Passeggiata del Gianicolo, Rome
FamilyBudgetAn elevated promenade above Trastevere with the best panoramic views of Rome — St. Peter's, the Vittoriano, and the Forum all in one sweep. Free, uncrowded, and there's a puppet show for kids at noon on weekdays.
Punta Chiappa to San Fruttuoso
Must-DoA coastal path on the Portofino promontory ending at the abbey of San Fruttuoso — accessible only on foot or by boat. Take the ferry back to Camogli. Combines walking with a boat trip and a swim.
Ortigia Island, Siracusa
FamilyBudgetThe island heart of Siracusa — Greek temples, baroque piazzas, and the Fonte Aretusa spring where papyrus grows. Wander the market in the morning, gelato by the sea in the afternoon. Flat and car-free.
Val d'Orcia: Pienza to Bagno Vignoni
Must-DoA gentle dirt road through the UNESCO Val d'Orcia landscape. Cypress avenues, lone farmhouses, and golden fields. End at Bagno Vignoni's hot spring piazza for a foot soak.
Lungolago di Bellagio, Lake Como
FamilyStroll the tip of the Bellagio peninsula where the two branches of Lake Como meet. The waterfront promenade, Villa Melzi gardens (€6.50), and the cobbled lanes of the old village. Pure elegance.
Our pick
Val d'Orcia from Pienza to Bagno Vignoni — an easy walk through the most iconic landscape in Italy, ending with your feet in a thermal pool.