Skip to main content

The 15 Best Places to Visit in Italy

Stunning landscapes of Positano and the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy

Italy has something for everyone – from spectacular cities and ancient ruins to glorious museums and delicious local cuisine.

There are so many beautiful places in Italy to visit. From captivating cities and scenic coasts to iconic landmarks and historic sites, there’s plenty to see and do on Italian city breaks and Italian tours. And no wonder – Italy is the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites alongside China and offers an incredible array of places to visit and explore. But where should you go first?

The 15 Best Places To Visit In Italy

Rome

It goes without saying that one of the best places to visit in Italy is Rome. The ancient capital is an exhilarating city with a wealth of cultural, historic and religious sites to explore including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and the Spanish Steps. Toss a coin in the famous Trevi Fountain to bring you good fortune – and wish for a return trip to the Eternal City.

Colosseum in Rome lit by morning sunlight, Italy
Aerial scenic view of Siena town and historical houses in Tuscany, Ialy
The Brunelleschi Dome with the Tuscany Mountains in the background, Italy
The beautiful Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi located in the town of Assisi, Italy. Photo contains a Tuscan hillside view in the background and a bright blue sky with pretty cloud formations.
The wonderful medieval city of Siena in Tuscany region, italy

Escorted Tour

Classical Italy: Florence, Siena, Assisi and Rome

  • Italy
  • 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Bed & Breakfast with dinner on night 5
  • 7 included experiences

 

Vatican City

While in Rome, make sure you also visit the Vatican City. An independent state and centre of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican attracts some five million visitors every year. Many pilgrims seek a blessing from the Pope; others arrive simply to admire St Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel.

Amalfi Coast

The stunning Amalfi Coast, stretching along the Sorrento peninsula, is another of the best places to visit in Italy. The dramatic coastline is awash with picturesque towns and villages, olive groves and lemon orchards, and just across the Bay of Naples is the tranquil island of Capri. The exclusive resort of Positano, with its colourful buildings nestled into the cliffs, will be another highlight.

Pompeii

A thought-provoking trip to Pompeii should also be on your itinerary if staying in the Bay of Naples. The ancient Roman city was buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash and rock after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD and not rediscovered until the mid-18th century. Wandering through the vast UNESCO-listed archaeological site today provides a fascinating insight into an intriguing past life. Buy tickets online in advance to avoid queues.

Tuscany

If thinking about holidays to Italy, consider Tuscany, especially if you’re a keen artist or walker. Green vineyards, golden barley fields and chalk plains compete for your attention and result in magical landscapes that have inspired painters for centuries. Rustic paths are lined with cypress trees and silvery olive groves, and weave through medieval towns and villages, allowing you to step back in time.

Amalfi Coast from Villa Rufolo gardens in Ravello, Campania, Italy
Ruins of Pompeii and a distant view of  Mount Vesuvius volcano in Italy
Positano on Amalfi coast with blurred flowers on foreground in Campania, Italy

Escorted Tour

Pompeii, Capri and the Bay of Naples

  • Italy
  • 3* / 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Breakfast & dinner
  • 6 included experiences
Panorama of Ponte Vecchio bridge and houses at twilight in Florence, Italy
A low ground shot of the leaning tower of Pisa and the Campo dei Miracoli building, Italy
Beautiful view of the medieval town of San Gimignano in Tuscany, Italy
The Fountain of Neptune at Signoria square in Florence, Italy

Escorted Tour

Florence and Tuscany

  • Italy
  • 3* / 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Daily breakfast & 4 dinners
  • 8 included experiences

 

Sicily

An enchanting island located in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is one of the best places to visit in Italy for a friendly, warm welcome. You’ll also find a unique culture – Sicilians have their own language – as well as some fantastic food and wine. On a Sicily tour, be prepared to stumble upon an array of Greek, Roman and Moorish relics including amphitheatres, monasteries, temples and more.

Venice

Magical Venice is one of the best places to visit in Italy for a romantic break. You can’t help but fall in love with the Grand Canal, St Mark’s Basilica and the city’s tangle of alleys and bridges. Be sure to see the ornamental Bridge of Sighs – legend says if a couple kisses as they pass under on a gondola, their love will last forever.

Taormina theatre columns with snowy Mount Etna in the distance in Taormina, Italy
Fallen Statue of Icarus and Temple of Concordia, Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy
Coast of Ortigia island at the city of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy

Escorted Tour

Sicily Tour

  • Italy, Sicily
  • 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Daily breakfast and dinner, plus 1 light lunch
  • 6 included experiences

Italian Lakes

Whether you choose a Lake Garda tour or spend time at Lake Como, Maggiore or Orta, the Italian Lakes are sure to capture your heart. Stunningly beautiful, each lake has a distinct charm. Italy’s beguiling lakes attract swimmers, water sport enthusiasts, hikers, cyclists and those who enjoy a tranquil setting. Relax, soak up some spectacular scenery – there’s no better place.

View all our Italian lakes holidays

Florence

The stunning Renaissance city of Florence is a good reason why you should visit Italy. Nowhere else in the world will you find such magnificent artwork and architecture. A highlight of a city break will be a tour of the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Botticelli, da Vinci and Michelangelo. The city’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Ponte Vecchio bridge are sensational too.

Borromean islands, Italy

Escorted Tour

Walk & Discover: The Italian Lakes

  • Italy
  • 4* hotel
  • Flights included
  • Daily meals
  • 6 included experiences
  • Daily tours & walks
  • Small walking group sizes of 12-18 people

 

The Dolomites

A two-hour drive from Venice, the Dolomite mountain range is one of Italy’s natural wonders, and an excellent destination to discover on a walking holiday. Visit during early summer to enjoy the surrounding meadows filled with wildflowers – you may also see birds of prey and inquisitive marmots. For an awe-inspiring sight, stay until the sun sets when 18 jagged mountain peaks often turn red.

Portofino

It’s easy to see why Europe’s elite love Portofino. The exclusive resort, a fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline, is extremely picturesque and full of highly-recommended fish restaurants. Celebrities arrive here in their droves. Follow their example and sail into the superb natural harbour on a boat. You may not be aboard a superyacht, but it’ll be a journey to remember.

Bologna

A foodie’s paradise, Bologna in Northern Italy is world-renowned for its delicious cuisine. Atmospheric alleyways are filled with fantastic food shops, selling the finest ragù, Parmigiano-Reggiano, pasta and balsamic vinegar. The city is also home to the enormous San Petronio basilica, a leaning tower and Europe’s oldest university. Founded in 1068, students have included Dante, Marconi and Copernicus.

 

Trieste

If you’re wondering where to visit in Italy to indulge in a little café culture, head to Trieste in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The tiny region’s capital boasts Europe’s largest sea-facing square where many of its smart coffee shops were once frequented by the likes of James Joyce and Sigmund Freud. After a cappuccino or espresso, the medieval castle and Roman theatre ruins are worth a wander.

Sardinia

West of the Italian Peninsula, Sardinia is a charming island with an exhilarating thousand-mile coastline, white sands and hidden coves. However, the Mediterranean’s second-largest island offers much more than beautiful beaches. Head inland, and you’ll find sun-baked grassland, rugged mountains and dense forests of cork trees – a fascinating museum explains the cork production process. Make sure you also sample Sardinia’s prestigious wines.

Puglia

The region on the ‘heel’ of Italy’s famous ‘boot’ appropriately concludes our list of the 15 best places to visit in Italy. Puglia – a little-known treasure that produces 80 per cent of Europe’s pasta – has quaint fishing villages, outstanding architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A highlight is the hobbit town of Alberobello, much loved for its trulli – whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs.

White houses with symbols in Alberobello, Puglia, Italy
Old Town Of Vieste with Hotel Rocca Sul Mare along a branch of coastline, Italy
Panoramic view of the ancient town of Matera at sunrise in Basilicata, Italy

Escorted Tour

Puglia, Lecce and Vieste - Undiscovered Italy

  • Italy
  • 4* hotels
  • Flights included
  • Daily breakfast & 7 meals
  • 7 included experiences

Get To Know The Best Places To Visit In Italy With Riviera Travel

There are lots of reasons why you’ll enjoy a holiday in Italy. Whether you want a cultural trip, city break, to explore a coastal resort or sample some delicious pasta and fine wine, you’ll find all this and so much more.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Related articles

Fishing boats in the port of Essaouira city in Marakesh, Morocco

Where To Stay When Visiting Morocco

Discover the best places in Morocco to stay, whether you want a couple’s getaway, a group holiday, or you’re travelling solo.

A Guide to Morocco’s Must-Try Foods

This guide explores the rich flavours of Moroccan cuisine. Discover must-try dishes and the best places to experience the country's vibrant food culture.

What to Wear When Visiting Morocco: A Guide for Comfort and Culture

What should you wear when visiting Morocco? Our guide will help you dress comfortably and respectfully in the varied climate and conservative religious culture.

What to do with 24 hours in Kyoto

Discover Kyoto, Japan's cultural heart, with 17 UNESCO sites, serene temples, geisha districts, and exquisite kaiseki dining. A journey into the past!