23 Best Places You Should Visit in Italy in 2024

Being popular for its rich culture, cuisine, and picturesque coastline towns, Italy attracts more than 90 million tourists every year. From the old vineyard to the beautiful towns and beaches, Italy has something special for everyone. It is also home to more World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world. Italy comprises 20 regions, each presenting a unique artistic experience. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, this comprehensive article is best for you. In this article, we see the top 23 places in Italy you should visit at least once in a lifetime to get aesthetic pleasure.

1. Amalfi coast

Lies on the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Amalfi coast is an iconic place in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The seaside town is located in the province of Salerno in southern Italy, best-known for its location and landscape. The colorful houses on the hills along the coast make Amalfi a picture-perfect destination. Many tourists sail on the boat to spend their day. It takes only 2-2.5 hours to reach Amalfi from Rome, the capital city of Europe, by train.

2. Lake Como

The ‘Y’ shaped lake is situated in the northernmost part of Italy. The closest city to the lake is Milan. It is home to many Roman-age villas. These villas are now a popular destination for weddings as well as many high-end events. The lake is perfect for sailing and sightseeing.

3. Milan

Milan is the fashion capital of the world. It is the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome. The city is home to many tourist attractions like Via Monte Napoleone, Milan Cathedral, Royal Villa of Milan, Art Deco Central Railway Station, and the Royal Palace of Milan. Milan Cathedral is the largest and most iconic church in Italy and is a popular tourist attraction as well. The city also hosts numerous headquarters of luxury fashion and clothing brands.

4. Bari

Bari is located on the east shore of Italy on the Adriatic Sea. The port city is just 163 miles east away from Naples. You can reach Bari in just 3 hours by train. The beautiful beaches of Bari will give you a full scenic view of the Adriatic Sea or you can sail on the sea all day long. The city is full of old architecture that will take you to the medieval era.

5. Capri

Capri is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea on the south of the Gulf of Naples. The island is full of beautiful resorts, shopping centers as well as cultural centers. The water in summer is filled with yachts. You can take a short ferry ride from Naples to get to the island. Its remarkable tourist attractions include Blue Grotto, Monte Solaro, Garden of Augustus, Villa San Michele, Arco Naturale, and many more. The island town hosts many international events like Capri Art Festival, and Hollywood International Film Festival, among others.

6. Caprera

Rocky steps, rugged coastlines, sand beaches, and blue water are what make Caprera a one-go destination for beach lovers. The island is situated in the north of Sardinia in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It has many wild goats living there and you may have the opportunity to encounter one or a few. If you are looking for a tranquil and peaceful experience, you should stay on the island for a few days. Though the island has many beautiful beaches, one of its best beaches is Spiaggia di Cala Coticcio.

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7. Florence

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region of Italy. The city is famous for its masterpiece architecture and art, as well as its culture. Being the birthplace of High Renaissance art, the museums in the city will give you a full sense of its past culture.

Florence Cathedral or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, situated in the city center, is one of the most iconic places both in Italy and Europe. Famous tourist attractions of the city include Pitti Palace, Piazzale Michelangelo, Accademia Gallery, and Piazza Della Libertà, among several others.

Official Website: The Official Florence Website to organize your trip 

8. Genoa

Genoa is a port city located in northern Italy On the Gulf of Genoa in the Ligurian Sea. The port of the city is the busiest in the country. Notable places in the city include Piazza de Ferrari, Palazzi Dei Rolli, Aquarium of Genoa, Via Garibaldi, Porto Antico, etc.

9. San Felice Circeo

San Felice Circeo is a small town in the Lazio region of central Italy. The town is located along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The destination includes The Cireco national park, and one can get a view of Mount Cireco from the Park. It is best to visit the town for a quieter experience as the place is not always crowded.

10. Rome

Rome is the capital and most populous city in Italy. Every street in the city will give you picture-perfect shots. From the Colosseum to Roman Forum Museum, Rome is a culturally rich place. The architecture, castles, and museums will take you back thousands of years in time to the ancient era. Every corner of the city is filled with historical landmarks, and it has the most monuments in the country. Rome is full of historical resources for its art galleries, museums, and landmark architecture.

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11. Dolomites Mountain Range

The Dolomites mountain range is located in northern Italy. The scenic mountain range is surrounded by beautiful lakes. It is a favorite playground for many visitors for skiing in the winter months and mountain climbing, walking, hiking, cycling, as well as paragliding in summer and late spring/early autumn, and many outdoor adventures.

12. Sicily

Sicily is the largest island in Italy, lying on the Mediterranean Sea. It is also the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The island has many beautiful cities and towns along its coast, some of which are Palermo, Marsala, Messina, Catina, and Syracuse. The turquoise water of the Mediterranean makes the sand beaches of Sicily look like a natural paradise. The rich culture of Sicily has centered around its cuisine, literature, music, arts, and old-era architecture.

13. Sardinia

Sardinia is the second-largest island in both Italy and the Mediterranean. It is located south of the Italian peninsula. This island is filled with beautiful sand beaches, coral reefs, and picturesque coastal towns. You can consider this island as the twin brother of Sicily. You will find more than 100 beaches with white sand and turquoise water. Cagliari, Sassari, and Alghero are some of their most beautiful cities.

14. Naples

Naples is situated in the Campania region of Southern Italy on the bank of the Gulf of Naples. It is home to many classical architectures, castles, and villas. The city features plenty of art galleries and museums where you can trace back the city’s history. It also has various parks for your outdoor adventures in the daytime, some of them include Villa Comunale and Parco Virgiliano.

15. Pisa

Pisa is located in the Tuscany region of Central Italy. The city stands on the river Arno. Pisa is well known for its iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, but there are more in the city to visit than the tower. The city houses many historic churches, medieval castles, museums, towers, villas, etc. A walk across the river Arno is best for sightseeing and capturing some of the city’s best views. Remarkable tourist attractions of the city are Palazzo della Carovana, Pisa Baptistery, Campo Santo, Orto Botanico di Pisa, etc.

16. Verona

Straddling the Adige River, Verona is situated in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Verona is well-known for being the setting of Shakespeare’s two plays: Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Verona is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is filled with historic buildings and medieval monuments. Its best tourist attractions are Castel San Pietro, Porta Nuova Verona, Giusti Garden, Verona Arena Forte San Mattia, etc.

17. Mount Etna

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. The mountain is situated on the east coast of Sicily, the biggest island in both Italy and the Mediterranean. Etna is considered among Sicily’s main tourist attractions, with thousands of visitors every year coming for skiing, hiking, and sightseeing. 

18. Ponza

Ponza Island is a part of the Italian Ponite Island archipelago. It is also the largest island of the archipelago. The island is located south of the town of San Fileco Sireco in the Tyrrhenian Sea. From the rugged coast to sandy beaches, the island has many beautiful beaches to offer. Some of its best coastal places are Grotte di Pilato, Spiaggia di Santa Maria, Chiaia di Luna, Cala Feola Beach, Spiaggia di Lucia Rosa, Piscine Naturali Ponza, Frontone, Cala Cecata, etc.

19. Lake Tovel

Lago di Tovel or Lake Tovel is a scenic turquoise lake located in the province of Trentino in far northern Italy. The beauty of the lake is so magical that it used to take a different look in different seasons. It is surrounded by beautiful forests and hills. The views are so majestic that visiting the place will surely be a peaceful experience for you.

20. Cinque Terre

At first glance, Cinque Terre may look like a replica of the Amalfi coast but both places have different kinds of adventures to offer. Cinque Terre is located in the Liguria Region of northwestern Italy on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. The entire area comprises five villages and the coastline is part of Cinque Terre National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

21. National Park Of Abruzzo

The National Park of Abruzzo, or ‘Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park’ contains beautiful landscapes, lakes, monasteries, and green fields. Travelers love to visit the park for its unique flora and fauna. The park is home to many rare birds such as the golden eagle, Goshawk, Eurasian Buzzards, Eurasian Sparrowhawks, Eurasian Kestrels, etc. The park is suitable for outdoor adventures like cycling, horse riding, canoeing, skiing, picnic, and many more.

22. Lake Garda

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. The lake is surrounded by Coastal villages and towns, mountains, parks, and botanical gardens. A ferry ride in the lake gives a panoramic view of Surrounding towns, mountains, and valleys. Its unique location in Northern Italy makes it a popular destination for visitors. 

23. Venice

Venice city is a major tourist attraction not only in Italy but in Europe. It is one of the world’s most visited cities. Venice is the capital of the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, consisting of 118 small islands linked by hundreds of bridges. The Floating City is well known for its canal waterways which are most often filled with tourists and boats. The rising sea level has already put the city’s future existence to question. Major tourist attractions of the city include Piazza San Marco, St Mark’s Basilica Lido di Venezia, and The Grand Canal, among others.