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The land of delicious Pizza, Roman cathedrals, picture-perfect beach villages and stunning ancient cities, Italy is full of surprises. There is so much to notice and to admire. Plan a tour of this fairy-tale land and savour the essence of Europe. Italy has incredible places along with an intriguing history to explore. Planning a visit to its beautiful world? Here are the top things to do in Italy. Scroll down and add these to your itinerary.
Travel 101: Top Things To Do In Italy
1. Visit the Iconic Coliseum
An important landmark in Rome and one of the most recognised structures in the world, Coliseum is a beautiful amphitheatre in an oval shape and is believed to be the largest of them all ever built on the planet. It is the place where the gladiator fights, mock battles, and other events used to happen. The structure deeply reflects the beauty of Roman architecture. Today, it is one of the iconic places in Italy as it has been added to the list of New Seven Wonders of the World.
Recommended For: History Lovers, Architecture Lovers
Location: Rome, Italy
Entry Fee: $14.80 per person
Timings: From 08:30 am till an hour before sunset
Pro Tip: If you are a history person, then do visit the Coliseum only with a guide as it would help you learn about the unknown facts of the wonder.
2. Romance the Waters of Venice
Venice is truly spectacular with its heaven-like canals where the beauty of gondolas sail. The stunning architecture facing the waters adds to the charm of the place. Take a ride in a gondola or a motorboat and float down shimmering waters to witness the magic that Italy boasts of. Romance your partner or simply witness the sky spreading colours all around. Venice is a small paradise in true sense.
Recommended for: Couples, Families, Photographers
Price Range: $10 – $150 (Depends upon the luxuries you avail)
Recommended Timings: 06:00 am to 07:00 pm
Pro Tip: Make sure you are well aware of the route your gondolier is taking.
3. Explore the Colourful Settlement of Cinque Terre
Desire to watch how colours make a place an idyllic destination? If yes, then Cinque Terre in Italy must be your destination. Add it to your bucket list for it holds a significant place in the hearts of travellers on account of its sheer hypnotizing beauty. Serene peaceful shores, lush greenery and vibrant atmosphere are what describe the charm of Cinque Terre. Take a break here and mingle with the locals.
Recommended For: Nature Lovers, Couples, Photographers
Location: Liguria, Italy
Price Range: No Entry Fee
Pro Tip: Do explore the surroundings at the time of dawn and dusk.
4. Observe the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa is a fluke of architecture as when the tower was constructed it immediately started to sink into the marshy ground beneath it. This gave the tower its signature style and at various times during its existence, it has been both open and closed to the public as architects struggle to assess if it is safe to enter. When the tower is open you can climb to the viewing platform at the top where you can look across all of Pisa.
Recommended For: Architecture Enthusiasts, Couples, Photographers
Location: Pisa Italy
Price: $22 per person for climbing the tower
Ideal Timings: 08:00 am to 06:00 pm
5. Visit the Medieval Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore
Florence is one of the most romantic and artistic cities in the world. And its crowning glory is the magnificent Duomo or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The cathedral is best known for its rising dome that can be seen from all over Florence as well as its different hued frescoes and decorations. One of the best things to do here is to climb to the top where you can look out across Florence and appreciate this amazing feat of architecture.
Recommended For: History Lovers, Photographers
Location: Florence, Italy
Price: $22 for all the towers and buildings
Timings: 08:30 am to 07:00 pm
6. Ride a Boat Along the Beaches of Amalfi Coast
The gorgeous Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic spots in Italy and if you want to experience as much of it as possible in the shortest amount of time then consider taking a boat trip along the shoreline. You can take in sights of places such as the towering Lattari Mountains as well as various cute coves and inlets. Seemingly out of nowhere traditional Mediterranean villages will appear and boat tours usually come with food and drinks included so that you can snack on local produce as you take in the views.
Recommended For: Couples, Families, Nature Lovers
Location: Amalfi, Italy
Price Range: $30 – 150 for an hour tour
Timings: 07:00 am to 08:00 pm
Pro Tip: Book your ferry tickets in advance during the months of Summer as it is considered to be the peak season.
7. Throw a Coin in the Trevi Fountain
No trip to Rome is complete without a trip to the Trevi Fountain, and in fact, if you want to return here then it is considered an absolute necessity. Local legend has it that anyone who tosses a coin into the fountain will get good luck. This also means that they will one day return to this great city. The fountain is carved in the Baroque style and is made of glittering marble which is lit up at night to a spectacular effect.
Recommended For: Couples, Explorers
Location: Rome, Italy
Price: No Entrance Fee
8. Trace the Evolution of Italy at the Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is another one of Italy’s big hit attractions and lies between the Capitoline and the Palatine hills in Rome. This would once have been the center of the mighty Roman Empire and you can take in the beautiful complex here as well as enjoy views from the terraces all over the wider city.
Recommended For: History Lovers, Explorers
Location: Rome, Italy
Price: $14.80 per person
Recommended Timings: 08:30 am to 04:00 pm
Pro Tip: If you are visiting the place during the summers, do not forget to carry an umbrella and a water bottle.
9. Hike up the Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous mountains in the world, not least because of its famous eruption that covered the unsuspecting town of Pompeii in volcanic ash. Nowadays, Vesuvius is mostly considered safe to climb and you can trek to the crater of the mountain which looks like something you would find on the surface of the moon. Needless to say, the views from the top are breathtaking and the hike is suitable for a range of abilities.
Recommended For: Hikers, Adventure Lovers, Photographers
Location: Campania, Italy
Price: $12 for Entry to Vesuvius National Park
Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
10. Spot Renaissance Masterpieces at Uffizi Gallery
Anyone heading to Florence shouldn’t miss the chance to visit one of arguably the most famous galleries in the world. This museum is stuffed full of the works of Italian greats such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio which are all displayed in one of the prettiest buildings in Italy, the Palazzo degli Uffizi. The palazzo looks over the mighty Arno River and is a must visit for any art lovers.
Recommended For: Art Lovers
Location: Florence, Italy
Price: $15 per person
Recommended Timings: 08:15 am to 06:50 pm
Pro Tip: The art gallery remains closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly.
11. Explore the Utopian Surroundings of Lake Como
Lake Como in Lombardy spans an amazing 146 square km and is the perfect place to get out on the water and explore Italy by boat. The area around Lake Como has houses owned by some of the richest celebrities in the world. The landscape surrounding the lake is covered with alpine forest and traditional villages as well as dainty ornate houses that make you feel as if you are in a picture postcard version of an Italian masterpiece.
Recommended For: Offbeat Explorers
Location: Lombardy, Italy
Pro Tip: Though swimming is quite difficult in the lake, you can visit the places of Lido di Vila Olma and Lido di Cernobbio if you are too keen to swim.
12. Visit the Valley of the Temples
If you are going to visit charming Sicily as part of your travels then your first stop needs to be the Valley of the Temples which is located in Agrigento. Here you will find a huge archaeological complex that has some of the most intact Doric temples that were built here in the 5th century. One of the best things about the temples here is that they overlook the town below and you can take in the stunning views as you tour the historical site.
Recommended For: History Lovers, Explorers
Location: Sicily, Italy
Price: $5 per person
Timings: 09:00 am to 08:00 pm
13. Take a Tour of the Historic Pompeii
Pompeii is famous for the events that took place here in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the town in ash. The eruption meant that Roman life was captured and frozen in time, and when the site was excavated it offered a glimpse of a bygone era. Today, at Pompeii you can expect a kind of open air museum where you will find preserved houses, baths and ancient Roman forums all filled with the relics of the people who were living here when the eruption took place.
Recommended For: History Lovers, Offbeat Explorers
Location: Italy
14. Sail Around the Blue Grotto
One of the premium sights in Capri is the Blue Grotto, also known as the Grotta Azzurra. The grotto is the result of a cavern which is filled with water that glows in luminescent blue when the sun hits it through shafts on the sides of the rock. The cavern itself rises to 14 meters in height in some parts and is around 60 meters long, and you can take in this amazing light show from a rowing boat inside the grotto which makes for one of the most memorable sightseeing experiences in all of Italy.
Recommended For: Nature Lovers, Couples
Location: Capri, Italy
Price Range: $10 – $25 per session
Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
Pro Tip: The spring and the fall seasons are the best times to visit Blue Grotto without coming across the tourist crowd.
15. Visit the Gorgeous Saint Mark’s Basilica
Venice has a range of peerless attractions and one of the most famous of these is the Saint Mark’s Basilica which sits on the famed Piazza San Marco or Saint Mark’s Square. The basilica is the final resting place of Saint Mark the Evangelist and started life as a Byzantine church before being developed over the years. The church is a work of art in its own right and you will find glittering mosaics and gorgeous marble decorations all over the complex as well as bas-reliefs and touches of gold leaf.
Recommended For: Architecture Lovers, History Explorers
Location: Venice, Italy
Price: No Entrance Fee
Timings: 09:30 am to 05:00 pm
Pro Tip: Pay a small amount for a person and you get to enter the cathedral without standing in the queue.
16. Climb the Towering Mount Stromboli
On a visit to Sicily, you absolutely can’t miss the chance to climb a part of Stromboli, a still active volcano. If you are looking for an easy trek, then you can walk 400 meters up the sides of Stromboli by yourself. Although, if you want to continue on to the crater which still billows clouds of ash and fire, then you will need a certified guide to take you. It can be quite a slog to the top, but it is well worth it for the spectacular views.
Recommended For: Adventure Lovers
Location: Sicily, Italy
Price: No Entrance Fee
($35 – $50 for an authorised mountain guided tour)
17. Explore the Historic Centre of Siena
The Historic Center of Siena in particular is well worth a visit and starts at the Piazza del Campo which leads to a historic district that is covered with Gothic architecture that dates from the 12th century. This mingles with buildings from the middle ages. The signature points to look out for include the mighty Duomo, the Pinacoteca Nazionale, and the pretty Palazzo Salimbeni.
Recommended For: History Lovers, Architecture Enthusiasts
Location: Siena, Italy
Price Range: $10 – $15 per person with a guide
Recommended Timings: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
18. Savour the Best Pizza In Naples
Naples has a range of pretty attractions in its own right but one of the main reasons to come here is to snack on its most famous foodstuff in the form of delicious pizza. All over the city you will find pizza parlors and restaurants and wherever you choose to go, know that it is this city that is famed with inventing one of the world’s favourite foods.
Recommended For: Foodies, Culture Explorers
Location: Naples, Italy
Average Price: $3 – $4 per pizza
Pro Tip: Relish Naples pizza with a glass of house wine.
19. Explore the Secrets of Frasassi Cave
The Frasassi Cave is located deep in the grounds of Ancona. Descending into this wonderful feat of nature can feel like you are travelling to the centre of the earth. The journey takes 75 minutes and you can expect to find some of the most beautiful karst formations anywhere in the world here. The inside of the grotto is covered in walkways and lighted areas that let you take in the amazing geology within, such as eerie stalactites and stalagmites.
Recommended For: Offbeat Explorers
Location: Genga, Italy
Recommended Timings: 10:30 am to 04:00 pm
20. Rediscover Love Under Juliet’s Balcony
Verona is home to what is said to be the balcony of Juliet, the character made famous in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. The balcony is still a pretty spot in the city and couples flock here to declare their love for each other beneath the famous building. Even though the characters in Romeo and Juliet never existed in real life, the essence and the story of this place seem just as real.
Recommended For: Couples, Explorers
Location: Verona, Italy
Price: $8 per person
Recommended Timings: 08:00 am to 03:00 pm
21. Trek the Rough Landscape of Sardinia
Sardinia is one of the largest and most beautiful islands in Italy and hence, makes for a great weekend escape from the chaos of cities. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea and boasts of wonderful landscapes. The rugged paths and lush trails make Sardinia a perfect offbeat destination for trekkers. Walk down the green hills and have an adventurous day in Italy. You can also lay by beautiful shores and spend your day relishing turquoise waters.
Recommended For: Adventure Lovers, Couples
Location: Sardinia, Italy
Pro Tip: If you are looking for a quiet place with the most colourful beaches, then Sardinia is a great holiday destination for you.
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