Italy is world-renowned for its history, food, wine, and natural beauty. With so many incredible destinations across the country, it can be overwhelming to decide where to visit. Here are the 20 best places to visit in Italy:
1. Rome
The capital and largest city of Italy, Rome should be at the top of any traveler’s list. Highlights include:
- The Colosseum
- Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica
- Trevi Fountain
- Roman Forum
- Pantheon
- Amazing food and wine
2. Florence
The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is packed with beautiful architecture, museums, churches, palaces, and art galleries. Top attractions include:
- Duomo Cathedral and Giotto’s Bell Tower
- Uffizi Gallery
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River
3. Venice
Built across more than 100 small islands, Venice is truly unique with its maze of canals instead of roads. Must-see sights include:
- St. Mark’s Square and Basilica
- Doge’s Palace
- Grand Canal
- Rialto Bridge
4. Amalfi Coast
This stunning coastline features pastel-colored cliffside towns overlooking the sea. Top spots to visit include:
- Positano
- Ravello
- Amalfi
- Sorrento
5. Cinque Terre
The five colorful fishing villages of Cinque Terre are set among dramatic cliffs and hillsides. Hiking between the villages offers amazing views.
6. Milan
The fashion and design capital of Italy, Milan offers high-end shopping, historic sights, and delicious food. Top attractions include:
- Duomo di Milano
- La Scala Opera House
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- The Last Supper painting
7. Sicily
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has incredible beaches, ancient ruins, volcanic landscapes, and wonderful cuisine. Must-see places include:
- Valley of the Temples
- Mount Etna
- Palermo
- Taormina
8. Tuscany
Rolling hills dotted with cypress trees, vineyards, olive groves, and charming towns make Tuscany a fantastic region to explore. Top destinations include:
- Florence
- Siena
- Pisa
- Lucca
- Chianti wine region
9. Lake Como
This beautiful lake region offers dramatic alpine scenery, scenic villages, and stunning villas and gardens. It makes a great day trip from Milan.
10. Pompeii
The incredibly well-preserved ruins of Pompeii provide a glimpse into life during Roman times. It’s an easy day trip from Naples or the Amalfi Coast.
There are too many amazing places to list them all, but these destinations provide a great taste of the best that Italy has to offer visitors. With incredible history, food, wine, scenery, and culture around every corner, you really can’t go wrong when traveling in Italy!