Solar eclipse in Italy on 12 August 2026: timings, viewing spots and safety
Italy will see a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
A village on the Amalfi Coast without the crowds
On the Amalfi Coast, there is a place that manages to avoid the crowds, even on warm weekends. An authentic fishing village at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site has crystal-clear water, a slower pace of life and prices that can be more affordable than expected. Just when it seems every corner of the coast is already familiar, this coastal spot comes as a surprise: there are spacious, well-kept free beaches and seafood cooking centred on the day’s catch.
Beach club prices in Italy in 2026: where to find better value
Paying more than €300 a week for a parasol and two sun loungers is no longer unusual. In 2026, beach club prices have risen again. Codacons estimates a year-on-year increase of 12.9%, while Altroconsumo reports a 6% rise compared with 2025 and a 24% increase over five years. It is a sizeable cost for holiday budgets, with major differences between resorts and even between rows of parasols. A price comparison based on 222 beach clubs across 10 destinations shows where costs are highest and where a better deal may still be found.
The Sardinian beach that looks like Tahiti
Is it really necessary to travel halfway around the world to find sapphire-blue water and pale sand?
At 1,020 metres, this Apennine village defies the August heat
In the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines lies a village that draws thousands of visitors each summer in search of something increasingly hard to find: cooler weather. It sits 1,020 metres above sea level in the province of Modena and is known as the “Pearl of the Apennines”. The title is not simply a local nickname. The Touring Club Italiano has awarded it the prestigious Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag), recognising the quality of its natural surroundings and visitor services.
Living in Abruzzo: cost of living, property prices and best places to live
Living in Abruzzo, Italy, can feel refreshingly grounded: beaches and mountain towns are part of the same region, housing costs sit well below the national average, and smaller cities still have a proper everyday rhythm. It is not, however, a shortcut to an effortless life abroad.
Venice Film Festival 2026: dates, lineup and tickets
The 83rd Venice International Film Festival returns to the Lido di Venezia in September 2026.
The Nolan effect drives tourism to Odyssey locations in Italy
A 3,000-year-old poem is becoming a modern travel itinerary. Since the cinema release of the blockbuster Odyssey on 16 July, locations selected by Christopher Nolan have climbed to the top of travellers’ searches.
Europe’s happiest tourist destinations: Italy takes the crown
One place in Italy has been ranked Europe’s happiest tourist destination. The village on the Amalfi Coast achieved a perfect score of 100 out of 100 in a study measuring where travellers experience the most genuine joy. But how is a place’s happiness measured? A recent study by JustCover attempted to answer that by analysing more than one million reviews left by tourists at all kinds of venues: attractions, national parks, viewpoints, resorts and iconic destinations across 155 of the world’s most popular places.
Where to live in Italy in 2026: practical places for foreigners
Moving to Italy involves far more than choosing between a city break favourite and a sun-soaked coastal town.
Top things to do in Italy in August 2026: festivals, music and cinema
August in Italy revolves around Ferragosto, the public holiday on 15 August, when plenty of shops and smaller businesses close and cities can feel unusually quiet.
Best villages to visit in Sardinia: 7 seaside towns and historic escapes
Sardinia is often reduced to its beaches, yet the island’s smaller towns are where the detail lives: medieval lanes, fishing harbours, local wine, island ferries and archaeological sites sitting a short drive from the coast. The best villages to visit in Sardinia are spread widely, so it pays t
Venice’s Borges Labyrinth restored: one of Italy’s most evocative gardens returns
Forty years after the death of Jorge Luis Borges and 15 years after its inauguration, the labyrinth dedicated to him by the Giorgio Cini Foundation on Venice’s Island of San Giorgio Maggiore has been renewed. One of the Venetian cultural heritage’s most iconic and poetic spaces has now reopened
What to see on Elba Island in 2026: beaches, towns and itineraries
Elba Island sits off the Tuscan coast in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, a short ferry ride from Piombino.
Holidays in Abruzzo: dreamy summer between sea and mountains
Abruzzo is one of the most underrated regions during the summer months. It’s often seen as more of a winter destination, thanks to its mountains and well-known ski resorts popular across Europe. In reality, a holiday in Abruzzo works perfectly well in summer too. The key is understanding the regional climate, so you can pick the periods that suit you best and avoid the less favourable ones.
What to do in Italy in August 2026: festivals, music and local traditions
Italy’s events calendar stays busy through the summer holidays, with historic horse races, religious processions and open-air music festivals taking over town squares and arenas.
EU population reaches 452 million as growth continues
On 1 January 2026, the EU’s population was estimated at 452.0 million people, an increase of 706,000 compared with the previous year.
The most beautiful medieval villages in Italy
Walking among stone walls, towers rising above the hills, and cobbled lanes that seem frozen in time is an experience Italy does particularly well. The most beautiful medieval villages in Italy tell the story of an era shaped by castles, Romanesque churches and communities perched high up for protection, places that have since become popular travel destinations.
Where to go on holiday in Italy in August: 12 destinations for a summer vacation
August is the holiday month par excellence in Italy, when many people are off work and looking to escape the daily routine.
Green homes, the future of Italian property
When it comes to green homes, 2030 is a deadline that's generating attention and, in some cases, even some concern. However, it's important to remember that this isn't a doomsday year for the real estate market. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has mandated the achievement of certain overall national targets. These targets must be interpreted correctly: new residential buildings must be zero-emission by 2030; while for existing residential buildings, Member States must adopt measures to ensure a reduction in average primary energy use of at least 16% by that year. Therefore, there's no requirement for a minimum energy class for each individual home. But what does the latest news on the European directive on green homes tell us?
Cheap August holidays in Italy: affordable destinations for summer 2026
August is Italy’s busiest holiday month, and prices rise sharply in the country’s best-known seaside resorts.
Goodbye crowds, hello 20 quiet beaches in Italy away from the chaos
Finding a quiet beach in Italy in July or August seems almost impossible. Yet the peninsula still hides dozens of coves accessible only on foot, bays protected by nature reserves, and inlets where the only sound is the crashing waves. Many of these uncrowded beaches owe their tranquility to their difficult access: forest trails, boat arrivals, or limited-access reservation systems that limit daily admissions.
12 equipped beaches in Lampedusa for sunbeds, snorkelling and sea views
Lampedusa is famous for its transparent waters, deep turquoise seabeds and still largely unspoilt scenery. If you don’t want to give up an umbrella, a sunbed, a shower and a proper lunch with a sea view, choosing the right lido (beach club) can really shape your holiday. The equipped beaches in Lampedusa strike that balance between wild nature and comfort. Here’s a complete overview of the main beaches with facilities, including where most of the lidos are concentrated, which areas are easiest for families and which are better suited to snorkelling and proper relaxation.
Worst places to retire in Italy: what to consider before you choose
Italy remains one of Europe's most popular retirement destinations. Its slower pace of life, excellent cuisine and history continue to attract retirees from around the world.
Popular destinations where Italians abroad return
A reopened flight route, a surname spotted on the village bell tower, a recipe scribbled in pencil: sometimes that is all it takes to trigger a return ticket.