Italy is a country located in the southern part of Europe. The boot-shaped country is a superb blend of impressive art, amazing history, varied cultures, and one of the most delicious cuisines in the world.

But that’s not the end. Italy provides ecstatic views from the Dolomites in the north to the beautiful coastal views from the Amalfi Coast and Puglia. The country has mountains, fantastic beaches, colourful towns, serene countryside, and magnificent islands.

So, a trip to Italy should be at least planned for a week or two. The country has much to offer, so let’s find the best places to visit in Italy.

1. 20 Best Places to Visit in Italy

Italy is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, providing many experiences for visitors.

1.1. Rome

Rome is the capital city of Italy. It is one of the oldest towns in Europe. It is famous for its artistic history, culture, architectural treasures, and exceptional beauty, making it one of Italy’s best places to visit.

Thus, present-day Rome is the accumulation of the history, culture, and religion of around 25 centuries. Rome has many tourist attractions to keep you entertained throughout your trip.

Above all, the Colosseum is the highlight of Rome. As its name states, Rome is indeed the Eternal City.

1.2. Venice

Venice is an archipelago of 118 islands surrounded by the Adriatic Sea, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All the islands are interconnected with elegant bridges and canals. Located in the northwestern part of Italy is the beautiful city of Venice.

Venice is a romantic destination and historically rich. Visiting Venice is worth the trip because of all the exquisite tourist attractions like the Rialto Bridge, Saint Mark’s Square, and Doge’s Palace. The tourists can only walk to these places or ride the water taxis.

Lastly, a trip to Venice will be incomplete without a Gondola ride along the Grand Canal and buying yourself a beautifully crafted mask as a souvenir.

1.3. Florence

Florence is the capital city of Tuscany and is also famous as the origin of the Italian Renaissance, which is precisely why it is one of Italy’s best places to visit. This place is always famous as a gigantic outdoor museum because of its large concentration of Renaissance art and stunning architecture.

Florence is also acknowledged for contributing many artists, inventors, littérateurs, and explorers, along with introducing Opera and Florin currency. Florence was also considered a prosperous and powerful historic city center during the Medici Dynasty.

However, this city justifies its reference as a vast outdoor museum with all the beautiful churches, artistic masterpieces, and galleries like Santa Maria del Fiore, the Dome of Duomo, Ufizzi, and Pitti Palace.

It is known for housing one of the most famous squares, Piazza Della Signoria, which has many beautiful sculptures like the Fountain of Neptune, Michelangelo’s statue of David, the legendary Perseus, and Medusa’s Head.

1.4. Naples

Located in Southern Italy, Naples is one of the liveliest metropolitan cities in Italy. It is full of Baroque churches, ancient monuments, and ruins that contain artistic works and beautiful artifacts. The city is a delight for history and art lovers and is one of Italy’s best places to visit.

Apart from the bustling city center, the place also has picturesque natural beauty, exquisite villas and castles, Roman baths from the past, and volcanic craters.

Overall, the Bay of Naples is yet another of the best places to explore from Naples. The best places to visit in Naples are the grand Piazza del Plebiscito, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Capodimonte Museum.

When in Naples, you need to taste the authentic Pizza as this is where Pizza originated.

1.5. Milan

Milan is located in the northwest of Italy in the Lombardy region. The city excels as a center of business and football.

Milan was severely destroyed during the Second World War but was soon renovated and is currently one of the most luxurious cities in Europe. Milan is full of modern architecture, making it one of Italy’s best places.

Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, the La Scala Opera House, and the Gothic Cathedral are the places that attract thousands of tourists every year.

1.6. Tuscany

A trip to the hilly town of Tuscany is like taking a break from modern life and living a peaceful life for a few days in the Tuscan countryside. Tuscany is a delight for nature lovers with its green vineyards, roads dotted by cypress trees, and rolling hills.

You can tour the town and explore other hilly towns like San Gimignano, Montalcino, Volterra, Pienza, and Montepulciano.

You can hire a bike, have a great time cycling between the wineries, and then take some time to taste the fine wine.

1.7. Verona

The beauty of Verona is often belittled, but it is one of the best places to visit in Italy. This city is renowned for being the place where Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet took place. Verona is considered the most romantic and one of Italy’s best places.

It is well renowned for the Roman Amphitheater created in the 1st century. Juliette’s house also attracts a lot of tourists.

The Piazzale Castel San Pietro provides a beautiful view of Verona. Other prominent tourist attractions are Ponte Scaligero, Piazza delle Erbe, and Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore.

Most of the sightseeing is done on foot since the city is not too large in area. Therefore, you can explore the city more in a shorter period.

1.8. Pisa

Pisa is located along the Arno River, one of the largest centers of trade and commerce during the Middle Ages. The place also provides enchanting natural beauty with residential houses and beautiful buildings.

This place’s most striking tourist landmark is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Leaning Tower is surrounded by other of Italy’s most famous tourist attractions.

The Campo Dei Miracoli, also known as the ‘Square of Miracles, is one of the most enticing squares in Italy and is located in Pisa. The Square contains historical relics and marble sculptures from the Italian Renaissance. The Duomo Cathedral, Baptistry, and Camposanto Monument are a few places to visit in Pisa.

While strolling around the Square, buy yourself a souvenir from the stalls to bring the memories back home.

Tourists also love the elegant bridges constructed above the Arno River. There is also the University of Pisa, attended by thousands of students. There are also many cultural festivals like the Luminara Festival and Game of Bridge held in the streets of Pisa, which the tourists can join.

1.9. Emilia Romagna

Located in northwestern Italy, Emilia Romagna is one of the most luxurious cities in Europe.

This is where the headquarters of Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini, and Maserati are located. Its capital city, Bologna, is famous for its cuisine worldwide.

It is famous for its rich history and culture, architectural treasures, artistic masterpieces, lively town life, and lovely scenery. Explore all the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites here and visit the beautiful city of Ravenna and the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world.

If you are in love with food, Bologna is the right place! It has authentic Bolognese sauce and sausage. Taste the local dishes.

1.10. Siena

Located in Tuscany, Siena is a well-preserved ancient hilly town from the Middle Ages, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is most prominently known for the horseracing tradition from the medieval period and all the exquisite artworks and architecture from that time. Siena is also the home of Italy’s oldest universities.

One of the most stunning squares of Europe, Piazza del Campo, is quite famous, along with its precious architectural masterpieces like the Fountain of Joy, the Palazzo Pubblico, and the Manga Tower. After exploring the Square, relax and try the local treats of coffee, wine, Pizza, or Gelato offered there.

Another prominent tourist attraction of Siena is the Italian Romanesque-designed Cathedral with its marbled surface, stained glass, and beautiful sculptures with delicate art and carvings.

If you’re planning a summer trip to Italy, you can join the 700-year-old horse racing tradition held twice every summer. The racing attracts a lot of spectators every year.

1.11. The Dolomites

The sight of the Italian Dolomites is jaw-dropping. The place provides you with a breathtaking view no matter whether you hike up to it or not. This means the place is entirely ecstatic.

A few hike trails will reward you with magnificent scenery, like the Tre Cime di Lavare, a tiring little hike, and the Lagazuoi Tunnels.

Lake Braies and Lake Sorapis are beautiful. Also, Marmolada is a must-visit’s highest mountain range in the Dolomites.

1.12. Sardinia

Sardinia is a unique place with unique beauty. The island is famous for its white-sand beaches and lively coastal towns. Located between Corsica and Tunisia, Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of Italy’s best places to visit.

Sardinia is one of the best places to visit in Italy due to its incredible landscape, stone towers, and monumental tombs. The island has the deepest gorges and highest dunes in Europe. The island is primarily mountainous, with several hiking trails.

Visit the historical sites of Nuraghe of Barumini, Costa Smeralda, and Cagliari. The place also offers adventurous activities like hiking, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.

1.13. San Marino

Settled on Mount Titano near the Adriatic Sea, San Marino is an independent neighboring country of Italy. San Marino perfectly blends hilly and ancient streets lined by cafes and restaurants.

Visit the Piazza Della Liberta, Guaita, Cesta Towers, and ancient museums like The Torture Museum, Museum of Curiosity, and the World of Leonardo.

1.14. Puglia

The coastal town of Puglia is located on the Adriatic Sea. It forms the heel of Italy. The town is one of Italy’s best places to visit because of the fantastic views from the coastal town, sea cliffs, and national parks.

The largest town of Puglia is Bari, and the most visited town is Alberobello, which is famous for its Trulli houses, which are white-washed huts and are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gargano National Park is also worth a visit.

This place provides the most scenic drive along the beautiful coast at Promontorio del Gargano. The Castel del Monte, Cathedral of Otranto, and Taranto are other popular tourist attractions.

1.15. Turin

It is positioned in Northern Italy; Turin is an industrial hub.

The place is full of squares, avenues, and royal palaces. Turin has a breathtaking riverside park and an ancient city full of historical remains.

A visit to the Museum of Cinema is a must. Turin will also charm you with beautiful cafes and restaurants.

1.16. Italian Rivera

Italian Rivera is a beautiful coastal city in western Italy’s Liguria region. This is one of the best places to visit, with breathtaking landscapes of the coastal towns.

It also has luxurious hotels and resorts with every facility to make you experience a fantastic holiday.

The most prominent places to visit here are Santa Margherita Ligure and Portovenere.

1.17. Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is mainly visited for its unique beauty and stunning coastline. It is located in the southwestern part of Italy in the Campania region.

Positano, a romantic destination on the Amalfi Coast, is famous for pastel houses, beautiful mountains, and a Black Madonna from the 13th century.

For this reason, the Amalfi Coast offers many outdoor activities, including hiking along the rugged cliffs, discovering ancient ruins, and sailing along the enchanting coastline, making it memorable for adventurers and culture enthusiasts alike.

1.18. Pompeii

Located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii is a historically thriving Roman city and one of Italy’s best places to visit. A visit to Pompeii will take you back to the days of the ancient Romans.

The city remained concealed under volcanic ashes for around 1700 years due to the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The excavation of this city started in 1748, and finally, the beautiful city came to the surface.

Walk around the city and enjoy the classic vibe of Pompeii by observing the present stalls, bars, bakeries, brothels, and the ancient ruins of commercial and religious centers.

1.19. Sicily

On the right side of the southernmost point of Italy is Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is famous for its rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and blue waters.

Since it is located on the outskirts of Italy, its culture, cuisines, and traditions are unfamiliar to the rest of Italy.

For the most part, the capital city of Sicily, Palermo, was governed by several rulers more than 2700 years ago. Therefore, the city radiates the rich culture and cuisines, and the arts remain inculcated from all those years. Sicily is a UNESCO World Heritage Site now.

Therefore, this island is one of Italy’s best places to visit. Its tourist attractions were made in the ancient Roman period and spread everywhere, like the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, the Valley of the Temples, and the castles of Erice.

Importantly, Sicily is also home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mount Etna, the highest peak in Italy.

1.20. Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is located on the northwestern coast of Italy, a vibrant village with colourful houses lining the sea. The Cinque Terre has beautiful green hills in its surrounding regions. The Cinque Terre National Park is one of Italy’s best places.

‘Cinque Terre’ is Italian and translates to ‘Five Lands’. The Cinque Terre is formed by the five villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, and Corniglia, which were agricultural settlements tucked on the hills along the Italian Riviera.

In this case, the village is noted for its incredible natural scenery and offers wine from hundreds of years ago. The villagers primarily practice farming and agriculture and own restaurants serving delicious local foods like pasta, seafood, and baked goods.

Many hiking trails reward a great view of the turquoise sea waters.

Key Takeaways

In summary, Italy provides many captivating experiences that cater to many interests and preferences. Travelers can immerse themselves in the rich historical and cultural tapestry of Rome, Florence, and Venice, discovering ancient ruins, architectural marvels, and renowned art galleries.

Italy’s multiverse offerings promise a memorable journey filled with rich experiences and timeless memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the prettiest place in Italy?

Ans. Here you will find every single place in Italy is pretty. The country has a varied geography with mountains, islands, and coastal areas, which offers you many options to add to the list of your best places to visit in Italy.

But in my opinion, Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples, and Milan are pretty for their bustling lifestyle and profound history. On the other hand, San Marino, Cinque Terre, Sicily, and Amalfi Coast are the places with the most breathtaking views and landscapes.

2. Where should I visit Italy for the first time?

Ans. Choosing a place to visit in Italy for the first time can be overwhelming because all its places are very inviting. I must first recommend Rome as the perfect place to visit since it is the capital city.

So, visiting Rome would give you an overall idea of what the entire country has to offer, although the best places to visit in Italy may be diverse naturally.

Last Updated on February 24, 2024 by Apeksha Soni