Italy, a country steeped in rich history, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering cuisine, beckons you to embark on a truly unforgettable holiday.
From the enchantment of ancient ruins to the allure of picturesque landscapes, Italy has it all. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, a food enthusiast, or an art connoisseur, Italy promises to leave you in awe at every step of the way.
So, pack your bags, put on your wanderlust cap, and let us transport you into a land where dreams become reality. Italy awaits you with open arms!
By searching for cheap holidays to Italy you can experience the culture, cuisine, history and iconic sights without breaking the bank. From bustling cities with world-class museums to coastal beaches and quiet mountain towns, there is something to explore in each region.
Popular tourist spots include Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and the Amalfi Coast. For budget travel, there are many cheap flights and hotel deals available – plus plenty of ways to save money while you’re on holiday.
Booking.comItaly’s culture is one of the most interesting and vibrant in Europe, with a wealth of history and monuments to explore. There are many world-class attractions, from the iconic Colosseum in Rome to the canals of Venice, plus excellent regional cuisine, beautiful scenery and vibrant nightlife. The country also boasts some excellent beaches – from the Mediterranean coastline to the Adriatic Sea.
The internet is an excellent resource for finding cheap flights and hotels, but it’s also worth researching local attractions and activities in advance to make sure you get the most out of your holiday. It’s also worth looking at package deals and all inclusive deals, as these often offer the best value. Online travel websites such as Expedia and Lastminute are a good starting points for finding cheap holidays in Italy.
Each region of Italy offers its own unique attractions, from the ancient ruins in Rome to the rolling vineyards of Tuscany. Of course, sightseeing is a must-do activity in any region – take in iconic landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the ruins at Pompeii. Those looking to explore Italy’s natural beauty can go hiking in the Dolomites or visit one of the many lakes and national parks. Foodies will also have plenty to enjoy, with local delicacies such as pizza and gelato in abundance!
Here’s a list of our highly recommended locations once must visit in Italy:
As a city constructed on a group of islands connected by more than 400 bridges, Venice is a must-see for every tourist travelling through Italy. One of the most sought-after luxury hotels is the lovely Hotel a La Commedia, while the value-for-money Novotel Venezia Mestre is only a few kilometres from the Ponte della Libertà (Freedom Bridge) joining the mainland to the city.
Cicchetti may be found in bà cari, or dive pubs, all across Venice, especially in the San Polo and Cannaregio neighbourhoods. A dish of these tasty bites, slathered in anything from prosciutto and gorgonzola to creamy salt fish called baccalà , is the perfect accompaniment to a bottle of local wine.
Explore the food booths of the Rialto Market, notably the Grand Canal’s evocative fish market, to whet your appetite further.
Visit the Uffizi Gallery to see Renaissance masterpieces, the Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore to take in the stunning architectural tapestry of the church, and Piazzale Michelangelo to get a birds-eye perspective of Florence’s most famous landmark. The Hotel Touring Florence is a budget-friendly option in Florence, while the Hotel Brunelleschi is known for its stunning architecture and elegant decor.
Booking.comFlorence, the capital of Tuscany, likes to think of itself as the site where Italian cuisine was born, and it’s hard to disagree when you walk through the Mercato Centrale, the city’s major indoor food market. Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, a delicious T-bone steak often produced from Chianina cattle, is the prince of Tuscan cuisine, albeit the olive is still king. You could also find cannellini beans in the dish, which are a typical ingredient in Tuscan cooking.
Pairing wild boar pappardelle with a hearty Chianti red is a match made in heaven. Try out some local fare at Sant’Ambrogio and Santa Croce, or go over the Arno to Oltrarno or San Gimignano. Gelato, the Italian ice cream, was created in this region, so dessert connoisseurs can be certain they’ll be eating some of the greatest ice creams in the country.
Don’t miss the ancient Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the intriguing Sistine Chapel in the neighbouring Vatican, all of which can be found in the city of Rome.
The Hotel Petra and the All Ways Garden Hotel & Leisure are two of the city’s most well-regarded budget hotels, while the charming Barocco Hotel and the famous St. Regis Rome are two of the city’s most highly regarded five-star establishments, respectively.
Booking.comRoman cuisine is surprisingly straightforward, given the city’s rich cultural heritage. Spaghetti Alla carbonara, a meal synonymous with Rome, requires just three basic ingredients.
You shouldn’t miss the sight of the morning market at Campo de’ Fiori, and the Testaccio food market will offer you a genuine flavour of Cucina Romana amid its many kiosks. Dine like a Roman at one of Trastevere’s mellow eateries, just over the Tiber.
Ragusa, an old village that has been remarkably well maintained, the Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo, a journey to the remarkable Mount Etna, and the wonderful sandy beaches of Sicily are all worthy of your time. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, think about the inexpensive Hotel Ravesi in Malfa or the luxurious Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea in nearby Mazzaro.
Booking.comThe street food scene on the island of Sicily, and in its capital city, in particular, is unlike anywhere else in Italy. Visit Palermo’s exciting Kalsa neighbourhood to see fish, prawns, and calamari being barbecued on enormous grills.
Have a taste at fried risotto rice balls, “Arancini”, chickpea fritters “Panelle”, and potato croquettes are just a few of the delicious fried appetisers you can get in Sicily. The sultanas that go into Sicily’s hallmark dish, pasta con le sarde, are only one example of the Arab influences that may be tasted at the Mercato del Capo food market.
Anyone who has never been to Italy before would assume that Sardinia is just a little version of the rest of the country. But you would be mistaken. The linguistic barrier is the first point of departure. Sardinian, often known as Sardo, is spoken by almost as many people as Italian.
The buildings found on the island of Sardinia are also distinct from the rest of Italy. This is because the island served as an obvious resting place for mighty empires crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Sardinia’s architecture was influenced by the Phoenicians, the Vandals, and the Byzantines. The Spanish, though, has had the most noticeable impact. The Spanish Catalans colonised Alghero for hundreds of years. All of the street signs in town are still printed in Catalan, and the cathedral’s architecture proudly proclaims the city’s Catalan heritage.
Booking.comSardinia’s beaches are another element that distinguishes it distinct from the rest of the boot. Just the north shore of the island is dotted with dozens of inlets. As an added bonus, the alluring Emerald Coast is within easy reach from Olbia. This region has some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, with a Caribbean vibe. Isola Rossa, a fishing community located to the west, also claims a distinctive stretch of beach. The water is very clean, making this an ideal spot for snorkelling.
The people of Sardinia share a love of good cuisine and wine with their fellow Italians. Roast suckling pig and wild boar stuffed with myrtle are just two of the island’s mouthwatering meals.
Sardinia’s capital is a delicious melting pot, with influences from both the Mediterranean coast and the island’s rough highlands. The cured mullet roe, sometimes called “poor man’s caviar,” is a delicacy that no seafood connoisseur should leave without sampling. When grated over pasta, it makes you feel like you’re at the beach right away.
The small alleys of Sardinia are lined with eateries selling regional specialities like the large couscous-like fregula, which is lovely with clams, and malloreddus (shell-like pasta wrapped in a fennel-infused pork sauce).
Naples is more than simply a random starting place for day trips to local attractions; it’s an enticing metropolis that demands more time spent exploring it. Travel to the heart of Campania and book a vacation in Naples with us.
The Bourbon Tunnel in Naples was built in the 17th century as an escape route for the then-ruler who feared an insurrection among the Neapolitan populace. In the course of World War II, the tunnel was repurposed as a place for civilians to take refuge from bombing raids. You may now take a guided tour of the labyrinth and learn fascinating details about its past.
Booking.comThe animals of the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens are available for up-close encounters with zoo visitors. The alligators being fed is an attraction in itself, making this attraction, not the largest but surely one of the most entertaining. Guests may ride camels, feed giraffes, and go on a boat tour of monkey-inhabited islands.
You can’t go to Naples and not see Mount Vesuvius and the city of Pompeii that it obliterated. To really grasp what it must have been like on August 24, 79 AD, you must visit Pompeii. The majority of the city, with its amphitheatres, forum, arcade, basilica, frescos, and mosaics, has been remarkably well maintained. You’ll even get to examine the plaster moulds of some of the victims in their last moments.
The third-largest city in Italy is home to a wide variety of stores selling anything from high fashion to pasta makers. Campania Mall and Vulcano Buono are two of the city’s retail malls, while Via Toledo is its longest shopping strip. Corso Guiseppe Garibaldi is one of the most intriguing streets in all of Italy. There are several market booths along this long, straight street, offering antiques and other vintage trinkets.
If you need a caffeine fix, you’ve come to the perfect location since Neapolitan espresso is short and very powerful, and is a favourite among Italians who like going out.
Fresh bread, cheeses, hams, and wines make Antica Salumeria Pane 1864 a favourite delicatessen among locals in Naples. At Pizzeria Napoli in Bocca, you may have your pizza in two ways: with cheese or without the cheese. Together with a soft drink or beer, it’s a satisfying meal.
Theatregoers who appreciate the fine arts can check out an opera at the historic Teatro di San Carlo. If you like drinks and chill vibes, as well as downtempo/nu-jazz music, then you should check out Vibes on the Beach. Students in the area love the live music at Arenile Reload, which is conveniently located in the heart of the city.
There are 25 national parks in Italy, taking in the lovely islands of the Arcipelago di La Maddelena, right off the Sardinian coast, to the notorious Mt Vesuvius. Dolomiti di Brenta, a national park in the Dolomites, is our top choice for a national park vacation in Italy. The park’s varied flora and wildlife, as well as its superb hiking and outstanding skiing, have earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With crystal-clear freshwater lakes like Lago di Garda and Lago di Como, the Italian Lakes have long been a favourite vacation spot for Italian families and A-listers from across the world. They are difficult to rival in terms of sheer visual splendour, with their brightly coloured mediaeval towns, towering wooded mountains, and green rivers. The Hotel Lago di Garda and the Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Tremezzo are both excellent options if you’re looking for a five-star hotel with a stunning view of the lake.
From the glamorous film stars’ getaway of Portofino to the more rural but equally magnificent towns of the Cinque Terre, the Italian Riviera, with its lovely turquoise-sea vistas, is another top option for amazing vacations in Italy. The family-friendly Hotel Villa Steno in Monterosso al Mare, the grandiose Belmond Hotel Splendido in Portofino, and the peaceful L’Arcobaleno Affittacamere in Riomaggiore are just a few of the popular hotels in the area.
The Amalfi Coast is a breathtakingly gorgeous area with of cliffside villages, brightly coloured homes, and lush mountains that make for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
The wealthy and famous have always found this 30 m length of cliffs in southwest Italy to be an ideal summer retreat. In the months of April through October, the area is bathed in sunshine thanks to the southerly-facing bays and the turquoise ocean beyond. Holidays on the Amalfi Coast may be as relaxing as lounging in chic piazzas with coffee and drinks or as exciting as hiking through ancient ruins.
The Amalfi Coast is a beautiful area for a walking vacation, and it’s often said that there’s no better way to experience the globe than with two feet and a pulse. Here you may find a network of paths that crisscrosses the coast, taking you through some of the most picturesque towns and fishing villages and up some of the highest cliffs for breathtaking panoramas. There’s a hike for every level of fitness on the Amalfi Coast, from a quick 1 m jaunt to a strenuous 10 m trek.
Depending on your interests, there are a variety of affordable holiday packages to choose from. Popular destinations for budget-friendly trips include Rome, Florence, Naples, and the Italian Lakes region. The Amalfi Coast and Riviera also offer great value for money when it comes to accommodation and activities.
There are a number of online travel sites such as Booking.com, Expedia, Skyscanner, and Kayak that offer great deals on flights to Italy. You can also contact local airlines or airline consolidators for discounted fares.
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Italy, as they offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds. The winter months can be cold but provide great deals on flights and accommodation due to a drop in tourist numbers. Summer is peak season and tends to be more expensive, but also offers longer days for sightseeing.
Yes, there are plenty of affordable accommodation options in Italy including hostels, guesthouses, Airbnb properties, and self-catering apartments. There are also many camping sites and holiday parks throughout the country for those looking to stay close to nature.
Some of the must-see attractions in Italy include the Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome, Piazza San Marco in Venice, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pompeii ruins, Amalfi Coast, and Mt Etna on Sicily. There is also an array of stunning art galleries, museums, and churches for cultural exploration.
Depending on your interests, there are many exciting activities to explore. These include walking tours, bike rides and wine tastings in Tuscany, boat trips along the Amalfi Coast, skiing and snow sports in the Italian Alps, hiking through the Dolomites mountain range, and canyoning. There are also plenty of options for foodies such as pizza-making classes and gelato tours.