10 Most beautiful places to visit in Italy

Italy is one of the most fascinating and beautiful places on earth. It has a rich history and many different landscapes that make it a great tourist destination. In 2021 alone, the country saw over 40 million foreign visitors, according to Statista’s research department.

At some point, you, too, might want to visit this Mediterranean country to explore its history, culture, and beauty, which is why it will help to know which parts of Italy you should visit to experience the country’s finest offerings.

Here are our top ten picks for the most beautiful places to visit in Italy:

#1 Venice

Located in northeastern Italy, Venice is founded on 118 small islands which are separated by canals and linked by bridges. 

Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and many visitors come here to admire its beauty. The buildings have been built into what looks like an artificial lagoon with canals running through it. There are also many churches, palaces, and museums in Venice that are worth visiting.

Visiting Venice is also super easy. When you set your destination on Google Flights to Italy, more specifically Venice, you’ll get to explore all the affordable flight options. Flights with longer layover times are much cheaper, as you will see on Google Flights. The major benefit of using Google Flights is that despite being cheap, most of the flights to Venice, Italy, are overseen by premium carriers, which means you’ll always get the best service during your flights.

#2 Pisa

The city of Pisa is famous for its tower, which leans at an angle of 5.5 degrees. The first stone was laid in August 1173, and it took over 200 years to complete this architectural wonder.

In addition to the leaning tower, you can visit other landmarks like the Baptistery and Cathedral. The Camposanto Cemetery is also a must-see as it houses the graves of many famous people, including famous astronomer Galileo Galilei who lived in Pisa during his lifetime.

#3 Tuscany

Tuscany is a region in Italy famous for its wine, olive oil, and Renaissance art. It’s also where you’ll find the Medici family, who ruled Tuscany from 1434 until 1737. Their home at Palazzo Medici Riccardi has been open to the public for a long time now.

The Chianti region of Tuscany contains rolling hills dotted with vineyards and small towns known for their rustic charm. With its cypress trees, olive groves, and medieval towns, the Tuscan countryside is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy.

#4 Milan

Milan is Italy’s second-largest city. It is home to several international fairs and conferences. The city is famous for its fashion industry, one of the main pillars of the Italian economy.

The city has been a major European financial center since the late Middle Ages, with Fiera Milano hosting international trade fairs like Milan Fashion Week. The historic center of Milan contains many important Renaissance palaces, theaters, and art galleries, as well as libraries such as Biblioteca Braidense, founded in 1609 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo. It also houses the University Statale di, Milano. 

Another advantage of visiting Milan is that you’ll get to enjoy tax-free luxury shopping, as explained in Robb Report.

#5 Florence

Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance, and it is home to some of Italy’s most important art and architecture. The Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia and Pitti Palace are must-sees. Nearby Santa Croce is a beautiful Basilica with many frescoes on its walls, while the nearby Museo dell’Opera del Duomo has stunning stained glass windows that tell stories from the Bible.

You can also explore Santa Maria Novella, which was established by Dominican friars as their mother house for Tuscany. It contains many frescoed chapels and chapels decorated with marble statuary, as well as its own pharmacy museum.

#6 Capri Island

Capri Island is a small island off the coast of Naples in Italy. It is the second largest of the Campanian Archipelago and is located on a volcanic plug that rises 981 feet above sea level. Capri has been a resort for the rich and famous since Roman times.

The most popular tourist attraction in Capri is Blue Grotto, which can be reached by taking a boat from Anacapri or Marina Grande port. The grotto was discovered by Spanish officer Juan de la Cosa and named after his flagship Santa Maria de la Rosa (Holy Mary of the Rose). 

In 1765, British naturalist John Wood described this cave as “the most beautiful cave in Europe” when he visited it during his travels through Naples Bay. Today it still retains its blue hue due to sunlight refraction through the water at high tide.

#7 Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is a collection of five small, picturesque fishing villages on the Italian Riviera. These include Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

The land was named after its five castles: Monterosso in the east; Vernazza in the middle; Corniglia to the west; Manarola to the south; and Riomaggiore to the north.

While there are some historical ruins here (which you can visit if you’re interested), most people come simply for nature’s beauty; emerald green waters lapping against rocky cliff sides surrounded by lush forests full of birdsong and flowers everywhere you look. It’s one of the most famous places to visit in Italy.

#8 Sardinia

Sardinia is Italy’s second-largest island, located west of the Italian mainland and separated from it by the Strait of Bonifacio. 

The island is divided into four provinces. There is South Sardinia (including the Maddalena Archipelago), West Sardinia (the Gallura region), North Sardinia (the Ogliastra region), and Nuoro province in the central-west part of the island. 

The Nuoro province includes Oristano city as well as regional capitals such as Sassari or Ozieri town and also smaller towns such as Barumini village where you can find a beautiful Roman amphitheater dating back 2nd century AD.

#9 Siena

Siena, an ancient city, located in Tuscany, Italy, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Siena’s historic city center has been declared one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy and Europe. The old streets are made up of medieval architecture, and the cathedral houses many masterpieces by artists such as Giotto di Bondone.

The Palio horse race takes place every July 2nd on Piazza del Campo and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world to watch this historical spectacle.

#10 Positano, Amalfi Coast

Positano is a small town on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. It became popular as a tourist destination in the 1930s and 1940s, and it has since retained its reputation as one of the most beautiful coastal towns in all of Italy. 

The main attraction is Positano’s stunning coastline. Lush green hillsides plunge into the sea, with glimpses of blue water visible between them. There are also several little beaches around Positano itself. Since they’re relatively sheltered from wind and waves by those same hillsides, they’re good spots to take a dip or hang out on hot summer days.

Positano’s nightlife scene is also very active. It seems like there are always happy crowds milling about near its many bars and cafes.

Conclusion

Italy is a mix of natural beauty and several historical sites, making it the perfect tourist spot in all of Europe. Now that things are much better with COVID-19, it’s time you give yourself that well-deserved vacation, and what better place to do so than visiting beautiful Italy?

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