The cities of Italy are on many travelers’ lists, and for good reason: they offer an attractive combination of landscapes, historical and ancient sites, museums and, of course, excellent cuisine. In addition, the main cities of Italy can be easily visited by train.
These are our picks for the top ten Italian cities, each with its own character and special appeal.
01
of 11
Rome
Roma (Rome) is the capital of Italy and most likely your first stop in the country. Rome offers a dazzling variety of sights and experiences. At every turn, you’ll discover ancient monuments, ornamental medieval and baroque churches, beautiful fountains, art-filled museums, and Renaissance palaces. The ancient Colosseum is one of the most iconic sites in the world, and modern Rome is a bustling and lively city, with excellent restaurants and nightlife. St. Peter’s Square and Vatican City are also easily visited in Rome. We recommend at least 3 days in Rome.
02
of 11
Venice
Unlike any other place in the world, Venice (Venezia) is a unique city built on water in the middle of a lagoon. Venice is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Italy, as well as one of the most popular for visitors to Italy. The heart of Venice is Piazza San Marco with its magnificent church, the Basilica of San Marco. There are numerous museums, palaces and churches to visit, and strolling along the canals of Venice and getting lost in its maze of narrow streets is always charming. Venice is located in northeastern Italy and was historically a bridge between East and West – its architecture retains a Byzantine feel that is actually found nowhere else in Italy.
03
of 11
Florence
Florence (Firenze) is one of the most important Renaissance architectural and artistic centers in Italy. Its Duomo and Baptistery are magnificent but full of tourists, as is its large square. Florence has several excellent museums with many famous paintings and sculptures, such as Michelangelo’s “David” and Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”. There are also Medici palaces and gardens. Florence is located in the Tuscany region and is the gateway to exploring Tuscany’s smaller towns and countryside.
04
of 11
Milan
Milan (Milano), one of the richest cities in Europe, is known for its elegant shops, galleries and restaurants and has a faster pace of life than most Italian cities. It also has a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Its Gothic Duomo, with its beautiful marble facade, is magnificent. Da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper is one of Milan’s top attractions and La Scala is one of the most famous operas in the world.
05
of 11
Naples
Naples (Napoli) is one of the most vibrant cities in Italy. It is located on the south coast of Rome and is the most important city in southern Italy. Naples retains much of its Baroque character and is a starting point for trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast. It has many historical and artistic treasures, and is famous for its pizzas and desserts!
06
of 11
Verona
Verona is known for the history of Romeo and Juliet and for its Roman Arena, the third largest in Italy and home to a first-rate opera festival. Verona has a good medieval center, Roman remains, an interesting castle complex, and many high-end shops. It is the fourth most visited city in Italy and it is worth stopping by on a train travel itinerary through Northern Italy.
07
of 11
Turin
Turin (Torino), in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, is an important cultural center with excellent museums, elegant shops, and good restaurants. There are also some very nice examples of Baroque architecture and historic palaces, famous cafes, artisan workshops and covered arcaded streets.
08
of 11
Bologna
Bologna is known for its beauty, wealth, gastronomy, and left-wing politics. Its flat streets are lined with arcades, making it a good city to walk in all kinds of weather. It has one of the oldest universities in Europe. a beautiful medieval center and several attractive squares, lined with buildings with porticoes. Bologna is the largest city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, and its Piazza Maggiore is one of the largest squares in Europe. Even among Italians, it is considered the culinary capital of the country.
09
of 11
Genoa
Genoa (Genova), in Liguria, on the northwestern coast of Italy, is the main seaport of Italy. Genoa has a fascinating modern aquarium, an interesting port area and a historic center that is considered the largest medieval quarter in Europe, with a large number of churches, palaces and museums.
10
of 11
Perugia
Perugia, in the central Umbria region of Italy, is a very cosmopolitan city and home to two universities. It hosts a world-famous jazz festival in the summer and its University for Foreigners is a great place to learn Italian. It is a walled city on top of a hill with great views over the valley and has several important monuments and a good central square. Its history dates back to the 9th century BC. C.
eleven
of 11
Smaller cities to visit in Italy
If you’ve seen the main sights in big cities in Italy or prefer to travel to smaller cities with fewer tourists, consider these recommendations for less-visited but interesting Italian cities.
Traveling by train in Italy
Travel between large cities is best done by train, as driving in Italian cities can be very difficult and the extensive Italian rail system is quite inexpensive. Most city centers are suitable for walking and parts of city centers are closed to cars without permission. Large Italian cities generally have good public transport as well.
