Leading Tourism Attractions in Italy
Vacation travel in Italy is about as good as it gets as the tourism offerings in Italy are spectacular. For the art buff Italy is the home to the major works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and other notables; for the architecture aficionado there’s the Colosseum in Rome, St. Mark’s Square in Venice and the Duomo in Florence. For those of you who like chic, it’s shopping in Milan. Those looking for the countryside will revel in Tuscany, Umbria, Liguria, Campania or Sicily.
We briefly cover the all of these locations below, but recommend you examine our enhanced travel guides for more detailed information on what to see and do at these locations, as well as stunning photos.
Our detailed travel guides on specific destinations in Italy can be accessed through links located in the descriptions of the destinations recommended below.
Italy’s popularity as the world’s leading tourist destination means that many venues are extremely crowded. Rome, Florence and Venice are Italy’s most popular cities and, if you are not prepared, the crowds can slow your touring and decrease your satisfaction while on vacation. Rome is a large enough city that it can manage the large crowds of tourists quite easily. Florence and Venice are so crowded that visiting any attraction can be quite frustrating, if you do not plan ahead. Also, consider making reservations for dinner, if you want to eat on a set schedule. Note that quality restaurants that do not cater exclusively to tourists will not be open until 8PM.
If you can visit in off-season, do so. If not, visit venues early in the day, or later in the afternoon to avoid the worst of the crowds. When possible buy tickets that provide special entrance lines or let you skip the lines (like the Roma and Firenze Cards.)
Rome (Roma)
- The “Eternal City” is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Once the capital of western civilization, Rome has an amazing number of world-class attractions, including the Colosseum, the Forums of the Roman Empire, gorgeous piazzas, stunning fountains, glorious churches and fabulous museums.
- The saying “All roads lead to Rome” was a truism during the Roman Empire and the city displays this heritage in a spectacular fashion.Rome is a tourist friendly city that has an abundance of spectacular attractions – see our detailed Traveler’s Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Rome for more information and photos than we provide here and, then, book your vacation.
- Be sure the see Ancient Rome, including the Colosseum, the Capitoline Hill, the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Pantheon, and Castel Sant’Angelo.
- The city’s many piazzas (Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna (and the Spanish Steps), Piazza Venezia) and the city’s fabulous fountains (the Trevi Fountain, the Fountain of the Four Rivers and others) are popular places for good reason. In addition to the masterpieces they contain, these areas usually are surrounded by good quality restaurants, fine shopping, and gelato shops (gelaterias) are usually easy to find.
- Museums are the city’s strong suite, but the museums dedicated to the history of Ancient Rome, as well as to the arts, are the most acclaimed.
- You might want to spend an afternoon visiting a few of Rome’s many churches, as they often are incredibly beautiful and endowed with stunning art and architecture from the ages of Rome’s glory.
- For detailed descriptions and photographs of the Eternal City’s famous attractions use our expanded travel guide to the Best Places to Visit in Rome.
- Anyone who visits Rome should reserve time to experience the Best Places to Visit in the Vatican, which we cover in our Traveler’s Guide for the Holy See.
- Take time to see the Vatican Museums, as they contain noteworthy treasures of civilization, as well those of the Catholic faith. In addition, be sure to see St. Peter’s Basilica and its famous Square.
- Although surrounded by Rome, the Vatican is an independent state that was established under the Lateran Treaties of 1929.
- Take time to see the Vatican Museums, as they contain noteworthy treasures of civilization, as well those of the Catholic faith. In addition, be sure to see St. Peter’s Basilica and its famous Square.
- Anyone who visits Rome should reserve time to experience the Best Places to Visit in the Vatican, which we cover in our Traveler’s Guide for the Holy See.
- The saying “All roads lead to Rome” was a truism during the Roman Empire and the city displays this heritage in a spectacular fashion.Rome is a tourist friendly city that has an abundance of spectacular attractions – see our detailed Traveler’s Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Rome for more information and photos than we provide here and, then, book your vacation.
Venice (Venezia)
- Travel in Venice oozes romance and history. Canals, beautiful buildings, world famous landmarks – Venice is an experience unique in the world of travel. Whether taking a gondola down the Grand Canal or gazing at this romantic city’s unique setting and architecture, Venice is a vision that you will never forget.
- Be sure to see the Piazza San Marco, including the Basilica (St. Mark’s) and the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale). The Grand Canal is another must, as are its palazzos, bridges and gondolas.
- Venice has delightful art museums such as the Guggenheim, the Galleria dell’Academia and the Museo Corer, incredibly beautiful churches, and if that were not enough, you can take a boat trip the colorful islands of Murano (center for glassmaking) and Burano (center for lace).
- Click the link below for our Traveler’s Guide to Venice that features detailed descriptions and photographs of the Best Places to Visit in Venice, Italy.
Florence (Firenze)
- From the point of view of art and architecture, Florence rivals Rome. During the renaissance, Florence was the art center of western civilization. A list of past residents of the city represents the “Who’s Who” of the Masters, including: Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, among others.
- Culture is the strong suite of Florence; perhaps that is why its museums are so popular. However, this is not a one-stop town, as shopping and restaurants in Florence tend to be incredibly attractive to tourists. If you have an interest in cooking, this may be the place to find a cooking school.
- Be sure to see the Duomo (cathedral) and its impressive Piazza and the adjacent Piazza San Giovanni, containing the famous Baptistery, the Museo of the Duomo and the famous Bell Tower by Giotto.
- For art, it is the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria Dell’Accademia, which contains Michelangelo’s world-famous sculpture of David
- While museums abound, you may find yourself lured to the Ponte Vecchio, the famous shop-lined bridge across the Arno River.
- Click this link for our traveler’s guide to Florence, which features detailed descriptions and photos of the Best Places to Visit in Florence, Italy.
- Culture is the strong suite of Florence; perhaps that is why its museums are so popular. However, this is not a one-stop town, as shopping and restaurants in Florence tend to be incredibly attractive to tourists. If you have an interest in cooking, this may be the place to find a cooking school.
Tuscany (Toscana)
- Florence is the crown jewel of Tuscany (Toscana), although the region is known for its scenic, rural hill towns, agricultural setting interesting culture and unique architecture.
- While the region’s quaint hill towns are popular with all travelers, Tuscany and its people are the main attraction. The countryside is beautiful and varied, including coastal plains and mountains. In turn, the magic of Tuscany’s landscapes has been used to establish the setting of many wonderful works of literature.
- Tuscany is a region to be savored and it has become the region of Italy most favored for lengthy vacations by visitors. Its hill towns are known for their scenic settings, interesting history, good food and pleasant quality of life. An increasing number of vacationers who visit Tuscany do so in hopes of savoring the pace and quality of Tuscan life, rather than flitting from one eye-popping attraction to the next, as is common when visiting Rome, Venice, or Tuscany’s own Florence.
- Leading destinations in Tuscany include Florence, Siena, Pisa and these famous hill towns: San Gimignano, Cortona, and the Chianti Hills between Florence and Siena.
- Click for our Traveler’s Guide to the attractions listed above as well as other Best Places to Visit in Tuscany
Liguria and the Cinque Terre (Ligurian Coast)
- The Ligurian Coast is home to the Italian Riviera, one of the most scenic and appealing sections of the Italian coast, although the Amalfi in Campania is preferred by some. There are three sections to the Ligurian Coast and each has a distinctly different flavor.
- The Riviera di Ponente is to the west of Genoa and includes the wonderful, popular, and pricey resorts towns as San Remo and Ventimiglia.
- The central section of the Italian Riviera includes and surrounds Genoa, a working port that celebrates its history of navigation and its amazing explorers.
- The Riviera Levante to the east of Genoa includes the five scenic villages nestled within dramatic craggy hillsides and coastline of the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is an area that invites you to hike between the towns and visiting is a treat, although the villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) can be quite crowded at the peak of summer.Note that Vernazza and Monterosso were seriously damaged during mud slides during the floods of October 201,but that damage has been successfully repaired.
- Further north on the Riviera Levante, you will find the famous resort towns of Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo. These are popular spots for yachting and luxury vacations, so expect them to be even pricier than Italy’s major destinations.
- For photographs and more detail on the locations mentioned above, click here for our travel guide to the best places to visit in Liguria and the Cinque Terre.
Milan (Milano)
- Be sure to see the Cathedral (Duomo) and its museum, as well as La Scala (the world-famous opera house), the impressive Castello Sforzesco and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for fine shopping and dramatic architecture. Reserve some time to see the city’s many interesting art museums, such as the Brera Art Museum and the Museo Poldi Pezzoli.
- If you plan on seeing DaVinci’s famous painting “The Last Supper” at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, you will need to reserve tickets several weeks in advance to guarantee admission.
- Milan is the perfect place to begin on a tour of the majestic and charming Italian Lakes.
- For photos and details on visiting Milano, see our traveler’s guide to the best places to visit in Milan.
Naples and the Amalfi Coast (Campania)
Campania is one of the most popular regions of Italy, and its attractiveness is largely found along its spectacular scenic coastline. If you like hairpin turns, this is a great coast to drive (unless you are stuck behind a string of tour buses). For mariners there are numerous boating adventures that let you view these elegant communities from the sea, where their beauty is close to overwhelming, especially at sunset.
- Campania is on most traveler’s wish list due to the magnetic attraction of the picturesque towns of the Amalfi Coast (Amalfi, Ravello, Positano) and nearby Sorrento. These colorful resort towns, all with winding, narrow streets, colorful buildings, and fine restaurants crawl from the waters edge up and into the nearby imposing mountains.
- Campania is, also, famous as the site of Pompeii, the Roman town that was encapsulated by lava and gases from an eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
- Now excavated and in remarkable condition, Pompeii is one of Italy’s most popular attractions.
- If you have want to get away from it all for a relaxing vacation, consider the lure of the scenic Isle of Capri and its luxury resorts and spas. Most visitors are day trippers, but the lure of staying on this enchanting island appeals to many.
- Of course, there are other attractions to fill your time, such as the wonderful museums in Naples (where you will find most of the treasures from Pompeii), the well-preserved Greek Temple at Paestum and the island of Ischia, a lower cost alternative to Capri, although it is not quite as attractive a destination.
- For details on this area, see our detailed guide to thebest places to visit in Campania
Italy’s Lake Country (The Italian Lakes)
Along Italy’s scenic border with the Swiss Alps are several large glacial lakes nestled into the rolling hills leading to the mountains. The landscape is beautiful, the shoreline serene and the combination creates an area that is pure delight. The Italian Lakes are a place to savor. Driving through the area and slowing for a view will allow you to see a lot, yet miss the best parts of this peaceful, serene and amazing corner of Italy.
- Lake Como is considered by many to have the most beautiful setting of all the lakes, although Lake Maggiori attracts many visitors to its Borromean Islands and the gardens of Isola Bella.
- Lake Garda is a recreation center and the most popular of the lakes with locals.
- Although most of the shoreline of Lake Lugano is in Switzerland, it can easily be accessed from Italy and benefits from the mix of cultures.
- For photographs and more information on visiting the Italian Lake Country, click for our travel guide to the best places to visit in Italy’s Lake Country.
Umbria (Regione Umbria)
- Often thought of as an alternative to Tuscany, Umbria, which is graced with beautiful countryside and interesting, fortified hill towns, represents some of the best travel in Italy. While each town has its artistic and architectural treasure, the beauty of Umbria is in its simplicity and its residents leisurely approach to life.
- Popular towns include Perugia, Assisi, Spello and Orvieto. These are smallish hill towns with interesting architecture, mysterious winding streets, amazing town halls, wonderful piazzas and amazing churches. However, the attractions are limited, as are the museums, although we find them delightful to visit.
- Perhaps it is the pace life, the beauty of the countryside or the marvelous food, but the ambiance of Umbria will grow on you, if you give it the chance.
- Note that the area can be very crowded during the high travel season and for that reason, we recommend you consider spending a night or two in one of the hill towns to understand the lure of Umbria.
- Click here for our detailed guide the best places to visit in Umbria
Sicily (Sicilia)
- Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and was long considered a strategic stepping stone for those interested in invading southern Europe. The earliest colonization of the island was by the Phoenicians, followed by invasions by almost every empire that developed along the shores of the Mediterranean. The Greeks, Romans, Muslims and Normans had the greatest historical influence, although modern Sicily is a mix of numerous cultures.
- Visit Palermo for its spectacular mix of architectures inspired by the Muslim and Norman conquests.
- Segesta is another must-see location that is known for its large collection of well-preserved Greek temples.
- More temples and excavations can be found at Selinunte, although Agrigento (known as the Valley of the Temples) is world-famous for its unusual collection of excavated Greek Temples.
- Visit the Roman Villa at Casale to view some of the finest mosaics to be found anywhere in the Mediterranean.
- For a little variety plan on touring the active volcano Mount Etna, although this is usually a side-visit from the nearby Taormina, a beautiful town that is one of the most popular resort areas of Sicily.
- If you need more reasons to visit Sicily, then plan to exploring Siracusa, once the largest city in the Greek Empire, to see its impressive collection of Greek ruins.
- Those wanting a water adventure and willing to travel a little further afield might find the scenic Aeolian Isles, just the place for a summer vacation.
- For photos and details on the locations described above, see our travel guide to the best places to visit in Sicily.