13 Best Places to Visit in Italy

Italy, home to world’s greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is famous for its cuisine, picturesque cities and villages, superb coastline, and a lot of historical sites. No matter where you go in Italy, you cannot shake a stick and not find something absolutely amazing to do.

Here, I share just some of the best places to visit during your trip to Italy. Andiamo!

Rome

rome

Italy’s capital is an open air history museum. It’s enough to just put your walking shoes on, get a map and follow the streets. You’ll find a lot interesting things to photograph and free things to do . If you only have planned for a day or two in the capital, make sure to visit the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

Venice

venice

Located in the northeastern part of Italy , Venice is an archipelago made up of 118 islands, connected by amazing bridges and picturesque canals. A day is enough to check out the city but , if you plan to stay longer, visiting Murano and Burano is a good idea. You should not miss a ride on the Grand Canal, feeding the pigeons in St. Mark’s Square and taking a photo of Rialto Bridge.

Pompeii and Herculaneum

pompeii

Both ancient cities met their end due to Vesuvius. Pompeii is the larger , more famous and over run with tourists. Herculaneum is the smaller one, better preserved and where tourists don’t always come. Both are easily reachable from Naples via Circumvesuviana . You can visit both cities during a day but you need to start early and be in good shape to walk a lot.

Amalfi Coast

amalfi-coast

One of the Circumvesuviana lines terminates at Sorrento, the gateway into the Amalfi Coast. The area is picture perfect. But you can also come here to explore the villages and soak up the sun. Amalfi, the larger city in the area, is worth a day trip.



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Cinque Terre

cinque-terre

As the name suggests, it comprises 5 villages which are linked through footpaths. You can cover the distance between them on some very scenic hikes, known to offer some of the most amazing views of the Italian coast line.

The Lake District

como

The three lakes – Garda, Como and Maggiore – are located in Northern Italy and offer some amazing scenery and things to do. Out of them, Maggiore is the less popular so if you want to avoid the crowds, aim to hit one of the resorts on its shores.

Naples

Naples

Quirky and dirty, Naples is one of those places you either love or hate. I loved its weirdness but , to be fair, it is home to some amazing food and very interesting sites. The Old Town will keep you busy for hours and the pizza you can eat here is just amazing. Consider it as a base for exploring Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast.

Milan

milan

Mostly interesting for those who are into arts and fashion, Milan appears less Italian compared to the country’s historical cities. That’s because it was almost flattened during the Second World War and had to be reconstructed. Still, a day or two exploring the main sites – the cathedral, Castello Sforzesco or Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper – is a good option to add to your itinerary.

Tuscany

tuscany

The rolling hills of Tuscany are , by far, the most famous region of Italy. Thinking of learning to cook Italian food? Head to Tuscany! Want to try Chianti? Exactly, you have to head to Tuscany. Oh and let’s not forget the olive groves and the famous town of San Gimigiano. Or the capital of art, Florence. Before I forget, Pisa and Siena are also superb towns in Tuscany.

Puglia

Vieste

Puglia seems to be the forgotten child between the Italian regions but it is , slowly and steadily, gaining popularity among foreign travelers. The food is amazing , by the way. The Adriatic culture is unique and is at its best in cities like Lecce or Otranto. Head up on the Gargano Coast and you will find endless beaches, stunning scenery, Medieval castles and white-washed houses reminding you of the Greek cities.

Verona

verona

The city of Romeo and Juliette, Verona is compact enough to be enjoyed on a bicycle or on foot. You can find Roman ruins here, as well as a castle and a Medieval center.

Bologna

bologna

I know what you are thinking: Spaghetti Bolognese. Sorry to be disappointing you but that this dish doesn’t come from Bologna. But it is where that awesome ragu sauce used in lasagna and tagliatelle comes from! And after all the eating , you may want to explore the city on foot.

Genoa

genoa

Often overlooked by travelers, Genoa offers a large historical old town, with architectural styles spanning more than a century. Oh , you were asking about food? Sure: pesto was invented here so head to the farmers’ market and make sure to bring some home.

2 thoughts on “13 Best Places to Visit in Italy

  1. Pingback: 1 Week in Europe Itinerary: Visiting Italy | Looknwalk

  2. Pingback: Quick Florence Tour - Cradle of renaissance – Travel With Me 24 X 7

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