Which italian city to visit

Camogli is the Riviera that the world forgot. Just sleepy enough to feel undiscovered but with enough local life and quaint trattorias to easily while away the days, this is a place to go before everyone else.

Limestone cliffs pockmarked as the surface of the moon, walking through the sassi neighborhoods of Matera has an almost otherworldly feel to it. Hewn out of the rock, the city is testament to regeneration with subterranean tunnels that once housed the poor and now takes the shape of UNESCO World Heritage sites, museums and luxury hotels.

Stay for the night or just for an aperitivo; Materia is living history. Set to a backdrop of verdant hillsides and conical volcanoes, the beauty of the bay of Rinella is that peculiar kind, born out of contrast.

Volcanic sands the color of night, are lapped by those aquamarine Mediterranean waters and perfectly offset by the pastel pink, blue, and white hues of the seafront villages. Clad in the same multi-colored marble of Santa Maria, the two may seem much the same at first but what sets San Miniato apart is the sweeping view that extends from the doorway over the city below.

Arriving at Villa Cimbrone feels a bit like arriving at a grand party hosted by the Montagues or the Capulets. Faced with a towering set of doors, step through into this tranquil estate and stroll through the manicured gardens before coming to rest at the aptly named Terrace of Infinity, overlooking the Amalfi Coast in all its glory.

A short vaporetto ride from the buzz of Piazza San Marco, the lagoon island of Mazzorbo offers a slower pace of life in Venice. Come by during the day for a stroll through the vineyards and orchards before crossing over the bridge that links the island to the bright colors of Burano. Then, by night, stop by for the Michelin-starred cuisine of Venissa.

This Renaissance hill town is pretty idyllic no matter where you are, but for some of the most picture-perfect views of the Tuscan countryside, head to the Church of San Biagio located just below the city walls.

Come autumn, when the sun sets and reflects off the crisping leaves; the sight is pure magic. Ruggedly beautiful, Pantelleria has long been a favorite of in-the-know Italian society looking for an escape to somewhere altogether more secluded. Offering a whole new spin on wellness, head up to Lago di Venere where the warm waters form and volcanic mud form a natural spa at the heart of the island.

Take a swim in the secluded coves that surround the island before holing up at the impossibly-chic Sikelia in a getaway that is about as off-the-grid as it gets.

Why though? Dotted amid the larger islands, the tiny isolotti of the La Maddalena islands boasts some of the clearest waters and quietest beaches in all the Mediterranean. Come for the Ancient Greek mythology, but stay for the local charm. The beaches here are well-known during the summer months, but less so are the tiny fishing villages of Chinalea and Scaro Allegio.

A favorite haunt of Roman nobility, Spoleto has managed to hang onto its charm over the centuries and now makes for a tranquil day trip into the Umbrian hillside. Start in the medieval Upper Town with a visit to the Duomo, before making your way down through the modern Lower Town to the ancient city walls. Combine the historical city with a killer gourmet scene and a stunning classical music festival and you get a sense of classic Italia as you switch your phone off and forget the emails for a few days.

The best beaches have always been those only accessible by boat and Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle is no exception. Years of being overlooked in favor of the Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast has left this strip of coastline untouched and unspoiled.

Dominated by the nearby Vesuvius volcano and surrounded by hills on one side and the sea on the other, Naples is also quite picturesque. Furthermore, just nearby, is the famous ancient Roman city Pompeii and the stunning coastline of the Amalfi Coast. Also, the islands of Capri and Ischia are well worth visiting! How much time do you need: You can see some of Naples in a day, but you can easily spend days in the city.

Add a day extra for the villages of the Amalfi Coast day tours available , a day for Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius tours available , and also for Capri Island boat tours available. If you can, try to plan at least days in this area! Where to stay: One of the most convenient locations to stay in Naples is the historic town center, west of Central Station and north of the Ferry Terminal.

Here are some nicest hotels in that area:. If you want to stay close to the sea, the Santa Lucia area has several really nice hotels. Here are the two most popular ones:. Just as the Colosseum in Rome, the Roman amphitheater Arena di Verona has been built in the 1st century. Must-see: Verona Arena and Piazza delle Erbe. The views from Torre dei Lamberti. How much time do you need: Half a day is enough for the main highlights of Verona.

We recommend staying the night and attending a concert at the Arena. Ideally, you combine a visit to Verona with that of Lake Garda , just nearby. Here are some of the nicest hotels in the historic center of Verona:. Lucca is one of our own personal favorite towns in Italy. One of the smaller cities in this selection, Lucca old town is best explored on foot or by bike. The historic town is surrounded by impressive city walls, the origins of which date to BC! The walls are easily accessible and you can walk or even bike on them.

Make sure to also climb at least one of the two towers in Lucca. If you can, do both — the views of the city and its surroundings are spectacular! Nice to see: Walk around the city exploring its many streets and town squares and San Frediano church. How much time do you need: Half a day is enough for the main landmarks of the city of Lucca. If you have a car and extra time to spare, also visit one or several of the nearby villas.

Where to stay: If you are traveling without a car, stay in the historic city center, within the city walls. If you have a car, try Hotel San Marco or others nearby. Here are some of the best hotels in the old town:. Pisa town is often overlooked by visitors — everyone flocks to the famous Pisa Tower, completely forgetting about the city itself.

Of course, the main reason to come here is the famous leaning tower and the incredibly impressive Piazza dei Miracoli Square of Miracles where it stands. But if you have a few hours to spare, head to the town center as well! Nice to see and do: Piazza dei Cavalieri with several impressive buildings including Palazzo della Carovana. How much time do you need: Half a day is enough for the main highlights of Pisa including a visit to the city center. You can easily combine Pisa with a visit to Lucca town or the nearby Cinque Terre for a day.

Here you can find more practical information for visiting Cinque Terre. But Pisa also has some nice hotels and more affordable and it might be magical to stay here the night and see the Miracles Square in the late afternoon when most day tourists have left. Here are some of the best-rated hotels in Pisa:.

So, this is our guide to the best, most beautiful cities in Italy. If you are looking for more ideas for where to go and what to see in Italy , make sure to take a look at our guide to the best places to visit in Italy.

In addition to the most beautiful towns, this guide also features the best destinations of the Italian lakes, stunning coastal areas like Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast, and so much more!

These three cities are the most beautiful ones and worth the trip the most. Without any doubt, Rome is the most beautiful city in Italy. If you visit just one city in Italy, make it Rome. The best months to visit Italian cities are from March to May and from mid-September to early November. Italian cities are therefore great for a spring break in Europe! Rome and Venice are very different cities, but both extremely beautiful, unique, and both worth visiting. If you only have the time for one of them and have at least days, visit Rome.

If you only have 1 day, visit Venice. But if you can, definitely try to visit both! Both, Venice and Florence, are very beautiful cities with so many nice places to see and interesting things to do. But if you can make it happen, definitely visit both! For more practical information and tips for a big variety of Italian destinations, take a look at our Italy travel guide.

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Colosseum in Rome. Piazza Navona in Rome. Trevi Fountain in Rome. Verona is a majestic Italian city, best known for attracting people who want a bit of romance in their life. While the Casa di Giuletta is a great stop in Verona, the city has an array of other things to see and do. The Verona Arena, one of the best-preserved in all of Italy, continues to host concerts and artistic performances.

Heading west of the amphitheater and towards the river, a walk across Ponte Castelvecchio is worth the trek. This medieval bridge has a lot of viewpoints to take photos from plus several climbing areas to reach the upper portions of the bridge. Castelvecchio, a castle connected to one end of the bridge, has an interesting museum that visitors can tour from the interior courtyard.

Where to stay in Verona: Il Relais is a charming hotel right next to Castelvecchio. Catania is easily one of the prettiest cities in Italy, and one of the most lively in the country, with a thriving cultural life and nightlife scene. The second largest city in Sicily, Catania is located at the foothills of Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Yet it was during the Renaissance period that Catania thrived. If on the other hand you have a limited budget, opt to stay at Eco Hostel. The most beautiful slice of Bari is its old town. Known as Barivecchia, it occupies a tapered peninsula and when viewed from afar, the maze of whitewashed houses and church bell towers melts seamlessly into the sea beyond. Previously considered a no-go area due to high levels of petty crime, the neighbourhood has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years and is now tourist-friendly.

Erected in , the Castello Normanno-Svevo is a must-see in Bari, as is the magnificent Teatro Petruzzelli opera house. Genoa is a beautiful city in the north-west of Italy with a stunning historic centre and an interesting old port. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Genoa experienced a period of great wealth thanks to the successes of its powerful fleet. There are two main areas worth exploring: the centre, and the Porto Antico Old Port , both easy to visit even with just one day in Genoa.

The city center is a mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Where to stay in Genoa: For a pleasant stay, hotel NH Collection Genova Marina is a 4-star hotel at the old port, with nice views over the marina. As the capital of the Umbria region in central Italy, Perugia is located about equidistant between Florence and Rome and makes for an excellent stop on any Italy itinerary. There is lots to do in Perugia and its ample student population gives it a vibrant and youthful energy that makes the city a joy to explore.

Make sure to wander around the Piazza IV Novembre and take a leisurely break to people watch on the many steps, gaze in awe at the imposing Etruscan Arch, and take in the beautiful sunset views at the Giardini Carducci. If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to nearby Assisi or even go wine tasting at one of the many vineyards in the surrounding countryside.

On the edge of the spectacular Dolomites mountains, Bolzano, the beautiful capital of South Tyrol, is one of the highlights of northern Italy. With a history that spans a thousand years, Bolzano encompasses German, Austrian and Italian culture. The charming town centre filled with cafes, bars and restaurants is the perfect base for exploring this beautiful region. In the summer months, there are a range of day hikes and multi-day treks for all levels of ability, with spectacular views of snow-studded mountains, rolling valleys and glacial lakes.

For those after less strenuous pursuits, there are a number of excellent wineries in the area , along with several monasteries that are open to visitors.

There are a range of delicious food options in town, including many local choices which travellers might normally associate with Germany rather than Italy, such as pretzels and strudels. With the Dolomites as a backdrop, every moment here is magical. An important trading hub throughout its long history, Messina centres on a lively harbour fringed with palm trees and fronted with classically beautiful buildings. The nearby Strait of Messina, the passage of water that separates Sicily from the Italian mainland, forms a picturesque backdrop.

After wandering the picturesque Port of Messina, head into the hills behind town to walk amongst the wild lemon, mandarin and orange trees. With frequent hydrofoil services, Messina is the jumping-off point for the Aeolian Islands , a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Its position at the gateway to Europe makes Trieste one of the most culturally fascinating and visually distinct cities in all of Italy. The city was ruled by the Habsburg Monarchy until and was, for a time, the fourth-largest city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire after Vienna, Budapest and Prague.

All this heritage adds up to a multilayered urban landscape of glorious architecture, open sea-facing plazas, and enough outdoor cafes to keep you buzzing for several lifetimes. Where to stay in Trieste: For luxurious rooms and canal views, Forvm Boutique Hotel embodies Trieste glamour and is walking distance from all the major landmarks.

The capital of Sardinia is a truly lovely city and a perfect destination for a long weekend trip, yet it remains one of the most underrated cities in Italy. Cagliari has an incredible ancient history.

Founded by the Phoenicians, it went through several dominations — the Romans and the Aragonese to name but a few — before it became part of Italy. Each and every domination left its mark on the city. Scattered around town you will find interesting archeological sites, the most notable being the Roman Amphitheater. You should also visit Villa Tigellio and Tuvixeddu Necropolis.

Castello is the one with the highest concentration of landmarks — here you will find the Cathedral, the Museum of Archeology, the two protective towers, and a few viewpoints for breathtaking views of the city. La Marina, by the harbour, and Stampace across the street have a few beautiful churches. After dark, these are the local hotspots for nightlife. Villanova, the last historic district, is the one that has retained all of its local character.

When in Cagliari, make sure to pay a visit to Poetto Beach and the nearby Molentargius Nature Reserve, where you can spot pink flamingos. Where to stay in Cagliari: There are a few good Airbnbs in Cagliari that are perfect for a short stay.

The entire city radiates out from central Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, a beautiful Italian square surrounded by administrative buildings and palaces. The city cathedral lies on the north-eastern corner of the square, juxtaposed by the many-arched facade of the Vescovado Parma on the opposite side.

Where to stay in Parma: The comfortable rooms at Niki O. Lucca is a walled city and the 16th-century fortifications that surround the centre are still mostly intact.