Table of Contents
La dolce vita (a life of indolence and self-indulgence). Some places in the world have a range of beauty that are bucket list experiences. Italy holidays present the best of art and architecture from Rome to Venice such as churches in Rome, rainbow-coloured houses in Venice, and more. We have a list of 30+ top places to visit in Italy where you can holiday. From Rome to Venice, Milan to Florence, and more. Before your holiday, check the travel restrictions in Italy as the country ends the pandemic state of emergency. Read on to be inspired!
Best 30 Places To Visit In Italy
Uffizi Gallery – a spectacle of art in Florence
This is a top tourist attraction in Italy, an exquisite museum that symbolizes true beauty and becomes one of the best places to visit in Italy. The symmetrical columns and stately windows make it truly wonderful. Botticelli’s ‘The Birth Of Venus’ is a painting by the Italian artist Sandro Botticelli, that you can see here. It depicts goddess Venus emerging from the sea fully grown, a painting done probably in the mid-1480s. Stroll around the museum when it is closed, one of the best places in Italy for families.
Timings: 8.15 am to 6.50 pm
Average Price: $ 13.04
Pro-tip: Every first Sunday of the month the entrance to the museum is free. It is good to book tickets one day in advance
The Grand Canal – amid lapping waves
One of the top places in Venice Italy is the Grand Canal. This architectural wonder is marvellous as the sun reflects off the water. Enjoy the sounds of lapping waves as you cruise the canal that is truly the best romantic place to visit in Italy. Marvel at its beauty as you spend time any time of the day, a must-do in any Italy travel package. It is one of the major water-traffic corridors in the world.
Timings: 24-hours
Average Price: $ 32.59 per adult (Grand Canal Tour costs)
Pro-tip: Children from 0 to 6 years can enjoy the canal tour for free
Scala Dei Turchi – for gorgeous blue waters
This is one of the best beaches in Italy at the base of a rocky cliff in Sicily and an interesting place to visit in Italy. The striking uniqueness of the bronze sands that stands contrasted with the turquoise blue oceans makes this the best weekend getaway in Italy. The backdrop of the pale grey cliffs against the ocean makes this, one of Sicily`s natural wonders.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: Tour cost
Pro-tip: You could look for online deals on tour costs and room rentals for great deals
Amalfi Coast – sip on a glass of limoncello liqueur
Amalfi Coast Italy is one of the most beautiful places with breathtaking views, stunning beaches and more. This is a romantic place to visit in Italy especially as a honeymooner with its colourful landscapes. The fairy tale towns like Ravello, Atrani and Positano offer unique vibes that are worth seeing. You can visit the Infinity Terrace or enjoy a candle-lit dinner at Re Maur.
Timings: 24-hours
Average Price: $ 1,701 (solo traveller for Amalfi Coast tour of 7 days)
Pro-tip: Spend a day at the Marina Grande or Arienzo Beach, some of the best beaches in Italy along the coast
Burano – the island with the best espresso
This splendid island off the coast of Venice is one of the best places to visit in Italy. Take a stroll through the cobblestoned streets on this diminutive island. You get the loveliest laces in the world here. This fairy tale island serves great espresso’s and is a top thing to do on an Italy holiday.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: $ 6.53 (entrance to Burano Lace Museum)
Pro-tip: You could check out stores selling precious glass objects here
Duomo di Milano – the magnificent cathedral
The white Gothic cathedral is a top thing to see in Italy and is home to around 3500 statues. Most of which are located on the gargoyle-lined roof making it one of the popular places to visit in Italy. Take an audio guide tour to make the best out of this gorgeous Italy attraction in Milan with over 135 spires. You could climb 150 steps to the roof for spectacular views.
Timings: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
Average Price: $ 3.26 (adult ticket to the rooftop)
Pro-tip: You can visit the attraction safely as Italy covid guidelines are in place
Rome – visit the ‘Eternal City’
The Eternal City is a bucket list capital with several Italy attractions. From the Colosseum to the Pantheon and from the Vatican to St. Peter’s Basilica the city is a major historical capital. You can also go vintage shopping on Via del Governo Vecchio or visit the Testaccio Market and more.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: $ 1,121 per adult (average price for a 7-day tour for a solo traveller)
Pro-tip: You should use the Rome tour as a starting point for an Italy holiday
Pantheon – a truly magnificent ancient church
A top thing to do in Rome is to visit one of the ancient churches in the middle of Rome. The splendid attraction is a noted wonder of the pre-Christian era with its architectural marvel. The magnificent site is truly awesome inside and out. Though the crowds may be distracting, this remains one of Italy most popular tourist places.
Timings: 8.30 am to 7.15 pm
Average Price: Free
Pro-tip: Sunday timings vary from 9.00 am to 5.45 pm. Do reserve your spot in advance as it is a requirement
The Duomo of Siena – a historical place in Italy
See the works of Michelangelo, Donatello and Pisano among others inside the extravagant cathedral. It was built in 1263 and is among the most ambitious Gothic churches. A top tourist attraction in Italy. Watch the stunning floors with an inlaid mosaic that tells Biblical stories of historical events.
Timings: 10.30 am to 5.00 pm
Average Price: $ 14.14 (non-peak season)
Pro-tip: You can buy a pass that allows you to sightsee the Siena Cathedral, Crypt, Baptistry, and museum
Ponte Sisto – the romantic “Kissing Bridge”
This is one of the most romantic places in Rome to take your lover. The “Kissing Bridge” has its characteristic central oculus which means ‘eye’. The bridge connects two fashionable nightlife areas, Trastevere and Campo de` Fiori. The perfect sunset backdrop and the sensual humped footpath make this a romantic place to visit in Italy with your dear one.
Timings: 24-hours
Average Price: Based on the tour
Pro-tip: You could book a stay at 4-star Hotel Ponte Sisto in central Rome
You may also like: 20+ Spellbinding Things to do in Italy
Venice – the most romantic city in Italy
Venice with its narrow alleys, endless canals and spectacular beauty is one of the best places to visit in Italy. It is hard to imagine an Italy holiday without Venice. Grab the hand of your partner and head out into the beautiful streets of Venice to marvel at the Grand Canal. Catch views at the Scala Contarini del Bovolo for a romantic time. Click pictures of the leaning towers and other top places in Venice Italy.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: $ 87.01 (Venice Gondola ride before sunset) | $ 108.77 ( Venice Gondola ride during or after sunset)
Pro-tip: Go on a tour with a local guide to give you a comprehensive feel of Venice
Boboli Gardens – splendour at its best
Wander through the 111 acres of lavish landscapes of the Boboli Gardens, a beautiful thing to do in Florence. The garden is endlessly romantic in the capital of Tuscany, Florence which is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. The historical park was opened in 1766 and is a fine example of an Italian garden, a hidden gem inside Florence.
Timings: 8.15 am to 5.30 pm
Average Price: $ 7.60
Pro-tip: You can enter the garden only with an accompaniment and not alone
Campo de Fiori – your daily farmers market
The daily farmers’ market in Rome will invite you with its vibrancy. Wander along with the locals and sip on an espresso doppio. You get everything from local cheeses, plump fruits, well-cut meats and more. The vibrancy of the market will draw you with the smell of freshly baked bread. Indulge in a top tourist attraction in Italy and get a glimpse of everyday Roman life.
Timings: 7.00 am to 2.00 pm
Average Price: Based on the tour
Pro-tip: You could book a vacation home that is reasonably priced per night
Florence – a fairytale land
One of the best places to visit in Italy is the city of Florence. It is a fairytale land. In the capital of the Tuscany region, you get to see masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. Home to the iconic Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome and a bell tower by Giotto, the city is Italy tourism at its best. Another top Italy attraction here is the Galleria dell ‘Accademia, which displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: starts from $ 1,605 (solo traveller for 7 days)
Pro-tip: Florence hotels range from an average of $ 121 per night and the cost per day for meals is $ 28
Bosco Verticale – an amazing ‘vertical forest’
One of the top tourist attractions in Italy is the unique high-rise apartment blocks in Milan. It got famous in the news in 2017 for its unique vertical forest architectural style. The top place in Italy to see is the work of the architect Stefano Boeri. You can see the buildings in the modern Porta Nuova that are covered with more than 20,000 trees and plants. It has turned the business district into a remarkable tourist spot.
Timings: 24-hours
Average Price: Based on the tour
Pro-tip: The best way to see the attraction is via a private tour booked in advance
St. Peter’s Basilica – iconic cathedral
The truly awe-inspiring Catholic cathedral is one of the best places to visit in Rome. It is one of the most famous Catholic churches in the world. Be amazed at the gilded roof and renowned artwork in the cathedral that draws over 25,000 visitors a day. This is one of the most beautiful places in Italy, especially at night, a remarkable sight on an Italy holiday.
Timings: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm
Average Price: Free
Pro-tip: It is preferred to use an audio Guide app during the visit
Capri – classic Mediterranean island
One of the best weekend getaways in Italy is Capri, by far the most glamorous island. The dramatic tourist attraction welcomes you with the scent of many flowers. The iconic Faraglioni rocks settled in the Mediterranean to form the glorious island. The romantic place to visit in Italy is an absolute sensory overload.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: $ 21 per adult (nomad-style tour)
Pro-tip: It is a good idea to stay overnight as the daytrippers leave the island turns more magical
Lake Como – a vacationers jewel
Lake Como is a 56-square mile natural beauty and among the best places in Italy for families. It is a famous tourist spot for summer vacationers indulging in leisure holidays. There are plenty of luxury hotels that are popular that you can stay at. It is the third-largest lake in Italy and presents dramatic scenery and backdrops of the Alps. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y with three branches connecting with the resort town of Bellagio.
Timings: 24-hours
Average Price: $ 150 for a mid-range accommodation
Pro-tip: The best time to visit is when Italy weather is in spring for the famed bougainvillea’s in full bloom
Locorotondo – an enigmatic Apulian village
This beautiful Apulian village in Puglia is not bursting with attractions or famous tales. This makes it one of the most beautiful places in Italy. The calm and quiet is where you can lose yourself and unwind. Wander through the myriad of streets that make the town that has been around for ages. Pick a weekend to visit this family destination in Italy and sip on your favourite white wine.
Timings: Based on the tour (wine tasting tour is approximately for 4 hours)
Average Price: $ 50.04 (wine tasting tour)
Pro-tip: Discover white wine tasting on a pre-booked wine tour, in the ‘city of white wine’
Matera – immerse in the Sassi neighbourhood
They made the city from a rock and it is a testament to the regeneration of subterranean tunnels. They once housed the poor and today the tunnels are UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can stay for the night in a luxury hotel and explore the neighbourhood with limestone cliffs. Matera is a prehistoric region known for its heritage and museums of the past.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: $ 699.36 (private tour of Matera)
Pro-tip: Book a tour that takes care of the Italy Covid guidelines and precautions
Pompeii – Italian archaeological park
Go down ancient roads and experience what was a Roman town before volcanic ash destroyed it. This is one of the top Italy attractions where you see ancient ruins of a city destroyed in the Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD. The city was buried under mountains of volcanic ash leaving some houses with everyday items intact. See the Roman Amphitheatre and the public gymnasium.
Timings: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
Average Price: $ 2.18
Pro-tip: We recommend booking tickets in advance online to skip lines of waiting
Leaning Tower of Pisa – world-famous Italian attraction
Climb up the world-famous Leaning Tower located in Piazza del Duomo in Italy. The iconic tower is next to the 11th-century Cathedral and the Baptistery, top places to see in Italy. Admire the tower, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose construction took 199 years to complete. Reserve your tickets to access Pisa Cathedral as well.
Timings: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
Average Price: $ 19.58 (30-minute visit)
Pro-tip: Take a tour of the illuminated Tower at night which is spectacular
Colosseum – a massive amphitheatre
One of the top attractions in Italy is the large Colosseum built by the Roman Empire. This is a model for sports facilities built by Vespasian in 72CE. There is a wooden floor that was 83 by 48 meters covered by underground tunnels, passages, rooms and cells. It provided space for the gladiators, wild animals, workers and storage.
Timings: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Average Price: $ 13.05
Pro-tip: The best time to visit the Colosseum is either early morning or one hour before sunset for wonderful views
Milan Cathedral – the world’s most magnificent church
The Milan Cathedral is the cathedral church in Milan, one of the top Italy attractions. They designed the splendid Gothic architecture into the world’s largest Gothic cathedral with classical elements. Flying reinforcements supports the Gothic roofline with its pinnacles and spires becoming an admirable sight. The cathedral comprises over 90 gargoyles and over 3,400 statues. The cathedral has one of the biggest pipe organs in the world.
Timings: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
Average Price: $8.70 (Visitor Pass)
Pro-tip: The Culture Pass includes entry to the cathedral, the Crypt of St Charles, the archaeological area, the Duomo museum, and the Church of San Gottardo
Vatican City – for priceless art and art collections
Visit Vatican city at sunset to be amid the great Basilica of St. Peter and view one of Michelangelo’s pieces of art called Pieta. Be in awe of the walls and ceilings of the Sistine Chapel with frescoes that ranks it as one of the top places to visit in Italy. There are works of renowned artists in the Vatican Palace such as Raphael. The Vatican Museum is home to Etruscan antiquities, papal carriages and more.
Timings: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
Average Price: $ 8.70 (pass)
Pro-tip: Book a guided tour that lasts for 2.5 hours with an Exclusive Priority Access
Lake Garda – bask in the Italian sunshine
Lake Garda is an absolute must in an Italy holiday because it is located between three regions. You can take a day trip from Milan, Dolomites or Venice. Lake Garda is an exceptional destination although with an excellent surrounding that is both peaceful and serene. The lake offers wonderful beaches where sunbathing is a top thing to do in Italy. There are 6 best beaches of Italy for swimming and relaxing.
Timings: 24-hours
Average Price: $ 69.28 (full-day tour of Lake Gada)
Pro-tip: Book a guided tour of the Thermal Park of Gada and soak in the thermal lakes
San Cassiano – the beauty of alpine charm
Strewn around San Cassiano are wooden-clad chalets and castle-like turrets. Soak in the laden culture here and enjoy the alpine charm. This is one of Italy’s most popular tourist places and an authentic South Tyrolean experience. Book a loft suite at Rosa Alpina for a timeless sense of peace and renowned service. The charming mountain village of San Cassiano presents an elegant retreat that comes to life in winter.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: Tour price
Pro-tip: Enjoy skiing, snowboarding to mountain trekking during winters in San Cassiano
Cinque Terre – to see colourful houses & vineyards
This is a string of centuries-old seaside villages located along the Italian Riviera coast. One of the best places to visit in Italy for families for the colourful houses and steep terraces vineyards. Watch the harbours filled with fishing boats and try sumptuous seafood with its famous pesto sauce. Hiking the Sentiero Azzurro cliffside that follows a trail linking the villages is among the top things to do on an Italy holiday.
Timings: 6 hours (Blue Path Trail hiking)
Average Price: $8.16 (Cinque Terre Trekking Card)
Pro-tip: From November to March hiking trails are free
Sorrento – a clifftop town
One of the top Italy attractions is the southern town of Sorrento. It is located on a clifftop with views of the Bay of Naples. The truly sensational views make this one of the most beautiful places in Italy. The vintage seaside town is known for Renaissance architecture and splendid views.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: Tour price
Pro-tip: You could think of staying at the Grand Hotel de la Ville for absolute luxury
Dorsoduro – for the taste of real Venice
In the cultural hub of Dorsoduro, one of the top places in Italy to visit is where you get to embrace the real Venice. Tucked away behind the Chiesa Santa Maria is its relaxed charm. Walk around the quiet streets that lend themselves to an arty adventure. Don’t miss the many Italy attractions here such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Gallerie dell`Accademia.
Timings: Based on the tour
Average Price: $ 1,724 (for a solo traveller the average cost of a 7-day tour)
Pro-tip: You could book a professional photographer and curate the best possible route on a private tour
