Travel

Best Places to Visit in Italy

By

Arvinda Dixit

A captivating country in Southern Europe, Italy, which offers amazing things to its visitors. It will enthrall you with its rich history, artistic heritage, romantic canals, and magnificent landscapes.

The place is a traveler’s dream which avails them of a perfect blend of ancient wonders and modern enticements like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and snow-capped peaks of the Alps and besides that, you are savoring a plate of pasta in a cozy trattoria. All this will make you fall in love with Italy’s unique charm.

Rome:

“Rome was not built in a day”, you all must have heard this saying. And it has been proved with its iconic history that spans over 2800 years followed by the famous and magnificent historical sites that capture the heart of everyone that sees them.

Best Places to Visit in Italy

The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps are some of the sites that are a testament to the power and influence of ancient Rome.

Several museums, art galleries, and churches along with numerous cafes and trattorias continue to draw millions of visitors each year. The city is built on seven hills namely Capitoline, Palatine, Aventine, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, and Caelian. With its rich heritage, it has something to offer to everyone.

Florence:

The capital of the Tuscany region and a city in Central Italy, Florence is one of the most populated cities. A place well known for flourishing trading and banking medieval commune, it was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Best Places to Visit in Italy

It is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, that includes the Duomo, the Bargello, and the Uffizi Gallery. The cuisine, festivals, and fashion of the city also spellbound the visitors.

If you are in love with shopping then the Ponte Vecchio bridge has something to offer to you. The bridge is lined up with numerous shops and is considered one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Venice:

Best Places to Visit in Italy

Venice is mainly known as a city built on water. It has canals instead of streets and gondolas instead of cars. The city of beauty, mystery, and romance is home to some of the most iconic and breathtaking landmarks in the world like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Along with this, the city is well-recognized for its culture and history and is a major center of trade and commerce for centuries. From history buffs to art lovers to foodies, you will get a lot to explore after you visit it. And it will for sure leave you breathless while you admire its beauty and stunning architecture. The Burano, a colorful island located near Venice will amaze you with its brightly colored houses.

The Amalfi Coast:

Best Places to Visit in Italy

A stretch of coastline in Southern Italy overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno, the city is prominent for its dramatic cliffs, beautiful beaches, and charming villages. If you are an adventurous person, then you have a lot to do on the Amalfi Coast such as hiking, swimming, boating, and visiting some towns.

It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site which makes it a popular tourist destination. There are numerous ways to get to the Amalfi Coast. The nearest airports are Naples International Airport and Salerno Airport.

Additionally, there are train and bus connections to the coast from Naples and Salerno. It is a famous and popular destination for honeymooners, couples, and families. Turquoise water and colorful fishing villages are the famous attractions of the place.

Sorrento:

Best Places to Visit in Italy

It is a town on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy, facing teh Bay of Naples, which is well known for its beautiful scenery, delicious food, and historic center. It is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways with several shops, restaurants and cafes lined along them.

Sorrento is also prominently known for its lemons. The town is home to many lemon groves, and lemon-flavored products, such as limoncello which are popular mementos.

If you are interested to visit the Sorrento then the best time to visit is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the crowd is less. It is a relatively expensive destination, so make sure you have an ample budget before you visit the place.

Sicily:

One of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy which is located in the south of the Italian mainland. The city is known for its rich history, beautiful scenery, and delicious food. It has some popular and famous destinations like

Best Places to Visit in Italy

Palermo: A vibrant city with a rich history is home to many historical landmarks like the Norman Palace, the Cathedral of Palermo, and the Cappella Palatina.

  • Agrigento: Popularly known as home to the Valley of the Temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The valley is home to seven well-preserved Greek temples, including the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Juno
  • Taormina: Taormina is a splendid town situated on a cliff overlooking the sea. The town is known for its beautiful views, its Greek theater, and its delicious food. Arancini, pasta alla Norma, and cannoli are the most popular Sicilian dishes.

If you are looking and wondering about a beautiful, historic, and delicious destination then Sicily is the one. The best time to visit Sicily is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild and there are few people implies fewer crowds.

Pompeii:

Pompeii city was earlier located in the Roman Empire but is now in Southern Italy. It was destroyed in 79 AD due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Best Places to Visit in Italy

The city got buried under a layer of ash and pumice, which preserved it for centuries. It is now regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its ruins give some fascinating glimpse into the life of a Roman town. You can get a look at the city’s art and culture with its frescoes and mosaics. Along with this, the streets of it are still lined with houses, shops, and temples.

You can visit many famous destinations in the city like:

  • The forum was a place where people would gather to shop, socialize, and conduct business.
  • The Amphitheatre is a place used for gladiatorial contests and other public events.

If you are a lover of history or archaeology, Pompeii is a must-see destination. You can relish yourself with many different activities in Pompeii that include walking tours, museum visits, and even cooking classes. It is a relatively affordable destination in comparison to other parts of Italy.

Cinque Terre:

Best Places to Visit in Italy

Cinque Terre is a place that is a string of five villages Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore along the Italian Riviera. They are located in the province of La Spezia, in the Liguria region of Italy.

The villages are known for their colorful houses, terraced vineyards, and enthralling views of the Mediterranean Sea. The villages are popular tourist destinations and are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you are looking for ways to visit the Cinque Terre Villages then you can fly to the nearest airport, which is Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport. From there, you can take a train or bus to the villages.

From there, you can walk, hike, or take the train. The train is a perfect way to see all of the villages, and it is also a scenic ride. You can do a lot of things in the villages like hiking the trails between the villages, visiting the beaches, or just wandering around and enjoying the scenery. It is a beautiful place for the foodie also.