Italy is a walking holiday dream come true because it offers an unbeatable combination of stunning landscapes, rich history, and mouthwatering food. In this boot-shaped country you can enjoy the rolling hills of Tuscany, trek through the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, or wander along the sun-soaked Amalfi Coast.
For those of you who love history, Italy’s paths are steeped in it. You’ll have opportunities to walk along ancient Roman roads, through medieval villages, or past Renaissance-era architecture. It’s like stepping back in time with every step!
And let’s not forget the food. After a day of walking, there’s nothing better than indulging in handmade pasta, fresh seafood, or a slice of wood-fired pizza, and paired with a glass of local wine.
Let’s learn more about what you can expect during walking holidays in Italy.
The Top Destinations For a Walking Holiday in Italy
Some of the best destinations in Italy for a walking holiday include:
Coastal Hikes
If you’re drawn to the idea of walking along dramatic cliffs and charming seaside villages, Italy’s coastal hikes are pure magic. Some of the best spots include:
Cinque Terre
The trails of Cinque Terre are among Italy’s most iconic coastal walks. Connecting the five colorful villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, these paths offer jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean. The famous Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) hugs the cliffs for much of the duration.
Amalfi Coast
For those of you who want a coastal hike with a dash of glamour, the Amalfi Coast delivers. The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) is one of the most stunning trails in the region, and it offers panoramic views of the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea and the rugged coastline below.
The walk takes you through terraced vineyards, fragrant lemon groves, and tiny hamlets.
Mountain Walks
For those of you who thrive on the thrill of high-altitude adventures, Italy’s mountains offer a spectacular range of trails. The best mountain areas to check out are:
The Dolomites
The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Italy, are any mountain lover’s dream. With their dramatic limestone peaks and lush valleys, these mountains offer some of the most scenic walking routes in the world. The Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail is one of the most iconic, and it circles around three striking peaks and providing jaw-dropping views at every turn.
For those of you seeking a multi-day adventure, the Alta Via 1 is a classic long-distance route that takes you through mountain passes and picturesque alpine huts (rifugi), where you can rest and enjoy hearty local meals like polenta and speck.
Gran Paradiso National Park
In the northwestern corner of Italy, Gran Paradiso National Park is a haven for walkers who love wildlife and untouched landscapes. As Italy’s oldest national park, it’s home to diverse flora and fauna, including ibex, marmots, and golden eagles. The Valnontey Valley Trail is a peaceful walk through alpine meadows with views of glaciers, while the Gran Paradiso Summit Trail offers a challenging ascent to the top of the park’s namesake mountain.
Monte Rosa and the Alps
For those of you looking to tackle high-altitude trails, the Monte Rosa Massif near the Swiss border is an incredible choice. The Tour of Monte Rosa,which is a multi-day trek, takes you through lush valleys, past glacial streams, and over tall mountain passes.
Apennine Mountains
If you prefer quieter, less-crowded trails, the Apennines (commonly referred to as Italy’s “spine”) provide rugged terrain and stunning landscapes. The Corno Grande in Gran Sasso National Park is the highest peak in the Apennines and offers great views of both the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas on a clear day.
To explore more of Italy’s hiking gems, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Italy.
Peaceful Countryside and Vineyard Walks
For those of you seeking tranquil landscapes and rolling hills (and a touch of indulgence) Italy’s countryside and vineyard walks offer a perfect escape:
Tuscany
Tuscany’s iconic rolling hills, lined with cypress trees and dotted with charming medieval towns, make it a walking paradise. Trails like the Via Francigena wind through the countryside and pass through vineyards, olive groves, and historic villages like San Gimignano and Montepulciano. Along the way, you can stop for a wine tasting of Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino, paired with local specialties like pecorino cheese and fresh pasta.
Piedmont
In northern Italy, the Langhe region of Piedmont is a dream for wine lovers. The rolling vineyards here are famous for producing Barolo and Barbaresco wines, and many trails weave through this stunning landscape. The Bar to Bar Trail (Barolo to Barbaresco) takes you through quaint villages and past ancient castles, and into some of the most celebrated vineyards in the world.
Umbria
Often referred to as Tuscany’s quieter neighbor, Umbria offers equally enchanting countryside with fewer crowds. Trails like the Sentiero degli Ulivi (Olive Tree Path) take you through ancient olive groves and quaint hilltop towns such as Spello and Trevi. And of course, the local Sagrantino wine and handmade pasta dishes like strangozzi al tartufo are perfect rewards after a day’s walk.
Veneto
In the Veneto region, walking through the Prosecco Hills is a delightful experience. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the world-famous sparkling wine, and the trails here take you past steep vineyard and historic wineries.
What Can You Expect on a Walking Holiday in Italy?
Here’s what you can really expect from a fun walking holiday in Italy:
Adventures Beyond Walking
Imagine wandering along the Via Appia Antica outside Rome, where you’re surrounded by ancient aqueducts, crumbling milestones, and the quiet whispers of history. In Tuscany, a detour might take you to an Etruscan tomb hidden in the hillside or a medieval fortress overlooking endless vineyards. Italy’s landscapes really are like living museums.
Nature in Italy is full of surprises too. In Gran Paradiso National Park, you might spot ibex perched on rocky outcrops or golden eagles soaring above the alpine meadows. Coastal walks could lead to a secluded beach, where the turquoise waters teem with marine life. And if you’re exploring the wetlands of the Po Delta, you might even find flamingos standing gracefully among the reeds, adding a splash of pink to the scenery.
Then there’s the joy of stumbling into Italy’s vibrant culture. Picture walking into a tiny Cinque Terre village just in time for the smell of fresh focaccia baking in a wood-fired oven or pausing your vineyard hike in Piedmont for a spontaneous wine tasting at a family-run bodega.
Italy’s trails often come with cinematic moments too. In Sicily, you can explore the quiet and picturesque towns where The Godfather was filmed, which will make it feel like you’ve stepped into a classic movie scene. And in the Dolomites, the dramatic peaks and vast panoramas have been the backdrop for more films and photo shoots than you can count. Several films that are set in the Rocky Mountains in North America, for instance, are actually filmed in the Dolomites.
If you time your trip right, your walk might lead you to a lively local festival. You could finish a day’s hike in a Tuscan village and find yourself at a truffle market, where the earthy aroma of freshly unearthed treasures fills the air.
The Food and Drink Experience
One of the greatest joys of a walking holiday in Italy is the food and drink you’ll encounter along the way. Each region has its own culinary treasures.
Imagine finishing a hike in Tuscany and sitting down to a plate of fresh pappardelle topped with wild boar ragu, and paired with a glass of Chianti from vineyards you just walked through. In the Cinque Terre, the scent of fresh pesto might draw you into a seaside trattoria, where you can enjoy it drizzled over handmade trofie pasta with views of the sparkling Mediterranean..
If you’re exploring the Amalfi Coast, the reward for tackling the Path of the Gods might be a plate of fresh seafood served with a tangy limoncello, which is made from the region’s famous lemons. In Piedmont, vineyard trails will lead you to wine tastings where Barolo and Barbaresco steal the show.
Walking through Umbrian hill towns, you might find yourself savoring strangozzi pasta with black truffle or enjoying a slice of torta al testo, which is a rustic flatbread stuffed with greens and sausage.
Italy’s food culture extends to the trail itself. Many walks pass through family-owned farms where you can stop for a picnic of fresh bread, local cheese, and a bottle of wine picked up from a nearby cellar.
Fun Accommodations
A walking holiday in Italy isn’t just about where your feet take you. It’s also about where you rest your head at the end of the day.
Imagine staying in a converted castle, like the Castello di Monteriggioni in Tuscany, where you can sleep surrounded by medieval walls and wake up to sweeping views of vineyards and olive groves. Or how about a night in a monastery-turned-hotel, such as Eremo delle Grazie in Umbria, where tranquility and history meet?
For a more intimate experience, agriturismi (farm stays) are a quintessentially Italian way to immerse yourself in local life. Picture yourself in a family-run farmhouse in Piedmont, surrounded by rolling vineyards, and where your hosts serve homemade pasta and wine from their own grapes.
If you’re walking along the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, boutique hotels and guesthouses offer seaside charm and breathtaking views. A night in Positano could mean waking up to balconies overlooking the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, while a stay in Manarola might include listening to the waves as you drift off in a cozy room perched on the cliffs.
For those of you who crave something unique, Italy has no shortage of quirky options. In Matera, you can sleep in a cave hotel (like those in the Sassi district) where ancient stone dwellings have been transformed into luxurious retreats. Or, for a more modern twist, you could stay in a vineyard glamping tent in Tuscany, where twinkling fairy lights and a view of the stars make for an unforgettable evening.
Conclusion
A walking holiday in Italy is about so much more than the trails. It’s an experience that immerses you in the country’s stunning landscapes and vibrant history. Add in the incredible food and charming accommodations, and you’ve got a journey that will be everything you need in a walking holiday trip.
