Italy is worth visiting in 2026 because it has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country (62), welcomed 61.5 million international tourists in 2025, and has just hosted the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, with new rules like Venice’s day-trip fee to keep the crowds manageable. The pandemic-era entry rules in the original version of this article are long gone, so here are 15 updated reasons to go.
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| Fact | 2026 detail |
|---|---|
| International tourists | 61.5 million in 2025, fifth-most visited country |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 62, the most of any country |
| Venice day-trip fee | EUR 5 or EUR 10 on 60 selected days in 2026 |
| Trevi Fountain access | EUR 2 ticket for non-residents since February 2, 2026 |
| Winter Olympics | Milano Cortina, February 6 to 22, 2026 |
| Entry system for non-EU travellers | EES fully operational from April 10, 2026 |
1. Italy is one of the most-visited countries on Earth
With 61.5 million international tourists in 2025, Italy is the fifth-most visited country in the world for international arrivals. Tourism directly generates more than 5 percent of the national GDP, and about 13 percent when indirect effects are counted, according to Bank of Italy estimates from 2018. That means the infrastructure for visitors is deep, from high-speed trains to every price level of hotel.
2. It has more World Heritage Sites than anywhere else
Italy has 62 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, just ahead of China with 61 and France with 56. That is what you would expect from the birthplace of ancient Rome and the Renaissance. Wondering how a volcano can both destroy and preserve history? Pompeii, which draws roughly 2.5 million visitors a year, is the answer, and our Rome travel guide shows you around:
3. The Winter Olympics just proved the Alps are world class
Milano Cortina 2026 ran from February 6 to 22, 2026 across Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, and it was the first Games officially co-hosted by two cities. The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 26, 2009, are renowned for skiing in winter and hiking, cycling and climbing in summer. Lake Como, Maggiore and Garda sit at the foot of the Alps, so mountains and lakes are close together.
4. You can ski and swim in the same week
Italy stretches from the Alps to the southern sea, and the climate varies hugely. Ski season in the Dolomites typically runs from late autumn into spring, while Sicily can offer beach weather in the same months. Five seas wash its shores, the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Ligurian, and has hundreds of islands, from Ischia’s thermal baths to the Aeolian and Egadi islands near Sicily.
5. Italian cuisine is now officially UNESCO heritage
In 2025 UNESCO listed Italian cuisine as intangible cultural heritage. Every region has its own dish, so ask a local what to order. Try pizza napoletana in Campania, and ravioli with ricotta and spinach, sometimes called naked ravioli, in Tuscany. Italy has hundreds of pasta shapes, and desserts such as gelato, tiramisu, cannoli and panna cotta follow.
6. Italy is the world’s largest wine producer
As of 2024, Italy is the world’s largest wine producer and largest exporter, with about 702,000 hectares under vine and the widest variety of indigenous grapes of any country. In 2022 it produced 49.8 million hectolitres, over a fifth of the world’s wine. Wine pairing is a big part of Italian food culture, so book a tasting. For a taste of how it is made, watch our video:
7. Venice is managing its crowds, and its floods
Venice has become a test case for managing overtourism. In 2026 day-trippers aged 14 and over pay an access fee on 60 selected days between April 3 and July 26: EUR 5 if booked at least four days ahead, EUR 10 if booked later. Overnight guests, residents, students and workers are exempt. Nearly 680,000 tickets were reportedly sold, raising over EUR 5 million, and officials are considering a higher fee of up to EUR 30 from 2027, which would need government agreement. Check the official portal before you go.
Flooding is also being tackled. The MOSE project, a system of mobile gates at the lagoon’s three inlets, can be raised to seal the lagoon from the Adriatic during high tides, and it passed its first full test on July 10, 2020. Venice is not going away soon, but plan your visit outside peak days.
8. Rome now charges for the Trevi Fountain
Since February 2, 2026, non-residents buy a EUR 2 ticket to approach the Trevi Fountain and throw coins in, part of Rome’s effort to manage crowds at one of its busiest landmarks. Tickets apply from 11am to 10pm on Mondays and Fridays and from 9am to 10pm on other days. The rest of Rome remains a sprawl of ancient and Renaissance sights, from the Colosseum to the Vatican.
9. The coastline and islands go on and on
Italy has one of the longest coastlines in Europe, roughly 7,600 km, and well over 400 islands. Options range from hiking on Palmaria Island, reached by boat from Cinque Terre, to a stylish resort with a serviced deck chair. Sicily has the Aeolian islands on one side and the Egadi on the other, and even Rome has an island in the Tiber.
10. Farm stays let you live the food
Agriturismo, Italy’s farm stay tradition, gives you a different way to see the country. You can stay on a wine farm or with an organic cheese maker, watch artisans at work or get involved. Some farms teach cooking and Italian home culture, and you can even stay in a castle or a medieval village.
11. Art and architecture you will recognise
You will recognise much of the art you see from school or film. The Sistine Chapel ceiling and the Last Judgement by Michelangelo, his Pieta, Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are all here.
12. You can’t kick a rock without uncovering history
Rome was the centre of the ancient Roman world and later of Renaissance nobility. Florence takes you into the Middle Ages, which also left a mark on Venice, Viterbo and Perugia. The Su Nuraxi complex in Sardinia is a UNESCO-listed Bronze Age site with a nuraghe tower built between the 17th and 13th centuries BCE. If you are looking for a place to stay, we use Airbnb for our own travels: go to alux.com/airbnb for our referral link.
13. The churches are another level
The home of the Roman Catholic Church, Italy has churches that combine Gothic and Romanesque styles. The Duomo of Orvieto, a masterpiece of intricate decoration, has a facade combining elements of design from the 14th to the 20th century. Stepping into one is a spiritual experience, whatever you believe.
14. The lakes are legit
Italy has roughly 1,500 lakes, each with its own character. Lake Como is a favourite of Hollywood stars. George Clooney has a home there, and Villa del Balbianello on its shore appeared in Casino Royale and Star Wars Episode II. Lake Garda feels Mediterranean, with olive groves, citrus and vineyards, while Lake Orta is a small hidden gem under the Alps.
15. The practical bit: new border rules in 2026
Travellers from outside the EU and EFTA now pass through the EU’s Entry/Exit System, which became fully operational at Schengen border checkpoints on April 10, 2026. It replaces passport stamps with biometric registration, and reports of long queues at some borders mean you should allow extra time. The ETIAS travel authorisation has been repeatedly postponed, so check the official status before you travel.
Keep reading
- 10 countries where $1 million lets you live like a king: how far money goes abroad.
Question: Aluxers, are you planning a trip to Italy? Let us know in the comments below.
FAQ
Is Italy worth visiting in 2026?
Yes. It has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world (62), hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics and welcomed 61.5 million international tourists in 2025.
Does Venice charge an entry fee?
In 2026 Venice charged day-trippers aged 14 and over EUR 5 to 10 on 60 selected days between April 3 and July 26. Overnight guests are exempt. A higher fee is being considered for 2027.
Do I have to pay to see the Trevi Fountain?
Since February 2, 2026, non-residents need a EUR 2 ticket to approach the fountain.
How many UNESCO sites does Italy have?
Italy has 62 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than China (61) and France (56).
What are the entry requirements for Italy in 2026?
Non-EU travellers are registered through the EU Entry/Exit System, operational at Schengen borders since April 10, 2026. ETIAS has been postponed repeatedly, so check the official status.
When is the best time to visit Italy?
Spring and autumn avoid peak crowds, summer suits the coast and lakes, and the ski season in the Dolomites runs from late autumn into spring.
How we put this list together
We rewrote this article for 2026, replacing all the pandemic-era rules with current facts from tourism statistics, heritage listings and city announcements. Fees and rules change, so check official sources before you book.
Last updated: October 2026.
