The Best Italian Volleyball Travel Guide
Everyone knows that I love Volleyball. Following this sport has motivated me to travel. I used to practice it when I was younger, and I grew up following Volleyball in Italy and worldwide. One of my biggest dreams was to watch a live Italian volleyball match. In 2015, I was finally able to make it happen.
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In 2017, I went to my second CEV Men’s Champions League Final Four (I went to the CEV Women’s Champions League Final in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2014). Based on this love, I created this guide for fans willing to watch Volleyball in Italy. It doesn’t matter if you want to visit Italy in Winter or summer; something is always happening regarding sports. In 2018, the FIVB Men’s World Championship occurred in different cities around Italy. This is a list of places to see if you want to explore Italian Volleyball or pallavolo, the Italian word for Volleyball. Let’s explore Volleyball in Italy!
To watch Volleyball in Italy, arrive either in Milan or Rome
If you’re flying from the United States, the best airports to arrive in Italy are Milan-MXP or Rome-FCO. By analyzing prices in Skyscanner, you will find great deals on flights to Italy from major national airports. The ones with the best deals to arrive at are these two.
Flixbus is your best friend when you watch Italian volleyball.
Although many people will tell you to explore Italy by train, I will tell you to take the bus. I’m a massive fan of Flixbus and prefer to travel on one of their buses rather than trains. Rome and Florence are hubs of most of their primary routes. Starting at 5€, you can explore many cities and watch Italian Volleyball nationwide. I love traveling overnight on these buses. It means you’ll save a night of paying for lodging while getting somewhere different. Flixbus takes you to all the cities to watch Volleyball in Italy.
Volleyball in Italy: Rome
Even though Rome does not have a team, most of the significant events in Italian Volleyball take place in that city. And how will you miss visiting Rome for four days when it has so much to offer?
If you go to Rome for volleyball or just to explore the city, one of our biggest recommendations is to take one of the best Rome food tours or any unique tours in Rome. Taking these tours might be the best way to explore this city, especially if you go to Solo travel in Rome.
Remember also that Rome is a family destination and there are plenty of things to do in Rome with kids beyond taking them to watch some Italian volleyball. Make sure to find the best place to stay in Rome for your needs and to watch volleyball.
In 2017, the CEV Men’s Champions League Final Four occurred at the PalaSport.
In 2018, the FIVB Men’s World Championship Pool A opening day occurred in one of the most iconic places: Foro Italico.
Check other things to do in Rome on TripAdvisor
Italian Volleyball in Perugia
If you have followed me for a while, you know Sir Safety Perugia is my favorite team. I have been to Perugia four times, which is my favorite place in Italy. I visited and recommended the Baci Chocolate Factory and the Eurochocolate Festival in October. If you visit Perugia to love volleyball in Italy, go to the PalaBarton and watch Perugia play. This team was vice-champion of Europe in 2017, champions of the Coppa Italia in 2018, and the Italian SuperCup in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Perugia is just two hours away from Rome by Flixbus. The Flixbus stop is right next to the PalaBarton.
Check other things to do in Perugia on TripAdvisor
Milan
As I mentioned, Milan is one of the places you should visit if you’re from the US, and include it in your two weeks in Italy itinerary. Milan Voley is not a massive contender in the Italian Men’s Volleyball League, but watching a match could be a good plan if you can see the city.
The great thing about Milan is that it is relatively close to one of the major cities for Women’s Volleyball: Bergamo. During the 2020-2021 Season, we Puerto Ricans had two National Team members being part of the team: setter Natalia ValentÃn and spiker Stephanie Enright.
Check other things to do in Milan on TripAdvisor
Volleyball in Italy: Bologna + Modena
The towns in Emilia Romagna are all Italian volleyball capitals. Modena is the team with the most championships in the Italian league. Visiting Modena during volleyball season requires visiting the PalaPanini to watch Modena Volley playing.
Bologna and its Unipol Arena have hosted several different volleyball events. Bologna is a vibrant city, and even if you visit Modena for Volleyball, you should see it—or the other way around: Make sure to include it if you’re discovering Bologna.
Check other things to do in Modena on TripAdvisor
Check other things to do in Bologna on TripAdvisor
Italian Volleyball in Florence
Florence is not an Italian volleyball city, but there are many things to do in Florence. Also, traveling to Tuscany, a region rich in variety and people tend to love it for its wine, might be a great idea.
They also have a Women’s team, and you should maybe watch them play if Florence is a must on your trip.
Check other things to do in Florence on TripAdvisor
Volleyball in Italy: Trento
Trento is one of the most iconic teams in Italy. If you’re visiting Northern Italy, seeing the Trentino Volley playing on the PalaTrento is a must.
Check other things to do in Trento on TripAdvisor
Italian Volleyball: Civitanova Marche
If you are looking for places to go to in Italy, this place in Macerata might not even be listed. Civitanova Marche is a coastal city on the Adriatic side of Italy. If you are looking for iconic places to go in the name of Volleyball in Italy, Civitanova Marche should be on your list.
The EuroSuole Forum in Civitanova is the home court of the Lube Volley club. Lube was the Italian League Scudetto Champion in 2017 and 2019. This team has a vast tradition in the sport. If you get the chance, you should visit their home court.
Check more things to do in Civitanova Marche on TripAdvisor
Which route should I take if I want to watch Italian volleyball?
If you want to watch Italian Volleyball, I suggest visiting one of the towns included on the map once you arrive in Rome or Milan. It would be best to visit Perugia, Modena, Trento, or Civitanova Marche to see matches in the Italian Volleyball League. On the map, you can find a route that you can take either from Rome or Milan.
The map also contains some options if you are looking for women’s volleyball action. My suggestions for women’s Volleyball are visiting Bergamo, Conegliano(Treviso), Busto Arsizio, and Novara.
Italian Volleyball: FAQ
Is volleyball a popular sport in Italy?
Yes, although football or soccer is more popular, volleyball is an important sport in Italy.
This guide was created to help if you look forward to watching Italian volleyball. I hope this guide helps you visit Italy while exploring Volleyball in Italy!
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I think its so cool that your love of a sport is what prompted you to travel! Goes to show, where there’s a will, there’s a way! I love the post!
Thanks for your words! I wish this post takes people not only to courts to watch the sport, but also to explore towns off the beaten path!
Hi Brenda, Thanks for sharing the awesome post. Loved this nice volleyball travel guide.
Europe has many of these charming places, which always makes us feel lucky to live here! Safe travels!
People usually associate Italy with the sport of Soccer but not many people know that this wonderful sporty nation is high on Volleyball too. Being a volleyball fan, you have done complete justice to your passion by covering the volleyball scene in Italy in such details.
ITS VERY HELP FUL AND VERY INFORMATIVE POST.THANK YOU.
Some fantastic pictures. Fantastic shades.
Thanks Branda for the great guide! I’m with you on using Flixbus to travel around Italy, definitely the best way to get around. And I had no idea that Italy was big on volleyball, I’ll be on the lookout next time I get to the country!
I would absolutely love to travel and watch volleyball. I would love to travel and watch sports period. Sad that now I want to do these things and we are in the midst of a global pandemic, though!