Italy has long been one of the most popular travel destinations in the world—a multifaceted gem that has inspired artists and romantics for centuries. It’s hard to resist the allure of a single trip that offers everything from luxurious beaches and cosmopolitan cities to delicious cuisine and remnants of an ancient, powerful civilization. Each region and city in Italy is so unique that it’s hard to choose what to do: exploring Roma, diving into Sienna, relaxing on the Amalfi Coast, floating the canals in Venezia, or going north to Bologna. We say, visit them all!
You’ll need to prepare passports and itineraries to explore the best cities to visit in Italy, but savvy travelers know that it also means preparing to communicate in a new language. The Rosetta Stone app is the perfect way to learn to say more than just ciao, bella (hello, beautiful). Learn through cultural stories or dive into essential phrases to give you a deeper, more enduring understanding of the language.
Let’s dive into the best cities in Italy to visit for your first trip or a return adventure to become more intimate with the culture. Andiamo! (Let’s go!)
Table of Contents
1. History comes alive in the heart of Rome, the Eternal City
With so much to see and fun things to do in Roma, you’ll be most successful starting your journey in Centro Storico (old town). It’s an easily walkable area that is dense with attractions you’ve heard of and seen in movies and social media.
- The Pantheon: The remarkably preserved architecture of the “Temple of All the Gods” is inextricably linked to Rome and a must-visit historic site. The Pantheon made our list of ruins in Rome worth exploring, thanks largely to the massive dome with an intentional hole in the center!
- Piazza Navona: A bastion of Baroque ornamentation, Piazza Navona is packed with sights familiar to film fans, including the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), the Fountain of Neptune, and the Palazzo Pamphili.
- Colosseo: You may have the notion that the Colosseum is a touristy thing to do. It may very well be so, but it’s also a tragedy to skip going inside this ancient amphitheater that shaped Rome’s entertainment culture.
- Torre Argentina: These ancient ruins are home to hundreds of gatti selvatici (feral cats) who nap in the same place where Julius Caesar met his fate on the Ides of March.
2. Florence: the best city in Italy for art, architecture, and culture
Florence is the exciting epicenter in Italy for romantics and art lovers since it’s considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. We recommend starting at Brunelleschi’s Duomo and ascending 463 steps to see the most breathtaking, sweeping view of the city. From there, the Uffizi gallery is a ubiquitous stop to see centuries of art. But you don’t want to miss some of the unique galleries like La Specola, filled with zoological taxidermy and human anatomical figures in amber wax, or the Opificio Delle Pietre Dure, dedicated to the fine art of intricate semi-precious stone inlay.
One of the most popular things to do in Florence is to take in a sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo where you can overlook the enchanting city of Florence. And the food in Florence is worth exploring deeply; feast on the flavor of Firenze with a giant bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) or be adventurous and try a delicious lampredotto (tripe sandwich) at L’Antico Trippaio. If you have money to burn or love window shopping, be sure to cross the most expensive bridge in the world: Ponte Vecchio. It’s filled with untold wealth of jewelry from diamonds to emeralds and pearls.
3. Fall in love with the canals and crafts of Venice
Venezia is a dreamy place perfect for couples, where a visit can start with a quiet float through narrow Venice canals navigated by a gondolier in a striped shirt. Afterwards, you pose for photos in the center of the iconic Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) and take in the glittering golden mosaics of the Basilica di San Marco next to the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace). Just this square alone makes Venice one of the top cities to visit in Italy.
Local artisans have shops everywhere, and there are spectacular handicrafts available to purchase from creators who use traditional methods to make the items closely associated with the city: Murano glass, lace from the island of Burano, and elaborate masquerade masks. Another fun thing to do in Venice is to pop into local bacari (bars) for an aperitivo (pre-dinner drink) paired with local cicchetti (small plates). Venice’s food culture just might surprise you with how unique it is compared to other regions in Italy.
4. Epic outdoor adventures await in Catania, Sicily
Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy and a stunning Mediterranean island. Things to do in Sicily are almost endless, but you might love exploring the Catania region on the east coast and nestled below Mount Etna. This unique landscape offers some delightful excursions for adventurous, outdoorsy travelers, like downhill skiing on the southern slope of the active volcano or kayaking along a famous beach.
You can choose to sunbathe on the vast golden sands of La Playa or on the black volcanic pebble beaches with views of dramatic rock formations at Acitrezza’s Riviera dei Ciclopi. Don’t miss the opportunity for a short excursion between Catania and Taormina to see locations used in the filming of the first two Godfather movies. It’s a day trip no movie fan can refuse!
5. Find Milan’s treasures from the Duomo terraces to the Last Supper
Milano is a bustling, cosmopolitan, and fashionable modern city in the northern Lombardy region. The grand, vaulted glass and iron shopping arcade of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a splendid example of 19th century neo-Renaissance architecture. It’s so popular with locals that they call it il salotto di Milano (Milan’s drawing room). Browse shops featuring the luxury fashion synonymous with the city, then dine on saffron risotto Milanese at the historic Biffi, in operation since 1852.
The immense Milan Duomo is only steps away, a Gothic marvel of marble. Your best decision will be to buy a ticket to explore the terraces on the Duomo’s roof among the spires and birds. Just beyond lies Teatro La Scala, arguably the world’s premiere opera house where you can take a guided tour into the luxurious velvet-adorned theater. Lastly, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece the Last Supper at the tiny Museo del Cenacolo Vinciano is a must-see—plan ahead as advance booking is mandatory.
6. Discover the delicious history of Naples
The vibrant port city of Napoli is nestled in the southern region of Campania, about 90 minutes southeast of Rome by train. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site brimming with history. You’ll want to explore the Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara (Santa Chiara monastery complex), with its Gothic facade, lush Baroque interiors, adjacent museum, and colorful majolica tiled benches.
Another fun thing to do in Naples is to walk the long Spanish Quarter street called Spaccanapoli (“Naples splitter”) and shop the many boutiques before settling in to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine at a local trattoria (small, casual restaurant). No trip to Naples would be complete without some pizza, so why not learn to make it yourself with a class at the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana? The AVPN protects the integrity of authentic Neapolitan pizza, and a class is the perfect way to learn the history and culture of how to make (then eat!) the city’s signature dish and gift to the world.
7. Admire Art Nouveau architecture and automobile innovation in Turin
An eclectic mix of old and new give Turin a unique appeal, making it one of the unexpected top places to visit in Italy when you need a new place to explore. Nestled in northern Italy’s Piedmont region, Turin is flanked by the Po River and the western Alps. Here the skiing is incomparable, both more economical and less crowded than the more popular French slopes. Even if you’re not into automobiles, you might just love a trip to the Fiat automobile factory. It’s been transformed from a manufacturing plant into the lively Fiat Lingotto District— home to hotels, restaurants, and the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile, known as the MAUTO.
Architecture aficionados will admire some of the most glorious examples of elegant Art Nouveau architecture in all of Europe. This less-frequented city of industry has plenty of opportunities for fun. We recommend purchasing a Torino+Piedmonte card that provides free and/or discounted admission to museums, castles, royal residences, and even transportation.
8. Amalfi Coast: where life gives you lemons to make limoncello
The Amalfi Coast is the pride and joy of the southern Campania region, nestled between the cliffs of Monti Lattari and the coast of the Mediterranean. The astounding landscape starts at the tree-covered hillside then transitions to narrow, snaking streets lined with brightly painted houses that lead to the shoreline with the brightly colored umbrellas crowding the rocky sands of popular beaches.
In Amalfi Town, the Baroque Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea (St. Andrew’s Cathedral), crowned by a colorful majolica tiled bell tower, overlooks the main piazza in the center of town. A local legend states that couples who ascend the 57 steps hand-in-hand are doomed to never marry, so tread carefully.
In summer, the scent of Sfusato and Sorrento lemons perfumes the air along the coast. Sorrento is closest to Naples if you can’t make it all the way around the point, and you’ll feel like you stepped right into an Amalfi dream world. Positano is the largest (and most crowded) town along the Amalfi Coast, but you can opt for smaller places like Praiano, Minori, or more inland locations with sweeping views like San Lazzaro. Whatever you choose, you won’t go wrong in Amalfi which is easily considered one of the top places to visit in Italy.
9. Enjoy medieval sights and sweet delights in Siena
Siena is in the center of Tuscany, the beating heart of this captivating region. The architecture here is so well preserved that the UNESCO World Heritage List considers it an embodiment of a medieval cityscape. The Piazza del Campo, with red bricks that pave the plaza laid out in a distinctive shell-shaped pattern of nine segments, is the photogenic hub of the city. Picturesque, winding, cobbled streets are flanked by residences with gigantic wooden doors, intricate wrought iron details, and pops of colorful flowers in window boxes that you won’t be able to get enough of.
At the highest point, visitors find the Duomo di Siena (Cathedral of Siena) and purchase tickets to the entire complex that includes the Piccolomini Library, Museo dell’Opera, View from the New Cathedral Façade, Crypt, Baptistery, and Gate of Heaven. Phew! After a long day of sightseeing, we recommend sampling Siena’s signature dolce (dessert) of panforte, a dense, spiced fruit cake sweetened with honey and studded with candied orange peel, fruits, and nuts.
>> Get ready for your visit by learning essential Italian phrases!
10. Get to know Bologna’s slower pace of history, culture, and culinary delights
Bologna rests in the Po River Valley in the Emilia-Romagna region where it fascinates visitors with its beauty and food. You could spend hours exploring the winding streets filled with terracotta rooftops, flower boxes, and porticoes. The everpresent porticoes are such an important expression of the city’s identity that they are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Piazza Maggiore is the city center filled with bustling markets, lively cafes, and the majestic Basilica di San Petronio where you can visit the world’s largest sundial. Renowned for its sumptuous cuisine, the city is nicknamed la grassa (the fat one). We recommend signing up for a cooking class with local sfoglina (pasta makers) to learn the traditional art of crafting sheets of handmade pasta. These pastas are used in delicious entrees like rich tagliatelle al ragù (pasta with a slow cooked meat sauce of veal and pork) or tortellini en brodo (a soup of hat-shaped tortellini floating in clear broth).
11. Explore nature’s wonders among the five towns of Cinque Terre
The Ligurian coast is home to Cinque Terre (five lands), a collection of picturesque fishing villages perched precariously on rugged cliffs overlooking the sea. Each village—Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—has a distinct charm worth exploring. You’ll be wowed by the terraced vineyards that hover on the edge of cliffs and pastel-colored homes that feel so inviting.
Be aware that Cinque Terre is very crowded and difficult to navigate by car, so you’ll want to use boats, trains, and hiking paths if you’re not with a group tour. Hiking enthusiasts pride themselves on wandering between the villages for miles on paths that offer panoramic vistas of the dramatic coastline and hillsides. For an unforgettable evening, you’ll want to book a sunset cruise from Monterosso to Riomaggiore where you can snorkel or sip wine to your heart’s content.
12. See every hue of blue from the island of Capri
In the southern region of Campania, just off the Sorrento Peninsula, lies the island of Capri, easily one of the best places to see in Italy. You can catch a boat to Capri from Sorrento, Positano, or any number of ports along the Amalfi Coast. Once here, you can shop and dine in town or head to the cliffs to visit Villa Jovis, the opulent residence of Emperor Tiberius. This sprawling complex, built in the 1st century A.D., served as Tiberius’s private retreat and political headquarters.
Next, stop at the Giardini di Augusto (Gardens of Augustus) for a lovely stroll with panoramic views of the dramatic Faraglioni limestone formations in the sea: Stella, di Mezzo, and di Fuori. But the most important thing to explore in Capri are the grottos. A boat tour through the narrow entrance into the Blue Grotto’s etherean cerulean glow will leave a forever memory that taunts you to come back over and over.
13. Genoa: funiculars, focaccia, and fun museums
This historic port city on the Ligurian coast is most famous as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, but there is much more to Genoa for curious explorers. Your best bet is to buy a Genoa Museum Card for entry to any of the 28 city, 19 civic, and 9 non-civic museums (it even includes some transportation). The Strada Nuova Museums and the Galata Maritime Museum are must-sees, but don’t miss out on some of the quirky museums only found in Genoa.
Fashionistas can go on a scavenger hunt with the open air Museum of Jeans—a series of exhibits dedicated to denim, spread across the city. Cinephiles will love the immersive Fantacinema with collections like magic lanterns, rare films, and even props and costumes. A trip to Genoa wouldn’t be complete without the views from a breathtaking funicular, followed by a feast on the finest focaccia made locally.
Get to know the top places in Italy even better with Rosetta Stone
Italy is a magnificent study in contrasts from active volcanoes and alpine skiing to secret blue grottos and delicious gelatos. No matter what part of Italy catches your attention, you’ll want to sound your best when speaking with the locals. Rosetta Stone offers live lessons with native speakers who can help you sound confident when you speak with locals. Take the first step today and say more than ciao, Italia (hello, Italy!) when you arrive!
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