Five of the World’s 50 Best Hotels for 2026 are in Italy

The world’s best hotels for 2026 have been named and Italy has five in the top 50.

In the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, now in its fourth year, Passalacqua on the western shore of Lake Como was the highest European entry at No 5.

A restored 18th-century villa with 24 rooms, an open kitchen guests can stroll into and chat to the chef, and a lake-view pool, Passalacqua has also been named Best Boutique Hotel three years in a row.

The price here is reflected by its place on the list, with rooms starting at around £950. For the calcio tourist, it sits less than 10km from the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, about a 20-minute drive up that left-hand side of the lake.

Tourist hotspot Florence is home to Italy’s next best, with the Four Seasons Firenze in at No 12 on the list.

This one dates back to the 15th century and is set in a restored Medici palace in Florence’s largest private garden.

There’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, a pool open from morning until the sun goes down, treatment rooms, all-year outdoor jacuzzi, and yoga in the garden.

It’s within easy walking distance of some of the city’s most famous attractions – including the Accademia, Uffizi Gallery and Piazza Duomo – while anyone in town to watch Fiorentina can walk to the Franchi in about 20 minutes. Rooms start at £750.

Modena’s entry makes it into the top 20 with Casa Maria Luigia at 18. It’s just outside Modena, but it’s set in the natural beauty of the Emilia-Romagna countryside.

The most intimate Italian entry on the list, with 13 rooms, it is the creation of Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore. There is art in every room – Damien Hirst, Joseph Beuys, Tracey Emin – and there is a huge vinyl collection in the music room.

The idea for Casa Maria Luigia was an extension of Osteria Francescana, their three-Michelin-star restaurant in Modena’s historic centre, so the food is a huge draw here.

There’s also tennis and swimming, and if you are here for the football, you will need a car to get to the Stadio Alberto Braglia, but the drive is less than 20 minutes.

Rooms start at £340.

To the capital city for Italy’s next hotel in the list and it’s the Buglari Roma, in the heart of the Campo Marzio district.

It is a short walk to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps and handy for some of Rome’s best shopping streets.

The hotel itself offers superb views of the Eternal City from the terrace – perfect for an aperitivo – and there’s a spa, fitness centre and pool. The baths are inspired by those used by the ancient Romans.

If heading to the Olimpico to watch Lazio or Roma, a taxi for around €10-€15 is the best bet. Rooms here start at around £1100.

Finally, Milan gets a mention at No 39. Portrait Milano sits in the city’s fashion district, within the former Archbishop’s Seminary, with 73 rooms and suites overlooking private gardens or opening on to private terraces.

Expect fine dining, high-end bars and boutiques, and a swimming pool, spa and gym. Previous honours for Portrait Milano include Best Breakfast at the Best Luxury Hotel Awards and from Food & Wine Italia, as reported by the50.com.

The home of Inter and AC Milan is across on the other side of the city but easy to reach on public transport, with San Siro Stadio a stop on the lilac metro line. Rooms here start at £800.