My Italy Bucket List (And How To Make Yours)
I have an endless list of places I want to visit and things I want to do in Italy. No doubt, all of you Italophiles can relate. It’s tough to narrow down the bucket list, but it’s something that can really help you plan your next trip to Italy.
After some serious thought, I’ve managed to create a Top 10 Italy Bucket List. May it serve as inspiration to you, or even give you something to add to your own bucket list.
I’ll share how I got so attached to each of these places and experiences. And I’ll give you some tips on putting together your own bucket list to refer to when planning your next adventure in Italy.
1. Camogli
I want to visit the Cinque Terre as much as the next person, but I often worry about it being oversaturated with tourists. That’s why I’m so interested in Camogli.
It’s located on the Ligurian coast, about 75 kilometers beyond the Cinque Terre and only 15 kilometers away from posh Portofino. It looks just as charming as any of the Cinque Terre villages, with its colorful houses, beach, and nearby hiking trails. It’s a bit more off the beaten path and I love that!
I first heard of Camogli on the Untold Italy podcast. Check out the episode. It’s one of my favorites from that podcast!
2. Hike in Calabria
Before living in Italy, I had heard of a “coast to coast” hike from one side of Calabria to the other. After doing some research on it, this hike sunk into my heart.
The path starts in Soverato, a beach town on the Ionian Sea, and ends in Pizzo, a small town on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It covers 55 kilometers over a few days. Read this article from a great Calabrian travel site, and tell me you don’t want to go!
Spending a few days passing by olives trees, vineyards, prickly pears, and small, unheard-of villages at a slow pace… yes, please!
Regrettably, I didn’t get to plan this trip when I lived in Sicily, but it’s definitely happening one day!
3. Dinner in Panzano
Where is Panzano? And why do I want to have dinner there? Let me tell you the alluring answers.
Panzano is a small town in the Chianti wine area of Tuscany. It has been made famous by Dario Cecchini, a lively butcher who has been featured in many videos and books about Tuscan food.
He has a restaurant in Panzano that provides a memorable meal. You have lunch or dinner at a large table with strangers and a single, set menu. It’s a meat-heavy meal, but what else do you expect from a butcher?
It might not appeal to everyone, but I can’t wait to try it one day.
4. Sardinia
Yep, the whole region!
When I started going down the Italy rabbit hole several years ago, I fell most in love with Sicily and Sardinia. Both stood out to me as simple, traditional, and rustic.
Having lived in Sicily, it has been stroked off my bucket list in the best way possible. But Sardinia is still waiting for me.
I’m drawn to its simple food, rugged landscape, and that sparkling, azure coastline. I imagine doing a road trip from one end of the island to the other. It might already be in the works… stay tuned.
7. Filicudi
Staying on Salina, one of the Aeolian Islands, was the best experience I’ve had in Italy, so far. (There will be blog posts about it coming soon!)
Because of that experience, I next want to explore one of the less-visited Aeolian Islands, Filicudi.
It’s tiny and quiet. I can’t find much information about it online. And that’s what appeals to me. Salina ended up being much more tranquil, vacant, and beautiful than I expected. It has made me crave more of that side of Italy.
I have a good feeling that Filicudi will fill that craving.
6. Franciacorta
Step aside Prosecco… make room for Franciacorta!
I love wine, but I have a special fondness for sparkling wines. So when I learned of Franciacorta, an Italian sparkling wine made with the same method as French Champagne, I had to read up on where it’s made.
It’s produced in an area of the same name, one hour from Milan. There are over 100 wineries to choose from in the Franciacorta region that produce sparkling wine.
I’d love to spend a few days wandering in the area, visiting wineries, and seeing some of the nearby towns on Lake Garda and Lake Iseo.
5. Ravello
Of all the gorgeous places on the Amalfi coast, I just can’t stop thinking about the images I’ve seen of the Terrazza dell’Infinito (Infinity Terrace) in Ravello.
I’m a sucker for dramatic, cliffside views… and this terrace looks like it has a great one!
Of course, I want to see all of Villa Cimbrone and its immaculate gardens. I also picture staying at one of the nearby vacation rentals that overlooks the coast.
8. Pepe in Grani
I’m not one for fancy, famous chef-owned restaurants, especially in Italy, where great and affordable food is everywhere. But I will make an exception once in a while.
Pepe in Grani is a pizzeria in Campania, the pizza-centric region of Italy. If you’ve never heard of it, check out the pictures and menu on its website. A slow evening eating there looks to be a memorable experience.
I just know that the pizza at this place is incredible. The owner, Franco Pepe, is a master pizzaiolo (pizza maker) and works with the best ingredients his region has to offer.
And even the “fanciest” pizzas in Italy won’t break the bank. The most expensive pizza on his menu is €15.
9. Pietrapertosa & Castelmezzano
I spent a little bit of time in Basilicata, one of the underexplored regions of Italy, when I visited Matera. It seems that Matera is the only place ever mentioned from Basilicata, but I’m certain there are other gems to be found!
Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano have been on my radar for a while now. Both villages have jagged rock backdrops and are part of I Borghi più Belli d'Italia, a list of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
They are only about 15 kilometers apart, so visiting both on the same trip would be easy. I’d like to spend a few days in the area, hiking some of the nearby trails and enjoying the simple, country cuisine.
These destinations are lowkey and quiet but still ooze Italian charm and natural beauty. Perfect!
10. Help with an Olive Harvest
Regrettably, the timing never worked out for me to volunteer during the olive harvest while I lived in Italy. But it is still a dream of mine.
I deeply love olive oil. It is the heart of Italian cooking. To see how it’s made, from picking to pressing, would be such a joy!
There are a few different ways to get in touch with farms and participate in an olive harvest. I’ve had my eye on Workaway.
Workaway connects travelers with hosts around the world. Travelers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and language by helping hosts with various projects.
In Italy, many Workaway hosts are farmers who are happy to provide accommodations for those willing to help out on the farm. In the fall, many are looking for volunteers during the olive harvest.
The next time I visit Italy in the fall, my travel dates will be chosen based on the olive harvest!
How To Make Your Italian Bucket List
Think about what you love.
It seems like there are places and things that almost everyone who visits Italy sees and does. And there’s good reason for it. But before you create your bucket list based on what everyone else does, think about what you love to do and see.
For example, if you don’t love visiting museums where you live, then maybe you won’t love doing that in Italy either.
Build a list of what you want to do and see based on what you already love to do and see.
Find some great resources about Italy.
There are so many incredible books, podcasts, blogs, YouTube channels, and TV shows that can introduce you to the nooks and crannies of Italy.
Find a few that appeal to you and learn from them.
Don’t shy away from learning about places that you’ve never heard of in Italy. I promise you that those lesser-known places will change your trips for the better!
Check out the resources that made me fall in love with Italy.
Jot down your finds.
This is very important. Make sure you have a place to write down the names of villages, restaurants, wineries, hiking paths, farms, foods, and whatever else you find and would like to visit.
When I find something that appeals to me while researching Italy, I save it on my Google Maps. Later, when I’m planning a trip, I check out what I have saved in the regions I’m going to visit. That’s worked really well for me.
Let me know what’s on your Italy bucket list! Does it involve food, sights, activities? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.