14 Amazing Tourist Places to Visit in Italy

“Bella Italia”- Beautiful Italy

Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula protruding into the Mediterranean Sea and one of the most popular holiday destinations among the European countries. The country is divided into different regions by the crisscrossing mountains. These regions make Italy travel full of variety. Each region has its own flavor.

The top of Italy is cut across by the Alps, whose long mountain route is enriched with thin glacial lakes. From the west of the Alps, the Apennines create a streak towards the south of the peninsula. There are numerous places to see in Italy amidst these mountains as well.

Despite the history dating back to more than thousands of years, the actual Italian history begins with the Etruscans civilization that lived between the Arno and Tiber rivers. Although there are very few Italy tourist attractions hailing from this period, but you can learn more about it in the archeological museums.

In the third century BCE, Etruscans were ousted by the Romans, and later in the second century BCE, they became the central power of Mediterranean landmass stretching from India to Scotland. The remains of the great Roman Empire is one of the biggest attraction for people to visit Italy. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Italy was fragmented into several city-states, and political units which were brought together under Italian Unification and the Italian nation was founded in 1861.

Owing to the constant power struggles, some of the best cities to visit in Italy flourished during the Renaissance era, which symbolizes art, technology, and academic progression amidst the brutal warfare. Icons like Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, etc. are Italy’s gift to the world. Some of the best places to visit in Italy hail from the renaissance period when art and culture was at its peak in the nation.

Apart from intellectuals, Italy is also cherished for its landscapes, architecture, fashion, opera, film, and food. The best places in Italy are also some of the most renowned attractions in the world The country’s rich cultural legacy can be attributed to various ancient inhabitants and their lingering influence.

The southern and central Italy revels in the ways of Greek and Etruscan civilization, while the remaining country is substantially thriving under the Roman culture. Some of the best places to go in Italy are the ancient Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Italy houses dozens of World Heritage sites, 700+ cultural institutes, 300+ theaters, and approximately 6000 libraries with more than 100 million books. With world favorite ‘Pizzas’ and brands like Prada, Versace, Gucci, Armani, etc. explorers are thrilled to explore Italy destinations.

Best 14 Cities / Places to Visit in Italy

1. Rome

This capital city of Italy is famous for its rich history and culture. Rome tops the list of famous places in Italy with ancient glories like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, the Appian Way, and the Palatine Hill.

2. Venice

Venice is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. And a lover’s paradise with its gondola rides and interconnected canals.

3. Milan

Milan is the holy grail of tourists with its fantastic fashion, art, landmarks, theatres, and museums. It is among most beautiful places in Italy in terms of landscapes and historical landmarks.

4. Florence

This Tuscan capital is a true embodiment of the art and architectural whimsey belonging to the Renaissance era. With monuments like Duomo, the bell tower, Michelangelo’s ‘David’ sculpture at The Galleria dell ‘Accademia, “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” statue, Florence is among top places to visit in Italy.

5. Naples

Naples is known for its classic white cobblestone pathways and picturesque ocean side. Among all Italy tourist places, Naples boasts the title for bearing true taste of the country.

6. Cinque Terre

This town stands on a cliff by the ocean with colorful buildings spread across the coastline. It is among the most beautiful things to see in Italy. The town is also recognized among UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

7. Pisa

Most known for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the city is home to several iconic places and sites. The city is also home to the iconic Duoma, Cathedral of Pisa, Baptistery of St. John, Campo Santo and many more. It is known as a college town and has a fun, vibrant vibe to it owing to the young crowd. This vibrant culture makes it popular among Italy holiday destinations.

8. Amalfi

This is yet another beautiful coastal city settled along the slope of the mountain. The very geography of Amalfi validates its inclusion among picturesque places to see in Italy. It is known for its vibrant and colorful buildings as well as equally vibrant interiors of these buildings.

9. Capri

Capri is a quintessential island city with unmatched coastal scenic beauty on all sides. It is a place popular for leisure as well as sightseeing. It is among top places to explore during Italy travel to capture some amazing pictures.

10. Verona

This quaint city is famous for being backdrop for Shakespearean plays Two Gentleman of Verona and Romeo & Juliet. The town has great number of Italy tourist attractions from the Roman era, earning it the title “Little Rome”.

11. Siena

This Tuscan city is home to several medieval buildings. It is full of red brick buildings with red roofs. If you can get to high towers and look at the skyline of the city, it is quite wonderful. It is also known for the famous Palio Horse Race.

12. Bologna

Bologna is known for its UNESCO protected porticoes. You can explore amazing medieval architecture. It is also one of most beautiful places in Italy to explore on foot.

13. Genoa

Genoa is still the busiest sea-port in the country and is also home to several Italy tourist attractions which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city has several marvels of renaissance and baroque styles of architecture. Genoa is also visited for coastal hike trails close to the city.

14. Turin

Turin is one of the most culturally and historically rich cities in Italy. It is home to grand works of architecture and world class museums. Being one of the most flourishing cities during the renaissance, the city exhibits a lavish cultural heritage which is kept alive today as well.

Best time to visit Italy

Italy has a pleasing climate with foreseeable conditions. The best time to go to Italy is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). Italy has a diverse geography, from the north to the south. Summer is the best time to travel to Italy, particularly the sun-soaked Mediterranean coast.

On the other hand, the best time to visit Rome in the winter season when there are fewer tourists and lower hotel rates. Due to its location along the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea, Southern Italy has a sunny and pleasant climate all year round. To the north, where the Alps are, snowfall is common. In a nutshell, to decide the best time for Italy travel, you should consider the climate conditions, budget, upcoming events, seasonal constraints, and the ambiance.

Popular Festivals and Events of Italy

1. Christmas

• Dates: December 25th
• Location: All Across Italy
• It is the primary celebration throughout Italy. Depending on the region, the celebration starts from early December to the first week of January.

2. Capodanno / New Year’s Day

• Dates: January 1st
• Location: All Across Italy
• Regional celebrations include fireworks and a variety of events across the country. In Venice people celebrate the New Year by in the Venetian lagoon.

3. Carnevale

• Dates: February 15th to 25th
• Location:Venice, Cento, Gambettola, Acireale, Viareggio, Ivrea, and Satriano
• The carnival is held at the beginning of Lent & Easter and is routed in a 12th century pagan festival. Major festivities happen over the weekend with the carnival at Venice, human-made floats at Viareggio, and The Battle of the Oranges at Ivrea. This is a festival which many people plan Italy travel around. If you enjoy parties this festival is the best time to visit Italy.

4. La Quintana

• Dates: First Sunday of August
• Location: Ascoli Piceno
• This festival takes you back to the time when knights in shining armors battled to showcase their skills. The event is focused around three major competitions: archery, jousting, horse race and flag throwing competition. There is also a parade where citizens put on medieval attires which is a wonderful sight to behold.

5. The Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics

• Dates: May 31st to June 2nd
• Location: Venice, Pisa, Genoa or Amalfi
• This rowing competition commemorates rivalry of Italian republics Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa and Venice. The venue of the competition changes each year, so do check the location when you plan to visit Italy around this time.

6. Palio di Siena

• Dates: 2nd July & 16th August
• Location: Siena
• This is again a popular festival which celebrates medieval culture of the knights. The grand highlights of this event are the costumed parade, horse race and medieval themed competitions.

7. Battle of the Oranges

• Dates: 6th January
• Location: Ivrea
• This is the largest food fight in Europe. The participants of this festival are divided into 9 teams and battle one another by hurling oranges. It’s among the most fun things to do in Italy if you visit in January.

8. Game of the Bridge

• Dates: Last Saturday of June
• Location: Pisa
• This event holds its roots in the rivalry between north and south parts of Arno River. People dress up in 18th century clothing and continue this rivalry in form of competitions. Festivals such as this make Pisa one of the most fun places in Italy.

9. Infiorata Festival

• Dates: 13th to 15th May
• Location: Noto, Bolsena, Brugnato, Spello and Orvieto
• This festival is dedicated to flowers. If you plan for any of the above Italy destinations in later part of May, you will come across city fairs and beautiful artworks created with flowers along the streets.

10. Oh Bej! Oh Bej!

• Dates: 7th December
• Location: Milan
• This festival is held in honor of Saint Ambrose Fair, the patron saint of Milan. You will see Christmas like festivities and celebrations all around the city.

Emergency Contacts for Travelers

State police: 113 is the national number for all emergencies
Health Emergencies: 118 is to call medical help
Road Rescue: 803.116 is a 24*7 road assistance number.

Useful Mobile Apps for Travelers

1. Culture Trip

The app provides information on Italy tourist attractions while traveling. You also get information on places to eat and top shopping destinations. You can create a profile and get focused results by bookmarking the relevant stories.

2. LoungeBuddy

To avoid the mind-numbing airport waiting experience, use LoungeBuddy to book an entrance to executive lounges by paying a one-off charge.

3. StreetArt Roma

With descriptions and information about 100 works of art dotted around the city in this app, you will be able to experience a different side of Italian culture. The entire city of Rome can be considered a museum, so this app helps you navigate various works of art when you go to Rome during Italy travel.

4. Italo

Italo is a train travel assistance app. If your Italy trip involces traveling between cities, this app will surely come in handy. You can check train schedules, plan you journey and even book tickets through this app. This app basically gives you an overview of the entire train network in the country.

5. Trenitalia

Yet another app to help you navigate intercity travel by train when you visit Italy. This app also aloows you to find closest stations and book your tickets accordingly. If you have an extensive stay in Italy, you can also purchase season passes through this app.

6. ProntoTreno 

Trains are a great way to get around Italy, and ProntoTreno is a great app to help you do that. Designed to make it easier to book and manage train tickets, this Travel App lets you check the status of your booked trains and track and plan your journeys.

7. Most Traveled People

This app is a community of sorts of various people who are fond of traveling. This app includes information on all the best places to visit in Italy and many other countries. You get reviews on tourist places, transport, hidden spots, dining, shopping and more.

8. Duolingo

This app helps you learn the language with ease. If you don’t want the entire language, you can pick up commonly used phrases which can be helpful while traveling.

9. WeTap

This app is useful in Rome alone. It helps you find the nearest fountain which supplies drinking water so that you don’t have to spend on plastic water bottles.

10. Nasoni d’Italia

The fountains are not exclusive to Rome, this app helps you find such consumable water fountains in several Italian cities. These are especially helpful in ancient parts of the cities where much of the Roman infrastructure is still intact.

11. Florence Travel Guide / Rome Travel Guide / Venice Travel Guide

These are series of app to guide your trip to some of the best cities in Italy. These apps give you useful information and tips about tourist attractions as well as their history and backgrounds.

12. Citymapper

This app helps you navigate the public transport system in several cities in Italy. The cabs in Italy can be very expensive, so if you can use public transport to commute, you will end up saving a lot.

13. Omio

This app guides you regarding the transport system to travel between cities through trains, buses, flights and car share.

14. FreeNow & AppTaxi

Though cabs are expensive, they are convenient. These two apps help you hail cabs in several cities across the country.

15. WiFi.Italia.It

This app will help you find places to go in Italy to get free wifi, isn’t that a blessing.

16. ProntoTrento

This app is a guide to the train network in Italy. It also allows you to book tickets online.

17. Museum Guides

This is not one app, but almost every major museum in the country has its own app. Most of these apps have information about the exhibits and the museum in several languages. Some of these also have interactive augmented reality features.

18. Cibando

This app is your companion to food when you visit Italy. Not only does it have listings of places to eat along with menu cards, it also outlines specialties served at many of these restaurants.

Safety Tips for Tourist

Italy is quite a safe place to travel, but still, it is advisable to abide by these basic guidelines for a safe trip.

• There are areas of Italy where you are more likely to become a target of violence, including busy town centers, busy tourist sites, and specific areas of Milan. So, you should be heedful at such places.
• The city is Rome is notorious for scams, frauds and petty thefts. You should be very careful when you are in Rome, do not trust anyone you meet on the streets.
• Petty thefts and pick-pocketing usually take place in crowded places and at Italy tourist attractions, you should be extra careful with your belongings at these places.
• Stay safe by being watchful about public transport, making sure that any taxi you get into is official, taking the usual precautions of sharing the trip, and keeping all the valuables under wraps.
• You should also be careful about credit card and digital payment frauds in major cities. Try to make all payments in cash and keep your cash safely on your person. You can use money belts or clothing with trick pockets to keep it safe.
• Terrorism is not prevalent in Italy. However, travelers are also advised to be on high alert in crowded tourist spots, report the suspicious objects and people, listen in case of an attack to local authorities, and participate in the STEP system to make it easier to locate you in case of an emergency.
• When exploring food, learn about local specialty. Though almost all Italian serving restaurants offer all dishes under that cuisine, each region has its own specialty. This is true for wine and cheese as well.
• Public restrooms can be found almost everywhere, so you don’t have to rush into hotels and restaurants to use their facilities. These public restrooms are clean and sanitary to use.
• Naples and several other cities are notorious for purse snatching, so use purses or carry bags which cannot be easily separated from you.
• If you become victim to any crime in any city, immediately go to the police or use emergency contact numbers listed above.
• You don’t have to tip at the restaurants, nor is it customary in Italy. You will find some charges aside from food and taxes at tourist heavy cities. These are put under titles like “coperto” or “servizio” which are per head charges for occupying the table. Make sure to double check as these charges are also legally be required to be disclosed on the menu.