Discover the 11 Best Enchanting Places to Visit in Italy in May - You Shouldn't Miss!

“I will give you the world, but you must leave Italy to me.” — “You may have the universe if I may have Italy,” remarked Temistocle Solera, Verdi’s librettist for his opera Attila in 1846. Verdi performed the role of Attila.

To put it simply, this is the primary reason why it is so challenging to select a location within this nation. There are 5,000 miles of coastline, four seas, 74 mountain ranges, 1,500 lakes, 20 regions, and some of the best art, architecture, and design in the western hemisphere.

The Best Places to Visit in Italy in May

There is a whole universe of joy. Then there is the cuisine, not to mention the people. So, where do we even start? This summer, we recommend that you check out the following locations in Italy:

1. The Island of Procida

This teeny-tiny island is a volcano, and it is only forty minutes by boat from the port of Naples. The allure of its neighbor, Ischia, has long obscured it, but those in the know are aware that it offers much more.

The Best Places to Visit in Italy in May

Its elevation to the title of Italian Capital of Culture for 2022 finally places it on the map of the world, and it welcomes tourists with a spectacular festival that includes 44 cultural projects and 150 events with 350 artists from 45 nations.

2. Chianti Wine

Even though it’s been three centuries since the first time the British fell in love with Tuscany, the breathtaking views of Chianti continue to leave them weak in their knees.

Beginning in Greve, which is home to a delectable weekend market, make your way to the heart of the wine-producing region, which is characterized by its picturesque hilltop villages and limitless spread of grapes.

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Stop by the shop of Dario Cecchini, a butcher in Panzano, to partake in his Officina della Bistecca, a boisterous feast of grilled meat served at a communal table.

3. The Matera

The opening shots of No Time to Die featured a spectacular southern hill village that was carved into the rock. Fans of James Bond will be familiar with this location.

And Matera, which has been inhabited for almost 10,000 years, is as otherworldly as any film set you could imagine. It is a cave city of “sassi” hollowed out of soft stone, producing a maze of underground residences, frescoed churches, tiny stores, water cisterns, and even a communal bread oven.

During the 1950s, it was labeled the “shame of Italy,” and the people who lived there were relocated.

4. Tropea

Nobody really knows for sure what time it is in Tropea right now. A languid, late-afternoon vibe from the year 1956 can be felt in the beach shacks with blue and white stripes that dot this stretch of the Calabrian coast.

Renato Carosone’s Tu Vuo Fa L’Americano can be heard crackling through tinny speakers, a group of elderly women is seen complaining about the cost of onions while standing in the water of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and a fisherman is seen repairing his nets in the shallows. It’s like time stood still in this resort.

5. The Abruzzi

Even though locals refer to it as “Tuscany without the English,” the middle area of Abruzzo is a whole different world from the rolling hills of Chianti.

If you’re looking for something that’s been kept under wraps, you’ve found it: 4,000 square miles of high mountains and Adriatic shoreline that even Italians have trouble locating on a map. Primo Levi referred to the people of this region as “forte e gentile,” which translates to “strong and gentle.”

6. City of Turin

The United Kingdom seems to be strangely absent from Turin, despite the fact that it is one of the most stunning examples of baroque architecture in all of Europe. The city’s glitz and sophistication would astound you even if you didn’t visit any of the 155 palaces, museums, or cathedrals shown on the map.

The nine kilometers of marble arcades hide jewel-box cafés from the belle époque; our favorite of them is the Mulassano, where you can taste a bicerin, which is a rich blend of coffee, cream, and hot chocolate.

You will be able to eat well (Turin is the home of the Slow Food movement), drink better (Barolo and Barbaresco are created just down the road), and stay in a palazzo for the price of a decent bottle of grappa when you visit this city.

7. The City of Bologna

Bologna is referred to as “la grass” (which literally translates to “the fat”) for a good reason: it is a city that is a visual feast and is home to some of the best restaurants, food shops, markets, and artisan manufacturers in the country.

It is also known for creating exquisite pasta and Parmigiano, as well as deep dark chocolate and delectable mortadella. Try eating your way from the city center all the way to Rimini along the ancient Roman route of Via Emilia, staying in hearty agriturismo, visiting food producers along the way, and pausing in the gourmet hotspot of Modena for dinner at Osteria Francescana, which has been voted the best restaurant in the world not once, but twice. This would be the ultimate food tour.

8. The Islands of Aeolia

The Aeolian Islands are a cluster of seven islands located off the northeastern coast of Sicily. They were named for the god Aeolus, who was the keeper of the winds, and they are the embodiment of low-key luxury.

However, there is a spot for everyone. Panarea, with its whitewashed houses, blue-doored mansions, and lines of yachts in the harbor, is known to draw a more sophisticated population than its neighboring island of Stromboli, which is home to a volcano.

Salina is the most verdant, with the nicest vineyards, the prettiest hotels (see the Tasca d’Almeritas’ 27-room Capofaro estate), and the velvetiest fig granita. Salina also has the best fig granita. And Lipari, the largest of the islands, is a wonderful place for family pleasure, with black-sand beaches that edge narrow bays.

9. The City of Naples

Naples has cleaned up its act, and what was once known as the rough diamond of the Italian south is now a city that positively sparkles. Put the city’s troubled past in your rearview mirror.

It has spruced up its impressive collection of churches, revitalized its opulent Bourbon castle, and is whipping up a frenzy in its high-end modern eateries, but don’t forget that it is also the birthplace of pizza.

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All of this, in addition to a world-class archaeological museum and a flourishing modern art scene, is located on a harbor that is still considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe, with Mount Vesuvius looming above and the heart-stopping history of Pompeii and Herculaneum to the south.

10. Wine from the Chianti Region

There is some of the best wine in the world, as well as some of the most breathtaking scenery. In spite of the fact that it has been three centuries since the first time the British fell in love with Tuscany, the beautiful views of Chianti continue to leave them weak in the knees.

11. The Matera