Things to do and see in Italy

Italy is the most romantic country in Europe, with its Mediterranean essence as well as its unique gastronomy. It is all about colour, flavours, history, art and architecture. Rome is the soul of Italy, and stands out among all Italian cities as the city that best portrays its authentic personality. It is the country with the longest Mediterranean coastline and a destination that stands out from the rest of Europe as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Choosing what to see in Italy among its many destinations is no easy task. Therefore, here is a selection of the most interesting cities, the most charming villages and the most special landscapes to see in Italy, so that you can choose your favourites for your next trip.

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Top destinations to see in Italy

Rome

Rome, the capital of Italy, and by definition, the city of art, culture and architecture of the world. Nothing in this city goes unnoticed, everything has great historical and artistic importance. This city is like the largest open-air museum in the world. When you think of Rome, you think of the Colosseum, the city’s most representative image. The Colosseum in Rome is one of the seven mondern wonders of the world, and another must-see in Italy. Likewise, the Trevi Fountain, the most famous fountain in the world, and the Spanish Steps are some of the most important and magical locations in Rome that are a must-see in Italy.

On the other hand, Rome is home to the Vatican City. As the nucleus of the Catholic Church it attracts millions of people from all over the world. St. Peter’s Square is perhaps the most famous square in the world and also one of the most beautiful. Also the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s masterpiece, is one of the greatest treasures of the Vatican, and also of Rome. The Sistine Chapel is one of those places that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.

If you want to know more about what to see in the city of art, don’t miss our post: Things to see and do in Rome.

Florence, the capital of Tuscany in Italy

Florence, capital of Tuscany, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and another must-see destination in Italy. Moreover, Florence stands out for its impressive monuments and museums, as well as for the elegance that permeates its streets. The Piazza del Duomo is Florence’s most important landmark and is the historic centre of the city. It is home to the three most important religious buildings in the city, all with the same architecture and style; the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Battistero di San Giovanni and Giotto’s Campanile.

One of the icons of the city that you can’t miss, and also an essential things to see in Italy, is Michelangelo’s David. The David is located in the Accademia Gallery, and is another of Michelangelo’s masterpieces that make Italy one of the richest destinations in art and culture. The Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous bridges in the world, and is also the oldest stone bridge in Europe. The Ponte Vecchio is the symbol of the Romanticism that saturates Florence and is the most iconic sight of the city.

This city of unquestionable beauty offers a wealth of attractions that will make you want to return to rediscover it again and again. Find out what else you can see in Florence: Things to do in Florence.

Verona and Lake Garda

Verona, the most romantic city in the world which even inspired Shakespeare. Many people travel to Italy because it is the setting of the ultimate tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet. In addition to its romantic character, Verona stands out for its beauty, as one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. The Piazza Bra is the largest and most famous square in Verona, located in the historic centre, and is also home to some of the city’s most iconic buildings: the Arena, the communal walls, the Palace of the Great Guard, the Barbieri Palace, and the famous Liston. In addition, in Verona you will find Juliet’s House, where Shakespeare is believed to have set the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet. It belonged to the Veronese “Dal Capello” family.

If you go to Verona, complete your trip in a charming way at Lake Garda. This lake is the largest of the Italian lakes, and is surrounded by quaint villages worth visiting, such as Peschiera del Garda and Sirmione. Sirmione is known as the “Pearl of Garda” because of the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the harmony of its houses, streets and squares.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this northern Italian city and soak up its poetic atmosphere. You can also read our post: Things to do in Verona, to find out more.

Venice, one of the essential things to do in Italy

Venice is known worldwide for being the city of canals, but above all, for being the city of carnival. In Venice you can walk along its canals, browse its Venetian mask shops, stroll through its stately houses, and even enter its iconic palaces. Dominated by its picturesque canals, Venice is a unique place in the world that you can’t miss.

Piazza San Marco is located in the historic centre of Venice. St. Mark’s Square is the heart of Venice, and in it you will find the most iconic buildings of the city, such as St. Mark’s Basilica, the Basilica’s Bell Tower, the Doge’s Palace and the Torre dell’Orologio. Venice’s canals are the most representative feature of this unique city. The largest and most important of them all is the Grand Canal. On the other hand, the island of Murano, the closest island to Venice, has become a world reference for the production of handmade glass.

 To find out more about this intriguing city, check out: Things to do in Venice.

Milan and Lake Como

Milan, the capital of Italian and international fashion, is an essential stop if you go to northern Italy. It is a very easy and comfortable city to walk around. You can go by tram or on foot, but the most important thing is to get lost and then find yourself in its streets. The Duomo or Milan Cathedral is the most symbolic image of the city as well as one of the most typical spots. But the place is really worth visiting, both for its impressive facade and the whole area surrounding it, is Piazza del Duomo. A mandatory stop if you pass through Milan is the Navigli neighbourhood. Guarded by the Navigli River, this neighbourhood is the perfect place to watch the sunset in Milan and stroll through a quintessentially Italian atmosphere. It is also full of restaurants and bars where you can have a drink or dinner in an exceptional setting.

If you visit Milan it is also worth considering a trip to the surrounding area on one of the days of your trip. All the stops are spectacular, but Lago Di Como is our favourite. It is certainly a different and extraordinary environment where you can rest your mind and simply enjoy the views. To find out what else you can do in Milan, visit our post: Things to do in Milan Italy.

Bologna

This is one of the best-preserved historic cities, and is also home to the second largest medieval old town in Europe. It boasts some of the best food in Italy, and that’s more than enough reason to check it out. In addition to its Bolognese, Bologna’s most important square, Piazza Maggiore, is home to most of the city’s religious buildings and medieval palaces. It is home to the Palazzo Comunale, the Palazzo dei Bianchi, the Basilica di San Petronio, the Palazzo del Podestà, as well as the impressive Fountain of Neptune. Bologna is famous for its porticoes, there are in total approximately more than 40 km of porticoes running through the entire city. In the post: Things to do in Bologna, you can discover what to see in this Italian city as well as where to eat.

Island of Sicily

This Italian island is certainly one of the must-see destinations in Italy. It is the perfect combination of gastronomy, culture, nature and history surrounded by the Mediterranean. You should not miss the archaeological sites of Selinunte, Segesta and Agrigento, as well as the architectural gems of Palermo, Monreale, Syracuse and Catania. On the other hand, scenery lovers will enjoy the beauty of the volcano Etna and the neighbouring Aeolian Islands. Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is the ideal place to visit if you want to mix relaxation on the beach with the discovery of world-class archaeological sites.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Most charming places to see in Italy

Tuscany

Centrally located Tuscany is one of Italy’s best known and most highly rated tourist attractions. Although its capital is the beautiful Florence, the region of Tuscany has more towns and villages with great architectural value and unbeatable charm. Here we show you some of the most iconic destinations in Tuscany, whose landscapes are sure to impress you.

San Gimignano

This is an Italian hilltop town in Tuscany, southwest of Florence. It is certainly one of the best towns to see in Italy. The medieval walled town is perched on a hill overlooking the vast enchanting countryside of Tuscany. With narrow pedestrian streets, it is a place to discover on foot. It is like stepping back in time and is well worth the trip.

Pisa

The city of Galileo Galilei is one of the most interesting places in the vicinity of Florence. It is only 100 kilometres away, so transport between the two cities is quick and easy. You can’t miss the famous Tower of Pisa located in the beautiful Piazza del Duomo. But, don’t focus on seeing too many monuments, this is a city to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

Lucca

Lucca is one of the few Italian cities that has kept all the medieval splendour of its historic centre intact. It is known as “the city of 100 towers and 100 churches”, and is home to an infinite number of historical and artistic gems that are well worth a visit. It is another magical place that you will enjoy if you like art and photography.

Siena

Nestled in Tuscany, Siena is one of the best places in Italy. The historic centre of this medieval city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Start your visit in the Piazza del Campo, one of the most spectacular squares in Italy and home to the annual Palio di Siena, one of the most famous horse races in the world. Other places to visit in Siena are the Fonte Gaia, the Duomo of Siena as well as the museums of Santa Maria della Scala.

Pienza

All the essence of Tuscany is concentrated in this town and the surrounding area with its gently sloping hills and their zigzagging rows of cypress trees. Pienza grew out of the dream of Pope Piccolomini who in the 15th century undertook the task of turning a small hamlet into a model Renaissance town. All the streets lead to the main square where the marvellous Duomo emerges and in the surrounding area you can also buy and taste pecorino cheese. Don’t miss the view from the viewpoint with a spectacular panorama of the Val di Orcia.

Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre region is one of the most spectacular in the country. This group of villages perched on cliffs, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and full of colourful façades, create a picture-perfect sight in Italy. Don’t miss the charm of Vernazza, Corniglia, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore and Manarola.

Amalfi Coast

Amalfi is one of the most beautiful towns on the so-called Amalfi Coast, and the town that gives it its name. Slowly wandering around this area, enjoying colourful villages perched on incredible cliffs, is one of the best things to do in Italy. Amalfi Cathedral is an imposing 9th-century Sicilian Moorish building that’s well worth a visit. You should also wander through its streets to end up in the Valley of the Mills, a nature reserve that you can discover without even realising it. In addition, you can continue your journey through the coastal towns that make up the Amalfi Coast, such as:

• Sorrento: It is located on a cliff overlooking the bay and the island of Capri.
• Positano: This is a village that stands out for its colourful façades and for being the typical postcard of an Italian seaside village, offering a unique image of the Mediterranean.
• Nocelle: This little village is known for the Path of the Gods, which starts in Nocelle and goes all the way up to Positano.

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Where to eat in Italy?

Italy is one of the most gastronomically rich countries in Europe. Every city perfectly represents the traditions and character of Italy through its food. But Bologna in particular boasts the best cuisine in Italy. If you want to check it out, go and try it for yourself. Bolognese is a quintessential symbol of Italy and you will find it in almost any restaurant. However, at Gessetto Ristorante, and Mercato di Mezzo (the latter located in the Quadrilatero) the value for money is incredible.

Rome, as the Italian capital also offers a wide variety of traditional recipes, which will leave you speechless. Of course Rome is the city of pasta and pizza, but not just any pasta and pizza. The most classic and typical pastas of the city are pasta all’amatriciana, pasta a La Carbonara, and at Da Enzo al 29, and Alfredo e Ada, you will find all the flavours you can imagine and more. Coffee is another of the products associated with Italy and there is no better coffee than La Casa del Caffe Tazza d’Oro in Rome.

How to plan your route of things to do in Italy?

Planning a trip to Italy can be difficult due to the amount of places of interest that this country has to offer. At Passporter we want to help you get organised. You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the suggestions on the Passporter App. You can find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on things to see and do in Italy.

Finally, to find out how to plan your route you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

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