There’s something about summer in Italy that stays with you forever. Maybe it’s the smell of tomatoes simmering in a kitchen with the windows open, the sound of church bells echoing through tiny villages, or the way entire towns seem to come alive once the sun goes down. Whatever it is, Italian summers simply feel different.

I was born in Italy, and although I grew up between two worlds, my summers were always spent there. Those memories shaped so much of who I am today. Summers in Italy were never about rushing from one landmark to another. The opposite, they were about slowing down. Long lunches spent discussing possible dinner ideas. Afternoons spent at the beach until my skin smelled like saltwater and sunscreen. Evening passeggiate through my town where everyone stopped to talk, laugh, and catch up on the day. And of course, also to gossip about the town’s happenings. 

My slow summers in small-town Calabria shaped me who I am as a person. But as a travel professional, when people ask me where they should go in Italy during the summer, I always struggle to give a simple answer. Of course, there are the iconic destinations everyone dreams about — and yes, many of them are absolutely worth seeing. But some of the most magical places in Italy are the ones that don’t always make the front page of travel magazines.

The truth is, there are really two versions of Italy in the summer.

There’s the Italy of postcards — glamorous coastlines, famous piazzas, luxury hotels, and bustling beach clubs. And there is no shame if this is the Italy you want to see.

But then there’s the quieter Italy. The Italy I remember from my childhood summers in Calabria. Small seaside towns where we still hang laundry from balconies, where fishermen mend their nets in the early morning before the sun is even up. (This being my preferred time to hit the beach before the crowds and heat!) And where local festivals take over village streets. And let’s not forget the dinners that rarely starts before 9 p.m.!

Both versions are beautiful. And if you plan your trip right, you can experience a little bit of both.

The Amalfi Coast 

Some places in Italy become legendary for a reason. Even with the crowds, there are destinations that truly live up to the dream.

The Amalfi Coast is probably the image most people picture when they think of an Italian summer. Colorful villages stacked dramatically along cliffs, lemon trees growing everywhere, sparkling blue water, and beach clubs buzzing with life from morning until, well, the next morning!

Towns like Positano and Amalfi are undeniably stunning. Yes, they are crowded in summer. Yes, they can be expensive. But there’s still something magical about sitting on a terrace overlooking the sea with a plate of spaghetti alle vongole and a cold glass of white wine while the sun slowly disappears behind the cliffs. 

That said, I always tell people not to try to “do” the Amalfi Coast too quickly. It’s not a destination meant for rushing. Especially given the traffic in the summer! So, stay in one location for a few days. Wander slowly. Take the convenient ferry instead of driving. Driving on the Amalfi Coast is not for the faint of heart! And if possible, stay in one of the smaller villages like Praiano or Minori, where life still feels a bit calmer.

Tuscany

Tuscany in the summer feels almost surreal. Rolling hills turn golden under the summer sun, vineyards stretch endlessly into the distance, and tiny medieval villages seem untouched by time.

People often think Tuscany is only about art, architecture, and wine. But what makes it special is the lifestyle. Mornings at local markets buying the freshest summer produce. Long outdoor lunches under olive trees. Evenings where entire families gather around massive tables outside while children run around until midnight.

I always encourage travelers to spend at least part of their Tuscan stay at an agriturismo. Some of my favorite memories leading my food and wine tours in Italy involve farm stays where dinner was prepared entirely from what is grown on the property. Fresh pasta, garden tomatoes, homemade olive oil, local wine — simple food that somehow tastes better than a Michelin-star meal. 

Tuscany is especially beautiful if you venture beyond just Florence. Smaller towns like Pienza, Montepulciano, and Certaldo offer a much slower and more authentic experience. Or visit my new part-time home of Cortona, where nothing is hurried, and everything is savored. 

Venice

People love to complain about Venice being crowded, but I still believe everyone should see it at least once in their lifetime. There is simply nowhere else like it. I still recall my first visit, exiting the train station, I was sure I was stepping into a fairytale. 

But via my travels, I have learned that the secret with Venice is timing. Wake up early before the crowds arrive. Wander the quiet back canals at night after the day trippers leave. That’s when Venice becomes truly magical.

One of my favorite things to do is simply get lost there. And I did get very lost on my first visit many years ago! But I still recall stopping in my tracks, coming to terms with the fact that I was very lost, and just pausing and enjoying a very refreshing gelato before trying to find my way back! Some of the best moments happen away from the main roads, in quiet neighborhoods where locals still live their daily lives, elderly women shop at tiny markets, and laundry hangs above narrow canals. And the gelato is not overpriced for tourists, but you pay the “locals” price.  

And if you have time, take a boat to Burano. The colorful houses feel almost dreamlike in the summer sunlight.

Sardinia

As much as I love the classics, some of my favorite summer destinations in Italy are the places travelers often overlook. These are the places where you feel Italy rather than simply see it.

I recently led a small group culinary tour to Sardinia, and it has completely stolen my heart.

People often visit for the beaches — and rightly so because the water is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen anywhere in Italy, even as a native of Calabria. But what makes Sardinia truly special is its culture.

Sardinia feels different from mainland Italy. The traditions, dialects, cuisine, and pace of life are deeply unique. Inland villages still preserve customs that go back generations. Shepherding traditions remain strong. Meals are deeply tied to the land.

One of the things I loved most while spending time there recently was visiting agriturismi tucked into the countryside. Meeting families who produce their own cheese, olive oil, wine, and bread. Sitting down for long meals where nearly everything on the table came directly from the property itself.

Places like Alghero, our base for our week in Sardinia, offer this beautiful balance between stunning coastline and authentic local culture. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning swimming in crystal-clear water and the afternoon learning how pecorino cheese is made on a family farm.

Puglia

If someone told me they wanted to experience a slower, more authentic Italy, Puglia would immediately be near the top of my list. And I would tell them to get there fast, as it’s quickly becoming the next Italian “it” destination. 

There’s something wonderfully unpretentious about Puglia. Life revolves around food, family, the sea, and community. The region is filled with whitewashed towns, olive groves that seem endless, and beautiful coastal villages where locals still dominate the beaches.

The food here is also incredible in a very humble way. Handmade orecchiette pasta, burrata cheese so fresh it barely needs anything added to it. Except salt, I always add salt! Grilled vegetables come center plate, and are not an afterthought, seafood pulled straight from the Adriatic.

Summer evenings in Puglia are some of my favorites anywhere in Italy. Families gather in piazzas late into the night, music drifts through the streets, and everything feels wonderfully alive without feeling overly polished for tourists. And if you happen to run into a group of locals preforming a spontaneous dance of the tarantella, well, you have just won the traveler’s lottery as it’s very entertaining! 

Calabria

Very few Americans talk about Calabria, which given its beauty, cuisine, and unspoiled culture, is honestly surprising to me.

It has so much to love — amazing beaches, beautiful countryside, hill towns, vineyards, incredible food — and almost no crowds.

This is the kind of region where you stumble upon tiny family-run restaurants serving meals that rival the best restaurants in the world. Where local beaches are filled mostly with Italian families on vacation. Where traditions still feel deeply rooted in everyday life. As a native of this region, it will always have a large piece of my heart, and that’s why I love bringing people here. To expose them to a different Italy. 

For travelers who want beauty without the overwhelming tourism of some of Italy’s more famous regions, Calabria is such an underrated choice.

I think what people fall in love with most isn’t necessarily the landmarks. It’s the lifestyle. The Il Dolce far Niente philosophy, the sweetness of doing nothing, to just be. Especially during those long, summer afternoons. 

Summer in Italy

In Italy, summer is meant to be savored. Meals are longer, and conversations are louder, even by Italian standards! Towns stay awake later. Children play soccer in the streets until late at night. Entire communities seem to move outdoors once the evening arrives. The men gather at the bars to play a game of Scopa. People gather in piazzassimply to walk and socialize during the passeggiata. Neighbors stop to talk from balconies. Dinner becomes less about eating quickly and more about spending time together. 

There’s a joyfulness to everyday life that people often forget exists.

And honestly, that’s what I always hope travelers experience most when they visit Italy with me. Not just checking famous places off a list, but truly immersing themselves in the rhythm of Italian life.

Because years later, you may not remember every museum or monument.

But you’ll remember the smell of simmering sauce in the air. The tiny seaside restaurant where the owner treated you like family. The sunset aperitivo overlooking the water. The sound of church bells echoing through a village at dusk.

That’s the Italy I remember, and that will stay with me forever.