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Italy in June means the official start to summer and plenty to do outdoors. These are the 5 best places to visit in Italy in June, as someone who lives here.
June means more sunshine, warmer weather, longer daylight hours, and more people (locals and tourists) out and about. It's not quite peak summer season yet (that's to come in July and August) but a lot more lively than what you might have witnessed visiting Italy in spring.
Simply put: Italy in June is best spent outside.
Whether that be sitting outside while you have your coffee, aimlessly wandering around a new destination, or filling up your trip's itinerary with beaches or hiking trails, it really doesn't matter, so long as you're taking full advantage of the early summer temps.
Let's dive into the best places to visit in Italy in June, based on my experience living here for a few years now.
Short on time? Here's the quick guide:
Italy in June means the official start of summer. The weather is warm throughout the country, there's plenty to see and do, and the tourist crowds haven't quite invaded like they will in July and August.
At a quick glance, these are my top 5 recommendations of places to visit in Italy in June:
Sardinia
Udine
Modena
Lake Como
Lake Iseo (Bergamo/Brescia)
About us
We're Kat, from the US, & Raf, from Colombia. We've been traveling the world and living abroad for the past decade but now call Italy home.
1. Sardinia
You won't have to fight for space on the beach in June
Ahh, dreamy Sardinia. While I have a lot of great trips already scheduled this year for June, I do wish Sardinia was on the list. If I'm lucky I might just be able to squeeze it in!
If you've never heard of this island, it sits in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Rome, between Italy and France. It's just south of the French island, Corsica.
Last year we spent some of June in Sardinia and it was really, really fantastic. Given the flight options, we chose to base ourselves just outside of Olbia. We were a bit nervous as we've heard this is the most touristic area of the island but decided to go find out for ourselves. Know that you can also take a ferry from Rome and Genoa, and likely other ports cities as well.
At least in June, it's quiet yet ideal beach weather. The beaches had people on them, sure, but none were overly crowded. The water is still pretty cold in June, as a heads up, but super refreshing if it's a particularly hot day or you sit out under the sun too long.
I highly recommend you read our travel guide to Sardinia before you plan your trip as there we go into the different areas of the island, things to do, and some helpful travel tips.
Where to Stay in Sardinia
Sardinia is a lot bigger than I think you have in mind. When I was first planning our trip to Sardinia, I assumed we'd rent a car and traverse the island. Given that we only had a short week here, those dreams were quickly squashed.
Although I wanted to see a lot of the island, I also didn't want to spend every day in the car, which is what we were looking at.
My biggest suggestion to you is either: stay for longer or get to know one area really well.
Since Olbia has one of the bigger airports, receives a lot of the ferry traffic, and it's where we stayed, that's where I'm going to make my recommendations. Just know that I'd only really recommend this area if you're looking for an area more used to tourism and are arriving here:
Budget Stay:Casa Sacuri: While the room itself is simple yet clean, stay close to beaches and Olbia without having to pay beachfront prices.
Mid-Tier Stay:Casagliana Suite Resort: This is where my husband and I stayed during our trip to Sardinia. The views, the tranquility, spacious rooms, and the great location made it a perfect retreat for us.
Luxury Stay:Hotel Abi d'Oru: Get instant beach access and plenty of amenities when you stay at this exclusive resort on Costa Smeralda.
2. Udine
The city center of Udine really is stunning
Udine is a small town in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the region we live in. Outside of the region, it seems like no one has heard of this town (we hadn't before moving here!) but everyone is really sleeping on a great destination.
It's a relatively small city so you don't need too much time to see it. You can spend a weekend here and see the neighboring small towns or enjoy a day trip to Udine where you stay in the city center. It's easily reachable by train from both Trieste and Venezia Mestre, and of course other smaller towns in the region. It sits in the foothills of the Carnic Alps and near the border of Slovenia.
Udine really is a unique city that's well worth the visit. Plus, for those traveling to Italy in June on a budget, the food and drink prices are the lowest I've seen in a city without sacrificing quality.
In my opinion, the best thing to do here is to allow yourself to get lost in the charming alleyways, enjoy the Venetian architecture covered in frescos, and take the short but steep walk up to the castle for sweeping views.
Where to Stay in Udine
The city center of Udine is a pretty concise square, surrounded by highways around it. It's really easy to walk from one side to another without the fear of getting lost (since you'd have to cross a major road to leave).
That in mind, I highly recommend you book your stay right in the center of Udine if you decide to pop by here while visiting Italy:
Budget Option: Udine Center Apartment: This one-bedroom apartment is simple yet affordable and placed nearby all the city parks.
Mid-Tier Option: Oriana Homèl Udine: Situated right in the city center, overlooking the Piazza della libertà, you can choose from a variety of apartments based on how much space you need.
Luxury Option: Mercatovecchio Luxury Apartments: Located on a small alleyway near Piazza San Giacomo, you can choose between two two-bedroom apartments, both elegantly designed and ideal for a weekend in comfort.
3. Modena
Modena is just north of Bologna in central Italy. While I do love (eating in) Bologna, I'll recommend you save that city visit for when school is in full swing. With the oldest university in Europe, Bologna's vibe is at its best when the students are in school and not out for summer break or studying for exams.
For June, I'd instead recommend you visit Modena and the surrounding towns.
Modena is most well-known for its balsamic vinegar but has a lot more to offer than just that. This region in general offers fantastic food so you certainly won't go hungry here. Modena is picturesque and really cute to wander around.
It's small enough to see by foot but big enough that you won't run out of alleyways to traverse too quickly.
From Modena, you can easily take a train to Parma, Reggio Emilia, and Carpi. You can even quickly get to Bologna if you have an itch for the city.
While you can easily enjoy Modena without a car (that's how we visited), if you're able to drive around, I highly recommend you visit a restaurant or two outside of the towns and in the hills. Typically in Italy, this is where you eat best and enjoy scenic views of the Italian countryside.
Take that last tip if possible but know that even without a car, you'll have a good time just in Modena.
Where to Stay in Modena
We actually have a trip to Modena next week. We'll be staying in the city center for 6 nights and while I feel good about the place we booked, I'll update this article after our stay to confirm if I would recommend it or another spot. Stay tuned!
4. Lake Como
This view is only possible by private boat - totally worth it!
Lake Como is another one of those popular destinations that I've talked to in previous articles that have really gotten overly crowded.
That said, I know this is on most bucket lists so I wanted to talk about it at some point, I've honestly been just trying to figure out when. I actually visited Lake Como in May and while we had plenty of sunny days, it was pretty cold on our boat ride and definitely not warm enough to swim. For those reasons, I'd suggest waiting until June to visit.
I really am glad that I visited Lake Como but would it be top of my list to go back? Probably not. Like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, the high levels of tourism is just too much for the small towns to keep up with.
You'll face plenty of crowds and long lines for the ferries. But, I know most people need to see for themselves!
My biggest recommendation to really enjoy Lake Como without having to worry about the crowds is to rent a boat for at least one day. You can drive yourself and explore by water, which is one of the most beautiful ways to see it. Just know you can't just go and dock anywhere you please and there are only very specific places where you can hop on and off your boat.
Another thing to keep in mind is how to arrive here. I wouldn't recommend staying in Como town but instead seeing other parts of the lake. Here's an in-depth guide on arriving to Lake Como and the transportation options around the lake.
Where to Stay in Lake Como
There's a lot of great areas to stay in Lake Como. When choosing where to base yourself, you need to think about what you plan on doing, how you'll arrive, and how long you'll stay. Certain areas of Lake Como can be tough to reach (as I mentioned above) so I'd only stay in one of those hard to reach areas if you have a car and/or are staying a while.
For a long weekend, I suggest somewhere central, like Bellagio. Bellagio is certainly famous and you'll face too many people but it is incredibly charming and best enjoyed in the morning and at night when the day trippers have gone.
By staying here, you can enjoy its quieter moments and since it's so central on the lake, you can easily explore other areas during the day.
📍Still looking for a great place to stay in Bellagio? I recommend:
Budget Option:Hotel Bellagio: Located right in the center of Bellagio, this pet-friendly hotel is a great choice for those that don't need all the space or amenities of an apartment. Plus, you'll get free breakfast!
Mid-Tier Option:Skyway Apartment: This is the apartment I stayed in with friends. It was fantastic! It's split between 2 levels which we enjoyed and offers unbeatable lake views inside and from the private terrace. Plus you're right in town center, which is really impossible to beat.
Luxury Option:Palazzo Barindelli Suite Verde: Although the Skyway Apartment can sleep more guests, this one gives you more space and open views from every room. The location of this apartment is right on the lake.
5. Brescia/Bergamo & Lake Iseo
Just imagine how nice that'd be on a sunny day
I want to suggest another lake in Italy to visit instead (or alongside) Lake Como, Lake Iseo.
Lake Iseo is also in Northern Italy, just between Bergamo and Brescia. From Lecce on Lake Como, the drive to Lake Iseo is only about 1.5 hours. From both Bergamo and Brescia it's easy to get here via bus or train but from other cities, it's a bit of a commute.
Like a lot of the Italian lakes, Lake Iseo has the same stunning mountain scenery many associate with Lake Como and Lake Garda but since it's not a well-known destination, you can expect fewer crowds to share it with.
Lake Iseo is surrounded by small but cute towns and by June the water should be warm enough for a swim, albeit a bit chilly.
Brescia and Bergamo were the combined capital of culture in 2023 and are both cute cities. While we haven't been to Bergamo yet, we have spent time in both Brescia and Lake Iseo. While I enjoyed Brescia for a weekend trip, next time I'm in the area I would choose to see Bergamo instead of going back.
That said, I would 100% take the opportunity to go back to Lake Iseo, especially on a sunny day in June as when we visited it was a pretty cold and rainy day in October.
Where to Stay in Lake Iseo
We visited Lake Iseo (Iseo the town, specifically) as a day trip from Brescia. As I mentioned above, I'd really love to go back and spend more time on the lake.
If you're more of a city person, you might prefer to stay in Brescia or Bergamo and just spend a day here but if you're itching for more time on the water, I recommend having a few nights here. Since I've only been to the town of Iseo, that's the area I'll stick to.
📍Consider booking you stay at:
Budget Option:Agriturismo Forest B&B: If you're coming here to unwind and enjoy great views, this is a fantastic choice to slow down a bit and simply relax.
Mid-Tier Option: Iseo Lago Hotel: For those more motivated by the water, this hotel has a swimming pool and lakefront access.
Luxury Option: Little Mier Iseo: You'll be hard pressed to beat the location of this small house. It's in the center of town, just a quick walk to the train station and the lakefront.
Where Not to Visit in June
I've mentioned this in all of my spring articles but as most people associate June with summer, I want to bring it up here as well.
June isn't a great time to visit the Dolomites or the Italian Alps.
Although you certainly can visit, most trails at higher elevations will still be closed. It's not uncommon for snow to stay on the mountains until mid-June, making hiking dangerous for people that don't know the trails.
Likely the cable cars also will be closed but some mountains play this by ear based on the weather each year.
If you want to simply look at the mountains and enjoy the views, go for it. The weather, especially at night, will probably still be pretty chilly but otherwise should be really nice. If you're dreaming of hiking and mountain biking, I'd hold off until either the end of the month or July to be sure.
Where Will You Go in Italy in June?
June in Italy really is a treat. It's warm enough for plenty of beach time but often not too hot to enjoy the cities. Tourist season is starting but not yet as chaotic as it'll get in later months.
Just know that the farther down to Southern Italy you go, the warmer the weather is going to get. It'll be a lot cooler in Udine than a town in Puglia, for example. Either way, pack summer clothes and a light jacket for nights or a random rainy day.
If you're chasing the heat, you might prefer to hop down south but since July and August are pretty miserable in the cities and best for days spent with the sea breeze on your face, I wanted to squeeze a few suggestions in before we get into full-blown summer heat.
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