The best games set in Italy 🇮🇹 2026

Caper: Europe thrusts players into the heart of a high-stakes game of thievery and strategy, set against the backdrop of Europe's most iconic locations. As rival criminal masterminds, players draft a crew of skilled thieves, dispatch them across the continent, and equip them with various gear to pull off daring heists. The challenge lies in outsmarting your opponent by efficiently managing your resources, controlling key locations, and securing valuable stolen goods. With only six rounds to enact your master plan, the pressure is on to be the most cunning and successful mastermind.

Step into the charming, rustic world of Viticulture Essential Edition, where players assume the roles of individuals in picturesque, pre-modern Tuscany. Inherit meager vineyards, a handful of plots, an aged crushpad, a quaint cellar, and three diligent workers. With dreams of making their wineries renowned successes, players embark on an unforgettable journey.

Undaunted: North Africa is an engaging two-player deck-building game that immerses players in the tactical ground combat of World War II's North African Theater. Building on the success of its predecessor, Undaunted: Normandy, this sequel introduces new mechanics and challenges, focusing on the historical skirmishes between Britain's Long Range Desert Group and Italian forces.

Mille Fiori is a strategy board game designed by Reiner Knizia where players step into the roles of ambitious glass manufacturers and traders during the Renaissance, striving to maximize their influence and wealth through the artful production and distribution of glass. The game combines elements of card drafting, token placement, and strategic planning across various sectors of a dynamic game board.

Players are retired professional thieves who must reunite for one last heist prompted by a mysterious letter. The mission involves sneaking into the oldest casino in Venice to steal a €1 billion chip. Each player has unique skills, and success hinges on sticking to the plan, but unexpected events could jeopardize the operation.

The Castles of Tuscany is set in the picturesque region of Tuscany during the 15th century, where you, as an influential prince, aim to expand your domain during the Italian Renaissance. Through strategic card play, you'll support the growth of towns, villages, and monasteries, extract marble, and transport goods, all to see your lands prosper and score victory points.

As a master of the Renaissance, players are important citizens of Florence, aiming to increase their fame and reputation. They gather resources from the market to buy new cards and expand their influence in the city and surrounding areas. Each card grants production power, transforming resources for storage, and players should leverage leader abilities while demonstrating their devotion to the Pope.

Players must keep track of a busy rail network filled with trains. As more trains are placed on the board, the game becomes increasingly intense, requiring effective coordination to transport goods without delays. The journey spans Europe, the United States, and Canada, and with simple rules, players can start right away—time is of the essence.

Lorenzo il Magnifico is a strategic board game set in the Italian Renaissance, where players embody heads of noble families vying for prestige and fame. This game is a blend of resource management, strategic planning, and careful maneuvering.

At 3 a.m., wrapped in a sleeping bag, players struggle to open their eyes as the alarm reminds them of their duty: to get up, eat, and turn on the headlamp. The ascent of the Matterhorn cannot wait. Be the first to reach the summit by rolling the dice, rolling again, but stopping at just the right moment to avoid missing your turn!

Firenze is a strategic board game set in the historical context of Florence during the 12th to 14th centuries, a time when the city's elite families sought to showcase their wealth and influence not through warfare or commerce, but by erecting towering, square-based homes as symbols of their status. Players step into the roles of master builders, tasked with constructing these prestigious towers to win favor and prestige points from the city's leading families and the church.

Players immerse themselves in a historical setting where the Golden Horn was a fiercely contested harbor and marketplace. This family strategy game invites players to sail from Venice to Constantinople, witness pirate attacks, and compete to fill their warehouses with valuable goods while navigating the challenges of the era.

The Palaces of Carrara takes players to the renowned marble-producing region of Italy, where they compete to acquire marble at the best prices and use it to construct buildings. The game's strategic depth lies in balancing the cost of marble with its potential value in building construction. Players must be savvy in their purchases, as any decrease in marble prices can also benefit their opponents. The decision of when to buy marble becomes crucial, especially when considering the fluctuating values of buildings in the town. The Palaces of Carrara includes two levels of play – beginner and advanced – making it accessible to new players while offering depth for experienced gamers. Wolfgang Kramer, the co-designer, emphasizes the importance of starting with the beginner version to fully grasp the game's mechanics and how they interact.

San Marco invites you to the charming districts of Venice, where you'll use strategy and influence to outmaneuver your opponents. Ideal for players who enjoy a blend of strategy and luck, this game stands out with its unique card distribution mechanic, especially in a four-player setting. Players draw cards, form them into groups, and then choose from these groups to take actions. These actions include placing and removing aristocrats, building and relocating bridges, and scoring regions. The game is played over three Passages, each comprising multiple turns, making it a dynamic and engaging experience.

Inkognito is an intriguing board game that combines deduction, secret identities, and espionage in a vibrant setting. Players take on the roles of secret agents with hidden missions, navigating a world of intrigue as they try to identify their allies and complete their objectives without knowing who they can trust from the start.

Rialto sets players in the heart of Venice, competing to gain the most victory points through strategic council placements, bridge and gondola constructions, and advantageous building developments across six districts. The game unfolds over six rounds, each encapsulating phases for card acquisition, playing cards for actions, and activating building powers.

As the head of an ambitious Venetian family, you have sent your most influential representatives to the Doge's masquerade ball. Players utilize guest cards with varying influence to gain the attention of Venice's elite guild masters and secure political power for their families. Each card represents different characters, and strategic placement is key to defeating rival families and claiming valuable resources in the Doge's palace.