Weekend in Italy, 6 must-see destinations

Want to spend a weekend in Italy? Discover our 6 tourist destinations for an unforgettable stay!

Book a flight

From

6 destinations for an unforgettable weekend in Italy

Italy offers many tourist destinations, easily accessible by plane from Lyon.

Are you more interested in nature or culture, city or countryside? We have selected 6 ideas for an unforgettable weekend for lovers, families or friends.

Book your flight from Lyon to Italy, and discover some of the most beautiful cities and tourist areas in Italy!

1. Rome, the Eternal City

The capital of Italy was the centre of an immense empire, which at its peak extended over the entire Mediterranean coastline, a large part of Europe, Asia Minor and the Near East. From this sumptuous era, we have many monuments such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum of Rome, Trajan's Column or the ancient walls of Aurelian. The Renaissance also left its mark on Rome, through various buildings or sumptuous architectural ensembles. You can admire the Villa Medici, and the Villa Borghese, which gave its name to a park. The Trevi Fountain and Castel Sant'Angelo, built on the ruins of a Roman mausoleum, are also worth a visit. Numerous museums in the four corners of the city bear witness to this prestigious past.

A weekend in Rome is also an opportunity to enjoy the Dolce Vita. You can sit down at a table in a traditional pizzeria or trattoria to savour Italian specialties, stroll through the streets or gardens and let yourself be caught up in the unique atmosphere of the city.

What if you left Rome on foot for another country? Cross the gates of St. Peter's Square and enter the territory of the Vatican, the smallest state in the world! St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums are full of treasures, such as the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo.

Book your flight from Lyon to Rome and visit the capital of Italy!

2. Venice, the Serenissima

In the north-east of Italy, the city of Venice lies on the water. Its palaces, churches, museums and monuments, and canals form a unique picture, and have contributed to the city's worldwide reputation.

You can make your weekend in Venice about culture and heritage by visiting museums and monuments. St Mark's Square and Basilica, the Doge's Palace, Ca' Rezzonico, the Campanile, the Correr Museum or the Gallerie dell'Accademia are all testimony to the city's opulent past.

Are you visiting Venice as a couple? A gondola ride on the canals of the lagoon is a must. You can also spend an afternoon on the island of Murano, famous for its glassworks. The shops in the workshops offer items made on the spot.

You can plan a weekend in February, during the Venice Carnival. For ten days or so, carnival-goers wear richly decorated masks and sumptuous costumes, and many festivities are organised.

Book your flight from Lyon to Venice and head for the north-east of Italy!

3. Naples, volcanic and exuberant

In the south of Italy, the city of Naples unfolds its popular and cosmopolitan districts facing the Mediterranean Sea. Many monuments bear witness to a rich and eventful history. During your Neapolitan weekend, you can visit the Castel Nuovo, built facing the sea by the Anjou family in the 13th century. You can also admire the Basilica of Santa Chiara, with its pure lines and simple ornamentation, or enter one of the city's museums. Between the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, the Capodimonte Museum, the MADRE, the Villa Floridiana, the Villa Pignatelli or the Sansevero Chapel, archaeological treasures and the most beautiful works of art, ancient, Renaissance or contemporary, await you in Naples.

During your short stay in Campania, you can also leave Naples for a relaxing or discovering getaway. Looking for a sunny destination? Take a trip to the island of Capri, with its paradisiacal beaches and crystal clear waters, for a day of fun and relaxation with your feet in the water. The Grotto Azzurra is one of the island's must-see attractions. Want to delve into ancient Italian history? Explore the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, two once flourishing cities destroyed in just a few hours by the eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2000 years ago.

After all these emotions, a gourmet stop is a must. Neapolitan restaurants invite you to savour an exceptional gastronomy, marked by Mediterranean influences, in a warm and lively atmosphere.

Book your flight from Lyon to Naples and fly to Campania!

4. Sardinia, the hidden gem of the Mediterranean

South of Corsica, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. Its coastline is divided into numerous coves, which are home to heavenly beaches or small fishing ports. From June to September, take off for a weekend in Sardinia with your feet in the water, between lazing in the sun, diving into the Mediterranean and dining by the sea! The Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena archipelago are among the most popular tourist destinations.

Sardinia's mountainous terrain offers magnificent landscapes and authentic villages. You can make your Sardinian holiday a time of discovery by visiting the island's most beautiful towns: Alghero, whose architecture bears witness to Italian and Spanish influences, Bosa, dominated by the remains of its ancient mediaeval castle, Santu Lussurgiu with its winding streets... We invite you to make several stops to meet the Sardinians, their culture and their gastronomy.

Book your flight from Lyon to Olbia, in the north of the island, or take a flight from Lyon to Cagliari to discover southern Sardinia!

5. Sicily, the island of three points

This island in southern Italy is dominated by the majestic silhouette of Mount Etna, which rises to 3,357 metres.

The Sicilian coastline invites you to relax and marvel, with its heavenly beaches and secret coves. The seaside resorts welcome you for a stay with your feet in the water, under the sun of the southern Mediterranean. Swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, sea excursions, the water activities are very varied!

At the crossroads of several civilisations, Sicily has forged a unique identity. The Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Moors and Normans have occupied Sicily in turn. They brought their traditions and left a remarkable heritage. The Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo alone can embody this cultural wealth. Sicily's diversity can also be found on the plate, and can be savoured during a gourmet break in a restaurant.

You can also make the most out of your weekend in Sicily to take a trip inland or to the slopes of Mount Etna. Authentic villages are revealed between citrus plantations and vineyards, revealing little-known treasures.

Book your flight from Lyon to Palermo, located in the north-west of the island, or board a flight from Lyon to Catania, a city in eastern Sicily located at the foot of Mount Etna!

6. Bari, gateway to Apulia

Bathed by the Adriatic Sea, Bari lines its houses perched on cliffs hit by the waves. The city is famous for its historical centre, its museums and its monuments. The Basilica of San Nicola, the Teatro Margherita, the Fizzarotti Palace, the Mincuzzi Shops Palace, the Norman-Swabian Castle or the Fortress of Saint Anthony the Abbot are all worth a visit. You can also sit on the terrace of a restaurant to taste the tasty specialities of the Italian gastronomy.

Your weekend in Italy can also include a trip to the Apulia region. Day trips invite you to take the back roads for unforgettable experiences. Whether you visit vineyards, take a sea cruise, stroll through the village of Alberobello, famous for its trulli, round stone houses with thatched roofs, or stroll through the fishing port of Bisceglie, you can multiply your escapades and experiences during your stay from Bari.

Book your flight from Lyon to Bari, and fly to southern Italy!