Any traveler who’s been to Italy would undoubtedly say the country is one of the world's top destinations, not only for its coastal vistas, its northern mountains, and its rural countryside but also for its abundance of artwork masterpieces that can be seen in every major city. These 10 destinations are sure to delight even the most well-traveled globe-hopper.
10 Positano And The Amalfi Coast
The leading seaside resort village on Italy’s famous Amalfi Coast, pretty Positano welcomes visitors with its cliffside views and quaint hilly, and narrow streets that offer cafes, restaurants, and unique shops. Its pebble beach is a favorite destination for tourists, and its architecture and artwork add to its old-world atmosphere. Walkers will delight in the scenic Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) hiking trail that links the village to other nearby towns.
- Must-see attraction: Path of the Gods
9 Florence, In Tuscany Region
Nestled in Italy’s picturesque Tuscany region, Florence is renowned the world over for its Renaissance art and architecture and is home to the incomparable Uffizi Gallery. There are so many things to see in Florence, but to art lovers, the site of Michelangelo’s sculpture “David,” in the Galleria dell’Accademia, is one of the world’s most beautiful sights. Another iconic sight in Florence is the Duomo, a great cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome that is the city’s landmark. In fact, visitors who climb Duomo’s 463 interior steps (reservations are required) will be rewarded with unparalleled views of Florence.
- Must-see attraction: Ufizzi Gallery
8 Cinque Terre, A Five-Village Paradise
Cinque Terre isn’t just one destination along the Italian Riviera. It's a stunning coastal area that consists of five scenic villages, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, all of which are part of Cinque Terre National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each village has its own personality, sporting vineyards, harbors, and terraced homes, but all come with some of the most spectacular coastal views Italy has to offer.
- Must-see attraction: Convent of the Capuchin Friars in Monterosso al Mare
7 Venice, A Romantic Spot
Whether it’s seen from a gondola in a quiet canal or aboard a taxi boat on the busy Grand Canal, Venice is among the most visually pleasing and unforgettable destinations in Europe. The capital of Italy’s Veneto region, Venice, is built on 118 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. There are no roads, only canals, including the wide Grand Canal that’s lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The city’s central square is Piazza San Marco, and it’s home to the famous St. Mark’s Basilica. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Must-see attraction: St. Mark's Basilica
6 Vatican City And St. Peter's Square
Vatican City is an independent city-state in Rome and the center of authority over the Roman Catholic Church. There’s much to see inside the Vatican, but the most beautiful sights include St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro), St. Peter’s Basilica, which is considered the city’s main attraction, and the Vatican Museums, home of the Sistine Chapel. The art and architecture of St. Peter’s Square are beyond impressive, with 140 statues of saints carved in the 17th century and the famous obelisk and fountains that grace the center of the square.
- Must-see attraction: Sistine Chapel
5 Rome's Many Ancient Sites
The entire city of Rome could be considered an outdoor museum, considering the presence of the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, and St. Peter’s Basilica, to name a few of the most famous sights. Situated along the Tiber River and surrounded by seven hills, Rome is often called the Eternal City and is generally considered the cradle of Western civilization. Its beautiful architecture includes Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, and neoclassical.
- Must-see attraction: Spanish Steps
4 Verona's 'Romeo and Juliet'
For all of its very considerable charm as a medieval town along the banks of the Adige River, Verona is most famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The city, located in the Veneto region, just an hour’s drive west of Venice, also features the Verona Arena, a 1st-century Roman amphitheater. Tourists can visit “Juliet’s House,” with its garden walls and, of course, a window balcony, and explore a small museum inside. It cannot be confirmed that such a person existed in real life, but romantic Italians like to think so.
- Must-see attraction: Juliet’s House
3 Palermo's Architecture
Palermo, the capital of the Italian island of Sicily, is considered by world travelers to be an underrated destination. And it is less celebrated than the cities on the Italian mainland, but it shouldn’t be considering its 12th-century Palermo Cathedral, its neoclassical opera house Teatro Massimo, and its grand Palazzo dei Normanni, a royal palace that dates from the 9th century. For incredible scenic water views, tourists head to Mondello’s Beach and its oceanfront promenade with palm trees and pretty art nouveau houses. Palermo’s colorful markets will delight any visitor.
- Must-see attraction: Palermo Cathedral
2 Pompeii's Mysterious Ruins
There are lots of reasons why everyone should visit Pompeii. Although it doesn’t offer spectacular ocean vistas and ornate architecture, its beauty is found in other elements, most notably its ability to transport the visitor back in time to a place that existed in the 1st century before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the ancient city in ash. Travelers to southern Italy’s Campania region, near Naples, will find the beautifully preserved excavated ruins of streets, homes, and businesses that once thrived in Pompeii. With Vesuvius as the backdrop, the eternal beauty of Pompeii will remain with visitors long after their explorations of the ruins are done.
- Must-see attraction: Frescoes in the House of Vettii
1 Portofino, Jewel Of the Italian Riviera
The jewel of the Italian Riviera, Portofino’s beauty lies in its half-moon-shaped harbor, often filled with yachts, its colorful houses that line the fishing village, and its attractive waterfront shopping and dining area. Perched at the edge of the Ligurian Sea, southeast of Genoa, the town is widely considered the most beautiful and romantic spot on the riviera. A walking path gives visitors a birds-eye view of this picturesque village and the blue-green waters of the Ligurian Sea.
- Must-see attraction: Castello Brown fortress