Choose from 645 Fun Things to Do in Italy
Donnafugata Castle (Castello di Donnafugata)
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Dolomites
- Many top trails in the Dolomites are for advanced hikers, though there are also easier routes. Wear clothing and footwear suitable for the weather, and bring water.
- For train buffs, the historic narrow-gauge Renon railway and the Brennero railway are considered the most scenic in Italy.
- To sample traditional cuisine, stop for a meal at a rifugio, or refuge mountain lodge.
Florence Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiori)
- The cathedral is open daily from 10am, but is closed for Sunday morning service and on major holidays.
- Dress modestly. For women, it’s best to cover shoulders and knees (a scarf will do). Sandals, sunglasses, and hats are discouraged.
- It is more than 400 steps to the top of architect Filippo Brunelleschi’s dome, so proper footwear and fitness level are recommended. There is no elevator.
- Tickets can be purchased at the Duomo, but expect lines. You can also purchase tickets in advance, or access the complex through a private guided tour.
Florence Central Market (Mercato Centrale Firenze)
- Lovers of Italian food will particularly enjoy touring the market—it’s the perfect place to try Florentine classics like ribollita, lampredotto, and bistecca alla fiorentina.
- The upstairs area has an excellent wine shop that can ship anywhere in the world, a bookstore, and a workshop that hosts wine tastings and cooking demonstrations.
- The downstairs stalls are a great place to snag ingredients, either for an impromptu picnic or for souvenirs.
- There are ramps and an elevator to access both the upper and lower floors of the market.
Barcaccia Fountain
- Sitting on and bathing in the fountain is forbidden, though you can drink the water from the fountain spouts.
- The fountain is encircled by a low metal fence and is not accessible to wheelchair users.
- The house where English poet John Keats lived, now a museum dedicated to his memory and works, is located just opposite the fountain.
- Be aware of your surroundings and watch for peddlers who will thrust a rose or other souvenir into your hand and then demand payment.
Doria Pamphili Gallery
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Genoa Aquarium
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Bridge of Sighs
- The Bridge of Sighs is most striking as seen from the outside. From St. Mark's Square, walk around the corner of Doge’s Palace along the Grand Canal; as you cross the first bridge, look to your left. Otherwise, for a more romantic (and less crowded) view, take a gondola ride under the iconic bridge.
- For an even deeper dive into the political history of the Republic of Venice, consider an official Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries tour, which includes visits to some of the historic governmental halls deep inside the palace.
- Large backpacks, bags, and umbrellas are not allowed inside; there is a free cloakroom near the palace entrance.
- Parts of Doge’s Palace, including the Secret Itineraries route and Bridge of Sighs, are not wheelchair accessible.
Corniglia
- Corniglia can get busy in peak summer season, so book tours and accommodations in advance.
- Day trips from Florence to the Cinque Terre can last upwards of 12 hours, so prepare for a long day.
- Bring comfortable, sturdy walking shoes, as the village roads are steep and often uneven.
- While some hotels and tourist attractions in Corniglia are wheelchair and stroller accessible, the village’s steep and narrow lanes can be challenging for those with mobility issues to navigate.
Baptistery (Battistero)
- The Baptistery is a must for all first-time visitors to Florence, especially history and architecture buffs.
- Restrooms are located in the adjacent Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
- Download the Firenze Turismo app to access maps, cultural event calendars, and tourist information.
Dorsoduro
Most visitors to Venice head directly to the San Marco district, but if you want to enjoy the quieter side of the city, don’t miss Dorsoduro. Home to important art collections, excellent restaurants, beautiful churches, and impressive architecture, the neighborhood has it all—with a fraction of the crowds.
The Basics
Dorsoduro, one of the six Venetian districts (sestieri) in the city center, is located just across the Grand Canal from the more touristy San Marco. Walk across the wooden Accademia Bridge and along the canal to the Gallerie dell’Accademia—home to masterpieces by Titian, Tiepolo, and Veronese—and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, famous for its modern art. The 18th-century Ca' Rezzonico museum is one of the most sumptuous in the city, and the Church of San Sebastiano and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute are among the most ornate.
To really get a feel for Dorsoduro, join a walking tour led by a local guide who’s familiar with the district’s big-name landmarks and secret corners. Pair a Dorsoduro tour with a gondola ride or a Venice highlights tour that includes St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tours of Dorsoduro require a bit of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- Because of the thinner crowds and outdoor spaces, the Dorsoduro district is easier to manage with kids.
- This district is known for its excellent restaurants serving traditional Venetian cuisine and cafés serving cicchetti, or Venetian-style tapas.
- If you’re looking to take an evening stroll, Fondamento della Zattere (along the Giudecca Canal) and the Campo Santa Margherita square are both great destinations at night.
How to Get There
Dorsoduro, just across the Grand Canal from San Marco, is easily reached by walking over the Accademia Bridge.
When to Get There
With views of San Marco to one side and the island of Giudecca to the other, Dorsoduro is particularly beautiful at night, just as the sun is setting. Plan to tour its sights by day and then linger at its restaurants and cafés after dark.
Venice's Six Sestieri
Venice has six districts—Castello, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, San Marco, Santa Croce, and San Polo—in addition to the outlying districts of Lido and Giudecca and Lido and the islands of Torcello, Murano, and Burano.
Barberino Designer Outlet
- All the outlet center stores accept credit cards or euros.
- Barberino Designer Outlet is mostly outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
- The shopping center has a number of stores for children and an outdoor play area.
- The outlet center is entirely accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
- There are a number of restaurants and cafés in the shopping center.
Bargello Museum (Museo Nazionale del Bargello)
- Highlights include bronze relief panels created by Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello's David and St. George Tabernacle, Michelangelo's Pitti Tondo, and Sansovino's Bacchus.
- In the Bargello Chapel, don't miss the one of the oldest portraits of the poet Dante Alighieri, part of a fresco fragment attributed to Giotto.
- The Bargello Museum is wheelchair accessible.
- Large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas must be left at the free coat check.
Bardini Garden (Giardino Bardini)
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Corso Umberto I
Taormina’s Medieval Quarter is one of the prettiest sections of the city, and Corso Umberto I cuts right through its middle. The clock tower that marks the start of the Medieval Quarter is actually in an arched tower that spans the Corso Umberto I. The particularly picturesque Piazza Aprile IX sits along the famous street, and it’s one of the most popular places to pause and do some people-watching. The view from the piazza over the water is lovely, and the piazza itself is a beautiful backdrop to whatever is going on.
Further down the Corso Umberto I is another piazza, the Piazza Duomo in front of Taormina’s cathedral. This is another good place for a pause - many hang out on or near the Baroque fountain at the center of the piazza.
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Domus Augustana
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Genoa Cruise Port
- Genoa is the embarkation or disembarkation port for many cruise lines, so a day ashore is often not factored in. Add it to your travel itinerary yourself if you are interested in exploring the city and surrounding coastline.
- The Genoa train station is the departure point for trains to a number of cities along the Italian riviera. Keep in mind that these are local trains serving small village stations, so are very slow and crowded during the summer months.
- There are also trains that depart from the port city of Genoa for the major Italian capitals of Naples, Rome, Milan, and Venice.
Barberini Palace
- The museum is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
- Large bags and backpacks must be left in the lockers near the entrance.
- This is an especially interesting stop for art lovers who want to avoid the crowds in Rome’s more famous museums.
- The palace’s Renaissance garden is open for free to the public daily all year.
Correr Civic Museum (Museo Civico Correr)
- Tickets to Correr Civic Museum allow entrance to Doge’s Palace, the National Archaeological Museum, and Marciana National Library.
- The museum entrance is inside the building and up a staircase. Wheelchair users can access it via elevator but should contact the museum in advance to arrange assistance.
- Large bags and backpacks must be left at the free coat check at the entrance.
- Restrooms, a cafe, and a gift shop are located inside the museum.
Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
The Basics
The Palace of Doges is a significant historical site in Venice, with many travelers arriving to hear about the strict rule of the Venice Doges from an expert local guide. The site is most often visited on a two- to five-hour Venice tour and can be combined with a stop at St Mark's Basilica, once the private chapel of the Doges. Inside the palace, admire the many paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, and climb the narrow staircases to visit the Doge's apartments and the prison cells, as well as the ducal notary. Outside the palace is the Bridge of Sighs and the beautiful columns along the piazzetta.
The popular Secret Itineraries tour allow visitors, accompanied by a guide, into chambers of the palace not open to the general public. You'll see the secret chancellery where the delicate work of governing was done, the secret archives, the torture room, and the cell from which the famous writer Giacomo Casanova made his escape.
- The palace is best explored on a guided tour for an in-depth historical understanding.
- Booking a St. Mark's museum pass allows access to the three museums in St. Mark's Square.
- The palace is wheelchair accessible, and an audio guide is available for rental.
- The majority of palace tours include Venice hotel pickup and dropoff, although a few tours offer departures from Florence and Milan.
How to Get to the Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is located next to St. Mark's Church in St. Mark's Square. The site is easily accessible by vaporetto (the public water taxi) on the Grand Canal or on foot.
When to Get There
Summertime is popular in Venice; be prepared for lines and crowds. The palace's hours vary seasonally.
A Haunting History