The funniest thing about my disastrous trip from Naples to Capri by fast boat is how easily it could be avoided.
My friend Megan had specifically warned me about the rough boat journey between Naples and Capri, especially in the winter months when I visited Capri (specifically, early March).
She’s emetophobic and, miraculously, still one of my closest friends even after I’ve puked or nearly puked in her presence… multiple times. Why she continues to travel with me is anyone’s guess, but I’m grateful anyway.
She had taken the hydrofoil between Naples and Capri the previous winter and was traumatized by how many people were throwing up on the boat ride over, which was only about an hour.
She warned me explicitly about the hydrofoil… and I nodded along, texting back, “Sweet, I will avoid hydrofoils!”
Me, innocently: What could go wrong? Narrator: A lot. A lot could go wrong.
… and then a few days later, unbeknownst to me, I had boarded a hydrofoil and had motion sickness so bad that it was like having an out-of-body experience, a fever, and food poisoning simultaneously.
Let’s backtrack so I can try to explain precisely how I got here.
In a hurry? Here’s the need-to-know.
The best way to get to Capri from Naples is via the Caremar slow ferry, for about €14 each way, taking 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes. Depart from Calata di Massa.
The fastest way to get to Capri from Naples is via the SNAV or NGL hydrofoils for about €24 each way, taking about 50 minutes, but putting you at high risk of seasickness. Depart from Molo Beverello.
How Not to Get to Capri from Naples (What I Did)
The ticket booths at Molo Beverello — aka, where you don’t want to be.
I often joke that travel bloggers aren’t experts at traveling; we get things wrong so that others can learn from us. Because honestly, can an AI ever board the wrong boat, have motion sickness so bad they’re practically on the astral plane, and then live to tell you about it? I think not.
Because Google is absolutely broken and useless these days, I couldn’t find a helpful blog post explaining how to get from Naples to Capri… That’s why I’m writing this guide you’ll probably never see!
Let me try to redeem myself. I looked up the boats on Ferryhopper, which I usually use for booking ferries, and saw that two companies were going to Capri, each taking 50 minutes and costing about the same. Rome2Rio also confirmed the same two companies, so I assumed that was all there was and made my plans accordingly.
Prices on Ferryhopper, screenshot taken April 26, 2024. Note the additional €3.50 fee compared to what I paid in person. Looking back, “JET” should have been a red flag, but we have already established that I am a moron.
So, anyway, the story continues. Thinking that there were only two ferry companies, SNAV and NLG, I looked up the location for the SNAV ticket office, which had the time slot I wanted. I saw it listed as “ferry services” on Google Maps and thought I had it all figured out.
For some reason, I thought that the ferry took about an hour to get to Capri and that the fast boats (jetfoils or hydrofoils) would take about half that time. So when I saw 50 minutes, I thought it was the right boat.
Where did I get these numbers? The voices in my head. I genuinely have no other explanation.
The ports in Naples are extremely confusing to find: click the links below for the exact coordinates of each port
What I didn’t know at the time, nor could I find explained anywhere online, was that there are two ferry terminals in Naples… that are basically right next to each other but are poorly differentiated. One port only serves hydrofoils and fast boats, and the other serves larger car ferries.
Adding insult to injury, I walked right past the ferry terminal I actually wanted (CalataPorta di Massa, where the large ferries depart from) on the way to the ferry terminal that would make me see God (Molo Beverello, where the demon boats… I mean hydrofoils… leave from).
So, cluelessly, I walked all the way to Molo Beverello, where I bought my ticket at the SNAV ticket booth.
I grabbed a quick breakfast bite at the port café (ah, sweet summer child), and then boarded my death trap, I mean boat, on time.
Of many bad choices, this was among the most foolish.
I did see the dreaded passing out of sick bags early in the journey, but I tried to push it out of my head. After all, I had taken a Dramamine and wasn’t on the dreaded hydrofoil (or so I thought). I’d be just fine!
The first 10 minutes were fine; the rest got progressively worse in the way that only people who get seasickness can relate to: that hot, sweaty, feverish feeling only relieved by going full Exorcist mode on a barf bag.
After emptying myself of the breakfast I optimistically purchased, the rest of the boat ride was a little less painful.
If this is your view, it’s already too late. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
I had to go into full tunnel vision mode so that I wouldn’t be triggered by the other passengers barfing around me, a true symphony of sickness.
After 50 minutes, we mercifully arrived in Capri.
Jelly-legged, I wobbled off the boat at Capri Harbor, feeling like a shell of a human and wondering what exactly had gone wrong. I had taken the ferry, hadn’t I?
The ferry that I should have taken instead
… and then I looked over to an enormous boat in the harbor.
It looked like the size of the Titanic compared to the dinghy I had just disembarked from, and I quickly realized just how wrong I had been.
What Exactly Is a Hydrofoil?
The SNAV ferry where I would, briefly, meet my maker. If you see this and you get motion sickness… run like hell, you’re in the wrong spot.
For some reason (again, the voices in my head, because apparently, I’m allergic to doing the research before a trip instead of after it), I thought a hydrofoil was a speedboat.
And so when I saw what seemed like a large boat, I just presumed I was taking the ferry. Ridiculous? Maybe, but at least you can learn from my mistakes.
A hydrofoil (sometimes called jetfoil, a type of hydrofoil with jet engines) is basically a catamaran on steroids. The ‘foil’ part comes from its wing-like structure similar to what they use on planes, but it’s actually built underneath the hull.
Think of it like a kitesurfing board, but on a boat. Powered by a jet engine. Yes, now that I know the science of it, I realize how terrifying it is.
View from the ferry, watching the hydrofoil pass by, thanking my lucky stars I’m not on it.
This foil lifts the hull above the water, reducing the drag of the water and thus increasing speed and efficiency— but also making it more prone to making people nauseous at the slightest hint of choppy seas.
I had been warned about hydrofoils when traveling around the Cycladic islands in Greece, notorious for their windy conditions and rough seas. Yet somehow, I boarded ferries just fine during that trip, not confusing them for hydrofoils.
In Greece, most islands generally only have one ferry port, so it’s easy to ensure you take the right boat… but with Naples’ confusing infrastructure (a gripe of many visitors to the city), this was more complicated. At least, that’s what I’m blaming it on here.
How to Get from Naples to Capri (The Right Way)
This should be your view when boarding the ferry!
Luckily, I didn’t book a return ticket through SNAV because I needed to figure out when I wanted to head back to Naples after my day trip to Capri. It’s maybe the one thing I got right about this whole debacle!
I was able to fix my mistake for the return journey and experience what a ferry ride from Capri back to Naples was like, since I instead chose to book my return ticket with Caremar, the large ferry that I had seen in the harbor.
In a word, it was amazing. I have no complaints. The sea wasn’t rough at all, I didn’t experience any motion sickness.
At least you can always be outside on the ferry — you’re stuck inside the boat on the hydrofoil if the sea is rough, and it usually is.
Plus, we got to sit outside and take in one of the most gorgeous sunsets in recent memory (versus the hydrofoil, where we were shut inside).
The standard ferry is also about €10 cheaper, but I’d have paid €10 more than I paid for the fast ferry to avoid how awfully sick I felt. It took about 20 more minutes, but I enjoyed every one of them!
Hydrofoil vs. Ferry: What’s Right for You?
The interior of the port in Naples, where you can buy Caremar ferry tickets
OK, look. If every minute counts on your fast-paced Naples and Amalfi itinerary and you’ve never gotten motion sickness before in your life, I can see a case for taking the hydrofoil.
It is slightly faster, getting you to Capri about 20 minutes quicker, for about €10 more.
But I can’t justify the €10 additional cost on top of how sick I felt… just to save some minutes on what is, otherwise, a very pleasant ferry ride.
I know that I sound like a giant baby in a lot of this post, but I actually take a lot of boats. I travel most of the year (actually, full-time at this point), and about two-thirds of my travels are to islands.
I also dive constantly: I logged over a hundred dives in 2023, spending over four cumulative days underwater. Of those 100+ dives, I got seasick once but never to the point where I needed to throw up.
This aside isn’t to brag but to emphasize how intense the hydrofoil experience can be, even for someone like me, who has become much more accustomed to boats!
Don’t underestimate it. Save the extra €20 roundtrip — spend it on a few spritzes or some fresh OJ– and enjoy the scenic route!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Eyesore or eye-catching? Opinions on Paris’ Tour Montparnasse, or Montparnasse Tower in English, have always tended towards one extreme or the other; either way, it sparks reactions.
Reactions were so severe, in fact, that after it was finished in 1973, there was a tremendous outcry. The uproar continued to be so loud that two years later, the city banned the construction of any building taller than seven stories—quite clearly a pointed jab at the Tour Montparnasse.
That sentiment continues today among Parisians and visitors. There’s an oft-repeated tongue-in-cheek joke about the Tour Montparnasse having “the best views in the city because it is the only place from which you cannot see it.”
And honestly, while in my opinion, the Montparnasse Tower is not as spectacularly ugly as everyone makes it out to be, they have a solid point. The tower is also not particularly interesting either; paradoxically, that’s exactly what makes it such a good observation deck.
The Tour Montparnasse sticks out like a sore thumb — not great for the aesthetic of the neighborhood, but amazing for views.
It’s somewhat pointless to climb up the city’s most iconic viewpoint in search of its best view, which is why I opted not to climb the Eiffel Tower.
I make this point in my article about New York’s observation decks when I mention the cons of going up the Empire State Building; when you can’t actually see the city’s most iconic sight, what’s the point?
And the same rings true for the Tour Montparnasse. Since you honestly won’t really miss seeing it, you have nothing to lose by being atop it.
What Can You See from Tour Montparnasse?
Not bad views of the Eiffel Tower, even on a cloudy, foggy, rainy day!
The best thing about the Tour Montparnasse, which stands out distinctly (for better or worse, mostly worse) among Paris’ architecture, is that you can quite literally see almost the entire city from its heights.
Paris isn’t a very built-up city, so the fact that the Montparnasse Tower stands so tall in its skyline really benefits it (and is part of why it attracts so much ire, being such an outlier).
From the Tour Montparnasse, you can see virtually every important Paris building. I’m not kidding. I can’t think of one building I wanted to see but didn’t.
Want front-row seats to the Eiffel Tower? You’ve got them. And the Louvre? That, too. Even the teeny-tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Sacre Couer up on the hill all the way in Montmartre? Yup, it’s there!
One cool thing? On the interior of the 56th floor, decals on the floor show you exactly what you are looking at in the distance, in case your Paris geography is not top-notch!See how you can see the exact footprint of the Louvre and understand the parameters and size of the building after looking at the floor decal? How cool is that!
The Tour Montparnasse consists of two main levels for visitors: the 56th floor, which is indoors and gives you about 180-degree access to Paris’ best views.
Honestly, I particularly loved this interior part because there’s really nothing that you miss on the other 180-degree part of the view, because this part of the city isn’t very scenic and doesn’t have any major attractions.
Also, the glass windows are quite clean and well-kept, so you don’t miss anything from taking pictures through the glass (something I did not find to be the case when I visited One World Observatory in New York City).
Here is an example of some of the photos I took inside the observation deck on the 56th floor so you can see what kind of photos you can capture. Note that I’m just using a simple Google Pixel phone and using my 2x and 5x zoom functionality — I’m not even using a fancy camera!
The Les Invalides and Napoleon’s tomb areaHard to see, but that’s the Sacre Couer Basilica and Montmarte in the distanceThe Jardin du Luxembourg in front of the Senate
The interior 56th floor of the tower is also good because it’s, well, inside and as you might be able to tell from my photos, which were taken in early March of 2024.
So despite the fact that you don’t get the best and clearest photos, it can still be a good activity for a rainy day in Paris.
But wait a second, because I’ve only discussed what you can see on the 56th floor so far. Let’s go up the stairs and see what you can see from the terrace!
There are 3 flights of stairs (in a quite dingy stairwell) that you must climb to reach the top terraceI love all the placards showing what you can see (in theory!) from the Tour Montparnasse
When I visited the Tour Montparnasse, it was an incredibly (and characteristically) rainy and gloomy day in Paris. I’m talking down-pouring rain and temperatures of 3° C / 37° F.
I literally found myself feeling colder in Paris in March than I had during Svalbard in February the month prior, so it was really nice to be able to see all these gorgeous views from the inside.
There’s also an outdoor terrace on the 59th floor, where you have full 360-degrees of all of Paris… which I’m sure is lovely on a sunnier, less gloomy day, but it was a little hard to enjoy when I visited.
The 59th floor of the observation deck has some stereotypical “photo spots” like the <3 Paris signAnother installation you can take photos with — this one frames the Eiffel Tower perfectly!
You might not be able to tell perfectly from the photos, but there is actually a small amount of glass roofing over the main “walkway” perimeter of the 59th floor. That’s actually quite a nice touch (and definitely a nod to how aware Paris is of just how often it rains there!).
However, the whole “arena”, shall we say, of the top terrace is completely open. When it’s so windy that it’s practically raining sideways in Paris (again, not uncommon), you’ll definitely get quite wet and cold!
As a result, my time up on the 59th floor was quite limited before I went back down to the warmth of the 56th floor — and here’s where you can find a café if you want to pause for a drink!
Le Cafe 360 on Floor 56
There’s also a café on the 56th floor where you can warm up with a view
Being somewhat of an observation deck junkie, I’ve seen many an overpriced café selling things at 4-5 times the price of what you’d pay on the ground.
I was surprised that the prices at Le 360 Café were actually only about 50% higher than you’d pay at an average place in Paris — and on par with what you’d pay within a short walking distance of attractions like Le Louvre.
At least, that was my observation during my March 2024 visit — prices may have changed since then, but this is what I saw and am reporting back on!
Prices are surprisingly affordable!
If you can’t read the writing on the menu, it reads: €2.80 for an espresso or café allongé (what we call an americano, or what would be most similar to a brewed coffee back in the U.S.), €4 for a double espresso, €4.20 for a cappuccino, €4.20 for a hot chocolate, and €3.80 for a tea.
Fancy something more, well, fancy? A glass of Champagne (and it being France, trust that it will actually be Champagne and not just sparkling wine — real ones know) is €13 for a glass or €75 for a bottle.
A glass of house wine (red, white, or rosé, pick your poison) would be a mere €5… ah, how I love French wine… or a bottle for €24. There are some other options — beer, lemonades, soft drinks, etc. but I thought I would highlight the more interesting offerings.
Getting to the Tour Montparnasse
The Gare Montparnasse, part of the Montparnasse-Bienvenüe metro stop. This view is seen as you are leaving from Tour Montparnasse and heading back towards the metro.
Paris’s metro is perhaps the most well-connected metro system in the world. My quibbles about its annoying validation system aside, you can get virtually anywhere in the city fairly seamlessly, and the Tour Montparnasse is no exception.
Take the metro to Montparnasse-Bienvenüe, which is served by both line 12 and line 4. And here’s my most important tip to save you a bunch of walking: take exit 7, Rue du Départ.
The Paris metro has a lot of different exits for every station, and Montparnasse-Bienvenüe is one of its larger stations as it connects with Gare Montparnasse, where the TGV (high speed train) departs from.
Picking the right exit will save you a bunch of time and backtracking! With the correct exit, it’s only a 300 meter walk (about 4 minutes) from the metro.
As you approach Tour Montparnasse, veer slightly to your left — you’ll want to enter the main building area, pictured here:
This area is where you enterIf you see this sign, you’ve walked too far and need to backtrack towards the front entrance.
Once you see the Tour Montparnasse’s entrance, it’s pretty simple to go up.
It goes in a few stages, and in case you’re an anxious traveler like me who wants to know all the steps so you can’t somehow fail at visiting a place you’ve never been to before, I’ve outlined them below.
You must go through a security checkpoint on the ground floor
First, you enter at the ground floor and pass through an airport-style security checkpoint.
The line can be a bit confusing here if you arrive a few minutes early, before the security desk opens, like I did. I recommend waiting on the left-hand side as this is where the line actually begins, not the right-hand side.
The staff will not check your tickets at this stage; they just will make sure you don’t have any of the prohibited items.
Follow this sign to reach the elevator
Second, you follow the signs to the “visite panoramique” or panoramic visit; it also notes that there is where the “billeterie” or ticket booth is so if you do not already have your ticket you can buy it after you’ve taken the elevator.
Follow this sign (and the crowds) and it will bring you to the elevator. Pretty simple!
Next, just wait for the elevator to bring you to the 56th floor. This elevator is extremely fast, supposedly the fastest in Europe — it takes just 38 seconds to go up 56 floors! — so I didn’t wait long at all.
No lines to buy tickets at 9:30 AM on a weekday in March… but there may be lines at other times, so I recommend pre-booking your ticket!
Finally, once reaching the 56th floor, you’re there! Either show your pre-purchased ticket on your phone (recommended) or stand in line at the ticket booth to buy your ticket on-site.
Congrats — you’ve reached the Tour Montparnasse; now enjoy the views.
Are the Lines for Tour Montparnasse Long?
Visiting in March meant limited lines and not too crowded!
Luckily, unlike most Paris attractions, I found visiting the Montparnasse Tower quite simple and fast.
That said, I still made things easier for myself and booked skip-the-line tickets online so I could just show my ticket voucher.
Despite visiting many of the world’s most popular cities, I’ve never found lines quite as unwieldy as Paris’s, even in the off-season (and remember — I visited during a rainy period in the beginning of March).
I can’t say for sure what visiting Montparnasse Tower would be like in the summer… but there are probably way longer lines than I encountered in the off-season!
Still, it’s definitely easier than more popular and crowded Paris sites like the Louvre, which require a huge amount of willingness to deal with lines. Despite having pre-booked my Louvre tickets in advance, I still waited 45 minutes in the pouring rain on a random weekday afternoon.
On the other hand, I had booked the first slot of the Tour Montparnasse (at 9:30 AM) and arrived there a few minutes beforehand. I only waited about 5 or 10 minutes from when the Tour Montparnasse opened before I was 56 floors up, admiring its stunning views!
Tour Montparnasse Hours
View of the Montparnasse Cemetery from above – how crazy!
Many travel blogs are actually out of date on this topic, and the Montparnasse Tower has greatly expanded its hours of operation as its popularity has increased.
While the Tour Montparnasse isn’t the most central of Paris attractions, it’s open more than 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it easy to fit into your Paris itinerary.
The first slot of the day opens at 9:30 AM, and that’s when I chose to visit, since I was staying in Montparnasse so arriving there that early was pretty easy. The last slot is at 10 PM daily, so you could go at night as well.
Personally, I wouldn’t go that late at night. I think it’s worth reserving some daylight hours to see the Montparnasse Tower.
Don’t miss the nearby Paris Catacombs – just be prepared and pre-book your tickets!
Like I’ve said above, one of the main reasons why the Tour Montparnasse has such good views because it’s tucked away in the 14th arrondissement, far enough away from Paris’s sites that you get a spectacular view.
But does that mean there’s nothing to do in that area? Not at all!
Since I stayed in Montparnasse on my most recent trip to Paris, I got to know this neighborhood a bit below the surface. Since I’ve visited Paris many times and always stayed smack-dab in the center, it was really nice to see a slightly more offbeat side of the city.
Montparnasse is an especially good option if you are visiting Paris for a short time on a trip to France and want to be near the TGV to take advantage of its excellent high speed trains.
After seeing Montparnasse Cemetery from above, check it out from ground level!
So what to do before or after visiting the Tour Montparnasse? I’d suggest visiting the incredibly interesting and historic Montparnasse Cemetery next.
Whether you just go for an aimless wander or look at the gravestone directory so you can visit some of your favorite historical figures like Jean-Paul Sartre, both ways are a great way to enjoy a walk in this quiet corner of Paris.
I also suggest you visit the Paris Catacombs on the same day as going to the Montparnasse Tower because they are fairly close to one another.
It’s about a 15-minute walk (0.8 miles or 1.2 km) between the two — and that time goes by even quicker when you stop off at the cemetery in between.
The Paris Catacombs are a must-visit and just a short walk from the Montparnasse Tower
I’m writing a post all about visiting the Paris Catacombs that reminds you of common pitfalls so you don’t make them before your trip!
Unlike the Tour Montparnasse, you’ll absolutely need to plan your Catacombs tickets in advance, so be aware of that!
You can try to save money and book it on the official website, but those slots go quickly since they only release 7 days ahead of time in advance.
As of writing, when I look at their website, I can only find tickets for 5 and 7 days from today… and it’s April, not yet high season. During high season, you’d probably check back every day at midnight (Paris time) to grab tickets as soon as they’ve been added.
Unless you’ve planned ahead exquisitely, you’ll have more luck buying one of the reserved slots on a site like GetYourGuide which have a deal with Catacombs to pre-purchase entry tickets. It’s a few euros more than buying it on site (which already costs an eye-watering €29) but you can book several weeks in advance and not worry about.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Planning a trip to Morocco involves a lot of components, but easily, one of the most fun parts is sifting through all the picture-perfect Marrakech riads and dreaming about which one you want to wake up in.
Riads are an indispensable part of a Marrakech trip: these historic family-run Moroccan guesthouses located in the old medinas are quite literally reason enough to travel to Morocco.
It can be utterly overwhelming to pick where to stay in Marrakech, so I’ve written this guide [and fully revamped it for 2024, picking new properties that have arisen since I last wrote the post].
My goal with this post is to show you all the best riads in Marrakech for all budgets (skipping over bigger luxury hotels) — this way, you can spend more time planning other parts of your Morocco trip, like taking a trip to the Sahara desert or deciding what to wear.
What is Staying in a Riad Like?
Morocco is a country that is largely hard to access for tourists, where culture dictates a big divide between not only men and women, but also locals and visitors.
Most riads are quite small and intimate, with a central floor plan based around an open central courtyard with plenty of lounge spaces to access, as well as a roof terrace.
Meanwhile, up above on the floors surrounding the courtyard, there are private rooms with their own en-suite bathrooms.
Since you are being hosted by a local family, often the same family who has owned the house for generations, these Marrakech riads are a special liminal ‘third space’ where you are hosted and thus get a small glimpse into the lives of locals.
Riads can range from small and humble (Shakira, Shakira) to much more luxurious, with spa and pool amenities.
Why Stay in a Riad?
So, you might wonder, aren’t there any hotels in Marrakech? Well, yes, but a riad is a much better choice.
Partly, it’s because Marrakech riads are insanely photogenic, but that’s not the real draw of staying in one (for me, anyway). It’s all about the host. Your riad hosts can make a huge difference in your stay – recommending guides, drivers, and off the beaten path spots where you won’t get ripped off as a tourist.
Unfortunately Marrakech is a bit of a viper’s den: scams are rampant and it’s a rite of passage to get taken advantage of in some way, shape, or form during your time there.
But your riad host is almost like a ‘fixer’ – solving cultural and logistical problems, negotiating fair deals (though of course, not just out of good will — they’ll also get a small cut), and just generally helping you navigate the more difficult aspects of Moroccan culture for outsiders.
Since they typically only has a handful of guests at one time, as a riad is much, much smaller than your traditional hotel, they can offer you that 1:1 attention that Marrakech, quite frankly, demands.
How Much Does Staying in a Riad Cost?
I’ve picked gorgeous and stylish Moroccan riads in each budget category for a wide selection of the top riads in Marrakech.
For the purposes of this article, I’ve generally defined budget as being generally under $100 USD a night, mid-range as $100-200 USD a night, and luxury as $200+ USD per night.
However, keep in mind that prices do fluctuate depending on room type/size available, time of year, and other variables, so use the budget categories as a guide rather than as gospel.
You may see some hotels in the luxury category for as little as $100 a night in certain low seasons (mid-summer and the dead of winter, generally), so these are really loose guidelines, but they should be helpful in getting started.
My Top 3 Picks for Marrakech Riads
This post can admittedly be a bit overwhelming, with a whopping 21 options!
If that’s overwhelming, I’ll give my top pick for each budget category below, so you can more quickly navigate this post.
#1 LUXURY PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Angsana ✔️ Pool, spa, courtyard, and rooftop terrace ✔️Colorful Moroccan decor
The amount of beautiful public spaces Angsana has is hard to comprehend.
You’ll really feel like you’re a guest in someone’s mansion, between the courtyard, the rooftop terrace, lounge with reading nooks and fireplace, outdoor pool, hammam and indoor pool, tea and breakfast rooms, etc.
You could play one epic game of hide-and-seek in this riad, that’s for sure.
from Hotels.comfrom Hotels.com
The attention to detail here is what sets this riad apart.
From the daily fresh flowers in their fountains to the beauty of their free continental breakfast spreads to the gorgeous pots they serve their rave-reviewed tagines in, everything is beautiful here.
from Hotels.comfrom Hotels.com
Their rooms are also quite beautiful, with genuine Moroccan furnishings and beautiful artwork that complements the rooms perfectly. Some rooms have a bathroom with their own tub, whereas others have showers.
Every room in this riad is a little different (and that’s what makes it special) so be sure to sort through the room photos before you pick your room.
If we’re purely talking aesthetic value, Riad El Hara is one of the most Instagrammable riads in Marrakech. Every corner, from its jade and mint colored courtyard to its ornate arches with gauzy curtains to its beautiful cerulean-tiled rooftop pool, begs you to photograph it.
But a luxury riad isn’t just about looking nice in pictures, of course: it has to have the service and amenities to back it up.
from Hotels.comfrom Hotels.com
Besides the standard spa and restaurant, this riad also offers a library, free airport pickup, and even in-room childcare (at an additional cost, of course, but this is really useful for families who want some 1:1 couple time).
The shared properties are really lovely, but to be honest, they often are in riads of all budgets.
What really sets apart a luxury riad from a more modest one is what the private rooms are like: and here is where Riad El Hara excels.
from Hotels.comfrom Hotels.com
Their rooms are soundproofed (something you’ll appreciate when that before-sunrise call to prayer warbles on), with large sitting areas separated from the bed area.
Many of the rooms have fireplaces, and the bathrooms are so gorgeous they look like they’re straight out of an interior design magazine.
The beds are very comfortable, with memory foam beds, Egyptian cotton sheets, and down duvets (great if visiting in the cooler months of the year). And if you’re visiting in the hotter months, of course, the hotel has A/C.
Another gorgeous luxury riad option, Riad Almask has one of the most beautiful roof terraces in Marrakech, all the better for their generous daily breakfast spread.
With sun loungers, arches, and plenty of interesting architectural elements, this sets it apart from more standard riad roof terraces.
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Their courtyard is lovely too, with a floor with a beautiful rainbow mosaic of tiles, a fountain overflowing with freshly picked flowers, and tons of lounging areas in little nooks and crannies.
And don’t forget that beautiful hammam!
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The rooms are some of the most spectacular and unique of all the Marrakech riads listed here. I particularly love how detailed and intricate the painted ceilings are: it’s like laying in bed and looking up at a piece of art.
The seating areas are also quite spacious so you have a lot of room to spread out and not feel cramped in your bedroom, something I really appreciate as a messy traveler.
Some riads opt for a more minimalist style; Riad Dar Anika is all about maximalism and expression.
With an ornate dining room that looks straight out of a Moorish palace, there’s simply a feeling of elegance in much of the riad, perfect for those who really want to feel pampered.
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Compared to the maximalist style of the rest of the riad, the rooms are a little simpler, which makes them feel more spacious.
You’ll find all the typical Moroccan design elements you want but in an uncluttered atmosphere.
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Other amenities include a roof terrace, a covered plunge pool in the courtyard, on-site spa offering massages and treatments, and on-site babysitting for an additional charge.
There’s a lot to love about Riad Les Yeux Bleus (Riad Blue Eyes in English) but let’s start with that gorgeous pool and courtyard!
Another thing I think is quite special about it is how colorful its rooms are, with options ranging from canary yellow to brilliant blue, all with fun pops of color.
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Besides its beautiful rooms and courtyard, it also has a lovely rooftop courtyard, an on-site café and a bar/lounge. However, note that it doesn’t have an on-site spa!
You can ask the concierge to arrange you a spa day, but it’s worth noting there’s no on-site hammam.
This luxury riad has one of the best locations in Marrakech: just a one-minute walk from Jemaa El Fna Square (and a few minutes more to the souks for shopping).
The rooftop views of Koutoubia Mosque and the medina are hard to beat, too!
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Besides its great location, there’s also all the perks you’d get with a typical riad of this caliber: a wonderful courtyard with a pool, an on-site spa and hammam with hot tub, and in-room breakfast.
The rooms are lovely and charming, very typical of Morocco with some unique art, and some even have a spa bath or a fireplace.
With a garden straight out of Eden and a nautilus-shaped small plunge pool that would make Fibonacci proud, the courtyard of Riad Les Ammonites is everything you look for in a Marrakech riad.
The room types are varied and unique, each with their own distinct personality evoking the beauty of the medina (without any of the chaos of it)
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Despite being a budget-friendly property, it’s also an all-in-one destination. There’s an on-site spa with a Turkish bath (hammam) where you can also request massages and other treatments.
There’s also a delicious restaurant in-house serving homestyle Moroccan cooking.
With a lovely aesthetic, the eco-friendly Riad Le Rihani is one of the most stylish and Instagrammable riads in Marrakech on this list — you’ve probably already seen photos of that pool before ever reading this post.
From the moment you arrive and are welcomed with traditional Moroccan pastries and mint tea, you’ll feel at home.
Centered around an outdoor pool, there’s also a rooftop terrace where you can relax in a canopy bed, a hotel library, a fireplace area, and a hammam offering a handful of different massage treatments.
Each room has its own individual personality, stylishly decorated with a luxe yet relaxed Moroccan aesthetic.
Photo Credit: Riad Le Rihani
In terms of rooms, there are everything from double rooms to suites to larger 4-person family suites if you want or need more space.
Since many riads in Marrakech can be a little on the cramped side, the spaciousness of Riad Le Rihani is a huge plus, especially for couples or for families.
The courtyard at Riad Yamina 52 is basically a garden which the entire riad is built around, complete with a dip pool in the middle of everything so you can fresh after a hot day out exploring the medina.
There’s also a gorgeous cradle of trees above it, shielding the pool (and your skin!) from the sun.
Image Credit: Riad Yamina 52
There’s also a rooftop terrace to enjoy a shady mid-day break from exploring Marrakech when you want some peace and quiet.
The rooms are pretty much a Morocco-inspired Pinterest board come to life: beautiful rugs, traditional lanterns, wooden furniture, colorful textiles.
There are a variety of rooms at a range of price points, from surprisingly affordable doubles to more luxurious suites.
This captivating courtyard’s aesthetic is almost reason enough to book this charming riad. The fact that it scores a 9.7/10 on Booking, a near perfect score, almost helps seal the deal.
Similarly, there’s an on-site spa and hammam with massage services as well as a restaurant serving up Moroccan food cooked from the heart.
The big difference from other Marrakech riads? This is an adults-only property, making it perfect for a romantic, childfree escape.
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The style inside the rooms may be traditional, but the rooms are quietly, modernly luxe: Tempur-pedic mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets for all.
Now that’s a recipe for a good night’s sleep. And with how delicious breakfast the next morning looks… you just might wake up drooling.
The design of this riad is understated beauty at its finest: white walls broken up with pops of color, beautiful tilework, plants, and a touch of intricate, local detail.
This central Marrakech riad has a plunge pool and hammam on site — and at night, the courtyard gets an even more magical look with lanterns and candles surrounding the pool area.
From beautifully embroidered pillows on a bench inviting you to relax, traditional leather poufs to sit on, wood elements, intricate Moroccan tilework, this Marrakech riad screams tasteful luxury, whereas some other riads can be a little over-the-top in their design.
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The rooms are large, extremely spacious, and a beautiful mix between modern and traditional Moroccan elements, with soaringly high ceilings and tasteful decoration. Some even have spa baths!
The riad is slightly larger than others, as it’s a combination of two family-owned riads which have been blended together; the original property dates back centuries and the walls are over 300 years old!
From the gorgeous pool to the plush Berber rugs to its colorful aesthetic, BCK Art Riad stands out in every way.
There are so many nooks and crannies of this designer riad to relax in, and there’s colorful art on the walls to add vibrancy and a modern touch to the more traditional Moroccan elements.
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The rooms are decorated in a more modern style, with quirky wall art, white linens, and exposed wood elements, perfect for someone who prefers a little more of a streamlined look rather than over-the-top glamor.
One thing to note — this riad is a little more away from Djemaa El Fna than others – about 1 kilometer away – but this means it’s a little extra tucked away from the noise.
If you don’t mind foregoing a courtyard pool, this is a great riad in Marrakech!
You can still enjoy all the beautiful aesthetics of a top-quality stay without the triple digit price tag.
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The rooms are still beautiful — think lots of wood detailing, stained glass windows that stream in light beautifully, and all sorts of ornate carvings original to the design.
If you want to save on your stay in Marrakech but still enjoy riad amenities like a pool, Riad Eloise is a great choice.
So what’s the catch? It’s a 15-minute from the main square, but personally, I find that a blessing, not a curse!
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Other than that, it’s a great stay, with a rooftop terrace, pool, and in-house restaurant. Note that there is no spa, so you’ll have to make reservations elsewhere if you want pampering.
The rooms aren’t the most updated, but for the price, you have to make a sacrifice or two.
The courtyard of this Marrakech riad is a little unique in that the plunge pool is covered and set aside rather than being underneath the hot sun.
This is great for summertime swimmers who don’t want to burn! It has a really lovely atmosphere, too, and the courtyard is a great place to enjoy your daily breakfast.
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The rooms of the riad are quite beautiful, integrating traditional wooden Moroccan furnishings with eclectic textiles for a place that truly feels personal and distinctly Marrakech.
This property is also adults-only, making it great for couples looking for some quiet R&R time without the noise of kids. There’s also a spa, as well as a rooftop terrace to enjoy mint tea and mocktails on.
One of the big reasons to pick a Marrakech riad comes down to how much you like the courtyard. Unlike traditional hotels, where you spend more time in your personal room, Marrakech riad courtyards are the main public space you’ll enjoy.
While this particular budget riad doesn’t have its own plunge pool, th e courtyard makes up for it with a dense grove of orange trees, a colorful sitting area, and rooftop terrace if you want to change it up and relax with a view.
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The hotel utilizes a lot of color in its design, with vibrant monochromatic rooms with lots of Moroccan detailing and decor, including en-suite bathrooms inspired by hammams.
I also love the attention to detail all throughout the riad, like how the upper floor’s walkways that overlook the courtyard are lined with beautiful blue tilework that reminds me of Turkey’s famous Iznik ceramics.
This lovely budget-friendly riad is still quite aesthetic!
It has its own plunge pool and a really beautiful red and pink tiled courtyard, complete with some trees for greenery. No spa, though, so take note of that.
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The rooms aren’t extremely modern but that’s part of the charm. They have some original detailing from the riad, like wood-carved ceilings and stained glass windows in the rooms.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa may just be the world’s most successful failure.
Its unintended tilt results from a few careless mistakes and many painstaking fixes, and its unique history is a marvel that captivates visitors to this day.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa was never supposed to be anything special. It was constructed in the 12th century by Bonanno Pisano, a relatively unknown architect.
Look at how much it leans! Taken March 2024
It was intended to be a simple belltower for the Cathedral of Pisa. Easy, no?
Well, many things went awry… why is why it took nearly 200 years to build a simple tower. By contrast, the Colosseum of Rome, still the largest standing amphitheater in the world, took merely ten years).
⌛ Planning your Pisa trip in a hurry? Here are my quick picks.
🛏️Best Pisa Hotels 1. Grand Hotel Duomo(best Leaning Tower views!) 2. The Rif(art hotel in a renovated 1900s villa) 3. Palazzo Feroci(luxury converted palazzo with designer interiors)
✈️ Flying into Pisa? Book your airport taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups for a stress-free arrival.
Here, we’ll go into the history of why the Tower of Pisa (Torre di Pisa, in Italian) leans and how you can visit this unique attraction in Pisa on your upcoming trip to Italy.
Why Does the Pisa Tower Lean?
No, the Leaning Tower doesn’t lean on purpose — even though that’s now the big tourist draw!
Just three stories into building the tower, they noticed something was off when it had already begun leaning. In typical Italian fashion, they waited about a century to continue building, trying to counterbalance the shifted weight by building off-balance floors.
After a pause due to wars, they finally added the bell chamber, completing the tower… nearly two centuries later.
But herein is the problem: the tower is made of gray and white marble, a nod to the marble-rich region of Carrera not far away. However, marble is extremely heavy, and that’s a large part of why the issue with the tower leaning began.
Leaning at a cool 4 degrees in 2024
But the marble’s not the only thing to blame — the foundation was poorly planned, only three meters deep atop an unstable mix of clay, sand, and shells. Look, I’m no engineer, but that doesn’t sound like a solid start for a huge marble tower weighing nearly 15,000 metric tons.
Interventions were attempted, giving the tower some of its characteristic columns and arches, but never entirely solving the problem. Finally, in 1990, the tower’s lean grew untenable — leaning by a whopping 5.5 degrees.
They started stabilizing the foundation using soil extraction, straightening the tower significantly, and reducing the lean to a more comfortable angle, just under 4 degrees.
As of now, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is considered stable for the next 200 years, when it will undoubtedly need to be worked on again—assuming we still have a planet in 200 years.
Getting to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa
Most people visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa in one of two ways: on a day trip from Florence or spending a few days in Pisa, dedicating some proper time to this Tuscan city.
Personally, I recently visited Pisa on a day trip from Florence, and I didn’t think it was nearly enough time—I was left wanting a lot more!
Whether you visit on a self-guided day trip or visit Pisa for a few days independently, you will arrive at the Pisa train station, Pisa Centrale. You can leave your luggage here if it’s convenient, or you may want to check into a hotel first if you are staying in Pisa overnight.
Either way, from Pisa Centrale train station in the city center, you can make an easy 20-minute walk straight to the Piazza dei Miracoli (formerly the Piazza del Duomo).
You’ll quickly be greeted by Pisa’s most endearing and iconic attraction…. and thousands of less endearing tourists taking cheesy photos with it.
The crowds in Piazza dei Miracoli are intense – watch for pickpockets!
For a cool side trip before visiting the Leaning Tower, just around the corner from the Pisa, you can make a little detour to see the famous ‘Tuttomondo’ Keith Haring mural.
It’s one of the last murals created by Haring before he died from complications of AIDS. It’s located on the wall of the Sant’Antonio Abate church.
Some people may arrive at the Pisa airport, which is extremely close to the town center… You could even walk if you choose as it’s only 2 kilometers away from the town center!
That said, since most people have luggage, they take the Pisa Mover for five Euros to the train station and then walk to the Leaning Tower of Pisa from there.
Getting Tickets to Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa
My online ticket to enter the Leaning Tower of Pisa
To climb to the top of the tower, you need specific Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets with a dedicated time slot. You must carefully observe the time of your visit. It’s for a 30-minute window, and you must arrive on time within that window to be able to use your ticket.
You can also try to go to the ticket office on the same day, but don’t count on it, because in peak season, it’s pretty common for all the tickets for the day to be sold out.
Your timed ticket to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa will also get you fast-track access to the Pisa Cathedral anytime that same day.
The Pisa Cathedral may just be more impressive than the Leaning Tower
While visiting the Pisa Cathedral is technically free, those who do not have a bundled ticket for other sites in the Piazza dei Miracoli will have to wait in a longer line. You, on the other hand, get to skip it!
If the individual tickets to climb the Leaning Tower are sold out, don’t fret — you can take a guided tour that includes the city of Pisa as one of the stops and choose an add-on that includes tickets to the Leaning Tower.
These Pisa Tower tickets are often booked in advance from a separate supply of tickets, so you can usually get tickets this way, even when they are sold out on the official website and GetYourGuide.
What’s It Like Climbing the Leaning Tower?
Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a pretty stress-free and easy experience, especially compared to other climbs I’ve done in Italy, like Brunelleschi’s Dome in Florence and the Terraces of the Milan Duomo. In comparison, I found those really crowded and disorganized.
The line to climb the Leaning Tower is well-managed and runs quickly, so you don’t have to wait too long. However, they only allow people in the next time slot to be in line, so observe your timed-entry ticket carefully.
Three rules for waiting in line for a smooth process
The security is also speedy and efficient for easy access to the tower. Note that security does not allow any bags for security reasons — not even small backpacks! — but there is a free cloakroom that you can use.
They carefully stagger the group times so that the narrow spiral staircases to ascend and descend the tower are manageable and not too crowded.
Before climbing the tower, they have everyone sit in a rounded bench area at the bottom while listening to a brief informational overview of its history. This also helps ensure the tower staircase is manageable, as people from the previous time slot need to descend.
Eagerly awaiting our turn to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
Once you’ve heard the presentation, you can start going up the (very narrow) spiral staircases.
Prepare for some serious cardio: you’ve got 5 staircases ahead of you with 269 steps (according to this article, which went and counted every single step themselves — now that’s the kind of petty level of pedantry I can truly respect).
So many narrow steps!
You’ll reach the seventh floor first, opening to beautiful views of the Duomo of Pisa.
If you go at the right time, around 10 AM, you’ll see a cool sight: the shadow of the Leaning Tower casting a cool shadow over the Duomo!
I loved seeing the shadow of the Leaning Tower on the cathedral!
But the climb’s not over!
You can go up one more staircase to the eighth floor, where you can see the bell chamber and the tallest views over the Campo dei Miracoli, as well as 360-degree views around the rest of Pisa. Now that’s a view!
At the bell chamber, the tallest part of the towerAdmiring the 360 views over Pisa’s city center
Leaning Tower of Pisa Admission Hours and Tickets
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has straightforward admission hours that don’t change much from day to day.
From April through September, the opening hours are from 9 AM to 8 PM. From October through March, they’re just one hour shorter, from 9 AM to 7 PM.
Worth the climb!
Throughout the year, the last admission is 30 minutes before closing, as it takes a minimum of 30 minutes to climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and enjoy the views.
The Baptistry, one of the many interesting buildings in the complex
In addition to the must-see monument, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, don’t miss a few other highlights in the Piazza dei Miracoli if you have time. Together, they constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the interest of saving your time, I won’t go into too much detail, but the places you can visit in the Piazza dei Miracoli are:
Duomo di Pisa (Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta): A gorgeous cathedral built in 1063, a hallmark of the Romanesque style that Pisa developed. The interior is particularly ornate and unique, with its gorgeous dramatic stripes of marble and several beautiful mosaics.
The beautiful interior of Pisa’s Cathedral
Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistry of St. John): A small, rounded building with a large dome constructed in 1152, shaped so to encourage beautiful acoustics. Like the Duomo, it’s notable for its beautiful marblework that is emblematic of the Pisan style.
Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery): This beautiful cemetery is set amidst a cloister filled with frescoes, surrounded by sarcophagi and tombs of prominent locals. It is a somber but beautiful place to visit away from the hordes of tourists elsewhere in the area.
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (Cathedral Museum): Just as Florence has its own museum dedicated to its cathedral, so too does Pisa. This museum houses works that were once part of the cathedral and baptistry, providing more focus and curated context on these beautiful works.
Sinopie Museum: Here, you can find some drawings made for the frescoes inside the Camposanto, which show a beautiful insight into the artistic process for creating these larger-than-life works.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
While Rome is filled with wonderful squares, fountains, and awe-inspiring ancient ruins, nothing will capture your interest like the Colosseum!
The nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater is the symbol of the Eternal City and a must-see on any Rome itinerary — whether you have one day, 3 days, or a full week!
But visiting the Colosseum comes with tips and tricks. You may think it’s as easy as showing up, getting a ticket, and visiting the place… but you’d be wrong!
View of the ground level of the Colosseum
In my opinion, you’d be missing out if you skip a proper Colosseum tour, and you even risking having a bad experience without knowing a few key pieces of advice beforehand.
Tourists often make quite a few mistakes when visiting the Colosseum — I’m here to help you avoid them.
In fact, I recently visited the Colosseum and made a few mistakes of my own, just to ensure you won’t make those mistakes on your trip. (I’d like to see an AI with that level of dedication /j).
Read on to find out how to make the most of your visit and avoid falling into some easily avoidable errors.
But first — let’s quickly go over some history for context, to get you excited for visiting the Colosseum!
📝 This post was completely re-written after Allison visited the Colosseum in March 2024. She's since updated this post to reflect her experience, ensure its accuracy, and add recent photographs.
Want a Colosseum Tour? My 3 Top Picks
This post goes heavily into detail into everything you can expect about visiting the Colosseum.
But maybe you just want to skip all that and have a tour guide figure that all out for you?
Here are my top Colosseum tour recommendations in case you want to outsource all the planning!
Colosseum and Vatican Museums Full-Day Tour ✔️ Skip long lines at the two most iconic sights in Rome ✔️ No need to plan meals, timing, or transport – it’s all handled for you
The two mains reason to visit the Colosseum is its record-setting size as well as its history: even to this day, it’s the largest standing amphitheater in the world. Standing since 80 CE, the world has had nearly two millennia to beat this record… but no other structure has unseated it.
Taking about a decade to build, during the period from 70 and 80 CE, it was built by Emperor Vespasian, the successor to Nero. And, in typical Roman petty one-upping fashion, Vespasian decided to built it right alongside Nero’s old villa, the Domus Aurea, in a drained lake in the former gardens of the house.
Everyone who’s seen Gladiator has some idea of the macabre spectacles that took place in the Roman Colosseum: dark, violent ‘games’ of gladiators fighting each other (or animals) to death, as well as public executions.
These executions were particularly gruesome: crucifixions, burning alive, and being fed to beasts. It’s hard to believe that these were the Eras and Renaissance Tours of Ancient Rome, drawing up to 50,000 spectators at a time… but times certainly were different back then.
Luckily, visiting the Colosseum in Rome today is a much more peaceful affair — the only fighting you’ll be doing is for good angles amidst the crowds.
How to Get to the Roman Colosseum
The Colosseum metro stop — pretty straightforward, no?
It’s quite easy to get to the Roman Colosseum either on foot or by public transport within Rome.
You can get to the Colosseum via the Metro from many places in Rome. Simply take Line B to the Colosseo stop.
Insider Tip: Have a little time before you need to pick up your tickets or meet your group? Put “Giardinetto del Monte Oppio” into your Maps app and walk there from the Colosseo stop before visiting the Colosseum — you’ll be able to get a great angle for a perfect photo!
Exiting the metro, you’ll be right on Piazza del Colosseo, where most small group tours meet up. You can also go to the security point to enter if you are doing a fast-track entry and you already have your ticket printed and ready to go.
The Arch of Constantine (pictured here) was my tour’s meeting point. My guide was holding a white flag to help me find him.
If you pre-booked some sort of ticket through a tour company like Get Your Guide and you need to pick up your ticket in person, like I did, be sure to check the meeting point.
For my self-guided fast-track entry with audioguide, we had to meet at the Arch of Constantine, about 15 minutes before our entry time. We met the guide, got our printed tickets, and audioguide access information — but more on this part later.
Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Colosseum in Rome
Mistake 1: Not booking your ticket online in advance
Exploring the interior of the Colosseum
The biggest mistake to avoid when visiting the Colosseum is showing up without a ticket — seriously, if there’s one thing you glean from this article, let it be this!
To avoid long lines (and potentially not even getting in!), especially in peak season, buy your tickets for the Colosseum online.
When planning my trips, I tend to use GetYourGuide since they have more ticket availability than official websites, which sell out quickly. But more importantly, I always buy skip-the-line tickets to popular attractions because my time while I’m traveling is one of my most precious resources!
The few extra dollars I spend pre-booking a skip-the-line ticket is well-worth it when I consider the opportunity cost of waiting in line on a trip I’ve invested time, money, and planning into.
I will always pay a little extra to avoid the lines!
The first time I visited the Roman Colosseum many years ago, I took a guided tour because I wanted to know all the history of this fascinating place.
Unless you really hate guided tours, I would recommend this. The history of the Colosseum is incredibly fascinating, and the tour guides usually do a good job of relaying this information in an engaging way.
Printed ticket from my self-guided visit to the Colosseum in March
On my most recent visit, I chose to just book this skip-the-line ticket with an audioguide, since I had done a tour in the past and I wanted the freedom to wander and take photos at my leisure. However, I was pretty disappointed with the audioguide portion of the experience.
I hadn’t read the fine print (which is my mistake) and it was a phone app audioguide, not a physical audioguide. That would be just mildly annoying, except for the small fact that… the audioguide app wouldn’t work, and I spent much of my time at the Colosseum attempting to contact the tour company to get it fixed.
They were never able to fix the issue, claiming they sent me an SMS with a new link to access the audioguide, but I never received it. GetYourGuide did refund a portion of my tour, which I appreciated. That’s another reason why I book with them — the (very) few times I’ve had a bad tour, they’ve always issued a full or partial refund.
I didn’t love this experience, but for some, it may still be the right choice. If that’s you, you can still book this skip-the-line ticket and audioguide here. Be sure to read the email carefully and download the audioguide app a few days before so you can troubleshoot if it doesn’t work.
No matter what kind of ticket you get, you need to show up 15 minutes before at the dedicated meeting point.
If you already have the exact ticket you need for entry, you can just go straight to the dedicated entrance to show your ticket and go through the security checkpoint.
Mistake 2: Not knowing all the ticket options
One of the guided tour meeting points
There are actually a ton of different options for visiting the Colosseum, including certain parts of the Colosseum that are only accessible with a ticket add-on… and these can be a little confusing.
Your standard ticket gives you access to the Colosseum’s first two floors and the museum exhibits within it. It also gives you access to another site just a few minutes’ walk away: the combined site of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
But there is also a few other parts of the Colosseum that you can access! One is the arena floor, where you can wander the base of the amphitheater and see the entirety of the Colosseum towering above you.
Bifurcation point for two different areas (and ticket types) of the Colosseum
Different from the arena floor, there’s also the underground area where you can explore the cells where animals and prisoners sat in purgatory before their executions were put on display to tens of thousands of spectators.
You’ll see the tunnels and hidden entrances and understand how the underbelly of the Colosseum really operated, which is fascinating for those with the stomach for a little dark history.
Finally, there’s another option that might be interesting if you are visiting during the high season in Rome: the night tour. Availability for this is extremely limited — there are only a few dates remaining for the 2024 summer season — but you can try to get one of the last remaining dates.
I know these options can be a little intimidating so here’s a quick summary:
I’m not sure exactly why, but it is mandatory to show a photo ID to enter the Colosseum nowadays, at least it was true for my March 2024 visit. This wasn’t the case for visiting the Vatican, which I had done the day before, but it is part of the Colosseum’s security process.
I don’t always carry all my important documents on me when I’m traveling around Italy due to the high risk of pickpockets. Luckily, I did notice the part of the booking details where it told me to bring my ID and I wasn’t caught off-guard by this.
I’m not sure how strict they are on this and if they would accept a photograph or printed copy of your ID if you didn’t have your actual ID with you. I wouldn’t risk it though.
Presumably if you are reading this article, you’re not yet at the Colosseum, so you can just bring your ID and avoid any issues!
Mistake 4: Visiting at the wrong time of day
Peaceful opportunities to enjoy the Colosseum at 9:30 AM
Another big mistake people make when visiting the Colosseum is picking a time right smack-dab in the middle of the day — avoid this if at all possible.
I highly recommend booking one of the first openings of the day — on my March 2024 visit, I booked a 9:30 AM opening and it was perfect. The Colosseum was busy but not crowded.
Virtually no lines to enter the Palatine Hill area at 10:30 AM
By the time I made it over to Palatine Hill, there was virtually no one there and I could enjoy that area in peace.
However, by the time I reached the Roman Forum around 11:30 AM (having already visited the Colosseum and Palatine Hill)… it was extremely crowded.
That gave me a taste for what seeing the Colosseum is like later in the day (and I didn’t like it).
The crowds gathering later in the day at the Roman Forum (around 11:30 AM)
If you really can’t handle getting up early the morning, late afternoon isn’t a terrible second choice… but keep in mind that the Colosseum and its related sites close roughly an hour before sunset.
In winter, that means it closes as early as 4:30 PM (with the last entry at 3:30 PM) — but in the peak of summer, it costs around 7:15 PM (last entry at 6:15 PM).
You need at least 3 hours to properly see the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.
However, also keep in mind that your standard entry ticket is valid for 24 hours. If you are doing a self-guided tour experience, you can break up your time between the two sights, even on different days if you like!
If you don’t mind returning to the same place twice in order to minimize crowds (and summer heat), you could always see the Colosseum in the late afternoon before it closes.
Then you can visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill the following morning. This would be a nice way to break up the sightseeing and avoid the crowds.
Mistake 5: Skipping the Palatine Hill & the Roman Forum
Don’t ignore the excellent Palatine Hill complex area!
One of the biggest mistakes you can make? Not realizing that even the most basic entrance ticket for the Colosseum also includes two other world class sites: the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. This alone makes it the best money you can spend in all of Rome, in my estimation.
Don’t be tempted to skip the Roman Forum just because you can see it while you walk down Via dei Fort Imperiali… trust me, there’s a world of difference between walking past the ruins of ancient Rome and being completely immersed in it, imaging the agora that used to stand where you’re standing.
Plus, Palatine Hill is an incredibly rich and diverse site that’s absolutely worth dedicating at least an hour of your time to. Between its gardens, viewpoints, and interesting ruins — as well as its smaller-than-average crowds — it was actually one of the highlights of my self-guided visit to the Colosseum and its related sites.
The Roman Forum is definitely a highlight for many!
Personally, I loved Palatine Hill the most of all simply because it was so peaceful; after that, I enjoyed the Colosseum, and at the bottom of my list was the Roman Forum simply because it was so crowded at that point. But that’s just my personal two cents!
If you are self-guided your own visit to the Colosseum and not going with a group, you can structure your Colosseum itinerary any way you like — even doing it on separate days, like I mentioned above.
There is no order in which you need to access the Colosseum or Roman Forum and Palatine Hill complex (which are together in the same area, so you only present your ticket once).
With your entry ticket, you can decide the order of your visit so long as everything takes place within 24 hours of your designated entry time.
Mistake 6: Bringing a big backpack or a rolling bag
Unsurprisingly… no cloakrooms in an ancient amphitheater!
This is a big mistake some people make when visiting the Colosseum — one that unfortunately is quite a hassle to deal with if you are caught unawares.
There is a strict policy in place that doesn’t allow visitors to enter with big luggage, and there is no cloakroom available on-site at the Roman Colosseum.
Put simply, if you show up with a large backpack or rolling bag at the entrance to the Colosseum, you won’t be allowed entry at all until you have found a place to store your bag.
That means you may lose out on your entry slot, and there’s no obligation for the staff to accept your ticket if you arrive outside of your designated time slot.
If you plan on visiting the Colosseum before check-in or after an early check-out, prepare in advance. Leave your luggage at your hotel, or use a luggage storage company like Bounce.
Aside from not being able to enter the Colosseum, carrying a roller bag on Roman roads is no one’s idea of fun!
Mistake 7: Not wearing the right shoes
Trendy? No. Comfy? Yes!
Listen. I get that you want to look cute during your Roman holiday and take some banger Instagram pictures.
But wearing the wrong shoes during a trip to the Colosseum and (to a larger extent) the Roman Forum is a big mistake. A big, uneven cobblestone, ankle-twist-waiting to happen mistake.
You’ll definitely want to hedge your bets and wear a comfortable, sporty shoe — sneakers would be ideal here, or a pair of hiking sandals that will ensure you can walk on this uneven ground without injuring yourself.
These cobblestones are begging you have some sense!
These roads are nearly two millennia old and haven’t been maintained in any traditional sense of the word, so trust me, you’re going to be uncomfortable if you don’t have the right footwear.
And heeled boots or flip flops? Forget about it. You’ll be miserable. Cute, but miserable.
Mistake 8: Not preparing for the weather
At first I was happy for my hat and vest… and later regretted it!
The Roman Colosseum is an all-season attraction, but depending on what time of year you’ll be visiting, you’ll still want to keep an eye on the weather forecast to avoid any unpleasantness on your outing.
Put simply, the weather in Rome is really unpredictable… on my March visit, I found it actually extremely warm — about 20° C / 68° F but very sunny — and I definitely found myself wishing I had slathered on some sunscreen before my visit (and left my heavier jacket at home).
And visiting in the summer? May the odds be ever in your favorite. Roman summer days are not to be messed with — they can get unbearably hot.
Wear light colors like white, taupe, and beige and pick quick-drying natural materials like linen. Avoid cotton, which doesn’t dry well when it gets sweaty, and for god’s sake, stay away from anything with polyester in it if you value not feeling like a baked potato.
You also should definitely bring a hat because there’s very little shade in any portion of this visit — and you’ll also want sunscreen no matter the season.
Layers are going to be your friend if you visit Rome in any season outside of summer, as the mornings and evenings are often rather cold before the mercury soars up in the middle of the day.
Wear a lightweight layer underneath, and don’t carry too heavy of a jacket as it heats up during the day.
And of course, rain is always a reality in Rome, so be sure to bring a rain jacket or umbrella if there’s even the slightest inkling of rain in the forecast.
Mistake 9: Bringing any prohibited items
Make sure you don’t have any prohibited items!
When entering the Colosseum, you’ll have to go through a security checkpoint like at the airport (only with much friendlier workers), and your bag will also be checked during that process.
It is forbidden to bring any sharp objects (including Swiss army knives), glass bottles, tripods, selfie sticks, weapons, or any sort of aerosol. Yes, that includes spray-on deodorant and even aerosol sunscreens!
Given that there is no cloakroom to store any of your items in, any prohibited items found on you will simply be confiscated, so avoid bringing them altogether if you don’t want to risk losing them.
Mistake 10: Not carrying a water bottle
One of Rome’s many public fountains
As long as you bring a plastic, non-glass reusable water bottle, you can bring it into the Colosseum and refill as much as needed.
Rome is pretty warm for much of the year, and you’ll walk more than you ever thought possible when visiting sites like the Colosseum. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the duration of your visit and thinking you won’t need water!
Luckily, there are so many great free-to-use public foundations available all over Rome, including plenty of ones in the area of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.
Avoid the touts selling water around the Colosseum and Roman Forum for overpriced water — you will certainly overpay for it. Just bring your own bottle and fill up!
Just head to the closest fountain (fun fact: they are called nasoni in Italian, which means big noses). You’ll get as much fresh water as you need, all for free!
Colosseum Ticket Options
I briefly went into this above, but here, I’ll explain the different Colosseum ticket types with more detail about what’s included and how they differ.
Guided Tour Including Colosseum Arena Floor & Colosseum Underground
In addition to your regular Colosseum and Roman Forum ticket, it also includes a multi-hour guided tour to help bring all of these unique facets of Roman history to life, adding color and detail to your sightseeing.
This tour in particular offers special access to the arena floor and the Colosseum underground, which many other Roman Colosseum tours do not include.
The underground area (called the hypogeum) is a really interesting piece to add to a Colosseum tour. It includes tunnels and passageways that connect a series of cages and dungeons underneath the arena floor of the colosseum.
This part of the Colosseum was a purgatory of sorts, where enslaved people and prisoners were kept before being publicly executed, as well as the wild animals who were fought and slaughtered by the gladiators for entertainment.
If you’re interested in dark history — or just getting the full story of the historical places you visit — adding the Colosseum underground is a must-do.
This is one of the best tours if you want the full Colosseum experience and are curious to get a bit off the beaten path and learn some of the Colosseum’s more macabre history by adding the underground access!
This is the most affordable and flexible way to visit the Colosseum — great if your budget is short on time or money. This is what I personally did in March 2024.
Pre-booking your Colosseum ticket (you can do so online here) allows you to skip the long line at the ticket booth. Instead, you just find the guide at the designated meeting point, mine was at the Arch of Constantine and was very easy to find.
This ticket includes an audioguide which you access on your phone. Mine didn’t work, unfortunately, but I was still able to enjoy the Roman Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum independently.
You will be on your own to explore the site, but you won’t have to deal with any queues besides the normal security line (which is unavoidable and moves really fast — I was in within minutes).
Note that this ticket does not include the arena floor or the Colosseum underground or an in-person tour guide: it’s the bare bones option.
If you have a little more room in your budget, I definitely suggest booking this guided tour, which includes a guided walking tour and admission tickets.
There is simply so much to learn about the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill that you won’t really be able to appreciate without the expertise of a licensed guide who is an expert in Roman history.
This tour is rather affordable with not much of an up-charge for the tour guide, especially when you consider the initial price of the ticket.
You’re paying roughly another $30 USD for a 3 hours of a tour guide’s time!
You can book in a small group of up to 10, 20, or 30 people, at different price tiers based on how many people are in the group.
Did you know you can visit the Colosseum after the doors have officially closed? There are a number of tours which offer exclusive access to the Colosseum after dark!
This is a really fun way to beat the crowds (or the summer heat) if you are planning to visit the Colosseum in the peak season, June through August.
It is more expensive than other ticket options, but not by a drastic margin… which may be a nice price to pay, given the peace you’ll enjoy!
However, if you want those classic daytime photos of the Colosseum, you won’t be able to get those, so if photography is a big aspect of why you are visiting the Colosseum, that is something to consider.
But if all you want is a unique way to see the Colosseum and learn its history without the crowds or heat of peak summer travel, a night tour is an epic way to do it!
Note that night tours sell out extremely fast and nearly all of the 2024 tour offerings are gone, totally sold out — the only remaining tours I could find are linked below.
Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & Colosseum Full Day Tour
If you want to see all of Rome’s most essential (and crowded) sights under the expert eye of a tour guide,I strongly suggest this tour option.
Visiting the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with a guide is really helpful because these sights can be quite stressful to navigate on your own.
It’s very crowded, tickets must be booked well in advance (same-day ticket waits often exceed 2 hours), and there is so much to see that it is helpful to go with a guide w ho will ensure you see the most essential parts and skip the rest.
This tour also includes transportation between Colosseum and the Vatican so you can simply sit back and sightsee and enjoy your day, without having to worry about anything other than taking in the sights and history and making memories.
This tour includes all entry tickets, skip-the-line access, lunch, guides, and transportation.
It’s a little pricy, but it plans you the perfect day in Rome seeing its two most iconic attractions without a second thought.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The gateway to the spectacular Valley of the Temples, Agrigento is one of the most popular places to visit in Sicily.
Whether you only have a few days or you’re planning a longer road trip around Sicily, you should absolutely spend at least a day in Agrigento and appreciate its small town charms.
I visited Agrigento on one of my road trips through Sicily, and it was among my favorite places on the island.
Wandering through the Valley of the Temples is an experience unlike any other, but the historical center of Agrigento is also worth exploring in its own right!
In this short guide, you’ll find the best landmarks and activities in Agrigento, along with a few tips to make the most of your trip (no matter how short!)
Tips for Visiting Agrigento
Before diving into the attractions, I want to give you a few quick tips to help you plan your trip. Firstly, you’ll have to plan your trip according to the season you visit Agrigento.
You won’t be surprised to hear that summer is the most popular time to travel to Sicily, but if that’s the only time you can visit, you can make life easier by preparing for crowds and increased prices.
Booking your accommodation in advance, buying attraction tickets online, and choosing weekdays over weekends can all help you have a more pleasant experience. If you can, choose the shoulder seasons to make the most of your time in Sicily!
Early spring and late fall are the perfect mix of good weather and smaller crowds. However, winter is also a good time, since the temperatures rarely go below 14°C (57°F).
While you can visit Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples in one day if you move quickly and plan carefully, I really recommend spending at least a night in the city.
This will give you the chance to get to know it better without rushing through your visit to the archaeological park.
One last tip: Agrigento is the perfect stop on a Sicily road trip itinerary, so if you’re traveling with a rental car, you’ll be in luck!
Best Things to Do in Agrigento
Agrigento is among the most popular cities in Sicily, but to be honest, most people just visit for the Valley of the Temples. While this is a must-see, Agrigento has so much more to offer than just this!
Here are the best things to do in this charming hilltop Sicilian city, one of the best places in Sicily for history and culture!
Explore the Valley of the Temples
Of course, we still have to mention the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park (in Italian, Valle dei Templi), since is by far the most popular tourist attraction in Agrigento and among the most visited in Sicily.
Being so popular, be prepared for crowds at these ancient ruins. However, it’s absolutely worth the visit, so go ahead and schedule the time to explore this wonderful archaeological site.
Just south of Agrigento’s historic center, the Valley of the Temples is an archaeological area featuring incredibly well-preserved ancient Greek temples and other ruins.
In 1997, the site was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its status as one of the most outstanding examples of Greek architecture in what used to be the Magna Grecia region.
Prepare to spend several hours exploring this area and wandering through the magnificent temples and other ancient remains. Fun fact: this is Europe’s largest archaeological park!
Visiting the park takes at least 2 hours, and that’s assuming you move at a fast pace and don’t stop much. I recommend setting aside 3-4 hours for an independent visit to really take in all the sights.
The most impressive structure is the Temple of Concordia, a Doric temple dating to the 4th century BCE. Other notable buildings are the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Castor, the Temple of Heracles, and the Temple of the Dioscuri.
You can explore the park by yourself, following the marked route to see all of its Greek ruins and Doric temples. The park is open daily from early in the morning until pretty late in the evening, so you can easily fit this into your schedule.
An adult entry ticket is 13€, and can be purchased online directly from the archaeological site here. Note that if you happen to visit on the first Sunday of the month between 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM, entrance is free!
Another option is to join a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, such as on this2-hour guided tour: the perfect choice if you don’t have much time and want to make the most of your time in the park.
Plus, this way, you can learn more about the magnificent ancient Greek architecture from your guide. The activity even includes the chance to save time by skipping the line — definitely worth special consideration in summer!
One last option worth exploring is theValley of the Temples sunset tour. You’ll start exploring the park with your guide just as the sun goes down so you can enjoy a magical view of the temples in the soft sunset light.
While you’re exploring the Valley of the Temples, you ought to also stop by the Kolymbethra Garden.
This peaceful garden within the archaeological park captures Sicily’s flavors, scents, and colors in a delightful green corner.
These gardens date back over two millennia when the Greek city of Akragas (now known as Agrigento) designed a series of irrigation channels leading to a nearby reservoir called Colimbetra (hence the name).
In the garden, you can walk through olive groves, almond trees, and citrus trees and enjoy their delightful fragrances.
Just a heads up as you’re planning, access to the garden requires an extra fee on top of the access to the Valley of the Temples. However, the fee is just a reasonable 3€, so it’s a small price to pay.
Visit the Archaeological Museum Pietro Griffo
Photo Credit: Von Holger Uwe Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you want to learn more about the Valley of the Temples, supplement your itinerary with a visit to the archaeological museum of Agrigento, Pietro Griffo.
The museum complements your visit to the archaeological park for a small extra fee if you buy the combined ticket. It costs more when bought separately, so if you’re interested, it’s better to get the combined ticket.
Pietro Griffo is home to a vast collection of archaeological artifacts that were unearthed from the Valley of the Temples, including vases, sculptures, coins, inscriptions, and decorative elements from ancient sanctuaries.
Explore the old town of Agrigento
While you might want to dedicate most of your time to exploring the Valley of the Temples, save some time for the old town of Agrigento.
Agrigento’s medieval center dates to the 11th century and features charming alleys, squares, and stairways, all of which are not to be missed!
Stroll along the main street, explore hidden alleyways, and check out the beautiful Baroque churches. Cattedrale di San Gerlando, Chiesa di Santo Spirito, and Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci are three absolute must-see churches in Agrigento.
One spot you can’t miss is Scalinata degli Artisti or the Artists’ Stairway. Check out the painted steps on this picturesque stairway and admire the beautiful street art in the area!
And of course, be sure to head to Belvedere Domenico Modugno for a stunning panoramic view of the valley surrounding Agrigento.
Enjoy tasty local food
To complete your stay in Agrigento, try some delicious local food. The historical center offers countless options for every taste.
If you’re craving tasty, heartwarming food, head to Naif and try local dishes like caponata, cavatelli alla norma, and linguine with almond pesto.
If you’re looking for a quick bite and you’re a fan of seafood, you have to try the sandwiches or fried fish at Cusà Fish.
Lastly, for a special night out, enjoy the fine dining at Sal8. The specialties are fish-based, but they also serve meat and vegetarian options so you’re sure to find something to enjoy!
Have a beach day in Porto Empedocle
Agrigento isn’t itself a coastal town, but it’s just a short distance inland, making it easy to pop over to the beach town of Porto Empodocle (halfway to the Scala dei Turchi, the next spot on this list).
Grab a patch of beach in the free section of Spiaggia di Marinella, or for more amenities, you can also rent a chair and umbrellas at the Lido Marinella.
Take a day trip to Scala dei Turchi
If you’re going to spend a more than one day in Agrigento, you ought to take at least half a day to explore the impressive Scala dei Turchi (Turks’ Stairs)
These white cliffs sinking in the turquoise waters is one of the most scenic spots on the southern coast of Sicily.
You can reach the parking area in under 20 minutes by car from Agrigento or by bus during the summer months.
Note that access to the cliffs themselves is forbidden, but you can admire the stunning landscape from a nearby beach or from above at Belvedere Scala dei Turchi.
Take a boat tour of the Scala dei Turchi
Another way to explore this scenic spot is by joining thisStair of the Turks Boat Tour and admire the white cliff from another vantage point — down below it!
During this 4-hour tour, you can admire the beautiful cliffs from the boat, swim in the clear waters just off the coast, and enjoy other spectacular views along the gorgeous Sicilian seascape.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Messina sits almost at the northeastern tip of Sicily, just across the strait from Reggio Calabria, the southernmost city in mainland Italy.
Despite its prime location, Messina is one of the less frequently visited places in Sicily, and it’s often overlooked in favor of other, more famous cities.
Sadly, Messina has a long history of devastating events, especially in the 20th century.
After a massive earthquake in 1908 destroyed a great part of Reggio Calabria and Messina, bombardments during World War II damaged the city even further, adding insult to injury.
Though it was mostly reconstructed after this series of disasters, Messina still has many abandoned buildings, which stand a sort of monument to this history of devastation and the slow process of rebuilding.
Viewpoint in Messina of one of its many churches, the Tempio di Christo Re
I stopped off in Messina during one of my trips to Sicily, since I was crossing the strait from Reggio Calabria.
While yes, it may lack some of the charm of small seaside towns like Taormina or Siracusa, I can tell you that it’s still a lovely city worth a visit.
Without any further ado, here’s a short guide of things to do in Messina, one of Sicily’s most underrated cities.
Tips for Visiting Messina
Church of the Madonna di Montalto in Messina
Just being one of the bigger cities in Sicily somehow isn’t enough to attract visitors.
With most travelers heading to Palermo, Agrigento, and Siracusa, Messina is mostly just visited by travelers who have already seen the rest of the island and are looking to avoid the crowds.
On the bright side, the fact that Messina isn’t so famous among tourists means you can often enjoy the city without having to put up with crowds.
While summers are still popular, especially given the many cruises stopping by, you’ll still find fewer people overall in Messina than in most other Sicilian cities and beach towns.
Downtown street in Messina, with a view of the clocktower
Given the island’s summer tourism boom, visiting in the shoulder season can be great; in particular, months like April and October offer the perfect compromise with good weather and moderate crowds.
Also, if you don’t mind passing up your Sicily beach time in exchange for solitude and winter prices, winter can also be a good time to visit, since Messina is not really a beach-centered destination.
Most people will find one day is enough time to explore Messina, so plan your schedule accordingly.
Especially if you’ll be taking a renting a car in Sicily before going on a road trip, I recommend spending the day in Messina before moving on to nearby places like the charming Taormina and beautiful Mount Etna and its wine-growing region.
Things to Do in Messina, Sicily
Details of the Messina cityscape
I’ll be honest: unlike some of the more popular cities in Sicily, Messina isn’t exactly packed with attractions and landmarks. However, this doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do!
You can take your sweet time walking around the city, all while admiring the beautiful churches, and checking out some stunning viewpoints.
Read on for a few more of my favorite things to do in Messina.
Explore the center of Messina.
Traditional old architecture in Messina
Start your visit to Messina off with a walk around its historical center, where you can admire beautiful buildings, check out impressive squares, and visit beautiful churches.
The city may be big, but the historical center is nice and compact, so you can explore it in a couple of hours.
Make your way down to stroll around Cairoli Square, one of the main city squares.
From the square, you can walk along Viale San Martino, Messina’s shopping street, lined with everything from clothing and jewelry stores to bars, bakeries, and gelateria
If you’re short on time but want to see the main sights and learn some cool facts about Messina, you can join this 2-hourWalking Tour.
Your knowledgeable guide will show you around the historical center and tell you legends and historical facts about the city’s landmarks for context.
Admire Messina’s fountains.
The ornate fountains of Messina
Scattered all over Messina’s historical center, you’ll see several artistic fountains which is one of the halmmarks of the city.
The most famous is Fontana di Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune), but others worth checking out include Fontana di Orione, in front of the cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, and Fontana Falconieri.
Close to Fontana Falconieri, you can also check out a variety of sculptures lining a lovely stairway leading to Santuario Parrocchia S. Maria Di Montalto.
Tip: From here, you can enjoy a lovely view of the Cristo Re Sanctuary.
Discover Messina’s churches.
The Messina Cathedral and its belltower
Messina’s churches are among its most beautiful landmarks, especially when set against the backdrop of the waters of the gorgeous Strait of Messina.
Along with the Messina Cathedral, the Tempio di Cristo Re (pictured nelow) and the Chiesa Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani are the most famous and photogenic churches in town.
TheBasilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assuntais known for its astronomical clock (which we’ll talk about in a bit), but it’s also just a beautiful church worth visiting in its own right: its cupola is especially gorgeous!
Interior of the cathedral basilica
Though mostly destroyed in the 1908 earthquake, some elements survived, like the Gothic portal and an apse.
You can get an audio guide for a small fee when visiting the cathedral interior.
Located on top of a hill, Tempio di Cristo Re offers spectacular views over the city and features unique architecture.
View of Tempio di Cristo Re with Reggio di Calabria on the other side of the water
The church was built on the spot previously occupied by the medieval castle of Matagrifone and actually incorporates the ruins of the fortress, including the only tower still standing.
The last church we’ll talk about here, the lovely Chiesa Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, dates to the Byzantine period and combines both Norman and Arab architectural elements in a blend that is typically Sicilian.
The 12th-century church occupies the place of an ancient temple dedicated to Neptune and is one of the few structures that survived the 1908 earthquake.
Watch the astronomical clock strike noon.
The astronomical clock of Messina
The Cathedral of Messina (aka the Duomo di Messina) is perhaps best known for its astronomical clock, the largest and purportedly most complex (though how that’s measured, I’m not exactly sure) in the world.
The clock was added to the bell tower in 1933 following the cathedral’s reconstruction after the 1908 earthquake.
Built by a Strasbourg-based company, the clock resembles the one in the French city from which it hails.
The clock has several symbolic decorations, the most significant one being the carousel of the days of the week, with a deity representing each day.
Symbols of the zodiac on the clock in Messina
Other parts of the clock are a carousel depicting the stages of life, as well as a statue of Messina’s patron saint, a separate clock that marks the sun’s zodiac symbols, the Madonna of the Letter, and several biblical scenes.
Every day at noon, visitors gather around the clock to watch it come alive.
Watching the statues come to life one by one, complete with movement and sounds, is a must-see attraction in Messina.
Get there a few minutes earlier to catch a good spot for the show!
Check out the art at the Interdisciplinary Regional Museum of Messina.
The Regional Museum of Messina outside the center | Photo Credit: I, Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Regional Museum of Messina is home to a vast collection of artworks and archeological artifacts, including important works by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina.
The museum highlights art and culture in Messina dating back between the 12th and 18th centuries.
In addition to its core focus, the museum also houses paintings, sculptures, and artifacts retrieved in the aftermath of the 1908 earthquake.
The museum has a unique location that is itself quite historical: it’s set in a former spinning mill.
Although it’s a bit farther than the other the main landmarks in Messina, you can still easily reach it by bus or a pleasant 30-minute walk.
Stroll through the University Botanical Garden.
Bougainvillea in Messina
Admittedly, Messina is a bit lacking in green spaces for the most part, at least compared to other places in Sicily.
That said, the University Botanical Garden is a delightful exception!
This little green area was first established in the 17th century… but sadly, it was destroyed shortly after during Messina’s revolt against the Spanish.
The botanical garden as you’ll see it today dates to the late 19th century, a little oasis in the center of a busy city. Best of all, it’s free of charge!
However, it’s important to note that it’s only open on weekdays; weekends, it’s closed!
Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Camposanto.
The Camposanto of Messina
A graveyard walk might sound a bit unusual, but strolling through the Monumental Cemetery is one of the more popular things to do in Messina, and it’s also one of the city’s few green spaces.
Also known as Camposanto, the 18th-century cemetery features beautifully decorated chapels, sculptures, and monuments.
Going for a walk through Camposanto is a relaxing and peaceful way to spend an hour in Messina if you run out of things to do.
The cemetery is just a 20-minute walk from Piazza Cairoli, but you can also catch the tram.
Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.
If you’re planning a trip to Sicily, you’re probably planning to visit its epic coastline, stunning beaches, charming beach towns, and countless historical spots.
But there’s one thing you simply can’t miss: visiting the iconic Mt. Etna, the tallest active volcano in all of Europe.
The towering, simmering Mt. Etna is located near the city of Catania and the charming commune of Taormina, making it a convenient spot to visit.
And when you realize that the Etna region is home to some of Italy’s best wines, that’s all the more reason to check one of these Etna wine tours on your trip.
Whether you’re staying in Catania or Taormina, you’ll be close to all the best spots in Sicily, surrounded by beautiful beaches all along the coast.
While there’s a lot of history in the area, let’s be honest: just the views of Mount Etna alone would be worth the trip!
But of course, Sicilian food is incredibly delicious, and made even more so by the local Mount Etna wine.
From rich and deep Nero d’Avola to the region’s signature Etna Rosso wine, made from a blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, the winemaking scene in the Etna wine region is fantastic.
And while Sicily’s better known for its red wines, don’t sleep on its white wines, primarily the Etna Biancos which are made from the local indigenous Carricante and Catarrato grape varieties.
The mineral-rich volcanic terroir of the Etna slopes has allowed for some pretty unique wines to emerge here, distinct from what you’d find in Tuscan Chianti region or Veneto’s Prosecco area.
Italy’s wines are as diverse as its landscapes and people, after all, and Sicily is an important part of that equation.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, spend the day taking a Mt Etna wine tour, and give your palette the treatment it deserves!
We’ll go into the top 11 Etna wine tours below and details of what’s included in each, but if you don’t have time for that, here’s the quick run-down of my favorite picks!
Mt. Etna wine has a distinct terroir from its volcanic soils, which are mineral-rich as a result of past volcanic eruptions, as the soil has mingled with lava and ash.
Another distinctive factor that separates Mt. Etna wine from the rest is its relatively high altitude of cultivation, as it’s typically grown from 600-1,000 meters up — that’s 2,000 to 3,000 feet!
High altitudes = cooler weather and longer ripening times, creating more complexity and structure in the wines.
Plus, many Etna wineries preserve the indigenous grape varieties unique to the island, like Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Nero d’Avola.
You likely won’t taste these grapes outside of Sicily!
Etna wines come in several varieties: Etna Rosso (red wines), Etna Bianco (from Carricante and Catarratto white wine grapes), Etna Rosatao (a rosé made from Nerello Mascalese grapes), and Etna Passito (a lush dessert wine).
⌛ Tour Length: 7 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.8/5 stars (20+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -Full day trip with pick up and drop off from Catania -Sampling 7 different Mt Etna wines, local honey, and olive oil -Enjoying a large three-course meal at the second winery visit
You’ll get the ball rolling at your first stop, Zafferana Etnea, a commune of Catania known for its honey and olive oil.
And yes, you will be sampling the local products, don’t you worry!
Once you hit your first winery with your small group, you’ll learn about the harvesting and production process of Mt Etna wines.
This way, you have some context for the delicious local wines before your first taste test.
The fun (and drinks) continue over at the second winery, but that’s not all – there’s also a tasty, local Sicilian lunch to go along with the 3 different Etna DOC wines you’ll be tasting paired with your meal!
The antipasto, primo, and secondo should keep you nice and full for the final leg of the tour, where local experts will give you a guided walk through the Mt Etna vineyards.
The Mt Etna tour concludes in the early evening, giving you plenty of time to explore Catania before tucking in for the night!
⌛ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.3/5 stars (10+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -Hiking the lava caves, craters & volcanic region of Mt. Etna -Wine tasting and light lunch after exploring Etna -Positive English language guides with in-depth knowledge of the Etna region
This Etna wine tour will take about 8 hours of your day, but there’s a good reason for that: this tour combines a trip to both the Mt Etna volcano and the Etna wineries around it!
First, your guide will show you around the general Mount Etna area before taking you to see a lava tube (created by running lava flow from previous eruptions that cooled over time) and its surrounding craters.
Needless to say, you want to make sure you’re appropriately dressed since there’s a lot of exploring and light trekking on this tour.
Hiking shoes, some layers (as it can get cold on Mt. Etna!), and some light snacks are a must!
After immersing yourself in the fascinating geology and volcanic landscape of Mt Etna, it’s time to enjoy the spoils of all that volcanic activity – a series of delicious wines!
If all that learning and tasting leaves you feeling a bit peckish, next up is a delicious light lunch before wrapping things up.
You’ll then be transported back to your hotel in Catania at the end of the tour.
⌛ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.8/5 stars (120+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: –An unforgettable drive through some of Sicily’s most charming coastal villages -Sampling wine and snacks at wineries and an open-air amphitheater -Enjoying some farm-to-table goods, such as pasta, produce, and limoncello
After picking you up, your guides will take you on a scenic drive through various villages in coastal Sicily – these beach towns are so charming.
Plus, the flora and architecture here along the coast really are unique, so you’ll probably be taking pictures throughout the entire drive!
Your first stop after the scenic drive is a visit to a family-run Mt Etna winery, where you can try some fine Etna rosé to start the wine tasting part of the tour!
After checking out the wine cellars, you’ll hit the ruins of a historic open amphitheater and indulge in some snacks and even more Etna wine samples!
You’d better save some room, though, since you’ll also be going to a farmhouse and trying out a typical Sicilian lunch that makes use of the pasta, produce, and typical products of the region.
After all, Sicily is famous for more than just its wine production!
The last step is trying out some limoncello before heading back to Taormina.
⌛ Tour Length: 7 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.8/5 stars (50+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -A memorable drive to Rifugio Sapienza with photo stops -A scenic uphill hike or cable car ride, followed by a lava tube visit -Sampling a wide variety of wines, still and sparkling, along with local snacks
This Etna wine tour might be the best way to experience just how scenic the Etna National Park really is.
The first order of business is to drive up to Rifugio Sapienza up on the slopes of Mt Etna, all while making stops at scenic vistas along the way – don’t worry, your camera will eat just as well as you will on this trip!
Your guide will explain the geology and history during each stop, so this is a great tour if you’re interested in the region’s history – both of the land and of the people.
Next up, you can either take a two-kilometer hike across various scenic hiking paths or take a cable car up the mountain for some scenic photo ops at the top of the mountain.
Whichever one you opt for, everyone unites at the next point: a lava cave – not something you get to see every day, and not something you likely associate with a wine tour!
After all that fun and excitement, it’s time to get to the wines… because this is just as much a wine tasting Etna experience as it is a hiking tour!
You’ll get to toast with some sparkling Sicilian wine, try four local kinds of still wine (with grapes grown on the slopes of Mount Etna), and have a bunch of Sicilian snacks to go along with them!
⌛ Tour Length: 1.5 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.8/5 stars (20+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -Quick Etna winery tour perfect for quick Sicily trips -Perfect for people who prefer more independent travel to guided tours -Trying Etna wines with local Sicilian food pairings
In case you’re looking for something short yet scenic, this 1.5-hour Etna wine tour has your name written all over it!
However, this is only a good tour option if you have rented a car in Sicily, since you’ll need to drive yourself to the tour’s meeting point – transportation is not included.
You’ll get into the action right away with some white wine tasting, followed by an underground winery tour led by an expert sommelier.
You get to learn which local products go well with which types of wine – pretty useful information for any aspiring wine aficionado!
After that, there’s even more wine to be had. Up to seven glasses for you to sample, to be specific, depending on which tour you opt for!
Applying what you learned at the start of the tour, you get to mix and match these wines with black Nebrodi pork, ricotta cannoli, and some other mouth-watering Sicilian delicacies!
⌛ Tour Length: 6.5 – 7 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.9/5 stars (40+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -Visiting 3 different wineries – more than most Etna wine tours on this list -Getting to try a total of 12 wines, enjoying as much as you’d like -Private tour with pickup in either Catania, Taormina, or Messina
This private tour covers three wineries, some of the most prestigious in the Etna area.
Between the three of them, you can sample a total of 12 wines – and they won’t hesitate to top you off on any of your favorites, either.
The first winery sets the tone with some delicious Etna white wine, as well as a guided tour of the winery premises and a rundown of the production process, including how the volcanic soil impacts the wine region.
The breathtaking views from the terrace don’t hurt, either!
Each of the following Etna wineries offers an even greater variety of drinks and food, so you’ll definitely be going home with your stomach full (and head a-buzzing).
Best of all, since this tour is private, you’ll have individualized attention and can ask as much as you want about the winemaking process!
⌛ Tour Length: 7 hours | 🌟 Rating: New! | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -The chance to get a 3,000-meter-altitude view from the Etna summit -Option for shorter hike instead, plus all enjoy a guided tour of a lava flow cave -Sampling five wines with appetizers at one of Etna’s best wineries
This Etna group tour is perfect for wine geeks and geology nerds alone: this Etna wine tour not only educates you on the wine, but also the volcano’s history along the way.
Plus, the drive climbing up to the Sapienza Refuge is an adventure in itself: the landscape is awe-inspiring, to say the least.
There have been more recent lava flows in the area that have affected the volcanic terrain, and your guide will tell you all about it – and what that means for Etna wine in general!
After some exploring, your options include a shorter hike or alonger trek under the guidance of a local mountain guide – your choice (either is a good option, especially since you haven’t started the wine tasting yet!)
Fair warning, you’re missing out on quite a view if you don’t go with the latter!
I highly recommend that if it’s at all possible: you’ll reach the summit of the volcano, around 3,000 meters above sea level!
Either way, at Rifugio Sapienza (at 1,920 meters of altitude), you’ll be visiting a lava flow cave to conclude the sightseeing portion of the tour.
Finally, it’s time for the wine, but it sure is worth the wait – the appetizer platter that goes along with it is what really seals the deal.
You’ll try five delicious local Etna wines, made all the better by a sample of fritters, local cheese, Italian cold cuts, olive oil, and farm-made pâté.
⌛ Tour Length: 6 – 7 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.7/5 stars (10+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -A chance to go as high as 3,300 meters up Mount Etna to the summit -Exploring Silvestri Crateri and looking at lava-made souvenirs -Indulging in a hearty meal and several different kinds of wine
There’s a lot to see on the drive from Catania, but the best part is when you reach Zafferana Etnea and start tasting some local honey, jams, and liquors made from local produce.
Even further up the road is Rifugio Sapienza, one of the most scenic parts of all of the Etna region, near the Silvestri Crateri.
No reason to stop there though – for an even better view, you can take a cable car to go even higher to the summit for an additional €65 fee.
The tour is private, so as long as you and yours all agree, you really ought to make the trip up to the summit.
Either way, your trekking will be rewarded on the way down with a memorable winery visit at the end of the Etna tour.
Besides the obligatory local red and white wines, you’ll be served everything from veggies and olive oils to meat and cheese from the surrounding region.
⌛ Tour Length: 9 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (300+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -Hiking in Mt. Etna, Monti Sartorius, and Alcantara River Park -Enjoying a large meal along with generous wine samples -Visiting the stunning, scenic Alcantara Gorge
This 9-hour Etna wine tour is worth every penny, as it covers virtually everything you could hope to experience along Sicily’s eastern coast.
Starting off from Taormina, you’ll set out on an amazing hike on Mt Etna, taking in the lava caves and moon-like volcanic landscapes that Mount Etna is known for.
Afterwards, you’ll check out two more scenic hiking areas, Monti Sartorius and Alcantara River Park.
You’ll definitely want to wear some trekking shoes for this combined hiking and Etna wine tour.
After all that hiking, you’ll have worked up quite the appetite. Luckily, there’s a three-course meal waiting for you, along with some of Sicily’s best wines.
Still, the best part is probably getting to see the Alcantara Gorge – pictures don’t do this place justice, so you’ll just have to see for yourself.
All that eating and trekking will knock the wind out of you, so rest easy on the way back in the air conditioned minivan.
You can relax, because your tour operator will drop you back off at your accommodation once you’re done.
⌛ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (210+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -Tasting up to 12 different Etna wines -Thorough tour of each of three distinct Etna wineries -Enjoying a variety of local food and Sicilian snacks throughout the day
One thorough winery tour may be enough for casual wine drinkers, but it won’t quite do it for the serious wine drinker who is looking to dive deep on their Etna wine tasting excursion.
Luckily, this private 6-hour wine tour covers a whopping three wineries near Mt Etna!
The drive there has some unique stops that other Mount Etna wine tours skip, which makes it a pretty unique Etna experience.
I mean, how many people can say they’ve seen a church made of volcanic rock… while on a wine tour, nonetheless?
Once you hit your first Etna winery, you’ll get to enjoy a guided tour of the estate and a variety of wine samples to get you started on the right foot.
Hard to resist a large plate of deliciousness and five different wines with a scenic balcony view!
There’s more where that came from, though, as the second winery will have you tasting another four wines!
Ending things on a high note, the final winery offers three particularly high-caliber Mt Etna wines and even more snacks.
No one could blame you if you couldn’t eat or drink anymore at that point, though!
⌛ Tour Length: 7 – 9 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (35+ reviews) | 🍷 Book Now
Unique Features: -Getting to explore the Silvestri Craters at 2,000 meters high -Tasting produce at a local farm alongside a wine tasting -Lunch at a scenic winery, complete with a wine tasting flight
If you’re a couple or small group looking to get pampered for a day, it doesn’t get better than this Etna wine tour!
Wherever you are in the general Catania region, your friendly guides will go above and beyond to pick you up.
If you’re not feeling confident about driving up the mountain yourself (or if you’ve opted not to rent a car in Italy), this tour is the perfect way to see the Silvestri Craters firsthand.
By the way, the 2,000-meter-high view is probably one of the most spectacular sights you’ll see in all of Sicily!
To get you salivating before the big wine tasting finale, your guides will take you to a farm to sample some local specialties first.
After all, Etna is first and foremost an agricultural region!
Once you’re at the winery, you also get to enjoy a full Sicilian lunch alongside some wine samples before heading back home from your Mount Etna wine tasting tour.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
With rolling hills and vineyards as your everyday backdrop, renting a Tuscany villa with a private pool is one of the best ways to experience the bucolic landscapes of Italy’s most beautiful countryside.
And with fully-equipped kitchens, al fresco dining areas, and beautiful gardens, a home’s comforts meets nature’s beauty in these villas.
Of course, the crown jewel of many of these Tuscan villas are their private pools, a little secluded sanctuary to float clear blue skies or lounge at the water’s edge with a glass of Chianti in hand.
Renting a villa in Tuscany with a private pool is not just about luxury, though it can be if you want it to be — there are plenty of luxe jewels in this list, but also some budget sleeper hits that will surprise you with how affordable they are.
It’s also about embracing the experience of traveling with a group of loved ones, whether that’s the family you’re born into or the family you’ve chosen.
In between relaxing at your Tuscan pool villa, you can explore medieval towns, taste your way through the humbly decadent Tuscan cuisine, or merely indulge in the sweet art of doing nothing at all!
My Top 3 Picks For Tuscany Villas with Private Pools
These pool villas in Tuscany are pretty much impossible to reach with public transportation, and they are often in the countryside, not within walking distance of any amenities.
If you don’t want to feel isolated, you’ll definitely want to rent a car in Tuscany to make the most of your stay.
I recommend renting a car as soon as you fly into Florence (assuming you are starting your trip there), since you’ll get the best rates at the Florence airport.
I use Discover Cars to search for the best car rental prices in Italy, since they compare 500+ agencies (including smaller local ones, not just the big names) to find the best deal on your rental.
Best Villas in Tuscany with Private Pools for Large Groups
Overall Best For Big Groups: Villa Il Turchetto – Book Here
This massive Tuscany villa with private pool is the perfect choice for large groups — it can fit as many as 16 guests in its 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms (no bathroom hold-ups here!).
Even with a full house, you won’t be cramped at all. Villa Il Turchetto is a whopping 5,000 square feet, larger than life on the inside with high ceilings and exposed wood beams.
The bedrooms are a variety of sizes, from smaller rooms perfect for kiddos to larger master-style suites, but truly no one will feel shafted by the rooms — they’re all very comfortable.
Some of the bathrooms even have bathtubs, for those of us who love a good soak at the end of a day on vacation.
… and speaking of good soaks, the location in Saturnia means that you’re right next to one of Tuscany’s hidden gems, the thermal springs right in town.
When you’re this close, it’s a breeze to be there bright and early to be some of the first ones to enjoy the springs, which can get rather busy after the morning hours.
Back to this villa: with a living room with a fireplace, comfy armchairs, and a wall of built-in bookcases just begging you to curl up with a good novel, you absolutely will find yourself wishing you can move in.
The outdoor spaces here are massive too: plenty of comfortable cushioned chairs shaded by a thatched-style awning, giving you shade with hints of sun as you enjoy a Tuscan afternoon on the porch.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Tuscany without many a dinner al fresco.
Luckily, with a massive, well-equipped kitchen (I think I counted a whopping 8 burners to use on the massive, hood-range stove) and enough outdoor seating to fit the whole crew, you’re ready to host unforgettable dinners in the cool Tuscan night breeze.
As for the pool, you won’t make any sacrifices here: it’s huge, so every single one of 16 guests could be in the pool without feeling crowded.
It’s large enough to swim laps in, but it’s also just a wonderful place to relax in, admiring the Tuscan countryside all around you and the lovely rolling hills you can see out of every corner of your eye.
Best For Spa Lovers: Podere La Piscina – Acqua Termale e Relax – Book Here
This gorgeous villa is more like a typical Tuscan pool villa meets a full-on spa — complete with a sauna and a thermal pool and hot tub with natural spring water, it really does check all the ‘spa’ boxes!
Yes, Podere La Piscina literally has its own hot spring on the property — how’s that for a unique pool villa in Tuscany?
The spring has a constant temperature of 38°C or 100°F, so it’s perfect for visiting outside of the summer season if you want a heated pool.
If you’re looking for a colder pool for swimming laps and cooling off on hot Tuscan days, this may not be the right villa for you in the summer months!
Some of the bathrooms also feel very spa-like, including one where two people can take baths side by side using the thermal water!
Located in the countryside of Val d’Orcia in the charming village of San Casciano dei Bagni, this is one of the most scenic areas of Tuscany to stay in.
Think of that beautiful winding road lined with trees that you likely think of the image of Tuscany, and that’s the Val d’Orcia!
The town it’s near, San Casciano dei Bagni, is part of the association of most beautiful villages in Italy.
Best of all, it’s only a kilometer away, so you can reach it on foot or with a car — so this is a great mix of a private-feeling villa yet still not feeling cut off from the delight of Tuscan small towns.
This five-bedroom Tuscany villa with a private pool is very traditional, made of stone in the old-fashioned way (as a natural form of air conditioning) — but of course, it has regular A/C as well, because this villa will not let you miss any of your creature comforts.
Sleeping up to 10 guests, the bedrooms are great for a mix of families or a group of friends — 4 of the rooms have large double beds, but there’s one bedroom with two twin size beds.
There are many common spaces to enjoy with your group, like the large living room with three huge plush couches to gather around, all surrounding a fireplace.
This room is set in a high-ceilinged room complete with an exposed wooden ceiling with its original beams and a skylight — and a piano, in case any of you are musical!
All that plus a huge, well-equipped kitchen for making delicious meals with local ingredients and plenty of room to gather around the table, and you’ll see why this is the perfect Tuscany villa with private pool — nay, private hot springs — for larger groups!
Largest Pool Villa: Locanda in Tuscany – Book Here
This may be the largest Tuscany villa with a private pool on the list: the large house can sleep up to 24 guests in its 9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and a whopping 7,500 square foot floor plan!
Included in your stay is a daily breakfast at the nearby restaurant, which you can also visit for lunch or dinner if you don’t feel up to cooking for yourself.
That said, they do have a fully-equipped massive kitchen as well as outdoor BBQ facilities, so you can opt for self-catering or going out to as many meals as you like.
The outsized villa, of course, has an outsized private pool to match: stretching nearly as long as the house itself, it’s the perfect place to swim laps or take a dip during the hot afternoons in Tuscany.
There are also lots of loungers, as well as a shaded area for enjoying the afternoons outside without worrying about getting to much sun.
The pool area also has an epic sunset view, and the rolling hills of the Val d’Orcia of Tuscany is one of the entire region’s most scenic areas.
Let’s talk about the inside, now: the villa is freshly renovated, with an updated farmhouse-inspired aesthetic in all its bedrooms.
Some of the bedrooms even have their own fireplace or clawfoot bathtub in the room!
Nearly every square inch of this Tuscany villa with a pool is absolutely begging to be photographed, from its huge pool with floating chairs and rolling hill views to its fringed hammocks to its lovely minimalist décor to, of course, its lavender field!
Note, of course, lavender fields are not a year-round phenomenon — expect it to be at its peak from mid-June through mid-July — so you’ll want to book those dates in particular if the lavender field is a major selling point.
Located in the countryside of Marsiliana, this 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom villa is over 2,000 square feet and has plenty of room to accommodate up to 11 guests.
Rooms all have a very boutique hotel feel, with lovely high ceilings, a muted earth tone color palette livened up by thoughtful bursts of color, and bathrooms with rain showers!
The kitchen is massive and open, perfect for entertaining a large group while you cook, as well as outdoor BBQ facilities.
Plus, this villa has its own pizza oven — how amazing is that?
And of course, since you’re looking for a Tuscany villa with a pool, I’d be remiss to mention just how large this pool is: perfect for laps or simple afternoon swims, the entire group could be in the pool at one time and it wouldn’t feel cramped!
There are also plenty of comfortable chairs and hammocks around the poolside to curl up with a book in between swims.
The lovely Casa Terzerie has all the structure of the typical regal villas of Como, with more old-fashioned features like four-poster beds, high ceilings with exposed wooden beams, and typical Tuscan tiling.
It’s great for a medium-sized group, sleeping up to 10 guests in its 5 bedrooms, each with double beds.
It’s nearly 3,500 square feet, so there’s plenty of space to not crowd each other.
The swimming pool is huge and gorgeous, lined up perfectly with the setting sun for gorgeous sunset swims.
And while the house feels very secluded, it’s perfectly situated as there’s a delicious restaurant within walking distance, 400 meters away.
That said, you’d never have to go out for meals if you don’t want to, as there’s a huge and well-equipped kitchen as well as a gorgeous al fresco dining area perfect for big meals with friends.
Best for Dinner Parties: Villa Podere Del Grasso – Book Here
Located in Castel del Piano, this Tuscany villa with a pool is a secluded little getaway perfect for groups up to 12 — perfect for families or trips with a large group of friends.
This villa in Tuscany in absolutely massive: we’re talking six bedrooms, plus two sofa beds in the living room, so it’s easy to accommodate a large group of people.
With an enormous private pool to swim laps in or cool off in under the hot Tuscan sun, or a fireplace to gather around inside during the cooler months, this is a wonderful all-seasons villa in Tuscany for large groups.
The villa interior is gorgeous, with high ceilings complete with exposed wooden beams, completing the rustic Tuscan vibe.
A spacious kitchen with a center island to gather around is another huge perk of this villa, as it’s easy to self-cater if you want to host dinners cooking with local, seasonal ingredients — it’d be a shame to waste Italian summer produce!
A housekeeper is available in case you need any tidying while you’re staying in the villa (note that there’s an additional charge)
With a porch featuring hammock seats overlooking the hills, this Tuscany pool villa is the perfect place to take in the sunset and relax with a glass of local Chianti.
Travel insurance coverage helps you recoup your losses in case of emergency, accident, illness, or theft.
I rely on SafetyWing to cover me in case my travel plans change due to forces out of my control, or if something bad happens to me while I’m on the road. It offers great rates starting around $12/week with clear, easy-to-read coverage.
Best Outdoor Sunset Space: Villa Colletto – Book Here
If your favorite time of the day is sunset, this is the perfect Tuscany villa with a pool for you: Villa Colletto has one of the nicest sunset-facing terraces I’ve ever seen!
Complete with several comfortable wicker sofas and chairs with plush pillows, arranged in a circle around a table to place drinks and antipasti on, this is the perfect place to watch the sun sink into the small, rugged mountains of the Tuscan countryside.
And after the sun sets, there’s still plenty of outdoor beauty to enjoy, like the massive dining table that’ll fit the entire group with views over the surroundings villages, only tiny pinpricks of light in the dark.
The house has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms and comfortably sleeps 8 guests, though honestly, I do expect it could fit more if you asked.
The interior is absolutely gorgeous too, keeping in mind the historical feel of traditional Italian villas with some incredible design features, from ornate ceilings to chandeliers to exposed beams.
One of my favorites is a bathroom with murals painted on the wall of a Tuscan landscape, complete with an exposed wooden beam ceiling, a wrought-iron standalone bathtub, and sconce lighting.
It’s like taking a bath in another century!
The bedrooms too feel like they came out of a 19th century Lake Como villa, with exposed beam ceilings, delicate molding features, vintage furnishings, and many with en-suite bathrooms that continue the charm.
And of course, you looked up Tuscany pool villas so let’s talk about the pool: it’s simply huge, large enough to swim laps in or have a pool party in!
There’s also lots of loungers around the pool to take breaks for sunbathing or book-worming.
And the pool also is a great sunset spot to boot — you get epic views of the setting sun and its palette of brilliant sunset colors here, too.
There are both indoor and outdoor kitchens, and you can even hire a private chef who can cook Italian classics for you.
Perhaps even better for lovers of Tuscan wine, they have their own wine cellar and can arrange for private wine tastings!
The prices for the chef and wine tasting are rather reasonable too, starting at 35-45€ per person for meals and 25-35€ per person for wine tasting.
Who knew private luxury in your own Tuscan pool villa could be that inexpensive?
Once a fortress and a few scattered farmhouses, Chiarentana is now a gorgeous, modern place to stay with a variety of options, but we’ll focus on the villa here, since it has its own private pool.
Oh, and did I mention it’s also an olive oil farm? It doesn’t get any more Tuscan than that, does it?
The rooms are typical Italian understated villa beauty: simple but elegant furnishings that mix and match vintage with modern, so all your creature comforts are met while still having that traditional villa feel.
The kitchen is huge and spacious, high-ceilinged with lots of natural light and counter space, plus an in-kitchen dining table for entertaining and having family or group meals.
There’s also a huge living room with a fireplace and lots of seating, perfect for a night of chats, games, and drinks to match.
With four bedrooms (3 queen, one with two twin) and a living room with a sofa bed, as well as two bathrooms, there’s plenty of space at this Tuscan villa so you won’t feel crowded, even if you’re at max capacity.
It’s also rather close to the Florence airport, making transfers a breeze, as it’s located about halfway between Florence and Arrezzo, another charming Tuscan city.
The interior oozes Italian countryside charm, with rustic exposed stonework in the dining room, an outdoor area perfect for al fresco dinners with endless Chianti pours, and the typical rust-red and mustard-yellow hues of the Tuscan countryside in the shared areas.
On cool nights, there’s also a fireplace to enjoy and gather around in the lovely living room — but if it’s warm, don’t worry, this Tuscan villa is complete with A/C as well!
But of course, the real draw is the private pool: beautiful day or night, this infinity pool looks over the rolling hills of Tuscany.
And all lit up at night in beautiful turquoise and gold, there couldn’t be a better place to drink wine and chat with friends and family late into the early morning hours.
Plus, there’s a Jacuzzi as well to use!
And if you thought it didn’t get any better, the lovely couple who runs the villa, Gaetano and Francesca, will cook for you — even making you delicious home-cooked pizzas in their pizza oven!
This is the perfect villa to stay in if you don’t want to feel totally secluded out in the countryside far from all the restaurants and attractions of Tuscany, but you still want the privacy and spaciousness that a pool villa gives you.
With 6 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, this Tuscany pool villa comfortably fits up to 12 guests, making it great for groups of friends and families.
One of its best features is its infinity pool, which looks straight over the rolling landscape of the Tuscan countryside for some of the best views you can imagine.
Next to the pool, there are loungers with large umbrellas perfect for sunbathing with views of Tuscany spread out before you.
There’s also a large outdoor al fresco dining area, so you can eat lunch and dinner with the same sweeping views!
Inside, the kitchen is a modern marvel — you’ll find yourself wanting to cook in this one, with its gorgeous marble countertops and endless counter space, fully equipped to make mouthwatering meals.
There’s a wonderful little breakfast nook, multiple fireplaces, and tons of spacious seating areas to enjoy indoors.
The bedrooms are also very spacious and modern, with high ceilings with wooden beams and en-suite bathrooms with soaking tubs or walk-in showers — the ultimate in relaxation!
A 10-minute drive from the charming Tuscan town of Vinci, it’s conveniently located but still feels very private and secluded.
You can enjoy the large, spacious garden and its BBQ facilities as well as its above-ground pool, accessed via stairs that can be gated off.
This makes it an especially safe choice for families with young kids who may be worried about the safety of a Tuscany pool villa.
For an above ground pool, it’s rather large, and while you wouldn’t necessarily be able to swim laps in it, it’s definitely not a kiddie pool!
Kids will also love the treehouse-style play structure complete with a slide!
In terms of the interior, think old-fashioned Italian comforts: iron-wrought furniture, oil paintings and prints of famous Italian artists, and the typical Tuscan color palette of pale yellow, brick, and rust-red.
It’s not the most design-forward Tuscany pool villa, and fans of modernist design will definitely find it a little dated, but if you want old-fashioned charm, this is it!
Modern Beauty with Spa Features: Villa Le Terme – Book Here
This pool villa in Tuscany doesn’t quite feel like the others, as it has a really modern architecture compared to the others, which are more traditional in their design.
While it may not ooze with historic charm the way many of these Tuscany villas with private pools do, Villa Le Terme still is an excellent choice and may be better for those with more modernist design sensibilities.
It’s also great for large groups, with 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and the ability to fit up to 13 people. One bedroom is on the ground floor and is wheelchair accessible.
This villa boasts not one but two pools: one outdoors with a gorgeous view, and one indoors, covered with a roof but surrounded by glass windows so you won’t feel like you’re missing a bit of the view!
Plus, there’s also an indoor dry sauna as well as a Turkish bath steam room to complete the “home spa” feel, as well as two tiled hammam-style relaxation loungers in the indoor pool area.
The outdoor pergola is very modern, with geometric, clean-lined outdoor furniture for lounging and relaxing beside the huge swimming pool.
Inside, the kitchen is compact but very functional, with plenty of counter space and all sorts of modern appliances that wouldn’t look out of place in a brand-new luxury apartment.
That same modern aesthetic continues throughout — from the loft-style feel of the living room-meets-dining area to spacious, minimalist bedrooms, this definitely feels like a 21st-century villa.
If you’re looking for the romantic, historic villa in Tuscany — this isn’t it. But if you want a large space and a private pool with a modern feel, this is a great choice!
Located outside the popular Tuscan destination of Cortona, this Tuscany pool villa is huge — over 3,000 square feet — with 6 bedrooms that can welcome up to 11 guests.
The two-story Villa Mezzavia has a massive private pool on site, with lots of sun loungers aside it for sunbathing in between swims.
The huge pool is well-shaded by trees for much of the day, so it’s perfect for swimming on hot days without worrying about the scorching sun!
The interior is spacious and traditional, with your typical Tuscan tile floor and brick-lined archways that given an open floor plan feel while still having separate ‘rooms’ in the main living area.
The kitchen is well-appointed though a little small, but you can definitely make do for cooking some nice meals in here to be enjoyed either in the dining room in the main house or al fresco.
The bedrooms continue the traditional Tuscan aesthetic, incorporating the same tile and brickwork in the rooms, whose edges are softened with vintage furnishings that make you feel like you’re staying in another century.
And some bedrooms even have a soaking tub in the room, whereas others have an en-suite bathroom with a step-in shower.
Small Town Bliss: Villa La Casa del Re – Book Here
Just outside the small town of Le Piazze, you can easily run into town for the things you need — a coffee, a bottle of wine, some food, all 10 minutes away on foot.
Yet still, Villa La Casa de Re is set away back far enough that you can feel the seclusion of having your very own Tuscany villa with a private pool.
Taking up 3 floors, this 6-bedroom villa can sleep up to 11 guests comfortably, though smaller groups can enjoy it as well.
Though given how many people it can fit, it can be a rather cheap price per person if you have a full house!
The interior is lovely, warm, and welcoming, with bright white walls that invite in the natural light and wooden exposed beams that give the whole room a lovely rustic feel.
The kitchen is spacious, perfect for making a meal with a group of friends, as well as having an outdoor BBQ area for delicious summertime meals.
The pool is not huge, but it’s large enough to enjoy with a smaller group, and there are plenty of sun beds and umbrellas for you to enjoy some sunbathing.
The bedrooms have the same high-ceilinged, minimalistic yet warm stylings as the rest of the house, simply furnished with beautiful wooden furnishings and uncluttered so they have a peaceful feel.
That said, the bathrooms feel a little dated, as the tile is bit old-school and the showers aren’t particularly nice or modern.
Best Villas in Tuscany with Private Pools for Smaller Groups
Best for Budget Travel: Le Rime di Campagna – Book Now
Just on the outskirts of the charming Tuscan city of Arrezzo, less than 3 miles from the city center, you’ll find this lovely Tuscan villa for quite an affordable price!
This budget-friendly villa in Tuscany with a private pool has everything you’d want — air conditioning, a well-stocked kitchen and BBQ facilities, a patio with views of the rolling hills, and an outdoor fireplace — all at a reasonable price that’s perfect for a smaller group.
With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the ability to fit up to four guests, this is a great choice for two couples traveling together or a family of 4 who wants a bit of privacy during their stay.
The design is subtle and homey, not over-the-top fancy, but that’s part of its charm — it makes your Tuscany pool villa feel a little more like a home away from home, at least for a time.
The pool is not incredibly large, but since it’s a private pool for just your group of four or fewer to use, that’s not such a bad thing…
Especially when there’s an outdoor dining area and a hammock area to enjoy just next to the pool!
If you want the Tuscany villa with a private pool experience without the huge price tag, this is the spot for you, so long as your group size is small enough to make it work!
Stone House Budget Beauty: Villa La Pergola – Book Here
In a typical stone home you’ll find all over the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by flowering trees and vines, the beautiful Villa La Pergola is a good option for smaller groups of 6 or less.
With 3 bedrooms — two double beds and one sofa bed — and 2 bathrooms, this is a spacious villa in Tuscany with a private pool despite the lower number of bedrooms compared to most, with a nearly 3,000 square foot floor plan.
The interior is quintessentially Tuscan: exposed stone walls that show off the masonry, juxtaposed against plenty of wood details and mustard yellow and rust red accents.
The bedrooms are that perfect blend of minimalistic yet not Spartan, with plenty of room to spread out in yet with enough personality and detail to feel individualized and homey, like you’re staying in the house of a family friend.
Admittedly, the circular swimming pool isn’t the largest, but it’s perfectly suitable for a dip to cool off on a hot Italian afternoon.
There’s also a great pergola — who would have guessed it from the name of the villa? — with a large dining table for meals under the Tuscan sun (or stars).
But best of all is the price, which can be downright affordable; sometimes the villa is available for under $250 per night, which is just over $40 per person per night if you have a full house!
Typical of villas in the region, Villa Ada Belriguardo is made of stone with a terra cotta roof, emblematic of the Tuscany region.
The pool is located a terrace or two below the villa and it is simply massive, overlooking a valley of Tuscany’s hilly region.
There is plenty of room for the whole group to enjoy the pool, or to swim some laps if you’re looking for exercise.
The pool is also beautifully lit up at night, perfect for night swims under the uncountable stars of the Tuscan sky.
This villa is on the smaller side in terms of how many guests it can fit: with only 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, it’s better suited for smaller groups of 6 or fewer.
That also makes it a fairly affordable place to stay on a budget, especially if you have a full house, though it isn’t the cheapest villa on the list.
The interior of the villa is beautiful in an old-fashioned way: think Tuscan tile floors, iron-wrought bed frames, and vintage wooden furnishings.
The bathrooms are a little small and dated, but the rest of the house feels spacious, recently renovated, and inviting, especially the kitchen and living areas.
Plus, there’s also a game room complete with a pool table!
In short, as long as you don’t need the most modern of design choices, this is the perfect choice for a smaller group looking for a Tuscany villa with a private pool.
Close to Florence: CountryHouse con Piscina – Book Here
Just on the outskirts of Florence near the outer suburb of Rifredi, you can have your own Tuscan villa with private pool while just being a short ride into town — less than 4 kilometers to its main sights, in fact.
In fact, it’s so close to the center of Florence that you can just walk to the tram, which is 5 minutes walk away, and that’ll sweep you right into town!
With a private indoor pool surrounded by beautiful brick and stone, complete with hydromassage jets, this is a lovely place to relax after a busy day sightseeing in Florence — and it’s lit up beautifully at night, giving it an almost hammam-style feel.
The indoor pool is a bit small, but it’s definitely suitable for relaxing in after a full day of sightseeing around the city.
Plus, the villa also has an outdoor fireplace, a BBQ area, and some garden areas to walk around, so you really will feel like you’re outside of the urban center, despite being so close to it!
Of course, being so close to Florence, you do make a sacrifice: namely, space, as the country house is a little on the small side.
The rooms can be a little narrow, as everything fits in a 600 square foot floor plan, but nevertheless this charming tiny house fits up to five guests comfortably in its 2 bedrooms (and a living room sofa bed).
But for the price and location, it’s a great offer — just don’t expect a massive villa or an outdoor pool, because that’s not what this villa is about!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
