In this guide, you’ll discover 25 beautiful places to visit in Italy, from Rome’s ancient wonders to the Cinque Terre’s coastal charm. See the highlights in 7 to 14 days or spend 3+ weeks to dive deeper into Italy’s extraordinary sights.
If you are planning your first trip to Italy, be prepared to fall in love with an extraordinary country. The food, the wine, the history, the art and architecture, the quaint, hillside towns in Tuscany, and the picturesque Dolomites…there is something here for everyone. The list of places to visit in Italy is long. So long, in fact, that it would take months to see all of them. Most people have just a week or two to explore this amazing country.
Italy holds a special place in our hearts. We have visited Italy six times over the past ten years, exploring Italy from top to bottom. With each trip, our love for this incredible country grows even deeper. This list highlights our favorite places to visit in Italy. It might seem extensive, but believe it or not, this is the narrowed-down version!
Here is a list of Italy’s best destinations, a good starting point for having the best holiday here. At the end of this guide, we list multiple itineraries in Italy, so you can link several of these places together into one very memorable trip.
Have fun picking out the places you want to visit!
October 2025 Update: Added information about when to visit and how to get around Italy, plus updated links to our guides.
Best Places to Visit in Italy
1. Rome
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 2 to 3 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €100 – 300/night
Rome. Just hearing the name conjures up some of the most famous landmarks in the world…the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican. The history here spans 28 centuries, making Rome one of the oldest inhabited cites in Europe (and one of the best places to visit in Italy).
This city is a wonderful blend of historical sites, charming piazzas and neighborhoods, world-class museums, and iconic sites. For the first-time visitor, Rome belongs at or near the top of your list. It’s a big, bustling city but the main sites are clustered around the historic city center.
The view of Rome from the Altar of the Fatherland
Piazza Navona
Top Experiences: The Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and the Borghese Museum. Walk through the historic heart of Rome, explore Piazza Navona and Campo de’Fiori, and have dinner in Trastevere.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Rent bikes and bike the Appian Way. It’s a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon, and it’s the perfect sightseeing break for kids. This was Tyler and Kara’s favorite thing to do in Rome (they were 9 and 11 at the time).
How Much Time Should You Spend in Rome? You can hit the main sites in a rushed one-day tour of the city. With two days in Rome you can visit the highlights, what we list above under top experiences. With even more time, you can explore Rome’s nooks and crannies, take a food tour, and venture off-the-beaten-path.
Rome Travel Guides
2. Florence
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 2 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center, near the Duomo
💶 Budget: €100 – 300/night
Without a doubt, Florence (Firenze) is one of the best places to visit in Italy.
This city was the birthplace of the Renaissance and the art museums here are a testament to that. Michelangelo’s David, the amazing Uffizi Gallery, the frescoes on the dome of the Duomo, and the statues that are on display in the historic city center are spectacular sights to see. But there are enough towers to climb, gelato to eat, and shops to visit that you don’t have to feel like you are on museum overload on a visit to Florence.
Florence
Top Experiences: See Michelangelo’s David, climb the Duomo, tour the Uffizi Gallery, stroll across Ponte Vecchio, eat lots of gelato, visit the rooftop bars and restaurants, and watch the sunset over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Hidden Gems in Florence: The Vasari Corridor, the amazing views from the Bardini Gardens and San Miniato al Monte, and the Brancacci Chapel.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Florence can feel like museum overload for kids. In between museum visits, climb the towers and treat them to gelato. Tyler and Kara loved seeing Michelangelo’s David, climbing the Duomo, and walking through Boboli Gardens. They also enjoyed the Galileo Museum.
How Much Time Do You Need in Florence? With one day in Florence, you have just enough time to see the main attractions. However, however, two to three days allows you to slow down and visit some worthwhile off-the-beaten-path spots. Florence also makes a great home base for day trips into Tuscany.
Florence Travel Guides
3. Tuscany
🗓️ Best Time: May, June, September
⏱️ How Long: 2 to 5 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Florence, Siena, a hill town, or a villa
💶 Budget: €100 – 250/night
With scenic, picturesque hillside towns rising up amidst vineyards and rolling hills, Tuscany is gorgeous and a joy to explore. You could easily spend one week in Tuscany, settling down in a Tuscan villa, with day trips out to the surrounding towns.
San Gimignano
Top Experiences: Tour the hill towns of Tuscany. Siena (mentioned next) is one of the larger towns and, like Florence, makes a great home base for exploring this region. Top hill towns include San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Volterra.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Tuscany is a nice break from Italy’s bigger cities. It’s possible to rent bikes and take a cycling tour of the wineries. The kids can’t taste the wine, of course, but they might enjoy biking between the wineries, depending on their age. We did this with Tyler and Kara in other wine regions in the world and they really enjoyed it.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Tuscany? With one day you can day trip into Tuscany from Florence, visiting a few of the smaller towns. But more time, ideally three to five days, allows you to relax and soak up this region. Stay in Siena or one of the smaller hill towns and explore Tuscany and its wineries. Learn how to plan your visit with our Tuscany Itinerary Planning Guide, with suggestions for just a few days to a full week.
Tuscany Travel Guides
4. Siena
🗓️ Best Time: May, June, September
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 2 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center, near Il Campo
💶 Budget: €100 – 250/night
Technically, Siena is a hill town in Tuscany. But it is such a great place to visit that it deserves its own mention. Siena is similar to Florence, but quieter and smaller. We actually liked Siena more than Florence. There’s just something about this town that we fell in love with. You may fall in love with it too.
Siena
Top Experiences: Wander the cobblestoned streets, overlook Siena from Torre del Mangia, visit the Siena Cathedral, and spend time in Il Campo.
Our Favorite Things to Do in Siena: We love walking the scenic streets, shopping, and even though it’s touristy, sitting in Il Campo and enjoying an aperitif. The view from Torre del Mangia is amazing. We’ve visited several times and use Siena as a home base for exploring the nearby hill towns in Tuscany (San Gimignano, Volterra, and Monteriggioni).
How Long Do You Need in Siena? It’s easy to visit Siena as a day trip from Florence or Tuscany. One day in Siena is the perfect amount of time to see the main sights plus sit down to dinner.
Siena Travel Guides
5. Cinque Terre
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, September
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 2 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Any of the five towns
💶 Budget: €150 – 250/night
The Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most scenic spots. It is here that five colorful, gorgeous towns precariously sit on the hills that tumble into the Mediterranean Sea.
Hike it or hop from town to town by train…this is a gorgeous spot to explore in Italy.
Riomaggiore
Top Experiences: Exploring the five towns…Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, and Corniglia. If you like hiking, you can hike between all five towns in one day. The more you hike the more gelato you get to eat. 😉 End in Monterosso and cool off with a quick swim in the Mediterranean.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Hiking from town to town can be fun for older kids. Spend some time at one of the beaches. Our top pick is Monterosso al Mare. Rent a paddleboat with a slide…hours of fun for kids and the adults get to enjoy beautiful views along the coastline.
How Long Should You Spend in the Cinque Terre? It is possible to visit the Cinque Terre on a long day trip from Florence. However, for the best experience, plan on spending at least one night (two or three nights is ideal) in one of the five towns. With one full day, hike or take the train to connect all five towns. With more time, relax on one of the beaches or day trip to Portofino.
Cinque Terre Travel Guides
6. Pisa
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, June, September, October
⏱️ How Long: A few hours to 1 day
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €150 – 250/night
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is world famous. But is it really worth the visit? We say yes, but only if you already have plans to be in the area. Pisa is worth a quick stop if you are traveling from Florence to the Cinque Terre. Take two hours to pose for photos (along with tons of other travelers) and maybe even climb the tower.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Top Experiences: Climb the tower if heights and vertigo is not an issue for you.
How Long Do You Need in Pisa? You can visit Pisa in two hours if you are traveling between cities such as Florence and the Cinque Terre.
Leaning Tower of Pisa: Things to Do & How to Plan Your Day Trip
How to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa when traveling between Florence and the Cinque Terre.7. Milan
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, June, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 2 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €150 – 300/night
Milan is home to the Duomo, world-class museums, trendy shopping areas, and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper.” This city is undergoing an architectural Renaissance and it is worth even a few hours on the fastest of itineraries.
Duomo in Milan
Top Experiences: Walk on the roof of the Duomo, see Da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” go shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Climb to the roof of the Duomo for a bird’s eye view over the city.
What We Did: We visited Milan when traveling by train from the Cinque Terre to Venice. We had about 6 hours in the city, which was plenty of time to see the “Last Supper” and visit the Duomo. We cover how to do this in our Milan Day Trip guide.
How Long Do You Need in Milan? One day or more. Milan makes a nice day trip if you are traveling between cities such as Florence, Venice, Lake Como, and the Cinque Terre. From Milan, you can easily day trip to Lake Como.
8. Lake Como
🗓️ Best Time: May, June, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 2 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Como, Bellagio or Varenna
💶 Budget: €150 – 300/night
Nestled at the foot of the Alps, Lake Como is one of Italy’s most romantic spots. Leave the hustle and bustle of Italy’s cities behind on a visit here.
Bellagio
Bellagio and Lake Como
Top Experiences: Visit classy Bellagio, explore the town of Varenna, cruise past the villas on Lake Como, and visit Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello
What We Did: We visited Lake Como on a day trip from Lugano, Switzerland. One day was just enough time to visit Bellagio and Varenna, plus take a boat tour of the villas.
If We Did It Again: I would love to spend a night in Bellagio. This is a beautiful town with some great restaurants and hotels.
How Much Time Do You Need in Lake Como? Lake Como is a very easy day trip from Milan. With more time, spend the night in Bellagio and have fun wandering the picturesque streets once all the day trippers leave for the day.
Lake Como Travel Guides
9. Aosta Valley (Valle d’Aosta)
🗓️ Best Time: June, July, August, September
⏱️ How Long: 2 to 5 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Aosta or Courmayeur
💶 Budget: €150 – 275/night
Tucked away in the northwest corner of Italy is a fantastic landscape of snowcapped mountains, quaint towns, and even a few castles. The Alps run through this section of Italy, and sitting on the border of France and Switzerland are two very famous mountains, Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
Our time in this area has been limited so far. We drove through the Aosta Valley and what a gorgeous drive!
One of the most unique things to do is to ride the Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car that runs from Pointe Hellbronner, Italy to Aiguille du Midi, France. This is a 5 km one-way journey that is filled with views of glaciers and incredible views of the Alps.
The Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car
Aosta Valley | shutterstock.com/leoks
Top Experiences: Tour the castles in Aosta Valley, ride the Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car, and go hiking in Gran Paradiso National Park. This is also a top skiing destination in Italy in the winter months.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Aosta Valley is a great place to take older kids, with its hiking trails, castles to explore, and the unforgettable views from the Panoramic Mont-Blanc cable car and the chance to see Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps.
How Much Time Do You Need in the Aosta Valley? You will need at least 4 or 5 days if you want to visit a few castles and go hiking in Gran Paradiso National Park.
10. Venice
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, June, September
⏱️ How Long: 2 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: San Marco, San Polo, Dorsoduro
💶 Budget: €175 – 300/night
Venice is one of our favorite spots in Italy. Why? It is small and compact, perfect to be explored with just a few days time. Venice is romantic, historic, and gorgeous. The canals, the gondolas, the architecture, the colorful towns of Murano and Burano…what is not to love?
Venice is one of the best places to visit in Italy and makes it to the top of the list for many first-time visitors.
Venice
Top Experiences: Wander along the canals, take a gondola ride through the city, see St. Mark’s Square, walk across the Rialto Bridge, and visit the Doges’ Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Tyler and Kara loved the gondola ride. We also really enjoyed renting bikes and cycling around Lido island.
Hidden Gems We Love in Venice: The view from Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Riding the vaporetto is the best bargain in Venice and a must for photographers.
How Long Should You Spend in Venice? Plan on spending at least one busy day to see the highlights of Venice. Two days in Venice gives you more time to visit Murano, Burano, and Lido and to explore the quieter neighborhoods away from the main touristic area.
Venice Travel Guides
11. The Dolomites
🗓️ Best Time: Summer for hiking, winter for skiing
⏱️ How Long: 2 to 7 days (or even more if you really like hiking)
🛏️ Where to Stay: Cortina d’Ampezzo or Val Gardena
💶 Budget: €150 – 300/night
The Dolomites were once an overlooked spot for travelers to Italy but have been incredibly popular in recent years.
This is our favorite place to visit in Italy. The hiking is some of the best on the planet, the scenery is stunning, and the mountain towns are packed with charm. If you are a hiker, the Dolomites are not to be missed
You do not need to be a hiker to appreciate the Dolomites, as you can see in our guide to the Best Things to Do in the Dolomites. But if you are a hiker, the Dolomites are world-class. Expect to see some jaw-dropping scenery here.
Top Experiences: There are hikes in the Dolomites for all ages and ability levels. In the winter, the Dolomites are a world-class skiing destination.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Depending on the age of your kids, take your pick from short to long hikes. The Cinque Torri is one of the easier hikes in the region. The hike from Lagazuoi to the Falzarego Pass is mostly downhill, since a cable car whisks you up to the highest point, so this is also great for kids over the age of five (and the views are incredible!). And Tre Cime di Lavaredo, with its iconic views, is great for kids 8 or older.
How Long Should You Spend in the Dolomites? Two to three days for scenic drives, rides up in the cable cars, and enough time for some hiking. If you enjoy mountain scenery and want to experience Italy with a dash of Austria, you could easily spend a week here. We spent a total of 12 days in the Dolomites so far and cannot wait to go back. This is our favorite spot in Italy. Check out our Dolomites Itinerary for ideas on how to plan your time.
12. Lake Garda
🗓️ Best Time: May, June, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 3 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Sirmione or Riva del Garda
💶 Budget: €150 – 300/night
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. With brightly colored towns, castles and Roman ruins, beaches and vineyards, amusement parks and historical sites, there is plenty here to keep you busy for days.
Lake Garda is located in northern Italy, in between Milan and Venice, and a very short drive from lovely Verona.
Explore the small towns that sit along the lake, go hiking, take a boat tour, visit a few castles, and ride the cable car to Monte Baldo for spectacular views of the area.
Lake Garda
Top Experiences: Visit Sirmione, explore Scaligero Castle, take a boat trip to Isola del Garda, spend the afternoon in Riva del Garda, and visit the lakeside towns of Malcesine and Limone sul Garda.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Take your kids to Scaligero Castle in Sirmione, ride the cable car to Monte Baldo, travel by boat across the lake, and sitting beside Lake Garda is Gardaland Theme Park.
How Much Time Do You Need in Lake Garda? If you want to thoroughly explore Lake Garda, plan on spending three days here. It’s a large lake with a lot to do so if you want to see all of it, it will take a few days of your time. Check out our Lake Garda Itinerary for suggestions on how to plan your time.
Lake Garda Travel Guides
13. Verona
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, June, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 1 day
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €150 – 300/night
Verona is the famed city where Romeo and Juliette took place.
This small city is gorgeous, similar to Venice but without the canals, the decay, and the huge numbers of tourists. It is also an underrated Italian destination and is worth the visit, even if you just have a few hours.
I have a hunch that if you include Verona in your travel plans, you will be thrilled you did so.
Verona
Top Experiences: Walk across Ponte Scaligero, visit Piazza delle Erbe, visit the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, overlook Verona from Piazzale Castel San Pietro, and stroll through the town in the evening (the passieggiata). The busiest spot is Juliette’s house, but it’s a must see.
Best View of the City: Climb to the top of Torre dei Lamberti for one of the best views of the city.
How Much Time Do You Need in Verona? It’s possible to visit the highlights of Verona in just a few hours. However, for the best experience, spend one night here and stroll the city streets at night after the day trippers leave.
12 Best Things to Do in Verona, Italy
Best things to do in Verona, plus tips to help you plan your visit.14. Emilia-Romagna & Bologna
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, June, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 3 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Bologna
💶 Budget: €150 – 300/night
Emilia-Romagna is one of the 20 administrative regions of Italy. It is located in northeast Italy and it is one of the wealthiest regions in Europe. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati are all located here.
But you can find much more here than luxury cars. Visit the popular coastal resorts that line the Adriatic Sea, explore the eleven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visit the former Roman Empire capital city of Ravenna, and visit the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world. Emilia Romagna is also home to Ironman Italy, a full distance triathlon.
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia Romagna and it is world renowned for its cuisine. This is where Bolognese sauce originated. Other local specialties include mortadella, the original Bologna sausage, as well as lasagna, tortellini, and tagliatelle. If you are a foodie, Bologna is one of the best places to visit in Italy.
In 2018, Lonely Planet listed Emilia Romagna as the best place to visit in Europe.
Castelcanafurone | leoks/shutterstock.com
Bologna
Top Experiences: Eat all of the food in Bologna, visit the coastal resorts, visit Ravenna, take a food tour in Parma.
Bologna: It wasn’t until one of our most recent trips to Italy that we finally visited Bologna, and it beat all of our expectations. Taking a cooking class or food tour tops the list of things to do in Bologna, and it is a beautiful city to explore on foot.
How Much Time Do You Need in Emilia Romagna? It really depends on your interests. One to two days in Bologna is enough time visit this city and take a food tour. With more time, relax on the beaches at one of the coastal resorts. To thoroughly explore this region, you need 5 to 7 days.
Bologna Travel Guides
15. The Amalfi Coast
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 2 days to one week
🛏️ Where to Stay: Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi
💶 Budget: €200 – 300/night
The drive along the Amalfi Coast is said to be one of the most scenic drives in the world. And with its colorful sunsets, romantic coastal towns, beautiful beaches, and restaurants with a view, this is one of Italy’s most popular destinations. It’s also one of the best places in Italy for a honeymoon.
Positano
Top Experiences: Visit the towns on the Amalfi Coast such as Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Take a boat tour along the coast, go shopping, hike the Path of the Gods, dine with a view of the sunset, relax on the beach, and go wine tasting on the Amalfi Coast Wine Road.
How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast: Driving can be challenging, with narrow twisting roads and restrictions in the summer months. Taking a ferry is one of the best ways to get around, followed by taking the bus (but expect delays) and private driver (convenient but expensive).
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Rent kayaks in Positano. Kids will love this and the views of the town are amazing from the water.
How Long Should You Spend on the Amalfi Coast? You can drive the entire Amalfi Coast in one day. However, if you enjoy coastal towns, several nights in Positano would be a great experience. Learn how to plan your visit with our Amalfi Coast Itinerary.
Amalfi Coast Travel Guides
16. The Island of Capri
🗓️ Best Time: May through October
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 3 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Capri or Anacapri
💶 Budget: €200 – 300/night
Capri is a small, mountainous island that sits off of the coast of Italy. To get here, hire a boat in Sorrento. You can visit Capri as a day trip or linger several days (or longer if your heart desires).
Capri
Via Krupp, Capri
Top Experiences: Take a boat ride around the circumference of the entire island, visit the Blue Grotto, or take the chairlift up to Monte Solaro for views like this photo.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Tyler and Kara loved the Blue Grotto and the chairlift on Mount Solaro.
How Long Do You Need in Capri? A visit to Capri can easily be done as a day trip from Sorrento. Stay overnight or longer to really get to know the island. Learn more in our article One Day in Capri.
Capri Travel Guides
17. Sorrento
🗓️ Best Time: May through October
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 5 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €150 – 250/night
Sorrento is a great home base for exploring the island of Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and the historic ruins of Pompeii.
Sorrento
Top Experiences: Stroll along the Corso Italia, explore the lagoon at Bagni della Regina Giovanna, taste Limoncello, and see Marina Grande.
How Much Time Do You Need in Sorrento? Seeing the main sights in Sorrento only takes about half of a day. But since this makes such a great home base, we recommend at least three days in Sorrento. That gives you enough time to day trip to Capri, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast.
Sorrento Travel Guides
18. Pompeii
🗓️ Best Time: April through October
⏱️ How Long: A few hours
🛏️ Where to Stay: Naples, Sorrento, or Rome
At the foot of Mt. Vesuvius sits the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii. This is your chance to walk through a preserved, ancient city and get one of Italy’s best history lessons.
Pompeii
Top Experiences: You can explore Pompeii on your own. But for the best experience, consider hiring a guide or joining a tour to get the most out of your visit.
How Much Time Do You Need in Pompeii? Two hours is the average amount of time spent in Pompeii. You can visit Pompeii on a day trip from Rome, from Naples, or from Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. For the ultimate experience, consider adding on the hike up to the summit of Mt. Vesuvius.
19. Sicily
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, June, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 7 to 14 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Multiple cities (Palermo & Catania are popular)
💶 Budget: €125 – 250/night
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. It is home to Mount Etna, the second most active volcano in the world, along with several smaller active volcanoes. It is also home to ancient Greek and Roman ruins, gorgeous beaches, picturesque towns, and hundreds of castles.
Come for the beaches, the culture, the ancient historical sites, the cuisine, and the beautiful cities and towns.
Ancient Theater in Taormina
Valley of the Temples
Cefalù
Top Experiences: Visit the Greek Theatre of Taormina, climb Mount Etna, visit the Aeolian Islands, see Temple of Concordia at the Valley of the Temples, visit Palermo, the capital of Sicily, and relax on the beaches.
Our Trip to Sicily: It wasn’t until our most recent trip to Italy that we finally made it to Sicily. Tim and I spent over 2 weeks road tripping around the island, and for us, the highlights were hiking on Mount Etna, tasting wines in the Etna wine region, spending a few nights in lovely Taormina, exploring the Greek temples, and seeing the Monreale cathedral.
How Much Time Do You Need in Sicily? You need at least one week to visit Sicily and with this limited amount of time, you will only be able to see on portion of the island. Ideally, plan on spending 10 to 14 days in Sicily. Two weeks is the minimum amount of time to drive an entire loop around the island, and we cover how to do this in our Two Week Sicily Itinerary.
Sicily Travel Guides
20. Sardinia
🗓️ Best Time: May through October
⏱️ How Long: 7 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Cagliari, Alghero
💶 Budget: €150 – 275/night
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It sits just to the south of Corsica and to the north of Tunisia.
This rugged island is home to long, sandy beaches, prehistoric sites, and colorful coastal towns. The mountainous interior of the island is a hiking paradise, where you can visit one of the deepest gorges in Europe and the highest sand dunes in Europe.
If you are looking for a destination that combines beautiful beaches, historical sites, and outdoor adventures, Sardinia is one of the best places in Italy to put on your bucket list.
mitchFOTO/shutterstock.com
Top Experiences: Costa Smeralda (the Emerald Coast); Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia; visit Su Nuraghe of Barumini, an archaeological site that dates back to 1900 to 730 BCE; relax on the beaches; cruise around the island.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: The beautiful beaches will keep young kids happy. There are lots of options for adventurous and older kids. Go stand up paddle boarding, rock climbing, hike to Gorropu Canyon, one of the deepest gorges in Europe, and Sardinia is a great place to go kite surfing and windsurfing.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Sardinia? With two to three days you can visit the highlights. More time lets you lounge longer on the beautiful beaches, go hiking, or spend more time at the historical sites.
21. Matera
🗓️ Best Time: May, June, September
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 3 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €100 – 250/night
Matera is one of the most photogenic cities in Italy, with its cave dwellings, stone buildings, and churches perched along the rolling hillsides. It is located in southern Italy, in Basilicata.
This is one of our favorite cities in Italy. It’s a beautiful place day and night, the food is fantastic, there is a wonderful mix of historical sites and unique walking trails, and it’s not quite as crowded as other places in Italy (not yet).
Strolling the picturesque streets, sleeping in a cave hotel, trying traditional foods, and getting a history lesson top the list of the best things to do in Matera.
Matera
Top Experiences: Sleep in a cave, stroll the streets of the old town, visit Murgia Materana Park, visit the Rock Church, take photos from the viewpoints throughout town, watch the sunset, and dine in Matera’s fantastic restaurants.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Kids will love hiking across the ravine to Murgia Materana Park and exploring the caves. They can also venture underground into the largest cistern in the city and learn what it was like to live in a cave, at one of many small cave houses throughout town.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Matera? Plan on spending at least one day in Matera. This will give you enough time to stroll through town, visit a few of the top sights, including the cave churches and grottoes, explore Murgia Materana Park, and have lunch and dinner in town.
Matera Travel Guides
22. Castelmezzano
🗓️ Best Time: May, June, September
⏱️ How Long: 1 day
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €100 – 250/night
Castelmezzano is a small, colorful, hilltop town in Basilicata, Italy. It has been called one of the prettiest villages in Italy and we have to agree. The town’s hilltop setting and backdrop of Dolomite spires make this one of the most unique towns to visit in Italy.
What makes it even more exciting is that you can zipline from Castelmezzano to the nearby town of Pietrapertosa. It’s one of southern Italy’s most thrilling experiences.
Castelmezzano
Top Experiences: Zipline from Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa on Volo dell’Angelo (the Angel’s Flight), stroll the picturesque streets, and do the Gradinata Normanna via ferrata
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Older kids will love the Volo dell’Angelo zipline, but the youngest age is 12 years
How Much Time Do You Need in Castelmezzano? For the best experience, plan on spending one day here, which gives you enough time for the zipline and to explore both Castelmezzano and the neighboring town of Pietrapertosa.
23. Puglia
🗓️ Best Time: April, May, June, September
⏱️ How Long: 5 to 10 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: Bari, Vieste, Alberobello, Lecce
💶 Budget: €100 – 250/night
Puglia, also called Apulia, geographically is the “heel” of Italy. Its long coastline sits on the Adriatic Sea. Bari is the largest city in the region and from here you can take a ferry across the Adriatic Sea to the Balkan Peninsula.
Alberobello, with its white-washed conical huts, is one of the most popular towns to visit in Puglia. But you can also visit colorful coastal towns, national parks, and stunning coastal cliffs.
Alberobello
Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare
Top Experiences: See the trulli houses in Alberobello, go swimming or take a boat tour of the coastal cliffs at Torre Sant’Andrea, visit Polignano a Mare, and visit Gargano National Park.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Spend a day or two at Gargano National Park. Visit the small towns, relax on the beach, or take a boat trip to see the rocky coastal cliffs and sea caves.
How Much Time Do You Need in Puglia? With one day, you can visit the town of Alberobello. You will need three days, or longer, to visit the highlights along the coast and Gargano National Park.
Puglia Travel Guides
24. Assisi
🗓️ Best Time: May, June, September
⏱️ How Long: 1 to 2 days
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €125 – 250/night
Located in Umbria, sitting on the slopes of Monte Subasio, is the beautiful city of Assisi. This city, which is the birthplace of St. Francis, is filled with spiritual treasures and works of art.
Assisi is a delight to explore. In some ways, Assisi resembles the hill towns of Tuscany, with stone buildings, narrow cobblestoned streets, and wide piazzas.
Many of the buildings are constructed with the local limestone, giving the city an almost white appearance from afar. In the evening, this city sparkles, as the light from the street lamps reflect off of the light colored stone buildings.
Strolling the streets and exploring the narrow, flower-lined alleyways was one of our favorite things to do in Assisi, but we also loved learning about the history of the town and the life of St. Francis. And Assisi is filled with some of the most beautiful churches we have seen in Italy.
Assisi
Top Experiences: Visit the St. Francis Basilica, enjoy the view from Rocca Maggiore, stroll through the historic city center, visit the Basilica of Santa Chiara and Chiesa di Santo Stefano, and tour the Carceri Hermitage.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Walk up to Rocca Maggiore for views over Assisi and kids will love climbing to the top of Torre del Popolo for a bird’s eye view of the city.
How Much Time Do You Need in Assisi? For the best experience, plan on spending one day in Assisi. This gives you enough time to visit all of the sights in the historic city center, stroll the streets, and have lunch and maybe even dinner. Those with an interest in St. Francis can spend the second half of the day visiting the religious sites that sit just outside of the city center.
Assisi Travel Guides
25. San Marino
🗓️ Best Time: May, June, September, October
⏱️ How Long: 1 day
🛏️ Where to Stay: City center
💶 Budget: €125 – 250/night
San Marino is a tiny, independent nation completely surrounded by Italy. It has a spectacular location, nestled in the mountains near the Adriatic Sea. The capital city, also called San Marino, is a maze of hilly, medieval streets, dotted with cafes and small shops. From the guard towers and the piazzas, the views over the surrounding countryside are gorgeous.
San Marino is a country that exceeded our expectations. It’s gorgeous, it’s fun to explore, the views over the vineyards of nearby Italy are breathtaking, and the food is delicious.
San Marino
Top Experiences: Wander the city streets, visit Piazza della Liberta, climb Guaita and Cesta towers, watch the crossbow demonstration at Cava dei Balestrieri, and visit the weird museums.
Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Kids will love climbing the towers and exploring the medieval walls. The Torture Museum, Museum of Curiosity, and the World of Leonardo might interest older kids.
How Much Time Do You Need in San Marino? You can visit San Marino on a day trip from Bologna and the Emilia Romagna region or Tuscany (we visited San Marino on a day trip from Cervia, the day after I raced Ironman Italy). For the best experience, spend one night here. Have a leisurely dinner, watch the sunset, and enjoy the quiet streets after the day trippers go home.
Italy Bucket List: On a Map
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Italy Itineraries
Here are several itineraries that link together the best places to visit in Italy.
When is the Best Time to Visit Italy?
Spring (April to June)
This is a great time to visit Italy. The weather is warm but not too hot, wildflowers are in bloom, the fields in Tuscany are green, and crowds are smaller than in summer. Spring is perfect for sightseeing in cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, as well as hiking along the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre.
Summer (July to August)
Expect hot temperatures and big crowds, especially in major cities and coastal areas. Beaches are lively, but hotel prices are highest. This is the best time to go hiking in the Dolomites.
Autumn (September to November)
This is our favorite time to visit Italy, specifically from late September through mid-October. The weather is still warm, plus there are fewer tourists and lower prices. Vineyards are active with harvest, and it’s a fantastic time to visit the major cities, Tuscany, and Sicily.
Winter (December to March)
Cities are quieter (except around Christmas), prices drop, and it’s a great time to explore Rome, Florence, or Venice without the crowds. Go to the Dolomites or Aosta for skiing.
What is the Best Way to Get Around Italy?
The best way to get around depends on where you’re headed, but most visitors use a combination of trains and rental cars to see the country.
Italy’s train network is one of the best in Europe, connecting major cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, and Naples with frequent, high-speed service. Trains are fast, comfortable, and affordable, making them ideal for traveling between cities without worrying about traffic or parking.
If you plan to explore the coastal regions or small towns, renting a car gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace. Driving is especially rewarding in places like Tuscany, the Dolomites, Puglia, or Sicily, where scenic drives and hidden villages are highlights of the experience. Just be prepared for narrow roads and limited parking in historic centers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I go on my first visit to Italy?
Rome, Florence, and Venice are the three most popular cities to visit on a first trip to Italy. These are filled with some of Italy’s most famous places and it is easy to get around using public transportation. The Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and/or Milan can easily be added on to this trip.
Is 7 days enough for Italy?
With 7 days, you have just enough time to visit Rome, Florence, and Venice, but it will be a whirlwind of a trip. For the best experience, plan on spending 10 days in Italy, which allows you to slow down a little bit, which makes the trip an overall more enjoyable experience.
What is the most beautiful part of Italy?
That’s a tough one to answer. For coastal scenery, visit the colorful towns of the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, or explore the seaside towns and coastal cliffs of Puglia. Sicily and Sardinia are two beautiful islands to visit. If you like mountain scenery, it’s hard to beat the spectacular Dolomites in northern Italy.
What do you think are the best places to visit in Italy? Let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Italy
We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, Basilicata, Sicily, and Puglia.
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