Carina Lauron
Italy is full of beautiful cities with rich culture, natural tourist spots, and religious sites. You can walk on stunning pilgrim trails like the Francigena, which takes you through the vineyards and rolling hills of Tuscany.
Besides that, you can choose from hundreds of stunning beaches located in several cities, like one in La Pelosa, Sardinia, or Favignana, Sicily. If you plan to visit Italy, you’re in it for a treat.
Whether you’re interested in rich cultural sites, vineyards, or lovely beaches, Italy has it all for you. Explore the most beautiful cities in Italy with our guide and choose your next destination!
1. Naples
Known as the hometown of pizza, Naples is more than just a gastronomic destination. Here, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Vesuvius volcano on one side and the stunning seascape on the other.
It is a city full of contrasts. It is fun and chaotic, with its heavy traffic city center and historic center listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also visit the Christmas Alley and feel the festivity year-round.
2. Venice
Known as the “City of Canals,” Venice is an enchanting destination filled with stunning architecture. This includes the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Campanile, and the Terrace of St. Mark’s Basilica.
If you’re into art, visit the Venier dei Leoni Palace Museum. Here, you can find several modern artworks, along with the work of Dalí, Picasso, and Pollock. Moreover, you can explore buildings that are over 1,000 years old.
3. Amalfi
The city of Amalfi is not far from Naples. It’s on the Amalfi Coast, which is famous for its historic buildings and the stunning Amalfi Cathedral.
When you visit the city, you will love its tiny streets and the incredible Duomo di Milano. This lovely place is sandwiched between mountains and water, making its beauty one of a kind.
4. Palermo
When you visit Palermo, you’ll see lively street markets, historic buildings, and eclectic architecture. You should also not miss visiting Palazzo dei Normanni, a historic palace that served as the seat of the two kings in Sicily.
The city has elegant corners and grand palaces with Baroque fountains and statues. You’ll get charmed opulent churches and honey-colored palaces and get excited with its bustling food markets.
5. Rome
Often called “The Eternal City,” Rome has an invaluable cultural heritage and artistic value. Its location makes you feel part of a long history, especially if you visit the archaeological sites of Ancient Rome and Baroque churches and palaces.
If you plan to visit this lovely city, make sure to allot at least 3-5 days because there are many things to see and do here. For instance, you should not miss taking pictures at the famous Colosseo and tasting local foods like the delicious pasta carbonara.
6. Siena
Not far from Florence, you can find the beautiful city of Siena. Often called the “small Florence,” it matches Florence’s beauty despite its smaller size.
The city is famous for its Palio, Siena’s medieval fair. If you don’t know where to start, you can begin in Piazza del Campo — a huge and stunning medieval square where many tourists take their photos.
If you are a horse enthusiast, you can witness the Palio — a horse race that happens twice a year at Piazza del Campo.
7. Florence
Florence is a treasure trove of art, history, and culture. It’s full of things you can do and attractions, such as the Florence Cathedral and Uffizi Gallery, where you can see an incredible Renaissance art collection.
To see the panoramic view of Florence, you can climb the Palazzo Vecchio. After roaming around, head to a rooftop bar, where you can drink while enjoying the cityscape.
8. Matera
Often called “The City of Stones,” Matera is a special city. Part of it is made from ancient stones, which makes it fascinating. You can walk down its old streets and feel like you are in another age.
The city is perfect if you’d love to see cave churches and museums, where you can learn about the city’s story, heritage, and culture. For a complete experience, dine at one of Cave’s restaurants and bars and never miss out on foods like pasta con peperoni cruschi, fave e cicoria, Ferricelli, Gelato, Cavatelli, and Orecchiette Pastas.
9. Lecce
Another stunning city in Italy you should not miss is Lecce. It is full of Baroque architecture, like the Palazzo dei Celestini, Basilica of Santa Croce, and Chiesa dei Santi Niccolò e Cataldo. These old buildings, with their intricate decorative elements and carvings, make you feel like you’re in another era.
If you are social and love being in a crowd, don’t miss the evening Passeggiata — an Italian tradition that involves strolling around 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Besides the socialization activities and Baroque buildings, you can enjoy the city’s nearby coastal towns like Otranto. It is only a 40-minute drive from the southeast of Leece, where you can enjoy stunning beaches and take pictures of the Aragonese Castle.
10. Milan
Business and fashion are the heart of Milan, but the city offers much more than that. It’s filled with nice places to visit, like Navigli and the Duomo. The city has a very interesting blend of modernity, history and art.
If you love theater performances, go to Teatro della Scala, founded in the late 18th century by Archduchess Maria Theresa. If you’re into spooky things, visit the Ambrosian Library to find masterpieces by Renaissance artists like Leonardo Di Vinci.
11. Urbino
Urbino is a city that is not frequently visited by tourists. However, that doesn’t mean it is less beautiful. In fact, the metropolis is full of stunning buildings and is a mix of history and art.
You can visit the Ducal Palace, which houses the Marche Gallery. It is where you can find the wonderful works of Piero della Francesca, Rafael, and Titian. As for food, you can try out Ristorante Antica Osteria Da La Stella, Ristorante Osteria L’Angolo Divino, and Ristorante Taverna La Fornarina for an unforgettable dining experience.
12. Pisa
Everybody knows Pisa. If that doesn’t ring a bell for you, just think of the leaning Tower of Pisa, and you’ll get it. Many globetrotters take funny pictures of the tower, and you should too.
Besides that, walk along the lovely streets, along the river, and the Piazza dei Miracoli — one of the most beautiful squares in the world and is deemed as one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites. If you’re into shopping, you can shop till you drop by the Borgo Stretto district.
13. Turin
Turin served as the first capital city of Italy and is located in the very north. It’s packed with stunning scenery and is surrounded by lovely views of towering mountains.
For a more immersive experience, rent a bike and ride through the city’s lovely squares and other tourist attractions, such as Palazzo Reale, Turin Shroud, and Turin Egyptian Museum, where you can see various Egyptian artifacts.
In addition to visiting various tourist attractions, make sure to taste their mouthwatering dishes, such as the Agnolotti Piemontesi, vitello tonnato, and La Vanessa Vercelli.
14. Bologna
Another beautiful and interesting city you must visit is Bologna. Here, you can find the oldest university in the world, which is over 2,000 years old.
If you love arcades, this is the best place to go since it is known to house the world’s longest arcade. Moreover, the city is dotted with medieval towers, like the iconic leaning towers of Garisenda and Asinelli, found at the center of the city.
If you are a foodie, you’re going to love this place. Known as the “La Grassa,” which literally means “The Fat,” you can enjoy plenty of great meals in this city. For that, you can start at Quadrilatero market district for appetizing food.
15. Verona
Verona is known as “The City of Love” because it’s the setting of Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. The city is filled with ancient ruins and scenic streets, where you can stroll and be amazed by its beautiful churches, buildings, and other attractions around the historical center.
For a more immersive experience, climb the Torre dei Lamberti, which is historic since it was built around the 12th and 15th centuries. If you’re not fond of climbing the long stairs, you can take the lift for a small fee.
16. Genoa
Genoa is one of the top cities in Italy. Its charming, tiny streets have maze-like layouts that can intrigue you as you walk past each colorful building. If you’re a fan of art like frescoes (mural painting) and paintings, you can visit the National Gallery in Palazzo Spinola and the Palazzo Reale.
Besides that, you can stroll the Porto Antico and head to Aquario di Genova — the largest aquarium in Italy. When it comes to food, head to Ostaia de Banchi and try traditional dishes like torta Saià and battolli (chestnut noodles).
17. Ferrara
Ferrara is a stunning Renaissance city in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, close to Bologna. You can start your tour at Estense Castle and feel like royalty as you walk its beautiful streets.
The city has a medieval charm with its cobblestone streets, buildings, and some of its architecture. Make sure to stroll at Piazza Trento e Trieste, where you can find cafes and restaurants and enjoy the lovely views.
18. Ravenna
So far, we have covered enough building-centric cities, so let’s move to the city of Ravenna, which is much closer to the sea. The city is rich in cultural heritage and full of stunning Byzantine mosaics.
It is the perfect place to rest and unwind with its several stunning beaches, like the Marina di Ravenna. It’s one of Italy’s liveliest and trendiest beaches, only a 25-minute drive from the city.
19. Mantua
Mantua is another lovely Italian city with stunning churches and opulent palaces. Its historic center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here, you can stroll through cobbled lanes, arcaded streets, and stunning squares. You can visit Ducal Palace, a mini city within a city. Walk through its stunning rooms with ornate ceilings, arched passageways, and lovely tapestries.
You should also not miss the fresco painted by Lorenzo Costa, a stunning blue zodiac painting. Outside the palace, you can admire the inner courtyards, formal gardens, and orange trees (and feel part of a royal family).
20. Parma
The city of Parma is known for its lively culture, incredible cuisine, and lovely architecture. If you are starting late and do not have time for breakfast, you can start your day with a food tour and try prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and other local specialties.
As for sightseeing, you’ll never want to miss Palazzo della Pilotta, a palace that houses several theaters and museums. Within the palace, you can find the National Gallery (Galleria Nazionale), where you can see the artworks of Leonardo da Vinci and Parmigianino.
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