The Best Italian Destinations For Good Food, Wine and Culture this Summer
If Italy does one thing well, it’s the art of living well. We’re talking lazy lunches that stretch into the afternoon, wine that somehow tastes better just because you’re drinking it in the right place, and towns that feel like open-air museums. Whether you’re into Baroque churches or busy food markets, there’s something about Italy that pulls you in.
Summer in Italy isn’t just about escaping to the coast, although the Mediterranean certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s festival season, when ancient towns come alive with music, food, celebrations, and cultural events that have been running for centuries. The long daylight hours mean more time to wander those winding streets and discover hidden piazzas, while the warm evenings are made for al fresco dining and wine tasting under the stars. Plus, this is when Italy’s seasonal ingredients are at their absolute peak, such as sun-ripened tomatoes that taste like sunshine, fresh basil that’s practically perfume, and stone fruits so good you will wonder what you’ve been eating back home.
Here are five destinations that deliver the full experience— glorious sun, fabulous food, unforgettable wine, and culture that hits all the right notes.
Bologna: Food Capital of Italy
If you’re after the best of Italy’s culinary scene, head straight to Bologna. This city is often overlooked in favour of the more famous names, but for food lovers, it’s basically heaven. Known as “La Grassa” (The Fat One), Bologna doesn’t mess around when it comes to eating well.
You’ll find hand-rolled tagliatelle al ragù (never call it “spaghetti Bolognese” here), tortellini in brodo, and mortadella that tastes nothing like the version you’ve had elsewhere. Markets like Mercato di Mezzo and Mercato delle Erbe are packed with produce, cured meats, cheeses, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
In summer, these markets are at their most vibrant – stalls overflow with seasonal produce, and the gelato vendors work overtime keeping locals and visitors cool. The university students might be on break, but the city’s energy shifts to the outdoor cafés and evening aperitivo culture that really comes alive when the sun stays up late.
Culturally, it’s no slouch either. Bologna is home to Europe’s oldest university, and the city’s porticoes, towers, and buzzing piazzas give it a laid-back but sophisticated charm. You’ll walk a lot – and be glad for the extra steps.
Florence: Renaissance Meets Chianti
Florence is the kind of place where you’re constantly looking up at the architecture, the artwork, the views. It’s one big love letter to the Renaissance, and somehow it’s still alive with energy today. It’s an art and history buffs’ paradise – the museums are world-famous (Uffizi, Accademia), housing works of Raffaello, Michelangelo and Botticelli. Summer brings rooftop terraces and outdoor concerts to life, while the surrounding Tuscan countryside is perfect for wine tours through rolling hills dotted with cypress trees.
Food here is rustic, bold, and absolutely satisfying. Think thick Florentine steaks, wild boar ragu, pecorino cheeses, and seasonal vegetables grilled to perfection. Pair it with a glass (or bottle) of local Chianti, and you’re set. The city’s enotecas are perfect for a late-afternoon tasting, especially if you’re the kind of traveller who likes a side of history with your wine.
Venture just outside the city and you’re in the heart of Tuscany’s wine country – rolling hills, cypress trees, and family-run vineyards that still do things the old way.
Palermo: Sicilian Soul and Street Food Heaven
Palermo is the capital of Sicily, an island just off the coast of the southern Italian mainland. It’s gritty, layered, and full of life. There’s a rhythm to this city that you won’t find elsewhere in Italy. You can feel it in the noise of the markets, the mix of cultures, and the food that’s bursting with bold, surprising flavours.
Sicilian cuisine is a world of its own. In Palermo, street food reigns supreme: arancine (fried rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), and sfincione (a thick, soft pizza topped with tomato and onions) are just the beginning. Grab a bite from a street stall and keep walking because that’s how it’s done here. Summer makes this street food culture even more magnetic as vendors set up in ancient squares, locals eat standing in doorways to catch the breeze, and the beaches are just a short trip away when you need to cool off between food adventures.
Beyond the food, the city is layered with history: Arab-Norman architecture, grand cathedrals, and hidden palazzos. It’s messy in places, sure, but it’s also magnetic. This is where Italy feels vibrant, multicultural, and totally unforgettable. Plus, summer festivals celebrating everything from saints to seafood pop up throughout the season, giving you a front-row seat to authentic Sicilian culture.
If you’re searching for luxurious accommodation, Wish Sicily offers a range of handpicked properties dotted across the island. From hilltops to beachfronts, the Sicilian villas offer the perfect base for an exclusive group escape.
Sardinia: Ancient Flavours and Timeless Traditions
Sardinia is like its own little world. The island has its own language, its own pace, and a food culture rooted in centuries of tradition. It’s not just about beaches here, though they are incredible – it’s also about heritage, simplicity, and depth of flavour. Summer is when this island really shows off – the beaches are at their most stunning, but it’s also the perfect time to explore those ancient Nuraghe ruins without the chill, and the local festivals celebrating everything from harvests to patron saints are in full swing.
Sardinian cuisine is humble but rich. Pane carasau (thin, crispy flatbread), slow-cooked suckling pig (porceddu), and malloreddus (a type of gnocchi) are staples. Add to that local wines like Cannonau – claimed by some to be a “secret” to the island’s longevity – and you start to get the picture.
The culture here feels ancient. Nuraghe stone ruins dot the landscape, small villages celebrate saints and harvests like clockwork, and every meal feels like it’s been prepared the same way for generations.
With Sardinia holidays, you can experience the very best that the island has to offer. Whether you’re venturing on a whole family getaway or a romantic couples escape, there are hotels, resorts and villas to suit your preferences.
Naples: The Birthplace of Pizza
Naples is busy, bustling and absolutely brilliant. If you want to feel Italy with all your senses, this is the place to go. It’s the birthplace of pizza, but also a city with deep roots, stunning art, and views of Mount Vesuvius that never get old. Summer amplifies everything that makes Naples special – the Bay of Naples sparkles under the long days, outdoor pizza eating becomes a way of life, and day trips to the Amalfi Coast or Capri are just a ferry ride away
Let’s start with the obvious: Neapolitan pizza. Soft, chewy, slightly charred, and topped with the simplest ingredients – when it’s right, it’s perfect. But the food scene goes beyond pizza. Try a cone of fried seafood from a street cart, dig into a creamy sfogliatella pastry, or sip a limoncello with views over the Bay of Naples.
Culture-wise, Naples delivers in bucket loads. Explore underground tunnels, visit the National Archaeological Museum, or take a trip to nearby Pompeii. There’s a raw energy to the city, a sense that life is lived full throttle, and you’re more than welcome to join in.
Which Italian Flavour Are You Craving?
Italy’s not just a place – it’s a feeling. It’s that first bite of something perfect, the sound of a piazza waking up in the morning, or the way a glass of wine somehow tastes better because you’re drinking it where it’s made.
Whether you’re here for the sun, food, wine, or the culture (or, let’s be real, all four), these destinations give you a taste of something truly special. The hard part? Choosing where to start.
Which region’s calling your name?