Those who follow us on this blog know that Italy is, along with Spain, one of the countries where we go most often. The proximity of this country to France and the multitude of things to do and see in Italy make this one particularly attractive for us. Whether for a city trip of a few days in one of the country's big cities, such as Rome or Milan, or for a longer road trip, to the Italian lakes or Sicily, Italy is a country that will suit to the greatest number.
In this article we are going to take you through the essential things to do and see in Italy. These places that have made the country famous attract more than 60 million tourists each year and place Italy as the 5th most touristic country in the world.
What to do and see in Italy?- Rome
- Florence
- Venice
- Milan
- Italian lakes
- Naples
- Hers
- Verona
- Turin
- The Cinque Terre
- Lecce
- Puglia
- Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
- The Dolomites
- The Amalfi Coast
Rome
Let's start this list of essential places to visit in Italy with the most touristic city in the country, which alone attracts nearly 10 million visitors each year: Rome.
Political capital of the country, Rome is the largest city and certainly the most steeped in history. The city of Rome alone has 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including its entire historic center.
The places to see in Rome are particularly numerous and some are known throughout the world: the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum or the famous piazza Navona.
Impossible to visit Rome without going to the Vatican. The Vatican City houses one of the most beautiful basilicas in the world: the famous Saint Peter's Basilica and its square. It is in this basilica that you will find the essential Sixtine Chapel and its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
Florence
Cradle of the arts and the Renaissance, Florence is an unmissable city in Italy that has retained all its splendor over the centuries. Its architecture and numerous works of art make Florence an open-air museum.
During your visit to the city, you can stroll along the alleys and discover the sumptuous cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore or Palazzo Vecchio among so many other monuments, each as remarkable as the other. The Piazza del Duomo alongside the Piazza della Signoria will offer you superb views of the cathedral and the surrounding historic buildings while enjoying a lunch break or a simple drink on the terrace.
You can also cross the Arno, the river of Florence, by the Old Bridge which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful bridges in the country. Finally, Piazza Michelangelo will allow you to gain height and enjoy an exceptional panorama of the city.
Venice
Now let's move on to another of Italy's gems, Venice. A "small" city which still has just over 250 inhabitants for what is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is, of course, its canals and its lagoon that made this city famous, which was once one of the most powerful in Italy.
In addition to the canals, tourists from all over the world come to admire its basilica, its Saint Mark's Square and its very famous Doge's Palace. We could also mention its campanile or its bridge of sighs.
If you visit Venice, don't hesitate to get away from it a bit and discover its islands, Burano and Murano, famous for their glassworks. Don't hesitate to take a trip to the Lido beach, an emblematic place in Venice.
If you are traveling during the month of February, then you may have the chance to take part in one of the most famous carnivals in the world, the Carnival of Venice, famous for the costumes and masks worn by its participants.
Milan
Third most touristic city in Italy behind Rome and Venice, Milan welcomes around 12 million visitors each year. Milan is a city whose reputation is second to none. World capital of design and fashion, Milan attracts in more ways than one.
In a different register than Rome, Milan also has many places not to be missed which alone are enough to attract tourists from all over Europe.
Milan's cathedral, the famous Duomo, is certainly the most visited monument in the city. But other monuments are also worth a look. Not far from the Duomo square, we can mention the famous Galleries Vittorio Emmanuel II, an architectural masterpiece housing some of the most luxurious boutiques in the city. This gallery will take you to the very famous Teatro de la Scala, known worldwide for the plays that were performed there and are still performed there.
Milan, whose history is intimately linked to Leonardo Da Vinci, is home to more than one treasure like “The Last Supper”, one of the most famous paintings by the Italian genius.
The Navigli district, especially in the evening, contributes to the pleasant atmosphere of the city.
Visiting Milan is undoubtedly one of the essential things to do in Italy.
Italian lakes, things to do in Italy
Let's stay in Lombardy to discover a little piece of Italy that is also worth the detour. Renowned worldwide, not for its monuments but rather for its landscapes and small typical villages, the Italian lakes region attracts a large number of tourists from all over Europe.
Ideally located in northern Italy, on the border with Switzerland and not far from France, the lake region is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. Witness the many films shot in this region as well as the multitude of villas belonging to personalities from all over the world. George Clooney, to name a few, owns a house on the shores of Lake Como.
Among these lakes, Lake Como is often cited first. It is true that this lake is home to some of the most beautiful villages in the region such as Varenna, Bellagio or Argegno.
The city of Como, which borders the lake, is the southernmost city and is an ideal base for discovering the surroundings of the lake.
If you prefer nature and typical villages to the sometimes frantic pace of big cities, then the Italian lakes region is for you.
If you visit the Lake District from the city of Milan, then make a small detour to the city of Bergamo, also to visit in Italy.
Visit Italy: Naples
If you are planning to visit Italy, Naples is among the oldest cities in Europe. You can discover a multitude of archaeological sites and monuments, combining ancient charm and modernity. Among the city's most emblematic sites, don't miss the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, ancient cities buried by an eruption of Vesuvius in the XNUMXst century.
You can also book an excursion to the crater of Vesuvius. This dormant volcano is considered among the most dangerous in the world. Finally, to recover from your emotions, there's nothing like a wood-fired pizza! The reputation of Neapolitan pizzas is second to none.
Hers
75 kilometers from Florence, in the heart of Tuscany, the city of Siena, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also one of the places to visit in Italy. Along its narrow medieval streets, you will discover religious and civil buildings that will not leave you indifferent.
During your visit, climb to the top of the Torre del Mangia from which you will have a breathtaking view of the city and Tuscany. At the foot of this tower, Piazza del Campo will surprise you with its curved shape and the colors of its bricks. Many restaurants will offer you to taste the typical dishes of Tuscany in an idyllic setting.
Finally, go to the top of the old town to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, or Duomo di Siena, which has dominated the medieval city since the XNUMXth century.
Verona
Also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Verona has many monuments retracing more than 2 years of history, from Roman times to the present day. Important vestiges of the city of the 000st century of our era are still visible: the arenas, the Roman theater, the Roman gates Leoni and Borsari as well as a triumphal arch (Arco Dei Gavi), to name only the main ones.
These testimonies of the Roman period stand alongside monuments from the medieval period such as the Cathedral of San Zeno (built in the XNUMXth century), the Castelvecchio which served as the residence of the Scaligeri, lords of Verona, the remarkable tombs of the latter, or many XNUMXth century palace still testifying to the wealth of the inhabitants of the city.
Place of the plot of the tragedy Romeo and Juliet written by Shakespeare, Verona is also famous as the city of lovers. Juliette's house and its famous balcony as well as the supposed tomb of the young woman attract many couples every year.
Turin
Turin is another of the cities to do in Italy. Large city at the foot of the mountains of the Alps, you can admire important buildings testifying to the power of the city when it was the capital of the Duchy of Savoy. Many palaces (Royal Palace, Carignano, Madama, Valentino castle) and religious buildings (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians) are remarkable and deserve a closer look.
Turin is also recognized as a mecca for cinema and automobiles. Two major museums address these themes in the city.
The Cinque Terre
By the sea, on steep cliffs, the picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre have become a must in Italy. Colorful facades, small fishing ports, cultivation of vines and terraced olive trees will immerse you in the heart of the Dolce Vita!
The municipalities of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore each have an exceptional charm. To visit the Cinque Terre and move from one village to another, cars are not recommended because the roads are quite difficult to access and the parking areas are limited. If you are a hiker, there are many trails linking the towns together. The train also allows you to visit the Cinque Terre, but you can also enjoy a boat trip to admire the hilltop villages from the sea.
Lecce
If you want to visit southern Italy, Lecce is one of the most beautiful cities in the region. By the sea, several vestiges of the Roman period of the "Florence of the South" cohabit with the abundance of baroque and neoclassical decorations of the XNUMXth century facades. The particularity of the buildings constituting Lecce is based on the use of the “pietra leccese”. This limestone in warm colors gives a unique appearance to buildings.
To visit the city, it is best to get lost in the narrow streets of the old center. Remember to look up to discover some forty remarkable palaces and churches alongside an amphitheater, an ancient theater and a Roman column. If you're short on time, don't hesitate to take the little tourist train to get an overview of Lecce!
Puglia, a region to visit in Italy
The region of Puglia is located in the "heel" of the boot formed by Italy. In the vicinity of Lecce, Puglia is attracting more and more visitors, seduced by its remarkable and varied landscapes (you can go from the sea to the countryside in a few minutes), hundreds of kilometers of coastline, a privileged climate and a culture ubiquitous locale.
Puglia becomes an essential region of Italy. During your visit to the region, be sure to linger in its typical villages, like those of the Itria Valley, in the heart of nature. Also stop in the village of Alberobello, where you can discover the largest concentration of trulli, these dry stone houses topped with a conical roof. Moreover, this emblematic element of Puglia's heritage bears witness to a very ancient way of life.
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Let's continue to descend even further south of Italy to visit the largest of the Italian islands, Sicily. Sicily is one of the regions to do in Italy, especially during a multi-day itinerant road trip. You will be able to discover the many things that Sicily has to offer, both in terms of city, nature and history.
Sicily has some big cities to discover such as Palermo, Catania or Messina. Messina, famous in particular for its strait, is the first city you will cross if you arrive in Sicily from southern Italy.
In addition to the big cities, some smaller ones have left their mark on history and are of major historical interest. We can cite the cities of Taormina, Segesta, Agrigento, Cefalù or Syracuse.
If you are more natural, then Sicily will also be a good choice. Do you like heavenly beaches? Then go to the west coast of the island on the side of the island of Levanzo or Favignana.
If hiking is your thing, then there too the choice will be wide. Go not far from the city of Catania and go hiking on the impressive Etna or on one of the seven Aeolian islands and start climbing Stromboli, a volcano in constant activity. In itself, Sicily is a concentrate of Italy that should not be missed.
If you want to know more about things to do and see in Sicily, don't hesitate to take a look at our dedicated article!
Discover Italy: visit Sardinia
Region of Italy, Sardinia is an island located south of Corsica. Its landscapes between sea and mountain will charm you during your stay. Paradise beaches, spectacular cliffs, creeks and caves, peaks rising to over 1 meters above sea level, the island's natural spaces are very varied!
Sardinia also has many monuments, witnesses of 5 years of history and a clever mix of the influences of different peoples who occupied the island: Phoenicians, Romans and Genoese all left traces of their passage through Sardinia. Lose yourself in the medieval villages and small ports of the region. Visit the old center of Cagliari and discover the thousands of nuraghes, architectural ensembles built around a central tower by an ancient civilization that populated the island for 000 centuries. Among these surprising sites, the most emblematic is probably that of Barumini, which is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Dolomites
The Dolomites are a mountain range in the Eastern Prealps, whose highest point is the Marmolada glacier at 3 meters above sea level. The region owes its name to the abundance of dolomitic limestone in its reliefs, giving them a white color during the day and pink or even red when the sun goes down. The breathtaking landscapes of the Dolomites offer its visitors a total change of scenery.
The Dolomites region having long belonged to Austria, there is a surprising and harmonious blend of Italian and Austrian cultures, whether at the architectural, linguistic or cultural level. Many outdoor activities can be practiced there: hiking or cycling, skiing in the resort, etc.
The Amalfi Coast, a region to see in Italy
South of Naples, in the province of Salerno, travel the 25 kilometers along which the Amalfi Coast extends. The latter is known throughout the world for its sumptuous landscapes, its rugged reliefs punctuated by small typical villages perched above the sea. Ravello, Amalfi, Praiano, Positano, Furore, Minori or Maiori are among the most beautiful in the region. region.
During your visit, stroll along the streets to soak up the culture and special atmosphere of these towns, and remember to take a break to taste a limoncello, this very famous lemon liqueur and mainly produced on the Amalfi Coast. . The roads being rather narrow in the region, it is advisable to visit the surroundings out of summer to avoid traffic jams and crowded places.
I hope this article on things to do and see in Italy has been useful to you. Do not hesitate to share with us in the comments your favorite places in Italy. To find all our articles on Italy, it's here.
