The Best Cities to Visit in Italy

Everyone talks about Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, and Italy’s beautiful lakes, but it’s also a country with amazing cities to explore. One of Europe’s most diverse countries landscape-wise, Italy has a little something for everyone. And in this guide, we’re bringing you fantastic cities to visit, so practice your Italian and read on to discover the best one in Italy.

Milan 👜

The global capital of fashion and design, Milan is a place that feels as good as it looks. You aren’t short of shopping options, with many designer boutiques lining the streets, including Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – a 19th-century arcade and Italy’s oldest shopping mall. When you’re not trying to become a fashion icon, visit historical landmarks such as Duomo di Milano or La Scala, one of the most famous opera houses in the world.

Florence 🎨

Florence is one of Europe’s great art cities, and it’s filled with frescoes, canvases and sculptures from greats such as Giotto, Botticelli and Michelangelo. So if there’s anywhere in this amazing country that you should go to soak up some culture, it’s most certainly Florence. Once you’ve finished with the museums and monuments, explore the rest of the city and browse the quirky shops, taste the local cuisine and get up, close and personal with the nightlife that goes on until the early hours of the morning.

Turin ⚽

Set on the border of the Alps, Turin is mainly known as the home of Italian football giants Juventus. However, it’s also an elegant city full of wealth and a combination of leafy boulevards, eye-catching palaces and lots of fine art collections. Why not rent a car and explore the city? After all, it is the home of Fiat. There’s also a lively music scene, cafe culture and delightful restaurants to discover in Turin.

Rome 🇻🇦

The city of all cities, Rome has just about everything you could ask for. Stunning architecture with some of the most famous landmarks in the world, authentic Italian charm (if you like being beeped every two seconds while driving your car), Vespas zipping around the city and great food. No trip to Rome is complete without visiting the Colosseum or the Vatican. But there’s more to explore here, whether it’s catacombs deep beneath the city, the Trevi Fountain or Campo Dei Fiori with its world-class food market.

Naples 🍕

Located in the southern part of the country, Naples offers an entirely different experience from most of Italy’s other cities. It’s almost like a country within a country and is a chaotic place full of buzz. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a trip to the famous ancient Roman city Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast isn’t far away if you hop on a boat. Back in Naples, explore local culture with art galleries and museums, try the famous pizzas and soak up the best of Italy.

Venice 🚣‍♀️

Venice is unlike anything you’ve seen before and is the place to go for a romantic getaway. The city was built over the water in the middle of a lagoon, and the result is the many canals that dominate the city and make for a great boat trip with your other half. At the heart of Venice is the Piazza San Marco, which features a majestic church, museums, palaces and local shops and restaurants.

Palermo 🌇

​​The capital of Sicily is full of charm and culture. Discover Byzantine mosaics and stunning Arab-influenced buildings that set the tone for the city. There are also Gothic and Renaissance structures that give Palermo an eclectic feel when it comes to architecture.

Pisa 🏛️

Famous for its leaning tower, Pisa is a must-visit for iconic landmarks. But there’s much more to this city in the Tuscany region of the country, such as world-class universities, lively cafe culture and plenty of food markets. So wander the streets with a gelato in hand and enjoy sunsets over the River Arno before driving 20 minutes to local beaches where you can soak up some sun during the warmer months.

Bologna 🍴

A trip to Bologna offers beautiful colonnades that weave perfectly around the city. There’s a great contrast here, from elegant and charming architecture to graffiti and street art that lights up local neighbourhoods. You can spend your time enjoying five-star dining before going to the opera one minute and then kick it in student bars and local cafes the next.

Verona ❤️

The home of Romeo & Juliet, Verona is another romantic gem in Italy. Wander the piazzas and cobbled streets while taking in the local atmosphere. The architecture is on point in Verona, whether it’s old palaces, churches or monuments. And it’s all set to the backdrop of the Adige River, which has many picturesque bridges for you to walk over.

The best cities in Italy

There are so many great cities to visit if you’re planning a trip to Italy, and any one of the places on our list offers a holiday to remember. So whether you’re becoming a fashion icon in Milan, kicking it with the Pope in Rome or riding around the canals of Venice, you’re sure to get an authentic Italian experience in the best cities in Italy.