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I Tried the Evening Walking Trend ‘Passeggiata' That Italians Swear By

By Alexa Mellardo Parade - Health Stories

Updated June 1, 2026 8:11 AM

Adding healthy, sustainable lifestyle practices to your routine is a surefire way to achieve real results. Whether your goal is to stay fit, maintain muscle tone, shed a few pounds or simply add more movement to each day, adopting small wellness habits can make a major impact over time. Simple choices like parking at the far end of a lot or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator can naturally rev up your step count. If this sounds doable, I have an amazing evening ritual you'll want to try.

I recently revamped my evenings with a leisurely European walking tradition called "passeggiata." Italians swear by this practice-and they're on to something good. As someone who loves connecting with my Italian roots through food, travel and daily lifestyle, I was particularly eager to try this post-dinner habit.

This habit was fueled by a recent family vacation my parents, husband and I took to the Amalfi Coast to celebrate my dad's retirement. Each evening after enjoying homemade pasta-and delights like lemon-ricotta-stuffed zucchini blossoms-we'd stroll back to our hotel, nestled high in the cliffs of Positano. While embracing the Italian coastal culture to its fullest, we'd get in our steps, chat about the day's adventures, enjoy quality family time and soak up the dreamy scenery surrounding us.

While it may sound like a simple habit, passeggiata can work wonders for the mind, body and soul. So, after returning home, I dedicated myself to the practice for three weeks and was truly amazed by the results.

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What Is Passeggiata?

Passeggiata comes from the Italian verb "passeggiare," which means "to walk" in Italian. The evening ritual calls for you to slow down and take a stroll through your neighborhood (or in the Italians' case, the piazzas and streets of their local town) while soaking up the good old outdoors.

"The Italian tradition of passeggiata … is less about fitness and more about being present in the moment," explains Carol Teteak, certified performance exercise specialist (NASM), personal trainer (ACE) and medical fitness supervisor with Endeavor Health Fitness & Wellness Center-Woodridge, IL. "A part of Italian life for generations, families take an evening stroll through town to casually catch up with neighbors and friends. I believe it remains a lasting lifestyle ritual because it encourages fundamental human needs of socialization and community connection while simultaneously benefiting mental and physical health."

I Tried the Evening Walking Trend Italians Swear By for 3 Weeks: My Review

With warmer weather finally here, I was excited to lace up my sneakers and get outside. After a long, snowy winter being cooped up indoors, the vision of florals, sunshine and soaking up fresh air seemed too good to pass up.

Some nights I walked through my neighborhood, and some nights I walked along the "Avenue" (Greenwich Ave, in the heart of my town). I consider myself a nature lover and prefer taking my workouts outdoors whenever the weather permits.

Here's what I learned while trying passeggiata for 30 days.

It's a great mental health boost

Passeggiata has become a keeper in my evening routine for a few reasons-one of which is that it's a refreshing way to clear my head. Workdays can get hectic fast. Some days, I'll brew my cup of joe and then get immersed in writing and emails. By the time I look up to check the clock, it's already late afternoon.

Having a scheduled plan, where I know I'll head out for an evening stroll after enjoying an early dinner, makes passeggiata easy to stick to-and highly anticipated. It's an effective way to close my laptop for the day, quiet any mind chatter and fully recharge.

It's social

As Teteak previously shared, this evening tradition isn't just about adding extra steps to your day-the social aspect is just as important. Whether I'm walking with my husband through town and embracing our local community, having a "walk and talk" with my mom on the phone while she strolls in her own neighborhood, or chatting with neighbors along my route, I look forward to this catch-up time. These moments feel so refreshing after a full day spent at my desk.

"The mental benefits [of passeggiata] are huge, giving your brain time to unwind after a day, to be present with your thoughts, or connect with friends and family by chatting as you walk," says Carly Harvey, personal trainer and online coach. "It has a huge social element, which technology over time has reduced!"

This time of year, I also love seeing our neighbors gardening, sipping some wine on their front porches, bike riding, walking their dogs or strolling with their babies as the sun begins to dip behind the trees.

It's a seamless stress-reliever

Exercise is a stellar stress-reducer-and passeggiata is no exception. I felt all-around much better going for an evening stroll rather than simply kicking back on the couch and watching TV after dinner.

"To feel our best, we need to take care of both our physical and mental health," Teteak says. "Moving more, optimizing nutrition, getting good sleep, practicing mindfulness and staying socially connected are all key elements to helping reduce stress and manage our mental health-but there's no need to make big changes to see improvement."

It boosts digestion

Another major reason I decided to optimize my evening and bedtime routines is digestion. I deal with a variety of stomach sensitivities and tend to wake up in the morning feeling bloated and sluggish. So, I started eating earlier dinners-around 5 to 5:30 p.m.-and taking my evening strolls soon after. I've noticed such a difference-including reduced bloating-when I make it a habit to move my body after dinner.

"The digestive benefits to walking after a meal are that the food you eat moves more efficiently through the digestive system, helping you to digest your meal more effectively," says Harvey.

Final Takeaways

When it comes to keeping up with this healthy evening habit, I'm excited to see where it takes me next. After all, consistency is the name of the game when it comes to achieving real results.

While I may not be strolling the charming cobblestone streets of a coastal Italian town and gazing at the sparkling Mediterranean, passeggiata still gets my body moving and helps me celebrate this beautiful tradition in my own community.

Up Next:

Sources:

Carol Teteak, certified performance exercise specialist (NASM), personal trainer (ACE) and medical fitness supervisor with Endeavor Health Fitness & Wellness Center-Woodridge, IL
Carly Harvey, personal trainer, online coach and Clubbercise instructor at Champneys

This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 7:50 AM.