I traveled to Rome, Florence, Assisi, Sorrento, Pompeii, and Capri when I first visited Italy in 2014. When I studied abroad in Italy this past fall, I was lucky to visit acclaimed vineyards and charming towns from coast to coast. Listed below are 10 must see cities in Italy to visit!
Disclaimer: This blog post is sponsored by the Cruise Travel Outlet. The Cruise Travel Outlet Inc. partnered with Celebrity Cruises and provided me with the opportunity to sail on a Mediterranean cruise in exchange for reviews and leads. All opinions written below about the experience are my own. Continue reading to learn more about how you can save BIG on a dream cruise of your own.
1. Venice, Italy
A trip to Italy isn’t complete without a visit to Venice. Despite what you may have heard, Venice does have roads other than water canals. However, the roads are extremely narrow and for pedestrians only. I visited during the off-season and still found myself getting frustrated with the crowds, so keep this in mind if you choose to visit during the warmer months when the city is in its peak.
Water taxi is the main form of transportation around Venice. However, if you choose to walk around Venice instead, I recommend bringing a map because Venice is extremely easy to get lost in!
The gondola rides in Venice cost 80 euro and last for about 20-30 minutes. Although overpriced, the canals and the city itself are very clean and the seafood dishes that I tried were incredible.
I only spent one day in Venice, but I recommend staying for 2-3 days and checking out this list of must-see things to do in Venice! You can see the city of Venice in only a day, but the surrounding islands need more time. The beautiful, colorful islands of Burano and Murano are accessible via ferry from the city and are renowned for their long-lasting tradition of glass-making.
2. Positano, Italy
When you picture the colorful, cliffside homes and the teal blue water of the Amalfi coast, this is the town you are thinking of. Positano became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. This well-known vacation destination is known for its beach and steep, narrow streets lined with seafood restaurants and boutiques. If you are studying abroad in Europe and want to visit the Amalfi coast, the easiest way to do this is through a weekend tour. Linked below are some examples:
Amalfi Coast
https://www.smarttrip.it/en/tour-detail/16
3. Capri, Italy
Anacapri and Capri are must see cities in Italy to visit! Capri is a luxurious vacation destination located in the Bay of Naples. It’s famous for its perfume, lemons, Blue Grotto, and Caprese salads! The island is split into upper and lower levels. I recommend taking the gondola up to the upper level to check out the main square! Also, I recommend taking a boat tour to see Capri’s famous rock formations and stunning coastline.
PS. Plan on visiting Naples too? Check out this guide to Naples!
4. Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre is a string of five seaside villages located on the rocky Italian Rivera coastline. Cars are not allowed in this UNESCO World Heritage site, but there is a train that will bring you from La Spezia Centrale station (entrance into the park) to each of the villages.
I recommend hiking between the villages to see Cinque Terre to make the most of your time here! The trails are well-marked and will bring you alongside the turquoise coastline. When I visited in August, my friends and I hiked from the fourth village, Vernazza, to the last village, Monterosso al Mare. The hike was difficult and took about two hours, but the views made it so worth it!
5. Viareggio, Italy
Viareggio is a seaside city located about an hour from Florence. This city comes alive in the summertime and is a popular vacation destination for locals. This city has amazing shopping, delicious restaurants, and a boardwalk on the beach.
In addition, Viareggio is famous for Carnevale, which takes place from January through March of each year. The highlight of the parades are the papier-mâché floats. Although I didn’t attend Carnevale myself, I was able to visit the warehouses where the ginormous floats are created!
6. Taormina, Sicily, Italy
While studying abroad in Florence, I spent a weekend in Sicily for my art history class. I think Sicily has some of the most beautiful cities in Italy! We hiked Mt. Etna- an active volcano, toured Catania, and spent a day wandering Taormina. Taormina quickly became one of my favorite Italian cities, and is worth the flight or train ride if you can get to it! Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. Furthermore, it’s known for the ancient Greco-Roman theater that is still used today.
In Taormina, there are many quaint shops that sell pottery and jewelry, along with many restaurants that serve authentic Sicilian cuisine. Make sure to try a traditional Sicilian cannoli!
7. Vatican City, Italy
Vatican City is located within Rome and is the smallest country in the world, both in area and population. It’s also one of the holiest cities in Italy. Within Vatican City are religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican museums. There are also several gift shops located within Vatican City where you can have your purchases blessed by the Pope… for free! You can also purchase tickets in advance to get blessed by the Pope or attend a Papal Mass on Wednesdays and Sundays. You should plan on arriving here in the morning to allow yourself enough time to clear security and avoid crowds.
8. Verona, Italy
Verona is located in Northern Italy, about an hour train ride away from Florence. It is the historical setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and where the movie Letters to Juliet was filmed. Verona has a medieval old town that surrounds the Adige river. I recommend visiting Casa di Giulietta, a gothic-style home from the 1300s that was the inspiration for Shakespeare and is said to be Juliet’s home. Just like the movie, hundreds of people visit seeking love advice from Juliet and leave notes behind.
For a small fee, you can go onto the balcony that overlooks Juliet’s courtyard and visit the museum. Verona also has the Verona Arena, which is an ancient Roman amphitheater that still hosts concerts. Definitely add Verona to your list of cities in Italy to visit!
9. Siena, Italy
Siena is located within Tuscany and is characterized by its seashell-shaped main square, Piazza del Campo. Surrounding this square are hilly streets of shops and restaurants. I visited Siena for a field trip during my semester abroad and quickly fell in love.
The city is organized into 17 neighborhoods, characterized by an animal or symbol. For example, I ate lunch (famous Pici pasta) in the goose neighborhood. Also, every year during the summer, Palio horse races are held. Each neighborhood elects a jockey and a horse to represent them in the race, and compete against each other in the main square. The city itself, along with the races, are dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
10. Lucca, Italy
Lucca is one of the most well-preserved cities in Italy. It’s located about an hour train ride from Florence in Tuscany. The city is known for its Renaissance walls which now make up a park that encircles the city. Lucca has cobblestone streets, a round main square, and countless cathedrals. Additionally, I was told to visit this city before returning to the US, and ending up doing so spontaneously and alone.
Taking a solo trip is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I figured a day trip would be a great start. I bought my train tickets the night before and when I arrived in Lucca, I allowed myself to get lost, wandering the narrow cobblestone streets and going inside the churches and shops. I took myself out to lunch and forced myself to sit there alone and get served, enjoying my food without feeling the need to be on my phone. Ultimately, this was really hard to do, but a good experience and something I’m glad I took advantage of.
Lucca is the perfect place to just wander and enjoy Italian culture for what it is- there are very few tourists and no plans are needed!
PS. Looking for the best pizza in Italy? Check out this post before planning your trip!
Lastly, aside from Florence and Rome, these places are must see cities in Italy to visit! Ciao for now!
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So many more cities and villages in Italy that I still need to see. There are always reasons to go to Italy!
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Couldn’t agree more! I lived in Florence for 4 months while studying abroad and already have a list of 10+ new cities I want to check out some day when I go back!