Visiting Italy is at the top of traveller bucketlist’s the world over, and for good reason. The country has it all; breathtaking scenery, delicious cuisine, charming towns and a plethora of historical sites!
Here’s our take on the best places to visit in Italy. No matter where you decide to go, a trip to Italy will make for an amazing European experience!
The Best Places To Visit In Italy
1. Rome
Rome, AKA the city of seven hills is one of the most popular places to visit in Italy.
According to mythology, Romulus and Remus – the twin brothers who were birthed by a she-wolf and fathered by a god of war – laid the first foundations for the establishment of the city.
It was also the capital of ancient Europe during the reign of King Octavian, Julius, and Caesar.
If you’re a history buff, check out the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and Palatine Hill.
The Colosseum is an Amphitheatre that could house up to 60,000 spectators at a time, whereas the Pantheon with no clear function remains one of the best-preserved architectural monuments in the city, dating back to the 80 A.D.
You can also visit other notable places like the Spanish Steps, Sistine Chapel, Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese Gallery, and Gardens when in Rome.
2. Venice
When you set foot in the magical city of Venice, it will be hard for you to decide where to go first.
Instead of buses and cars, you’ll find boats – peacefully making their way along the river. This only adds to the general air of romance in the city, making it the perfect place for a couple on honeymoon.
Venice is divided into six neighbourhoods with San Marco being the most popular and home to St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. St. Mark’s Basilica used to be the Doge’s private chapel, and the interior is simply breath-taking with Byzantine architectural styles.
Here you’ll also find the Pala d’Oro, one of the most exquisite altarpieces in the world, crafted from gold and decorated with more than 2000 gemstones.
Also be sure to check out Santi Giovanni e Paolo – the largest church in Venice, Museo Correr, Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection too!
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3. Florence
Another one of the best places to visit in Italy is Florence, but keep in mind that it will take weeks to properly explore this lovely city!
Florence perfectly displays the Italian Renaissance Period with attractions like the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Palace and Gallery.
One of the highlights in Florence is the Pitti Palace complex; with its incredible art galleries, Medici Palace and historical buildings.
Dating back to the 16th century B.C, this palace complex was bought by Cosimo I de Medici and his wife Eleanor of Toledo as the new Grand Ducal residence, and later become the symbol of Medici power in Italy.
Today, there are four museums here; the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Museum of Costume and Fashion.
You can also couple this day with a visit to the Boboli Gardens – it has 111 acres of sheer lush green beauty, and as it was constructed somewhere around the 14th century, it also served as an inspiration for other royal gardens such as the Versailles.
4. Lake Como
Lake Como is said to be the most beautiful lake in Italy, with its turquoise blue waters, lakeside magical-looking houses and picturesque mountainous views.
If you’re a person who loves watersports; this is the perfect place for you with kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, and many more activities on offer!
Other highlights to check out are Como Cathedral – a 14th-century Gothic-inspired cathedral, Como Archaeological Museum, Villa Del Balbianello, and Sentiero Del Viandante Hiking Path.
5. Tuscany
With alluring landscapes and picturesque countryside Tuscany is the European dream for every traveller!
It is world-renowned, having been featured in many books and films – so many know what to expect before visiting.
Due to its close proximity to many other cities like Florence, Pisa and Luca, this is a great place to stay if you’re hoping to see a large portion of Italy.
Some of the highlights in and around Tuscany include, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza del Duomo, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Museum of Villa Mansi, Duomo San Donato.
6. Amalfi Coast
Stretching beautifully over 40 kilometres, the Amalfi Coast is considered to be another one of the best places to visit in Italy. You will be captivated from the moment you arrive, thanks to the scenic views, rugged cliffs and turquoise waters.
Home to the Amalfi Drive, which is one of the most picturesque drives in the world. One of the highlights is Positano – a tiny sea town located in the western parts of the Amalfi Coast with attractions like Santa Maria Assunta and Fornillo Beach.
Other places to check out are Grotta dello Smeraldo, Duomo di Sant’Andrea, Museo della Carta and Marina Grande.
7. Milan
Located in Lombardy in Northern Italy, Milan is the third most visited city after Rome and Venice. This is largely due to the vibrant fashion and shopping scene.
It is home to some of the world’s most renowned brands like; Armani, Prada and Versace. That being said, fashion isn’t the only thing that attracts travellers to Milan.
Make sure to check out the highlight of the city – II Duomo, which is a 14th-century Flamboyant-gothic style cathedral that is among the largest in the world with a capacity of 40,000.
You can also check out; Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Museo Teatrale alla Scala, Sant’Ambrogio, Cimitero Monumentale and Parco Sempione.
8. Sicily
Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is also another one of the best places to visit in Italy.
The island has a long and well-documented history, with seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a history lover’s dream come true!
The most popular attraction in Sicily is the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, which dates back as far as the 500 B.C.
Other attractions include; Tempio di Concordia, Tempio di Juno Lacinia and the Temple of the Olympian Zeus.
You can also visit the two churches – Cappella Palatina and La Martorana, which are famous for their 12th century B.C mosaics.
Also check out the Cathedral of Monreale, Selinunte Greek temples, Villa Romana del Casale, and Parco Archeologico della Neapolis.
9. Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is the perfect place for nature lovers because it has it all – from adventurous hiking trails to lush green mountain views and coastal regions with idyllic blue waters.
Embrace the local culture and travel how the locals do – by hiking along trails to neighbouring towns like. Two of the best routes are Manarola to Corniglia or Riomaggiore to Manarola. Be warned though, the hike can be quite a bit of a challenge for novice hikers. It will take about 5-6 hours to complete either hike, so its important to carry plenty of water and snacks with you.
Some of the other highlights you can check out are the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero Viewpoint, Manarola Scenic Viewpoint, and Monterosso Beach.
10. Verona
Another one of the best places to visit in Italy is the historically important city of Verona – nestled between Venice and Milan.
Verona is often overshadowed by other Italian cities, but it’s definitely worth a visit!
The most popular attraction in Verona is the Castelvecchio, which was built by the Scaligeri and lies peacefully on the banks of the Adige River. It served as a fortress in the 14th century, and proudly displays the power the Della Scala family had over Italy.
Another equally important attraction is the Arena di Verona (Roman Amphitheatre) – one of the best-preserved and the largest amphitheatres in Italy, housing more than 20,000 spectators. It dates back to 290 A.D. and as of now, it hosts the Verona Opera Festival during the summer.
Some of the highlights you can check out are Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, Piazza delle Erbe, Arche Scaligere (Scaligeri Tombs), Duomo di Santa Maria Matricolare and Sant’Anastasia Church.