ITALY : What to visit in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for Italy, from hosting the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina and the excitement building around Bologna’s growing film culture to the spotlight landing on L’Aquila, the Italian Capital of Culture 2026.

Here are some underrated Italian destinations, you should visit in 2026.

1. Trieste

In the far northeast corner of the country, Trieste, a former stronghold of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, boasts Central European grandeur on the Adriatic. With the sea-facing Piazza Unità d’Italia, Italy’s largest, and a storied literary heritage, the city is as elegant as can be, with a curious mix of Austrian, Italian, and Slovenian influences. The port has also been the main gateway for imported coffee beans since the 18th century, feeding a café culture that rivals Vienna’s. Spend your days in the historic literary haunts like Antico Caffè San Marco (which doubles as a bookshop) or the oldest, Caffè Tommaseo, where James Joyce and Italo Svevo once held court.  

2. Parma

Even in a region defined by superlative gastronomy, Parma is a standout. The city has earned its title as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy for good reason, being the source of two of the world’s most imitated and revered products: Prosciutto di Parma DOP and Parmigiano Reggiano. This is a place where you not only eat well, but live well, thanks to its former ruler, Maria Luigia of Austria (Napoleon’s second wife), whose enlightened reign gifted the city a “Little Paris” air. Wander its charming historic center, painted in an eponymous buttery yellow and look for Correggio’s Renaissance masterpieces in the Duomo and Parmigianino’s frescoes in the Basilica of Santa Maria della Steccata. The hallowed Teatro Regio di Parma, one of Italy’s most prestigious opera houses, has also come out with a grand 2026 season, including productions like Bellini’s Norma and Puccini’s Manon Lescaut. Parma is, quite simply, the most delicious and culturally enriching destination for those willing to seek it out. 

3. Catania

Catania is Sicily’s up-and-coming cool girl. Built from the very black lava stone (pietra lavica) that pours from its intimidating neighbor, Mount Etna, the island’s second-largest city is its creative engine. There’s a prolific music scene (and great dancing), with the legendary Mercati Generali as the cathedral of southern clubbing just outside the city. Early September’s Ricci Weekender is something to mark your calendar for: a festival dedicated to nu jazz, natural wine, and Sicilian food curated by Gilles Peterson.