Italian cities

January is a fantastic time to enjoy a city break in Italy. The festive crowds have gone, hotels and flights are often cheaper, and winter temperatures make exploring the streets, piazzas, and museums more comfortable.

Winter in the Dolomites feels like stepping into a snow-dusted film set: sharp limestone peaks, pine forests heavy with snow, and villages that look almost too pretty to be real. This corner of northern Italy is only going to be more in the spotlight thanks to the Winter Olympics this year, hav

Often called the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is packed with ornate Baroque churches, golden‑stone palaces and winding alleys that always seem to lead to another little piazza.

Naples is one of Italy’s must-visit cities: it offers a millennia-old historical heritage, breathtaking views over the sea, and countless things to see and do. However, as it’s a large and diverse city, it’s easy to plan an itinerary that doesn’t do it justice or to get caught up in overly “touristy” activities. Here’s what not to do on your first visit to Naples.

Wondering where to spend Christmas in Italy 2025? Italy is one of the most magical destinations for the holiday season, offering a blend of festive traditions, stunning scenery, and unforgettable experiences.

Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage cities in Italy serve up hill towns with frescoed basilicas, elegant medieval centres, grand merchant palaces on marble-lined streets and cave quarters cut into honey-coloured rock.Italy’s most beautiful UNESCO sitesAssisiVerona Ragusa Genoa SienaMateraIt

Planning a holiday in Italy this December? From snow-dusted ski resorts to picturesque villages glowing with Christmas lights, Italy offers the perfect winter escape. Explore its historic cities, where festive charm and cultural attractions create an unforgettable holiday atmosphere.

Known as La Dotta, La Grassa and La Rossa, Bologna is a city of stories, traditions, and secrets just waiting to be discovered. Beyond the usual tourist hotspots, keep an eye out for these unusual gems in the heart of Emilia-Romagna.

If you’re weighing up the best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Italy, picture Capodanno as a long dinner rolling into midnight, with fireworks cracking over church domes.

Winter in Italy runs from candlelit piazzas in the north to sunlit promenades in the south. Crowds thin out after the holidays, museum lines shrink, and prices ease up, though daylight is short and the odd storm rolls through.

November is a wonderful month to escape to Italy. Many parts of the country still enjoy mild weather, and in the major cultural cities, you can explore historic sites without the summer crowds. It’s also perfect for hikers wanting to enjoy the magical autumn colours.

Italy wears its history on its sleeve, and some corners are a touch darker than others. Think cursed palazzi, plague islands and catacombs where time seems to freeze.

The Port of Naples is one of Italy’s most important ports, not just for goods but also for thousands of passengers every year. Visitors arriving from other Mediterranean cities, or simply from the islands in the Gulf of Naples, often begin their exploration of the city right from the port.

Florence is taking a decisive step to protect its historic heart. From 15th October 2025, the city will ban rickshaws, tuk-tuks, golf carts and other “atypical tourist vehicles” from circulating in its UNESCO-listed centre.

Among Florence’s most iconic artistic landmarks, the Baptistery of San Giovanni is unmissable. Situated directly opposite the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and the famous Giotto’s Campanile, it stands as a historic landmark of unparalleled significance.

Florence has been crowned Europe’s best city in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2025.

Italy is home to countless medieval towns and villages, each steeped in history and bursting with charm. From hilltop villages in Tuscany to coastal gems along the Amalfi Coast, these towns transport visitors back in time, offering a glimpse of life as it was centuries ago.

Rome’s Department of Mobility is set to introduce significant changes to speed limits on the city’s busiest roads.

Venice, the iconic city of canals and gondolas, is famous for its romantic atmosphere and rich history. But one thing often surprises visitors: the city streets and squares are almost empty of cats.

Located between the Apennines and the Adriatic, Molise features stone hill towns that watch over olive groves and a quiet coastline. Life ambles along in Campobasso and the fishing docks of Termoli, with truffles, bean stews and moreish local wines.

When the summer heat hits, tourists and locals alike look for ways to cool down — and sometimes that means jumping into public fountains. This is especially common in Rome, but you’ll see it across many of Italy’s beautiful cities too. However, bathing in these fountains comes with some serious consequences.

Verona is in northern Italy’s Veneto region, with the Adige River flowing right through its centre. While it's often linked to Shakespeare’s famous couple, the city's character is really shaped by its grand Roman amphitheatre and winding medieval lanes.

Everyone knows Verona as the stage for Shakespeare's most famous love story, but there's so much more to the city than balconies. You’ll find its real heart in the gorgeous medieval streets and the incredible Roman Arena.

Inflation in Italy continues to affect household spending, and a new analysis reveals a significant shift in the cities where the cost of living has risen most sharply.

Bari is a spirited port city on the Adriatic coast, constantly enlivened by its university population. Bari Vecchia—a proper olde worlde maze of timeworn streets—sits right next to the neat, grand grid of the 19th-century Murat district.