Editing Tourism in Italy (section)

==Factors of tourist interest==
There are many factors that drive tourism interest to Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://channel.endu.net/turismo-sportivo-passione-e-opportunita/|title=Turismo sportivo: tra passione e opportunità|date=10 January 2020 |access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

===Artistic-cultural tourism===
[[File:Reggia di Caserta - panoramio - Carlo Pelagalli (2).jpg|thumb|right|[[Royal Palace of Caserta]] is the largest former royal residence in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chronopoulou |first=Angeliki |date=23 January 2024 |title=Reggia Di Caserta Historical Overview |url=https://www.academia.edu/44592878/Reggia_di_Caserta_A_historical_overview |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=Academia |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Dictionnaire amoureux de Versailles">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qTdlAQAAQBAJ|title=Dictionnaire amoureux de Versailles|first=Franck|last=FERRAND|date=24 October 2013|publisher=Place des éditeurs|isbn=9782259222679 |via=Google Books}}</ref>]]
[[File:Padova Cappella degli Scrovegni Innen Langhaus West 4.jpg|thumb|[[Scrovegni Chapel]] in [[Padua]] contains a [[fresco]] cycle by [[Giotto]], an important masterpiece of [[Western art]]]]
[[File:Roma-parco degli acquedotti03.jpg|thumb|View of the [[Parco degli Acquedotti]], part of the [[Appian Way Regional Park]] in [[Rome]], where there is a large concentration of [[Roman aqueduct]]s]]
[[File:Musei Vaticani. Braccio Nuovo.JPG|thumb|[[Vatican Museums]] in [[Rome]], ranked second in the [[list of most-visited art museums]] in the world after the [[Louvre]], and third on the [[list of most-visited museums]].<ref>''[[The Art Newspaper]]'' visitor survey, March 27, 2023.</ref>]]

{{further|Culture of Italy|Architecture of Italy|Italian art|List of cathedrals in Italy|List of palaces in Italy|List of castles in Italy|List of museums in Italy|Science and technology in Italy}}
Italy is considered one of the birthplaces of [[Western culture|western civilization]] and a [[Power (international relations)#Power as status|cultural superpower]].<ref>Italy has been described as a "cultural superpower" by [http://www.arabnews.com/italy-cultural-superpower Arab news], [https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/coming-to-the-us-the-year-of-italian-culture-2013/2012/10/15/29f404a8-1703-11e2-9855-71f2b202721b_story.html the Washington Post], [https://archive.today/20141226233723/http://m.theaustralian.com.au/arts/italys-cultural-superpower-status-at-stake/story-e6frg8n6-1111113103044 The Australian], [http://italoamericano.com/story/2012-11-8/InterviewGeneralConsulSF#.VJgPzYA1 the Italian consul general in San Francisco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127074301/http://italoamericano.com/story/2012-11-8/InterviewGeneralConsulSF#.VJgPzYA1 |date=27 November 2015 }}, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/coming-to-the-us-the-year-of-italian-culture-2013/2012/10/15/29f404a8-1703-11e2-9855-71f2b202721b_story.html the former Foreign Affairs Minister Giulio Terzi] and [http://www.laquilablog.it/obama-litalia-superpotenza-culturale/48727-0409/ the U.S. President Barack Obama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226231012/http://www.arabnews.com/italy-cultural-superpower |date=26 December 2014 }}.</ref> Divided by politics and geography for centuries until [[Unification of Italy|its eventual unification in 1861]], Italy's culture has been shaped by a multitude of regional customs and local centres of power and [[patronage]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Killinger |first=Charles |title=Culture and customs of Italy |year=2005 |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport, Conn. |isbn=978-0-313-32489-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00char/page/3 3] |edition=1. publ. |url=https://archive.org/details/culturecustomsof00char/page/3}}</ref> Italy has had a central role in Western culture for centuries and is still recognised for its cultural traditions and artists. During the [[Middle Ages]] and the [[Renaissance]], a number of [[Court (royal)|courts]] competed to attract architects, artists and scholars, thus producing a legacy of monuments, paintings, music and literature. Despite the political and social isolation of these courts, Italy has made a substantial contribution to the cultural and historical heritage of Europe.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cole |first=Alison |title=Virtue and magnificence : art of the Italian Renaissance courts |year=1995 |publisher=H.N. Abrams |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8109-2733-9}}</ref> The country has had a broad cultural influence worldwide, also because numerous [[Italians]] emigrated to other places during the [[Italian diaspora]].

The country boasts several world-famous cities. [[Rome]] was the ancient capital of the [[Roman Empire]], the seat of the [[Pope]] of the [[Catholic Church]], the capital of reunified Italy and the artistic, cultural and cinematographic centre of world relevance. [[Florence]] was the heart of the Renaissance, a period of great achievements in [[the arts]] at the end of the Middle Ages.<ref>Zirpolo, Lilian H. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QPqWxHwdMNAC&pg=PA154 ''The A to Z of Renaissance Art.''] Scarecrow Press, 2009. pp. 154-156. Web. 16 July 2012.</ref> Other important cities include [[Turin]], which used to be the capital of Italy and is now one of the world's great centres of automobile engineering. [[Milan]] is the industrial and financial capital of Italy and one of the world's [[fashion capital]]s. [[Venice]], the former capital of a [[Republic of Venice|major financial and maritime power]] from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, with its intricate canal system attracts tourists from all over the world, especially during the [[Venetian Carnival]] and the [[Biennale]]. [[Naples]], with the largest historic city centre in Europe and the oldest continuously active public opera house in the world ([[Teatro di San Carlo]]). [[Bologna]] is the main transport hub of the country, as well as the home of the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest university in the world]] and of a [[Italian cuisine#Emilia-Romagna|worldwide famous cuisine]].<ref name="Top Universities">[http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2007/overall_rankings/worlds_oldest_universities/  Top Universities] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117202932/http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2007/overall_rankings/worlds_oldest_universities/ |date=17 January 2009 }} ''World University Rankings'' Retrieved 6 January 2010</ref>

Italian art has influenced several major movements throughout the centuries and has produced several great artists, including painters, architects and sculptors. Italy has a vast and important historical heritage,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.italiadiscovery.it/arte/italia-patrimonio-mondiale-dellumanita.html|title=√ ITALIA: PATRIMONIO MONDIALE DELL'UMANITA'|access-date=26 July 2019|language=it}}</ref> both in terms of the number of artefacts, as well as in terms of conservation, and in terms of intrinsic artistic-cultural value. For example, Italy boasts the largest number of sites indicated in the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage]] [[Lists of World Heritage Sites|List]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.it/cni/index.php/siti-italiani|title=CNI UNESCO – Siti Italiani|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504203029/http://www.unesco.it/cni/index.php/siti-italiani|archive-date=4 May 2016|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> In general, the Italian [[cultural heritage]] is the largest in the world since it consists of 60% to 75% of all the artistic assets that exist on each continent,<ref name="fattoquotidiano"/> with over 4,000 museums, 6,000 archaeological sites, 85,000 historic churches and 40,000 historic palaces, all subject to protection by the [[Ministry of Culture (Italy)|Italian Ministry of Culture]].<ref name="risparmiamocelo"/>

In 2013, the value of the artistic and cultural heritage alone was estimated at 5.4% of Italian [[GDP]], approximately [[Euros|€]]75.5 billion, capable of employing approximately 1.4 million workers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.symbola.net/html/article/IosonoculturaLItaliadellaqualitaedellabellezzasfidalacrisi |title=Io sono cultura – L'Italia della qualità e della bellezza sfida la crisi – Io sono cultura – L'Italia della qualità e della bellezza sfida la crisi|access-date=8 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220118/http://www.symbola.net/html/article/iosonoculturalitaliadellaqualitaedellabellezzasfidalacrisi |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead|language=it}}</ref> According to the [[Eurostat]] report of 2019, Italian tourism is first in Europe in terms of the number of jobs generated (4.2 million) and third for the average visitor expenditure and the share of revenues of the national sector compared to the European total (€48 billion, 12% of the total).<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.manageritalia.it/it/economia/lavori-turismo-italia | title = Il turismo in Italia: 4,2 milioni di posti di lavoro |archive-url = https://archive.today/20200108123910/https://www.manageritalia.it/it/economia/lavori-turismo-italia | archive-date = 8 January 2020 | url-status = dead | access-date = 8 January 2020|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| author = Mariangela Tessa | url = https://www.wallstreetitalia.com/turismo-italia-prime-nellue-per-posti-di-lavoro-impiegate-42-milioni-di-persone/ | title = Turismo: Italia prime nell'Ue per posti di lavoro, impiegate 4,2 milioni di persone | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200107150622/https://www.wallstreetitalia.com/turismo-italia-prime-nellue-per-posti-di-lavoro-impiegate-42-milioni-di-persone/ | archive-date =7 January 2020 | url-status= live|language=it}}</ref>

There are numerous [[technology park]]s in Italy such as the Science and Technology Parks Kilometro Rosso (Bergamo), the [[AREA Science Park]] (Trieste), The VEGA-Venice Gateway for Science and Technology (Venezia), the Toscana Life Sciences (Siena), the Technology Park of Lodi Cluster (Lodi), and the Technology Park of Navacchio (Pisa),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://easst.net/science-and-technology-parks-in-italy/|title=Science and Technology Parks in Italy}}</ref> as well as [[science museum]]s such as the [[Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci]] in [[Milan]], the [[Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano|Natural History Museum]] in Milan, the [[Città della Scienza]] in [[Naples]] and the [[Institute and Museum of the History of Science]] in [[Florence]].

===Seaside tourism===
[[File:Alimini Otranto.jpg|thumb|Seaside in [[Otranto]], [[Apulia]]]]
[[File:Cruise Ship Costa Serena sailing in front of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice - September 2010.jpg|thumb|A cruise ship near [[Venice]]]]
{{further|List of beaches in Italy}}

Four different seas surround Italy in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] from three sides: the [[Adriatic Sea]] in the east,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OFwkVgQNHlsC|title=Physical oceanography of the Adriatic Sea|first1=Benoit|last1=Cushman-Roisin|first2=Miroslav|last2=Gačić|first3=Pierre-Marie|last3=Poulain|isbn=978-1-4020-0225-0|year=2001|publisher=Springer |pages=1–2}}</ref> the [[Ionian Sea]] in the south,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/standards/s-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |title=Limits of Oceans and Seas |edition=3rd |year=1953 |publisher=[[Organisation hydrographique internationale]] |access-date=28 December 2020 |issue=28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008191433/http://www.iho.int/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> and the [[Ligurian Sea]] and the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] in the west.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Tyrrhenian-Sea |title=Tyrrhenian Sea |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]] |access-date=18 July 2017 |editor-last=Chisholm |editor-first=Hugh |editor-link=Hugh Chisholm |publisher=Cambridge University Press }}</ref> Including islands, Italy has a coastline of over {{Convert|8000|km|mi}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Piattaforma Tecnologica Nazionale Marittima|url=https://www.mit.gov.it/mit/mop_all.php?p_id=06441|access-date=28 May 2021|website=[[Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)]]|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417025554/https://www.mit.gov.it/mit/mop_all.php?p_id=06441|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are numerous famous coastal stretches.<ref name="turismo">{{cite web|url=https://www.turismo.it/natura/multimedia/art/le-25-citt-costiere-pi-belle-ditalia-id-9203/|title=Le 25 città costiere più belle d'Italia|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Italian Riviera]] includes nearly all of the coastline of [[Liguria]], extending from the border with France near [[Ventimiglia, Italy|Ventimiglia]] eastwards to Capo Corvo, which marks the eastern end of the Gulf of [[La Spezia]].<ref>{{Cite book|first=Rosa |last=Baughan |year=1880 |title=Winter havens in the sunny South, a complete handbook to the Riviera |location=London |publisher=The Bazaar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zg8IAAAAQAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|first=Charles B. |last=Black |year=1887 |title=The Riviera, Or The Coast from Marseilles to Leghorn, Including Carrara, Lucca, Pisa, Pistoja and Florence |edition=Third |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Adam and Charles Black |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KKsaAAAAYAAJ }}</ref>  Italian coasts also include the [[Amalfi Coast]], [[Cilentan Coast]], [[Cinque Terre]], [[Coast of the Gods]], [[Costa Verde (Sardinia)|Costa Verde]], [[Riviera delle Palme (Marche)|Riviera delle Palme]], [[Riviera del Brenta]], [[Costa Smeralda]], and [[Trabocchi Coast]], in addition to the bays [[Venetian Lagoon]], [[Augusta Bay (Sicily)|Augusta Bay]], [[Bay of Naples]] and [[Liscia di Vacca]].

Notable beaches includes [[Baia Domizia]] in [[Sessa Aurunca]] and [[Cellole]], [[Citara]] in [[Forio]], [[Cala Fuili]] in [[Cala Gonone]], [[Poetto]] in [[Cagliari]], [[Spiaggia del Bacan]] in [[Venice]], Cala Goloritze in [[Baunei]], Baia delle Zagare in [[Vieste]], Cavoli Beach in [[Elba]], La Sorgente Beach in [[Portoferraio]], Cala dei Gabbiani in [[Baunei]], Cala Cipolla beach in [[Chia (Sardinia)|Chia]], Cauco Beach in [[Maiori]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-beaches-in-europe-2022/|title=The 22 Most Beautiful Beaches in Europe for 2022|access-date=7 June 2022}}</ref>

Noteworthy seaside locations includes [[Taormina]], [[Alghero]], [[Positano]], [[Otranto]], [[Tropea]], [[Porto Santo Stefano]], [[Sirolo]], [[Vieste]], [[Sperlonga]], [[Cesenatico]], [[Sestri Levante]], [[Vasto]], [[Termoli]], [[Maratea]], [[Bibione]], [[Muggia]], [[Amalfi]], [[Atrani]], [[Camogli]], [[Isola di Capo Rizzuto|Capo Rizzuto]], [[Castiglioncello]], [[Cefalù]], [[Gallipoli, Apulia|Gallipoli]], [[Lerici]], [[Manarola]], [[Monterosso al Mare]], [[Pisciotta]], [[Polignano a Mare]], [[Portofino]], [[Praiano]], [[Ravello]], [[Sciacca]], [[Scilla, Calabria|Scilla]], [[Sorrento]], [[Vernazza]].<ref name="turismo"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilturista.info/ch/vacanze_mare/italia/|title=Vacanze mare Italia|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Beaches and cliffs are dotted with various accommodation facilities, such as bathing establishments, hotels and restaurants, resorts, agritourism, night and day gathering centres, parks, piers and marinas, as well as numerous historic and artistic centres, which combine an interest in the bathing activities to those for leisure, nature and art.

The Italian seaports are docking points for cruise tourism.<ref name="lagenziadiviaggi">{{cite web|url=https://www.lagenziadiviaggi.it/crociere-cemar-88-milioni-di-passeggeri-nei-porti-italiani/|title=Crociere, Cemar: 8,8 milioni di passeggeri nei porti italiani|access-date=13 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> Italy is the leading cruise tourism destination in the Mediterranean Sea.<ref name="lagenziadiviaggi"/> Italian seaseaports most frequented by cruise passengers who sail the Mediterranean Sea are [[Civitavecchia]], [[Genoa]], [[Palermo]], [[Bari]], [[Naples]], [[Savona]], [[Trieste]], [[Monfalcone]], [[Taranto]] and [[La Spezia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shippingitaly.it/2021/10/21/crociere-nel-2021-litalia-con-27-milioni-di-passeggeri-tornera-leader-nel-mediterraneo/#:~:text=Stampa-,Secondo%20le%20proiezioni%20di%20Risposte%20Turismo%2C%20a%20fine%202021%20il,piena%20emergenza%20sanitaria%20Covid%2D19.|title=Crociere: nel 2021 l'Italia con 2,7 milioni di passeggeri torna leader nel Mediterraneo|access-date=27 May 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Lake tourism===
{{further|List of lakes of Italy}}
[[File:Italy - Sirmione.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sirmione]], on the shores of [[Lake Garda]]]]
[[File:Bellagio dal traghetto - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bellagio, Lombardy|Bellagio]], on the shores of [[Lake Como]]]]

There are [[List of lakes of Italy|more than 1000 lakes in Italy]],<ref name=Londrillo26>{{cite book |author=Antonio Londrillo |title=Alla scoperta della mia regione |language=it |publisher=Bulgarini |year=2004 |isbn=88-234-2327-9 |page=28}}</ref> the largest of which is [[Lake Garda|Garda]] ({{convert|370|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}). Other well-known subalpine lakes are [[Lake Maggiore]] ({{convert|212.5|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), whose most northerly section is part of Switzerland, [[Lake Como|Como]] ({{convert|146|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), one of the [[List of lakes by depth|deepest lakes]] in Europe, [[Lake Orta|Orta]], [[Lake Lugano|Lugano]], [[Lake Iseo|Iseo]], and [[Lake Idro|Idro]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Catherine Richards |title=Lake Como, Lake Lugano, Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda – The Italian Lakes |url={{Google books|ou6VJPNa_F0C |page=PA91 |keywords= |text= |plainurl=yes}}|date=2011|publisher=Hunter Publishing, Inc|isbn=978-1-58843-770-9|page=91}}</ref> Other notable lakes in the Italian peninsula are [[Trasimeno]], [[Lake Bolsena|Bolsena]], [[Lake Bracciano|Bracciano]], [[Lake Vico|Vico]], [[Lago di Varano|Varano]] and [[Lake Lesina|Lesina]] in [[Gargano]] and [[Lake Omodeo|Omodeo]] in Sardinia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Laghi italiani |publisher=Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia |url=http://www.iii.to.cnr.it/limnol/cicloac/lagit.htm |access-date=17 November 2006 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061012063939/http://www.iii.to.cnr.it/limnol/cicloac/lagit.htm | archive-date= 12 October 2006 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

Many Italian lakes are dotted with various accommodation facilities, such as hotels, restaurants and resorts, agritourism, parks, piers and marinas, as well as numerous historic and artistic centres. On the Italian lakes, it is possible to go [[windsurfing]], [[canoeing]] and [[sailing]], fishing and [[scuba diving]], while in their surroundings it is possible to go [[hiking]], either on foot or by bicycle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.italia.it/it/10-laghi-in-italia-per-una-vacanza-attiva|title=Dieci laghi italiani per trascorrere una vacanza attiva all'insegna dello sport|access-date=27 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> Lakeside noteworthy locations include [[Mergozzo]], [[Cannero Riviera]], [[Cannobio]], [[Avigliana]], [[Orta San Giulio]], [[Torno, Lombardy|Torno]], [[Bellano]], [[Menaggio]], [[Monzambano|Castellaro Lagusello]], [[Tignale]], [[Malcesine]], [[Gardone Riviera]], [[Molveno]], [[Tenno, Trentino|Tenno]], [[Ledro]], [[Panicale]], [[Bolsena]], [[Nemi]], [[Trevignano Romano]], [[Civitella Alfedena]] and [[Gavoi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.touringclub.it/itinerari-e-weekend/quali-sono-i-borghi-piu-belli-sui-laghi|title=Quali sono i borghi più belli sui laghi?|access-date=26 February 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Italian Lakes]] are provided with a navigation service by boats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/istituzionale/HP/DettaglioServizio/servizi-e-informazioni/Cittadini/Muoversi-in-Lombardia/Navigazione-laghi-fiumi-e-navigli/navigazione-laghi/navigazione-laghi|title=Navigazione laghi|access-date=8 May 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navigazioneorta.it/|title=Navigazione Lago d'Orta|access-date=8 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> By boat on [[Lake Maggiore]] it is possible to visit the [[Borromean Islands]], the [[Rocca Borromeo di Angera]], [[Laveno Mombello]], the [[Santa Caterina del Sasso]] and [[Luino]], while on [[Lake Iseo]] it is possible to visit [[Monte Isola]].<ref name="laghi-lombardi">{{cite web|url=https://www.in-lombardia.it/it/visitare-la-lombardia/vacanza-al-lago/gite-in-battello-sui-laghi-lombardi|title=In battello sui laghi lombardi|access-date=8 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> On [[Lake Como]] by boat it is possible to go to [[Como]], [[Lecco]], [[Varenna]], [[Bellagio, Lombardy|Bellagio]], [[Tremezzina]], [[Menaggio]] and [[Cernobbio]], while on [[Lake Garda]] it is possible to visit the [[Scaligero Castle (Sirmione)|Scaligero Castle]] and the [[Grottoes of Catullus]] of [[Sirmione]], and the [[Vittoriale degli italiani]] of [[Salò]].<ref name="laghi-lombardi"/> Also on [[Lake Orta]] there is a navigation service, thanks to which it is possible to visit the [[San Giulio Island]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navigazioneorta.it/cosa-vedere-lago-orta.html|title=Lago d'Orta: cose da vedere, persone da conoscere|access-date=8 May 2022|language=it}}</ref>

International lake tourism in Italy has been able to establish due to the sounding board created by some celebrities of the international [[jet set]], well known by the general public.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.quotidiano.net/magazine/turismo-laghi-instagram-1.6726517|title=Turismo, i laghi d'Europa più belli da postare su Instagram: tre sono italiani|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The purchase of a holiday residence along [[Lake Como]] by actor [[George Clooney]] was very publicized in 2001, as well as the marriage of [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Katie Holmes]] in 2006 in the [[Castello Orsini-Odescalchi]], along [[Lake Bracciano]].

===Mountain tourism===
[[File:Villnoess St Magdalena 1.JPG|thumb|The [[Dolomite Mountains]] in summer]]
[[File:Mount Vesuvius 07.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Vesuvius|Vesuvius]], the only active volcano in [[Continental Europe]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ingvvulcani.com/somma-vesuvio/|title=Somma - Vesuvio|access-date=21 February 2022|language=it}}</ref>]]
{{further|List of mountains in Italy|Settimana bianca|Volcanism of Italy}}
In Italy, there is both winter and summer mountain tourism. Despite a not particularly harsh climate compared to other countries located at more northern latitudes, Italy manages to attract tourists who practice winter sports due to the presence of numerous mountain ranges (the [[Geography of Italy|percentage of mountainous territory]] is around 35%).<ref name="Superficie">{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/137001#:~:text=La%20superficie%20complessiva%20dell'Italia,pianura%20(23%2C2%25).|title=Superficie territoriale per zona altimetrica|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Among these are the [[Alps]], the [[Geography of Europe|highest mountain range in Europe]], and the [[Apennines]], equipped with numerous winter sports and accommodation facilities. In the north the most famous ski resorts are in [[Sestriere]], [[Livigno]], [[Bormio]], [[Ponte di Legno]], in the [[Dolomites]] (especially [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]]), as well as in the [[Aosta Valley]] (especially [[Breuil-Cervinia]]), while in the center-south [[Abruzzo]] is the mountainous region with major ski resorts in [[Roccaraso]], [[Ovindoli]], [[Pescasseroli]] and [[Campo Felice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://luoghidavedere.it/luoghi-da-vedere-in-italia/luoghi-da-vedere-in-abruzzo/sciare-in-abruzzo-quali-sono-le-localita-abruzzesi-migliori-per-la-settimana-bianca_3800|title=Sciare in Abruzzo: quali sono le località abruzzesi migliori per la settimana bianca ?|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>  These resort usually offer to turists, among others, a package known as ''[[Settimana bianca]]'' ('white week'), a week-long retreat during the winter season.

As for mountain summer tourism, noteworthy locations includes [[Courmayeur]], [[Val di Fassa]], [[Abetone]] and [[Ceresole Reale]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agriturismo.it/it/extra/vacanze-ad-alta-quota:-5-localita-di-montagna-imperdibili-728|title=Vacanze ad alta quota: 5 località di montagna imperdibili|access-date=27 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> During the summer, in the Italian mountains, there are itineraries and paths, both on foot and by bicycle, where it is possible to admire naturalistic beauties, historic and artistic centres, glaciers, lakes, as well as practice numerous sports activities such as [[mountaineering]], [[paragliding]], [[rafting]] and [[hang gliding]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travel.thewom.it/italia/mete-di-montagna.html|title=LE METE DI MONTAGNA PIÙ INCREDIBILI D'ITALIA|access-date=27 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> In the Italian mountains there are a large number of agritourism locations, ''[[Baita (architecture)|baite]]'' and resorts, as well as hotels and restaurants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agriturismo.farm/it/vacanze/montagna|title=Agriturismo in Montagna in Italia|access-date=28 February 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The [[volcanism of Italy]] is due chiefly to the presence, a short distance to the south, of the boundary between the [[Eurasian Plate]] and the [[African Plate]]. [[Italy]] is a [[Volcano|volcanically]] active country, containing the only active volcanoes in [[mainland Europe]] (while volcanic islands are also present in [[Greece]], in the [[South Aegean Volcanic Arc|volcanic arc of the southern Aegean]]). The active Italian volcanoes that attract tourists are [[Mount Etna|Etna]], [[Mount Vesuvius|Vesuvius]] and [[Stromboli]], while the extinct Italian volcanoes that are most visited by tourists are [[Monte Vulture]], [[Monte Amiata]] and [[Alban Hills]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.europcar.it/editorial/it/road-trip/il-grand-tour-dei-vulcani-scoprite-i-vulcani-dellitalia-551/|title=Il Grand tour dei vulcani: scoprite i vulcani dell'Italia|access-date=10 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Hill tourism===
{{further|List of hilltowns in Northern Italy|List of hilltowns in Central Italy|List of hilltowns in Southern Italy}}
[[File:Langhe.jpg|thumb|[[Langhe]] hills, [[Piedmont]]]]

Italy has a [[Geography of Italy|predominantly hilly territory]] (equal to 41.6% of the total area).<ref name="Superficie"/> The best known Italian hilly areas in the world are [[Langhe]], [[Montferrat]], [[Brianza]], [[Berici Hills]], [[Euganean Hills]], [[Chianti (region)|Chianti]], [[Colline Metallifere]], [[Alban Hills]], [[Gargano]] and [[Murge]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schededigeografia.net/Italia/Rilievi/colline_italiane.htm|title=LE COLLINE ITALIANE|access-date=28 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> while notable locations include [[Erice]], [[Civita di Bagnoregio]], [[Maratea]], [[Ravello]], [[Urbino]], [[Brisighella]], [[Cortona]], [[Asolo]], [[Ostuni]] and [[Cervo, Liguria|Cervo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.musement.com/it/10-dei-borghi-di-collina-piu-belli-ditalia/|title=10 DEI BORGHI DI COLLINA PIÙ BELLI D'ITALIA|access-date=28 February 2022|language=it}}</ref> The attraction of tourists to the Italian hills is mainly due to the mild climate, natural beauty and landscape, and historic and artistic centres, with agritourism, resorts, hotels and restaurants that are widespread in these territories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schededigeografia.net/Italia/Rilievi/ambiente_collinare_italiano.htm|title=L'AMBIENTE COLLINARE ITALIANO|access-date=28 February 2022|language=it}}</ref>

[[Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato]] is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] comprising "five distinct wine-growing areas with outstanding landscapes" plus the [[Castle of Grinzane Cavour]] in the [[Regions of Italy|region]] of [[Piedmont]], [[Italy]].<ref name=UNESCO>{{cite web|title=Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1390/|website=World Heritage Centre|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=29 June 2014}}</ref> The site, which extends over hilly areas of [[Langhe]] and [[Montferrat]], is one of the most important [[Piemonte (wine)|wine producing zones]] in Italy. Located in the centre of the Piedmont region (North-West of Italy), the site is inscribed as a "cultural landscape", since it is a result of the combined work of nature and man. The site is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List thanks to the outstanding value of its wine culture, which has shaped the landscape over the centuries.<ref name=paesaggivitivinicoli>{{cite web|title=Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato|url=http://www.paesaggivitivinicoli.it/index.php/en|publisher=Association for the Heritage of the Vineyard Landscape of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato|access-date=28 November 2014}}</ref> These sites are the result of a coexisting process between humans and the environment. As a result of its heartfelt attitude to the environment, this wine region has preserved an incredible cultural heritage that has become a model for other wine districts throughout the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.winetourism.com/unesco-protected-wine-heritage-italy/|title="Langhe-Roero and Monferrato"}}''Winetourism.com, Retrieved 12.05.2022''</ref>

===River and canal tourism ===
{{further|List of rivers of Italy|List of canals in Italy}}
[[File:Navigli di Milano Naviglio Grande a Gaggiano01.jpg|thumb|[[Naviglio Grande]] in [[Gaggiano]], [[Lombardy]]]]
Italian rivers and canals attract tourists, who can travel along them both in their navigable sections with [[houseboat]]s and ships, and in non-navigable sections thanks to the use of [[canoe]]s and [[kayak]]s.<ref name="sportoutdoor24">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportoutdoor24.it/viaggi/italia/i-fiumi-navigabili-in-italia-per-una-vacanza-in-houseboat/|title=I 7 fiumi navigabili in Italia per una vacanza in houseboat|access-date=7 May 2002|language=it}}</ref> Along the Italian rivers there are naturalistic beauties, villages and cities, historical monuments and [[pilgrimage]] routes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/vacanze-natura/fotonotizia/visitare-fiumi-piu-belli-italia-natura-percorsi-mozzafiato/319465/|title=Visitare i fiumi più belli d'Italia, tra natura e percorsi mozzafiato|access-date=7 May 2002|language=it}}</ref> Some Italian rivers such as the [[Ticino (river)|Ticino]], the [[Orba (river)|Orba]], the [[Dora Baltea]] and the [[Elvo]] stream are frequented by tourists who try their hand as amateur [[gold prospector]]s, given the presence in the form of specks of this metal in the waters of these waterways.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turismo.it/articolo/art/i-cercatori-doro-vanno-in-vacanza-id-2243/|title=I cercatori d'oro vanno in vacanza|access-date=7 May 2002|language=it}}</ref>

The most important Italian river that can be navigated is the [[Po (river)|Po]], which with its {{convert|652|km|abbr=on}} in length is the longest river in Italy and which is navigable from [[Turin]] to the mouth.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Along the Po there are 12 ports, 111 berths (3 in [[Piedmont]], 39 in [[Lombardy]], 36 in [[Emilia-Romagna]], 33 in [[Veneto]]) and about 20 river operators who provide boat rental services and organize excursions and river cruises.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Noteworthy is its delta mouth, which is one of the largest wetlands in Europe and the Mediterranean area, and which is rich in naturalistic beauties.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> From the river Po it is possible to reach, directly or indirectly by sailing along its tributaries, the cities of [[Cremona]], [[Mantua]], [[Parma]], [[Padua]] and [[Verona]].<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/>

The [[Brenta (river)|Brenta]] river is navigable from Padua to [[Venice]], where it has its mouth.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Another noteworthy Italian river is the [[Sile (river)|Sile]], which is navigable from [[Treviso]] to the mouth, which is located near [[Jesolo]].<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Also important is the network of rivers and artificial canals are present between [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]] and the [[Venetian Lagoon]], which is formed by {{convert|109|km|abbr=on}} of navigable canals.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/> Also noteworthy is the Padana waterway, which connects Mantua to the sea via the [[Mincio]] river and the Po.<ref name="sportoutdoor24"/>

As far as the navigable canals are concerned, worthy of note is the touristic navigation service of the Lombard [[Navigli]], which is an urban transport network in the [[Milan]] area integrated by some lines of boats along these canals.<ref name="regione.lombardia">{{cite web|url=https://www.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/istituzionale/HP/DettaglioAvviso/servizi-e-informazioni/cittadini/Muoversi-in-Lombardia/Navigazione-laghi-fiumi-e-navigli/navigazione-turistica-navigli-lombardi/navigazione-turistica-navigli-lombardi|title=Avviata la navigazione turistica in Darsena|access-date=7 May 2002|language=it}}</ref> The tourist lines connect the [[dock]] of Milan with numerous ''[[Comune|comuni]]'' that rise along the [[Naviglio Grande]] up to [[Abbiategrasso]] and [[Turbigo]].<ref name="regione.lombardia"/> Tourist navigation is also present along the [[Naviglio Martesana]], in the stretch from [[Trezzo sull'Adda]] to [[Vaprio d'Adda]].<ref name="regione.lombardia"/>

===Underwater tourism===
[[File:Parco archeologico di Baia - Ninfeo punta Epitaffio - statua Antonia Minore.jpg|thumb|Submerged Archaeological Park of [[Baiae]]]]
{{further|List of Marine Protected Areas of Italy}}
The [[List of Marine Protected Areas of Italy|Marine Protected Areas of Italy]] restrict human activity for a conservation purpose, to protect natural resources or archaeological sites. There were twenty-seven such [[marine protected areas]], and a further two "Submerged Archaeological Parks" (Italian: ''parchi sommersi''); in 2018, two new marine protected areas were created. these areas help safeguard in total some {{convert|228000|ha|km2}} of the seas around Italy as well as some {{convert|700|km}} of its coastline, corresponding to 12% of the Italian coasts.<ref name="uccellidaproteggere"/>

Underwater tourism, both of a naturalistic type and linked to [[underwater archaeology]], is also present.<ref name="viaggiarenews">{{cite web|url=https://www.viaggiarenews.com/2021/03/il-meglio-per-il-turismo-subacqueo-in-italia/|title=Il meglio per il turismo subacqueo in Italia|access-date=19 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> For the naturalistic underwater type, noteworthy seaside locations include the Portofino Marine Protected Area (located between the municipalities of [[Camogli]], [[Portofino]] and [[Santa Margherita Ligure]]), the [[island of Giglio]], the [[Capraia|island of Capraia]], and the [[Maddalena archipelago]].<ref name="viaggiarenews"/>

For the underwater archeology type, noteworthy seaside locations include [[Taormina]], [[Capo Passero]], [[Ustica]], [[Noto]], [[Marettimo]], [[Marzamemi]], [[Santa Maria di Castellabate]], [[Baiae]], [[Gaiola Island|Gaiola]], [[Ischia]], [[Campi Flegrei]], [[Pantelleria]], [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]], [[Gnatia]], [[Tremiti Islands]], [[Manduria]] and [[Isola di Capo Rizzuto]].<ref name="viaggiarenews"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2021/11/13/news/un_viaggio_unico_tra_bellezze_sommerse_dall_italia_la_spinta_per_un_itinerario_dei_siti_archeologici_subacquei_nel_mediterr-326223800/|title=Un viaggio unico tra bellezze sommerse: l'Italia lancia itinerario europeo nei parchi archeosub del Mediterraneo|access-date=19 January 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Notable Italian lakes that attract underwater tourism, both archaeological and naturalistic type, are [[Lake Iseo]], [[Lake Como]], [[Lake Garda]], [[Lake Maggiore]], [[Lake Idro]], [[Lago di Levico]], [[Lago di Lases]], [[Lago di Tovel]], [[Lago di Caldonazzo]], [[Avigliana|Lago Grande]] and [[Capestrano|Lake of Capodacqua]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ilsubacqueo.it/immersioni-nei-laghi-lombardi/|title=Immersioni Nei Laghi Lombardi|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yesmilano.it/articoli/sport-acquatici-sui-laghi-lombardi|title=SPORT ACQUATICI SUI LAGHI LOMBARDI|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trentino.com/it/sport-e-tempo-libero/attivita-sportive/immersione-subacquea/|title=Immersione subacquea|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laboratoriovalsusa.it/blog/valle-di-susa/il-lago-grande-di-avigliana-e-la-sua-ferrata-subacquea-oltre-2-km-di-percorsi|title=Il Lago Grande di Avigliana e la sua ferrata subacquea. Oltre 2 km di percorsi, dove "il nulla" è abbagliante|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.viaggipersub.it/prodotto/immersioni-nel-lago-di-capo-dacqua-in-abruzzo/|title=IMMERSIONI NEL LAGO DI CAPO D'ACQUA IN ABRUZZO|access-date=7 June 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Christmas, New Year's Eve and Easter tourism===
{{further|Christmas in Italy|Easter in Italy}}
[[File:Neve a Verona 17.01.2006 033.jpg|thumb|[[Christmas lights]] in [[Verona]], [[Veneto]]]]
[[File:Addolorata3.JPG|thumb|Easter ''Addolorata'' procession in [[Polistena]], [[Calabria]]]]

[[Christmas in Italy]] begins on 8 December, with the [[Feast of the Immaculate Conception]], a [[Public holidays in Italy|public holiday in Italy]] and the day on which traditionally the [[Christmas tree]] is mounted and ends on 6 January, of the following year with the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=November 25, 2013|title=The Best Christmas Traditions in Italy|url=https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/things-to-do/christmas-traditions-in-italy|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=Walks of Italy|language=en-GB}}</ref> 26 December ([[Saint Stephen's Day]], in Italian {{Lang|it|Giorno di Santo Stefano}}), is also a public holiday. The tradition of the [[nativity scene]] comes from Italy. What is considered the first nativity scene in history (a living nativity scene) was set up by [[St. Francis Of Assisi]] in [[Greccio]] in 1223.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Christmas in Italy|url=http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/italy.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051215093413/http://www.whychristmas.com:80/cultures/italy.shtml |archive-date=December 15, 2005 |access-date=January 26, 2021|website=Why Christmas}}</ref> It seems that the first [[Christmas tree]] in Italy was erected at the [[Quirinal Palace]] at the behest of [[Queen Margherita]], towards the end of the 19th century.<ref name=":2" /> In Italy, the oldest [[Christmas market]] is considered to be that of [[Bologna]], held for the first time in the 18th century and linked to the feast of [[Saint Lucy]].<ref name="Mercatini Italia">{{Cite web|url=https://corrieredibologna.corriere.it/bologna/cronaca/21_novembre_16/mercatini-natale-bologna-emilia-romagna-dove-sono-regole-visitarli-d06af226-4677-11ec-8ff0-74bdfd3715c3.shtml|title=Mercatini di Natale a Bologna e in Emilia-Romagna: dove sono e le regole per visitarli|access-date=1 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Italy is among the countries most visited in the world by tourists during the [[Christmas and holiday season|Christmas holidays]].<ref name="turismo-natale">{{cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cronaca/turismo-natale-capodanno-dse8w416|title=Milano capitale europea del turismo: a Capodanno prima scelta per tedeschi, inglesi e portoghesi|access-date=2 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> The attraction factors are the not too harsh climate, the cultural offer of the cities including museums, exhibitions and party initiatives, the rich gastronomy as well as the more affordable prices compared to other countries.<ref name="turismo-natale"/> Italy is the second European country most visited by European tourists during the Christmas holidays behind [[Spain]] and ahead of [[Portugal]], [[France]] and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="turismo-natale"/> The Italian cities most visited by international tourists during the Christmas holidays are, in order, [[Milan]], [[Rome]], [[Naples]], [[Catania]], [[Palermo]] and [[Cagliari]].<ref name="turismo-natale"/> Milan, in particular, is the favourite destination by European tourists for [[Germans]], [[British people|British]] and [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] tourists and the second for [[French people|French]], [[Spaniards]] and [[Dutch people|Dutch]] tourists.<ref name="turismo-natale"/>

[[Easter in Italy]] ({{langx|it|Pasqua}}) is one of the [[public holidays in Italy|country's major holidays]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ellci.net/easter-how-does-italy-celebrate-this-festivity/|title=Easter: How does Italy celebrate this festivity?|access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> Easter in Italy enters [[Holy Week]] with [[Palm Sunday]], [[Maundy Thursday]], [[Good Friday]] and [[Holy Saturday]], concluding with [[Easter Day]] and [[Easter Monday]]. Each day has a special significance. Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world during the [[Easter]] holidays.<ref name="turismo-pasqua">{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/04/05/news/turismo_internazionale_e_finalmente_la_pasqua_del_boom_prenotazioni_su_del_29_roma_e_milano_strapiene-395032328/|title=Turismo internazionale, è finalmente la Pasqua del boom: prenotazioni su del 29%, Roma e Milano strapiene|access-date=4 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> Italy is the second European country most visited by international tourists during the Easter holidays behind [[Spain]] and ahead of [[France]] and [[Greece]].<ref name="turismo-pasqua"/> The Italian cities most visited by international tourists during the Easter holidays are, in order, [[Rome]], [[Milan]], [[Venice]], [[Naples]], [[Florence]] and [[Bologna]].<ref name="turismo-pasqua"/>

=== Shopping tourism ===
{{further|Italian fashion|History of Italian fashion}}
[[File:3665MilanoViaMontenapoleone.JPG|thumb|[[Via Monte Napoleone]], [[Quadrilatero della moda]], [[Milan]], [[Lombardy]]]]
Italy is also a destination for [[shopping]] tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enit.it/wwwenit/it/pressroomonline/comunicati-stampa/3149-enit-fashion-vogue-night-2019-dati-turismo-moda-spagnoli.html|title=LA MODA ATTRAE I TURISTI VERSO L'ITALIA ANCHE "FUORI STAGIONE"|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> [[Italian fashion]] has [[History of Italian fashion|a long tradition]]. The shops that attract the most tourists are those of clothing, leather goods and cosmetics and perfumery, while the most visited Italian cities for this type of tourism are, in descending order of visits, [[Milan]], [[Florence]], [[Rome]], [[Venice]] and [[Turin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infoiva.com/2017/12/turismo-shopping-italia.html|title=Turismo dello shopping: l'Italia in pole position|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

In Milan the most important shopping streets are [[Via Monte Napoleone]], [[Via della Spiga]], [[Via Manzoni]], [[Corso Venezia]], [[Via Sant'Andrea]], Corso Vittorio Emanuele, [[Corso Buenos Aires]], Corso di Porta Ticinese, Via Torino and Corso XXII Marzo,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fanpage.it/milano/le-10-vie-dello-shopping-di-milano/|title=Le 10 vie dello shopping di Milano|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> while in Florence they are [[Via de' Tornabuoni]], Via dei Calzaiuoli, Via del Corso, Mercato di San Lorenzo and Via Santo Spirito.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://firenzespecial.it/le-5-vie-dello-shopping-a-firenze/|title=Le 5 vie dello shopping a Firenze|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

In Rome the most important shopping streets are [[Via Condotti]], [[Piazza di Spagna]], [[Via del Babuino]], Via Borgognona, Via Frattina, [[Via del Corso]], Via del Campo Marzio, Via del Pellegrino, Via del Boschetto, Via Cola di Rienzo, Via del Governo Vecchio, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, Via Appia Nuova and Via Tuscolana,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fanpage.it/roma/le-10-vie-dello-shopping-di-roma/|title=Le 10 vie dello shopping di Roma|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>  while in Venice they are Le Mercerie, [[Piazza San Marco]], Campo San Paolo, [[Burano]] and [[Murano]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fashionblog.it/post/381435/venezia-e-lo-shopping-le-vie-migliori-della-citta|title=Venezia e lo shopping, le vie migliori della città|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

In Turin the most important shopping streets are Via Garibaldi, Contrada dei Guardinfanti, Galleria Subalpina, Via Roma, [[Piazza San Carlo]] a large number of visitors for, Piazza Carignano, Via Cesare Battisti, Piazza Carlo Alberto, Piazza Bodoni, Via Mazzini, Via Lagrange, Via Carlo Alberto, Piazza Carlo Felice, Via Po and Piazza Vittorio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tolove.it/blog/index.php/itinerari-classici/tra-arte-e-moda/|title=Le vie dello shopping|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Shopping tourism in Italy is also aimed at [[outlet store]]s. The outlets that attract the most tourists are located in [[Serravalle Scrivia]], [[Castel San Pietro Romano]], [[Barberino di Mugello]], [[Noventa di Piave]] and [[Marcianise]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/idee-di-viaggio/migliori-destinazioni-italia-shopping/218095/|title=Le migliori destinazioni d'Italia per lo shopping tourism|access-date=17 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Spa tourism===
{{main|Category:Spa towns in Italy|l1 = Spa towns in Italy}}
[[File:Cascate del Mulino - Saturnia Terme - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Spa in [[Saturnia]], [[Tuscany]]]]

Italy has one of the largest number of [[spa]]s in the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/il-benessere-genera-53percento-pil-mondiale-e-italia-e-boom-spa-e-turismo-wellness-AEeHWMLG|title=Il benessere genera il 5,3% del Pil mondiale: e in Italia è boom per Spa e turismo "wellness"|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> and are appreciated internationally for the quality and effectiveness of the services and treatments offered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://viaggi.corriere.it/itinerari-e-luoghi/gallery/spa-17-mete-spettacolari-in-italia-e-in-europa/|title=Spa spettacolari in Italia e in Europa per tutte le stagioni|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> This is also due to secondary volcanic phenomena that give rise to the emission of water, vapours and mud enriched by substances present in the Italian subsoil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schededigeografia.net/Italia/Storia_geologica_Italia/vulcanismo_secondario_italia.htm|title=IL VULCANESIMO SECONDARIO IN ITALIA|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Its origins are very remote, it is known that the [[Ancient Rome|ancient Greeks]] had already discovered its healing properties,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.termedistigliano.it/it/le-terme-nella-storia/|title=Le Terme nella Storia|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> but the greatest admirers of antiquity were undoubtedly the [[Ancient Rome|ancient Romans]] who made it an aspect of their social life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.termedistigliano.it/it/storia-terme-romane-antica-roma/|title=Viaggio nella storia delle terme romane: dall'antica Roma a oggi|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The most renowned Italian spas are located in the localities of [[Abano Terme]], [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]], [[Bibione]], [[Chianciano Terme]], [[Montepulciano]], [[Saturnia]], [[Montecatini Terme]], [[Contursi Terme]], [[Castellammare di Stabia]], [[Bagni San Filippo]], [[Sirmione]], [[Bormio]], [[Viterbo]], [[Pantelleria]], [[Vulcano]], [[Montegrotto Terme]], [[Pescantina]], [[Salsomaggiore Terme]] and [[Ischia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.splendidoviaggio.it/turismo-termale/|title=Turismo termale in Italia, trend in crescita|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilturista.info/blog/14010-Le_10_migliori_terme_in_Italia_le_localita_termali_da_non_perdere_/|title=Le 10 migliori terme in Italia: le località termali da non perdere|access-date=8 January 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Wedding tourism===
[[File:Amalfi Coast from boat.jpg|thumb|[[Positano]], [[Campania]]]]

Italy is the second-most popular destination in the world for wedding tourism after the [[Maldives]] and before [[Bali]].<ref name="turismo-wedding">{{cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/canale_viaggiart/it/notizie/speciali/2023/02/01/turismo-wedding-2-milioni-presenze-e-fatturato-599-mln_dcec4ad9-3ab8-4677-a303-6378020ac3a7.html|title=In Italia 11mila matrimoni stranieri, un turismo da 599 milioni|access-date=2 February 2023|language=it}}</ref> In 2022, 11,000 weddings were celebrated in Italy by foreign citizens who came to stay in the country to organize the wedding ceremony.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/> The length of stay of married couples and their guests to the ceremony is on average 3.3 nights.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/> In 2022, there were a total of 619,000 arrivals and over 2 million tourists connected to wedding tourism, with a turnover of around €599 million.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/> Italy hosts three of the top five European honeymoon destinations for wedding tourists: [[Positano]], [[Rome]] and the [[Amalfi Coast]].<ref name="turismo-wedding"/>

The Italian region chosen for marriage in Italy by foreign couples the most was [[Tuscany]], with 21% of the total, followed by [[Lombardy]], [[Campania]], [[Apulia]], [[Sicily]], [[Lazio]] and [[Piedmont]].<ref name="turismo-wedding"/><ref name="wedding-italia"/>

In 2022, 57% of marriages celebrated in Italy by foreign couples were connected to spouses and guests from other European countries, while the main country of origin (29.2%) of foreign couples who decided to celebrate their wedding in Italy was the United States, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany and France.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/><ref name="wedding-italia">{{cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/turismo-states-toscana-sposarsi-e-boom-wedding-italia-AEaJGQfC|title=Turismo, dagli States alla Toscana per sposarsi: è boom del wedding in Italia|access-date=2 February 2023|language=it}}</ref> Domestic wedding tourism is also noteworthy, given that in 2022 there were around 7,160 weddings of Italian couples celebrated in a region other than their own.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/>

Weddings of famous foreign couples include those between [[David Bowie]] and [[Iman Abdulmajid]] in Florence in the American church of San Giacomo, between [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Katie Holmes]] on [[Lake Bracciano]], between [[George Clooney]] and [[Amal Alamuddin]] at [[Palazzo Papadopoli]] in Venice, between [[Kim Kardashian]] and [[Kanye West]] at [[Belvedere (fort)|Forte Belvedere]] in Florence and between [[Justin Timberlake]] and [[Jessica Biel]] at [[Borgo Egnazia]] in Apulia.<ref name="turismo-wedding"/>

===Religious tourism===
{{further|List of cathedrals in Italy|Via Francigena}}
[[File:PonteSantAngeloRom.jpg|thumb|[[St. Peter's Basilica]] viewed from the [[Tiber]]; the [[Vatican Hill]] in the back and [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] in [[Rome]] to the right. Both the basilica and the hill are part of the [[United Nations General Assembly observers|sovereign state]] of [[Vatican City]], the [[Holy See]] of the [[Catholic Church]].]]
[[File:Via Francigena - Ariano Irpino, località Sprinia.jpeg|thumb|The [[Via Francigena]] in [[Ariano Irpino]], [[Campania]]]]
There are numerous [[pilgrimage]] destinations in Italy, first of all [[Rome]], the residence of the [[Pope]] (who is its [[bishop]]) and the seat of the [[Catholic Church]]. The city is a pilgrimage destination especially during the main events of Catholic religious life, especially during the [[Jubilee in the Catholic Church|Jubilees]]. Although his figure is not officially recognized by the faithful of other [[Christianity|Christian denominations]], the presence of the Pope in Rome also attracts others and is an important figure within the Christian creed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.improntalaquila.com/2016/02/13/90100/|title=Summit storico tra i fratelli Papa Francesco e Sua Santità il Patriarca Kirill di Mosca e di tutte le Russie|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome]] are [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]] ([[Basilicas in the Catholic Church#Major and papal basilicas|Major Papal archbasilica]]), [[St. Peter's Basilica]] (Major Papal basilica), [[Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls]] (Major Papal basilica), [[Basilica of St. Mary Major]] (Major Papal basilica), [[Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls]] (Minor Papal basilica), [[Santa Croce in Gerusalemme|Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem]] ([[Basilicas in the Catholic Church#Minor basilicas|Minor basilica]]), [[Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore|Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love]] ([[Shrine]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://civitavecchia.portmobility.it/en/itinerari/two-or-more-days/jubilee-2015-visiting-seven-major-churches-rome|title=Jubilee 2015: visiting the Seven Major Churches of Rome|date=2015-07-05|access-date=2016-09-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Churches and Basilicas in Rome| url=http://www.aboutroma.com/churches-of-Rome.html| work=ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY OF ROME| access-date=24 December 2021}}</ref> In addition to the [[Holy See]], there are numerous pilgrimage sites given by the presence of [[relic]]s and remains of important figures linked to Christianity, rather than by the memory of events that have occurred that the faithful consider [[Miracle|miraculous]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/i-santuari-e-i-pellegrinaggi_%28Cristiani-d%27Italia%29/|title=I santuari e i pellegrinaggi|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Notable churches that are a destination for pilgrimages, in addition to [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in [[Rome]], include [[Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina]] in [[San Giovanni Rotondo]], [[Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi]], [[Basilica della Santa Casa]] in [[Loreto, Marche|Loreto]], [[Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei]], [[Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua]], [[Madonna delle Lacrime, Siracusa|Basilica santuario Madonna delle Lacrime]] in [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]], [[Monte Berico|Church of St. Mary of Mount Berico]] in [[Vicenza]], [[Basilica of San Vitale]] in [[Ravenna]], [[Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo]] in Ravenna and [[Madonna di San Luca, Bologna|Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca]] in [[Bologna]].<ref name="adnkronos">{{cite web|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/turismo-religioso-in-italia-3-milioni-di-pellegrini-lanno-e-8-6-milioni-di-presenze_4xRvus8qO3yR7wEXF8bhrF?refresh_ce|title=Turismo religioso, in Italia 3 milioni di pellegrini l'anno e 8,6 milioni di presenze|access-date=30 March 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Via Francigena]] is an ancient road and [[Christian pilgrimage|pilgrimage route]] running from the [[cathedral city]] of [[Canterbury]] in England, through France and Switzerland, to [[Rome]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Secular pilgrims: why ancient trails still pack a spiritual punch |last=Stanford |first=Peter |newspaper=The Observer |date=28 March 2021 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/mar/28/secular-pilgrims-why-ancient-trails-still-pack-a-spiritual-punch}}</ref> and then to [[Apulia]], Italy, where there were ports of embarkation for the [[Holy Land]].<ref name=stopani>{{cite web|url=http://www.viefrancigenedelsud.it/static/uploads/vfs/storia_renato_stopani_-_la_via_appia_traiana_nel_medioevo.pdf|editor=Centro Studi Romei|author=Renato Stopani|title=La via Appia Traiana nel Medioevo|trans-title=Via Appia Traiana in the Middle Age|website=Vie Francigene del Sud|page=4|date=1992|language=Italian|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=11 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011130618/http://www.viefrancigenedelsud.it/static/uploads/vfs/storia_renato_stopani_-_la_via_appia_traiana_nel_medioevo.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In [[medieval]] times it was an important road and [[pilgrimage]] route for those wishing to visit the [[Holy See]] and the tombs of the [[Apostles in the New Testament|apostle]]s [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Paul the Apostle|Paul]]. Today the Via Francigena is travelled by pilgrims, especially in the last stretch of the road, the one in Italian territory.<ref name="adnkronos"/> Along the Via Francigena there are numerous places of worship such as sanctuaries, convents and churches that attract pilgrims and tourists, also for their artistic and architectural beauties.<ref name="adnkronos"/>

The ''Cammino Celeste'' ("Celestial Way") is also very popular with pilgrims.<ref name="adnkronos"/> It is a network of pilgrimage routes that connects the places of worship of [[Aquileia]] in Italy, [[Maria Saal]] in Austria and Brezje in Slovenia with the Sanctuary of Monte Lussari, located in the [[Julian Alps]] in the Italian municipality of [[Tarvisio]], made official as an international pilgrimage route in the summer of 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.turismofvg.it/it/90342/L-Iter-Aquileiense-Cammino-Celeste|title=L'Iter Aquileiense - Cammino Celeste|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913182415/http://www.turismofvg.it/it/90342/L-Iter-Aquileiense-Cammino-Celeste|url-status=dead|language=it}}</ref> Its name derives from the union of the numerous places of ancient [[Veneration of Mary in the Catholic Church|Marian devotion]] it passed through.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.camminoceleste.eu/camita/antico/antico.php|title=Antico cammino patriarcale|access-date=6 July 2017|language=it}}</ref>

===Naturalistic tourism===
{{further|Fauna of Italy|Flora of Italy|Italian garden|List of botanical gardens in Italy|List of gardens in Italy|List of national parks of Italy|List of regional parks of Italy|List of Marine Protected Areas of Italy|List of caves in Italy}}
[[File:Sentieri tra le foreste casentinesi.jpg|thumb|[[Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park|Casentinesi Forests]], [[Emilia-Romagna]]]]
[[File:Decollo - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Flamingo]]s in the [[River delta|delta]] of the [[Po (river)|Po river]]]]
[[File:Castellana's caves wolf.jpg|thumb|right|[[Castellana Caves]], [[Apulia]]]]
In Italy, there are several protected areas of various types: natural, mountain or marine parks, regional or local parks, and natural, wildlife or zoological reserves. In addition to this, there are numerous natural sites not necessarily protected by a park.

The parks of Italy include areas of land, sea, rivers and their banks, lakes and their environs which have environmental or naturalistic importance and are often valued for their landscape features and for representing particular local traditions. [[List of national parks of Italy|National parks of Italy]] cover about 5% of the country,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Parks in Italy |publisher=Parks.it |date=1995–2010 |url=http://www.parks.it/indice/NatParks.html |access-date=15 March 2010|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329203159/http://www.parks.it/indice/NatParks.html |archive-date=29 March 2010}}</ref> while the total area protected by national parks, [[List of regional parks of Italy|regional parks of Italy]] and nature reserves covers about 10.5% of the Italian territory,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/regione-e-aree-protette_%28L%27Italia-e-le-sue-Regioni%29/|title=Regione e aree protette|access-date=11 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> to which must be added 12% of coasts protected by [[List of Marine Protected Areas of Italy|Marine Protected Areas of Italy]].<ref name="uccellidaproteggere">{{cite web|url=http://www.uccellidaproteggere.it/La-conservazione/Cosa-fa-l-Italia-Le-azioni/Le-aree-protette-in-Italia|title=Le aree protette in Italia|access-date=2 March 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Italy has one the highest levels of [[Fauna of Italy|fauna]]l [[biodiversity]] in Europe, with over 57,000 species recorded, representing more than a third of all European fauna.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/biodiversita/italian_fifth_report_cbd.pdf |title=Italy's Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity |publisher=Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea |access-date=17 May 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518094031/http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/biodiversita/italian_fifth_report_cbd.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2015|page=7}}</ref> The [[fauna of Italy]] includes 4,777 [[Endemism|endemic]] animal species,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://faunaitalia.it/documents/CKmap_ITA.pdf|title=CHECKLIST E DISTRIBUZIONE DELLA FAUNA ITALIANA|page=29|access-date=10 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> which include the [[Sardinian long-eared bat]], [[Corsican red deer|Sardinian red deer]], [[spectacled salamander]], [[brown cave salamander]], [[Italian newt]], [[Italian stream frog|Italian frog]], [[Apennine yellow-bellied toad]], [[Italian wall lizard]], [[Aeolian wall lizard]], [[Sicilian wall lizard]], [[Italian Aesculapian snake]], and [[Sicilian pond turtle]]. In Italy there are 119 [[List of mammals of Italy|mammals species]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mite.gov.it/sites/default/files/archivio/biblioteca/qcn_14.pdf|title=Mammiferi d'Italia - Ministero della Transizione Ecologica|page=7|access-date=11 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> 550 [[List of birds of Italy|bird species]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/uccelli/|title=Uccelli|access-date=11 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> 69 [[List of reptiles of Italy|reptile species]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/advanced_search?location=italy&submit=Search |title=Distribution: italy |author=Peter Uetz |author2=Jakob Hallermann |author3=Jiri Hosek |date= |work=The Reptile Database |access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref> 39 [[List of amphibians of Italy|amphibian species]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legambienteanimalhelp.it/anfibi-autoctoni/|title=Quali sono gli anfibi autoctoni?|access-date=11 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> 623 fish species<ref name="fishbase">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fishbase.us/country/CountryChecklist.php?what=list&trpp=50&c_code=380&csub_code=&cpresence=present&sortby=alpha2&vhabitat=all2|title=All fishes reported from Italy|access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref> and 56,213 invertebrate species, of which 37,303 insect species.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cittametropolitana.mi.it/gev/dove_operiamo/index.html|title=Dove operiamo|access-date=11 March 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The [[flora of Italy]] was traditionally estimated to comprise about 5,500 [[vascular plant]] species.<ref>Pignatti, S. (1982). ''Flora d'Italia''. Edagricole, Bologna, vol. 1–3, 1982</ref> However, {{As of|2005|lc=y}}, 6,759 species are recorded in the ''Data bank of Italian vascular flora''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.openstarts.units.it/dspace/bitstream/10077/3767/1/Guarino%20et%20al,%20bioidentify.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226162840/https://www.openstarts.units.it/dspace/bitstream/10077/3767/1/Guarino%20et%20al%2C%20bioidentify.pdf |url-status=dead |title=Riccardo Guarino, Sabina Addamiano, Marco La Rosa, Sandro Pignatti ''Flora Italiana Digitale'':an interactive identification tool for the Flora of Italy |archive-date=26 December 2016}}</ref> Italy has 1,371 endemic plant species and subspecies,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/view/phytotaxa.168.1.1|title=An inventory of vascular plants endemic to Italy|access-date=12 March 2022}}</ref> which include [[Abies nebrodensis|Sicilian Fir]], [[Barbaricina columbine]], [[Sea marigold]], [[Santolina pinnata|Lavender cotton]] and [[Viola ucriana|Ucriana violet]].

Italy has many [[List of botanical gardens in Italy|botanical gardens]] and [[List of gardens in Italy|historic gardens]], some of which are known outside the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://initalia.virgilio.it/i-parchi-fioriti-e-gli-orti-botanici-piu-belli-ditalia-3693|title=I parchi fioriti e gli orti botanici più belli d'Italia|access-date=14 March 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.casevacanza.it/idee/i-giardini-piu-belli-d-italia|title=Top10: i giardini più belli d'Italia|access-date=15 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> The [[Italian garden]] is stylistically based on symmetry, axial geometry and on the principle of imposing order over nature. It influenced the [[history of gardening]], especially [[French garden]]s and [[English garden]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tuttogreen.it/giardino-all-italiana/|title=Alla scoperta delle meraviglie del giardino all'italiana|access-date=28 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> The Italian garden was influenced by [[Roman garden]]s and [[Italian Renaissance garden]]s.

The [[List of caves in Italy|Italian caves]] attract around 1.5 million tourists every year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/viaggi/italia/2017/04/27/news/l-italia-sotterranea-dei-turisti-speleologi-1.34624954/|title=L'Italia sotterranea dei turisti speleologi|access-date=7 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> Main concentration of Italian caves is close to the [[Alps]] and the [[Apennins]], principally due to [[Karst topography|karst]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilmeteo.net/notizie/scienza/alla-scoperta-delle-grotte-italia-turistiche-visitabili.html|title=Alla scoperta delle grotte visitabili d'Italia|access-date=7 May 2022|language=it}}</ref> Notable Italian caves are [[Castellana Caves]], [[Frasassi Caves]], [[Pertosa Cave]], [[Giant Cave]], [[Castelcivita Cave]], [[Toirano Caves]], [[Pastena Caves]], [[Borgio Verezzi Caves]], [[Grotto Calgeron]], [[Grotta del Cavallone]], [[Ear of Dionysius]], [[Grotta del Gelo]], [[Grotta di Ispinigoli]], [[Paglicci Cave]], [[Grotta dell'Addaura]], [[Arene Candide]], [[Castelcivita Caves]], [[Fumane Cave]], [[Neptune's Grotto]], [[Nereo Cave]], [[Pertosa Caves]], [[Grotta dello Smeraldo]] and [[Blue Grotto (Capri)|Blue Grotto]].

===Business tourism===
[[File:Fieramilanocity.jpg|thumb|[[Fiera Milano]]]] 
[[File:Vinitaly 2011 inside exhibition hall.jpg|thumb|[[Vinitaly]]]]
[[File:Salone nautico 47 Genova 05.jpg|thumb|[[Genoa International Boat Show]]]]
[[File:Milan Fashion Week 2.jpg|thumb|[[Milan Fashion Week]]]]
[[File:Lucca Comics 2010 - 03.jpg|thumb|[[Lucca Comics & Games]]]]
Business tourism enlivens entrances to the country and constitutes a fundamental part of the sector. Businessmen who travel to Italy also take advantage of their stay to visit the country.<ref name="hcchotels.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.hcchotels.com/it/blog/sette-consigli-utili-per-un-viaggiatore-daffari/|title=Sette consigli utili per un viaggiatore d'affari|access-date=11 August 2022|language=it}}</ref> This type includes those who use the accommodation facilities for business trips or to participate in events related to the production or marketing of various goods developed within the most disparate economic sectors. Businessmen who travel to Italy also take advantage of their stay to visit the country.<ref name="hcchotels.com"/> By way of example, some events that attract businessmen to Italy are reported:

* the [[Fiera Milano]] is a [[trade fair]] and [[exhibition]] organiser headquartered in [[Milan]]. The firm is the most important trade fair organiser in Italy and one of the largest in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Milano ha la FIERA più grande d'Europa|url=https://www.milanocittastato.it/evergreen/forse-non-sapevi-che/la-fiera-piu-vasta-deuropa/|access-date=19 October 2011|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Milan Motorcycle Show]], one of the most important exhibitions in the world dedicated to motorcycles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motociclismo.it/milano-capitale-mondiale-della-moto-moto-57048|title=Milano capitale mondiale della moto|access-date=26 July 2019|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Venice Film Festival]] is the oldest film festival in the world and one of the "[[Film festival#Notable festivals|Big Three]]" alongside [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]] and [[Berlin International Film Festival|Berlin]].<ref name=VeniceFilmFest>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-unveils-lineup-720770 |title=Venice: David Gordon Green's 'Manglehorn,' Abel Ferrara's 'Pasolini' in Competition Lineup |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |last=Anderson |first=Ariston|date=24 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218220740/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-unveils-lineup-720770 |archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/3291348/addio-lido-last-postcards-from-the-venice-film-festival/ |title=Addio, Lido: Last Postcards from the Venice Film Festival |magazine=Time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920162423/http://time.com/3291348/addio-lido-last-postcards-from-the-venice-film-festival/ |archive-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
* the [[Milan Furniture Fair]] is the most important showcase for the interiors and furnishings of the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/economia/boeri-salone-mobile-1.6350097|title=Salone del Mobile 2021, Stefano Boeri sarà il curatore della fiera che si terrà a settembre|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Milan Fashion Week]], held twice a year, is one of the most important worldwide<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lifeandpeople.it/2017/08/03/fashion-week-nel-mondo/|title=Fashion Week: le quattro settimane della moda nel mondo|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Genoa International Boat Show]], one of the world's premier [[boat show]]s, held every year towards the end of September.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smart.comune.genova.it/comunicati-stampa-articoli/inaugurato-il-61%C2%B0-salone-nautico-internazionale|title=Inaugurato il 61° Salone Nautico Internazionale|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Euroflora]], held in [[Genoa]] every five years, is the most important floral festival in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://video.repubblica.it/edizione/genova/genova-parte-euroflora-viaggio-nell-esposizione-floreale-piu-grande-d-europa/302818/303454|title=Genova, parte Euroflora: viaggio nell'esposizione floreale più grande d'Europa|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Terra Madre Salone del Gusto]] in [[Turin]] is an international [[gastronomy]] exhibition held every two years.
* the [[Turin International Book Fair]] is one of the largest book fairs in [[Europe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wuz.it/Home/AnsaNews/tabid/65/newsid/31237/Default.aspx|title=Fiera del libro: 300.000 visitatori|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.lingottofiere.it/news/it-593/salone-del-libro-2015-si-chiude-con-341-000-presenze-e-15-di-vendite-per-gli-editori| title = SALONE DEL LIBRO 2015: SI CHIUDE CON 341.000 PRESENZE E +15% DI VENDITE PER GLI EDITORI – LINGOTTO FIERE TORINO| access-date = 2016-02-28|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Lucca Comics & Games]] is an annual [[Comic book convention|comic book]] and [[gaming convention]] in [[Lucca]], the most important exhibition in Europe and second in the world after the [[Comiket]] in [[Tokyo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicsviews.it/2014/11/news-i-numeri-di-lucca-comics-2014.html|title=I numeri di Lucca 2014|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref name="I numeri di Lucca 2015">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicsviews.it/2015/11/news-i-numeri-di-lucca-comics-2015.html|title=I numeri di Lucca 2015|access-date=27 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Vinitaly]] is an international [[wine competition]] and [[Trade fair|exposition]] that is held annually in April in [[Verona]]. VinItaly has been called the "most important convention of domestic and international wines"<ref>Rick Steves ''"[https://books.google.com/books?id=0aF5kMsBcDIC&dq=VinItaly&pg=PA194 Rick Steve's Italy 2013]"'' pg 194, Avalon Travel, Jan 8, 2013</ref> and the "largest wine show in the world".<ref>Marc Vetri, David Joachim ''"[https://books.google.com/books?id=JccF30nq8QwC&dq=VinItaly&pg=PA142 Rustic Italian Food]"'' pg 142, Random House LLC, Nov 1, 2011</ref><ref>C. Michael Hall, Liz Sharples ''"[https://books.google.com/books?id=YdsTuxwo3sAC&dq=VinItaly&pg=PA13 Food and Wine Festivals and Events Around the World]"'' pg 13, Routledge, Jun 14, 2012</ref>
* the [[Bologna Children's Book Fair]] is the leading professional fair for children's books in the world.<ref>{{cite book|last=Falconer|first=Rachel|title=The crossover novel: contemporary children's fiction and its adult readership|publisher=Taylor & Francis|date=2008|volume=2008|pages=263|isbn=978-0-415-97888-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kw4IlZ3NIYgC&q=bologna+%22children%27s+book+fair%22&pg=PA17|access-date=24 March 2010}}</ref> It is held yearly for four days in March or April in [[Bologna]]
* the [[Milano Monza Open-Air Motor Show]] is an annual [[auto show]] held in June 2021 in Milan and [[Monza]], Italy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Milano Monza Open-Air Motor Show |url=https://www.milanomonza.com/ |accessdate=3 October 2020 |agency=milanomonza.com |publisher=milanomonza.com |date=3 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Milano, Il salone Open-Air Motor Show entra in città |url=https://www.repubblica.it/motori/sezioni/attualita/2020/09/10/news/milano_monza_open-air_motor_show_lo_spettacolo_entra_in_citta_-266820737/ |accessdate=3 October 2020 |agency=repubblica.it |publisher=repubblica.it |date=3 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Milano Monza Motor Show Il Salone all'aperto è spostato in autunno: ecco le nuove date |url=https://www.quattroruote.it/news/eventi/2020/04/09/milano_monza_motor_show_il_salone_all_aperto_e_spostato_in_autunno_ecco_le_nuove_date.html |accessdate=3 October 2020 |agency=quattroruote.it |publisher=quattroruote.it |date=9 April 2020}}</ref>
* the [[Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este]] is a [[Concours d'Elegance]] event in Italy for [[classic car|classic]] and [[vintage car]]s. It takes place annually near the [[Villa d'Este (Cernobbio)|Villa d'Este]] hotel in [[Cernobbio]], on the western shore of [[Lake Como]]. Since 2011, the event has taken place in the second half of May.
* the [[Festival della Scienza|Genoa Science Festival]] is an annual [[science festival]] held in [[Genoa]] since 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2003/10/25/stregati-dallo-spettacolo-della-scienza.html|title=Stregati dallo spettacolo della scienza|date=25 October 2003 |access-date=19 June 2022|language=it}}</ref> In 2006, the year in which it had 250,000 visits,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/enforcement/repubblica/2007/06/15/tommy-poggio-battezza-il-festival.html|title=Tommy Poggio battezza il Festival|access-date=19 June 2022|language=it}}</ref> the Genoa Science Festival has been selected, the only Italian initiative, among the ten best events selected in 31 countries in the field of the promotion of culture [[science|scientific]] and [[technology|technological]] at European level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2007/09/29/tra-ruggiti-vulcani-crimini-streghe-cinque-sensi.html|title=Tra ruggiti e vulcani, crimini e streghe i cinque sensi in trionfo|date=29 September 2007 |access-date=19 June 2022|language=it}}</ref>
* the [[Pitti Immagine]] is a collection of [[fashion]] industry events in  [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittimmagine.com/en/corporate.html|title=Pitti Immagine|access-date=27 July 2013}}</ref> Pitti Immagine, is one of the world's most important platforms for men's clothing and accessory collections, and for launching new projects in men's fashion. It's held twice yearly in [[Florence]], at the [[Fortezza da Basso]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittimmagine.com/en/corporate/fairs/uomo/exhibitors.html?a=0&p=&g=|title=List of Exhibitors|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> The first edition of Pitti Immagine was held in Florence in September 1972.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sonya Glyn Nicholson|url=http://parisiangentleman.co.uk/2016/01/18/10-takeaways-from-pitti-uomo-89-aw-16/|title=10 Takeaways from Pitti Uomo 89 (A/W 16)|access-date=18 January 2016}}</ref>
* the [[EuroChocolate]] is an annual [[chocolate]] festival that takes place in [[Perugia]], the capital of the [[Umbria]] region in central [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Torquati |first1=Biancamaria |editor1-last=Cavicchi |editor1-first=Alessio |editor2-last=Santini |editor2-first=Cristina |title=Food and Wine Events in Europe: A Stakeholder Approach |date=2014 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781317751939 |chapter=Eurochocolate: An instrument of valorization for Perugia and its territory}}</ref> The festival has been held since 1993, and is one of the largest chocolate festivals in [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Umbria |first1=Bella |last2=Filomena |first2=Str Santa |last3=Fax: 0744 431492 |first3=38 Terni TR 05100 Italy-Tel: 0744 471502- 0744 436456- 0744 431492 |title=Eurochocolate Perugia: the most delicious festival in Italy |url=http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/eurochocolate/ |access-date=16 June 2022|website=Bella Umbria |language=en-EN}}</ref>
* the [[Giffoni Film Festival]] is one of the most well-known children's film festivals in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilmattino.it/spettacoli/cinema/giffoni_day_successo_regioni_italiane-6044490.html|title="Giffoni Day", un grande successo: 11 città coinvolte in otto regioni italiane|date=25 June 2021|access-date=17 January 2022|language=it}}</ref> It takes place in a small Italian town of [[Giffoni Valle Piana]] in [[Campania]], close to [[Salerno]] and [[Naples]]. The Giffoni Film Festival has had a great impact in the history of entertainment and culture, not only in Italy, and it has developed a high reputation internationally.<ref name="gff-274">{{cite web|title=What the stars say about us |url=http://www.giffoniff.it/en/pageview2.php?i=274 |publisher=Giffoni Film Festival |location=Giffoni Valle Piana (SA) Italy |format=PHP |access-date=25 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122093023/http://giffoniff.it/en/pageview2.php?i=274 |archive-date=22 November 2010}}</ref>
* the [[Ambrosetti Forum]] organized by The European House – Ambrosetti, a consulting firm – is an annual international economic conference held at [[Villa d'Este (Cernobbio)|Villa d'Este]], in the [[Italy|Italian]] town of [[Cernobbio]] on the shores of [[Lake Como]]. Since its inception in 1975, the Forum has brought together [[head of state|heads of state]], [[Minister (government)|minister]]s, [[Nobel laureate]]s and [[Businessperson|businesspeople]] to discuss current challenges to the world's [[economies]] and [[societies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/indepth/ambrosetti2007|title=Villa d'Este International Workshop|publisher=Financial Times|accessdate=6 September 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081017053340/http://www.ft.com/indepth/ambrosetti2007| archivedate= 17 October 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://securingamerica.com/node/203|title=Ambrosetti Forum|publisher=SecuringAmerica.com|accessdate=6 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201091702/http://securingamerica.com/node/203|archive-date=1 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Food and wine tourism===
{{further|Italian cuisine|Italian wine|Italian meal structure}}
[[File:Espaguetis carbonara.jpg|thumb|''[[Spaghetti]] alla [[carbonara]]'']]
[[File:Salumi e vino lucchese.JPG|thumb|[[Italian wine]] and ''[[salumi]]'']]
[[File:Tiramisu - Raffaele Diomede.jpg|thumb|''[[Tiramisu]]'']]
[[File:Antica trattoria Bagutto.jpg|thumb|The [[Antica trattoria Bagutto]] in Milan, the oldest restaurant in Italy and the second in Europe.<ref name="localistorici"/>]]
[[Italian cuisine]] is one of the best known and most appreciated [[Gastronomy|gastronomies]] worldwide.<ref>For example, in 2019, the American network [[CNN]] ranked first in a ranking of the best cuisines in the world; see: {{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/world-best-food-cultures/index.html|title=Which country has the best food?|date=12 July 2017 |access-date=14 November 2021}}. According to a survey conducted by the British company of [[Marketing research|market analysis]] YouGov, out of 24 countries, was the most internationally appreciated gastronomy with 84% of total preferences; see: {{Cite web|url=https://it.yougov.com/news/2019/03/12/la-cucina-italiana-votata-come-la-migliore-cucina-/|title=Sondaggio YouGov:l'84% delle persone nel mondo preferisce la cucina italiana|access-date=14 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> Italian cuisine includes deeply rooted traditions common to the whole country, as well as all the [[Regions of Italy|regional]] gastronomies, different from each other, especially between [[Northern Italy|the north]] and [[Southern Italy|the south]] of Italy, which is in continuous exchange.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|author=Related Articles |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/718430/Italian-cuisine |title=Italian cuisine |encyclopedia=Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |date=2 January 2009 |access-date=24 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indigoguide.com/italy/food.htm |title=Italian Food – Italy's Regional Dishes & Cuisine |publisher=Indigoguide.com |access-date=24 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102020059/http://www.indigoguide.com/italy/food.htm |archive-date=2 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rusticocooking.com/regions.htm |title=Regional Italian Cuisine |publisher=Rusticocooking.com |access-date=24 April 2010}}</ref> Many dishes that were once regional have proliferated with variations throughout the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.viedelgusto.it/piccola-storia-della-cucina-italiana/|title=Cronistoria della cucina italiana|access-date=13 November 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/scoperta-e-invenzione-della-cucina-regionale_%28L%27Italia-e-le-sue-Regioni%29/|title=Piatti regionali a diffusione nazionale|access-date=13 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> Italian cuisine offers an abundance of taste, and is one of the most popular and copied around the world.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13760559 |title=How pasta became the world's favourite food |publisher=BBC |date=15 June 2011 |access-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> Italy is the world's [[Italian wine|largest producer of wine]], as well as the country with the widest variety of indigenous [[Vitis|grapevine]] varieties in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.inumeridelvino.it/2018/11/la-produzione-di-vino-nel-mondo-2018-prima-stima-oiv.html|title=L'Italia è il maggiore produttore di vino|date=25 November 2018 |access-date=11 November 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://giornalevinocibo.com/2017/06/03/italia-prima-assoluta-per-vitgni-autoctoni-ecco-i-dati-dei-vari-stati/|title=L'Italia è il paese con più vitigni autoctoni al mondo|date=3 June 2017|access-date=11 November 2021|language=it}}</ref>

One of the main characteristics of Italian cuisine is its simplicity, with many dishes made up of few ingredients, and therefore Italian cooks often rely on the quality of the ingredients, rather than the complexity of preparation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://it.latuaitalia.ru/food-n-wine/intervista-esclusiva-allo-chef-carlo-cracco-la-cucina-e-cultura/|title=Intervista esclusiva allo chef Carlo Cracco: "La cucina è cultura"|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.incibum.it/storia-della-cucina-italiana/|title=Storia della cucina italiana: le tappe della nostra cultura culinaria|date=25 May 2019|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref> The most popular dishes and recipes, over the centuries, have often been created by ordinary people more so than by [[chef]]s, which is why many Italian recipes are suitable for home and daily [[cooking]], respecting regional specificities, privileging only raw materials and ingredients from the region of origin of the dish and preserving its seasonality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cibo360.it/cucina/mondo/cucina_italiana.htm|title=Individualità territoriale e stagionalità nella cucina italiana|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gqitalia.it/lifestyle/food-drinks/2016/12/02/le-5-regole-fondamentali-della-cucina-italiana|title=Regole e stagionalità della cucina italiana|date=2 December 2016|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sololibri.net/Le-ricette-della-nonna-Alla.html|title=Nonne come chef|access-date=5 January 2020|language=it}}</ref>

[[Italian meal structure]] is typical of the [[Mediterranean Basin|European Mediterranean]] region and differs from North, Central, and Eastern European meal structure, though it still often consists of [[breakfast]] (''colazione''), [[lunch]] (''pranzo''), and [[supper]] (''cena'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.studiare-in-italia.it/php5/study-italy.php?idorizz=5&idvert=62|title=Mangiare all'italiana|access-date=12 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> However, much less emphasis is placed on breakfast, and breakfast itself is often skipped or involves lighter meal portions than are seen in non-Mediterranean Western countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/news/in-primo-piano/colazioni-strane-nel-mondo/|title=Colazioni da incubo in giro per il mondo|date=29 March 2016|access-date=12 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> Late-morning and mid-afternoon snacks, called ''[[merenda]]'' (plural ''merende''), are also often included in this meal structure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/cook/news/cards/merenda-abitudine-tutta-italiana-cinque-ricette-salutari-tutta-famiglia/merenda-come-deve-essere_principale.shtml|title=Merenda, una abitudine tutta italiana: cinque ricette salutari per tutta la famiglia|date=12 August 2021 |access-date=12 November 2021|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Mediterranean diet]] forms the basis of Italian cuisine, rich in [[pasta]], fish, fruits and vegetables.<ref>The Silver Spoon {{ISBN|88-7212-223-6}}, 1997 ed.</ref> [[List of Italian cheeses|Cheese]], [[salumi|cold cuts]] and [[Italian wine|wine]] are central to Italian cuisine, and along with [[pizza]] and [[coffee]] (especially [[espresso]]) form part of Italian [[gastronomic]] culture.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marshall |first=Lee |title=Italian coffee culture: a guide |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/6246202/Italian-coffee-culture-a-guide.html |access-date=5 September 2013 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=30 September 2009|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010212148/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/6246202/Italian-coffee-culture-a-guide.html |archive-date=10 October 2013}}</ref> Desserts have a long tradition of merging local flavours such as [[citrus fruits]], [[pistachio]] and [[almonds]] with sweet cheeses like [[mascarpone]] and [[ricotta]] or exotic tastes as cocoa, vanilla and cinnamon. [[Gelato]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Jewkes |first=Stephen |title=World's first museum about gelato culture opens in Italy |url=http://www.timescolonist.com/life/travel/world-s-first-museum-about-gelato-culture-opens-in-italy-1.15866 |access-date=5 September 2013 |newspaper=[[Times Colonist]] |date=13 October 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016062518/http://www.timescolonist.com/life/travel/world-s-first-museum-about-gelato-culture-opens-in-italy-1.15866 |archive-date=16 October 2013}}</ref> [[tiramisù]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Squires |first=Nick |title=Tiramisu claimed by Treviso |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10261930/Tiramisu-claimed-by-Treviso.html |access-date=5 September 2013 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=23 August 2013|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829091009/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10261930/Tiramisu-claimed-by-Treviso.html |archive-date=29 August 2013}}</ref> and [[cassata]] are among the most famous examples of Italian desserts, cakes and patisserie.

Italian cuisine relies heavily on traditional products; the country has a large number of [[List of Italian products with protected designation of origin|traditional specialities]] protected under [[Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union|EU law]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Keane |first=John |title=Italy leads the way with protected products under EU schemes |url=http://www.bordbia.ie/industryservices/information/alerts/Pages/ItalyleadsthewaywithprotectedproductsunderEUschemes.aspx |publisher=[[Bord Bia]] |access-date=5 September 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329075250/http://www.bordbia.ie/industryservices/information/alerts/Pages/ItalyleadsthewaywithprotectedproductsunderEUschemes.aspx |archive-date=29 March 2014}}</ref> From the 1950s onwards, a great variety of typical products of Italian cuisine have been [[List of Italian products with protected designation of origin|recognized as PDO, PGI, TSG and GI]] by the [[Council of the European Union]], to which they are added to the ''[[Indicazione geografica tipica]]'' (IGT), the [[Regions of Italy|regional]] {{lang|it|[[Prodotti agroalimentari tradizionali]]}} (PAT) and the [[Comune|municipal]] ''[[Denominazione comunale d'origine]]'' (De.C.O.).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/309|title=Lista dei prodotti italiani riconosciuti come: DOP, IGP, STG, IG e PAT|access-date=29 November 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arsacweb.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20-De.Co_..pdf|title=Lista dei prodotti italiani riconosciuti come: De.CO|access-date=29 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> In the [[Oenology|oenological]] field, there are specific legal protections: the ''[[Denominazione di origine controllata]]'' (DOC) and the ''[[Denominazione di origine controllata#Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (DOCG)|Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita]]'' (DOCG).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.webfoodculture.com/vini-doc-docg-prima-parte/|title=DOC e DOCG in Italia|access-date=29 November 2021|language=it}}</ref> [[Protected designation of origin]] (PDO) and [[Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union|Protected Geographical Indications]] (PGI) have also been established in olive growing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cittadellolio.it/2019/07/23/olio-dop-e-igp-in-italia/|title=Oli DOP e IGP in Italia|access-date=29 November 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Milan is home to the oldest restaurant in Italy and the second in Europe, the [[Antica trattoria Bagutto]], which has existed since at least 1284.<ref name="localistorici">{{Cite web|url=http://www.localistorici.it/it/Schede/view/tipo/locali-storici/categorie/per-anno-di-fondazione_1200-1299/slug/antica-trattoria-bagutto|title=Antica trattoria Bagutto|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130430180217/http://www.localistorici.it/it/Schede/view/tipo/locali-storici/categorie/per-anno-di-fondazione_1200-1299/slug/antica-trattoria-bagutto|archive-date=30 April 2013|language=it}}</ref> The cuisine is therefore often a reason for tourism in the peninsula, perhaps combined with one or more reasons previously described.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://winenews.it/it/cibus-tour-e-city-tour-proposta-integrata-di-promozione_287939/|title=CIBUS TOUR E CITY TOUR, PROPOSTA INTEGRATA DI PROMOZIONE DEL TERRITORIO: IL TEATRO SARA' PARMA (7/10 NOVEMBRE)|date=November 2002 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> There are countless food festivals and fairs spread throughout the area, from small agricultural centres to large metropolises.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conoscounposto.com/sagre-in-lombardia-e-piemonte-10-appuntamenti-per-lautunno-2021/|title=Sagre in Lombardia e Piemonte: 10 appuntamenti per l'autunno 2021|date=16 September 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The hospitality sector is slowly updating by including cultural food and wine elements in its offer to tourists, both in traditional hotels and in specially created structures such as [[agritourism]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/lifestyle/tempo-libero/soggiorni-gourmet-in-lombardia-5-indirizzi-immersi-nel-verde/|title=Soggiorni gourmet in Lombardia, 5 indirizzi immersi nel verde|date=8 July 2020 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> In 2018 the food and wine expenditure by foreign tourists amounted to 9.23 billion euros, with an average expenditure of 117 euros each.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coldiretti.it/economia/turismo-14-spesa-stranieri-al-ristorante|title=Banca d'Italia turismo internazionale, 1/4 della spesa stranieri al ristorante|access-date=26 July 2019|language=it}}</ref>

===Sports tourism===
{{further|Sport in Italy}}
[[File:Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF90 holds off Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W10, 2019 Italian Grand Prix, Monza, 8th September.jpg|thumb|[[2019 Italian Grand Prix]]]]
[[File:Adriano score vs Milan February 2009.jpg|thumb|right|[[Derby della Madonnina]] (15 February 2009)]]
[[File:Giro d'Italia 2017, dumoulin pozzovivo (34766910580).jpg|thumb|Starting in 1909, the [[Giro d'Italia]] is the [[Grand Tour (cycling)|Grands Tours]]' second oldest.<ref name="Union Cycliste Internationale">{{cite web |url=http://www.uciprotour.com/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTcxNw&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=34028&LangId=1 |title=Union Cycliste Internationale|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114060844/http://www.uciprotour.com/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTcxNw&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=34028&LangId=1 |archive-date=14 November 2012|access-date=11 January 2017}}</ref>]]

[[Sport in Italy]] has a long tradition. In several sports, both individual and team, Italy has good representation and many successes. [[Football in Italy|Football]] is the most popular sport in Italy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson |first=Bill |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26351331 |title=BBC News – Italian football counts cost of stagnation |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=10 March 2014 |access-date=12 June 2015}}</ref> Italy has won four FIFA World Cups championship ([[1934 FIFA World Cup|1934]], [[1938 FIFA World Cup|1938]], [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]] and [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]]), and is (along with [[Germany national football team|Germany]]) currently the second most successful football team in World Cup history, after [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]. [[Basketball]], [[volleyball]], and [[cycle sport|cycling]] are the next most popular/played sports, with Italy having a rich tradition in all three. Italy also has strong traditions in [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[water polo]], [[rugby union]], [[tennis]], [[sport of athletics|athletics]], [[fencing]], and [[Formula One]].

Tourism linked to sporting events is capable of attracting fans of various disciplines who, in several cases, then decide to stay to visit the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.webitmag.it/grandi-eventi-dello-sport-grandi-occasioni-per-il-turismo_3003/|title=Grandi eventi dello sport, grandi occasioni per il turismo|date=21 March 2014 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> In addition to events of a global nature, capable of attracting a large number of visitors for a longer period of time (among the major ones the [[1960 Summer Olympics]], the [[2006 Winter Olympics]] and the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]]), minor events also contribute to the development of this factor of tourism, such as individual international matches of various sports (for example the home matches of Italy during the [[Six Nations Championship]] or the matches of clubs of various sports involved in continental competitions) or tournaments of more local importance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imprese.regione.emilia-romagna.it/turismo/temi/osservatorio-regionale-sul-turismo/analisi-di-sistema-propedeutico-alla-fattibilita-di-un-modello-organizzativo-per-l2019acquisizione-e-la-promozione-di-eventi-sportivi-per-l2019emilia-romagna|title=Le potenzialità del Turismo Sportivo in Emilia e Romagna|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

The [[Serie A]] is a professional league competition for [[Association football|football]] clubs located at the top of the [[Italian football league system]] and the winner is awarded the [[Scudetto]] and the [[Coppa Campioni d'Italia]]. Serie A is regarded as one of the best football leagues in the world and it is often depicted as the most tactical and defensively sound national league.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sportfive.com/index.php?id=1182| title = The Big Five Leagues| access-date = 19 June 2022| archive-date = 24 September 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104651/http://www.sportfive.com/index.php?id=1182| url-status = dead}}</ref> Serie A was the world's strongest national league in 2020 according to [[IFFHS]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 January 2021|title=IFFHS World's Best National League in the World 2020|url=https://www.iffhs.de/index.php/posts/911|access-date=21 January 2021|website=[[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]]}}</ref> and is ranked third among European leagues according to [[UEFA coefficient|UEFA's league coefficient]], behind [[La Liga]] and the [[Premier League]] and ahead of the [[Bundesliga]] and [[Ligue 1]], which is based on the performance of Italian clubs in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and the [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] during the previous five years. Serie A led the UEFA ranking [[UEFA coefficient#Men's Association coefficient|from 1986 to 1988 and from 1990 to 1999]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ita/honours/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209055123/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ITA/honours/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 February 2010|title=Member associations - Italy - Honours –|publisher=[[UEFA|uefa.com]]}}</ref>

The [[Italian Grand Prix]] is the fifth oldest national [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] (after the [[French Grand Prix]], the [[United States Grand Prix|American Grand Prize]], the [[Spanish Grand Prix]] and the [[Russian Grand Prix]]), having been held since 1921. In 2013 it became the most-held Grand Prix (the [[2021 Italian Grand Prix|2021 edition]] was the 91st). It is one of the two Grands Prix (along with the [[British Grand Prix|British]]) which has run as an event of the [[Formula One]] World Championship Grands Prix every season, continuously since the championship was introduced in 1950. Every Formula One Italian Grand Prix in the World Championship era has been held at [[Autodromo Nazionale di Monza|Monza]] except in [[1980 Italian Grand Prix|1980]], when it was held at [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari|Imola]].

The [[Giro d'Italia]] is an annual [[stage race|multiple-stage]] [[bicycle racing|bicycle race]] primarily held in [[Italy]], while also starting in, or passing through, other countries.<ref name="Livestrong Giro Info">{{cite news|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/344716-the-history-of-the-giro-ditalia/|title=The History of the Giro d'Italia.|author=Gregg Seltzer|publisher=Livestrong|date=26 May 2011|access-date=30 July 2012}}</ref> The first race was organized in [[1909 Giro d'Italia|1909]] to increase sales of the newspaper ''[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]'';<ref name="Livestrong Giro Info"/><ref name="larousse1">{{cite web|url=http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/divers/Tour_dItalie/147186 |language=fr |title=Tour d'Italie ou Giro d'Italia|publisher=Larousse.fr |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=10 August 2012|trans-title=Tour of Italy or Giro d'Italia}}</ref> and is still run by [[RCS Sport|a subsidiary of that paper's owner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bikeraceinfo.com/giro/giro1909.html#story |title=1909 Giro d'Italia |work= Bike Race Info |publisher=Dog Ear Publishing |last1=McGann |first1=Bill |last2=McGann |first2=Carol |access-date=30 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcsmediagroup.it/wps/portal/mg/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3iXgBDLkGBLIwN_P29nA6MAj8DAYGcvA29Dc6B8JIq8oQFQ3sTfwNTJwwjIJE23v6eLgZFlWKCns5epoburGQHdfh75uan6BbmhEeWOiooAtx-tyg!!/dl2/d1/L0lDUmlTUSEhL3dHa0FKRnNBL1lCUlp3QSEhL2Vu/?wai= |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218181017/http://www.rcsmediagroup.it/wps/portal/mg/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3iXgBDLkGBLIwN_P29nA6MAj8DAYGcvA29Dc6B8JIq8oQFQ3sTfwNTJwwjIJE23v6eLgZFlWKCns5epoburGQHdfh75uan6BbmhEeWOiooAtx-tyg!!/dl2/d1/L0lDUmlTUSEhL3dHa0FKRnNBL1lCUlp3QSEhL2Vu/?wai= |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2013 |title=RCS Sport |work=RCSMediaGroup |publisher=RCS MediaGroup S.p.A. |date=24 January 2013 |access-date=20 June 2013 }}</ref> The Giro is a [[UCI World Tour]] event, which means that the teams that compete in the race are mostly [[UCI WorldTeam]]s, with some additional teams invited as 'wild cards'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUyMjQ |title=2012 – 2013 UCI Road Calendar |publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale |access-date=6 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217144300/http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUyMjQ |archive-date=17 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= Nigel Wynn |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/530629/uci-worldtour-calendar-2012.html |title=UCI WorldTour calendar 2012 |work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Limited|date=2 November 2011|access-date=6 August 2012}}</ref> Starting in 1909, the Giro d'Italia is the [[Grand Tour (cycling)|Grands Tours]]' second oldest.<ref name="Union Cycliste Internationale"/>

The [[Mille Miglia]] was an open-road, [[motorsport]] [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance race]] established in 1927 by the young Counts Francesco Mazzotti and Aymo Maggi, which took place in [[Italy]] twenty-four times from 1927 to 1957 (thirteen before [[World War II]], eleven from 1947).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grandprixhistory.org/mille_miglia_history.htm |title=Mille Miglia |date=November 2007 |publisher=grandprixhistory.org |access-date=18 August 2018 }}</ref> From 1953 until 1957, the Mille Miglia was also a round of the [[World Sports Car Championship]]. Since 1977, the "Mille Miglia" has been reborn as a [[regularity race]] for [[Classic car|classic]] and [[vintage car]]s. Participation is limited to cars, produced no later than 1957, which had attended (or were registered to) the original race. The route (Brescia–Rome round trip) is similar to that of the original race, maintaining the point of departure/arrival in Viale Venezia in [[Brescia]].

===Traditions tourism===
[[File:Venice Carnival - Masked Lovers (2010).jpg|thumb|[[Carnival of Venice]]]]
[[File:Palio di Siena - Assunta 2011 - Torre 2.jpg|thumb|[[Palio di Siena]]]]
{{further|Traditions of Italy}} 
[[Traditions of Italy]] are some set of [[tradition]]s, [[belief]]s, [[value (ethics)|value]]s, and [[Convention (norm)|custom]]s that belongs within the [[Culture of Italy|culture]] of [[Italian people]]. These traditions have influenced life in Italy for centuries, and are still practised in our modern days.

Notable traditional Italian events that attract tourists are the celebrations of the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] in Rome, the [[Festival of Saint Agatha (Catania)|Festival of Saint Agatha of Catania]], the [[Scoppio del carro]] in Florence, the Fish Festival of [[Camogli]], the [[Infiorate di Spello]], the Festival of [[Saint Rosalia]] of [[Palermo]], the [[Notte della Taranta]] of [[Salento]], the Chilli Festival of [[Diamante, Calabria|Diamante]], the Grape Festival of [[Marino, Lazio|Marino]], the [[Christmas market]]s of [[Trentino-Alto Adige]], the [[Nativity play]] of [[Sassi di Matera]], the [[Battle of the Oranges]] of [[Ivrea]], Almond Blossom Festival of [[Agrigento]], Tulip Festival of [[Castiglione del Lago]], [[May Day]] of [[Assisi]], Festival of the Knot of Love of [[Valeggio sul Mincio]], Medieval Festivals of [[Brisighella]], [[Prosciutto di San Daniele]] Festival of [[San Daniele del Friuli]], [[Festa del Redentore]] of [[Venice]], [[Macchina di Santa Rosa]] of [[Viterbo]], Rice Fair of [[Isola della Scala]], [[Barcolana regatta]] of [[Trieste]], [[Regatta of the Historical Marine Republics]] and Nougat Festival of [[Cremona]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destinazioneavventura.it/12-imperdibili-eventi-della-tradizione-in-italia/|title=12 imperdibili eventi della tradizione in Italia|access-date=13 April 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expedia.it/stories/16-feste-e-sagre-in-italia-per-scoprire-le-tradizioni-locali-2/|title=16 Feste e dagre in Italia per scoprire le tradizioni locali|access-date=15 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

[[Carnival in Italy]] plays a very important role in [[Italian folklore]], traditionally linked to regional masks, and is celebrated in many cities, some of which are known throughout the world for the special celebrations they organize for this occasion. The [[Carnival in Venice]] was first documented in 1296, with a proclamation by the [[Venetian Senate]] announcing a public festival the day before the start of [[Lent]]. Today, about 3 million people travel to Venice to take part in the famous Carnival.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/whats-with-those-mysterious-masks-the-dark-drama-of-venice-carnival/index.html|title=What's with those mysterious masks? The dark drama of Venice Carnival|last=Adams|first=William Lee|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=4 March 2014}}</ref> The [[Carnival of Viareggio]] is the second-most popular in Italy. The first Carnival of Viareggio parade was held in 1873.<ref name="IlCarnevale History">{{cite web |url=https://viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/en/la-storia/storia-e-tradizione/ |title=Timeline: the moments not to forget |website=viareggio.ilcarnevale.com|access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref> Every year, the Carnival of Viareggio attracts more than 500,000 spectators.<ref name="Morgans">{{cite web | last=Morgans | first=Katie | title=Why You Need To See The "Carnival of Viareggio" Float Parade | website=The Italy Edit | date=7 February 2024 | url=https://www.theitalyedit.com/carnival-of-viareggio/ | access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> The [[Carnival of Ivrea]] is famous for its "Battle of the Oranges" fought with fruit between the people on foot and the troops of the tyrant on carts, to remember the wars of the Middle Ages,<ref name="storicocarnevaleivrea">{{cite web |title=The Carnival of Ivrea - History |url=https://www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it/the-carnival/storia/?lang=en |website=Storico Carenevale di Ivrea |access-date=16 June 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809144133/http://www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it/the-carnival/storia/?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> allegory of struggle for freedom. It is the largest [[food fight]] in Italy and surrounding countries.<ref name="spiegel">{{cite news  | title = Italy's Biggest Battle of the Oranges  | work = [[Der Spiegel]]  | date = 8 June 2008  | url = http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,570471,00.html  | accessdate = 15 February 2010  | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100329152408/http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0%2C1518%2C570471%2C00.html  | archivedate = 29 March 2010  | url-status = live}}</ref> 

Traditional sports also attract tourists in Italy, such as the [[Palio]], the name given in the country to an annual athletic contest, very often of a historical character, pitting the neighbourhoods of a town or the hamlets of a ''[[comune]]'' against each other. Typically, they are fought in costume and commemorate some event or tradition of the [[Middle Ages]] and thus often involve [[horse racing]], [[archery]], [[jousting]], [[crossbow]] shooting, and similar medieval sports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediterraneaonline.eu/sport-dal-medioevo/|title=SPORT DAL MEDIOEVO|access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> The [[Palio di Siena]] is the only one that has been run without interruption since it started in the 1630s and is definitely the most famous all over the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/it/lifestyle/viaggi/a27599643/palio-di-siena-storia-date-curiosita/|title=Il Palio di Siena tra luci e ombre|date=June 2019 |access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> attracting tourists from every continent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/idee-di-viaggio/siena-toscana/214412/#:~:text=Il%20Palio%20di%20Siena%20attira,prenotare%20tutto%20con%20molto%20anticipo.|title=Siena: Palio e non solo|access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

Another traditional Italian sport that attracts tourists is the [[Calcio Fiorentino]] (also referred to as ''calcio storico'', "historic football"), an early form of [[football]] ([[soccer]] and [[Rugby football|rugby]]) that originated during the [[Middle Ages]] and is still played annually today in the [[Piazza Santa Croce]] in  [[Florence]].<ref>Calcio storico fiorentino ieri e oggi by L.Artusi, S. Gabbrielli, SP 44. 1989</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destinationflorence.com/it/blog/282-calcio-storico-fiorentino-tradizione-e-quartieri|title=CALCIO STORICO FIORENTINO, TRADIZIONE E QUARTIERI|access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref> Other important Italian traditional competitions that attract tourists are the [[Palio di Asti]], the [[Palio di Legnano]], the [[Palio of Ferrara|Palio di Ferrara]], the [[Saracen Joust|Giostra del Saracino]] and the [[Giostra della Quintana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/idee-di-viaggio/siena-e-non-solo-viaggio-tra-i-palii-e-le-giostre-ditalia/203431/|title=Siena e non solo: viaggio tra i palii e le giostre d'Italia|date=8 May 2018 |access-date=4 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===UNESCO World Heritage Sites tourism===
{{further|List of World Heritage Sites in Italy}}
[[File:Agrigent BW 2012-10-07 13-10-58.jpg|thumb|[[Temple of Concordia, Agrigento|Temple of Concordia]], [[Valle dei Templi]], [[Sicily]]]]
Italy is the country with the highest concentration in the world of the [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list//en/news/1049/en/list&order=country|title=UNESCO World Heritage Centre – World Heritage List|first=UNESCO World Heritage|last=Centre|website=whc.unesco.org|access-date=2021-12-20|archive-date=2020-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102083728/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list//en/news/1049/en/list%26order%3Dcountry|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=italy/> {{As of|2021}}, Italy [[List of World Heritage Sites in Italy|has a total of 58 inscribed sites]], making it the country with the most World Heritage Sites just above China (56).<ref name="auto1"/><ref name=italy/> Out of Italy's 58 heritage sites, 53 are cultural and 5 are natural.<ref name="italy">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/it/|title=Italy|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=9 April 2019|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201134320/http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/it|url-status=live}}</ref> 50% of the tourists who visit the UNESCO heritage sites in Italy are foreigners, and of these, 75% are in Italy for a cultural holiday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/piu-turisti-piu-responsabilita-l-importanza-chiamarsi-patrimonio-unesco-AEiUfOa?refresh_ce=1|title=Più turisti, più responsabilità: l'importanza di chiamarsi "Patrimonio Unesco"|date=August 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Among the most famous Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites there are [[Sassi di Matera]]; [[Porto Venere]], [[Palmaria (island)|Palmaria]], [[Tino (island)|Tino]], [[Tinetto]] and [[Cinque Terre]]; [[Val d'Orcia]]; Early Christian Monuments of [[Ravenna]]; [[Valle dei Templi]]; [[Alberobello]]; Etruscan Necropolises of [[Cerveteri]] and [[Tarquinia]]; [[Pompeii]], [[Torre Annunziata]] and [[Herculaneum]]; [[Palmanova]]; [[Su Nuraxi (Barumini)|Barumini nuraghes]]; [[Dolomites]]; [[Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan|Santa Maria delle Grazie]] and ''[[The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper]]''; [[Castel del Monte, Apulia|Castel del Monte]]; [[Royal Palace of Caserta]], [[Aqueduct of Vanvitelli]] and [[San Leucio|San Leucio Complex]]; [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]] and [[Necropolis of Pantalica]]; [[Villa d'Este]]; [[Langhe]]-[[Roero]] and [[Montferrat]]; [[Aeolian Islands]]; [[Val di Noto]]; [[Amalfi Coast]]; [[Rhaetian Railway]] in the [[Albula Railway|Albula]]/[[Bernina Railway|Bernina]] Landscapes; [[Aquileia]]; [[Duomo di Pisa|Duomo]] and the [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]]; [[Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale]]; [[Residences of the Royal House of Savoy]]; [[Parco Nazionale del Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni]], [[Paestum]], [[Velia]] and [[Certosa di Padula]]; [[Scrovegni Chapel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archetravel.com/blog/siti-unesco-italia-da-non-perdere/|title=I 10 Siti Unesco in Italia da non perdere|date=16 March 2022 |access-date=2 April 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skyscanner.it/notizie/i-20-siti-unesco-piu-spettacolari-d-italia|title=I 20 siti UNESCO più spettacolari d'Italia|date=16 August 2017 |access-date=2 April 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://viaggi.corriere.it/itinerari-e-luoghi/cards/siti-unesco-italia-piu-popolari-google/|title=Siti Unesco Italia: ecco la classifica dei più popolari su Google|date=20 October 2021 |access-date=2 April 2022|language=it}}</ref>

===Historical and artistic villages tourism===
[[File:Montefioralle - narrow street (2661134628).jpg|thumb|[[Montefioralle]], [[Tuscany]], is one of "[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia|The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy]]".]]
[[File:Norcia-La Piazza centrale con la statua di S. Benedetto - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Norcia]], [[Umbria]], is one of "[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia|The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy]]".]]

The historical and artistic Italian villages are attracting an increasing number of tourists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/18_maggio_03/turismo-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-2017-anno-eccezionale-52a2e792-4ed5-11e8-aead-38ee720fad91.shtml|title=Turismo, boom di visitatori nei "Borghi più belli d'Italia"|date=5 March 2018 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> A non-profit private association of small Italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/01/16/news/borghi_piu_belli_italia_14_nuovi_2023-383794441/|title=Borghi più belli d'Italia. Le 14 novità 2023, dal Trentino alla Calabria|date=16 January 2023 |access-date=28 July 2023|language=it}}</ref> named ''[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]]'' ({{langx|en|The most beautiful Villages of Italy}}) and affiliated to the international association [[The Most Beautiful Villages in the World]], was created in 2001 on the initiative of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities<ref name="borghipiubelliditalia.it">{{Cite web |url = http://borghipiubelliditalia.it/ |title = I Borghi più belli d'Italia, la guida online ai piccoli centri dell'Italia nascosta|access-date=3 May 2018|language=it}}</ref> with the aim of preserving and maintaining villages of quality heritage.<ref name="borghipiubelliditalia.it"/> Founded to contribute to safeguarding, conserving and revitalizing small villages and municipalities, but sometimes even individual hamlets, which, being outside the main tourist circuits, they risk, despite their great value, being forgotten with consequent degradation, depopulation and abandonment.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.travelnostop.com/news/territori/borghi-piu-belli-italia_400333 |website=Travelnostop |date=4 July 2017 |title= I borghi più belli d'Italia si confermano tappa obbligata per conoscere l'altra Italia |access-date= 3 May 2018 |language=it}}</ref> Its [[motto]] is {{lang|it|Il fascino dell'Italia nascosta}} ("The charm of hidden Italy").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.araldicacivica.it/ricerca/i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia/ |website=Araldicacivica |title=I "Borghi più belli d'Italia"|access-date=3 August 2023 |language=it |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230803211209/https://www.araldicacivica.it/ricerca/i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia/ |archive-date=3 August 2023 }}</ref>

As of November 2023, 361 villages in Italy have been listed in "The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy".<ref name="borghi">{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/2023/11/09/7-i-nuovi-borghi-ammessi-nell-associazioneo-2/ |date=9 Nov 2023 |website=I Borghi Più Belli D'Italia |title=7 nuovi borghi ammessi nell'Associazione |access-date=13 December 2023|language=it |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130115325/https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/2023/11/09/7-i-nuovi-borghi-ammessi-nell-associazioneo-2/ |archive-date= Nov 30, 2023 }}</ref> This association organizes initiatives within the villages, such as festivals, exhibitions, [[fete]]s, conferences and concerts that highlight the cultural, historical, gastronomic and linguistic heritage, involving residents, schools, and local artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/eventi-borghi/|title=Scopri tutti gli Eventi dei Borghi|date=24 December 2019 |access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The club promotes numerous initiatives on the international market.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.iicmonaco.esteri.it/iic_monaco/it/gli_eventi/calendario/2017/11/i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia.html|title = Ministero degli Affari Esteri/Istituto italiano di cultura|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303105732/http://www.iicmonaco.esteri.it/iic_monaco/it/gli_eventi/calendario/2017/11/i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia.html|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.enit.it/it/sediestere/europa/stoccolma/comunicati/1836-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia-si-presenta-ai-tour-operator-svedesi-presso-la-sede-enit-di-stoccolma.html|title = ENIT, sito ufficiale/Borghi più belli d'Italia a Stoccolma|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050738/http://www.enit.it/it/sediestere/europa/stoccolma/comunicati/1836-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia-si-presenta-ai-tour-operator-svedesi-presso-la-sede-enit-di-stoccolma.html|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.enit.it/it/sediestere/europa/londra/comunicati/2850-educational-i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-nov-2016.html|title = ENIT, sito ufficiale/Borghi più belli d'Italia a Londra|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050732/http://www.enit.it/it/sediestere/europa/londra/comunicati/2850-educational-i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-nov-2016.html|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ilikepuglia.it/ilike/i-like-russia/bari/12/01/2014/presentata-a-mosca-la-rete-dei-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia.html|title = Borghi più belli d'Italia a Mosca/12/01/2014 da Centro Economia e Sviluppo Italo Russo|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303051110/http://www.ilikepuglia.it/ilike/i-like-russia/bari/12/01/2014/presentata-a-mosca-la-rete-dei-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia.html|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.lavocedinewyork.com/travel/italia/2016/01/15/new-york-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-222/|title = Borghi più belli d'Italia a New York/VNY| date=15 January 2016 |access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303110038/http://www.lavocedinewyork.com/travel/italia/2016/01/15/new-york-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-222/|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.italcamara-es.com/it/2017/03/24/presentata-a-madrid-lassociazione-i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia/|title = Associazione Borghi più belli d'Italia presentata a Madrid/Camera Commercio Italiana per la Spagna|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050622/http://www.italcamara-es.com/it/2017/03/24/presentata-a-madrid-lassociazione-i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia/|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref> In 2016, the association signed a global agreement with [[ENIT]],<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.restipica.net/scenari/articoli/i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia-in-giappone/|title = Res Tipica, Italia da conoscere, associazione costituita da ANCI e Associazioni Nazionali delle Città di Identità|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303105613/http://www.restipica.net/scenari/articoli/i-borghi-piu-belli-ditalia-in-giappone/|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = dead|language=it}}</ref> to promote tourism in the most beautiful villages in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://stream24.ilsole24ore.com/video/mondo/in-giappone-i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia/ADOuNdHB|title = In Giappone "I Borghi più belli d'Italia"/Il sole24ore|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303105612/http://stream24.ilsole24ore.com/video/mondo/in-giappone-i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia/ADOuNdHB|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = dead|language=it}}</ref> In 2017, the club signed an agreement with [[Costa Cruises]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.costacrociere.it/B2C/I/Info/Pages/borghi.aspx|title = Sito ufficiale Costa Crociere|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303110040/https://www.costacrociere.it/B2C/I/Info/Pages/borghi.aspx|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref> for the enhancement of some villages, which are offered to cruise passengers arriving in Italian ports aboard the operator's ships.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.guidaviaggi.it/notizie/187775/costa-crociere-partnership-con-l-associazione-de-i-borghi-pi%C3%B9-belli-d%E2%80%99italia|title = Costa Crociere: partnership con l'associazione dei Borghi più belli d'Italia/GV|access-date = 2 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050814/http://www.guidaviaggi.it/notizie/187775/costa-crociere-partnership-con-l-associazione-de-i-borghi-pi%C3%B9-belli-d%E2%80%99italia|archive-date = 3 March 2018|url-status = live|language=it}}</ref>

The ''[[Bandiera arancione]]'' is a tourist-environmental quality recognition conferred by the [[Touring Club Italiano]] (TCI) to small towns in the Italian hinterland (maximum 15,000 inhabitants) which stand out for their quality hospitality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://static.touringclub.it/store/ba_doc/34_file.pdf |title=Copia archiviata |access-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107221602/http://static.touringclub.it/store/ba_doc/34_file.pdf|archive-date=7 November 2016|language=it}}</ref> The idea was born in 1998 in [[Sassello]] (in [[Liguria]]), from the need of the regional body to promote and enhance the hinterland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bandierearancioni.it/borgo/sassello|title=Sassello|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The TCI, therefore, developed an analysis model (called territorial analysis model or MAT) to identify the first deserving localities.<ref name="iniziativa">{{cite web|url=https://www.bandierearancioni.it/iniziativa/liniziativa|title=L'iniziativa|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> Subsequently, the recognition was promoted on a national scale, identifying small places of excellence in each region.<ref name="iniziativa"/> The group, as of June 2021, includes 252 villages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bandierearancioni.it/approfondimento/5-nuovi-borghi-diventano-bandiera-arancione|title=5 nuovi borghi diventano bandiera arancione|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The project is the only Italian one included by the [[World Tourism Organization]] among the programs successfully implemented for the sustainable development of tourism worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moliseturismo.net/tour-category/bandiere-arancioni-in-molise/|title=Bandiere arancioni in Molise|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>

===Tourist railways===
{{main|List of heritage railways in Italy}}
[[File:Stazione Cansano.jpg|thumb|Historic train at the [[Cansano]] railway station, along the now tourist [[Sulmona]]-[[Castel di Sangro]] railway route]]

In Italy the [[heritage railway]] institute is recognized and protected by law no. 128 of 9 August 2017, which has as its objective the protection and valorisation of disused, suspended or abolished railway lines, of particular cultural, landscape and tourist value, including both railway routes and stations and the related works of art and appurtenances, on which, upon proposal of the regions to which they belong, tourism-type traffic management is applied (art. 2, paragraph 1).<ref name="gazzettaufficiale.it">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2017/08/23/17G00141/sg|title=Legge 9 agosto 2017, n. 128|author=Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana|language=it|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> At the same time, the law identified a first list of 18 tourist railways, considered to be of particular value (art. 2, paragraph 2).<ref name="gazzettaufficiale.it"/>

The list is periodically updated by decree of the [[Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)|Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport]], in agreement with the [[Ministry of Economy and Finance (Italy)|Ministry of Economy and Finance]] and the [[Ministry of Culture (Italy)|Ministry of Culture]], also taking into account the reports in the State-Regions Conference, a list which in 2022 reached 26 railway lines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mit.gov.it/nfsmitgov/files/media/notizia/2022-03/Elenco%20ferrovie%20turistiche.pdf|title=Tratte ferroviarie ad uso turistico|language=it|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> According to article 1, law 128/2017 has as its purpose: "the protection and valorisation of railway sections of particular cultural, landscape and tourist value, which include railway routes, stations and related works of art and appurtenances, and of the historic and tourist rolling stock authorized to travel along them, as well as the regulation of the use of ferrocycles".<ref name="gazzettaufficiale.it"/>

In July 2023, [[Ferrovie dello Stato]] established a new company, the "FS Treni Turistici Italiani" (English: FS Italian Tourist Trains), with the mission "to propose an offer of railway services expressly designed and calibrated for quality, sustainable tourism and attentive to rediscovering the riches of the Italian territory. Tourism that can experience the train journey as an integral moment of the holiday, an element of quality in the overall tourist experience".<ref name="fsitaliane.it">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fsitaliane.it/content/fsitaliane/it/media/comunicati-stampa/2023/7/24/nuova-societa-fs-treni-turistici-italiani.html|title=Gruppo FS, nasce la nuova società "FS Treni Turistici Italiani"|language=it|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> There are three service areas proposed: ''Luxury trains'', ''[[Express train|Express]] and historic trains'', and ''Regional trains''.<ref name="fsitaliane.it"/>

===Nightlife tourism===
[[File:Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere (14839644614).jpg|thumb|[[Trastevere]] nightlife, major tourist spot in [[Rome]] at night<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/a-night-out-in-trastevere.html|title=A night out in Trastevere|publisher=Wanted in Rome|date=17 June 2019}}</ref>]]
The [[nightlife]] in Italy is attractive to both tourists and locals. Italy is known to have some of the best nightlife in the world.<ref name="travel365">{{cite web|url=https://www.travel365.it/migliori-destinazioni-italiane-per-vita-notturna.htm|title=10 Migliori destinazioni italiane per vita notturna|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref> The best known Italian destinations for nightlife are:<ref name="travel365"/>

* [[Milan]] ([[Lombardy]]), in particular [[Navigli]], [[Brera (district of Milan)|Brera]], [[Isola (district of Milan)|Isola]], [[Porta Romana (Milan)|Porta Romana]], [[Lambrate]], [[Idroscalo]], Corso Como, Corso Sempione and [[Colonne di San Lorenzo]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yesmilano.it/articoli/quartieri-nightlife-milano|title=I QUARTIERI DELLA NIGHTLIFE A MILANO|access-date=28 December 2021|language=it}}</ref>
* [[Florence]] ([[Tuscany]]), in particular, the neighbourhoods of [[Oltrarno]], [[Santo Spirito, Florence|Santo Spirito]] and [[Santa Croce, Florence|Santa Croce]];
* [[Rome]] ([[Lazio]]), in particular, the neighbourhoods of [[Trastevere]], Pigneto, [[San Lorenzo (Rome)|San Lorenzo]] and [[Ostiense]];
* [[Venice]] ([[Veneto]]), in particular, the neighbourhoods of Erbaria, Fondamenta Misericordia and Santa Margherita;
* [[Salento]] ([[Apulia]]), in particular [[Gallipoli, Apulia|Gallipoli]], [[Otranto]] and [[Lecce]];
* ''[[Riviera]]'' of [[Romagna]] ([[Emilia-Romagna]]), in particular [[Riccione]], [[Rimini]] and [[Cervia|Milano Marittima]];
* [[Jesolo]] ([[Veneto]]);
* ''[[Riviera del Corallo]]'' ([[Sardinia]]), in particular [[Alghero]];
* [[Ischia]] ([[Campania]]);
* [[Coast of the Gods]] ([[Calabria]]), in particular [[Tropea]], [[Capo Vaticano]] and [[Scilla, Calabria|Scilla]].

===LGBT tourism===
{{further|LGBT rights in Italy}}
[[File:Capocotta gay beach.jpg|thumb|The [[rainbow flag]] flies in [[Capocotta]], [[Ostia (Rome)|Ostia]] ([[Rome]]), a [[gay-friendly]] beach on the Italian [[Mediterranean Sea]].]]
Italy represented one of the main homosexual male tourist destinations between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.<ref name="osservatoriolgbt">{{cite web|url=http://www.osservatoriolgbt.eu/archivio/Crescita_Turismo-Turismo_lgbt.pdf|title=Crescita Turismo|access-date=29 March 2022|language=it|page=21}}</ref> In fact, in Italy there were no anti-homosexual laws, which were widespread in the countries of Northern Europe, such as the German [[paragraph 175]] or the sentences suffered by [[Oscar Wilde]] in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="osservatoriolgbt"/> Places such as [[Capri]], [[Taormina]], [[Florence]], [[Venice]], [[Rome]] and [[Naples]] were the favourite places of homosexual tourism of the time.<ref name="osservatoriolgbt"/>

This type of tourism disappeared in Italy in the 1950s due to changed political and social conditions, which favoured other types of tourism, such as "family" tourism.<ref name="osservatoriolgbt"/> As a consequence, other Mediterranean cities (such as [[Mykonos]], [[Ibiza]] and [[Sitges]]) took the place of the Italian ones for [[LGBT]] tourism.<ref name="osservatoriolgbt"/>

Today LGBT tourism in Italy is mainly an urban phenomenon, such as in [[Milan]] and [[Rome]] due to the high variety of discos, pubs, bars, cruising, saunas, B&B, restaurants, which meet all needs. of the nightlife.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.webitmag.it/turismo-lgbt-roma-le-preferite_120364/|title=Turismo LGBT, Roma la prima città da visitare|access-date=29 March 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cronaca/gay-turismo-1.4006360|title=Moda e locali, affari d'oro col turismo gay|access-date=29 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> In summer, however, the first Italian gay resort is [[Gallipoli, Apulia|Gallipoli]] which, with bars, discos, B&B and beaches, attracts people from all over Italy and abroad, taking away the primacy of [[Versilia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.happydir.com/6-turismo-gay-gallipoli-meta-preferita-in-puglia/|title=Turismo Gay: GALLIPOLI meta preferita in Puglia|access-date=29 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> The naturist beaches of Spiaggia D'Ayala, Campomarino di Maruggio, Torre Guaceto and [[Brindisi]] attract LGBT crowds from all over the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gaypugliapodcast.com/faq/the-big-gay-puglia-faq/|title=The Big Gay Podcast from Puglia: Gay Puglia Guide|access-date=29 March 2022}}</ref>

===Luxury tourism===
[[File:Porto Cervo1.jpg|thumb|[[Porto Cervo]], [[Costa Smeralda]], [[Sardinia]], in summer]]
[[File:Franchetti.JPG|thumb|[[Cortina d'Ampezzo]], [[Veneto]], in winter]]
Luxury tourism in Italy is highly developed, corresponding to €25 billion (in particular €2 billion for catering and €14 billion for visits, excursions and shopping), a figure that increases, also considering the related activities and the indirect expenses of luxury tourists, to €60 billion, which corresponds to 3% of Italy's GDP.<ref name="altagamma">{{cite web|url=https://altagamma.it/media/source/CS%20Giornata%20Altagamma%20Turismo_2505_FINALdocx.pdf|title=Turismo di Alta Gamma. Leva strategica per l'Italia|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The companies operating in the luxury tourism sector in Italy are 1% of the accommodation businesses present in the country, corresponding to approximately 3% of the nights spent in Italian accommodation facilities, but generate 25% of the total expenditure of tourists who choose Italy as their destination, and 15% of the total turnover of accommodation facilities.<ref name="altagamma"/> These data can be explained by considering some characteristics of luxury tourism where these tourists who travel to Italy spend nine times more than the average, and the most expensive hotels employ twice as many employees as an average quality hotel.<ref name="altagamma"/>

Regarding luxury tourism, Italy ranks 1st in the world for artistic-cultural tourism and food and wine tourism, 2nd place for mountain tourism and tourism in large cities and 4th place for seaside tourism.<ref name="altagamma"/> As for the most popular destinations for luxury tourists in Italy, in mountain tourism are the [[Dolomites]], especially [[Cortina d'Ampezzo]] and [[Madonna di Campiglio]], [[Trentino-Alto Adige]], especially [[Selva di Val Gardena]], and [[Aosta Valley]], in particular [[Courmayeur]], for lake tourism [[Lake Como]] and [[Lake Garda]], in particular [[Gardone Riviera]], while for seaside tourism the [[Cinque Terre]] and [[Portofino]], the [[Amalfi Coast]], in particular [[Amalfi]], [[Ravello]] and [[Positano]], the island of [[Capri]], the [[Costa Smeralda]] (especially [[Porto Cervo]]), [[Porto Ercole]], [[Forte dei Marmi]], [[Santa Margherita Ligure]] and [[Taormina]].<ref name="immobilisantandrea">{{cite web|url=https://www.immobilisantandrea.it/news/turismo-di-lusso-in-europa-grandi-potenzialit-e-pochi-investimenti#par3|title=Turismo di lusso in Europa: grandi potenzialità e pochi investimenti|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://siviaggia.it/notizie/foto/localita-piu-chic-italia/3006/|title=La classifica delle mete più costose d'Italia|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visititaly.eu/it/luoghi-e-itinerari/mete-di-lusso-in-italia-10-luoghi-da-non-perdere|title=Mete di lusso in Italia: 10 idee da non perdere|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref> As for the Italian cities, the most visited by luxury tourists are [[Venice]], [[Milan]], [[Florence]] and [[Rome]].<ref name="immobilisantandrea"/>

In particular, [[Costa Smeralda]] is the most expensive location in Europe. House prices reach up to €300,000 ($392,200) per square metre.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.engelvoelkers.com/blog/2013/europes-most-expensive-addresses-romazzino-bay-on-sardinia-leads-current-ranking/ |title=Europe's most expensive addresses: Romazzino Bay on Sardinia |publisher=Engel & Völkers Group |date=16 September 2013 |access-date=30 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711202855/https://www.engelvoelkers.com/blog/2013/europes-most-expensive-addresses-romazzino-bay-on-sardinia-leads-current-ranking/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.idealista.it/news/immobiliare/residenziale/2013/05/16/78591-e-in-costa-smeralda-la-localita-residenziale-piu-cara-deuropa| title = È in Costa Smeralda la località residenziale più cara d'Europa|access-date=3 July 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/europe-residential-news/sardinia-monaco-most-expensive-addresses-in-europe-6762.php|title=Where is the Most Expensive Address in Europe?|access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref> Development of the Costa Smeralda started in 1961 and was financed by a consortium of companies led by Prince [[Aga Khan IV|Karim Aga Khan]]. Spiaggia del Principe, one of the beaches along the Costa Smeralda, was named after this [[Isma'ilism|Ishmaelite]] prince.<ref name="CharmingSardinia">{{cite web | url=http://www.charmingsardinia.com/booksardegna/SARDINIA-Olbia-Costa%20Smeralda-Badesi.pdf | format=web | title=Guide to Olbia, Costa Smeralda, Badesi | publisher=CharmingSardinia.com | date=January 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711062529/http://www.charmingsardinia.com/booksardegna/SARDINIA-Olbia-Costa%20Smeralda-Badesi.pdf | archive-date=11 July 2009}}</ref>

===Amusement and theme park tourism===
[[File:141GardalandCastello.JPG|thumb|The entrance to [[Gardaland]] seen from inside the amusement park]]
The most visited [[amusement park]] in Italy is [[Gardaland]], with 3 million visitors per year (2019).<ref name="virgilio">{{cite web|url=https://initalia.virgilio.it/i-parchi-divertimento-piu-grandi-e-visitati-3482|title=I parchi divertimento più grandi e visitati|access-date=30 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> Located in [[Castelnuovo del Garda]], is adjacent to [[Lake Garda]]. The entire complex covers an area of {{convert|445000|m2|0|abbr=on}}, while the theme park alone measures {{convert|200000|m2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="virgilio"/> Gardaland is the eighth in Europe by the number of amusement park visitors (2019).<ref name="virgilio"/> In June 2005 Gardaland ranked fifth in the ''[[Forbes]]'' ranking of the top ten best amusement parks in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travelnostop.com/news/territori/gardaland-e-nella-top-ten-mondiale-dei-parchi-divertimento_32477|title=Gardaland è nella Top Ten mondiale dei parchi divertimento|access-date=30 March 2022|language=it}}</ref>

The second most visited Italian amusement park is [[Mirabilandia (Italy)|Mirabilandia]], with 2 million annual visitors (2019).<ref name="virgilio"/> Located in Savio, a [[frazione]] of [[Ravenna]], with a total area of {{convert|850000|m2|0|abbr=on}} it is the biggest amusement park in Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://upstylemagazine.com/mirabilandia-il-parco-di-divertimenti-piu-grande-ditalia/|title=Mirabilandia, il parco di divertimenti più grande d'Italia|access-date=30 March 2022|language=it}}</ref> Other popular Italian amusement/theme parks are [[Cinecittà World]] in [[Rome]], [[Zoomarine]] in [[Torvaianica]], [[Cavallino Matto]] in [[Marina di Castagneto Carducci]], [[Italia in miniatura]] in [[Rimini]], [[Cowboyland]] in [[Voghera]], [[Pombia Safari Park]] in [[Pombia]], [[Aquarium of Genoa]], [[Parco Natura Viva]] in [[Bussolengo]], [[Zoom Torino]] in [[Cumiana]] and [[Le Cornelle]] in [[Valbrembo]].

=== Roots tourism ===
{{further|Italian diaspora}}
[[File:Map of the Italian Diaspora in the World.svg|thumb|Map of the [[Italian diaspora]] in the world]]

Italy has experienced a [[Italian diaspora|conspicuous emigration to foreign countries]] following [[Italian unification]], [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. By 1980, it was estimated that about 25,000,000 [[Italians]] were residing outside Italy.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=King|first=Russell| date=1 January 1978|title=Report: The Italian Diaspora|journal=Area|volume=10| issue=5|pages=386| jstor=20001401}}</ref> It is estimated that the number of their descendants, who are called "''[[oriundi]]''", is about 80 million worldwide.<ref name="askanews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.askanews.it/esteri/2020/02/04/sono-circa-80-milioni-gli-oriundi-italiani-nel-mondo-pn_20200204_00081/|title=Sono circa 80 milioni gli oriundi italiani nel mondo|access-date=10 November 2021|language=it}}</ref>

This includes about 60% of Argentina's population ([[Italian Argentines]]),<ref>{{cite book |title= Britain and the Making of Argentina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jXNgInLwwIoC&pg=PA101 |page=101 |first=Gordon A. |last=Bridger |year=2013 | publisher=WIT Press |isbn = 9781845646844|quote=Some 86% identify themselves as being of European descent, of whom 60% would claim Italian links}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zingerling.com.ar/obras/geneitaliana/laargentinayloserupeos.htm |title=La Argentina y los europeos sin Europa |author=Marcello De Cecco |language=es |website=Zingerling |access-date=2020-11-24 |archive-date=2017-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626202432/http://www.zingerling.com.ar/obras/geneitaliana/laargentinayloserupeos.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> 1/3 of Uruguayans ([[Italian Uruguayans]]), 15% of Brazilians ([[Italian Brazilians]], the largest Italian community outside Italy),<ref name="Brazil">{{cite web|url=http://www.brazil.org.uk/resources/documents/bs-primary03.pdf |title=Brazil – the Country and its People |publisher=www.brazil.org.uk |access-date=20 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021152752/http://www.brazil.org.uk/resources/documents/bs-primary03.pdf |archive-date=21 October 2014 }}</ref> more than 5 million Venezuelans ([[Italian Venezuelans]]),<ref>{{Cite web|title="Noi veneti del Venezuela, siamo i nuovi profughi fantasma"|url=https://www.ilgazzettino.it/nordest/venezia/veneti_venezuela_profughi_fantasma-5025889.html|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.ilgazzettino.it|date=3 February 2020 |language=it}}</ref> and people in other parts of [[Europe]] (e.g. [[Italians in Germany]], [[Italians in France]] and [[Italians in the United Kingdom]]), the [[Americas]] (such as [[Italian Americans]], [[Italian Canadians]], [[Italian Colombian]]s and [[Italians in Paraguay]], among others), [[Australasia]] ([[Italian Australians]] and [[Italian New Zealanders]]), and to a lesser extent in the [[Middle East]].

This phenomenon has led to an important flow of tourists of Italian origin who visit the country and discover their roots.<ref name="esteri">{{cite web|url=https://www.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/italiani-all-estero/turismo-delle-radici/|title=Turismo delle Radici|access-date=17 April 2021|language=it}}</ref> The trip to Italy of these tourists is mainly about knowing the places, the language, the cuisine and the people to which their ancestors belonged.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cascinafarisengo.it/turismo-delle-radici-cos-e-esempi/|title=Turismo delle radici: cos'è e perché è importante|access-date=17 April 2021|language=it}}</ref> In 2018, about 10 million tourists of Italian origin went to the country to rediscover their roots.<ref name="esteri"/>

=== Student programmes tourism ===
[[File:Archiginnasio ora blu Bologna.jpg|thumb|[[Bologna University]], established in AD 1088, is the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|world's oldest university in continuous operation]].]]
{{further|Education in Italy|List of universities in Italy}}
A [[student exchange programme]] is a programme in which students from a [[secondary school]] (high school) or university [[study abroad]] at one of their institution's partner institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2006 |title=Stella Ting-Toomey, PhD |url=http://www.ces.uc.pt/icopromo/documents/02%20Stella%20Ting-Toomey%20-%20Developing%20Intercultural%20Communication%20Competence%20-%20A%20Mindful%20Systems%20Perspective.pdf |access-date=25 October 2014}}</ref> Italy is one of the destinations of secondary school students and university students participating in exchange programmes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://confartigianato.verona.it/categorie-cat/attualita/novita-ospitare-studenti-stranieri-impegnati-in-scambi-culturali-in-italia-potrebbe-interessarti-un-webinar-in-due-orari-per-illustrare-lopportunita/|title=Ospitare studenti stranieri impegnati in scambi culturali in Italia|access-date=22 June 2022|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edisu.pv.it/index.php?page=servizio-di-scambi-di-studenti-con-l-estero|title=Servizio di scambi di studenti con l'estero|access-date=22 June 2022|language=it}}</ref> Students who go to study in Italy also take advantage of their stay to visit the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salernotoday.it/scuola/salerno-erasmus-generation-studenti-stranieri-turismo-13-maggio-2021.html|title="Erasmus Generation", studenti stranieri in arrivo da Firenze: l'iniziativa di "Salerno in comune"|access-date=21 April 2021|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://liguriaoggi.it/2018/03/13/welcome-erasmus-day-comune-e-universita-accolgono-gli-studenti-stranieri/|title="Welcome Erasmus Day", Comune e Università accolgono gli studenti stranieri|access-date=21 April 2021|language=it}}</ref>

Italy is one of the main destinations of the [[Erasmus Programme]], fifth in Europe after [[Spain]], [[Germany]], [[France]] and the [[United Kingdom]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agi.it/estero/europa/dopo_30_anni_lerasmus_raddoppia_nasce_plus_per_i_lavoratori-1415035/news/2017-01-26/|title=Erasmus compie 30 anni e promuove programma 'plus' per lavoratori|access-date=21 April 2021|language=it}}</ref> The Erasmus Programme is a [[European Union]] (EU) student exchange programme established in 1987.<ref>Council decision, OJ L 166, 25 June 1987</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31987D0327 |title=EUR-Lex - 31987D0327 - DE - EUR-Lex |access-date=17 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017151200/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31987D0327 |archive-date=17 October 2017}}</ref> [[Erasmus+]], or Erasmus Plus, is the new programme combining all the EU's current schemes for education, training, youth and sport, which was started in January 2014.

The first five Italian universities that have hosted the largest number of students of the Erasmus Programme are, respectively, the [[University of Bologna]], the [[Sapienza University of Rome]], the [[University of Florence]], the [[Polytechnic University of Milan]] and the [[University of Padua]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dinehome.com/blog/erasmus-universita|title=Erasmus+: l'Università di Bologna è prima in Italia per studenti in mobilità|access-date=21 April 2021|language=it}}</ref> In particular, the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest university in continuous operation in the world]], and the first university in the sense of a higher-learning and degree-awarding institute, as the word ''universitas'' was coined at its foundation.<ref name="Top Universities"/><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wyjnHZ1IIlgC&q=the+oldest+university+in+the+world+Bologna&pg=PA18 |title=The Challenge of Bologna|author=Paul L. Gaston |year=2010 |page=18 |publisher=Stylus |isbn=978-1-57922-366-3 |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="Hunt Janin 2008">Hunt Janin: "The university in medieval life, 1179–1499", McFarland, 2008, {{ISBN|0-7864-3462-7}}, p. 55f.</ref><ref name="Ridder-Symoens 1992">de Ridder-Symoens, Hilde: [https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z1VBEbF0HAC ''A History of the University in Europe: Volume 1, Universities in the Middle Ages''], Cambridge University Press, 1992, {{ISBN|0-521-36105-2}}, pp. 47–55</ref> Also, University of Padua, founded in 1222, and [[University of Naples Federico II]], founded in 1224, are the oldest universities in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kamp|first=Norbert|title=Federico II di Svevia, Imperatore, Re di Sicilia e di Gerusalemme, Re dei Romani|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/federico-ii-di-svevia-imperatore-re-di-sicilia-e-di-gerusalemme-re-dei-romani_(Federiciana)|publisher=Treccani|access-date=28 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cenni Storici|url=http://www.unina.it/ateneo/cenni/index.jsp|publisher=Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II|access-date=28 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928175347/http://www.unina.it/ateneo/cenni/index.jsp|archive-date=28 September 2011}}</ref> 33 Italian universities were ranked among the world's top 500 in 2019, the third-largest number in Europe after the United Kingdom and Germany.<ref name="jakubmarian">{{cite web |url=https://jakubmarian.com/number-of-top-ranked-universities-by-country-in-europe/ |title=Number of top-ranked universities by country in Europe |publisher=jakubmarian.com |date=2019}}</ref>