Looking for some Italian inspiration? There are many great places to see in Italy. Check out these 19 recommended Italian cities and towns.
It’s hard to go wrong when visiting Italy, but here are some of the travel community’s favorite cities (in no particular ranking order)!
1. Rome
Let’s start with the most obvious one. Rome is a must-see city in Italy. There are a million reasons to visit Rome. Between its history and cultural significance, it’s a European must-visit. There is no shortage of great places to stay or restaurants to eat at in Rome. Whether you’re doing Rome in four days or two weeks, you’ll have no shortage of great things to see, do, and eat.
One of the most bucket list-worthy items in Rome is visiting the Colosseum. This is on many people’s to-do list, so expect crowds. If you are visiting in the summer, you may even be interested in experiencing the iconic Colosseum at night to beat the heat.
While Rome may be more famous for its ancient history, it has played a significant role in recent history as well. Setting the foundation for the European Union, the Treaty of Rome was signed here in 1957 establishing the European Economic Community.
Its recommendation is echoed by Savaş (@tarhan_savas_07) who suggests seeing the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and Piazza Venezia. All three sights are a short walk from each other.
Related: 3 Day Rome Itinerary
2. Florence
Many famous artworks, including David by Michelangelo and the Birth of Venus by Botticelli, are found in Florence. Valeria (@valeriaandreabs), Janella (@janellavillanueva), Patty (@patty.fern), and Hera (@herazvi) also recommend Florence. It’s a crowd pleaser for sure. Hera describes waking up early for a panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo as one of her favorite memories from the city.
Florence is often called the birthplace of the Renaissance and it is home to some of the world’s most renowned artworks. The Uffizi Gallery houses masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, among others.
Florence is a top destination in Tuscany for many reasons. Art and food are two of these reasons. If you are tight on time, you can also see the main sights of Florence in just 24 hours. If you prefer slow travel or have a more flexible itinerary, a four-day Florence itinerary will really allow you to take in more of the area at a relaxed pace.
Related: Top 5 Things to Do in Florence
3. Venice
World famous Venice often lives up to the hype for most visitors, however the crowds can detract from the experience. Many come to see Piazza San Marco and Doge’s Palace. The Rialto Bridge is also an iconic landmark in the city. You can point your camera in pretty much any direction and capture something beautiful. If you’re wondering how many days to stay in Venice, I recommend at least two. This would give you enough time to also check out the colorful Burano Island.
Increasing sea levels threaten this city and while it is a unique place to visit, it comes at a tremendous cost for Italy to maintain.
Related: Bucket List of Places in Europe
Venice is well located for exploring other areas in the north or Italy as well. Its regional and international airport makes it a great starting point. Consider heading from Venice to Lake Como for a beautiful road trip or train journey. Great stops on the way are Verona, Bergamo, and even Milan.
4. The towns of the Amalfi Coast
In this small area of Italy you’ll find Sorrento, Positano, and more. From Sorrento to Amalfi is only about 20 miles, but it’ll take you at least an hour because of the winding roads along the cliffs! Not far from here you’ll also find the island of Capri, recommended by Hannah (@hannahshohara) and Usav and Nti from Black Women Abroad (@black_women_abroad). With so many cool little towns and hidden gems, you may want to use an Amalfi map for offline travel and familiarize yourself with the area.
5. Alberobello
In southern Italy’s Puglia region you’ll find Alberobello, famous for its conical roofed, white stone homes called trulli. You can even rent one of these whimsical homes on AirBnb. These UNESCO World Heritage site structures create a fairytale-like atmosphere. The small town can be reached from Bari or Matera in about an hour. Be sure to try at least one of the 14 great things to do in Alberobello.
6. Naples
A city break to Naples is a great option as you can catch many nonstop international flights into Naples, bypassing Rome altogether. In Naples, you can explore monasteries and the underground network. Naples is also a common starting point for exploring the south of Italy.
Not far from the Amalfi Coast, you’ll find the larger city of Naples. If you are looking to see Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii, Naples makes for a good base to go out and venture from. Be sure to grab a Neapolitan pizza while you’re at it! If you’re a fan of the popular tv show The Sopranos, you could even check out the Naples filming locations.
Related: 10 Days in Italy
7. Cinque Terre
This coastal city of Liguria is famous for its cliffside colorful buildings descending down to a beautiful, rocky coast. This recommendation comes from Cynthia (@cynthiamedinas). She loved how easy it was to get between the little towns. Connected by footpaths, you can explore Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore without all the car traffic.
Top tip: Be sure to wear proper footwear when visiting Cinque Terre. There is tons of walking and rocky pathways. Picking the right thing to wear can make or break an experience.
8. Genoa
Not far from Cinque Terre and two hours by car to Lombardy’s capital Milan is the charming city of Genoa. This is another popular tourist city in Italy. Thanks to Waleed (@waleed_97) for this suggestion.
Genoa is a waterfront city in the northwest. It is Europe’s largest seaport, making it a place where industry meets medieval charm. The region of Liguria is home to a wide variety of pastas, including specialties in pesto.
9. Perugia
Located in the heart of the country, Perugia is built on a hill and is fortified by historic walls. This city shout out comes from Jon (@jonhamilt) who says the city has great Renaissance art and architecture, not to mention famous Baci chocolates! Perugia is a bit more of a hidden gem in Italy.
10. Matera
Next, Matera is a rocky, inland city in the south famous for its cave dwellings. Matera is one of the coolest cities in Italy and there are many things to do. It’s often cited as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The cave dwellings that attract tourists today were actually the homes of those suffering from severe poverty in the early 20th century.
11. Siena
Siena is one my favorite cities in Italy. It is the perfect size for a day trip. Like several other cities on this list, Siena is found nestled in the hills of Tuscany.
This recommendation comes from Ellen (@ellenmoens). She describes entering the city as like going back in time and as one of the few Italian cities where she felt a strong medieval vibe. Siena is a great spot for a day trip from Florance.
Related: One Day in Siena
12. Bari
Another beautiful city, Bari sits on the east side of Italy. The capital of Apulia, it’s a popular city as a first stop of a Puglia road trip along the Adriatic Sea. With that in mind, the best way to see Puglia is by renting a car. The region is known for its cultivation of olives, making them (and olive oil) a traditional part of local cuisine. You can learn more about the local fare on a tour in Bari.
13. Palermo
Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. There are many things to see and eat in Palermo. The city hosts a variety of markets to indulge your curiosities and engage all your senses.
Street food in Sicily is quite popular, earning it a spot in rankings of places with the best street food in the world. If you are including Sicily in your travels, you might also consider Catania at the base of Mt. Etna.
When choosing where to stay in Sicily, you might want to consider Taormina when looking for luxury (think White Lotus) or Cefalu if you’re with a young family.
14. Bolzano
Located in South Tyrol, Bolzano is a great choice if you’re looking to explore the Dolomites. Hannah (@hannahrae_baldwin) recommends visiting any part of this region. Full of charming small villages, the journey is complemented by green hillsides and sharp, rocky mountains rising into the sky. There are also many can’t miss lakes in the area. The region borders Austria and Switzerland and because of that, the landscape and architecture is quite different from what you find in other parts of Italy.
Many people head to Bolzano for hiking adventures. The Dolomites in the winter are great for skiing and exploring too. Bolzano makes a great base for lodging to then spend the day exploring further by car or bus before setting out on the trail. Be sure to check out the family friendly Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail and any of the other great self-guided hikes in the Dolomites.
One of the best relatively easy hikes with a gondola option is the Seceda Ridgeline, located about an hour away from Bolzano.
15. Pisa
Famous of course for the Leaning Tower, a tour of Tuscany usually includes a stop in this city. Sarah (@sarahltravels) says she found the best gelato of her life near the iconic landmark. Pisa is a popular destination in Italy for tourists and travelers. The tower is a must-see photo opportunity in Italy. Why does the tower lean? Find out more here.
16. Montepulciano
This recommendations comes from Alexia (@alexiabullu). If you love pasta and wine, this may be a great pick for you. Part of the Tuscany region, it is famous worldwide for its wine production and unique varieties of pasta.
17. Tropea
Tropea is a town built on the edge of a large cliff descending into topaz blue water. At the base of the breathtaking cliffs you’ll find sandy beaches. The town isn’t visited by nearly as many tourists as Rome or even the Amalfi Coast, making for a more relaxing experience as a traveler. Tropea is a great off the beaten path town in Italy.
18. Padua
Known for its Basilica of Saint Anthony, you can find Padua nearby Venice. Because Venice is such an expensive city, you could consider staying in Padua and making Venice a day trip if you’re on a budget. Padua is also home to one of Italy’s oldest universities and has a thriving cafe scene. This recommendation comes to us from Meghan (@lil_musicgeek13).
19. Turin
Also recommended by Meghan, Turin sits in northern Italy close to France. The city is known for its baroque architecture. Due to its proximity to the Alps, it also makes a great winter destination. Turin even hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Map of Featured Cities and Towns
Check out the map below to see where exactly each of these great Italian cities are! Every time I look deeper into exploring Italy I find more incredible places to see. Whatever you pick, I have no doubt you’ll have a wonderful time and drink a morning espresso for me.
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