15+ Best Italian Experiences You Need To Try Once In Your Lifetime (in 2026)

Eat your way through Emilia Romagna

Truthfully, I had never heard of Emilia Romagna till I started blogging.

And that is when I heard of this region in Northern Italy which is known as the secret food capital of Italy.

And eating different types of things in Emilia Romagna is considered to be one of the best Italian experiences you can experience.

Even though, this region is famous for its cured meats and Bolognese sauce, there are a few stuff that are ideal for vegetarians like me.

I would love to eat the world famous cheese, go on a walking tour in Bologna, eat all the white truffles and tortellinis while trying out some famous Balsamic vinegar from the region.

Spin on the bull’s testicles in Milan

I had heard of this tradition before but it was not till I visited Milan last year, that I was able to do it.

In the middle of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (a giant luxury shopping market), there is a bull made of Mosaic tiles.

And there is a superstition that says that if you keep the right leg on the bull’s genitals and spin in the clockwise direction for 3 times, you are ensured Good luck and a chance to return to Milan.

It was fun doing it and since I went in the night, didn’t have to wait for more than 5 minutes to do it.

I am not sure if I will ever get the chance to visit Milan in the future but it was still fun doing a touristic Italian experience.

Road trip through Amalfi Coast

This has been on my bucket list for so long and I would love to experience Italy during summers especially for doing this.

Amalfi coast is a region south of Naples and is well known for pastel coloured villages set amidst some dramatic Italian cliffs with endless views of the ocean.

I would start my road trip in Sorrento and then spend the next 5-7 days visiting the different villages like Positano, Praiano, Amalfi and Ravello.

Since it can get extremely crowded during the months of June – August, I would love to do this in May or in September so that I don’t spend the entire time on the road.

I also would love to see all these villages from a boat tour. Preferably a sunset tour.

Get lost in history in Rome

I don’t think one visit to Rome is enough. There is so much to do for a history buff like me and I could spend days lost in the many musuems and churches in Rome.

And getting lost in the streets of Rome on a Vespa is definitely one of the best taly experiences you can do when in the country.

Obviously do a night tour of the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum and hop on for a day tour to another country within the same city.

Yes, The Vatican and St Peter’s Basillica and Square including the world-famous Sistine chapel are a must do when you are in Rome and want to hop on over to the Holy see.

Definitely head on over to the touristy Trevi fountain to throw a coin in it and visit the many Piazzas in the city.

And follow in the steps of Julia Roberts and Audrey Hepburn in one of the best cities in the world.

Hike the Dolomites region

Another bucket list item and I want to do this during Autumn to catch the magnificent beauty of the region.

I would love to hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and witness the beauty of the 3 peaks.

Would love to explore the many lakes in the region including the iconic Lago de Braies.

Another lake I would love to hike is Lago di Sorapis after doing the 6 mile hike.

Also, would love to take the cable car from Ortesei to Seceda.

Eat Gelato everywhere

This is actually self explanatory and every time I go back to Italy, this has always been my first agenda on the list.

Eat as much as gelato as I possibly can every time I visit Italy.

And to try out all the flavours that I can. There are so many fun flavours these days.

Take a boat trip through Lake Como’s charming villages and villas

Everyone will ask you to stay in any of the 3 Golden circle villages like Bellagio, Varenna or Menaggio in Lake Como.

But we ended up staying in the peaceful and quiet lakeside village of Argegno and that is how we were able to visit some beautiful villages around Lake Como.

We did have our own car but during our 2nd trip to the region, we decided to hire a private boat rental to take us to the many villages and villas in the region.

Please note that the main villages are extremely crowded in summer. So it is best that you start early and cover as many as possible before the day trippers from Milan come.

Must visit villas include Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta and Villa Monastero.

Also visit other villages like Bellano and Nesso around the lake.

Spend a few weeks in Sardinia during summer

Sardinia is the perfect Mediterranean escape and if you are looking for less crowds in Summer compared to the rest of Italy, then it is the ideal place.

I would spend days hopping between the many beaches in the region and boat tours to visit places like La Maddalena Archipelago, Gulf of Orosei and La Pelosa.

Also, would love to hike Gorropu Gorge and visit Neptune’s Grotto.

And end the trip with visits to Alghero’s walled medieval old town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Su Nuraxi di Barumini.

Find the best Affogato in Italy

I know people are crazy about the classic Tiramisu but if there is a dessert that I love to eat in Italy, then it has to be the Affogato.

What more can one ask for? A scoop of Gelato with espresso and add a shot of Kahlua to top it all.

The classic Italian coffee dessert that I dream of having everytime I go back to Italy.

Shop for best luxury items in Milan

Milan has always been the hotspot of fashion and luxury and has been a premier luxury shopping destination for many years.

I always get so lost when I visit Milan because I am torn between buying luxury items for me and my family and obviously saving money.

But if you are someone who loves to shop for luxury in Italy, then these are must buy items for a complete Italian experience:

• Luxury bags and shoes made of fine Italian leather
• Clothes from Italian houses like Prada, Gucci, Versace etc
• Ties and scarves made of Como silk
• Fine jewellery and watches

Must visit shopping areas include Quadrilatero della Moda, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Brera design street.

And don’t forget to get a tax refund when you are exiting Europe. You will need to request for VAT refund bill when you are buying.

Explore the ruins of Pompeii

The city of Pompeii was buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted centuries ago and it laid buried till the 16th century.

Even today, only 70% of the city has been uncovered.

The ruins are definitely one of the must do things in Italy and it gives us a glimpse of what life was like in 8th century AD.

It is also just 35-40 mins away from Naples by train.

Ride the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano

You may argue that Bernina express is actually a Switzerland experience and not an Italy experience.

But did you know that Unesco Bernina express actually runs from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy or vice versa?

Which means that you will still be covering some beautiful parts of Italy which are not known to many.

And Tirano is such a cute Italian town on the Swiss border and definitely gives you a completely different vibe compared to rest of Italy.

Stay in the center of the town, visit the gorgeous terraced vineyards during season and eat all the delicious pasta while you are here.

And the nearest airport, Milan Bergamo is just 2 hours away by road.

During summer, there are special buses transport Bernina passengers to villages in Lake Como.

Eat Pizza in Naples

Did you know that Pizza supposedly originated in the Naples region in the 18th and 19th century and was made as a source of cheap food for fisherman?

Neopolitan Pizza is from Naples and is characterised by a dough with edges pointing outwards.

Even though many people claim this to be an overrated Italian experience, I would love to go to Naples one day to experience this first hand.

And did you know that Neopolitan pizza is now protected under the EU’s Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) and the art of the Neapolitan pizza maker is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage?

Explore the canals and islands of Venice

I was not a big fan of Venice when I first visited. But I believe now that it was just the wrong time to visit.

The entire city was submerged due to the rains which made this experience in Italy a bit overrated.

But there were still experiences in Venice that made me want to return to Venice one day. Hopefully, during carnival when the entire city dresses up with masks.

I loved visiting the islands of Murano and Burano visiting those coloured fishing villages, learning all about the art of making glass and lace.

And even though Gondolas in Venice may feel overrated, it is definitely a must do Italian experience.

And don’t forget to taste your first Aperol Spritz overlooking Piazza San Marco.

Stay in a villa somewhere in Tuscany

If you are a fan of romantic movies of the 2000s, I am pretty sure you would have seen the movie ‘Under the Tuscan sun’.

As a young pre adult who saw this movie back then, it left such a lasting memory and it has always been a dream of mine to rent a villa somewhere in Tuscany.

Back then, we used to day dream about shifting to Italy after this movie, find someone romantic to share the villa with and have all the wine in the world.

And the fact that cities like Florence, Sienna and Pisa fall in this region has only made this wish stronger in recent years.

I would love to go to this region with my husband and stay in a Tuscan villa for a few weeks while we figured out life in picturesque Italy.

Visit Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot

Puglia comes right in the South of Italy and it is one of those places that never come up when someones asks you on what to do in Italy.

It is so underrated, partially because it is far from other regions in Italy.

But if you ever get a chance to go, then explore the UNESCO World Heritage town of Alberobello and visit the Trulli houses, traditional dry-stone huts with distinct conical roofs.

Visit the cliffs at Polignano a Mare or take a boat tour along the coast.

Visit the white city of Ostuni and spend a day admiring the Baroque architecture of Lecce.

Visit the many beaches in the region which earns it the nickname of Caribbean of Italy and visit the city of Matera.

Spend Christmas in Italy

Last Christmas season, I spent couple of days in Milan, Italy and it was definitely so different from other Christmas markets in Europe.

I would love to go back to witness the beginning of Christmas in Italy which starts with Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th and ends with Epiphany on January 6th.

And you cannot celebrate an Italian Christmas without Panettone, a sweet, fluffy cake with raisins and candied fruits or Pandoro, a star-shaped cake dusted with vanilla sugar.

I also would love to visit Vatican to witness the nativity scenes exclusive to Italy.

Follow the work of Italian renaissance artists

As someone who loves the work of Italian renaissance artists, I believe this is one of the best things to do in Italy.

The main three artists of the High Renaissance period, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael have many art works across Italy and this should be in your bucket list if you love art.

Some of the must see ones are Michelangelo’s David Statue, Pieta and the Sistine chapel, Michelangelo’s Last Supper and Mona Lisa (which is in the Louvre in Paris) and Raphael’s School of Athens in the Vatican.

Conclusion: Amazing experiences in Italy

Italy is a destination that rewards every type of traveler, whether you’re drawn to ancient history, world-class art, breathtaking coastlines, charming villages, or unforgettable food.

From cruising along the Amalfi Coast and exploring the canals of Venice to admiring Renaissance masterpieces in Florence and savoring authentic pasta in Rome, the country offers experiences that stay with you long after your trip ends.

The beauty of Italy lies not only in its iconic attractions but also in the simple moments. Enjoying a sunset over Tuscany, sipping espresso in a quiet piazza, or wandering through centuries-old streets.

Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, Italy always has something new to offer. Add these incredible Italian experiences to your itinerary and prepare for a journey filled with culture, beauty, and unforgettable memories