Reasons to Visit Italy in 2026: Why Italy Is the Must-Visit Destination This Year

Italy is already one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, but 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional year to go. From a global sporting event and major fashion weeks to unforgettable festivals and some of the most beautiful seasonal scenery in Europe, there are more reasons to visit Italy in 2026 than ever before.

If you are wondering why visit Italy this year, this guide covers the biggest events, the best places to travel by season and the types of holidays travellers are choosing across the country.

One of the strongest reasons to visit Italy in 2026 is the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Games will be hosted across northern Italy, combining world class sport with iconic Italian destinations. The main host city will be Milan, while the alpine events will take place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the Dolomites. The closing ceremony will be held in Verona.

For travellers, this creates a rare opportunity to combine:

• a once in a generation international sporting event
• spectacular mountain scenery
• and classic Italian city culture in one trip
  

Even if you do not attend competitions, the surrounding celebrations, cultural programmes and fan zones across the host cities make February one of the most exciting times to visit Italy in 2026.

Another major reason to visit Italy in 2026 is its global influence on fashion, design and creative culture.

Milan remains the centre of the Italian fashion industry and will host multiple editions of Milan Fashion Week throughout the year.

Alongside the runway shows, Milan’s design calendar continues to grow, with international exhibitions, furniture fairs and creative showcases attracting designers, buyers and media from around the world.

If you are deciding why visit Italy rather than another European destination, 2026 is an ideal year for:

• fashion focused city breaks
• design and architecture holidays
• luxury shopping trips
• and combining art, culture and gastronomy with headline industry events
  
  

A more contemporary reason to visit Italy in 2026 is the renewed international attention on Portofino.

The picturesque harbour village on the Italian Riviera has seen a surge in global interest after being referenced in a 2025 song by Taylor Swift.

In 2026, Portofino perfectly reflects modern travel trends in Italy, including:

• short luxury coastal stays
• boutique and small hotel travel
• slow travel itineraries along the Ligurian coast
• and pop culture driven destination discovery

For many travellers, this is now one of the most talked about and desirable coastal stops in northern Italy.

Italy’s festival calendar remains one of the strongest in Europe and is a major reason to visit Italy for culture lovers.

Highlights in 2026 include:

• the world famous Carnival celebrations in Venice, with historic masks, parades and palace events
• open air opera performances at the Verona Arena during the summer season
• and Vinitaly, one of the world’s leading wine and food exhibitions
  

Across the year, travellers can also experience:

• regional religious processions and historic festivals
• local food and wine celebrations
• film and music festivals
• and long running community events that offer a deeper and more authentic experience of Italian life

For many visitors, these cultural moments are among the most compelling reasons to visit Italy.

Italy works exceptionally well as a year round destination, and one of the biggest reasons to visit Italy is how different the country feels from season to season.

Spring is ideal for cultural city breaks and lakeside travel. It is one of the best times to visit Florence, Rome and Venice, as well as the gardens and waterfront towns of Lake Como.

Milder temperatures and fewer crowds make spring a strong choice for sightseeing and museum focused trips.

Summer is perfect for coastal and island holidays, particularly along the Amalfi Coast, in Sicily and in Sardinia. It is also an excellent season for hiking and outdoor travel in the Dolomites.

For travellers wondering why visit Italy in summer, the mix of beaches, festivals and outdoor dining is a major draw.

Autumn is harvest season in Tuscany and Umbria. This is one of the best times of year for food and wine travel, vineyard stays and countryside routes.

It is also a quieter and more relaxed period for city breaks.

Winter combines festive city trips, ski holidays and spa escapes in the Alps and Dolomites, with the Winter Olympics providing an extra reason to visit Italy in early 2026.

Travel trends in 2026 show that visitors are choosing more experience led and flexible holidays. Italy supports almost every style of travel.

Event led holidays
Built around the Winter Olympics, fashion weeks, opera seasons and major festivals.

Slow travel and multi stop routes
Spending longer in fewer destinations, such as Tuscany and Florence, or Lake Como and Milan.

Luxury and boutique travel
Focused on villas, small hotels, gastronomy and private experiences.

Romantic and celebration trips
Popular in Venice, Verona, Portofino and the Amalfi Coast.

Active and outdoor holidays
Skiing, hiking in the Dolomites, cycling through wine regions and coastal walking routes.

Cultural city hopping
Combining Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice with exhibitions and regional festivals.

For many travellers, this flexibility is a key reason to visit Italy in 2026.

Trieste is one of Italy’s most underrated city breaks and a strong alternative to the more crowded northern cities.

Why we recommend it for 2026:

• elegant Austro-Hungarian architecture and historic cafés
• a strong literary and arts heritage
• coastal scenery combined with a walkable city centre
• far quieter than Venice or Milan

This suits travellers looking for culture, history and slower paced city travel.

Puglia is one of the fastest growing regions for international travel and aligns perfectly with how people want to holiday in Italy in 2026.

Why we recommend it for 2026:

• beautiful beaches and dramatic coastline
• white hill towns and traditional trulli houses
• outstanding regional food and wine
• better value accommodation than Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast

It is ideal for slow travel, villa stays, food focused holidays and longer regional trips.

Lecce is often called the Florence of southern Italy and is a cultural highlight within Puglia.

Why we recommend it for 2026:

• one of the best preserved Baroque city centres in the country
• lively atmosphere with outdoor dining and events
• an excellent base for exploring nearby beaches and countryside
• significantly less crowded than major cultural cities

This is a strong option for couples, culture lovers and short city breaks.

Matera is one of the most visually distinctive destinations in Italy and remains relatively under visited.

Why we recommend it for 2026:

• unique cave dwellings and rock churches
• dramatic landscapes and viewpoints
• a growing boutique hotel and dining scene
• ideal for short, immersive cultural stays

It is perfect for travellers looking for something genuinely different.

Ortigia is the historic heart of Syracuse in Sicily and offers a strong mix of culture and coastal life.

Why we recommend it for 2026:

• compact, walkable historic centre
• Baroque architecture and ancient Greek heritage
• relaxed seafront dining and swimming spots
• an excellent base for south-eastern Sicily

This suits slow travel itineraries and longer cultural beach holidays.

Portofino remains one of Italy’s most iconic small coastal destinations and has seen renewed international attention in recent years.

Why we recommend it for 2026:

• picturesque harbour and pastel coloured waterfront
• boutique hotels and high-end dining
• scenic coastal walks and boat trips
• easy to combine with Milan, Lake Como and the wider Ligurian coast

Portofino is ideal for short luxury breaks, romantic trips and travellers looking to combine classic Italian glamour with a wider northern Italy itinerary.

Spring and autumn
Pack light layers, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes and a compact umbrella.

Summer
Bring breathable clothing, sun protection, swimwear and a light cover up for churches. Choose footwear suitable for cobbled streets.

Winter and mountain areas
Pack thermal layers, a warm coat, gloves, waterproof boots and sunglasses for snow glare.

For Irish and EU passport holders, Italy remains visa free for short stays.
If you are travelling on a non EU passport, check entry and digital travel requirements well in advance, as European entry systems continue to evolve.

High speed trains connect Italy’s major cities quickly and comfortably. Milan, Florence, Rome, Venice and Naples are all well linked.

For smaller towns and rural areas:

• regional trains are reliable but slower
• buses are essential in some regions
• car hire is useful for wine regions and coastal villages
  
  

Italy is generally very safe for visitors. The main things to watch for are pickpocketing in busy city centres, transport hubs and major events.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended, particularly if you are visiting during the Olympics or taking part in outdoor activities.

• Lunch menus often offer excellent value compared with dinner
• Restaurants usually open later in the evening, especially in summer
• Booking ahead is essential during festivals, major events and fashion weeks
• Regional specialities vary significantly across Italy, so always try local dishes
  

Reliable mobile data is essential in 2026 for navigation, digital tickets, transport apps, restaurant bookings and real time event updates.

A simple way to stay connected throughout your trip is to use an Italy or Europe Sim Local eSIM.

With a Sim Local eSIM, you can activate your data before you travel, avoid airport queues and skip expensive roaming charges, while staying connected across Italy from major cities to coastal villages and mountain resorts.

For travellers planning ahead, this is one of the easiest ways to make your trip smoother and more flexible while exploring Italy in 2026.

Q. Why visit Italy in 2026 rather than another year?
A. One of the biggest reasons to visit Italy in 2026 is the combination of global events, cultural festivals and seasonal travel experiences taking place across the country. The headline draw is the 2026 Winter Olympics, alongside a full fashion, design and festival calendar. This makes 2026 a rare year where you can combine major international events with classic Italian sightseeing and slower travel.

Q. What are the main reasons to visit Italy for a holiday?
A. The main reasons to visit Italy include its historic cities, world class food and wine, varied landscapes, from coast and countryside to mountains, and a strong year round calendar of cultural and sporting events. For many travellers, this variety is also why visit Italy remains such a popular search when planning a European trip.

Q. When is the best time to visit Italy in 2026?
A. The best time to visit depends on the type of holiday you want. Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing and food focused travel, summer is best for coastal and island trips, and winter is perfect for city breaks and mountain holidays. If you are planning around major events, February 2026 is especially popular because of the Winter Olympics.

Q. Is Italy expensive to visit in 2026?
A. Italy can suit a wide range of budgets. Large cities and major event periods tend to be more expensive, while smaller towns and travel outside peak summer months offer better value. One of the reasons to visit Italy is that you can mix higher end experiences with affordable accommodation, public transport and excellent low cost dining options.

Q. Is Italy a good destination for solo travellers in 2026?
A. Yes, Italy is an excellent choice for solo travel in 2026. It is easy to move between cities using high speed trains, accommodation options suit both short stays and longer trips, and there is a strong culture of dining out and social life, which makes it comfortable to travel alone. For many visitors, one of the reasons to visit Italy solo is the mix of safety, walkable historic centres, organised tours and experiences, and the ease of joining food, wine and cultural activities without needing a group.

Q. How can I stay connected while travelling around Italy in 2026?
A. Mobile data is essential for maps, transport apps, bookings and digital tickets. A simple option is to use a Sim Local eSIM, which lets you activate your data before you travel, avoid airport SIM queues and stay connected across Italy without paying roaming charges.