Italy has a lot of faces, but if you're chasing the ultra-luxe version? The red wine-at-sunset, silk-draped, villa-stay, boat-hopping kind of Italy? Yeah... then this list is for you. I’ve lived in Italy for years now, and I’m still constantly floored by how many layers this country has.
Quiet villages. Loud fashion. Old stones. New money. And somehow, all of it still feels timeless.
So here are my 8 best luxury tourist destinations in Italy — based on actual experience, slightly ridiculous spending habits, and a deep love for both crumbly churches, Italy beach towns that feel cinematic and rooftop pools.
The first time I saw Lake Como, I honestly thought it was fake. Like, a painted movie set. The water was glassy, the villas too perfect, and everything smelled like jasmine and boat fuel in the best way.
This place just oozes old-money glam. George Clooney owns a villa here. Do with that information what you will.
Luxury here isn’t loud — it’s tailored linen shirts, silent electric boats, and martinis at Villa d’Este without anyone saying a word. You want to not be noticed. It’s that kind of vibe.
Pro Tip: Book a Riva boat in advance. Prices aren’t cheap (~€500+ for a few hours), but gliding past Villa Balbianello at sunset? Unmatched.
The Amalfi Coast does not do chill. It’s dramatic cliffs, hairpin roads, citrus everything, and views that punch you in the chest. And you can explore everything with proper Amalfi Coast Italy travel itinerary planning in advance.
Positano is the poster child — but Ravello? Oof. Ravello might be even better.
Stayed at Belmond Hotel Caruso once — infinity pool hanging over the cliffs, a string quartet at sunset, the whole works. Still think about it at least once a week.
You’ll probably get stuck in traffic (honestly just embrace it), but the wine’s cold and the air smells like lemons and sea spray. Worth it.
Okay, so Venice can be super touristy. But it also might be the most magical place in the country — if you do it right.
I stayed in Dorsoduro last time. Quiet, local, beautiful. I got up at sunrise to see the Rialto Bridge completely empty. Just me, some pigeons, and mist curling off the canal. (The vaporetto was late, obviously, but whatever.)
Luxury Venice means taking a private water taxi (yes, it costs too much), drinking spritzes at Aman Venice, and not checking your phone once. It’s also about embracing slowness. Don’t rush here. Just drift.
Tuscany is sneaky-rich. Like, you think it’s just cypress trees and Chianti, and then bam — you’re having lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant in a 12th-century castle.
Stayed once at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco — 5,000 acres of vineyards, private villas, and the kind of staff who remember your dog’s name. It’s very much a place where people "summer."
Pro move? Rent a vintage Alfa Romeo and drive through the Val d'Orcia. You’ll cry. Or at least dramatically gasp.
Capri is... a lot. I mean, it’s gorgeous — cliffs, turquoise sea, the whole mythological vibe. But also? It’s full of Very Important People doing Very Important Leisure.
You don’t come here to relax. You come here to perform relaxation. Long lunches at La Fontelina, €18 espressos on Via Camerelle, and paparazzi-ready strolls.
I kinda love it. I also kind of need a nap after 48 hours here.
Portofino is what people think the Amalfi Coast is like — but smaller, quieter, and (weirdly) more expensive. The harbor is straight out of a painting. The people are all models or pretending to be.
Splendido, A Belmond Hotel is the move. It’s old-school Riviera elegance. Views for days. Aperitivos with live piano. You can kayak around the coast or just sit very still in a linen suit.
Is there much to do? Not really. And that’s the whole point.
Milan doesn’t care if you like it. Which is kind of refreshing, actually. It’s not here to be quaint. It’s here to serve looks, sell you €2,000 shoes, and drop you into glossy, champagne-soaked interiors.
Bulgari Hotel, Armani Hotel — take your pick. Then go shopping in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, where even the floors feel expensive.
Honestly? It’s not one of my favorite Italian places (sorry, Milan). But if you love design, fashion, and luxury with a hard edge? It might be yours.
Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda is like... if Ibiza had a baby with a Bond movie. The beaches are surreal. The hotels are borderline sci-fi. And everyone seems to be on a yacht.
Hotel Cala di Volpe is legendary — like, rich-people-rich. But it somehow still feels earthy? Rustic-luxe is the term, I think.
This area isn’t for bargain hunters. But if you want that remote, off-grid, no-one-can-reach-you kind of luxury? It nails it.
Luxury in Italy doesn’t always look how you expect. Sometimes it’s understated. Sometimes it’s gold-plated. Sometimes it’s just a perfect tomato on a perfect terrace.
But the thing that ties all these European destinations together? Attention. Italy notices. It remembers. And that — more than five stars or marble bathtubs — is what makes a place feel truly luxurious.
Probably Capri or Costa Smeralda, depending on season and how deep your pockets go.
May–June or September. Avoid August (tourist chaos + heat).
Some are better than others. Venice and Tuscany, yes. Capri and Portofino, maybe not.
In Tuscany, yes. On the Amalfi Coast? Only if you have nerves of steel.
Sort of, but they really shine when you lean into the splurge.
Milan can feel a little cold unless you’re into fashion/design.
Two or three max. Don’t cram.
Hotels (especially Capri and Lake Como), private transfers, and popular restaurants.
Not required, but rounding up or leaving 5–10% for great service is appreciated.
