We Asked Italians Where They Actually Go on Vacation

Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world, but where do Italians themselves actually go on vacation? We asked locals across the country how they spend their time off. 

The choice is still determined by a cultural tradition that Italians call villeggiatura, that seasonal way of holidaying for an extended period in the same beloved place, year after year.

So, if you’re curious about Italians’ favourite destinations and where Italians travel when they are not flying abroad, here are 10 places they keep going back to.

Italy is a country that encapsulates an innumerable amount of beauty, but when we asked Italians their favourite destinations, a clear pattern emerged: some prefer familiar places.

Even if attracted by foreign countries, Italians love to travel in Italy, enjoy the historical and cultural attractions of the cities of art and villages, relax at the seaside (here the best beaches for 2026) or in the mountains and try the different regional dishes.

Many told us they adore revisiting the same seaside towns, mountain resorts, or countryside villages that are tied to childhood memories or family traditions. 

This habit has something to do with the classic idea of villeggiatura, a very Italian way of taking a break by heading to a specific destination, away from the city, for a longer and slower stay focused on rest and fun.

Here are the 10 favorite destinations Italians shared with us:

– Lignano Sabbiadoro, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

– Villasimius, Sardegna

– Ischia, Campania

– Jesolo, Veneto

– San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily

– Gaeta, Lazio 

– Salento, Puglia

– Follonica, Tuscany

– Portovenere, Liguria

– Rimini, Emilia-Romagna

Lignano Sabbiadoro, the largest seaside resort in Friuli Venezia Giulia, is a top destination for many Italians for the variety of services and activities offered.

Divided into 3 main resorts, each with its own characteristics, it can satisfy everyone's needs.

With its 8 km of fine beaches and shallow waters, it is the ideal place for families.

Young people choose it for its nightlife with concerts, events, discos and outdoor clubs.

Those who love nature and sport can enjoy many itineraries through the fragrant pine forests and the suggestive views of the nearby Marano lagoon.

Those who love out-of-town trips, can easily reach Marano and its lagoon by boat or bicycle.

The hinterland also offers the opportunity to visit picturesque villages and try the tasty Friulian cuisine.

Furthermore, within an hour's drive we can reach Trieste, a beautiful city with fine monuments, first and foremost the splendid Miramare Castle. 

Crystal-clear waters, wonderful coves, long beaches, green hills - these are just some of the beautiful landscapes of Villasimius, a town in southern Sardinia.

Sardinia is definitely synonymous with spectacular sea and Italians love the sea. Villasimius is located along a rugged coastline that reaches as far as Capo Carbonara.

This stretch of coastline is part of a protected marine area and here you can find beautiful beaches and a dreamlike sea.

During the summer, the centre of the town is often enlivened by folklore and food and wine events, and Italians are known to appreciate good company and good food!

Beautiful sea, relaxation and flavour: these are the characteristics Italians love about Villasimius.

Ischia is another great classic of the Italian villeggiatura, and one that international travellers have also firmly embraced.

Known as the “Green Island” of the Gulf of Naples, it delivers the perfect Mediterranean escape and remains one of the Italians’ favourite destinations for long summer stays.

A typical day starts with a cornetto – Ischia’s version sits somewhere between a croissant and a brioche – then drifts into a few hours at a thermal park, before ending with music and dancing by the sea.

There’s plenty to explore: the Aragonese Castle rising dramatically from the water, the lush La Mortella gardens, the postcard-perfect village of Sant’Angelo, and Villa Arbusto, home to the Nestor’s Cup, one of the earliest known examples of Greek alphabetic writing.

Each beach has its own personality: at Sorgeto Bay, you can swim even in winter thanks to naturally warm thermal waters; at the Fumarole, heat from the sand is used for cooking; at Citara, sunsets are among the most spectacular on the island.

Beyond the coastline, trails up Monte Epomeo reveal a completely different landscape, with views that feel closer to the Dolomites or even Cappadocia. 

Evenings shift between rustic restaurants serving Ischia’s signature rabbit dish and more polished spots popular with the jet set.

Related story - A British journalist explains summer on Italian islands.

Jesolo is the most famous seaside resort in Veneto and is loved by many Italians who choose it not only for the services and the wide range of good-value accommodation, but also for the scenic landscape, entertainment and cultural offerings.

A 15 km long beach, the largest pedestrian island in Europe, nightlife and a hinterland rich in charm and history: you can choose Jesolo to relax and do nothing, or to do a bit of everything.

You can enjoy the beauty of Lido di Jesolo and Jesolo town with its river crossed by bridges, the bars and restaurants where you can try Jesolo cuisine.

Inland, there is no lack of opportunities to visit places of great beauty from the Prosecco hills, with Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, to Venice and the islands of the Venetian lagoon.

Jesolo is a year-round destination.

San Vito lo Capo, a lively seaside town, is located on the north-western coast of Sicily.

Sicily is undoubtedly one of the most popular regions for Italians.

Italians choose it for its cultural offerings, the wonderful sea, the beauty of Mount Etna, the lesser-known countryside... and the many typical trattorias, where they can enjoy simple and genuine dishes. 

San Vito lo Capo is strategically located between the sea, mountains and sites of historical and cultural interest.

Not far away are the Segesta Archaeological Park and the Zingaro Nature Reserve with many trails in the nature and small historical villages to explore.

Italians also love this location for its traditional festivals and fairs, first and foremost the Cous Cous Fest, an international event of Mediterranean Culture and Food and Wine.

This is a location that holds pleasant surprises in every season! 

Gaeta is another seaside town that Italians love to reach for their villeggiatura. Set along the Tyrrhenian coast between Rome and Naples, it blends clear seas and layered history in a way that still feels relatively under the radar.

 It’s a strong contender among Italians’ favourite destinations, especially for those looking for a more low-key seaside escape.

Its Blue Flag beaches are ideal for long, easy days of sun and sea. For a detour, Montagna Spaccata and nearby striking Grotta del Turco offer one of the most dramatic views along the Lazio coastline.

In the historic centre, a maze of alleys and churches reveals a distinctly Mediterranean character, where local traditions and flavours are still very much part of everyday life. 

If you’re planning a trip, it’s worth checking out an updated guide to Gaeta for 2026 to make the most of your stay.

Salento, the southernmost region of Apulia, is undoubtedly among the favourite destinations of Italians.

Many features make this small peninsula unique.

First and foremost, the beauty of its crystal-clear sea and beaches, the expanses of centuries-old olive trees, the charm of the countryside and the countless music festivals and food and wine events that animate the region, especially in summer.

Santa Cesarea Terme, Marina di Pescoluse, Torre del Pizzo, and Porto Selvaggio, are just some of the wonderful beaches where you can enjoy a spectacular sea and unspoilt nature.

Among the cities are Gallipoli, Otranto, Lecce and many characteristic inland villages where you can taste excellent traditional dishes, seasoned with one of the best olive oils in Italy.

The Salento is a mix of natural beauty and tradition that creates a nostalgia effect!

Among Italians’ favourite destinations, Follonica in Tuscany stands out for its easygoing mix of sea, services and laid-back atmosphere.

Located in the province of Grosseto along the Tyrrhenian coast, it’s one of the region’s most popular seaside towns and a clear example of where Italians travel for classic summer breaks.

Its Blue Flag sandy beaches, with shallow waters and clean, clear sea, draw families year after year for long, unhurried days by the shore.

From the town centre to Pratoranieri and up to Torre Mozza, the coastline offers a variety of settings, all accessible and well-suited to water sports.

Evenings unfold along the pedestrian seafront, where bars, markets and summer events make a lively but never overwhelming atmosphere. Exactly the kind of balance Italians keep coming back for.

Portovenere has a rétro allure that never goes out of style. Italians come to this delightful town on the Gulf of Poets to slow down between romantic coves, aperitivo with a view of the Palazzata (that postcard-perfect row of pastel houses on the harbour), and small shops.

The Church of St Peter, dramatically perched on the cliff edge, is one of the most iconic and photographed spots in the area, alongside the imposing Doria Castle.

Just below lies Byron’s Grotto, tied to the legend of the English poet who is said to have swum all the way to Lerici to visit Percy Bysshe Shelley – an achievement still honoured today with the Coppa Byron open-water race.

From here, the harbour serves as a gateway, with boats heading out to Cinque Terre and the nearby islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto.

The atmosphere grows even livelier in summer, as regattas, exhibitions, sports, open-air theatre, and movies under the stars fill the calendar. On August 17, the whole village glows with thousands of candles for the feast of the Madonna Bianca.

Rimini, the tourist hub of the Romagna Riviera, is loved by Italians for its hospitality and the endless possibilities it offers.

In the summer, the long, well-equipped beach fills up with families, couples and groups of friends who choose Rimini to combine fun, culture and relaxation by the sea, at an excellent price.

By day sea and beach, by night fun and music.

But Rimini is also history and culture with many places and monuments tracing its history from its origins to the present.

The Rimini hinterland is full of characteristic villages to explore, and of course, there is no shortage of good food!

If the summer is crowded and bustling, in the middle of winter you can enjoy the tranquillity of an 8 km beach, strolling along the seashore!

Rimini is a winning mix of fun, relaxation, culture, and nature and Italians love it all year round!

Italians often choose seaside towns, mountain resorts and countryside villages for their vacations. Among Italians’ favourite destinations are places like Follonica in Tuscany, Gaeta in Lazio, and Ischia in the Gulf of Naples, as well as alpine areas such as Trentino-Alto Adige. Local travel remains very popular in Italy, with many opting for familiar, easygoing destinations.

Hidden destinations are lesser-known places that aren’t overcrowded but still offer compelling experiences. Examples include towns like Portovenere in Liguria, Gaeta along the Lazio coast, or inland villages in regions like Umbria and Basilicata, places where you can experience Italy away from the crowds.