Faire du bénévolat à Italie
Volunteer and work in Italy - join our community
Voluntary work in Italy through Workaway combines the Mediterranean sun, the incredible cuisine, and warm Italian hospitality with an opportunity to experience the country more slowly and more locally. For a few hours of help each day, accommodation and usually meals are provided as part of the cultural exchange. So whether you’re staying with a family, helping on a farm, joining a community project or supporting a sustainable initiative, it isn't just an opportunity to taste La Dolce Vita – it’s your chance to build real connections.
As a global community for volunteering and cultural exchange, Workaway helps you connect with local hosts across Italy and experience the country on a deeper level. You can join as a solo traveller, as a couple, or even as a family. Whether you are a backpacker, recently retired, or setting off on a grown-up gap year—we've put together what we've learned to help you find your perfect host. Having an idea of what to expect season-wise, how much things might cost, and what the entry requirements are, you can pick the volunteering opportunity just right for you.
Workaway à Italie : programmes de bénévolat et familles d'accueil
Comment trouver des opportunités de bénévolat et de travail en Italie
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Pourquoi faire du bénévolat en Italie ?
World-famous cuisine
Volunteering is one of the best ways to help travel through your taste buds, and there’s no arguing Italy offers some of the best food in the entire world. The country’s food culture changes dramatically from one region to another, from risotto and polenta in the north to Tuscan soups, handmade pasta and the seafood-heavy cooking of the south. You’re guaranteed to leave with a full heart and a full stomach.
Staying with a local host gives you the chance to experience that beyond restaurants too, whether that means sharing family meals, learning a recipe, helping in a vegetable garden or seeing how local ingredients are grown and used.
Italy is a dream destination for foodies, no doubt. And volunteering there is one of the best ways to dive into all those amazing flavours and aromas. If you're hoping to sample as many local specialities as possible, work exchange allows you to stay longer in one place and move to another region whenever you are ready.
Thousands of years of history
Italy is a treasure trove of history that spans thousands of years, from the grandeur of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance masterpieces that shaped Western art and culture. Walking Rome's cobblestone streets, exploring the ruins of Pompeii, or passing by St. Mark's Basilica in Venice – these historical spots are woven into everyday life.
There are thousands of museums in Italy focused on history, anthropology, and archaeology. Visiting them is a solid way to learn about the Roman Empire, Italian kingdoms, and how the country united under Garibaldi.
But Italy’s history isn’t confined to museums. If you’re staying for a few weeks as a volunteer, you have time to notice how much of it is still part of everyday life, from village festivities and local traditions to old farmhouses, churches and historic centres that locals still use and live around.
Historic festivals, such as Palio di Siena, Calcio Storico Fiorentino, Festa dei Ceri, Regata Storica, and the famous Venice Carnival, are another way to see that history and tradition are still being kept alive.
The uniqueness of each region
Thinking about hiking in Switzerland-like scenery, with cowbells chiming? Head to northern Italy. Regions like Trentino, Lombardy, or Piedmont have crystal-clear, yet warm, mountain lakes. In Tuscany, you can tour vineyards and mediaeval villages, surrounded by cypresses and olive groves. And in Venice, although pricey, a gondola ride through those historic canals is a pretty unique experience.
The diversity of Italian regions and landscapes means you'll find pretty much any kind of volunteering project there. Whether you see yourself getting your hands dirty at the organic farm in the Puglian countryside, restoring an ancient mansion in Umbria, practising English with children at the camp in the Alps, or exploring museums and galleries of Milan while pet-sitting in the city.
Staying with local hosts means you can spend more time in all those amazing places, but more importantly, you get to experience their daily life, unique traditions, food, and even local dialects firsthand.
Explore off the beaten track
There are parts of Italy seriously struggling with mass tourism, such as charming little villages known as Cinque Terre. Overtourism in Venice threatens its world heritage status, and many of Italy’s major tourist hotspots face similar pressure.
Volunteering in Italy is a great way to spend more time in lesser-visited places, whether you’re travelling Europe on a budget or simply want to escape the crowds. Picture a farm or family stay in the countryside in Emilia-Romagna, dotted with charming mediaeval towns. They're especially lovely to see when the cherry blossoms come out in spring.
In Abruzzo, over 100 hosts are waiting for volunteers, and so are 80 miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea without the tourist crowds. In your free time, you could go hiking through beech forests of the Apennine Mountains and enjoy an authentic, slower-paced side of the country.
And there is Calabria with its pristine beaches, charming fishing villages, and hundreds of volunteering opportunities.
The sea is always close
While Italy’s boot-shaped mainland has no shortage of incredible beaches, there are also 400 islands within the country’s borders ready to be explored.
While Capri and Panarea are renowned as holiday destinations for the rich and famous, others offer more rustic charm well worth visiting. From Sicily and Sardinia, the largest in the Mediterranean, to the tiny, pastel-painted paradise of Procida, which is only two square miles.
Italy’s long coastline opens up a very different kind of Workaway experience. Depending on where you stay, you might find yourself near small fishing villages, island communities, sailing projects, marine conservation initiatives or simply a family home within reach of the beach.
If you love being by the water, whether that means swimming, diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, or just spending your free time on the beach, you’ll find plenty of ways to make the most of Italy’s beautiful coastline.
Ce que disent les bénévoles récents à propos de leur expérience Workaway à Italie
Il y a 13670 commentaires pour 500+ hôtes et organisations dans la destination Italie.
500+ hôtes dans la destination Italie ont reçu une note d’au moins 4.9/5.
Best time for work exchange in Italy
| Climate table for Italy | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Mai | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. temperature in °C/°F | 11/52 | 12/54 | 16/61 | 19/66 | 23/73 | 27/81 | 30/86 | 30/86 | 26/79 | 21/70 | 16/61 | 12/54 |
| Min. temperature in °C/°F | 4/39 | 4/39 | 6/43 | 9/48 | 14/57 | 18/64 | 20/68 | 20/68 | 17/63 | 13/55 | 9/48 | 5/41 |
| Sunny days per month | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Rainy days per month | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Water temperature in °C/°F | 14/57 | 13/55 | 14/57 | 15/59 | 19/66 | 22/72 | 26/79 | 26/79 | 24/75 | 22/72 | 19/66 | 16/61 |
The table shows average values based on climate data for Milan, Rome, Bari, Venice and Palermo
Spring (March-May): Spring is a great time to volunteer in Italy. The weather is nice and mild across the country. In the north, regions like Piedmont and Lombardy usually get between 10-20°C (50-68°F). Central parts like Tuscany and Lazio are a bit warmer, with highs around 13-24°C (55-75°F). Southern Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia, stays mild and sunny, often reaching 16-24°C (60-75°F). It's a good season for outdoor projects, like farming, gardening, local community events, or helping prepare for summer activities and kids' camps.
Summer (June-Aug.): Italy gets really hot in the summer, particularly away from the coast and in the south. Regions like Calabria, Puglia, and Sicily can see temperatures over 35°C (95°F). Up north, in places like Piedmont, Lombardy, and Veneto, temperatures can be more manageable, usually between 26-30°C (79-86°F). If you’re planning a Workaway during this period, it’s worth thinking carefully about the type of stay and how much time you’ll be spending outdoors. July and August are also the busiest time for tourism, so you may see more seasonal opportunities around hostels, cultural events and other visitor-focused projects in places like Rome or Florence.
Fall (Sep.-Nov.): Fall is one of the best seasons to volunteer in Italy, once the summer heat subsides. The north has mild weather, usually between 16-20°C (60-68°F). Central Italy, like Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, has comfortable highs of about 15-24°C (55-75°F). Southern Italy stays nicely warm, often around 18-25°C (65-77°F). Since it's harvest season, it can be an ideal time to look for projects that involve eco-farming and gardening, as well as supporting restoration and other outdoor projects.
Winter (Dec.-Feb.): Southern Italy and the islands, like Sardinia and Sicily, enjoy mild winters with temperatures around 10-15°C (50-60°F). Northern Italy and mountainous areas, on the other hand, can be quite cold, with temperatures dropping below 5°C (41°F), making indoor exchanges, like family stays, language exchange, community-based activities or creative projects, a better fit. Apart from the Alpine ski resorts, winter is a quieter time for tourism, offering volunteers a deeper immersion in local life and greater opportunities to practise Italian.
Impressions sur Workaway à Italie
Où faire du bénévolat à Italie
- Abruzzes (41 )
- Aosta Valley (10 )
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Apulia
(156 )
Bari, Taranto, Foggia, Lecce, Barletta, Brindisi
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Basilicata
(18 )
Potenza
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Calabria
(42 )
Reggio di Calabria, Catanzaro, Crotone, Vibo Valentia
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Campania
(57 )
Naples, Salerno, Caserta, Benevento
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- Friuli–Venezia Giulia (27 )
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Lazio
(179 )
Rome, Civitavecchia
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Liguria
(130 )
Genoa
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Marche
(92 )
Ancona
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Molise
(4 )
Campobasso
- Piedmont (265 )
- Sardinia (100 )
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Sicily
(310 )
Palermo, Catania, Messina, Siracusa, Ragusa, Marsala
- Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (67 )
- Tuscany (382 )
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Umbria
(101 )
Perugia
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Veneto
(157 )
Verona, Venice, Treviso
Workaway’s top regions in Italy
Italian Alps
The mountainous northern region of Italy, stretching through Piedmont, Lombardy, Trentino, and Veneto, offers thrilling winter sports as well as tranquil hiking trails. It’s also home to the Dolomites, an epic subrange of the Italian Alps with 18 peaks that rise above 3,000 metres. It features stunning lakes, including Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, which means picturesque landscapes and water sports activities like sailing and kayaking won’t be hard to find.
For a change of scenery, from idyllic to iconic, head to Milan. The capital of Lombardy, with its distinctive street style, timeless architecture, and renowned art galleries, attracts travellers of all backgrounds.
In this region, you will notice a blend of Italian and Austrian influences, evident in the design, culture, and cuisine. This makes it a great opportunity for volunteer language teachers, as many locals are also native German speakers. Hosts may also be interested in language exchange involving Italian, German or English.
Puglia
For those in search of more tranquillity than adrenaline, the "heel" of Italy, Puglia, offers the perfect mix of coastline, culture and culinary delights. Enjoy the unique architecture in Alberobello, the Baroque beauty of Lecce, and some of Italy's most delicious pasta-based dishes, with the region's signature ear-shaped pasta, Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa.
With olive groves, farms and whitewashed trulli scattered across the countryside, Puglia is a great place to get involved in outdoor projects and learn more about rural life. Organic farming, gardening, and permaculture projects are among the most popular volunteering opportunities in the region. You might find yourself helping at an old farmhouse nestled within an olive grove, or perhaps caring for pets at a small dwelling by the sea.
Speaking of the sea, there are also sailing projects available. And since Puglia is a popular vacation spot, especially in the summer, you may also find stays connected to guesthouses, hostels or other hospitality settings, particularly in busier tourist areas.
Tuscany
Some would say it’s the picturesque vineyards and enchanting cities like Florence, Siena, and Pisa, that make Tuscany such a popular region. Others would argue it’s the food that entices the crowds.
The region is renowned for its simple yet flavourful cuisine, featuring dishes like ribollita (a hearty vegetable and bread soup), pappa al pomodoro (tomato and bread soup), and bistecca alla fiorentina (a thick T-bone steak).
But there are still so many hidden gems to be discovered, like the paradise beaches of Elba (the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago), the hot springs of Bagni San Filippo and the World Heritage Site of Val D’Orcia.
Looking for the perfect project in Tuscany? If you're interested in farming, village life, or hands-on rural volunteering, you’ll find plenty of options. Whether you're into picking olives, learning about sustainable living, spending time with kids, or looking after animals, there's definitely something there for you.
Sicily
Originally dominated by the Greeks, the island was passed on to the Romans and then the European powers during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. This means nowadays, Sicily is a treasure chest of history, with ancient Greek temples in Agrigento, Roman mosaics in Villa Romana del Casale, and the stunning historic cities of Taormina, Palermo and Syracuse.
The island is known for landmarks like the Valley of Temples and Mount Etna, as well as its heavenly sandy beaches, delicious wine, and incredible cuisine.
Sicily, being the largest island in the Mediterranean, really does offer a tonne of things to do. And it's not just about sightseeing. Over 300 hosts are looking for help there, so you can find pretty much any kind of volunteer programme you're after.
That could mean helping at a children’s holiday camp, spending time at an animal sanctuary, joining an eco-village or getting involved with a horse ranch. You’ll also come across yoga retreats, vineyard projects where you can learn more about local wine, and family stays where language exchange becomes part of everyday life.
Lazio
Lazio is home to Rome, Italy's capital, and a wealth of iconic landmarks including the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Roman Forum. Or switch the city for a slower pace of life in the charming towns and villages like Tivoli, go hiking in the Apennine Mountains, or explore the Alban Hills and Castelli Romani.
And for those hot summer days, there are 235 km (146 miles) of coastline stretching along the Tyrrhenian Sea, with Ostia being a beloved summer spot.
You could stay right in the heart of Rome, getting to know everyday Italian life through a family stay, childcare, language exchange or pet sitting.
Or you might head into the countryside of Lazio, where the volunteering opportunities range from staying in a cottage surrounded by forest, helping in permaculture gardens, supporting the restoration of an old mansion, or sharing everyday life with your host in a hilltop castle.
Liguria
Thanks to Liguria's stunning Mediterranean coastline, it is one of the most visited regions. It’s where you’ll find the colourful villages of Cinque Terre hugging the shoreline as well as some of the best fresh seafood, pesto sauce, and authentic Italian dishes.
Whether you want an adventurous escape filled with sailing, diving and windsurfing or a relaxing retreat enjoying the quaint fishing villages, Liguria is home to hundreds of Workaway hosts ready to show you around.
You could try a family stay or pet sitting in the cities of Genoa, Sanremo, or La Spezia and learn how to make traditional Italian dishes.
Or if you'd rather see yourself immersed in the natural beauty of Liguria, you could easily find a quiet spot in the countryside. This might mean helping out at a rural property with a sea view or a campsite in the mountains or doing work exchange at an eco-farm or a retreat nestled among green hills.
Opportunités de volontariat de dernière minute
Vous trouverez ici 50 opportunités last minute pour du volontariat - destination Italie avec des hôtes ayant indiqué qu’ils avaient besoin d’aide immédiatement.
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