When it comes to Italy in summer, there are some places that instantly come to mind. The Amalfi Coast, the northern lakes of Lake Como and Lake Garda, the coastal towns of Sicily or the Tuscan countryside. And while these famous summer destinations have a lot to offer, we’ve started exploring other parts of Italy to see what else we can find. Below you’ll find our favorite unexpected Italian summer escapes, to help you plan the perfect summer experience.
1. The Green Hills of Piemonte
When it comes to summer holiday destinations, the northern region of Piemonte is definitely a surprising choice at first glance. Rather than sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, Piemonte is known for its stunning mountain scenery, forests and historic hilltop towns.
While this might not seem like the best place to spend your summer in Italy, we love it this time of year. The temperatures are a little cooler than in the south but the weather is still consistently sunny and warm. Places that are busy in the fall with people going truffle hunting and tasting wines like Alba, Barolo and Asti are much quieter.
Here are our top recommendations for what to do in Piemonte in the summer:
Visit the Northern Lakes
Lake Maggiore is divided between Piedmont and Lombardy (the northern tip of the lake is actually in Switzerland) but for us, the Piemonte side has more to offer.
The town of Stresa is the perfect place to start, with incredible views of the lake and Alps beyond as well as a charming waterfront location with a lovely historic center. From Stresa you can take a ferry to the Borromean islands, with their impressive villas, or across to the town of Verbania which is home to wonderful botanic gardens.
West of Lake Maggiore is the smaller Lake Orta, which is nowhere near as famous as the other lakes like Lake Como and Lake Garda, but still very much worth visiting. The main town is Orta San Giulio, from where you can visit the only island in the lake; Isola San Giulio or the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sacro Monte di Orta, a series of chapels with 16th century frescoes telling the story of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Visit Piemonte Wine Country
We love wine from Piemonte, with the region producing some of the best Italian varieties. A lot of the wine is produced in the southern areas around the towns of Alba and Asti, in the Langhe, which is also where some of the most famous truffles are found too.
The summer is low season for this area, and we really enjoy making the most of the quiet. Visiting the towns and wineries in Barolo, Barbaresco, Canelli and more is remarkably peaceful, with the amazing food and drink still fully available. Enjoying a glass of wine or two overlooking the green hills covered in vines is pure magic, and the laid back atmosphere makes it easy to switch off.
Enjoy Turin
The capital city of Turin does not get as many visitors as it should, despite its long history, gorgeous architecture and excellent dining scene.
During the summer months it is especially quiet. You can visit the Royal Palace complex and Egyptian museum without many people around, enjoy the gardens and riverside bars in the long summer evenings and take a day trip or two out into the countryside to see the other royal residences and the hilltop Basilica of Superga.
2. Lazio
Rome is often on the list for summer vacations, even if only for a few days before going to other parts of Italy.
Most people tend to head south to the Amalfi coast or travel further to Puglia or Sicily, however one of our unexpected Italian summer escapes is the wider region of Lazio. Within easy reach of Rome are some amazing destinations, so these work really well as day trips as well as places to go in their own rights.
The coastal towns like Lido di Ostia, Anzio and Santa Marinella are fun for a beach day but for something a little different, try the lakes of Albano or Bracciano where you can swim or rent kayaks. You can visit ancient ruins in the towns of Tivoli and Palestrina, or head north to the Etruscan sites at Tarquinia or Cerveteri.
There are numerous Medieval hilltop towns in Lazio too, which are the perfect place to wander and explore the narrow streets. The beautiful country all around these hills is home to a lot of vineyards, producing local varieties like Cesanese or Frascati, which you can visit on a vineyard tour.
Visit the postcard perfect Gardens of Ninfa, landscaped around the ruins of a Medieval village with plants from all over the world. Or, for something more unusual, explore the Gardens of Bomarzo, also known as the Park of Monsters thanks to the unique sculptures and monuments all around the grounds.
There are so many different things to do in Lazio, so if you’d like to spend summer exploring the region, talk to us to see how we can help craft your perfect itinerary.
3. The Historic City of Trieste
The capital city of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in the northeast of Italy, Trieste is definitely not on most summer vacation lists. Close to the border with Slovenia, Trieste only became part of Italy after World War I and has a very different feel.
In the summer this is a perfect long weekend break destination. Wander the small historic center and admire the grand architecture, stopping for local wine or coffee at one of the many bars. Visit the 19th century Miramare Castle and gardens, with impressive views over the Adriatic Sea and enjoy the fresh sea breeze. Or, take one of the hiking paths in the hills above the city; the Strada Napoleonica is one of the most accessible but there are other, more strenuous trails too.
Through the summer months you can also enjoy the sea around Trieste. There aren’t really beaches here, but there are lots of places where you can access the water and go swimming. The Barcola area is the closest and easiest to get to, which means it gets busy, but we also like the waterfront of Sistiana, about 30 minutes north of Trieste.
Another reason we think Trieste is a great place to visit is the local cuisine. Different to anything else in Italy, the local food incorporates influences from central Europe, Slovenia and the Mediterranean, so ask your server for recommendations and see what dishes you can discover!
The region of Fruili Venezia Giulia neighbors Veneto, so you can easily visit these together. Venice is around 2 hours from Trieste, and from here you can go north to the Alps and the South Tyrol region, or further west to Padova and Verona.
4. Cilento
The southern region of Campania is justifiably famous. Naples is world-renowned for its pizza, coffee and unique atmosphere, with the iconic Mount Vesuvius looming over the city as well as the nearby ruins of Pompeii. With the nearby islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida, not to mention the lemon-scented town of Sorrento and iconic Amalfi coastal towns, Campania is one of Italy’s top summer vacation spots.
However, when we travel to this region, we go further south to the Cilento, an area that stretches out along the Campanian coastline until it reaches Basilicata. This area is filled with old olive trees, gorgeous beaches and ancient historical sites, with a mountainous backdrop.
There are more than enough activities to keep you occupied here, but you can reach Salerno and the Amalfi Coast going north, or the beautiful town of Maratea in Basilicata with its dramatic cliffs by going south.
Here are our favorite things to do while in the Cilento:
Visit Paestum
The archeological site of Paestum is one of the most impressive ancient sites in Italy. Originally founded by ancient Greek settlers, the town was later conquered by the Romans before being abandoned.
Today three huge Greek temples still stand, along with much of the footprint of the ancient settlement, the city walls, gates and more. The site is fascinating to explore, as is the museum which holds some of the wonderful finds that have been made here and in the wider area.
Not only is the site impressive, there are a number of independent boutique stores to browse nearby, as well as restaurants serving up the best of the local cuisine. We have spent long hours here making the most of Paestum, and even if you’re not staying locally, the regular train service makes it easy to visit from other places in Campania too.
Make the Most of the Local Food
While there is a lot of excellent food to enjoy on the Cilento coast, with lots of fresh fish, vegetables, cheeses and pasta, there are a few things in particular you have to try while you’re here.
First up are the local olives. Used to create the Cilento DOP olive oil, the olives are absolutely delicious. Fruity and slightly sweet, the olives work well in all sorts of dishes or just as they are – at aperitivo time they pair perfectly with a crisp white wine.
Another local specialty are the Cilento white figs. Lighter inside than regular figs, the flavor of these is more intense and super sweet when ripe. Late summer is the best time for tasting figs, but you will also find them dried at other points in the year.
Finally, the must-try in Cilento is the local buffalo mozzarella. Particularly in the area around Paestum, you’ll be able to taste the freshest and finest cheeses, produced using the milk from the water buffalo farmed here. Perfect for summer salads during your vacation!
Relax on the Beaches
This stretch along the west coast of Italy has a huge number of beaches to choose from.
Some are sandy and others are more rocky, but as the area is protected, they are all largely unspoiled and well-maintained. Also, because there are so many beaches, even in the height of summer they aren’t completely packed with people, so you can completely switch off and enjoy your day by the water.
If you prefer sandy beaches, look at those in the north of Cilento. The beaches at Paestum, as well as those at the towns of Santa Maria di Castellabate and Ascea, have wide sandy stretches which are easy to access.
The beaches further south get rockier, where you’ll find numerous coves and cliffs. These beaches require a little more effort to get to, and in some cases are only accessible via boat, but are absolutely worth it. Those around the town of Palinuro are our favorite, where there are lots of sea caves and coves with the clearest water.
Explore Italy the Casa Mia Way
If these unexpected Italian summer escapes have inspired you to think differently about your time in Italy, we’re here to help you make your dreams a reality. Whether you’re interested in getting to know Piemonte better, visiting the Cilento coastline, planning how to see Lazio or learning more about Trieste and the neighboring Veneto region, we can build you a custom itinerary. Get in touch today to start planning your Italian trip, the Casa Mia way.
