Summer holidays in Italy: the best destinations

As summer approaches, our minds start to wander and thoughts drift towards dream destinations.

If you’ve decided to spend your summer holiday in Italy, you’ve made an excellent choice. However, this beautiful country offers so many wonders that choosing the perfect destination can become a challenge. Don’t worry, we’re here to help!

In this guide, we’ll give you several tips on where to go for your summer break in Italy, introducing you to uniquely charming locations and beaches that rival tropical paradises.

At the end, you’ll also find suggestions on when to book and how to ensure a dream stay. Get ready to transform your trip to Italy into an experience rich with unforgettable memories!

Summer Vacation in Italy: The Beauties of Tuscany

Our journey through Italian summer destinations begins in Tuscany, a region capable of offering unique experiences both through its fascinating inland, dotted with valleys and medieval villages, and its splendid coasts, bathed by a sea that captivates the heart.

Let’s explore some of the most fascinating places in this territory.

Maremma

Maremma, an area of Tuscany that coincides with the province of Grosseto, is one of the summer destinations in Italy capable of satisfying anyone’s tastes. Here, long sandy beaches alternate with beautiful pine forests, providing an enchanting refuge even for those who prefer the shade of trees to that of an umbrella.

The history and culture of Maremma are revealed through its numerous historic villages and castles, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in places rich with stories and curious legends.

For outdoor enthusiasts, this land offers various activities: from horseback riding to trekking, mountain biking, and scuba diving. Whatever sport you prefer, you’ll always find the right activity for you here.

Versilia

Versilia has always been one of the most popular summer tourist destinations in Italy, not only for its beaches that have been awarded the Blue Flag multiple times, but also for the elegant cities of Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio, which have long been synonymous with relaxation and fun. The majestic Apuan Alps surrounding the entire area make the territory truly suggestive.

Another point in favor of this land is its gastronomy. In Versilia, you can taste delicious dishes of Tuscan cuisine and sip some of the best Italian wines.

The nightlife is also famous here, and in summer, the nightclubs are literally stormed by young people from all over the world. In short, if your desire is to spend a typical Italian vacation, Versilia is definitely a place to consider.

Summer Destinations in Italy: The Romagna Nightlife

When talking about Romagna, it’s impossible not to think of the vibrant nightlife that animates its cities. Here, beach life perfectly intertwines with evenings at the disco, giving the place a unique atmosphere.

If during the day the beach establishments fill up with sunbathers playing cards under umbrellas, at night the beach transforms into an open-air disco, attracting young people from all over Italy and beyond. Let’s discover together the most renowned Romagna locations, where unforgettable experiences are lived every summer between sea, music, and parties.

Rimini

Rimini is a town that offers many types of entertainment, from the famous Italia in Miniatura, where you can feel like a giant among Italy’s most famous monuments, to water parks, and adrenaline-pumping rides in amusement parks that appeal to both adults and children.

For those who prefer to relax, Rimini’s historic center offers beautiful corners where you can sit and enjoy a good ice cream, and cozy restaurants where you can savor local delicacies while admiring the iconic views of the city.

Not to be forgotten are the beach establishments, which are equipped here to satisfy any type of need and to give bathers an unparalleled experience!

Riccione

What makes Riccione an exclusive and perfect destination for summer holidays is its ability to impeccably combine relaxation and fun. Here the beaches are equipped with every comfort, and in the most fashionable bathing establishments, comfortable gazebos replace umbrellas.

But the elegance of this city is not limited to the beaches. The historic center is also a real gem, and Viale Ceccarini, the beating heart of the town, echoes with fashion shops, chic cafes, and gourmet restaurants, ideal for those who love shopping and good cuisine.

Like every respectable city in Romagna, Riccione is also synonymous with nightlife: from historic discos like Cocoricò, famous throughout Europe, to trendy beach clubs, the city offers endless possibilities for entertainment from aperitif time until dawn.

Plan Your Trip to Italy: Visit Umbria

Often defined as the “green heart of Italy”, Umbria is the only region in central Italy not bathed by the sea. This lack, however, is skillfully compensated by enchanting hilly landscapes, medieval cities, and cultural and gastronomic traditions that are rich in surprises.

Assisi

Walking through the streets of Assisi, what you find yourself admiring is a medieval city that offers very romantic views to tourists. The heart of the city is Piazza del Comune (Town Square), a place where the majestic Tempio di Minerva (Temple of Minerva) stands, an ancient Roman temple that today houses a Christian church.

In addition to its historic buildings, the city of Assisi is also known for being one of the most spiritual places in the world. The most important religious building is undoubtedly the Basilica di San Francesco (Basilica of St. Francis), a pilgrimage site for many faithful.

Every year, numerous festivities related to the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare are held here, with processions, religious ceremonies, and folkloric events that attract thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.

Perugia

Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is a true treasure trove of historical gems. The heart of the city is the magnificent Piazza IV Novembre (November 4th Square), dominated by the splendid Fontana Maggiore (Major Fountain), a medieval masterpiece decorated with sculptures by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. This city is famous especially for its cultural events and, specifically, for Eurochocolate, the largest chocolate festival in Europe, where visitors can taste chocolate from different parts of the world.

Walking through the streets of Perugia is a magical experience, and the ancient Etruscan walls, still visible in many places, allow tourists to take a real journey into the past. For food lovers, the city center offers many restaurants and trattorias with traditional local dishes where you can enjoy a good lunch or a romantic dinner.

Places to Visit in Italy in Summer: The Hidden Treasures of Le Marche

Le Marche is an ideal destination for a trip to Italy during the summer. This region, covering less than 10,000 square kilometers, is famous especially for its sea, a coastline that stretches for over 180 kilometers along the Adriatic and which, thanks to its well-managed beach establishments and pristine waters, has been awarded the Blue Flag multiple times.

San Benedetto del Tronto

Located in the province of Ascoli Piceno, San Benedetto del Tronto is another jewel of the Adriatic coast not to be underestimated as an Italian destination for summer holidays.

The city is part of the Riviera delle Palme (Palm Riviera), an area called so because of the abundance of palm trees lining the seafront. This area is known for its splendid marine waters, awarded multiple times with the Blue Flag, and for the attention paid to the services of the beach establishments.

The historic center is also full of surprises: with its numerous cafes, traditional restaurants, and public works of art, San Benedetto del Tronto is a location not to be missed for a relaxing escape from daily routine.

Riviera del Conero

This stretch of coastline is famous for its incredible white cliffs that plunge headlong into the sea, for the rocky beaches hidden among the inlets, and for the lush vegetation that offers a spectacular contrast with the blue waters.

The Riviera del Conero is not only a paradise for those seeking tranquility and breathtaking landscapes, but also a place rich in culture and history. While locations like Sirolo and Portonovo invite total relaxation, nearby historic cities like Recanati or Camerano enrich the offer with a unique cultural heritage and venues where you can taste excellent typical Marche dishes based on fresh fish and local products.

Summer Destinations in Italy: Discovering Lazio

When thinking of Lazio, the first place that comes to mind for a summer holiday is Rome. Certainly, the charm of this city is unique and the Italian capital deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime. However, for those who want to experience the wildest part of the region, there are other places to visit. Let’s look at them together.

Isole Pontine (Pontine Islands)

The Pontine Islands are the ideal destination for a summer holiday in Italy. This archipelago, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, is composed of six islands (Ponza, Palmarola, Zannone, Gavi, Ventotene, and Santo Stefano), each with beautiful villages to visit and beaches with rich seabeds that lend themselves to be explored far and wide by every diving enthusiast.

Local hospitality, combined with excellent maritime cuisine, makes the stay in these lands pleasant and relaxing. Moreover, the frequency with which ferries travel allows tourists to move comfortably from one island to another and visit multiple places at once.

Viterbo

The Viterbo Tuscia, located in northern Lazio, is an area known for its great Etruscan heritage and for the beauty of its natural landscapes.

One of the most fascinating elements of this land is its villages. Among these, Viterbo is certainly one of the best preserved, and walking through the streets of its most iconic district, San Pellegrino, gives the impression that time has stopped in the Etruscan era.

Other villages like Civita di Bagnoregio, known as “the dying city” due to the erosion of the rocks on which it is built, and Bolsena, famous for its medieval castle and its position on the shores of the lake, are equally enchanting and deserve to be visited if you are in the area.

Summer Tourist Destinations in Italy: The Wonders of Puglia

Puglia, located in the heel of the Italian boot, is a region that attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to its Caribbean-like beaches. From the soft sands of Salento to the cliffs of Gargano, every stretch of coast in Puglia deserves to be explored. Let’s discover together what magical places this splendid Italian region holds.

Salento

Salento, strategically positioned in the “heel of the Italian boot”, is an area that embraces two seas, the Adriatic and the Ionian, offering both sandy beaches, like the famous beach of Porto Cesareo, and enchanting rocky coves, like those of Santa Maria di Leuca.

This part of Puglia is one of the favorite tourist destinations for travelers seeking a place that perfectly combines relaxation and entertainment. Cities like Gallipoli and Otranto, in fact, not only offer splendid beaches to spend the days, but are also rich in venues where you can let loose as soon as the sun sets.

Salento doesn’t disappoint from a gastronomic point of view either. In this area, visitors can taste some of the most famous Italian specialties in the world, such as extra virgin olive oil, taralli, focaccia, and the celebrated Negroamaro wine.

Parco nazionale del Gargano (Gargano National Park)

The Gargano is a part of Puglia known for hosting some of the most beautiful cities in the region. Among these is Vieste, also nicknamed “the Pearl of Gargano”, which, thanks to its rich historical heritage and its splendid crystal-clear waters, manages to capture the heart of every tourist.

This region is also dotted with small port cities, such as Peschici and Rodi Garganico, which contain views capable of giving visitors breathtaking panoramas.

The Gargano is also a famous pilgrimage site, with locations such as the Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo (Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel), which according to legend was consecrated by the Archangel Gabriel, and the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Pulsano (Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano), a sacred place that houses the remains of Padre Pio.

Summer in Italy: The Unique Places of Sicily

Sicily is also one of the places to visit in Italy in summer. Its fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters are ideal for relaxation, while in the cities it’s possible to discover authentic Greek or Baroque treasures that make this territory a true paradise for art lovers.

Let’s discover together some of the most beautiful locations on the island.

San Vito Lo Capo

Located in western Sicily, this charming seaside village is situated between the promontory of Monte Monaco and the Egitarso Plain, and is one of the main access points to the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro (Zingaro Nature Reserve), a park that holds incredible natural wonders within it.

In addition to the splendid beaches, this place also boasts wonderful historical constructions such as the ancient Bourbon lighthouse, a living testimony to the bond that has always united man with the sea.

Like every seaside location, here too you can taste delicious traditional dishes based on fresh fish, and among these, the most famous is certainly couscous.

Ragusa

Ragusa, located in southeastern Sicily, is a Baroque city divided into two parts: Ragusa Ibla, the historical part with architectural masterpieces such as the Duomo di San Giorgio (Cathedral of San Giorgio) and the Giardino Ibleo (Ibleo Garden), and Ragusa Superiore, the more modern area.

The wonders of Ragusa are not limited to the city alone, but also extend to its province, with towns like Modica, famous for its chocolate, and Scicli, keeper of centuries-old churches and enchanting historical palaces.

The coast, with its golden sand beaches and turquoise waters, is also a dream place for holidays and is among the favorite Italian summer destinations of many tourists.

Summer Holidays in Italy? When and Where to Book

To avoid the peak of tourism and enjoy favorable weather conditions, June and September are the best months to book a summer holiday in Italy. However, for those who don’t have the possibility to travel during this period, July and August are also perfect for fully enjoying the beauty of the place, but be prepared to book well in advance to secure accommodation with all comforts.

Indeed, staying in a place located in a strategic position that meets all your needs can radically transform your holiday and make it much more enjoyable. This is exactly what we at AnitaVillas aim for, offering our guests holiday homes equipped with every comfort and perfect for ensuring dream stays in the most beautiful places in Italy.

Discover now all our splendid holiday homes and villas in Italy and book your summer holiday. Here are all the places where you can stay:

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