Italy is a country that is on many a bucket list. Why? Cute and colourful towns and cities, delicious food regions, art, fashion, a romantic language, delicious men?…
I mean what more could you possibly want. With so many stunning cities to visit in Italy, just where does one beginning when planning a trip to Italy? Well, wonder no more as I am sharing the best places to visit in Italy with tips on the nearest airports, things to see and do in each place and city.
CONTENTS
- 1 Most Unique Places In Italy You Need To Visit
- 1.1 1. Amalfi coast
- 1.2 2. Cinque Terre
- 1.3 3. Chianti Road
- 1.4 4.Viterbo and Surroundings
- 1.5 5. White Week In Trentino Alto Adige
- 1.6 6. Low Lazio coast
- 1.7 7. Langhe and Roero
- 1.8 8. Rome And Castelli Romani
- 1.9 9. Venice and The Venetian villas
- 1.10 10. Naples and surroundings
- 1.11 11. Lake Garda
- 1.12 12. Salento
- 1.13 13. Eastern Sicily
- 1.14 14. Archipelago of Maddalena
- 1.15 15. Milan and surroundings
Most Unique Places In Italy You Need To Visit
Italy is full to the bream with iconic places, some locations are more iconic than others but – needless to deny it – the whole of Italy, from North to South including the islands, offers unique trips and holidays in the world.
But how to choose where to go and what places to visit? If you are looking for inspiration for a trip to discover a piece of our Italy you are in the right place.
You could be inspired by the 15 trips to Italy that we have selected from many trips in Italy, which together with a few tricks, will make you live the travel experience at its best.
The beauty of Italy is that they have an amazing train network so you can easily plan a train Itinerary around Italy with ease.
Sites like Omio or Trenitalia allow you to check train times, rates, as well as book fast trains in advance too, so exploring many of the famous and unique places to visit in Italy below, could be done without too much hustle.
1. Amalfi coast
Where to start in describing best travels in Italy? Difficult to choose. We suggest the Amalfi Coast. The pearl of Campania covers a relatively small area in terms of size but decidedly rich in natural and food and wine beauties.
The main towns that touches are Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Vietri sul Mare, all connected by the Strada Statale 163 Amalfitana, rightly considered one of the most beautiful roads in Italy.
The peculiarity of the Amalfi Coast is the arrangement of houses and land in a vertical way, and villages that strike for their maze of picturesque and fairytale streets.
There is no shortage of beaches and walks, while as regards the attractions that you just cannot miss, we recommend Ravello with its villas, Rufolo and Cimbrone, Amalfi with its cathedral and its alleys that climb towards the mountain and Positano, with its chic air and its seaside restaurants.
The Amalfi Coast is a trip to Italy to be enjoyed slowly and with amazement, adding Salerno and Sorrento to the itinerary.
2. Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre area, on the Ligurian coast, includes the small villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Their position, the colors of the houses, the scent of focaccia that can be smelt walking on the streets and a sea that invites all year round make Cinque Terre one of the areas to be considered absolutely for a trip to Italy.
Lovers of mountain walks can take one of the two paths that cross the territory to enjoy the Cinque Terre from a different point of view. In the high season, less frequented: and consider that the different towns are connected by train. You can leave on foot, and return easily.
Also Read: How To Get To Cinque Terre From Milan
3. Chianti Road
Hills that frame small stone villages, estates and vineyards, olive groves that overlook and complete a panorama that is already unique and fascinating in itself, loved by both Italians and foreigners.
It is the Chianti road, also called Chiantigiana, which connects Florence and Siena and winds among others, between Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti up to Siena between wineries, producers of pecorino and places where time seems to stand still.
A route along the Chianti road means not only enjoying the beauty of the landscape: it is a unique food and wine experience, one of the trips to Italy that are a must for lovers of good wine and good living.
Continuing once again to Siena, you can reach the Val d’Orcia, between the wine villages of Montalcino and Montepulciano, and go as far as Bagno Vignoni and its spas. There are so many amazing towns in Tuscany one has to visit at least once in a lifetime.
Nearest airport: Florence
Also Read: How To Spend A Day In Florence | Must See Giotto’s Campanile | How To Get To Florence From Pisa
4.Viterbo and Surroundings
Upper Lazio is the perfect choice for those looking for a relaxing place to discover while travelling, and staying in Italy. From Lake Vico to Viterbo with its structures dating back to the papal period without forgetting Bomarzo and its Monster Park.
Also to mention, Soriano nel Cimino, Tuscania and its Etruscan Necropolis and Tarquinia, an ancient Etruscan city overlooking both the Lazio Maremma and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
A separate discussion must be made for the splendid Civita di Bagnoregio, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known by the name of “dying city”. In fact, it was abandoned almost completely at the end of the eighteenth century.
It was after an earthquake that destroyed the bridge that connected the fortress to the lower city and today it is an unmissable tourist destination for those in the area, also to admire the whole Valle dei Calanchi from above.
Nearest airport: Rome
5. White Week In Trentino Alto Adige
Trentino Alto Adige is one of the regions most loved by those who like to play sports. In winter, it is a destination for those who ski or like activities related to snow, while in summer it is a destination for tourism interested in the mountains and in direct contact with nature, as well as major exhibitions and culture.
If you are thinking of a skiing holiday in Trentino Alto Adige, you will be spoiled for choice on accommodation, things to do, slopes to attend and also things to eat. During the Christmas period, then, all the municipalities set up Christmas markets that catapult into an almost fairytale world.
A skiing holiday in Trentino is one of those trips to Italy to do at least once in your life, combining the visit with two unmissable locations: Lake Resia in Val Venosta and Lake Braies in Val Pusteria.
Nearest airport: Verona
Also Read: Things To Do In Verona | Day Trips From Verona
6. Low Lazio coast
The coastal area of Lazio, which has Latina as its capital, is one of the unmissable destinations for those who love good food and the sea: one of the trips in Italy perhaps less considered, but trust me!
The characteristics of Roman cuisine here leave room for a hybrid between Lazio and Campania cuisine with an important presence of fish, cooked in different ways (the tiella is a must).
Do not miss Gaeta with its split mountain and the fabulous Garden of Ninfa, to be associated with the visit of the Sermoneta Castle. If you love the sea, Sperlonga and San Felice Circeo are the ideal destinations for a restful break.
Nearest airport: Rome
7. Langhe and Roero
A truly incredible corner of Piedmont, the Langhe and Roero area, is characterized by a hilly landscape where the expanses of olive groves are the masters. Small villages that come alive in summer and many opportunities for those traveling to discover good food and good wine, for which the area is famous.
Do not miss Alba (internationally famous for the Truffle Festival in autumn), Barolo (internationally famous for the Collisioni Festival in summer), Cherasco, Grinzane Cavour and Bra, famous for its cheese and the dedicated festival of the same name, which takes place every two years, Cheese. A road trip in Italy, highly recommended to do by car or motorbike!
Nearest airport: Turin
8. Rome And Castelli Romani
The list of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy at least once in your life, cannot fail to include Rome with all its historical beauties, to be added to the Castelli Romani area: a real gem to discover.
Rome offers many things to do, see and eat, but the Castelli area is no less: the name Castelli is linked to the presence in the territory of an important number of villas and castles belonging to the Roman feudal families, which in many cases today can be visited.
Do not miss Ariccia, with a tour of the taverns where you can taste the real porchetta, Frascati and its terrace on Rome, Castelgandolfo and its lake, Nemi with its artisan shops and Genzano, famous for the June “Infiorata”.
Nearest airport: Rome
Also Read: How To See Rome In 4 Days | Best Areas To Stay In Rome
9. Venice and The Venetian villas
One of the most famous places in Italy, Venice leaves you breathless. At least once in your life, you must see it and savor it: walking through its streets, getting lost in the canals, taking refuge in one of the many bacari to savor cicchetti are just some of the must-see experiences in Venice.
If you decide to stay in the city as a stop on your journey, we also recommend that you board a ferry and visit Murano with its historic glass factories and the colorful Burano.
And if Venice and its islands “steal” only a weekend, it may be an idea to add a visit to the Palladian villas of the Veneto which are located in the nearby Province of Vicenza for one of the most beautiful trips to Italy ever.
Nearest airport: Venice
Also Read: How To Get To Venice From Verona | How To See Venice In 2 Days | Best Areas To Stay In Venice
10. Naples and surroundings
The sayings are never random. Local people say “See Naples and then die”. Perfectly describes the power of this city, capable of making you fall in love already at the first visit.
Castel Dell’Ovo, the Maschio Angioino, the underground excavations, Piazza del Plebiscito, Posillipo, the Vomero, Mergellina: these are just some of the things to see in Naples, without forgetting the suggestive street called “Spaccanapoli” and a tour of the Naples metro stations, including the most beautiful in Europe.
A few kilometers from Naples, it is worth spending a day at the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum and, when the weather permits, get on a ferry and get to the Isle of Capri, Ischia and Procida.
And don’t forget: more than a taste of pizza is not only allowed, but it is also mandatory when you are in Naples. And what trip to Italy would it be then?
Nearest airport: Naples
11. Lake Garda
Another must-see in Italy is Lake Garda. Always loved by foreigners, Lake Garda is a real must for trips to Italy with its beautiful towns, and a tour of these areas will not leave you disappointed at all.
The largest lake in Italy, which winds between Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino, offers countless opportunities and for tourists of all types. Those who love food and wine are rewarded by an extremely varied offer that makes the local products his winning weapon (including wine).
Those who love nature can venture into truly unique paths; those who love to swim in summer will have beaches on the lake instead. Wide choice also to relax, thanks to the many spas in the area; Finally, for those who like to discover cities, they are spoiled for choice.
Do not miss in the area: Brescia, Riva del Garda, Sirmione, Peschiera del Garda, Bardolino. On the way to the lake, if you have time, stop in beautiful Bergamo to explore the upper part of the city. Be sure to also check out these amazing restaurants in Italy.
Nearest airport: Bergamo and Verona
Also Read: Best Beaches On Lake Garda | Amazing Thermal Baths In Lake Garda | Best Hotels On Lake Garda
12. Salento
Puglia is all beautiful to discover and certainly Salento is one of its most famous areas, thanks to the fantastic coast but also to the hinterland and the rich culture.
The centerpiece of Salento is Lecce which, even if you decide to visit Salento in the summer only for its sea and its beaches, should never be put aside on a trip to the area: it is a baroque pearl of rare beauty, which teems with life all year round and well worth a visit all year round.
Not to be missed in Salento: Gallipoli, Otranto, Porto Cesareo, the Alimini Lakes and Santa Maria di Leuca (the most extreme tip of Italy), without forgetting the many beaches that will certainly not make you regret the Maldives.
Nearest airport: Brindisi
13. Eastern Sicily
We do not want to wrong any other location in Sicily, but the eastern part of the island deserves special mention in the list of unmissable trips to Italy.
You can start from Catania and enjoy its baroque architecture which is well expressed in the majestic Piazza del Duomo, continue along via Etnea and get to the Villa Bellini garden. Do not miss the Piscarìa, the Catania fish market – where you can also eat.
From Catania, you can then visit the splendid Taormina, but also Syracuse, Marzamemi, Ragusa and Noto. If you love nature, do not miss an excursion on Etna and a walk through the Alcantara gorges.
And don’t leave Sicily without first delighting the palate with the various local specialties. Look out for more posts on Sicily as I spent the new year and January this year there.
Nearest airport: Catania
14. Archipelago of Maddalena
The Maddalena Archipelago is one of the unmissable destinations in Sardinia, among the most fascinating trips to Italy (by sea): it is a set of islets that, with the mainland, constitutes a national park and covers a total of over 20,000 hectares.
Boat trips depart from Baja Sardinia, La Maddalena, Palau and Santa Teresa Gallura to allow visitors to admire, among others, Budelli, Caprera, Razzoli, Santa Maria; special mention for Budelli and its pink beach, which you really can’t miss.
If you have time, plan a visit also to the Costa Smeralda and the village of Santa Teresa di Gallura.
Nearest airport: Olbia
15. Milan and surroundings
The city of Milan is all to be discovered and manages to amaze even the most skeptical: a walk on the Navigli, admire the Cathedral at night or at dawn, treat yourself to a social evening in the Brera, go shopping in Via Montenapoleone are just some of the things that you can do if you decide to spend a few days in Milan.
But Milan can only be the first stop in a rich choice of trips to Italy: from here you can plan excursions to Bellagio and Lake Como, to the Borromean Islands, to Pavia and Vigevano or to many other places close to the Lombard capital.
Nearest airport: Milan
Also Read: How To Get To Lake Como From Milan
Heading To Italy? Read:
- How To See Venice In One Day
- Florence In One Day
- Best Areas To Stay In Rome
- Rome In 4 Days
- Tips For First Time Visitors In Europe
- Amazing Hotels In Rome With Balconies
- Florence In Winter
Pin For Later
Leave a Reply