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Travel guide

Italy holidays: a travel guide for UK visitors

From the canals of Venice to the Amalfi Coast, Italy pairs world-class art, food and coastline — a favourite for Mediterranean cruises and tours.

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Why visit Italy

Few countries reward a holiday quite like Italy. You can stand beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes in Rome in the morning and be eating fresh seafood on a Ligurian harbour by evening. Cruises trace the coastline from the pastel villages of the Italian Riviera to the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast and the temples of Sicily, while tours dig into Tuscany’s hill towns and the lakes of the north. It is a place where the everyday — a coffee at the bar, a slow lunch, a passeggiata at dusk — is part of the pleasure.

Best time to visit

Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) are the sweet spots: warm, settled weather without the fierce heat and crowds of high summer. July and August are hot and busy, especially in the south and on the islands, while winter is quiet and atmospheric in the cities, if cooler.

Top things to do in Italy

  1. 1

    Explore ancient and Renaissance Rome

    The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon sit within easy walking distance of one another, while Vatican City holds St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Two thousand years of history layered into one walkable city.

  2. 2

    Sail or drive the Amalfi Coast

    Positano, Amalfi and Ravello cling to the cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea. Many Mediterranean cruises call here, and the coast road offers some of the most dramatic views in Europe.

  3. 3

    Wander Venice and its lagoon

    St Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal and the quiet back-street canals are best explored on foot and by vaporetto, with the glass-making island of Murano and colourful Burano a short hop away.

The cheapest Italy holidays right now

Lowest lead-in prices first, from live availability. Open one for its dates, and book directly with its operator.

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Italy travel questions

Is Italy expensive to visit?
Italy offers good value compared with some Western European neighbours. Rome, Venice and the Amalfi Coast are pricier, but a sit-down lunch, public transport and entry to many sights remain reasonable. Travelling in spring or autumn and eating where the locals do keeps costs down.
What is the best month to visit Italy?
May, June, September and October are ideal — warm and pleasant without the peak-summer heat and crowds. September is a particular highlight, with warm seas and the grape harvest under way.
Is Italy safe for tourists?
Italy is a safe destination for visitors. The main thing to watch is pickpocketing in busy tourist spots such as Rome’s transport hubs and Florence’s main sights. Keep valuables secure and you are very unlikely to have any trouble.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Italy?
No. UK passport holders can visit Italy without a visa for tourism and stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What currency is used in Italy?
Italy uses the Euro (EUR). Card payments are widely accepted, though it is worth carrying a little cash for smaller cafés, markets and rural areas.
What language do they speak in Italy?
The official language is Italian. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and tourist areas, but a few words of Italian — buongiorno, grazie, per favore — are always appreciated.
How many hours ahead is Italy compared with the UK?
Italy is one hour ahead of the UK, on Central European Time. The clocks change on the same dates as the UK, so the one-hour difference holds all year.
Do I need a travel adaptor for Italy?
Yes. Italy uses Type F and Type L sockets at 230V, so you will need a European travel adaptor for your UK three-pin plugs. UK devices run happily on Italy’s voltage.
What is the best way to see Italy’s coastline?
A Mediterranean cruise is one of the easiest ways to take in Italy’s coast, often combining the Italian Riviera, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Sardinia in a single trip without changing hotels.
Is Italy good for a first cruise?
Yes. Italy’s ports — from Civitavecchia for Rome to Naples, Livorno for Florence, and the Sicilian and Sardinian harbours — make it a rewarding and varied cruise destination, with short transfers to the headline sights.

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