Destination wedding in Italy: Guest Guide to Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Lake Como & More

Renaissance Florence, cypress-lined Chianti roads and long lunches at wine estates. Most guests split their time between the city and a countryside base.

Getting there: Florence (FLR) is 20 minutes from the city; Pisa (PSA) is about 1 hour by train or car.
Car needed: Mostly yes, or book drivers
Activity prices: Pricier
Group favorites: chianti wine tour with tastings at two estates; florence highlights walking tour; skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery guided tour

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Amalfi Coast

Positano, Amalfi & Ravello · best May to June, September to early October

Pastel villages stacked above the sea, lemon groves and boat days to Capri. Expect stairs, winding roads and spectacular views from every terrace.

Getting there: Naples (NAP) is about 1h30 by car to Positano or Amalfi. Many guests book a private transfer.
Car needed: Not usually
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: capri boat day trip with a Blue Grotto stop; private boat along the Amalfi Coast; path of the Gods guided hike

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Lake Como

Bellagio, Varenna & Tremezzo · best May to September

Villas, gardens and ferries crossing between pastel villages. The central lake around Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo is where most weddings happen.

Getting there: Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Milan Linate (LIN), both about 1h15 by car to the central lake.
Car needed: Not usually
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: private speedboat tour: Bellagio, Varenna and Villa del Balbianello; villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta gardens; italian cooking class in a lakeside home

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Puglia

Valle d'Itria, Ostuni & Polignano · best May to June, September to October

Whitewashed hill towns, trulli houses, olive groves and masseria farm estates where many weddings take place.

Getting there: Bari (BRI) and Brindisi (BDS) are each about 1 hour from the Valle d'Itria.
Car needed: Mostly yes, or book drivers
Activity prices: Budget-friendly
Group favorites: alberobello trulli walking tour; orecchiette pasta class in a masseria; olive oil tasting at a historic masseria

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Lake Garda

Sirmione, Gardone & Riva del Garda · best May to June, September

Italy's largest lake, with castle towns in the south, mountains in the north and vineyards on the shores. Easier to reach and often better value than Lake Como, with plenty for guests to do.

Getting there: Verona (VRN) is 30 to 45 minutes from the south of the lake. Milan Bergamo (BGY) is about 1 hour, and Milan Malpensa (MXP) about 2 hours.
Car needed: Not usually
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula; bardolino wine tasting at a family winery; valpolicella and Amarone wine day

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Rome

Rome · best April to June, September to October

Ancient ruins, Baroque piazzas and long dinners in Trastevere. The historic center is compact and best explored on foot.

Getting there: Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is 45 minutes by car or 32 minutes on the Leonardo Express train to Termini.
Car needed: Not usually
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tour; vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour; trastevere food tour

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Sicily

Taormina & Mount Etna · best May to June, September to October

A clifftop town with a Greek theater, an active volcano covered in vineyards, granita for breakfast and the bay of Isola Bella below.

Getting there: Catania (CTA) is about 1 hour by car or bus from Taormina.
Car needed: Mostly yes, or book drivers
Activity prices: Budget-friendly
Group favorites: mount Etna jeep tour with lava caves; etna wine tasting at a volcanic vineyard; isola Bella and Blue Grotto boat tour

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

At a glance

	Tuscany	Amalfi Coast	Lake Como	Puglia	Lake Garda	Rome	Sicily
Best season	April to June, September to October	May to June, September to early October	May to September	May to June, September to October	May to June, September	April to June, September to October	May to June, September to October
Car needed?	Mostly yes	Not usually	Not usually	Mostly yes	Not usually	Not usually	Mostly yes
Activity prices	Pricier	Mid-range	Mid-range	Budget-friendly	Mid-range	Mid-range	Budget-friendly
Relaxed activities	6	6	6	5	7	5	4
Foodie activities	5	4	4	4	5	3	3
Adventure activities	4	4	4	4	4	4	5
Full-day trips	5	3	2	1	2	2	2

Good to know for guests in Italy

Currency: Euro (EUR)
Tipping: Not expected. Many restaurants add a small "coperto" cover charge per person. Rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% for great service is appreciated.
Dinner time: Dinner usually starts between 8 and 9:30 pm. Many kitchens close between lunch and dinner.
Group dinners: Ask for a "menu fisso" (set menu) for groups of 10 or more. It keeps the bill simple and the kitchen fast.
Power plugs: Type F and L plugs, 230 V.
Entry rules: Passport and visa rules depend on nationality. Ask guests to check their own government's travel advice early.

Comparisons

Lake Como vs Tuscany Amalfi Coast vs Lake Como Amalfi Coast vs Tuscany Puglia vs Tuscany Amalfi Coast vs Sicily Rome vs Tuscany Puglia vs Sicily Lake Como vs Rome Amalfi Coast vs Puglia Provence vs Tuscany Amalfi Coast vs Santorini Napa Valley vs Tuscany Amalfi Coast vs Dubrovnik Lake Como vs Lake Garda Lake Garda vs Tuscany Scotland vs Tuscany

Questions couples ask

Where is the best place for a destination wedding in Italy?

It depends on your guests. Best for relaxed guests: Lake Garda (7 relaxed activities on our list). Best for foodie guests: Tuscany (5 foodie activities on our list). Best for adventure guests: Sicily (5 adventure activities on our list). Easiest on guest budgets: Puglia (activities skew cheaper than elsewhere in the country). Easiest without a car: Amalfi Coast (guests can get around on foot, by boat or by taxi). Best for guests staying longer: Tuscany (5 full-day trips nearby).

When is the best time for a wedding in Italy?

Tuscany: April to June, September to October. Amalfi Coast: May to June, September to early October. Lake Como: May to September. Puglia: May to June, September to October. Lake Garda: May to June, September. Rome: April to June, September to October. Sicily: May to June, September to October.

Do wedding guests need to tip in Italy?

Not expected. Many restaurants add a small "coperto" cover charge per person. Rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% for great service is appreciated.

What time is dinner in Italy?

Dinner usually starts between 8 and 9:30 pm. Many kitchens close between lunch and dinner.

What currency and plugs do guests need in Italy?

Euro (EUR) Type F and L plugs, 230 V.

What should guests budget for a wedding in Italy?

Flights and accommodation are usually the biggest costs, followed by meals and activities. Our free destination wedding guest budget calculator adds it all up per person and per day.

Plan the costs: guest budget calculator · how to set up a room block · guest etiquette

Getting married in Italy?

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