Italian culture

Castles have always carried an air of mystery, guarding fascinating stories: hidden secrets, traces of distant eras, and tales of nobles, ladies and knights. Across Italy, from north to south, there are castles, fortresses and strongholds that attract thousands of visitors each year, all keen to uncover their history and soak up the atmosphere as they wander through grand halls and silent courtyards.

From the I-Days in Milan to open-air gigs in Puglia’s parks, and on to the international buzz of Florence and Lucca, summer in Italy is once again one of the best times of year to catch live music.So which music festivals are taking place in Italy in summer 2026?

There’s nowhere quite like Italy when it comes to family-friendly festivals. Towns and cities fill with music, food stalls, street performers and local traditions that draw in everyone.If you're looking for the best festivals in Italy with kids in 2026, you’ll find options all year round.

June in Rome always carries a certain energy, but Pride month adds something extra.

If you’re in Italy in late June, chances are you’ll hear about Festa di San Giovanni 2026.

Can a region be rebuilt with a handful of seedlings? In one Italian village, this is exactly what happened.

A Spanish collective has won the idealista Contemporary Art Prize 2026 for its project Libertà.

If there is one moment when Rome feels like living history rather than an open-air museum, it’s during Rome’s birthday.

The Venice Biennale 2026, officially the 61st edition of the Venice Art Biennale, is one of the biggest contemporary art events in the world.Every two years, the city shifts gear: curators, critics, collectors and curious travellers all descend at once, and the atmosphere becomes part cultural pilgr

Among the most fascinating and ancient underground funerary complexes in the capital are undoubtedly the Catacombs of Priscilla.

Northern Italy isn’t short of military history. Roman forts, Venetian defences, Austro-Hungarian strongholds.

If you’re used to celebrating in June, Father’s Day in Italy might take you by surprise. Here it’s held every year in March and is known as Festa del Papà.When is Father’s Day in Italy?Why is Father’s Day different in Italy?

The Italian Capital of Culture 2028 has not yet been announced, but the path towards the final decision is well underway. Ten shortlisted cities will compete for the title by presenting their cultural projects to the ministerial committee.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide on 14th February, and Italy is no exception. Known locally as San Valentino, this holiday is also called la festa degli innamorati — the day of lovers.

Venice during Carnival is a bit like walking onto a film set: masks everywhere, music echoing off the canals, and something happening in every square.

If there’s one tradition that never gets old, it’s Carnival in Italy.

Italy’s big‑name galleries are brilliant, but once you have done the hits, they can feel crowded and predictable.

If 2026 is your big Italy year, lining up the best museums in Italy to visit makes a huge difference to how the trip feels.

Italy’s Capital of Culture 2026 is a mountain city that most tourists still skip in favour of Rome or the Amalfi Coast.

If you spend winter in Italy, you’ll start seeing colourful biglietti for Lotteria Italia in every tobacco shop and motorway service station.

Verona’s historic centre is full of pretty corners, but there is one small courtyard that always seems busier than the rest.

Italian New Year’s Eve traditions hum along the edges of winter nights, a mix of old superstitions and quiet rituals that slip into the evening without fuss.

Eating well in Italy is as much about place as it is about recipes.

If you love history, libraries and a good student buzz, Bologna is your happy place.

Italy’s most recent UNESCO inscriptions span prehistoric rock-cut tombs, blue‑ceilinged chapels, grand spa culture, ancient roads and delicate gypsum cave systems.