Best Places in Italy to Visit
In 2019 over 96 million visitors took a trip to the beautiful European country of Italy, making it the fourth most visited country in the world.
Will you be among the next wave of tourists looking to explore the depth of history and culture the country has to offer?
If you are wondering where to go in Italy, then let our guide help you. We have compiled a list of the best places in Italy to visit once the tourist season begins to reopen across the continent.
Read on to discover some of the magical gems that this fabulous country has to offer.
Rome
You can not take a vacation in Italy and not visit the capital of Rome. The Eternal City has spread itself across the seven hills since the birth of the Roman Empire. Every part of the city is imbued with a history stretching back over the millennia.
It is easily one of the most beautiful cities in the world and home to the world’s smallest autonomous country, the Vatican City.
You will need several days to make the most of visiting this incredible city. There is so much to experience and see. Make sure you do not miss the Colosseum and the Forum for an authentic Roman experience. Also, stop and make a wish in the Trevi Fountain.
Take a day to visit St Perter’s Basilica and the Vatican itself so you can marvel at the Sistine Chapel and centuries of wondrous art stored within.
Be sure to check out the Pantheon, a wonder of architecture that houses the tombs of kings and the famous artist Raphael.
If you have time, take a trip outside of the city walls to visit the city’s ancient catacombs. Just be sure not to wander off the path as these dark underground passageways travel for miles underground!
Naples and Pompeii
Further south of Rome lies the sprawling metropolis of Naples, lying in the shadow of the dormant volcano of Vesuvius. Naples has an atmosphere that can not be missed on an Italian vacation and is the birthplace of pizza.
There is much to see in the city itself, including the vast Piazza del Plediscito, where you can find the Naples Royal Palace and the Church of San Francesco di Paola. These are two absolute must-see attractions, along with Naples Cathedral.
Outside of Naples lies the remains of Pompeii, the Roman city infamously destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city lay buried and forgotten for nearly eight hundred years after the disaster and is only half excavated today.
Two days should be long enough to experience the city and make a visit to the ancient site of Pompeii before taking your tour of Italy elsewhere.
Florence
For the artists, art lovers, and lovers alike, Florence is one city that you can not miss on a tour of Italy. It is one of the best cities in the country, beautiful, romantic and filled with history.
Here you can find Michelangelo’s David in all his marble glory as well as see countless works by the Renaissance masters in the Uffizi gallery. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance as all the galleries are extremely popular with tourists.
Don’t miss the Duomo and Santa Croce church, which inspired E.M. Forster to write his classic Room with a View. Then take a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio for the full experience. However, the ancient bridge is best admired from afar, so you can see the medieval stone buildings in all their glory.
You could visit Florence in a day, but you really should take your time to explore all the little nooks and crannies it has to offer. For more inspiration, take a look at this guide to this fabulous city.
Amalfi Coast
Once you have had your fill of the amazing cities, you should head off to explore its fantastic coastline. None is more famous than the Amalfi Coast and the nearby town of Sorrento.
If you are traveling Europe by road, this is a perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy the ride as a drive along this coast is difficult to beat. The scenic views include the sapphire blue waters of the Mediterranean while tiny white villages cling to the surrounding cliffs.
For the best experience, you can catch a ferry from Sorrento to the nearby island of Capri and admire the coastline from the sea. Be sure to visit the Blue Grotto, a spectacular sea cave that you can row inside whilst at the island.
Enjoy the local seafood cuisine, freshly caught that day washed down with the local limoncello delicacy. These treats are best enjoyed at a coastal restaurant as you watch the sunset over the sea. An experience not to be missed!
Venice
If you are going to fly to Italy, you must take some time to visit the famous floating city of Venice. There is nothing else like it anywhere else in the world. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site sitting astride 118 islands in a lagoon in northeastern Italy.
You will need to bring your walking shoes as the absolute best way to see the city is on foot. Cars are not allowed in most places, so you will need to stroll about to visit the many medieval and gothic palaces.
Alternatively, you can travel by boat and take an iconic gondola ride past some of the most memorable sites. Be sure to visit St Mark’s Square, the Basilica, and the Doge’s Palace before leaving.
Venice has so many famous landmarks that it can be difficult to get to them all in one day, so be prepared to stay for a couple. Also, it is believed that Venice is slowly sinking, so be sure to plan your trip soon before it disappears beneath the waves.
Visit the Best Places in Italy
Hopefully, this guide has given you a taster of some of the best places in Italy that you should include in your next trip. Really we have only scraped the surface with some of the possibilities and wonders that you can uncover in this extraordinary country.
If you enjoyed this article and would like more inspiration for your next overseas adventure, please check some more travel articles on our blog.
