A popular honeymoon destination, Italy is known for boasting some of the most beautiful locations in the world. From the green vineyard lined region of Tuscany to the gleaming coastline seen from Cinque Terre to the storybook beauty of medieval towns such as Venice, Italy certainly has a lot to offer in the way of divine views.
It’s definitely hard to narrow down the top prettiest destinations in Italy, but we have done our best. Check out these 10 gorgeous towns, cities, and villages in Italy.
10 Alberobello, Apulia
The southeast region of Apulia is known for hosting one of the prettiest and most unique towns in the country. Alberobello is easily identifiable by its whitewashed stone huts, which are known as Trulli. This is definitely the place to come for a selfie like no other!
Many travelers are content just to bask in the town’s beauty and wander through the windy streets and souvenir shops. However, there are also historic landmarks and museums nearby, including the Museo del Territorio Casa Pezzolla, where you can see what life was like in the town’s stone huts hundreds of years ago.
9 Florence, Tuscany
Florence is on the bucket list of most travelers visiting Italy. The hub of Italian art and culture located in the scenic region of Tuscany boasts several iconic landmarks. One of the most famous (and the prettiest) is the intricately painted Duomo.
You can’t leave Florence without checking out David by Michelangelo, the world-famous sculpture. In the celebrated Uffizi Gallery, be sure to see several other iconic works of art including The Birth of Venus by Botticelli and Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci. There is almost too much beauty in this one city!
8 Venice, Veneto
The city of Venice is one of the most famous in Italy and stands out for its historic canals that run through the tiny islands. Located in the northern region of Veneto, Venice is a popular destination among honeymooners purely for the fact that it resembles something out of a fairytale.
Even if there wasn't picturesque canals winding through the city, Venice would still be dazzling thanks to its spectacular architecture. While in the floating city, be sure to check out St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile bell tower, and St. Mark’s Square.
7 Cinque Terre, Liguria
The beautiful thing about Italy is that its beauty is so diverse. In some areas, the sublime vistas are made up by grand architecture dating back to the Renaissance. In Cinque Terre, the gem of Liguria, it’s all about the fantastic coastline.
Cinque Terre consists of five towns straddling the Italian Riviera coast, all of which are adorned with charming houses painted bright colors and bustling harbors. Many travelers love to hike along the cliffside trails of the area to properly take in the sweeping view of the ocean.
6 Verona, Veneto
The star of Veneto is probably Venice, one of the most famous cities in Italy. But the northern region is also home to another scenic city that has also made our list of the prettiest destinations in Italy. The medieval town of Verona is everything you’d expect of a locality that’s been standing for hundreds of years. It’s brimming with history, but also with romance, thanks to its connection to William Shakespeare.
In Verona, amongst the charming medieval scenery, you will find the 14th-century balcony of Juliet, of Romeo and Juliet fame. Nearby, there’s also the majestic Verona Arena that dates back to Roman times.
5 San Gimignano, Tuscany
Of all the regions in Italy, Tuscany is often thought of as being one of the most picturesque thanks to its abundance of rolling hills and scenic vineyards overlooked by traditional villas. San Gimignano is another Tuscan town that is unbelievably pretty.
Located on a hilltop, the top drawing point of the town is that it boasts spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. According to Harper’s Bazaar, it also happens to be one of the towns that serve the best gelato in the country.
4 Sorrento, Campania
When it comes to coastal views, Sorrento is a contender for being one of the best. Situated in the southern region of Campania, Sorrento is sprawled across the cliffs that look out to the Bay of Naples. The town is made up of the township atop the cliffs and the humming marinas by the beach.
Be sure to enjoy the views of the water (and snap a few shots) from the town. There are also gorgeous vistas to take in within the town itself. Piazza Tasso is one of the most famous squares in the region and is reminiscent of traditional Italy with its cafes.
3 Lake Como, Lombardy
In recent years, Lake Como has become widely known as one of the most desirable destinations in Italy. This is thanks to several high-profile names that have flocked there for privacy, including George and Amal Clooney. But even without the presence of the stars, Lake Como in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy is stunning.
The breathtaking view of the iconic lake against a backdrop of the dramatic Alps is something most people never forget. There are several resorts in the nearby areas to stay in, but if you want to save money, it’s easy to take a day-trip to Lake Como from Milan.
2 Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
Many travelers fall in love with Bologna because it reminds them of Spaghetti Bolognese. But once you’ve been to this magical city, you’ll realize that there’s so much more than a rich culinary tradition to fall in love with here.
Capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is full of beautiful structures dating back to medieval and Renaissance times. Be sure not to leave the city without seeing the famous Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda. There’s also the Fountain of Neptune to check out, as well as the Basilica di San Petronio.
1 Scilla, Calabria
The southernmost region of Calabria doesn’t often receive a lot of praise for being among the country’s most beautiful destinations. But many locals flock to the beaches and fishing villages here during the summer months. Scilla is brimming with local charm and tends to avoid throngs of tourists.
According to Ancient Greek mythology, Scilla is the home of the sea monster Scylla that features in Homer’s Odyssey. But as far as we know, no sea monsters have ever been sighted here. Just picturesque views and delicious local food.