Food, Romance and Adventure – Italy is a dream destination for many, With thousands of years of history, food so delicious, and natural beauty that varies from snow mountains to sun kissed beaches, your sense are guaranteed to be overwhelmed!
While it is impossible to list all the best cities to visit in Italy, I have selected a few that you shouldn’t miss:
Pompeii
Awaken the Indian Jones inside you and get exploring Pompeii, one of best cities to visit in the Italy.
Located on the foothills of Mt. Vesuvius is rather the unfortunate site of Pompeii.
The ruins of Pompeii are surprisingly well preserved, have been a subject of great research.
Be prepared for a long day in Sun as you visit one ruin after the other.
To get the most out of your trip, hire a guide. Audio guides, though not as good as a live commentary, help understand things better.
It is possible to do Pompeii as a day trip from Roman but it will be a rather long one. If you still insist take a group tour as public transportation from Rome to Pompeii isn’t direct.
Doing the trip to Naples is more of a convenient option. Take a trip from Rome to Pompeii, staying the night at Naples.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is not only loved by many but is also one of the best cities to visit in Italy.
Perched on top of a hill, San Gimignano is a picturesque town alluring visitors for centuries
Walk through this north-central Italy city, and watch it unfold as you come across lovely architecture, narrow alleyways, cute chapels, and interesting museums.
The city is known for its seventy-two towers from the 12th century, of which fourteen of them survive today.
Also, you cannot miss the locally made white wine which is quite famous here.
Lucca
Traveler’s acknowledge that the small town of Lucca is in-fact one of the best cities to visit in Italy.
Located in the heart of Tuscany, Lucca is only a short drive away from Florence.
Thanks to Lucca’s compact core, many of the attractions can be easily walked through
Orient yourself in the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and Piazza of San Michele, the two famous squares of the city.
The highlight of the trip includes the Old Roman amphitheater and the Church of San Michele.
The Guinigi Tower gives you great views of the town and is certainly worth climbing its spiraling steps.
Florence
Florence is one of best cities to visit in the Italy, and there are no two ways about it!
Many call Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and rightly so.
The city has been to some of the legendary artists that we ever knew – Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.
The rich art and architecture reflect in the city’s showcase of historic buildings and art museums.
Get on top of the hill that borders the town, you will be handsomely rewarded with rich city views. While there, count how many landmarks can you recognize.
If you have to write down only the absolute must-see in Florence, then add Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, and Michelangelo’s David to the list.
Pisa
One of the best cities to visit in Italy, Pisa is just a short train ride from Florence.
The main draw of the tourists is obviously the leaning tower of Pisa. More than just a great photo stop, you can even get to the top of it. Sounds scary, right?
In the passage of Italian history, Pisa is known as a maritime force to reckon with.
It is also a quaint university city, and have been one for the past 900 years!
You can even combine it with the Cinque Terre excursion as it is the station on the same line. Get off the train here for a couple of hours, visit the tower, and get back to continue your journey.
Tuscany
If you are saturated with the Roman ruins and Renaissance art scene, then Tuscany’s beauty will provide you with a much-needed break.
First to orient you, Tuscany is not a city but a region of many towns.
The views of the vineyards set amidst the scenic rolling hills will fill your heart with Romance.
If you just can’t seem to have enough, consider staying a night in one of the Tuscan villas. The area is best to experience by going on walks and taking on biking trips, so make sure you don’t miss that.
Siena
Siena is another beautiful hill town located in the heart of Tuscany.
In many respects, it seems similar to Florence, but only it is a calmer, less crowded version.
The medieval town center of Siena is UNESCO World Heritage-listed and is home to some of the most amazing sites.
Apart from the Siena Cathedral, there are quite a few other majestic buildings to see such as the magnificent Gothic town hall.
Piazza del Campo, the main square, is dominated by a clutch of historic buildings on all its sides
A remarkable several meters high tower, Torre del Mangia, dominates the square. Climb up to have an unparallel view of the brick buildings of Siena’s core.
The best time is to visit Siena is during the Palio di Siena horse races that take place every 6 months right on the main square.
If you do decide to visit Siena you’d agree that is one of the best cities to visit in Italy
Lake Como
At Lake Como get up close to the most beautiful lake area in Italy.
Playground of the celebrities, and a dream of every hopeless romantic person, Lake Como is situated right at the foot of the Alps.
A perfect idea of an idyllic summer trip away from the crowds.
Things to do here include exploring classic villas such as Villa del Balbianello, visiting small towns around the lake (e.g. Varenna), taking boat rides on the lake Como.
Dolomites
Since Italy has so much to offer that cannot be done in one single trip, the incredible Dolomites usually don’t feature in the short itineraries.
Agreed that the Dolomites is a hiker’s paradise but it is still possible to get up close to this majestic mountain without hiking a single step!
All thanks to the cable car which will take you very high up, from there you can do easy downward hiking.
Milan
One of the best cities to visit in Italy, Milan is a perfect dose of art, culture and fashion.
Milan represents more of a cosmopolitan, modern side of Italy. An image that is completely different from other Italian cities, yet there is no shortage of history and art here.
Milan is known for the stunning Duomo cathedral and Leonardo da Vinci’s great masterpiece, Last Supper.
Can you believe it took six centuries to build Milan Duomo! As they say, the devil is in detail, the church is stunning from both inside and outside. For the fab views over Milan, climb the Duomo’s roof.
Those who are eager to see ‘The Last Supper’ should head to Santa Maria delle Grazie
Peep into Italy’s more fashionable side in Via Montenapoleone, the street housing who’s who of the luxury brands. Gucci, D&G, Versace, and so on, pick your favorite.
Sardinia
Ranked two in terms of size after Sicily, Sardinia is one of the best cities to visit in Italy.
The rugged island has a mountainous interior which naturally attracts people for hiking.
A long stretch of white sandy beaches and a slew of prehistoric sites welcome you to the island of Sardinia.
Perhaps the most fascinating attraction is Nuragic ruins from 16th Century B.C. They will leave you to ponder why?
As for natural attractions don’t miss the highest sand dunes of Europe and the deepest gorges too!
Bologna
A perfect amalgamation of history and cuisine, Bologna is one of the best cities to visit in the Italy.
Be it cultural, food, or architecture, there is a wholesome range of attractions in the city.
Start with the main square, Piazza Maggiore, pretty much the center of the old town. Once there, turn around 360 degrees admiring the historic buildings. Fountain of Neptune is a noteworthy site here.
Not to be missed experience is the cooking lessons at Culinary Institute of Bologna, though this requires more time.
One of Bologna’s main food markets, Mercato di Mezzo, provides a great opportunity to try local delicacies as well as some of the freshest seasonal produce.
Sicily
Known for its active volcano Mt. Etna, Sicily is a large island blessed with a stunning landscape.
On the island, you will get to explore the Greek and Roman ruins. Valley of the Temples and the Greek Theatre of Taormina are two preferred picks of the visitors.
Make Palermo your home base and do day explorations to the nearby areas. The beach here is great too!
Do the ultimate experience, Mt. Etna, by taking a cable car+bus or hike if you are fit.
With so much to offer, it is easy to see why Sicily is one of the best cities to visit in Italy!
San Marino
Another one of best cities to visit in the Italy is the historic town of San Marino.
San Marino is actually an independent nation, though a very tiny one.
San Marino, the capital with the same name as the country, is the most visited destination.
Awaits you at San Marino is a labyrinth of stone-paved alleyways, crisscrossing and leading you ultimately back to where you started
At Cava dei Balestrieri check out the crossbow demonstration if you can.
The Piazza della Liberta is the focal point of the medieval core, with historic buildings around its edges
The Cesta and Guaita towers give you great views of the city and are certainly worth climbing.
Torture Museum and the Museum of Curiosity – are a few quirky museums that appeal more to the younger souls.
Cinque Terre
As amazing as it looks in pictures, the villages of Cinque Terre are perched on the rugged cliffside dropping onto the Mediterranean sea.
Your day at Cinque Terre includes exploring five lovely villages/ towns, you either take public transportation or walk the well-marked trail – choose your adventure.
The five towns are – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Corniglia.
Found in abundance olive groves and vineyards populate the slopes, making for a perfect hiking companion.
If you can, stay for the night, give at least two days to soak in the scenery.
Amalfi Coast
The wealth of scenic diversity that Italy has is just incredible. The Amalfi Coast region consists of many different towns, big and small, connected by a scenic road network.
Positano and Salerno are some of the top cities to visit on the Amalfi coast. If you don’t have a car, no worries, you can make use of the SITA buses, a cheaper public transportation option.
Sorrento
Though usually not on the itineraries of the first-time visitors of Italy, Sorrento is one the loveliest cities in Italy.
Sorrento is a great home base for taking excursions, ruins of Pompeii, a trip out to the island of Capri, or the Amalfi Coast.
Verona
You might be surprised how the lesser known Verona could be one of the best cities to visit in Italy, but many are not.
An underrated city, Verona might not feature in popular itineraries but is certainly worth a visit.
People visit Verona mainly for its connection with the Romeo and Juliet story, but the city has much more to offer by virtue of its art and architecture.
The views from the top of domineering Torre dei Lamberti are fantabulous, though you have to climb its endless flight of stairs
The highlight of the visit, for many, is of-course Juliet’s Balcony, be prepared though to jostle with the crowd.
The stone balcony of the Gothic 12th-century house might feel touristy, but definitely not to the fans.
Piazza delle Erbe, the main square of Verona, is a bustling center full of vigor and life.
Must visit the Roman amphitheater, Arena di Verona, grand in size as well as a host to several events throughout the year. How about an Opera Festival in the exact spot where Roman used to entertain themselves?
Venice
A hot favorite of travellers, Venice is one of the best cities to visit in Italy.
Float through the network of canals on the romantic gondola or walk around on foot, that’s how Venice is best explored.
The main part of the city is a car-free zone, allowing you to get away from all the noise and pollution of big cities.
It is interesting to note that the romantic Venice you see today, was once a fierce maritime power and a financial center.
This northern Italian city has more than a hundred islands around it, and some of them make for a nice, quieter getaway.
Apart from just wandering around, you can see some fabulous architecture here.
St. Mark’s Square is the busiest and the most important square of Venice, with very important buildings around it. This is where the iconic Saint Mark’s Basilica is located.
admire magnificent gothic and Renaissance palaces and romantic bridges.
Don’t miss the St. Mark’s Basilica located on Piazza San Marco and famed for its Byzantine mosaics. Get on top of the bell tower, for the fantastic view of Venice.
Venice has many bridges, big and small, and as you walk around you’d cross the Rialto Bridge, and when you do, don’t forget to load up on selfies!
Rome
One of the best cities to visit in Italy, Rome is frequented by millions of tourists every year.
With a city so big, and attractions aplenty, deciding where to begin could be a challenge.
At the tourists’ disposal are some of the most iconic landmarks in the world such as the Colosseum, St. Peters Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel.
Going back to pre-history and spanning thousands of years, the city has had a long tumultuous history.
On day one you can see the top highlights of Rome. While on the second day, visit St. Petersburg and see its sights.
The Colosseum: The top attraction of Rome, and rightly so. If you have only a few hours in Rome and visit only one place it would be The Colosseum.
Essentially, an arena used by the Romans for entertainment, it is surprisingly well-preserved for its thousands of years of age.
It is advised to pre-book the ticket if you don’t wish to stand in long queues.
The Roman Forum: A large area housing a range of Roman ruins, located very next to the Colosseum. Some sites to see include the Temple of Vesta and Arch of Titus.
The Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain are other must-see attractions in Rome. Both are great photo spots, so be warned that during the high season people would be jostling for space.
The Sistine Chapel: Located inside the Vatican museum, and included in the same ticket. The highlight includes the mural on the chapel’s ceiling as painted by the great Michelangelo himself.