The 11 Best Cities to Visit in Italy
Our pick of the best Italian cities to help you book the ideal pasta-fuelled adventure
Tuirn’s Mole and cityscape at night | Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
From the snow-capped Alps to the islands within spitting distance of Tunisia, it’s safe to say Italy is an extremely diverse nation. The people of Taranto and the people of Turin could be from completely different countries altogether, and their differing dialects, dishes and views reinforce that. After all, Italy has only been ‘Italy’ for just over 150 years.
One thing that has emerged from this varying Mediterranean powerhouse is a spectrum of cities that offer something a little different every time. From the heaving, exciting and fashion-first galleries of Milan to the baroque palaces of Palermo, Italian cities come with their own unique quirks, cuisines and qualities.
We’ve pulled together our 11 ‘best’ Italian cities to add to your bucket list, a tough task when there are so many amazing metropolises on the boot. So your prosecco / negroni / aperol spritz and work your way through this feast of cities to visit in Italy.
1. Florence
The famous Duomo, Florence’s cathedral | kaskip / Shutterstock
When you hear the word ‘renaissance’ or go to a ‘renaissance fair’, you’ve pretty much got Florence to thank for all of that. There are few places in all of Europe and indeed the world that can say they had such a powerful impact on the course of humanity.
Start your day at the Officina Profumo–Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, an 800 year-old apothecary that still churns out traditional cures and remedies, alongside perfumes and fragrances.
Then it’s across the river and onto the Oltraarno quarter; the Via dei Serragli is souvenir heaven, with leatherworkers, picture frame restorers and purveyors of general trinkets still following the old ways.
After a hearty lunch (Florence’s speciality is paper-thin slices of prosciutto laid on top of thick bread), it’s time for the Florence staples. The Uffizi Gallery should be a little quieter post lunch, allowing you to take in the ‘Birth of Venus’, but make sure you leave time for the Galleria dell'Accademia and David, probably the world’s most famous statue.
Head to the Duomo at day’s end, not only to avoid the crowds, but to enjoy a more serene view of the city from the terracotta bell tower. Dinner waits for you at Trattoria Cammillo.
2. Venice
St. Mark’s Square, Venice | maziarz / Shutterstock
Venice is one of the world’s most unique cities, famously built on 118 islands in the middle of a lagoon and carved up by the canals that are still the star of the show. Wander the city on foot (there aren’t any roads, to speak of) and enjoy getting lost.
Somehow, you’ll always wind up back at Piazza San Marco, which isn’t a bad thing. Admire the intricate gold mosaic that is St. Mark’s Basilica and drop into the Doge’s Palace for an incredible insight into Venice’s critically important past.
If the gondolas and crowds become overwhelming, hop a Vaporetto (water taxi) over to Murano and Burano, smaller island famous for their colourful buildings and glass-making traditions (also colourful). Dorsoduro is also a great spot to find unique gifts to bring home.
Yes, it’s always busy, yes, it can smell a bit off in the hotter months and yes, it’s crumbling under the strain of tourism, but it’s worth the effort – just remember visit sustainably and leave a positive impact during your stay.
3. Milan
Milan’s Peace Arch | givaga / Shutterstock
Despite its heavy industries and corporate image, Milan is secretly Italy’s fun and cosmopolitan playground. It’s practically the home of global fashion. Names like Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Versace and Valentino originate in Milan, plus it’s home to the world’s first luxury shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Once you’ve snapped photos of the city famous gothic Duomo and of course Leonardo’s The Last Supper at the Santa Maria delle Grazie, head over to the Brera neighborhood for some people watching and an afternoon espresso in the sunshine.
Spend your evening in the Navigli canal district, where the cocktails flow at Mag Cafè. Just remember to dress to impress, it is Milan after all.
4. Rome
Rome has absolutely no shortage of heritage | Vlas Telino studio / Shutterstock
The obvious one, and for good reason. Who hasn’t heard of Rome? The Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon and dozens of other Roman sites still look as imposing and impressive as they did 2,000 years ago. Even the half-a-millennia old epic St Peter’s Basilica looks fresh next to these ancient masterpieces.
Each and every one of Rome’s key attractions requires a full day to truly understand and interpret them, so you’ll have difficult decisions to make. Just make sure you purchase the all-in-one ticket to see all of Rome’s essential Roman sights without paying more than you need to. Oh, and the Trevi fountain will only cost you a coin (thrown over your left shoulder as you face away from the fountain, for luck).
The Vatican City is super-impressive even from the outside, but you’ll want to book as far in advance as you can for the ultra-popular tours of both the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum, as well as entry to the Basilica itself.
Skip the usual tourist trail restaurants and head to Trastevere, where the locals dine. It’s all simple, honest and utterly delicious food you’ll be used to, washed down with gallons of red wine.
5. Naples
Naples’ historic centre is a messy mix of eras | Volodymyr Sobko / Shutterstock
Naples, but please call it Napoli from now on, is equally glorious, equally gritty.
Naples’ historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a spaghetti-mess of narrow alleys and Greek and Roman remnants. Expect underground catacombs, exposed mosaics, ancient churches and of course the preserved cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both easily reachable and both perfect half-day excursions. Enjoy views of Vesuvius on the way.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele or Sorbillo need to be on your ‘must see’ list, offering the best pizza (pizza is from Naples, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise).
Naples is also the gateway to some of Italy’s most famous destinations, with ferries linking the city to Capri, Ischia, Sorrento and links to the Amalfi Coast. However, dodge the tourists and go to little Procida instead. It’s 40 minutes away, is far prettier, and is where Neapolitans go for a break from the city.
6. Turin
Turin mixes alpine adventures with grand city life | saiko3p / Shutterstock
Where a city like Naples wears its heart on its sleeve and worries about the graffiti later, Turin is the sleek, sophisticated and slightly aristocratic city that’s closer to the Alps than the sunny shores of the Mediterranean.
Everything feels decidedly regal, from the pretty piazzas to the Belle Époque architecture. It was, after all, the capital city when Italy decided to unify and become a single kingdom, with the Royal Palace still standing and open to visitors.
Don’t forget a trip to the famous Mole Antonelliana, an epic monument turned museum of cinema, possibly the tallest museum on earth. And if you’re visiting during the season, and you’re lucky enough to land a ticket, make time to watch a Juventus match – the atmosphere alone is worth it.
The dining isn’t too shabby either. The town of Bra, not far from Turn, is famous as the home of the Slow Food movement, where local produce and traditional ways of cooking and serving food are favoured over globalised, standardised methods that don’t benefit the locals. Try bicerin, a crazy mix of coffee, chocolate and cream that cures Alpine chills (Caffè Al Bicerin is the best). However, the truffles, which Piedmont is famous for, are the ingredient that will stay with you long after you’ve left.
7. Verona
Verona’s incredible history eclipses the Juliet balcony | Simone Padovani / Shutterstock
Yep, Verone is the setting of Romeo and Juliet, and yes, you can visit the supposed balcony. But take a quick look and forget about it – there’s so much more to see. The Roman Arena in Piazza Bra is second only to the Colosseum, with incredible acoustic and epic scale to match. It still hosts concerts to this day.
The historic centre is also a pleasure just to stroll around. Ancient churches blend with neoclassical storefronts. Book a tour of Castelvecchio Museum and the adjoining Scaliger Bridge, home to superb sculptures and artworks including Crucifixion and Madonna with Child by Bellini.
Verona is also a great spot if you enjoy a drop of wine. The nearby Valpolicella region is famous for its powerful reds, so its super-easy to hop on a vineyard tour or even crack a locally-produced bottle at the Antica Bottega del Vino, a 16th enoteca home to some pretty serious bottles of the red stuff. Advance booking essential.
8. Genoa
Genoa is often overlook, but it offers plenty | Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
Poor old Genoa or Genova to its inhabitants often gets skimmed over, or talked about as a gateway to Portofino (also amazing, FYI), Camogli and San Fruttuoso. But Genoa still offers plenty of history and heritage, thanks in part to its one-time status as one of Europe’s maritime superpowers.
The old money shines through at the Palazzi dei Rolli, a network of palaces built on the back of the port city’s exploits and adventures across Renaissance Europe. The network is now UNESCO recognised and makes for brilliant walking tour, with many of the building housing exhibitions or open to the public.
Take time to explore the old town and get lost in the tangle of caruggi (a local name for a narrow alley). Look out for baroque churches leaning onto traditional bakeries selling warm focaccia, or bars barely wide enough for two pushing out glasses of wine to thirsty locals.
The old port has had a makeover, with the old building now housing the Genoa Aquarium and the maritime museum. Look out for the Vascello Neptune, a fantasy replica galley styled on vessels from the 1600s that was built for Roman Polanki’s film ‘Pirates’. You can hop on board for a few euros and finally live out those pirate fantasies.
9. Lecce
Expect ornate architecture in Lecce | Massimo Parisi / Shutterstock
This is Italy’s other Florence, and is indeed referred to as the ‘Florence of the South’. Elegant baroque sandstone buildings certainly feel Tuscan, as do the winding streets, but this city sits in the middle of Salento peninsula, about as far south as you can get. It feels a lot more mediterranean, reflected in its leaning to seafood, than inland Florence too.
The Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica di Santa Croce are both as elegant as they are excessive, and the epic Castle of Charles V, a gigantic citadel built by the eponymous King of the Holy Roman Empire in the 1500s.
The beauty of being close to the sea is that you can swap the bustling streets for the beach if the sun is shining. Hire a car or hop a bus to Punta Prosciutto and the whitewashed town of Ostuni, both stunning examples of just how gorgeous southern Italy can get.
10.Palermo
Piazza Pretoria | ecstk22 / Shutterstock
Although quintessentially Italian (vibrant, crumbling, chaotic in equal measure), Palermo easily feels like it could be in a different country altogether, as does much of Sicily. The island and city’s history show shades of this, with Arab domes, Byzantine mosaics and Norman cathedrals all crashing together with a sprinkling of Roman ruins and renaissance palaces by the bucketload. Cacophony is probably the right word, and it’s glorious.
Cappella Palatina is the spot to see them all in one place, a Norman cathedral that has been influenced by all of Palermo's conquerors and inhabitants.
If that’s too high-brow, rub shoulders with the loca at Ballarò and Vucciria markets. These two explode with life and color, offering everything from arancini and panelle to fresh swordfish and ricotta-filled cannoli, at maximum volume.
Teatro Massimo is another must-see on any Palermo tour, as is Zisa Castle with its intricate Moorish design, akin to something you’d see in Southern Spain.
Again, beach days are easily achievable with the gorgeous turquoise crescent of Mondello barely half an hour from the centre.
11. Bologna
Bologna’s porticoes are great for dodging both sun and rain | ecstk22 / Shutterstock
If all you’re interested in is gorging yourself on Italian food, forget everything else and head to ‘The Fat One’. Yes, Bologna calls itself La Grassa, and for good reason. You can barely move for towering plates of tagliatelle, huge tortellini and plateloads of mortadella. And for goodness sake, the Spaghetti Bolognese was invented you know where.
The centre of the city is part ancient, part medieval, with a clever system of covered porticoes keeping both sun and rain off heads as you hop between food stops.
The city is also home to one of the world’s oldest universities (an honour fought, often bitterly, against Fez, Morocco). The students pop up in hip Bolognina, full of street art and world foods. The Mercato delle Erbe is another cool hangout spot, with local produce stacked high on the tables.
And there’s no beating the Asinelli Tower for a view across the orange and gold city at sunset. In fact, there are dozens of medieval towers across the city, all either for fortification, or to simply show off who had the biggest…
Now you’re armed with this list of the best cities in Italy, it’s time to make your Italian dream trip happen! Don’t forget to grab our travel newsletter for even more tips and guides, or search for more Italy travel guides and resources.
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