Things to Do in Italy

In an Italian neighborhood known for its winding streets and narrow back alleys, Via del Corso has become well known as the only perfectly straight lane in the historic center of Rome. The iconic stretch of narrow roadway extends from Porta del Popolo to Capitoline Hill and grants travelers access to Baroque churches and other local landmarks.

Visitors will find the picturesque street that once served as the racetrack for Roman Carnival to be the perfect place for people watching, as locals and travelers alike stroll along the sidewalks as part of a traditional passeggiata—a casual, leisurely stroll. In addition to being an ideal spot to see and be seen, Via del Corso also offers plenty of shops, restaurants and boutiques.

Taking its name from Mt Etna, the famous volcano that looms over the city, Via Etnea is one of Catania’s most important thoroughfares, running for 3 km through the heart of the city. Lined with shops, department stores, restaurants and bars, Via Etnea is equally popular with locals and tourists, making it a lively destination both day and night, as well as a strategic starting point for a walking tour. 

At the southern end of Via Etnea is Piazza Duomo, with its iconic Elephant fountain, grand City Hall and series of Baroque palaces, set against a backdrop of the imposing Catania Cathedral. Heading north up Via Etnea, you’ll pass through Piazza Università and Piazza Stesicoro, home to the ruins of a Roman amphitheater and a monument to local composer Vincenzo Bellini. From here, it’s a short walk to the busy central market in Piazza Carlo Alberto or the Villa Bellini, the city’s main park.

A tranquil oasis running between the teeming spaces of Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna, Via Margutta is a short but charming cobbled street with narrow townhouses in hues of red and terracotta, decked with ivy and planted with shrubs. In ancient times an open sewer and today one of Rome’s prettiest streets, Margutta has attracted artists, stonemasons, poets, sculptors and composers to its three short blocks since medieval times. Today art stalls, workshops, galleries and studios abound among the terraced trattorias and the street’s Fontana delle Arti is topped by a carved stone bucket filled with artists’ brushes. Revered Italian film director Federico Fellini lived at number 110 and it has even starred in its own movie, when Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn take a cab to Via Margutta, 51, in Roman Holiday. Over the years the romantic little lane has also been home to Picasso, Stravinsky, Puccini and Debussy; it looks particularly lovely during April’s festival of  ‘100 Pittori’ (100 Pictures), when artists set up stalls and exhibit their work for sale.

With a long-standing reputation for elegance and a starring role in Federico Fellini's 1960 film La Dolce Vita, Via Veneto was once the stomping ground of international actors, celebrities and paparazzi. Today, the stylish thoroughfare remains one of Rome’s most glamorous addresses, running between Piazzale Brasile and Piazza Barberini in central Rome, and lined with luxury hotels, chic bars and streetside cafés.

Start your explorations at lively Piazza Barberini, home to the magnificent 17th-century Palazzo Barberini, then stroll north along Via Veneto, passing landmarks like the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception and Palazzo Margherita, now home to the U.S Embassy. Be sure to pay a visit to famous cafés like Harry’s Bar, Café de Paris and Doney too, where former customers include big names like Audrey Hepburn, Tennessee Williams and Coco Chanel.

Arguably the most picturesque—and steepest—of all the Cinque Terre villages, Vernazza is indeed a striking sight: snaking narrow lanes and a crescent-shaped harbor are framed by forested peaks and glittering Mediterranean waters. Visitors can stroll the scenic waterfront, snap photos of the charming pastel-colored buildings, and explore a medieval castle before heading down to the sandy beach for a refreshing swim in the sea. 

 

Vernazza makes a good base for exploring Cinque Terre National Park, which encompasses all five Cinque Terre towns, and for enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and paragliding along the Italian Riviera. Day tours to Vernazza run from La Spezia, Siena, Lucca, and Florence, and typically include visits to the neighboring villages of Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Manarola, as well as a stop in nearby Portovenere. Cruise ship passengers can opt for a shore excursion from Genoa. 

Located in Cinque Terre National Park, between Corniglia and Monterosso al Mare along the Italian Riviera, Vernazza is a 2.5-hour drive from Florence or a 45-minute drive from La Spezia. Parking is limited in Vernazza, so unless you are staying in town overnight, it’s best to join a tour or arrive by train from La Spezia (a 20-minute ride). Alternatively, from mid-April through October, ferries connect Vernazza with La Spezia, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, and Manarola. 

Vernazza and the rest of the Cinque Terre see the most visitors and highest temperatures—upwards of 100°F (40°C)—in summer. Hikers should aim to visit in May or September to avoid the peak heat, while budget-minded travelers might want to skip August, when hotel prices skyrocket. Visiting in winter is possible, but some hiking trails may be inaccessible in heavy rain or icy conditions. 

Vernazza is best known for its colorfully painted houses, but the cliffside village is also home to some impressive historic monuments. Get a panoramic perspective from medieval Doria Castle, built to protect the town from pirates; admire the Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia, which dates back to the 14th century; or hike into the mountains to take in the views from the Sanctuary of Madonna di Reggio.

Milan is well-known as a major shopping destination, but some of the streets in its city center – including Via Monte Napoleone – are particularly famous for their designer boutiques.

Via Monte Napoleone (also spelled Montenapoleone) is Milan's foremost shopping street in the shopping zone called the Quadrilatero della Moda, or “fashion quarter.” It's lined with high-end boutiques bearing world-famous designer names – Armani, Ferragamo, Fratelli Rossi, Zegna, Louis Vitton, Gucci, Valentino, Prada, and more.

Many of the streets in this area are pedestrianized, making it easy – and pleasant – to simply window shop if your wallet won't stretch to accommodate the boutique prices. The window displays along Via Monte Napoleone are often elaborate, making window shopping well worth your while.

Leading from the Capitoline Hill to the Colosseum via the first-century AD Arch of Titus as it traverses the Forum from west to east, the Via Sacra (Sacred Way) was once the main thoroughfare of Ancient Rome. With its origins stretching back to at least the fifth century BC, it was later paved and later still, in the times of Nero, lined with colonnades. The street was backed by Ancient Rome’s temples, civic buildings and the palaces of the wealthy; it was here that festivals were held, where prostitutes came to solicit clients and where crowds gathered to gossip and gamble along its route. Via Sacra was also scene of triumphal processions to celebrate military victories, when slaves and prisoners were dragged to market. Today the road forms part of the open-air museum that is the Forum; over the centuries this has been ravaged by fire, plundered for its stone and used as cow pasture but still retains something of its ancient majesty among scattered boulders, shattered arches and broken columns.

 With ancient Roman ruins, church crypts that inspired Shakespeare, and grand Austrian-style buildings from the 19th century, Verona’s Historic Center (Centro Storico) is an architectural treasure trove. Highlights include the 2nd-century Verona Arena, the Casa di Giulietta, and the 14th-century Scaliger Tombs. 

The historic city of Verona was first settled by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Several city sights—including the Roman theater and the Ponte Pietra (Stone Bridge) over the Adige river—still remain from this early period, while many city streets, such as the Via Mazzini, follow the routes of ancient Roman roads with many ruins to visit. 

There are also many buildings dating from the Medieval and Renaissance eras, including the Casa di Giulietta, where the family said to have inspired Shakespeare’s Capulets in Romeo & Juliet once lived. Many people interested in the architectural history of the city choose to take part in a guided tour to learn more about the significance of the different buildings. 

Verona’s Centro Storico cover the central district of the city, lying roughly between Via Roma in the south and the riverbank in the north, east, and west. It is best explored on foot, either self-guided or as part of a walking, bike, or Segway tour. Additionally, hop-on-hop-off buses stop at many of the major tourist attractions making the city easy to navigate. 

The streets in the Centro Storico are open 24 hours a day year-round. Many of the individual sights have separate opening hours so check before you visit. The city is busiest in the summer months when visitors come from all over the world to enjoy opera performances at the Verona Arena. 

Climb Up to Castel San Pietro

For a bird’s-eye view of the city before you start exploring in earnest, head up the steep hill to Castel San Pietro—or save your legs and take the funicular railway. From the top you’ll be able to see the Roman roads cutting through the center, the river winding its way through the buildings, and make out the 30,000 seat Verona Arena. 

Via Cavour is one of the main roads in the historical center of Florence, Italy. It was named in 1861 when two ancient streets, Via Larga and Via San Leopoldo, were joined. Visitors walking down certain sections of the street should look closely for plaques commemorating well-known people who once lived here. At the south end of the street is the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, which was once home to the famous Medici family during the Renaissance. Today it is a museum of art and architecture covering more than 400 years of Florence's history. 

Several other museums are located on Via Cavour, such as the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum and the Crime Museum. Along Via Cavour, you will find plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops as well as apartment buildings. You'll also see the Museum and Convent of San Marco. The road passes through Piazza San Marco as it heads north, eventually meeting up with Piazza della Liberta.

The main thoroughfare running through historic Lucca is Via Fillungo, one of the liveliest streets in town. It stretches from the Porta dei Borghi (one of the ancient gates in Lucca's pristine city walls) to Canto d'Arco. The street is lined with shops and cafes, making it a magnet for tourist activity as well as for locals.

 

Some of the attractions along this pretty street include the 11th-century Church of San Cristoforo and Palazzo Manzi. The famous clock tower is not far away, and from the top of that tower you get an excellent view down Via Fillungo.

Milan is world-famous for its fashion industry, much of which is located in one small section of the city – including along the Via Manzoni. The Quadrilatero della Moda, or “fashion quarter,” sits northeast of the Duomo, with Via Manzoni serving as its northwestern border. Unlike some of the other streets in the quarter, Via Manzoni is not pedestrianized – it's a relatively major street leading from the Teatro della Scala almost to the Giardini Pubblici in the northeast of the city.

In addition to the shops on Via Manzoni – Armani Casa and Paul Smith among them – this street is also home to the Armani Hotel, the Grand Hotel et de Milan (where Verdi died in 1901), and the Museo Poldi Pezzoli (with a collection of artists from northern Italy, the Netherlands, and Flanders).

With its centuries-old baroque buildings, timeworn paving stones and elaborate stairways, Via Crociferi is unashamedly photogenic, so much so that a number of Italian films have shot scenes on its sidewalks. Walking the length of Via Crociferi is like taking a stroll through the city’s history, starting at the south end of the street, where the Parco Archeologico Greco-Romano di Catania is home to the city’s most notable Roman ruins and the medieval Castello Ursino towers in the distance. 

Via Crociferi is most famous for its Sicilian Baroque architecture and its striking churches and 18th-century palazzi form an important part of Catania’s UNESCO World Heritage site. Highlights include the Arco di San Benedetto, the iconic archway which marks the start of the street and dates back to 1704; the Church of San Giuliano, designed by architect Giovan Battista Vaccarini; the dramatic portico of the Jesuit College; the magnificent Villa Cerami; and the Vincenzo Bellini house museum.

Commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508, the grand Via Giulia is one of Rome’s most elegant thoroughfares, running for almost 1km between the Piazza dell'Oro and Piazza San Vincenzo Palloti. It’s a picturesque walkway, with its timeworn cobblestones framed by monumental arches, historic churches and Renaissance-era buildings, and the smattering of cafés and restaurants offer ample opportunities for people watching. 

Highlights of Via Giulia include the ivy-covered Arco Farnese, designed by Michelangelo; the adjoining Palazzo Farnese; and the 17th-century Fontana del Mascherone.  Other architectural gems include the Palazzo Falconieri, the baroque Santa Maria dell'Orazione Church; and the Palazzo Sacchetti, while the street has also earned a reputation for its quality antique shops.

The Venice Lido (Lido di Venezia), a long stretch of sand in the Venetian Lagoon, is an easy escape for a quick beach break, round of golf, bout of shopping, or leisurely meal. Along several water bus lines and just minutes from the center of Venice, sneaking away from the crushing crowds of St. Mark’s Square couldn’t be simpler.

The Lido island’s northern half is home to the Venice Film Festival, a smattering of stylish hotels, the Venice Casino, and a host of restaurants and nightlife spots. Toward the island’s south, an impressive golf course welcomes visitors looking to get out on the green. In the center of the island are two large public beaches perfect for relaxing under the sun along Italy’s Adriatic Sea, and the Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta, a popular destination for shopping, entertainment, and uninterrupted ocean views. 

You can use a hop-on-hop-off Venice sightseeing boat tour to visit the Lido, or an Alilaguna boat transportation pass. Otherwise, opt for a private tour of Venice’s outlying islands, including Burano, Murano, Giudecca, and the Lido.

You can reach the Lido by taking the vaporetto from Piazza San Marco that travels up the Grand Canal and getting off at the Santa Maria Elisabetta stop. Alternatively grab a private water taxi.

Venice gets very crowded during the summer months (from June to September), so if you want mild weather and smaller crowds, the best times to visit the area are spring and fall. The annual Venice Film Festival is held from late August to early September.

The Lido beaches can be crowded in summer, but the water is clear and gentle due to a number of breakwaters sheltering the shoreline. The beach clubs are elegant and well outfitted, providing everything from “huts”—large cabins with a veranda and an awning—to simple deck chairs and umbrellas. 

Feel like part of history as you attend an event in the Verona Arena (Arena di Verona), a spectacular Roman amphitheater that has dominated Piazza Bra since the first century. Once a venue for sporting events, games, and gladiatorial battles, today audiences of up to 15,000 gather to watch opera, music concerts, and dance performances.

Verona’s Roman Arena is the symbol of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed city center and one of its most popular sights. Though much of the original pink-and-white limestone outer facade was pilfered at the end of the Roman Empire and a catastrophic earthquake in 1117 destroyed the rest, the interior and outstanding acoustics remain remarkably intact. In the 19th century, the city began using the arena once again to hold performances, and a staging of Verdi’s Aida in 1913 to celebrate the composer’s 100th birthday marked its reincarnation as one of Italy’s most important outdoor theaters.

By day, you can book a Verona Arena tour with skip-the-line entrance to the amphitheater or join a small-group walking tour of the city’s highlights, including the arena as well as Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, Torre dei Lamberti, and the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore. On summer evenings, you can book a ticket for the annual opera festival or other event, and enjoy the arena decked out for a performance.

Verona is located in Italy’s Veneto region, about halfway between Venice and Milan, and you can easily take a Lake Garda day trip from here. The arena is on Piazza Bra in the historic center of Verona, about a 20-minute walk from the train station or eight minutes by bus.

The arena is open from 8:30am to 7:30pm daily, and from 1:30pm on Mondays. These hours may change on performance days. While you can visit the arena year-round, it is especially memorable in the evening during scheduled performances from June to September. Opera seasons runs during this time; performances begin after sunset (usually around 9pm), and the amphitheater is lit by hundreds of small candles. 

Verona is also famous for being the setting for Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Today you can tour what is known as Juliet’s house, Casa di Giulietta, with its romantic balcony.

Milan's fashion sense is world famous, and one of the streets to visit to see where the locals buy their designer brands is Via della Spiga. Along with other nearby streets such as Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga is considered to be part of the Quadrilatero della Moda, or “fashion quarter.” Via della Spiga forms the northeastern border of the quarter.

Some of the designer names you'll see along Via della Spiga are Prada, Bulgari, Tod's, Armani, Hermes, Tiffany, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, and Moschino. It's a pedestrianized street, making it a pleasure to wander – even if you're not planning to buy.

Via Mazzini is Verona’s top shopping street. It’s lined with stores selling the latest fashions and chic cafes where you can sit and people watch over a creamy cappuccino. Leading from the central square Piazza Bra to the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s balcony) it connects some of the city’s main sights.

The stylish street is named after Giuseppe Mazzini, a 19th-century politician and activist who was instrumental in bringing about the unification of Italy. A section of the street follows the original Roman road leading off from Verona Arena. It formed one of the city’s east-west streets, known as “decumanus” streets. 

Keen shoppers will be in heaven here—Via Mazzini is home to all the top Italian and international brands and there’s enough to keep you browsing for hours. For visitors less inclined to window shop, the street itself is quite charming with classic Italian-style architecture painted in pastel colors and there are plenty of places to grab a bite. Walking tours taking in the city’s top sights often stroll down this major street. 

Things to Know Before You Go 

Via Mazzini links Piazza Bra to Piazza delle Erbe through the center of Verona and is easily accessible on foot. Additionally, hop-on-hop-off tour buses, as well as city buses and taxis, stop nearby, although the street itself is pedestrian only. 

The shops and cafés on Via Mazzini are open every day except major holidays. Weekends are the busiest days, especially Sunday afternoons when many people come to browse the stores and take a leisurely stroll.

Explore Piazza delle Erbe

At the bottom of Via Mazzini is Verona’s market square, Piazza delle Erbe (Place of the Herbs). A market is still held here every morning except Sunday, with vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, flowers, and more. The square is also home to the Torre dei Lambert—worth the climb for a great view—and the Achille Forti Gallery of Modern Art. 

Winding past some of Naples' most noteworthy attractions, Via Toledo is one of the city's oldest streets. Travelers who wander down this 0.7-mile (1.2 km) -long stretch of picturesque pavement will pass the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Teatro Augusteo and the stunning Galleria Umberto.

In addition to some incredible architectural and cultural attractions, there are plenty of Italian boutiques and big-name department stores along Via Toledo, while dozens of tasty restaurants set on quiet side streets provide perfect spots to enjoy a traditional Naples lunch. And of course, the street itself is home to what is easily considered the city's best people-watching.

Via Cola di Rienzo is a long, straight avenue connecting one corner of Vatican City with the Tiber River at the Regina Margherita Bridge. The street was built and named after 14th-century politician Cola di Rienzo in the late 19th century, just after Italy was unified, and was one of the main streets in the Prati neighborhood. Today, it is primarily a shopping destination, with clothing chain stores, department stores, and Italian shoe stores lining the street. While best known for its retail, you'll also find casual restaurants, hotels, and gourmet food items.

Brands along Via Cola di Rienzo include Guess Jeans, The Body Shop, and Benetton, as well as popular European brands, such as Max Mara, Zara, Liu Jo, Stefanel, Sisley, Falconieri, and the Coin department store. Some shopping tours include stops on the Via Cola di Rienzo, and it’s also easy to browse on your own before or after a visit to the Vatican.

Shopaholics in Rome, head for Via Condotti, where even the window-shopping is worth the trip.

Via Condotti (its complete name is Via dei Condotti) is a street in central Rome that dates back to the ancient Roman era. It was a fashionable address as far back as the 18th century, when the Caffe Greco opened and was frequented by the likes of Goethe, Byron, Liszt, and Keats. The cafe remains open – and popular with visitors – to this day.

Most of Via Condotti is known for its fashion boutiques. Major names in fashion have shops along the street, including Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Prada, Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana, as well as many other designers – Italian and otherwise.