16 Unbelievable Locations in Italy That Must be on Your Bucket List
Italy is a joy to explore. Yet with so many famous sights and attractions, deciding what to do and/or skip can be tricky. To help, here are 16 unbelievable Italian locations you don’t want to miss.
Words don’t do Italy justice. Famous for its ancient wonders, incredible cuisine, passionate people, and diverse landscapes, this all-popular tourist destination is a joy to explore.
Deciding what to do there isn’t easy, though. The country spoils travelers for choice! For every memorable location you choose to visit, there are dozens more you’re forced to miss.
The question becomes, what are the must-see places in Italy? Which sights and attractions should absolutely be on your Bel Paese bucket list? Here are 16 you don’t want to miss.
1. Rome
The Eternal City is a world-famous tourist destination that lives up to the hype. It’s a one-of-a-kind location where the amenities of modern life rub shoulders with 2,000-year-old ancient wonders. You’ll never be bored in Rome. A few of its myriad highlights include:
- Exploring the mighty Colosseum and Roman Forum
- Seeing the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City
- Climbing the Spanish Steps
- Visiting the Trevi Fountain
- Gazing in wonder upon the Pantheon
2. Venice
Venice is a unique medieval city built on water in the northeast of Italy. It heaves with life and crowds year-round, but don’t let that put you off.
This is a fairytale location that transports you to the Middle Ages. You’ll explore a maze of cobbled streets and canals, cross bridges that have stood for centuries, and gawp at beautiful Gothic buildings built on water.
3. Pompeii
Pompeii was once a flourishing resort city popular among the most affluent members of Roman society. However, in 79 AD, the nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying it under a thick layer of lava and ash.
The destruction was tremendous, but it also froze the city in time. Today, Pompeii represents an unparalleled opportunity to explore an ancient Roman city. You can wander its streets, set foot inside its buildings, and even see plaster casts of real people who lived (and died) there.
4. Amalfi Coast
Southern Italy is home to one of Earth’s most famous stretches of coastline. Running for approximately 30 miles from Punta Campanella to Vietri sul Mare, the Amalfi Coast is a stunning landscape characterized by verdant cliffs, glorious sea views, and charming coastal towns.
From glitzy Positano and romantic Ravello to the area’s namesake, Amalfi, spending a few days traveling from town to town will be a highlight of any Italy trip.
5. Capri
While visiting the Amalfi Coast, don’t miss your chance to take the short boat trip to Capri. This small yet storied island in the Tyrrhenian Sea is renowned for its glamorous vibe and natural beauty.
Capri feels like paradise. You’ll swim in crystal-clear turquoise waters, take boats to beautiful sea caves, visit charming coastal towns, hike to scenic viewpoints, and quench your thirst at glitzy beach bars and rooftop terraces.
6. The Dolomites
The Dolomites is a famous mountain range in northeast Italy. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, you can hike until your heart’s content – usually in the shadow of jagged peaks that tower thousands of feet into the air.
The best-known landmark here is called Tre Cime de Lavaredo. These three peaks are iconic, and you can hike around them via the eponymous loop trail.
7. Lake Garda
Spanning over 140 square miles, Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It’s also one of the most scenic. Rugged peaks and valleys extend around its perimeter, with charming historic towns scattered between them. You could spend your entire trip exploring Lake Garda, but highlights include:
- Strolling Riva del Garda’s stunning streets
- Visiting the impressive Scaliger Castle in Sirmione
- Having fun at Gardaland Theme Park
- Doing the Rocca di Garda Hike
8. Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is another celebrated stretch of the Bel Paese coastline. Five colorful, charming, centuries-old fishing villages perch on cliffs overlooking the ocean.
You can hike between them via ancient trails or save some energy by catching a train. Regardless, walking the cobbled streets of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore is one of the best things to do in Italy.
9. Verona
Verona is a city in Northern Italy that many tourists overlook in their eagerness to visit places like Venice, the lakes, and the Dolomites. However, it’s 100% worthy of your bucket list.
Nicknamed “Little Rome,” you’ll find an incredible ancient amphitheater, charming piazzas lined with bars and restaurants, iconic medieval architecture, and a connection to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that culminates in “Juliet’s Balcony” (one of the city’s top attractions).
10. Florence
Florence is the quintessential medieval city. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, you’ll find buildings and structures that transport you back in time. Famous examples include Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”), Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Florence Cathedral, with its mighty dome.
Other noteworthy Florence attractions include Michelangelo’s David (located in the Accademia Gallery), the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, and Mercato Centrale (Central Market).
11. Pisa
This student city in Tuscany is home to one of Earth’s most iconic tourist attractions: The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Tilting toward the ground at an impressive 3.97 degrees, this 850-year-old white tower draws crowds from around the globe. Pisa’s Cathedral, piazzas, parks, quaint streets, youthful vibe, and riverside location add to its appeal.
12. Assisi
A jewel in the crown of central Italy’s Umbria region, Assisi is a medieval hilltop city and UNESCO World Heritage Site with famous connections to St. Francis. The saint was born and died here in 1181 and 1226, respectively. Visitors today enjoy a wealth of period architecture, from the incredible Basilica of St. Francis to the Rocca Maggiore castle.
13. Matera
Matera is an ancient city in Basilicata, Southern Italy, on the bank of the Gravina River. Renowned for its cave dwellings, this magical spot is said to have been continuously inhabited for over 9,000 years.
Artists have long been drawn to Matera, and it’s easy to see why. Expect a distinctive charm, beautiful surroundings, and steep, storied streets that zigzag through town via ancient stone stairways.
14. Castelmezzano
Castelmezzano is another must-see place in the Basilicata region. It’s a hidden gem – a historic Italian town that straddles the top of a mountain and offers gorgeous views over the surrounding area.
It’s the sort of place you come for a day and instantly wish you’d booked longer. While quaint, laidback, and picturesque, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Chief among Castelmezzano’s attractions is a zipline that takes you to a neighboring hilltop village, Pietrapertosa.
15. Sardinia
This paradisiacal Mediterranean island west of mainland Italy is perfect for a relaxing break. Its sandy beaches are unbeatable, the warm waters ideal for swimming, and the views are to die for.
Sardinia’s beaches certainly aren’t its only draw, either. From bustling ancient cities and endless historical sites to a mountainous interior, where secluded waterfalls cascade from clifftops, there’s something here for every traveler.
16. Sicily
If mainland Italy is the boot, Sicily is the ball. This sun-kissed island off the southwest coast is a hotbed of ancient ruins, turquoise coves, and groves bursting with olives and lemons. Oh, and don’t forget its natural wonders: Sicily is home to the legendary stratovolcano, Mount Etna.
Must-do Sicilian activities include:
- Relaxing on San Vito Lo Capo beach
- Exploring Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples
- Touring the ancient city of Syracuse on the east coast.
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