Italy
Why should you Slow Travel to Italy ?
Italy is a journey through time, a celebration of local gastronomy and culture at its peak. This country is one of Europe’s most enchanting Slow Travel destinations, where every region is unique and offers a wide diversity of choices for Slow Travel in Italy.
Whether thinking of the postcard hills of Tuscany or the breathtaking Sicilian wild coasts, each place invites you to explore, taste, and connect at a slower pace. Every person, meal, or place holds a story waiting to be discovered.
Dive into the beautiful Cinque Terre, the wild and authentic South, or the wonderful Dolomites. Let yourself get lost in the magic of this land and create travel experiences you will remember forever.
Italy is a journey through time, a celebration of local gastronomy and culture at its peak. This country is one of Europe’s most enchanting Slow Travel destinations, where every region is unique and offers a wide diversity of choices for Slow Travel in Italy.
Whether thinking of the postcard hills of Tuscany or the breathtaking Sicilian wild coasts, each place invites you to explore, taste, and connect at a slower pace. Every person, meal, or place holds a story waiting to be discovered.
Dive into the beautiful Cinque Terre, the wild and authentic South, or the wonderful Dolomites. Let yourself get lost in the magic of this land and create travel experiences you will remember forever.
Where to Go in Italy?
- Cinque Terre
The Guide to Slow Travel in Italy
This European destination invites you to Slow Travel in Italy. Every time I go there, I just find myself discovering new local traditions or dishes, exploring unexpected landscapes, or diving even more into Italian history.
However, I also see more and more travellers turning into tourists, trapped by scams or superficial attractions only aiming to earn money without considering the long-term effect on locals, the environment, and Italy’s soul.
All the information about Italy’s essence, best destinations, and local travel tips is gathered in this Slow Travel in Italy Guide. I’ve been helped by Italian friends and fellow explorers to handcraft it, but the final result is worth more than a thousand words. Thus, if you want to travel slowly and dive into what makes every part of Italy unique, check out below!
This European destination invites you to Slow Travel in Italy. Every time I go there, I just find myself discovering new local traditions or dishes, exploring unexpected landscapes, or diving even more into Italian history.
However, I also see more and more travellers turning into tourists, trapped by scams or superficial attractions only aiming to earn money without considering the long-term effect on locals, the environment, and Italy’s soul.
All the information about Italy’s essence, best destinations, and local travel tips is gathered in this Slow Travel in Italy Guide.
I’ve been helped by Italian friends and fellow explorers to handcraft it, but the final result is worth more than a thousand words. Thus, if you want to travel slowly and dive into what makes every part of Italy unique, check out below!
When to visit Italy
Sicily and Sardinia
Best Months: March to June and September to November
Why: These Mediterranean islands display an enjoyable climate almost all year. The ideal spots to travel slowly are during the shoulder months of March to June and September to November where temperatures range between 17 and 27 degrees. During this time, the summer push has either not yet arrived or has gone, allowing for a better local experience, lower prices, and less waiting time.
Best Months: March to June and September to November
Why: These Mediterranean islands display an enjoyable climate almost all year. The ideal spots to travel slowly are during the shoulder months of March to June and September to November where temperatures range between 17 and 27 degrees.
During this time, the summer push has either not yet arrived or has gone, allowing for a better local experience, lower prices, and less waiting time.
Southern Italy
Include: Calabria, Basilicata, campania, and Puglia
Best Months: March to June and September to October
Why: The South of Italy experiences hot summers and mild winters. To avoid the no-bearable heat and tourist flow, I advise visiting between March and June or September to October. The weather is perfect, and you can explore the surroundings while diving into what many consider the Italian heart of food.
Include: Calabria, Basilicata, campania, and Puglia
Best Months: March to June and September to October
Why: The South of Italy experiences hot summers and mild winters. To avoid the no-bearable heat and tourist flow, I advise visiting between March and June or September to October.
The weather is perfect, and you can explore the surroundings while diving into what many consider the Italian heart of food.
Central Italy
Include: Liguria, Emilio-Romagna, Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo, and Lazio
Best Months: May-June and September-October
Why: This region offers an ideal mix of diverse landscapes, historical cities, and culinary orgasms. May, June, September, and October provide enjoyable temperatures and fewer tourists. It is the perfect time to wander through the vineyards, explore the history of Siena, Rome, or Florence, and visit the historical landmarks of Rome without the usual tourist battle.
Include: Liguria, Emilio-Romagna, Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo, and Lazio
Best Months: May-June and September-October
Why: This region offers an ideal mix of diverse landscapes, historical cities, and culinary orgasms. May, June, September, and October provide enjoyable temperatures and fewer tourists.
It is the perfect time to wander through the vineyards, explore the history of Siena, Rome, or Florence, and visit the historical landmarks of Rome without the usual tourist battle.
Northern Italy
Include:Piemont, Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino, and Friulu-Venezia
Best Months: May-June and September-October
Why: The north experiences more pronounced seasonal changes. Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are ideal for visiting cities like Milan, Venice, and Turin. The weather is agreeable, and you can enjoy activities like boating on Lake Como, exploring the canals of Venice, or savouring the truffle season in Piedmont. This is also where they make the best olive oil.
Include:Piemont, Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino, and Friulu-Venezia
Best Months: May-June and September-October
Why: The north experiences more pronounced seasonal changes. Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are ideal for visiting cities like Milan, Venice, and Turin.
The weather is agreeable, and you can enjoy activities like boating on Lake Como, exploring the canals of Venice, or savouring the truffle season in Piedmont. This is also where they make the best olive oil.
Key Cultural Events in Italy
- Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival): Held in February, this renowned event is famous for its elaborate masks, opulent costumes, and curious history. It offers a glimpse into centuries-old traditions and Venice’s artistic heritage in a festive atmosphere.
- Palio di Siena: happens twice annually, on July 2nd and August 16th. This historic horse race, dating back to 1644, sees Siena’s 17 districts compete in a fierce event around the Piazza del Campo. Beside the race, the city blossoms with parades, flag-throwing, and communal feasts. An unmissable event!
- Festa Dei Ceri (Festival of the Candles in Umbria): On May 15th, participants carry towering wooden structures through the city’s steep streets. The event provides a look into religious traditions and communal bonds.
- Vinitaly: Usually in April in Verona, one of the world’s biggest wine exhibitions takes place. Participants can taste and attend workshops from Italy’s top wine producers. It’s an excellent opportunity to dive into one of the proudest Italian heritage.
Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival): Held in February, this renowned event is famous for its elaborate masks, opulent costumes, and curious history.
It offers a glimpse into centuries-old traditions and Venice’s artistic heritage in a festive atmosphere.
Palio di Siena: happens twice annually, on July 2nd and August 16th. This historic horse race, dating back to 1644, sees Siena’s 17 districts compete in a fierce event around the Piazza del Campo.
Beside the race, the city blossoms with parades, flag-throwing, and communal feasts. An unmissable event!
Festa Dei Ceri (Festival of the Candles in Umbria): On May 15th, participants carry towering wooden structures through the city’s steep streets. The event provides a look into religious traditions and communal bonds.
Vinitaly: Usually in April in Verona, one of the world’s biggest wine exhibitions takes place. Participants can taste and attend workshops from Italy’s top wine producers.
It’s an excellent opportunity to dive into one of the proudest Italian heritage.
Latest Italy travel articles
The Backpacker StarterPack
- Chapter 1: How to know what kind of traveller I am?
- Chapter 2: How to create the perfect packing list?
- Chapter 3: How to find the best travel insurance?
- Chapter 4: How to Budget like a Pro?
- Chapter 5: How to find your perfect accommodation?
- Chapter 6: How to move in a foreign country?
- Chapter 7: How to Stay Safe while travelling?
- Chapter 8: How to become a Slow Traveller?
- Chapter 1: How to know what kind of traveller I am?
- Chapter 2: How to create the perfect packing list?
- Chapter 3: How to find the best travel insurance?
- Chapter 4: How to Budget like a Pro?
- Chapter 5: How to find your perfect accommodation?
- Chapter 6: How to move in a foreign country?
- Chapter 7: How to Stay Safe while travelling?
- Chapter 8: How to become a Slow Traveller?
Slow Travel in Italy FAQ
When is the best time to travel slowly in Italy?
The best months to slow travel Italy are from March to November, July and August apart if you mind the crowds and the heat.
How to move around Italy?
Slow Travel in Italy is straightforward as they have a well-developed bus and rail network. The main train company is TrenItalia where you can find affordable tickets if you book a bit in advance. Then, if you are short on money, why not check the different Slow Travel Transportations options?
Slow Travel in Italy is straightforward as they have a well-developed bus and rail network. The main train company is TrenItalia where you can find affordable tickets if you book a bit in advance.
Then, if you are short on money, why not check the different Slow Travel Transportations options?
What are the best slow travel destinations in Italy?
From the ones I have explored, the best destinations for Slow Travel in Italy are Apulia, Toscana, Emilio-Romana, Liguria, Piemonte, and Trentino.
What are the best itineraries for Slow Travel in Italy?
When travelling slowly in Italy, many itineraries exist for you to get the best out of your adventures. My favourite road trips and itineraries are in the Cinques Terre, Dolomites, Amalfi Coast, Sicilia, or Apulia. For more details, check out the best Slow Travel itineraries in Italy.
When travelling slowly in Italy, many itineraries exist for you to get the best out of your adventures. My favourite road trips and itineraries are in the Cinques Terre, Dolomites, Amalfi Coast, Sicilia, or Apulia. For more details, check out the best Slow Travel itineraries in Italy.
How many days do I need to Slow Travel in Italy?
The longer the better! If you can, you should try to follow one of the main mantras of Slow Travel. It’s easier to understand local cultures and traditions when staying more than a few days. However, we don’t have an unlimited period of time to travel. Therefore, focus on an Italian region for 1 or 2 weeks and you should be fine to slow travel in Italy.
The longer the better! If you can, you should try to follow one of the main mantras of Slow Travel. It’s easier to understand local cultures and traditions when staying more than a few days.
However, we don’t have an unlimited period of time to travel. Therefore, focus on an Italian region for 1 or 2 weeks and you should be fine to slow travel in Italy.
Do Italian people speak English?
If you have learned How to Slow Travel, you know that communicating with local people is crucial. Unfortunately, Italians aren’t renowned for their English skills. But, it tends to change with time.
If you have learned How to Slow Travel, you know that communicating with local people is crucial. Unfortunately, Italians aren’t renowned for their English skills. But, it tends to change with time.
Is Italy safe for solo travel?
Totally! I would even define it as one of the safest European countries. Of course, there are certain places you want to avoid, such as some neighbourhoods in Naples, but besides this, you can sleep soundly.
Totally! I would even define it as one of the safest European countries. Of course, there are certain places you want to avoid, such as some neighbourhoods in Naples, but besides this, you can sleep soundly.
