I spent nearly a month exploring Italy. Here are the 8 most overrated things I did that I'd skip next time. (2024)

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I'd probably skip photos at the Trevi Fountain.

Seeing some of the iconic sites is almost a requirement when in Rome. Can you imagine spending a week there and not seeing the Colosseum or the Pantheon?

Although the Trevi Fountain is gorgeous, I found it to be a small space packed with tourists all trying to get that Insta-worthy photo. It was nice to see it once, but I'd much rather wander the streets of Rome and stumble upon bits of architecture with fewer tourists surrounding it.

In fact, we biked the Appian Way for several miles, and the farther we got out from the city center, the more ancient architecture we discovered without the throngs of people.

We also visited the Baths of Caracalla. These are not as popular as sites like the Roman Forum and Colosseum, but they were so important to ancient Roman life, and the ruins are incredibly impressive, especially the remaining mosaic floors.

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The Spanish Steps are iconic, but I'd go somewhere quieter and just as beautiful next time.

Rome's Spanish Steps aren't as packed as the Trevi Fountain, but they were still swarming with tourists all trying to collect their photos.

Plus, you're not supposed to sit on them — yet so many people do. So on top of the overwhelming chatter of the crowds, you've also got to deal with constant whistles and reprimands by the local police trying to keep the stairs clear.

Instead, head to the nearby and much quieter Villa Borghese, whose massive gardens are free to explore. I recommend taking a book there and finding a shady spot for an afternoon.

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I wouldn't spend too much time in Piazza San Marco or at the Rialto Bridge.

St. Mark's Square is one of the most famous parts of Venice — understandably so, as it contains St. Mark's Basilica Cathedral and Doge's Palace. I've found the best time to visit the piazza is early in the morning or late at night, before and after the peak crowds.

Similarly, Rialto Bridge is iconic, but it swells with crowds throughout the day.

But these are just two small parts of Venice, and there's so much more to explore. Much of the charm of this city is walking the narrow streets and canals without a map in hand. If you have the time, leave the San Marco neighborhood and explore Dorsoduro, Castello, and Cannaregio.

The best food we had in Venice was in Cannaregio, far from the hustle and bustle of St. Mark's Square.

We also spent a day on the Lido, across the bay. There, we rented bikes, rode down the beach, and took a ferry to a small fishing village where we were the only tourists. If you're a fan of seafood, try the cuttlefish.

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Our Cinque Terre itinerary would've been much better if we adjusted our itinerary to avoid crowds.

The five coastal towns of Cinque Terre are beautiful, but they're also small and full of tourists in the late summer months.

We planned to spend lots of time exploring each town, but we found the villages lacked some charm when you were shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other people pushing through.

Visiting at off hours or during a different time of year might've helped us avoid this.

Instead, our favorite moments in Cinque Terre were the hiking trails connecting the villages, a small boat tour that let us swim peacefully in the Ligurian Sea, and our time spent at the vineyard we stayed at.

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Capri was incredible, but Marina Grande wasn't our favorite spot.

Capri was one of my favorite experiences of the whole trip. We only had a day there (first ferry in, last ferry out — for some tourist-free moments), but I plan to spend several days there next time.

That said, the easy-to-access beach is Marina Grande, and the views weren't very pretty there. It felt run down compared to some other beaches on the Amalfi Coast. We only stayed here for a drink.

Instead, we hiked down Via Krupp to Marina Piccola, a much smaller but significantly more stunning beach with rocks to jump off and sparkling blue water to swim in. It was much less crowded, as well.

If you don't want to hike to it, you can catch a bus — but the walk down is beautiful and worth the effort.

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I'd skip any wine tour involving a bus.

While in Florence, my husband and I took a wine tour of Chianti that we booked through Viator. But we wound up spending most of our time on the tour bus, rather than exploring the vineyards.

Next time, I'd plan a day trip to a single vineyard so we could really sit and enjoy the experience (and wine). I recommend looking for an organized trip that stops at just one location and includes lunch, or hiring a driver and exploring at your own pace.

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Our guided bus tour in Tuscany also felt a bit rushed, so I wouldn't do something like it again.

We took a guided 13-hour tour of Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa that featured a quick lunch with mediocre food but endlessly flowing wine. Although it was a great way to dip our toes into Tuscany, everything felt rushed.

Exploring the towns at our own pace, on our own, over several days would've been the way to go. That's how we saw towns like Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio, and Bracciano — and those experiences were much calmer and more enjoyable.

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We found Lake Como and Bellagio didn't have as much charm as some nearby towns.

We originally planned to stay at Bellagio, right where Lake Como forks into its two arms. Getting to Bellagio with luggage can be tricky, though, so we opted to stay at Como at the base of the lake and take a ferry to Bellagio for a day trip.

Our few evenings spent in Como close to our hotel were not the most memorable of our trip — the city just didn't have the appeal of other towns along Lake Como. But we also found Bellagio to be a little too touristy and crowded for our tastes.

If you're planning to stay on Italy's most beautiful lake, consider choosing a less popular town with just as much as more charm.

Next time, we plan to stay in one of the smaller, slower-paced towns. Nesso, for instance, has a stunning waterfall.

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That said, Italy is full of wonderful experiences you really can't go wrong with no matter your itinerary.

I understand that I'm extraordinarily lucky to have spent so long in Italy. Even the most overrated things — from the Trevi Fountain to guided bus tours — were beautiful experiences that I'm grateful to have had.

Before you visit, just understand that some things in popular parts of Italy are likely to be more touristy, especially during high-season months like May, June, July, and September.

My best advice is to try to find the balance between those touristy must-dos and some more unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and you're sure to have an amazing time in Italy.