7 Unforgettable Things to Do in Italy Before You Die (Bucket List Guide)

Ornate stone building with statues, archways, and Italian flags. Clear blue sky. People walking by, cars parked in front. Elegant and grand.

Things to do in Italy

Italy. Just saying the name makes you dream of pizza, piazzas, and passion.

This boot-shaped paradise is a must-visit destination for travellers from all walks of life—and for good reason. With jaw-dropping landscapes, rich history, mouthwatering food, and more style than a Milan runway, Italy knows how to sweep you off your feet.

If you're planning a trip or building your travel bucket list, here are 7 unforgettable things to do in Italy before you die.

Gondolier in striped shirt maneuvers a gondola through a narrow Venetian canal, surrounded by colorful historic buildings and clear water.

1. Ride a Gondola Through the Canals of Venice

Okay, it’s cliché—but it’s a classic for a reason. Gliding through Venice's magical canals as your gondolier sings (or just casually chats on his phone, either way) is the stuff of romance novels and Instagram dreams.

📍Where: Venice💡Tip: Go early morning or at sunset to avoid the tourist rush and get that golden glow.

Book your Private Gondola ride here.

Statues and sculptures adorn Rome's Trevi Fountain, with turquoise water in the foreground and ornate stone architecture in the background.

2. Make a Wish at the Trevi Fountain in Rome

Legend has it that tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain guarantees a return trip to Rome—and we’re all about securing those travel blessings. Built in the 18th century, this baroque masterpiece is a must-see.

📍Where: Rome💡Tip: Toss your coin with your right hand over your left shoulder for extra luck (don’t ask why—it’s tradition).

Pick up a stylish anti-theft travel bag from Amazon to keep your coins (and valuables) safe in the Eternal City.

Chef in a busy kitchen cooks spaghetti in a pan, wearing a white shirt and blue apron. Ingredients and utensils are on the counter.

3. Take a Pasta-Making Class in Tuscany

Let’s face it—eating pasta is great, but making it? That’s next-level delicious. Roll up your sleeves and learn how to whip up authentic tagliatelle, ravioli, or gnocchi straight from a nonna-approved Italian chef.

📍Where: Tuscany (Florence and Siena offer tons of cooking schools)💡Tip: Look for classes that include wine pairings or a tour of a vineyard. Yes, you absolutely need wine with your pasta.

Book your Tuscan cooking class here or grab an Italian cookbook from Amazon to keep the flavours going back home.

Woman with backpack sits on rock, overlooking colorful hillside village by the sea. Boats and vibrant houses create a serene, picturesque view.

4. Hike the Cinque Terre Coastline

For jaw-dropping views and colourful cliffside villages that look like they leapt from a postcard, you can’t beat Cinque Terre. The trail connecting the five villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) is a dream for nature lovers and photographers alike.

📍Where: Ligurian Coast💡Tip: Bring comfy shoes, a reusable water bottle, and your camera—this is a hike you’ll want to remember.

Have a read of The Lonely Planet Cinque Terre Pocket Guide Book, with top insights, local experiences and trail maps.

Florence cityscape at sunset, featuring the Duomo and Arno River. Warm hues and soft light create a serene, picturesque atmosphere.

5. Watch the Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence

Florence is basically an open-air museum, but nothing—and I mean nothing—beats watching the sun dip behind the Duomo from Piazzale Michelangelo. The golden hour here is amazing. Bring wine, a blanket, and the love of your life.

📍Where: Florence💡Tip: Take the walk up if you’re able. It’s steep, but the views are worth every step (and calories burned = more gelato).

Experience Michelangelo's David with a skip-the-line entry ticket for the Accademia Gallery Museum

Ancient ruins with a stone arch and cobblestone street, set against a mountain backdrop. People and dogs walk along the path under a blue sky.

6. Explore the Ruins of Pompeii

Time travel might not be real (yet), but exploring Pompeii is the next best thing. This ancient Roman city, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, is eerie, fascinating, and absolutely unforgettable.

📍Where: Near Naples💡Tip: Hire a guide or get an audio tour—you’ll appreciate the backstory behind every fresco and crumbling wall.

Explore the historic ruins of Pompeii on a guided tour led by an experienced archaeologist. Discover key landmarks such as the Casa del Fauno, the Temple of Jupiter, and the House of Menander.

Two hands hold ice cream cones with sprinkles and waffle tops in a sunlit European street. Background shows blurred buildings.

7. Eat Gelato Every Day (No, Seriously!)

I'm not kidding. Italy has elevated gelato to an art form, and no trip is complete without sampling as many flavours as your stomach—and conscience—can handle. From classic stracciatella to quirky ricotta and fig, every region has its twist.

📍Where: Literally everywhere in Italy💡Tip: Look for gelaterias that display their flavours in covered metal tins—that’s how the locals do it.

Experience a cooking class in Florence and learn about the history behind 2 staples of Italian cuisine. Prepare delicious pizza and witness a gelato-making demonstration with an expert chef.

Bonus Tip: Stay in a Local Agriturismo

If you want to experience authentic Italian hospitality, skip the hotel and stay in an agriturismo—a countryside farmhouse where you can sleep, eat, and sometimes even help out with the harvest (or just drink wine while pretending you might help).

📍Where: Popular in Tuscany, Umbria, and Sicily💡Tip: Look for ones that offer meals made from their own farm-grown ingredients. It’s like living in a dream… with extra carbs.

I recommend San Sano in Tuscany. It's a family-friendly hotel remodelled in 2022 and located near Castle of Brolio. It offer free breakfast and has its own winery!

Final Thoughts

Italy isn’t just a country—it’s a whole mood. Whether you’re sipping wine in a vineyard, standing inside the Colosseum, or laughing your way through a pasta class, it’s a place that grabs hold of your heart (and your tastebuds) and never lets go.

So, go ahead—book the ticket, toss the coin, hike the hill, eat the gelato. You only live once, and if you do Italy right, once is all you need.

And don’t forget, you can totally support this blog by using the affiliate links sprinkled throughout the post. It helps keep the espresso flowing while bringing you more tips, guides, and wanderlust-fuelled adventures!

Buon viaggio! 🇮🇹✨