Italy is a dream destination for many travelers and often tops their bucket lists. Famous for its incredible food and wine, rich historical sites, highly regarded art, beautiful small towns, and equally picturesque cities, countryside, and coastlines, it’s safe to say Italy’s offerings are unmatched.
Plan your trip to Italy with our list of amazing places to visit in Italy.
21. Milan
Milan is a must-see city for people interested in design and fashion. It features one of Italy’s most significant concentrations of creative and architectural attractions. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Verdi, Enrico Caruso, Toscanini, and fashion designer Giorgio Armani are just a few famous people who called Milan their home. Milan’s enormous cathedral, Il Duomo, is one of the most stunning structures in the world and the best example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. The most prominent opera venue in the world is La Scala, and the city is home to several palaces and museums that exhibit some of the best works of art ever created.
20. Naples
Naples, the capital of Southern Italy’s Campania region, is one of the busiest big cities in the world. Naples is an excellent area to stay when exploring the region because it is close to well-known locations like the Bay of Naples and Pompeii. Naples has one of the world’s most incredible ancient city cores, one of the highest concentrations of historical monuments, Baroque churches, and Roman remains, providing an unending feast for history and art enthusiasts. Beyond the city center, visitors may explore the stunning countryside, charming homes, castles, and historic Roman baths and volcanic craters. Naples’s top attractions include the Grand Piazza del Plebiscito, the Capodimonte Museum’s royal palace, and the National Archaeological Museum, which has an incredible collection of artwork and relics discovered in the Pompeii ruins.
19. Rome
Once the center of the Roman Empire, Rome is now the capital of Italy and home to its government. Rome, located in the country’s central province of Lazio, is a significant and intricate old and modern city. Rome has been a vital hub for culture, power, and religion for over 2,500 years and is best known for hosting historic Roman buildings and the Vatican City. The city of Rome is split into numerous districts, the most important of which is the Colosseo area, which contains the most historical attractions, such as the Colosseum, the Forum of Augustus, the Capitoline Hill, and the Roman Forum. The Pantheon, beautiful cathedrals, plazas, and Renaissance architecture may be seen on the outskirts of Old Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, and the Sistine Chapel are well-known attractions in Vatican City.
18. Verona
Verona is another lovely town that deserves to be included on a list of the best locations to visit in Italy. Verona is recognized as Italy’s most romantic city since it was the location for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Verona is a historic city with gorgeous architecture and a rich history. Its most prominent feature is the 1st-century Roman amphitheater. You may go inside during the day or obtain tickets to one of the many nighttime concerts and events. The town is small, and you will be able to see a lot in a short time. Stroll about the old town, go off the usual tourist trail, and discover a beautiful vibe of an authentic Italian town that’s sometimes difficult to locate in many of Italy’s most famous towns and cities.
17. Pompeii
Pompeii, one of Italy’s most popular tourist sites, is a famous Roman city buried beneath several meters of volcanic ash for nearly 1,700 years following Mt. Vesuvius’ devastating eruption. Pompeii excavations began in 1748, and the site has yet to be completely excavated. The location is close to the contemporary city of Naples. A Pompeii excursion provides a unique glimpse into ordinary living in the ancient Roman world. Visitors may wander through the historic streets and witness the ruins of stores, taverns, bakeries, brothels, baths, private residences, and commercial and religious buildings. Some of the most important structures include the Amphitheatre, the Forum, the Temple of Apollo, the Basilica, and the Granary Market, which houses many relics and plaster casts of people and dogs who perished in the disaster. Several artworks and paintings show erotica, mythical characters, and hunting scenes inside the architecture of Pompeii’s old structures.
16. Sicily
Sicily is the Mediterranean’s biggest island. It is home to Mt. Etna, the world’s second most active volcano, and many other active volcanoes. It also contains Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples and other Ancient Greek and Roman remains from the 5th and 6th century BC. Sicily’s capital and largest city Palermo, established over 2,700 years ago, has been ruled by various empires, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, and Normans. Each culture leaves behind artistic and architectural masterpieces as well as culinary influences. Sicily is also a fantastic destination for foodies, with its cuisine. Sicilian cuisine has been heavily affected by its past, including dishes influenced by French, Greek, Arabic, and North African cuisines. Food in various parts of Sicily may also be highly distinct.
15. Cinque Terre
A list of the finest locations to visit in Italy would only be complete by including Cinque Terre. This seaside location is so beautiful that it’s difficult to believe it’s real! Cinque Terre is the collective name for five lovely hillside communities on the Italian Riviera in Liguria. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare are the five Cinque Terre towns. These vibrant cities are nestled between the azure-blue sea on one side and high hills filled with vineyards on the other. This means that driving to Cinque Terre is difficult, and the best way to get there is by boat, train, or hiking the Cinque Terre trail between the towns.
14. Sardinia
Sardinia is the Mediterranean Sea’s second biggest island. It is located just south of Corsica and north of Tunisia. This beautiful island has long sandy beaches, archaeological ruins, and colorful coastal communities. The island’s rugged interior is a hiker’s paradise, with some of Europe’s deepest valleys and tallest dunes. Sardinia is distinct from the rest of Italy with its culture and cuisine. It has a wide range of activities, attractions, and scenery. As a result, it’s an excellent vacation option for individuals who wish to combine a beach trip with some sightseeing. It’s the perfect place to indulge in the Italian concept of “dolce far niente,” meaning the pleasure of doing nothing!
13. Puglia
Puglia is a lovely area in southern Italy, located in the “heel” of this boot-shaped country. Puglia is most recognized globally for its beautiful trulli homes. Trullis are dry stone cottages with a conical roof uniquely found in this region of Italy, mainly in Alberobello and the Itria Valley. These homes are often painted white, with grey roofs. If you are searching for more authentic spots to visit in Italy, you should try this lesser-known region. It boasts some breathtaking scenery with a fraction of the tourists than the surrounding locations have. Visiting here is all about the colors, fragrances, and tastes that feel stronger than everywhere else. Time seems to move more slowly here, making this a beautiful area of Italy for individuals who wish to go deeper and seek out more local experiences.
12. Sorrento
Land of Mermaids. Land of Orange and Lemon Groves. Land of Colors. This gorgeous seaside city in Campania has a slew of enticing names. Sorrento is famous for its coastal cliffs, and steep slopes stare out over turquoise waters to Ischia, Capri, and the Bay of Naples, making it an ideal location for exploring the surrounding areas. If you’re looking for cobblestone alleys, ocean views, and eating amid lemon trees, Sorrento has it all. The birthplace of Limoncello liqueur provides excellent diving, deep-sea fishing, boat trips, delectable eateries, and wonderful hiking trails across the peninsula.
11. Portofino
Portofino, Italy, is a little fishing hamlet on the Italian Riviera famed for its beauty and visitors, including some of the Hollywood crowd. But you don’t have to be a celebrity or wealthy to visit this beautiful Northern Italian coastal village. The half-moon-shaped harbor cradled by a piazza, with pastel houses lining the streets along the shore, hasn’t had a new home built here since 1935! The charming pink and yellow cottages with finely painted shutters maintain their old-world charm. The lovely Piazzetta in Portofino is filled with cafés, stores, restaurants, and luxury hotels, while the main street, Via Roma, sparkles with designer boutiques and artists’ workshops. Be sure to plan a full day of outings for Portofino so that you can relax and take it all in.
10. San Gimignano
Tuscany, Italy, is famed for its wine and beautiful scenery, and San Gimignano has both. Known as the “city of beautiful towers,” it formerly boasted 72 towers. Now just 14 survive, and they rise above Tuscany’s Elsa Valley, giving the town the appearance of a medieval dreamscape. Visit the fresco-covered Collegiate Church, the Civic Museum, and the views from the summit of the 177-foot Torre Grossa. Daytrippers from Florence tend to crowd the streets during the day, so stay the night for a more up-close-and-personal view of the town. The vistas are breathtaking, the roads are a delight to walk through, and the wine tastings are excellent.
9. Tuscany
Italy has 20 regions, and they are all worthwhile to visit. If you’re a first-time visitor to Italy, Tuscany is a must-see region with its breathtaking beauty and charm. Conveniently situated between Rome, Venice, and Milan, Tuscany boasts many attractions and is renowned for its stunning towns and villages. Florence, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, and others are all worth visiting. Tuscany is also famous for its beautiful landscapes, which include rolling hills and winding roads lined with cypress trees. It’s also a popular destination for foodies and wine connoisseurs. Tuscany produces some of the best Italian wines!
8. Lake Como
Nestled at the base of the Alps, Lake Como is widely considered one of Italy’s most enchanting and romantic destinations. It’s a site liked by the wealthy and the famous, and you’ll discover some spectacular villas lining the banks of this lake. Como Lake is smaller than Lake Garda. Still, it is pretty long and has an unusual form that resembles an upside-down letter Y. Como, located near the lake’s southern extremity, is the area’s principal town. Here you may ride a funicular to the mountain town of Brunate for spectacular views of the surrounding area. Bellagio, Varenna, and Cernobbio are lovely locations to explore surrounding the lake. However, Lake Como’s most incredible draw is its villas, particularly Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello.
7. Venice
Located in northeastern Italy, Venice is a popular tourist destination, featuring an archipelago of 118 islands connected by stunning bridges and canals, surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. The Grand Canal, the most renowned of the canals, splits the city into two portions. With its charming waterways and medieval buildings, Venice is often considered one of the most romantic cities in the world. Venice is frequently congested and pricey, but its stunning attractions, such as Saint Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Rialto Bridge, are well worth seeing. One of the top activities in Venice is taking a gondola ride along the scenic Grand Canal.
6. Amalfi
Situated in Italy’s southwestern province of Campania, the Amalfi Coast is famed for its remarkable beauty making it one of Italy’s top tourist attractions. Stretching 30 miles along the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is regarded for its gorgeous coastline that encompasses glistening coves, rugged cliffs, lemon tree gardens, colorful houses, and luxurious resorts. Positano, one of the most romantic and elegant towns on the Amalfi Coast, is known for its lovely pebbled beaches, pastel villas, stunning mountains, waterfalls, and a 13th-century Black Madonna. One of the significant towns, Amalfi, boasts gorgeous plazas dotted with restaurants and souvenir stores. Ravello, perched on a hill overlooking Amalfi, is known for its beautiful villas with gardens and artworks and its lively art and music festival. Furore, popularly known as the Painted Town because of its numerous mural-painted houses, has a picturesque bay.
5. Dolomites
Stretching across the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Dolomites form an imposing mountain range in the northeastern Italian Alps. The Italian Dolomites are, without a doubt, one of the world’s most stunning alpine locations. The towering cliffs, vertical walls, jagged pinnacles, picturesque valleys, and alpine pastures that define the Dolomiti’s distinctive landscape will enchant you whether you’re driving, cycling, skiing, or hiking. Mountain peaks slice the sky, illuminating everything in vivid colors. Cattle graze in rolling alpine meadows sprinkled with cottages beneath the soaring pinnacles. This stunning contrast between rocky mountains and soft fields makes the Dolomites gorgeous. The Dolomites is heaven on earth for energetic tourist. Summer activities include Via Ferrata climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding. In winter, you may ski in the largest ski resort in the world, Dolomiti Superski.
4. Montepulciano
Montepulciano is a lovely medieval hilltop town in the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany. The town is known for its wine, particularly the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and its historic town center, which features lovely piazzas, churches, and gorgeous viewing terraces overlooking the countryside below. Montepulciano is an excellent day trip location and a great starting point for exploring Tuscany. It is one of the most pleasant and lovely towns in Tuscany. Montepulciano is a walled town, and the way into the city is through the medieval gate that still stands. Piazza Grande is the principal square of Montepulciano and is a wonder. Here you have the Duomo, and the most iconic sight in town, the historic well. The well is built of stone and features two lions carrying the Medici family emblem. A few minutes walk from Piazza Grande is the picturesque Fortress of Montepulciano, an enormous structure currently houses the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the city’s most valuable commodity. Montepulciano is located on a high hill and offers several observation points to enjoy Val d’Orcia. One of the most magnificent is just off Piazza Grande. Enter one of the tiny alleys, and you will soon find breathtaking terraces opening upon you!
3. Capri
Capri, barely 20 kilometers from Sorrento, rises in steep cliffs from the Tyrrhenian Sea. It served as a hideaway for the Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius. Now, it attracts regular visitors who arrive through the numerous ferries and hydrofoils from Sorrento and Naples. Although it is just six kilometers long at its longest, it contains two villages, Capri and Anacapri. Capri is filled with trendy stores and cafés packed with people hoping to glimpse a celebrity. Anacapri is the site of the lovely Villa San Michele and its gardens. One of the top things to do on Capri is a trip to the Blue Grotto, a large flooded cave where reflected sunlight makes the water look as though it were lit from inside.
2. Positano
Once an essential part of a great sea power, Positano is now a sophisticated resort town and the crown gem of southern Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast. Positano is a gorgeous vertical town filled with stunning colors and winding walkways when viewed from the sea. The green of the Monti Lattari and the white, pink, and yellow of the Mediterranean buildings are a stunning contrast to the silvery grey of its pebble beaches and the blue of the sea. The area is brimming with elegant stores selling lemon-themed crafts and handcrafted leather sandals. Enjoy fresh seafood and savory wines at the town’s several romantic restaurants. Positano is also an excellent location for exploring the surrounding area, with easy access by boat to Capri, Ischia, and the Grotta Dello Smeraldo cave.
1. Lake Garda
Lake Garda lies midway between Venice and Milan in northern Italy. Worth a visit; this lake is considered one of the most stunning in the world. Lake Garda is a large lake, so taking a ferry between towns is the ideal way to see it, although driving the gorgeous route all the way around is an incredible experience. Beautiful cities and lovely tiny villages may be found along the shores of Lake Garda. The village of Sirmione, located near the lake’s southern end, is the most well-known. Malcesine, Limone Sul Garda, and Riva del Garda are other worthwhile stops.
Regardless if this is your first time visiting Italy or you’ve been to Italy before. You will be granted spectacular cities, ancient ruins, fantastic museums, soaring mountains, great beaches, and beautiful natural scenery. That will never stop amazing you!