life change, writer Avery Keatley sends herself to a remote stretch of Italian farmland.
Shopping
41 Gifts for the Friend Who’s Always Talking About Italy
From Italian leather goods and perfumes to some really good coffee.
Places to Stay
The Best Airbnbs in Florence, From a Chic Townhouse to a Cozy Loft
How to live like a local in Tuscany’s capital city.
Wellness & Spas
What's an Emotional Shower, and Why Is It on My Spa Menu?
Showers have long been the place for a good cry—now high-end spas are tapping into the world of sensory showers with colored lights and synchronized water for next-level catharsis.