9 Things Italy is Known For: Condensed Guide Before You Go

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, the epicenter of the Roman Empire, and the land of pizza, pasta, and Prosecco. It's the cultural and culinary beating heart of Europe.

Lapped by the warm waters of the Mediterranean with a long coastline of spectacular beaches, this country is also home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

Dive in to discover what the fascinating country of Italy has to offer. Ready for the Italian adventure of a lifetime? Andiamo!

When's the Best Time to Visit Italy?

The best time to go to Italy is during the spring, April through June, and the fall, September, and October. These months offer pleasant weather with sunny days and moderate temperatures, and there are also fewer tourists as well.

The summer months of July and August are very hot and crowded, with hotel prices being the highest. The winter months between November and February offer fantastic skiing and other snow-based sports in the northern parts of Italy.

What Is Italy Known For?

9. Beautiful Cities

Italy is known for its beautiful cities, each of which is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.

Known for its romantic canals, stunning architecture, and unique culture, Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. You can explore the famous canals on romantic gondola rides, visit the historic St. Mark's Square, and enjoy the delicious Venetian cuisine.

Famous for its art and architecture, Florence is home to many famous architectural landmarks, including the grandiose Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery. It's also a hot spot for delicious Tuscan cuisine and wine. Also, the gelato!

The capital city of Italy, Rome, is known for its rich history, ancient ruins, and grand architecture. Don't miss exploring the spectacular Colosseum and Vatican City. On the way, be sure to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish!  

Positano is a picturesque village located on the Amalfi Coast. It's known for its colorful houses, stunning coastlines, and romantic atmosphere. Enjoy the beautiful beaches, take scenic hikes, and dive into the local cuisine.

Like many of Italy's cities, Verona, located in northern Italy, is known for its exquisite architecture. It's where the famous Arena di Verona resides, which is a Roman amphitheater that is still used for concerts and opera performances today.

8. Luxury Cars

Italy has a rich history in the automobile industry. It's also the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic luxury car brands, like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. Coveted by motorheads all over the world, these cars are loved for their beauty, exclusivity, and performance.

Ferrari was actually founded in 1947 by Enzo Ferrari and has become one of the most prominent luxury car brands in the world. Known for their sleek designs, powerful engines, and cutting-edge technology, Ferrari cars are a symbol of luxury and speed.

7. Vespa

Vespa's scooters have become an icon of Italian culture. There's nothing more Italian than hopping on a brightly colored Vespa and winding your way through the busy streets of Rome or navigating through the cobblestone alleyways of Naples.

Classic Italian movies like La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday put the little scooter on the world stage. Millions are now sold worldwide each year.

6. Fashion

Gucci, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace. Some of the world's most famous fashion brands stem from Italy. Florence hosted Italy's first internationally recognized fashion show in 1951 and has since become one of the global centers for fashion.

Today, Milan is considered Italy's main fashion hub. The city's high-end shopping district, the Quadrilatero d'Oro, is the place to shop for Italian luxury brands. If you're a fashionista, Milan Fashion Week is a must to see the incredible creations of Italian fashion designers.

5. Architecture

Elegant, grand, and breathtakingly beautiful, Italian architecture has been one of the most influential architectural styles in the world for centuries.

Its designs are characterized by a focus on symmetry, proportion, and balance. Some of the most iconic buildings and structures in Italy include the Colosseum and the Forum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Duomo di Milano, and the Pantheon.

Take in some of the world's most beautiful architecture on guided tours in Florence, Rome, and Milan!

4. Art

From classic Roman architecture to glorious Renaissance paintings, Italy is the epicenter of art worldwide. There's a dazzling array of art and architecture in Italy. Whether you're a fan of beautiful basilicas or glorious frescoes, you'll be spoilt for choice here.

Italian art's long and rich history spans several periods and styles. The ancient Romans produced some of the most iconic works of art in history, such as the sculptures of Augustus and Julius Caesar.

The Renaissance period saw the emergence of great masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Head to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Vatican Museums in Rome to see some of the most famous examples of Italian art.

You can stand in the awe-inspiring presence of Michelangelo's David and his Sistine Chapel frescoes, Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, and Botticelli's Birth of Venus.

3. Gelato

Nothing comes close to authentic Italian gelato! One of the most famous Italian food creations, the frozen dessert gelato artigianale is silkier and smoother than regular ice cream. It's created with seasonal ingredients, contains less air and fat, and is served at a higher temperature.

There are over 5,000 dessert parlors in Italy that produce gelato in a variety of flavors, from vanilla and hazelnut to pistachio and mint chocolate.

Deciding on the best gelato in Italy is like finding a needle in a haystack. Still, my favorite spot is Perchè No! in Florence.

Tucked away in a tiny side street between the Piazza della Repubblica and the Bargello, this delightful little gelateria has been serving its creamy gelato to Florentines since 1939. I absolutely loved their delicate flavors, like honey sesame and lavender.

2. Italian Wine

Italy is famous for its award-winning wines, from Tuscany's Chianti to Sicily's sweet Marsala. Italy produces the highest volume of wine in the world. Without Italy, the wine industry would collapse. Bottles from top winemakers like Ornellaia sell for over 1,000 euros!

The best-known Italian wine regions include Tuscany, Calabria, Piedmont, Veneto, and Lombardy. Italy produces excellent after-dinner drinks known as digestifs.

One of the best ways of experiencing Italy's amazing wines is on a wine-tasting tour in some of the most famous regions.

1. More Famous Foods

Pizza, pasta, risotto, cannoli, tiramisu. The list of mouthwatering food goes on. From handmade cannoli filled with melt-in-your-mouth sweet ricotta cheese to delicate tagliatelle al ragù and desserts to die for, you can be sure you won't run out of things to try in Italy.

Pizza

Pizza is the world's most loved and renowned food, contributed by Italy. It was actually invented in the 18th century as quick and cheap street food for the laborers rushing to work.

The most famous is the pizza Napoletana with its prominent crust and soft, chewy dough. In fact, it's been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage!

Famous for its pizza and the well-known tomato-based pasta Napolitana sauce, Naples teems with good places to eat if you know where to find them. Pizzeria Brandi lays claim to inventing the classic Margherita pizza.

They invented the doughy delight in 1889 to honor a visit by Queen Margherita, with the red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil representing the colors of the then-new Italian flag.

Pasta

The other headliner in Italy's culinary line-up is pasta. The country's obsession with pasta is unrivaled. You'll find over 300 types of pasta shapes in Italy alone and an array of unique pasta dishes from every region.

Experience all the culinary delights of Italy on fantastic foodie tours around the country. Eat your way through Rome, sample gourmet goodies in Venice, and learn how to cook some of Tuscany's most famous dishes!

Why Should You Visit Italy?

From the bustling cities to the stunning coastlines and picturesque countryside, Italy has something to offer every traveler. World famous for its mouthwatering cuisine, fine wines, spectacular art and architecture, and high-end fashion, Italy is simply a country of must-sees!

If you're looking for more action-oriented activities, no worries! The north's snow-covered Alps are one of nature's masterpieces and offer world-class skiing. In the south, the crystal-clear waters and turquoise grottoes are swimming, snorkeling, and scuba-diving havens.

If you're camping in Italy among gorgeous views, there's certainly no shortage of destinations to choose from.

Are you ready for your Italian adventure? Take a look at this guide to get started on planning the ultimate trip to Italy!

Plan Your Italy Trip With Pilot!

Now that you've had a taste of Italy and the things that make it so unique, what's left to do but make your dream Italy trip a reality? If you need a handy app to plan your nature-bound adventures or trips to anywhere on earth, try out Pilot!