Why visit Italy: 10 reasons to go

Think you already know why to visit one of the most beautiful countries in the world? Think again! Alongside covering classic reasons to go to Italy (among them ancient icons, fabulous food, and idyllic islands), here we also share some less obvious answers to that “why visit Italy?” question (free wine fountain, anyone?!), along with tips on where to find some of Italy’s best hidden gems, and how to find peace of mind with the best insurance.

1. Timeless historic treasures 

We’ll kick off with an obvious reason to visit Italy — all those ancient sites that reveal exactly why Rome couldn’t possibly have been built in a day.

While the iconic Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Pantheon need no introduction, the Porticus of Octavia and Domus Aurea, Nero’s opulent underground palace, are also very much deserving of your time, for just a few examples.

Beyond the capital, Italy’s ancient treasures are every bit as astounding, from Vesuvius-frozen Pompeii and Herculaneum, and Lazio’s ancient port city of Ostia Antica, to Lake Garda’s grand Grotte di Catullo villa.

Editor’s tip: A day-trip to Ostia Antica offers a chance to escape the hustle and bustle as the ruins are relatively free of tourists. However, the site is also very spread out, so be prepared for a fair amount of walking.

2. Extraordinary art 

Though the “why visit Italy?” question is unlikely to have ever passed the lips of art lovers, if you’ve already been there, seen that in the best museums in Florence and Rome, be assured that Italy’s arty allures extend beyond its obvious masterpieces.  

That is to say, even if you’ve seen the likes of Michelangelo’s David, the Sistine Chapel, and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, more than a lifetime’s worth of extraordinary art awaits, including works as diverse as Correggio’s illusionary dome frescoes in Parma Cathedral, and Giorgio de Chirico’s metaphysical marvels in Ferrara. 

Editor’s tip: When in Rome, lovers of esoteric art should check out the Porta Alchemica near Piazza Vittorio. Created by a 17th-century aristocrat with a passion for the alchemical, it’s adorned with mystical symbols.

3. The world’s highest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites 

Italy boasts more UNESCO World Heritage Sites (60!) than any other country on earth, with stacks of treasures across every category — cultural heritage, natural heritage, cultural landscapes, and oral and intangible heritage. 

The latter category, in particular, shines a light on what makes Italy truly special. In fact, the traditions safeguarded by this designation provide another seventeen reasons to visit Italy, among them Sicilian puppet opera, Sardinian tenor singing, and the Art of the Neapolitan Pizzaiuoli. 

Editor’s tip: Exploring Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscapes is an especially enriching way for digital nomads to spend their longer stays.

4. Flavoursome regional food

Though pasta and pizza are things of joy, Italy’s regional dishes invite foodies to think outside the (pizza!) box, and provide yet more reasons to visit.

In Lombardy, for example you can savour creamy saffron-spiced risotto alla Milanese, and tuck into cassoela, a winter-warmer stew of pork and cabbage. 

In Venice, it’s all about sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour marinated sardines), while Tuscany’s hearty ribollita vegetable and bread soup will fill the emptiest of bellies.

In Campania, while mention must be made of pizza Napoletana, don’t pass up the chance to sink your teeth into sfogliatella, a crispy shell-shaped pastry that’s typically packed with ricotta and infused with citrus.

In Sicily, it's all about the street food and there's nothing more lip-smackingly satisfying than Sicilian arancini — deep-fried breaded risotto balls stuffed with ragù or mozzarella.

Editor’s tip: It's tempting to try everything when you're traveling — especially in Italy — and it's easy to eat more than usual, which can lead to a touch of stomach discomfort. No worries though! If you have travel insurance, seeing a doctor is quick and easy.

5. All aboard for unforgettable wine experiences

In the case of Tuscany’s vineyard train tour, we mean that quite literally. Riding the vintage Treno Natura is a wonderful way to soak up the region’s sublime scenery while also soaking up world-class wine, thanks to stops at charming wine-making towns and vineyards.

While Piedmont’s wines are best paired with the region’s celebrated truffles — all played out on a UNESCO-designated stage of hilltop wineries — over on Sicily, hikes through lunar-like lava landscapes on the slopes of Mount Etna lead to volcanic vineyards.

Fizz more your thing? Explore the impossibly pretty Prosecco wine route between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.

Editor’s tip: If you find yourself in Abruzzo, visit Caldari di Ortona along the Cammino di San Tommaso pilgrimage trail, where a fountain dispenses wine. No catch — just free-flowing red wine for free!

6. Gloriously glamorous islands

Italy’s diversely inviting islands provide an additional 400+ reasons to visit Italy. Mention must be made of Capri, where living la dolce vita comes easy. Hardly surprising, given that this luxury-laden island of dramatic cliffs and high-end boutiques was the mythological home of the seductive Sirens, and the private love island of Roman emperors.

Staying in Campania, the tiny island of Procida is a place of pretty pastel-hued harbours, while Sicily’s wild, windswept Pantelleria — closer to Tunisia than mainland Italy — is stacked with sophisticated restaurants, hot springs, and secret bays.

Editor’s tip: A quieter alternative to Capri, the island of Ischia is an easy day-trip from Naples. Think lush gardens and grottos, thermal spas, and laidback seaside villages. 

7. Ravishingly romantic destinations 

From the tip to the toe of its elegant boot-shaped landmass, Italy oozes romance. Starting with the obvious, who can resist the romance of gliding Venice’s canals on a gondola? 

If that’s too obvious, head instead to Verona, where you can bask beneath Juliet’s balcony, and watch opera beneath the stars in the ancient Roman Arena di Verona. 

Editor’s tip: Still too schmaltzy? Fear not. Italy’s most (irresistibly) rough-around-the edges cities exude romance, albeit of the more smouldering kind. Take Naples, for example. Stunningly sited beneath smokin’ hot Mount Vesuvius, the city’s National Archaeological Museum showcases erotic art from the brothels, baths, and bars of Pompeii and Herculaneum in its Gabinetto Segretto (Secret Room).

8. Volcano hikes

Opportunities to hike active volcanoes provide adventurers with yet more answers to that “why visit Italy?” question. 

That said, climbing to the crater of Mount Vesuvius is more of a walk in the park than a high-octane hike, thanks to it being accessed via a well-paved trail to the crater rim, where views of steaming fumaroles and the Bay of Naples await. 

Meanwhile, Sicily’s Mount Etna — Europe’s most active volcano, no less — offers everything from moderate hikes, to challenging treks across otherworldly lava fields. 

Arguably saving the most scenic for last, late-afternoon hikes up Mount Stromboli on one of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands delivers awe-inspiring views of eruptions glowing in the dark. 

Editor’s tip: Outdoor adventures come with a degree of risk. So, always stick to marked paths, go with a guide if necessary, and enjoy peace of mind and protection through having comprehensive insurance cover. For example, Heymondo policy holders enjoy personalized practical support, 24/7 access to doctors, and free emergency assistance calls through the app.

9. Unique cultural festivals and events

From the elegantly traditional, to the exhilaratingly eccentric, Italy sure knows how to put on a show, with the Carnevale di Venezia perched atop the country’s festival tree. This extravaganza of flamboyant costumes, masks, and gondola pageants really is something else.  

For something entirely different, come March, Ivrea’s zesty Battle of the Oranges sees locals re-enact a medieval uprising during a messy orange-throwing fight. 

Meanwhile, June’s Calcio Storico Fiorentino sees competitors battle it out in a brutal combination of rugby, football, and wrestling, fanning the flames of a game that dates back to 16th-century Florence.

Come Epiphany (6th January), Italian children are treated to an enchanting post-Christmas treat when broom-riding La Befana — a good witch of folklore — comes to deliver gifts, with many towns holding La Festa della Befana parades and events. 

Editor’s tip: Ivrea's Battle of the Oranges is great fun, but if you would rather not be pelted with oranges, be sure to wear a red hat! 

10. One-of-a-kind accommodation

While boutique hotels are all well and good, why settle for the expected when you can stay someplace truly unique in Italy? First up, the cone-roofed, fairy-tale-esque UNESCO-recognised trulli houses of Alberobello in Puglia, many of which have been converted into cute and cosy guest houses with first-class facilities.

Meanwhile, Matera’s cave hotels blend mysterious vibes with modern luxury. Part of a network of ancient Sassi dwellings that have been inhabited for thousands of years, these are another of Puglia’s UNESCO treasures.

Editor’s tip: Wherever you are in Italy, keep an eye out for special stays in the likes of medieval castles, frescoed fortresses, monasteries, and lighthouses. Sure makes a refreshing change from chain hotels. 

And with that we wrap up our run-down of reasons to go to Italy. If you’re now inspired to visit, read our guide to how to plan a trip to Italy, secure pre-trip peace of mind by arming yourself with the best insurance — more than worth it, whether you’re a solo adventurer, loved-up couple, or long-stay digital nomad — and prepare to embrace la dolce vita, big-time!