17 Bucket List Things to Do in Italy
Looking to score the ultimate Italian bucket list? You’re in the right place. We’ve handpicked experiences that showcase Italy at its finest.
Skip the tourist traps and dive straight into the good stuff with our curated collection of must-do Italian moments!
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1. Climb the Duomo in Florence
Standing tall above Florence’s terracotta rooftops, Brunelleschi’s architectural masterpiece dares you to conquer its 463 steps.
As you wind up between the dome’s two shells, you’ll pause to gawk at Vasari’s massive Last Judgment frescoes up close.
The narrow passages and steep stairs might make your legs wobble, but the panoramic payoff at the top will make you forget all about those burning calves.
2. Hike the Blue Trail in Cinque Terre
The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) strings together five candy-colored villages perched on dramatic cliffs above the sparkling Mediterranean.
This UNESCO World Heritage site shows off Italy’s coastline at its most photogenic, with sherbet-hued houses seemingly defying gravity on steep terraces.
The full route takes about 5 hours of actual walking, but you’ll want extra time to stop for gelato, dip your toes in the sea, and snap photos of those million-dollar views.
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3. Take a Gondola Ride in Venice
Sink into the plush cushions of a sleek black gondola as your expert gondolier navigates Venice’s maze of 150 canals.
Your skilled captain will steer you through narrow passages where buildings nearly touch, under centuries-old bridges, and onto the magnificent Grand Canal.
Insider Tip: Skip the tourist-packed spots near St. Mark’s Square and start your journey in quieter neighborhoods for the most authentic vibes.
4. View The Last Supper in Milan
Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper stretches 15 feet across the wall of Milan’s Santa Maria delle Grazie church.
One of the most famous paintings ever created, it’s a revolutionary piece that captures the exact moment Jesus tells his apostles that one of them will betray him.
Book your 15-minute viewing slot way ahead – only 35 people can enter at a time.
5. Explore the Ancient Ruins of Pompeii
Pompeii’s streets, homes, and public spaces tell incredible stories of life in 79 AD, right before Mount Vesuvius covered everything in volcanic ash.
Wander past colorful frescoes in wealthy merchants’ villas, peek into ancient bakeries, and see the world’s oldest surviving Roman amphitheater.
Insider Tip: Head to the recently excavated Regio V area to dodge crowds and see the latest archaeological discoveries.
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6. Climb Mount Vesuvius
A 4km round-trip hike at this legendary volcano takes you right to the crater’s edge, where you can peer into the sleeping giant that shaped this entire region.
The trail zigzags up through volcanic rocks and pumice, getting steeper as you climb, but the panoramic views of the Bay of Naples make every step worth it.
Don’t worry – scientists monitor this famous peak 24/7, and the last major eruption was in 1944.
Stop at the summit for a glass of wine (yes, really!) while soaking in views that stretch all the way to the Amalfi Coast.
7. Tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums pack more jaw-dropping art per square foot than anywhere else on Earth.
Wind your way through 54 galleries of incredible sculptures, tapestries, and maps until you reach the grand finale – the Sistine Chapel.
Look up and let Michelangelo’s famous frescoes blow your mind. That iconic scene of God reaching out to Adam? Even better in real life.
8. Drive the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast’s famous road twists and turns for 50 kilometers along cliffs that drop straight into the Mediterranean’s turquoise waters.
Every bend reveals another postcard view – pastel-colored towns clinging to cliffs, hidden beaches tucked into coves, and lemon groves stretching up hillsides.
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9. See Michelangelo’s David in Florence
This 17-foot marble masterpiece stands tall in Florence’s Accademia Gallery, showing off Michelangelo’s incredible talent for turning stone into what looks like living, breathing human flesh.
David catches the hero right before his battle with Goliath, muscles tensed and ready for action.
The statue became such a powerful symbol of Florence’s strength that the city placed it right in front of their government building in 1504.
10. Experience an Opera at Verona Arena
Under the stars in Verona’s ancient amphitheater, you can watch classic operas like Aida and Carmen in one of the most spectacular settings on Earth.
This massive open-air venue hosts show-stopping performances where the acoustics are as perfect today as they were two millennia ago.
The magic happens when the sun sets and thousands of tiny candles light up the arena’s ancient stones.
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11. Visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
This treasure house of Renaissance art occupies a 16th-century palace next to the Piazza della Signoria.
The museum holds the world’s finest collection of Italian Renaissance masterpieces, including works that shaped the course of art history.
Originally the Medici family’s private collection, these priceless works were gifted to Florence through the famous Patto di Famiglia.
12. Explore the Medieval Towers of San Gimignano
San Gimignano’s 14 medieval towers pierce the Tuscan sky like a 13th-century skyline.
Climb the 54-meter Torre Grossa for epic views over terracotta rooftops and rolling hills.
Fun fact: There used to be 72 towers here, but today’s remaining 14 is still enough to earn this small town UNESCO World Heritage status.
13. Explore the Caves of Polignano a Mare
Hop aboard a speedboat and zip along Polignano a Mare’s dramatic coastline, where 21 stunning caves hide along 11 kilometers of limestone cliffs.
The star of the show is the massive Grotta Palazzese, where Italian nobles once threw lavish banquets 74 feet above the turquoise sea.
Your captain will guide you into the electric-blue waters of Grotta Azzurra and past the haunting Grotta Chiangella, named for the weeping mothers whose daughters were stolen by pirates.
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14. Visit the Palatine Chapel in Palermo
This jaw-dropping royal chapel in Palermo’s Norman Palace shows off the ultimate medieval mashup of cultures.
Byzantine artists, Muslim craftsmen, and Norman architects worked side by side to create this 12th-century masterpiece.
The massive Christ Pantocrator gazes down from the dome, surrounded by archangels in a stunning display that had even famous writers calling it “the most beautiful chapel in the world”.
15. Explore the Trulli Houses in Alberobello
Alberobello is where over 1,000 quirky cone-shaped houses create a scene straight out of a storybook.
Each one tells a story with mysterious symbols painted in white ash on their pointy roofs.
The star of the show is the two-story Trullo Sovrano, where you can peek inside to see how clever locals lived in these cozy stone homes.
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16. Visit the Ancient City of Matera
Matera will stop you in your tracks with its maze of ancient cave homes carved right into the cliffs.
This over 10,000-year-old city ranks as the third oldest in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho.
The Sassi districts showcase thousands of years of human ingenuity, with homes stacked like a giant stone layer cake along the ravine.
17. Hike the Tre Cime Trail in the Dolomites
The Tre Cime loop trail serves up some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Italy. You’ll circle around three massive stone pillars that pierce the sky, each one an icon of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
The trail gives you front-row seats to these legendary peaks from every angle, plus knockout views of the surrounding Dolomites.
