10 Finest Locations To Go to in Italy

Italy takes a high spot on most vacationers’ bucket lists, and for good cause, as you’re about to learn on this record of one of the best locations to go to in Italy. Whether or not you’re searching for scrumptious meals, gorgeous coastlines, charming small cities, main cities, outside adventures, or artwork and trend, the Boot of Europe has all of it. 

Regardless of your pursuits, one can find part of Italy to fall in love with. On this article, we’re introducing you to 10 of essentially the most lovely locations in Italy that spotlight the nation’s historic landmarks, pure magnificence, culinary delights, and creative achievements. 

From Rome’s Colosseum and Milan’s Final Supper to the vineyards of Tuscany and the road meals of Sicily, let’s uncover one of the best locations to go to in Italy.

10 Finest Locations To Go to in Italy

1. Rome

Rome, the Everlasting Metropolis, is normally folks’s first cease in Italy. Not solely is Rome essentially the most populous metropolis and the capital, but it surely additionally hosts among the nation’s most vital historic landmarks and factors of curiosity. 

Amongst them, the Colosseum, the biggest historic amphitheater ever constructed, stands out. Accomplished in 80 AD, the Colosseum may host as much as 80,000 spectators who watched courageous gladiators battle wild animals – corresponding to crocodiles, elephants, and leopards – and one another. 

Subsequent door to the Colosseum, you’ll discover the Roman Discussion board and Palatine Hill the place you may stroll within the footsteps of Historic Roman residents, together with Julius Caesar, Marc Anthony, and Augustus, previous spectacular Roman ruins. 

Historical past and structure lovers can even need to admire the right dome contained in the Pantheon, climb the Spanish Steps, toss a coin within the Trevi Fountain, and people-watch at considered one of Rome’s well-known squares, corresponding to Piazza del Popolo or Piazza Navona. 

These passionate concerning the arts gained’t need to miss the well-known Galleria Borghese and Borghese Gardens. A tour by means of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica may additionally be obligatory for artwork lovers, in addition to non secular pilgrims. 

With a lot to see and do in Rome, you’ll have simply sufficient time to squeeze in a chew of Rome’s well-known pasta, corresponding to pasta carbonara or cacio e pepe, and a scoop of gelato earlier than heading off to your subsequent must-see sight. 

As a result of Rome is such a well known metropolis, it receives seven to 10 million guests yearly. Through the summer time or non secular holidays, corresponding to Easter, put together for town heart to be very crowded. In case you’re visiting Italy with JayWay although, relaxation assured that any must-do actions, corresponding to a tour of the Vatican Metropolis or the Colosseum, are booked properly upfront and embody skip-the-line entry.

2. Venice

Few cities conjure up as romantic a notion as cruising down the canals, a gondolier singing behind you, whilst you take within the sights and sounds of the Grand Canal and the remainder of Venice. But, Venice isn’t just for {couples}. Mates and households can benefit from the car-free bridges and waterways of The Floating Metropolis as properly. 

Whereas in Venice, you’ll need to stroll throughout – or admire from the water on a gondola trip – town’s well-known bridges, the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. You’ll additionally need to go to St. Mark’s Sq. the place you’ll discover Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, and dwell music pouring out of the neighboring eating places. 

On a day journey, head out to the close by islands of Murano – well-known for glass blowing – and Burano – well-known for its lace traditions and colourful homes. Along with your digicam full, it’s the right time to fill your abdomen with some Venetian specialties, like bigoli pasta, squid ink pasta, and cicchetti, the Venetian model of Spanish tapas. 

Venice’s reputation and busy cruise ship port imply this metropolis is commonly heaving with crowds, particularly in the summertime months. Fortunately, it’s simple to keep away from them by staying for a couple of nights, slightly than doing a fast day journey. By night, a lot of the metropolis has emptied, leaving you a number of house to get splendidly misplaced within the slim streets of Venice, positively among the finest locations to go to in Italy.

3. Tuscany

Rolling inexperienced valleys, iconic cypress bushes, many a hilltop city, lush wineries, world-famous Renaissance artwork, and among the greatest produce in all of Italy, all this awaits you on a visit to Tuscany in Central Italy. 

Very like Italy itself, Tuscany is a area of contrasts. You can begin your journey within the bustling metropolis of Florence, a mecca for artwork historical past fanatics. A UNESCO World Heritage Website, the historic heart of Florence has no scarcity of treasures.

Stroll throughout Ponte Vecchio, people-watch at Piazza della Signoria, see unimaginable artwork within the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia, climb to the highest of the Duomo – the fantastic Santa Maria del Fiore – and watch the sundown from Piazzale Michelangelo. 

After a couple of busy days in Florence, it’s time to take a look at the opposite aspect of Tuscany. Head to the Tuscan countryside the place you may chill out by having an Italian villa all to yourselves, pop into historic hilltop cities, like San Gimignano or Siena, and go to family-run wineries for scrumptious wine tastings and lengthy, leisurely lunches. 

The countryside of Tuscany is the right place to chill out, decelerate, and admire the pure great thing about Italy. It’s additionally an incredible place to understand Italy’s produce as you take pleasure in contemporary truffles, olive oil, fruit, greens, and much more.

At JayWay Journey, we at all times make sure that our company be part of one of the best small-group excursions of Tuscany. Alternatively, we will prepare distinctive personal excursions by means of the area’s gorgeous surroundings, actually a novel manner to take a look at among the greatest locations to go to in Italy.

4. Amalfi Coast

Simply south of Naples lies the gorgeous Amalfi Coast the place properties are steeped on mountainsides that seem to crash into the ocean. Whereas it’s recognized for attracting A-list crowds to its luxurious shores, you don’t must personal a megayacht to take pleasure in a couple of days on the Amalfi Coast.

The Amalfi Coast is made up of a collection of cities, every providing one thing barely totally different. We recommend staying in a single city and becoming a member of day excursions to go to the others. 

For a handy keep, select Sorrento. This city, on the north coast, is the one one on the Amalfi Coast that’s accessible by prepare. It’s simple to go to Naples, Pompeii and Capri from Sorrento. It’s additionally the unique house of limoncello, which is a must-try whereas on the Amalfi Coast. 

For postcard-perfect views, select Positano. This is likely one of the hottest cities on the coast, owing to its lovely dramatic cliffs, sandy seashores, and nice procuring.

For historical past and nice meals, select Amalfi. The city of Amalfi, which shares its title with the coast, is steeped in historical past and hosts a surprising Cathedral that’s properly value visiting. Amalfi can be recognized for excellent meals and a quieter ambiance, good should you’re a foodie searching for some peace. 

Needless to say the Amalfi Coast is a seasonal vacation spot, sometimes visited from early April till late October, with July and August seeing essentially the most guests. Bigger cities, like Sorrento, are open year-round however a lot of the smaller cities’ eating places, outlets, inns, and ferries shut down outdoors the height season. 

5. Milan

Milan is undoubtedly the style capital of Italy, in addition to one of many world’s 4 trend capitals, alongside New York, London, and Paris. This northern Italian metropolis is understood for its model and distinct tradition that’s seeped into its meals, artwork, structure, and, after all, trend. 

When you’ve got a ardour for trend, Milan is the right place to browse designer outlets, be impressed, and add to your wardrobe. However should you dread procuring, there’s tons extra so that you can do, see, and eat in Milan.

Stare up on the imposing Duomo di Milano then take a stroll by means of the equally spectacular Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II subsequent door. Study Renaissance royalty on the Castello Sforzesco or take a science lesson on the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Know-how. 

See a present on the Teatro Alla Scala opera home and luxuriate in a meal of well-known Milanese risotto. Milan is house to loads of artwork galleries, church buildings, squares, and parks you may take pleasure in, too.

One factor you may’t miss in Milan is a go to to Santa Maria delle Grazie, the house of Leonardo da Vinci’s well-known portray, The Final Supper. As that is an especially well-liked portray, it’s greatest to see it on a guided tour that may be organized by your professional JayWay journey planner manner upfront.

6. Naples

Whereas it’s the third largest metropolis in Italy, Naples’s checkered historical past saved guests away for a very long time. Fortunately, these days are over and guests are heading to Naples as soon as once more. Regardless of not being essentially the most picturesque metropolis, Naples’s attraction is in its grit. It’s a metropolis of actual Italians with layers of wealthy historical past round each nook. 

One factor that undeniably retains guests coming again to Naples is town’s pizza. Naples, the birthplace of pizza, serves up among the greatest plates within the nation. 

From easy however scrumptious choices at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele – made well-known by Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love – to lengthy menus and lots of toppings at Gino e Toto Sorbillo to any hole-in-the-wall pizzeria you’ll uncover at random, take pleasure in tasting your manner by means of Naples’s pizza scene.

And should you occur to get sick of pizza, if that’s even doable, you may attempt different well-known Neapolitan dishes like cuoppo (fried road meals), ragu pasta, spaghetti puttanesca, and sfogliatelle (layered pastry). 

Moreover consuming, there’s tons to find in Naples. Take a stroll by means of the historic heart, go to considered one of Naples’s many castles, pop into church buildings and galleries, and dig into town’s tradition on the Nationwide Archaeological Museum. 

Naples can be an incredible base for day journeys. From Naples, you may go to the well-known archeological websites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, each destroyed when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Talking of which, you may also go to Mt. Vesuvius. You possibly can even ferry to the island of Capri or the Amalfi Coast from Naples.

7. Lake Como

Simply north of Milan lies the gorgeous Italian Lakes district and its star, Lake Como. Created by melting glaciers and framed by the Alps, Lake Como hosts a lot of picturesque small cities round its shores – together with one the place George Clooney is a resident. 

Begin your journey in Como, the primary metropolis on the lake. Cease into the Como Cathedral, go to Villa Olmo, and trip a funicular up the hill for a ravishing view. 

Carry onto Bellagio, one of the vital well-known and delightful cities on Lake Como. Right here, you’ll discover attractive villas and gardens to discover, colourful properties, and rocky seashores. Subsequent door is Varenna, one other city recognized for its historic websites, backyard villas, and lakefront views. 

Spend your days on Lake Como enjoyable on the seashore, heading out on boat journeys, strolling alongside the various nature trails, and admiring the views.

8. Cinque Terre

Southern Italy has the Amalfi Coast however Northern Italy has Cinque Terre, a collection of 5 cities alongside the Ligurian coast that boast unimaginable views, sharp cliffs, brightly coloured properties, and delightful blue waters. 

Every city in Cinque Terre – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – gives one thing barely totally different. Monterosso is the biggest and has the one sandy seashore, Vernazza is essentially the most picturesque, Corniglia is the smallest and the one city not constructed on the ocean, Manarola is essentially the most well-known, and Riomaggiore is the simplest to get to, plus nice for sunsets. 

Spend your time on this magnificent a part of the Italian Riviera exploring the totally different cities, hitting the seashore, having fun with contemporary seafood, climbing, becoming a member of boat excursions, and appreciating the coastal views. 

Whereas it’s doable to go to Cinque Terre on a day journey, we suggest staying not less than one evening to actually expertise the cities. Like many locations in Italy, Cinque Terre empties within the night, providing a totally totally different ambiance for vacationers who keep the evening. Staying in a single day additionally provides you a head begin on exploring within the morning, earlier than the day trippers arrive.

9. Sicily

Simply off the toe of the boot of Italy lies Sicily, a area of the nation recognized for its distinct tradition, Mediterranean climate and meals, Historic Greek landmarks, and mafia historical past. Whereas a lot much less visited than Rome or Venice, the island of Sicily is an excellent place to get a unique style of Italy. 

You can begin your exploration of Sicily in Palermo, the place you’ll discover UNESCO World Heritage Cathedrals and church buildings, in addition to a powerful road meals scene. Get pleasure from strolling by means of the markets or be taught extra about what you’re consuming by becoming a member of among the finest meals excursions. 

Head south to Agrigento, the place you may wander by means of The Valley of The Temples. This spectacular website of Historic Greek artwork and structure holds a number of temples, sanctuaries, and a necropolis. 

Over on the east aspect of Sicily, you may go to the traditional neighborhood of Ortigia in Syracuse, see the Baroque structure in Catania, and climb or cable automobile to the highest of Mount Etna. Up north, you may chill out on the gorgeous seashores of Cefalu or take a ferry over to the Aeolian Islands for extra seashores and volcanoes. 

10. Sardinia

Sardinia, a big island situated within the Mediterranean Sea, is likely one of the greatest locations to go to in Italy for nature lovers. This island is well-known for its seashores, turquoise waters, and rock formations.  

Adventurers can have tons to do in Sardinia. Spend your days biking by means of nationwide parks, crusing alongside archipelagos, climbing historic mining websites, exploring caves, and diving into historic shipwrecks. For a bit of extra tradition, you may discover the ruins of Su Nuraxi, wander round Cagliari’s citadel, and uncover the archaeological websites of Nora and Tharros. 

After all, you’ll need to attempt a few of Sardinia’s world-class delicacies. Get pleasure from su porceddu (roast suckling pig), culurgiones and malloreddus pasta, pane carasau (crispy bread), pecorino cheese, and contemporary sea urchin. 

Journey To Italy With Us

It’s no overstatement to say that, right here at JayWay, we all know Italy just like the again of our hand. From our professional journey advisors to our skilled journey planners to the educated locals who await to welcome you on the bottom, everybody will work collectively to craft the right Italy itinerary for you, tailor-made to your wishes and preferences.

So, if this record of one of the best locations to go to in Italy evokes you to journey to this breathtaking nation quickly, get in contact, and we’ll make your dream Italy trip come true.

Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s enthusiastic about journey and storytelling, a mix that makes her preferrred for her function as our content material supervisor.