Some of the most beautiful places in Italy are also among the most beautiful in the world. In fact, few places in the world can boast such a palette of natural beauty as Italy, from the craggy peaks of the Dolomites to the verdant hills of Tuscany, to the turquoise waters fringed by white sandy beaches in Sicily. Puglia, the Amalfi Coast, Vesuvius, Pompeii, Florence, etc… If all these names make you dream, then you’re going to love this article.
The country is also home to some of the finest works of art and architecture you’ll ever encounter. We’re talking about the stunning cathedrals of Rome, the canal-side palazzi of Venice and the modern masterpieces of Milan. While it’s impossible to compile an exhaustive list, we’ve done our best to round up some of the most beautiful places you need to visit on your trip to Italy.
Vacations in Italy: visit Rome – The Italian capital is a blend of culture, romance and impressive architecture. It’s the best city to visit in Italy.
It’s impossible to visit Italy without visiting its famous capital. Rome is a truly incredible city, brimming with history spanning more than twenty centuries. Arguably, Rome is the best open-air museum in the world. As you stroll through the streets, the architecture is sure to leave you breathless, so don’t forget to take your camera.
There are many sites to visit, the most famous being the Colosseum, the Vatican, St. Peter’s, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.
You probably won’t be able to see them all in a weekend, or even a holiday! But it will give you a reason to go back! Rome’s café culture is also world-famous, and to discover the real Rome, choose one of the many piazzas and watch the people go by while enjoying an (expensive) espresso. That’s the Italian dolce vita!
Rome’s must-sees
- Admire the architecture of the Colosseum, one of Italy’s most emblematic monuments.
- Take a magical photo between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti.
- Make a wish at Europe’s most famous fountain, the Trevi Fountain.
- Head to San Crispino for a gelato, undoubtedly one of Italy’s finest ice creams.
Travel to Italy: discover the must-see Florence, the city of art
Florence, undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Tuscany, is home to numerous Renaissance palaces and museums. Its cultural heritage is immense: half of all Italian works of art are to be found in Florence. No wonder it’s one of Italy’s most visited cities, along with Venice!
So, will you be one of the 15 million tourists visiting the city this year?
Here’s what you absolutely must see in Florence:
- The Duomo
- The Uffizi Gallery and its famous paintings
- The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, with its panoramic view of Florence. Tip: go at sunset.
- Piazza della Signoria: a veritable open-air museum
- Brunelleschi’s Duomo: climb the 400 steps for a 360-degree view of Florence. Remember to book your tickets in advance to avoid queues.
- And don’t forget to visit the Tuscan countryside, reputed to be the most beautiful in Italy!
One of Italy’s most beautiful destinations: Tuscany: the Tuscan countryside – a blend of medieval heritage and magical views. One of the best places to go in Italy.
The Tuscan countryside is a unique place in the world. One of the best things to do in Italy is to get away from the cities and into the countryside, especially Tuscany.
It’s a truly magical place where you’ll find incredibly picturesque rolling hills and roads where sublime landscapes of harmony unfold before your eyes.
You’ll also find breathtaking sunflower fields, olive groves that have been here for hundreds of years, medieval ruins and some of the world’s most incredible vineyards. An unmissable place to explore Italy.
Must-sees in the Tuscan countryside
- Take a trip to the natural hot springs of Bagno Vignoni and bathe in its magical waters.
- Explore the romantic vineyards of Chianti for a unique wine tasting experience.
- Book a hot-air balloon ride in Lucca and enjoy breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside.
- Visit Pisa’s leaning tower and sample the city’s street food: cecina.
Venice: the most romantic city for a romantic getaway
Venice is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s an excellent choice if you want to spend a weekend or a few days there during your Italian vacation. With its many canals and famous gondolas, it’s also the ideal destination for a romantic vacation. The Venice Carnival takes place every year in February and attracts many tourists from all over the world. If you don’t mind the crowds, this could be the perfect opportunity to visit Venice!
Here’s what to see in Venice:
- Piazza San Marco: the heart of the city and the pigeon quarter
- Saint Mark’s Basilica and its golden mosaics
- The Doge’s Palace
- Bridge of Sighs: Venice’s most famous bridge
- The islands of Murano (world-famous for its glass production) and Burano with its typical colorful houses.
Verona: a journey to the city of Shakespeare and la dolce vita
Verona is the city of love and the tragic fate of Romeo and Juliet. Everyone has heard of it, but do you know the best things to do and see in Verona?
Here’s what to see in Verona:
- Juliet’s house: admire the famous balcony and take a photo with your loved one.
- Piazza Bra, home of the Verona Arena
- Piazza delle Erbe with its market, bars and restaurant terraces where you can sample Italian cuisine
- The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, Verona’s oldest church
- Castelvecchio, a 14th-century castle transformed into a museum
As you can imagine, Verona is a very romantic city, so if you take your partner there, he just might propose!
Italy’s lakes are within easy reach of Verona: Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are among the best-known.
Capri, the magnificent island, a must-see in Italy
From Naples, you can easily take the ferry to the island of Capri for a day trip.
You’ll start your visit to one of Italy’s most beautiful places with the port of Marina Grande. Then take the funicular to the famous Piazzetta in the center of Capri. With its café terraces and magnificent views over the bay, it’s a magical place!
Other places to visit in Capri include:
- Arco Naturale, a 20-metre rock arch
- The Tragara lookout, which also offers magnificent views.
- And of course, Capri’s must-see attraction: the Grotta Azzurra, named after the unique color of the water there.
Sicily, one of Italy’s most beautiful islands
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy. It’s the ideal place to combine relaxing on the beach with discovering incredible world-class archaeological sites. Add to this delicious Italian cuisine and you’ve got the perfect combination for an unforgettable vacation!
What to see in Eastern Sicily?
- Catania and its Piazza del Duomo with the Cathedral of Santa Agata
- Syracuse and the island of Ortigia: stroll through the narrow streets of the historic center, admire the grand Piazza del Duomo and enjoy the view from Castello Maniace
- Baroque towns: Noto, Modica and Ragusa
- Taormina: for the famous Greek theater, the view of Mount Etna and the magnificent “Isola Bella” pebble beach.
- Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.
What to see in western Sicily:
- Palermo, with the splendid Palatine Chapel, the Norman Palace and the unusual Capuchin catacombs
- Cefalù, a small traditional fishing village
- Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
- The beaches of Scala dei Turchi and Eraclea Minoa
- The Egadi Islands, a paradise on earth.
Pro tip for a trip to Sicily: while everyone’s heading for Taormina, head to Sicily’s east coast and lose yourself in the narrow streets of ancient Ortigia. This island adjacent to Syracuse has been inhabited since the 14th century BC and boasts an architectural pedigree to prove it. Here you’ll find Greek temples, Baroque cathedrals and one of Italy’s most beautiful seaside promenades.
Sardinia, for a holiday in Italy on the most beautiful beaches
Do you love beautiful beaches and wonder what Italy has in store for you? Sardinia, Italy’s second largest island. It’s famous the world over for its incredible beaches. It’s the ideal destination if you want to spend your vacation in the sun, swimming and relaxing with friends. Sardinia is also an ideal spot if you’re planning a family vacation.
The best places to visit in Sardinia :
- Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, is spread over several hills. Visit the Castello district, where most of the tourist attractions are located.
- The Maddalena islands, with their beautiful, unspoilt beaches.
- The Costa Smeralda: the jet-set’s ideal destination for luxury vacations. The road along the coast offers spectacular views.
- The Gulf of Orosei: huge, imposing limestone cliffs shelter some of Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches.
We insist: don’t miss the Golfo di Orosei. The beauty of this region lies in its raw, wild, breathtaking and mysterious nature. Some of Sardinia’s most beautiful and hard-to-reach coves can be found on this part of the Tyrrhenian coastline. Hire a zodiac to drop you off at Cala Mariolu or Cala Goloritzé, or swim in the mythically beautiful Piscine di Venere (Venus Pools).
The Cinque Terre, a magical and colorful place for your next vacation!
This guide to the most beautiful towns to visit in Italy wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Cinque Terre, five magnificent villages set on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. You’ve probably already seen photos of these villages. Indeed, these spectacular, colorful towns are among the most famous places to visit in Italy!
The villages of Cinque Terre are all within easy reach of each other. It’s an ideal destination for a holiday in Italy.
There are three ways to visit them:
- Walk the trails that link them (but beware, depending on the season, some of them may be closed). The journey between each village varies from half an hour to two hours.
- Take the train that links all the villages: the Cinque Terre Express.
- By boat, with a breathtaking view of each village.
The Cinque Terre villages are as follows:
- Monterosso al mare: located in the northernmost part of the village, it is the largest and the only one with a large sandy beach.
- Vernazza, with its colorful houses and small port.
- Corniglia, the only one not connected to the sea, is reached by a staircase of over 350 steps.
- Manorala: the oldest village.
- Riomaggiore, at the easternmost tip of the Cinque Terre.
