Best places to visit in Italy!

Italy is right up there as one of my favourite countries in the world. The food is incredible, the weather is gorgeous and it’s got such a diverse range of cultures, landscapes, beaches, and card games!

There really is something for everyone in Italy, and although there’s so many places still on our list to visit there, we have been to a fair few places and have honestly loved every single one.

“HOWEVER, there’s always a favourite isn’t there?! ”

If you’re looking to head to Italy for the first time and are looking for some guidance on what places to hit up, then keep reading to see how we've have ranked each city/spot we have visited.

Please note that these places were covered over 4 different visits to Italy, and so head to our Italy Itineraries to see how we planned our routes!

1. Rome

Rome - much like Athens - just does something for me that I can’t quite explain. If you love city life, ancient architecture and fascinating history, you will love Rome.

The Colosseum and Vatican alone are mind-blowing, however throw in the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Vittorio Emanuele II Monument and WOW. What a city. It’s got so much to offer historically, however every meal I have eaten there has also been 10/10. Just like any capital city, it’s busy with tourists, but try visiting in the shoulder seasons [April/May & October/November] and you’ll find it’s a little quieter.

Ideally you will need to spend at least 4 days in Rome to cover the big hitters and also relax, as there is a lot to see. Check out Rome in further detail in OUR ROME city guide.

2. Bologna

Ah, Bologna. This was the most ‘modern’ place that I have been to in Italy so far, which could be due to the fact that it has a very large University and so it’s quite fast paced and ‘trendy’ - haha!

Now I know that traditional Italian coffee is not supposed to be specialty, but I love good coffee and Bologna is definitely the best place for Specialty Coffee on my list of places visited.

If you are looking for a city that is easy to walk around, has a good balance of things to see vs chill time, and that has great food and drink, then Bologna is the city for you! There are less ‘tourist’ things to see in Bologna, which means more time to eat and drink your way around! Being in Emilia Romagna they have some great local wines, and it’s also home to Mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano!

Bologna was a hidden gem for me - I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did and so if you are like me and were thinking of overlooking it - don’t!

Ideally you will need to spend at least 2-3 days in Bologna depending on the pace you like to travel at. Check out Bologna in further detail in our city guide.

3. Como

As I’m sure you’ve seen on Instragram - Como is absolutely stunning. The beautiful nearby towns of Bellagio, Menaggio and Tremezzo are enough to keep you in Como for at least 3 days!

It’s very compact and so is a great place to explore on foot or by boat if travelling to the surrounding towns. Despite being only an hour on the train from Milan, it’s so different and is almost like the Amalfi of the north!

To get Como at its best, visit outside of peak summer as it will be heaving with tourists. I visited in late October and although it was not boiling hot, it was so peaceful and tranquil!

Accommodation is a little more expensive than some other places in Italy, but a hotel room with a lake view is worth it!

Ideally you will need to spend at least 2-3 days in Como, and 4-5 days if you wish to stay at any of the surrounding towns for a couple of nights. Check out Como in further detail in our city guide.

4. Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is a must visit when in Italy with Amalfi, Positano, Ravello being home to some incredibly picturesque landscapes!

I would recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast separately, and really spend time visiting the 13 different towns that make the coast up!

As it's further south than Como/Bologna, it stays warmer for a little longer in the year, and so definitely avoid peak summer here as the small towns can only hold so many tourists at once!

I actually visited on a day trip from Naples, but cannot wait to spend a week here!

The Amalfi Coast is also home to Limoncello and Lemon Sorbet, so be sure to load up on both!

As the Amalfi Coast is a little tricky to get to, lots of people do hire a car and drive along the coastline which is a great option.

Check out the Amalfi Coast in further detail in our Naples city guide.

I would recommend spending 7 days here in order to see as many towns as you can, however I am proof that it’s possible to visit 4 towns in 1 day!

5. Naples

Naples was so surprising in all the right ways, and was probably the most unique out of all the places visited in Italy. The culture is fantastic and it is like one massive community! It’s hustle and bustle but not in the tourist sense, it’s just the locals and their energetic personalities!

Naples is also so close to the ancient city of Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento and not too far from the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base to explore the surrounding areas.

I also ate some of the best food and drink in Italy here in Naples - Napoli Pizzas, Pasta alla Genovese, and of course, Aperol Spritz [I even got one for €1!]

Having just left Rome, I was initially surprised at how different Naples was in comparison - it’s a lot more ‘gritty’. However, by the end I was completely sold and I cannot wait to go back!

Ideally you will need to spend 3-4 days in Naples in order to see the sights including Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. It’s also possible to do a day trip to Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast, however add on an extra day for this. Check out Naples in further detail in my city guide.

6. Venice

Venice gets a bad rap from lots of people, however it is super romantic and charming. The canals and winding alleys add to its beauty, and it’s the perfect place for a long weekend.

It’s easy to explore on foot and so you can cover off St Marks Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Grand Canal very easily.

Venice has lots of cute restaurants on the canals and the food is fantastic if you do your research before visiting. You do not want to get pressured into going into one of the many 5/10 restaurants that are inviting you in their door.

It’s cliche but a gondola ride has to be done, doesn’t it? Get a private one and sail along the canals and admire the stunning city.

Ideally you will need to spend 3 days in Venice, however all the tourist attractions can be knocked out in 1-2 days if you wish. Check out Venice in further detail in my city guide.

7. Florence

Florence is similar to Bologna in that it’s a hidden gem. Located very close to the Tuscan hills, you can absolutely combine a trip to some of the many wineries that are located in Tuscany! And let’s not forget about Florentine Steaks - OMG.

Florence is a city of history with Michaelangelo having a big impact, and of course the spectacular Piazza del Duomo that is so unique!

Florence itself didn’t have as much to offer as the cities above it, however if you used it as a base before heading off to Tuscany, it would be perfect!

It’s easily accessible from Bologna, Pisa, Rome and even Venice, making it a great place to stop off for a day or two during a longer trip.

Ideally you will need to spend 2-3 days in Florence in order to see the sights. Check out Florence in further detail in my city guide.

8. Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is always a high up on places to visit in Italy during Summer, and I can see why!

Italian for ‘five lands’, Cinque Terre has some beautiful towns that make up the rugged coastline along the Italian Riviera. It’s similar to the Amalfi Coast in the sense that you should spend time exploring each of the towns at your own pace, and relaxing at the gorgeous beaches!

You can get a train pass for easy travel around Cinque Terre, however getting there itself will require you to fly into Pisa [70km] or Florence [112 km]. I visited in July and it was very busy with tourists and was extremely hot, however a dip in the crystal clear ocean soon sorted that out.

There is not too much in the way of shops, restaurants etc as it is very remote, however with the colourful buildings stacked along the coastline and the beautiful ocean, it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s also worth noting that not all beaches are sand - there are some pebble beaches!

Ideally you will need to spend 3 days in Cinque in order to see all of the towns without being rushed, however I went for a day from Florence and covered Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare with time to spare! Check out Cinque Terre in further detail here!

9. Pisa

Despite ranking at number 9, Pisa is still a must visit! Who doesn’t want to go to the Leaning Tower of Pisa?! Pisa is a great stopping point when travelling from Florence, Bologna, Cinque Terre or Lucca! It’s compact enough that you can explore everywhere on foot, and despite it being known for the leaning tower, the rest of the city is also worth visiting.

Ideally you will need to spend 1 day in Pisa and this can even be without staying the night, if you have a long layover on a connecting train/flight.

Both times I have visited Pisa have been during layovers, and seeing the city is very manageable.

WE'VE PUT TOGETHER ALL OF OUR ITALIAN ITINERARIES, SO YOU CAN SEE AS MANY CITIES AS POSSIBLE IN ONE TRIP! CHECK OUT OUR ROUTES AND TRIPS HERE!