Destination Guide

Italy in 2026: itineraries, the best time to visit, and the practical bits

Updated May 2026

Italy’s tourist tax is real, the Colosseum tickets sell out, and the train from Rome to Florence is faster than driving. Below: everything we know about timing, planning, and not falling for the things that turn a great trip into a bad one.

The essentials

Best time to visit	April–May and September–October. Avoid August in cities — locals are gone, prices are up.
Need to book ahead	Vatican Museums, Uffizi, Last Supper, Colosseum — book 60 days out for peak season.
Costs	Mid-range trip runs €120–€180/day per person inclusive of trains, food, and museums.
Train passes	Trenitalia point-to-point usually beats Eurail for most Italy itineraries.

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