Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor will it be going anywhere anytime soon. But let’s face it – in the age of over-tourism and rising global temperatures, experiencing Italy (especially in the peak summer months) as previous generations did is an increasing challenge.
Don’t get me wrong – Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan are exceptional cities, and everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. But if you’re looking for some other ways to experience Italy’s history, culture, and food away from the crowds this summer, here are 6 alternatives, from north to south:
1. Bolzano, Trentino Alto Adige
Bolzano sits at the foot of the Italian Dolomites, wrapped in snow-capped peaks and hills that produce some of the region’s most celebrated wines. Once part of Austria, its identity still leans north, with German and Italian shaping everything from street signs to the city’s rhythm. Pastel lanes spill into markets, chic boutiques, and beer halls that feel both Alpine and unmistakably Italian. Spend your days eating strudel or sipping espresso at restaurants overlooking Piazza Walther, with the Dolomites as a backdrop. Or unwind poolside at Castel Hörtenberg while breathing in crisp mountain air and tasting the best of Trentino – Alto Adige’s wine country.
2. Ortisei (St. Urlich) – Trentino Alto Adige, Val Gardena
Ortisei is a storybook town in the Ladin, German, and Italian-speaking Val Gardena. The cool summer temperatures and Alpine charm have attracted Europe’s royalty for centuries. Today, the village draws hikers of every level, from gentle walks across the picturesque plains of Alpe di Siusi to bucket-list climbs on Seceda, with world-class
lunches at family-run rifugios. In Ortisei, you can spend your days browsing shops that showcase Val Gardena’s traditional wood carvings. The village offers accommodations for every traveler – from family vacation rentals to Europe’s finest spa hotels.
3. Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
Bologna has surprisingly continued to fly under the radar of international tourists – even in the summer months. The red city is known for its food, of course (mortadella, ragù, tortellini), yet it also offers visitors the best of Italy’s medieval culture and history.
Spend a summer day in Bologna, meandering the streets under the shade of its 40km of porticos. You’ll easily find some of the best meals you’ve ever tasted, and enjoy reveling in the spirit of one of Europe’s oldest university towns. Bologna also makes a great base for a grand food tour of Emilia Romagna: the birthplace of Parma’s prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano, and Modena’s balsamic traditions are both less than an hour away by train.
4. Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna
Coastal Ravenna offers visitors the best of Emilia-Romagna’s cuisine and history, spanning the Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian empires. Spend a hot summer morning at a local lido (one of the many family-friendly beach clubs that line the Adriatic Sea), then head to Centro Storico for fresh seafood or warm piadiana (panini’s cousin) at a trattoria. Do not miss the 6th-century Basilica di San Vitale, one of the world’s greatest surviving masterpieces of Byzantine mosaics and architecture. Continue your afternoon browsing contemporary art galleries or mosaic workshops, where artisans keep this centuries-old tradition alive and offer pieces you can bring home.
5. Monopoli, Puglia
Roughly 600km south of Ravenna, down Italy’s Adriatic coast, sits Monopoli, a centuries-old port town that offers visitors a vivid window into Puglian culture. It delivers the classic regional mix of whitewashed buildings, sun-soaked coastline, and a long history shaped by its role on the Adriatic Sea. Start your morning along the Cala Porta Vecchia, where locals swim beside ancient city walls, then wander into the centro storico for orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta), or fresh grilled fish at a family-run trattoria. Explore the 16th-century Charles V Castle and the Baroque Cathedral. Monopoli’s ice blue waters and easy coastal rhythm are a postcard-perfect summer escape.
6. Gallipoli, Puglia
On the Ionian Sea side of Puglia (on the inside of Italy’s “heel”), Gallipoli blends crystal clear waters, casual swimming coves, and fresh seafood. Its history reflects layers of Greek, Spanish, and North African influence. Park your rental car and head for a swim at the Spiaggia della Purità, a small sandy cove tucked beneath the old city walls. Continue your coastal day with lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the beach, watching everything from coast guard vessels to modest wooden fishing boats (gozzi) slip in and out of the ancient port. When the Puglian sun is strongest, wander through shops in Gallipoli’s narrow shaded alleys and visit the baroque cathedral of Sant’Agata. Gallipoli may not be a top tourist destination, but it offers visitors the chance to experience Puglian summer in an authentic way.
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