Italy is such a beautiful country that it can be hard to figure out the best cities in Italy to visit, especially if it’s your first trip. I spent several years living in Italy and have traveled extensively around the country, and in my journeys I have always sought to explore new corners of the country and visit cities in Italy that aren’t very well-known among foreign tourists. I thought the time had come to share my personal Italy travel recommendations with you!
In compiling this guide to the best cities to visit in Italy, I tried to focus on cities that are actually cities, so you won’t find Italy’s beautiful small towns or villages on this list (although I’ll note some that are easy day trips from the cities I recommend).
As well, this is a loosely-ranked list, in that I would consider the first eight or ten cities as “must visit” destinations in Italy (though you certainly don’t have to visit them all on the same trip – Italy isn’t going anywhere!). The second half of the list is beautiful cities in Italy that are worth visiting, but that make sense to be combined with other destinations when you happen to be in that area.
So check out my list of the best cities to visit in Italy, let me know in the comments at the end which ones you’ve visited and loved, and where you’d like to visit on your next trip to Italy!
1. Rome
I actually lived in Italy for two years, and visited it several other times, before I ever traveled to Rome. I was worried it would be too touristy, so I intentionally visited other cities instead. However, when I finally did visit Rome for the first time, I realized I had made a mistake by not visiting sooner.
Stepping out of my hotel and coming face-to-face with the ancient Roman Forum, and looking just across the street to the towering Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, I understood why travelers fell in love with Rome. Every corner you turn reveals a new moment in history and invites you to step back into the past. There are so many places that you can explore for free, and although some attractions do have an entrance fee, you always feel like you get your money’s worth.
There are too many attractions in Rome to list, from the Sistene Chapel to the Pantheon to the Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps and beyond. Give yourself several days in the city so that you have time to hit all the highlights and time to wander freely, turning down whichever cobblestone street captures your imagination.
Oh, and did I mention the food? 😍
(By the way, that hotel that faces the Forum, is across from the Vittorio Emanuele II monument and is just four blocks away from the Colisseum is the highly-recommended Nerva Boutique Hotel in Monti.)
Who Should Go – Everyone looking for that “wow” factor. This is what you imagine when you think of Italy.
Who Should Skip It – If you have an extreme aversion to crowds you might be disappointed, but if you start sightseeing early and go off the beaten path even just a bit, you can avoid the worst of the crowds.
What’s Nearby – The archeological site of Ostia Antica is just an hour away by bus, near the airport. If you sleep at the airport the night before your departing flight you can visit Ostia Antica that afternoon.
How to Say It In Italian – Roma.
2. Turin
When I think about the best cities to visit in Italy for all travelers, Rome has to top my list. However, when I’m thinking about my favorite cities in Italy – the ones I recommend to everyone and the ones that I visit again and again – Turin comes out on top.
Located in northwest Italy in the region of Piemonte, Turin was the first capital of Italy. The city is surrounded by beautiful castles from the Savoy dynasty (they are easy to reach via public transit) and the historic center is also full of well-preserved historic buildings. Turin is the heart of Italy’s automotive industry, and its economic success is apparent in its world-class museums and galleries, including the National Cinema Museum and the world’s second-best Egyptian Museum. Check out my day-by-day guide to visiting Turin over a long weekend (or longer!).
Turin is also the metropolitan heart of the Slow Food movement, so you can expect to find delicious, seasonal, local cuisine at all of the city’s independent restaurants and wine bars.
Who Should Go – Turin is the perfect city to visit in Italy if you love authentic cuisine, castles and/or cinema.
Who Should Skip It – People who want to stay on the tourist trail. Turin is more authentic and less touristic.
What’s Nearby – I have a guide to the ten best day trips from Turin, from mountaintop monasteries to historic chocolate producers.
How to Say It In Italian – Torino (“little bull”).
3. Florence
Florence is one of the best cities to visit in Italy for lovers of Renaissance art and architecture. The capital of Tuscany, Florence is worth visiting simply to spend a day in the Uffizi Gallery, where you’ll find Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, da Vinci’s Annunciation and Caravaggio’s Bacchus. I get chills just thinking about the history being held within the museum’s walls.
Step outside the Uffizi Gallery’s doors and you’ll find yourself in the heart of historic Florence, where cobblestone streets pass by fifteenth-century palazzos, winding their way towards the striking Gothic Revival cathedral. Yes, Florence can be touristy, but if you do a little research online in advance and promise yourself not to eat at any restaurants with menus in four languages you will fall in love with this Italian city.
Who Should Go – Lovers of art and Renaissance history won’t be disappointed by Florence.
Who Should Skip It – People who aren’t into art, museums or history. If you’re more into partying or adventure travel experiences, you might find Florence too sleepy.
What’s Nearby – Pisa and Siena (see below) are both less than 100 kilometers away and can be visited as a day trip by train, bus or car.
How to Say It In Italian – Firenze
4. Bologna
It wasn’t until my fourth or fifth trip to Italy that I ventured beyond the Bologna train station, and I was so glad that I finally did! The largest city in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is one of the best cities to visit in Italy if you’re a gourmand.
In fact, less than two years ago Conde Nast Traveller magazine named Bologna as the best food city in the world. It makes sense when you think about the origins of the phrase spaghetti bolognese, and even more sense when you think about the fact that the city of Parma (yes, of Parmesan cheese) is just down the road.
Bologna isn’t all cheese, ham and pasta, however. It is home to Europe’s oldest university (the second-oldest is in another one of my favorite cities, Coimbra, Portugal) and is sometimes referred to as “Bologna the Red” due to its unique red brick and terracotta-colored medieval architecture. The center is home to several beautiful basilicas, as well as notable museums and art galleries. Its historical center shares a special trait with Turin: covered walkways, called portici, that were recently declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To read about everything you can see and do in as little as one day, check out my new Bologna travel guide!
Who Should Go – If you like good food and fast cars, you’ll love Bologna.
Who Should Skip It – If you’re vegan you may be disappointed by the focus on cheese and ham at local restaurants. Personally, as a vegetarian I found lots of great dining options, including a vegetarian-friendly Bologna food tour!
What’s Nearby – The Lamborghini and Ferrari Museums can be visited as a day trip from Bologna.
How to Say It In Italian – Bologna (it’s the same!)
5. Milan
There are tons of people who will tell you that Milan isn’t worth visiting, but I’m here to tell you that when I travel to Europe I intentionally book flights through Milan so that I can spend a few days in one of the best cities in Italy (in my opinion, of course!).
I just think Milan really does have the best of everything. The flat, walkable city center has stunning architecture (starting with the Duomo – make sure you get the ticket that includes the rooftops), museums to rival those of Rome and Florence, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, which is one of the few works of art that legitimately took my breath away. That it is still standing today truly is nothing short of a miracle.
I love ending my Italy trips with a few days in Milan, as it’s a great opportunity to refresh my wardrobe at the many designer and independent boutiques that earned Milan its reputation as one of the great fashion capitals of Europe. And if you can’t afford luxury shopping, you can still spend a luxurious day at QC Terme Milano, a day spa with a sauna in a tram and a pool built among the Roman ruins.
Who Should Go – As the fashion capital of Italy, Milan is perfect for travelers who want to do a little bit of shopping (at any price point!) while they sight-see.
Who Should Skip It – People who hate big cities may not be able to look past Milan’s urban landscape to see its hidden charms.
What’s Nearby – Milan is the logical starting point for travel to Lake Como, which is about two hours north by train.
How to Say It In Italian – Milano
6. Venice
Venice feels almost like a surreal dream. How can this city, equally threatened by rising waters and overtourism, still manage to survive so magically? Somehow, Venice perseveres, and remains one of the best cities to visit in Italy.
Most tourists (myself included) start their visit to Venice at the famous Piazza San Marco, where St. Mark’s Basilica and the Ducal Palace overlook the expansive square at the end of the Grand Canal. You can easily spend a whole morning without stepping beyond the piazza, but most of Venice’s charm lies further afield. A short boat trip takes you to the nearby islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello, the heart of Venice’s glass-blowing and lace-making industries. Torcello was the first inhabited island in the city, and it is still home to Venice’s oldest church (make sure to go inside to see the beautiful mosaics).
Starting in 2024, Venice will be introducing a new tourist tax of €5 per day for anyone visiting the city. If you’re staying in a hotel the tax will be added to your bill, but day-trippers will need to pay online before they go and keep a copy of their QR-code receipt on their phone. At first, the tax will only be charged on holidays and long weekends, but eventually it is intended to be in place year-round.
Who Should Go – If you’ve always dreamed of crossing the bridges over the canals and watching the gondolas sail past, that’s an exclusively Venetian experience.
Who Should Skip It – If you’re on a tight budget, Venice doesn’t have the best ratio of affordability to authenticity.
What’s Nearby – Verona, which is #8 on this list. I actually stayed in Verona for a week and just visited Venice for the day.
How to Say It In Italian – Venezia
7. Genoa
It rained every day that I spent in Genoa (to be fair, it was early February!) but I still look back on my trip fondly and have no reservations in recommending Genoa to other travelers.
Genoa’s Old Town feels so mysterious to me – probably because rather than typical streets, it is made up of hundreds of caruggi, or narrow alleyways. It’s easy to imagine merchants carrying the wares they brought from afar down these alleys (possibly with some pirates in pursuit…). In fact, this is where Christopher Columbus was born! You can follow the alleys all the way to Genoa’s. black-and-white cathedral, guarded by the lion shown above.
Genoa isn’t just old-fashioned maritime history, however. For starters, Genoa is home to one of the largest aquariums in Europe – perfect for children. As well, Genoa is something of a hidden culinary hot spot. The word “pesto” actually comes from the Genoese dialect’s word for “to crush”, and it is often accompanied by other Ligurian specialties like farinata (chickpea flour crepes) and focaccia genovese.
Who Should Go – If you’re in Milan or Turin and want to visit a historic coastal city, Genoa is a great option.
Who Should Skip It – People not traveling to the northwest of Italy, as it’s a bit far from the other cities I’d recommend.
What’s Nearby – Genova is the ideal starting point for trips to the villages of the Cinque Terre (which, as villages, aren’t included on this list).
How to Say It In Italian – Genova (not to be confused with Genovia from The Princess Diaries!)
8. Verona
Immortalized in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona has leaned in to its label as a destination for lovers. While nobody knows whether or not the star-crossed lovers were real, I do know from personal experience that Verona is a lovely city to add to your Italy itinerary.
Your gateway to Verona will be Piazza Bra, where a Roman amphitheater towers over the surrounding cafes and restaurants. Check their calendar to see if there will be any performances during your visit – it’s quite the spectacle! From there, it’s an easy stroll deep into the historic center where you’ll find castles, churches, towers and gardens, many claiming a historical connection to the families of the Montagues and Capulets.
“Juliet’s house” (the setting for the movie Letters to Juliet) is located just off Piazza del Erbe, though the fact that the balcony only dates back to the 1930s does make its provenance questionable. While you can enter the courtyard and even ascend to the balcony here, “Romeo’s house” (a few blocks away) is now a private residence and not open to the public.
Who Should Go – Hopeless romantics and history lovers.
Who Should Skip It – If you only have a few days in Italy, save Verona for your second Italy trip.
What’s Nearby – Again, you can stay in Verona and take the train to Venice (it’s so much cheaper than staying in Venice!). Similarly, if Lake Como is out of your price range, you might like visiting nearby Lake Garda.
How to Say It In Italian – Verona (the same!)
9. Catania
Most budget airlines to Sicily land in Catania, rather than in the larger city of Palermo (see below). Many travelers depart from the airport straight to nearby towns like Taormina, but they are really missing out by not spending at least one full day in Catania.
Catania has a charming, walkable city center and nearly all of the best things to do in Catania are an easy stroll from the bus stop at Piazza Borsellino. The train station is a further twenty-minute walk along the waterfront (or you can amble through the more-scenic city center). The historic center is brimming with Baroque architecture that was built around the remains of several ancient ruins, including Roman baths built atop a Byzantine church and a large Roman amphitheater dating back to 300 BCE.
Catania’s bustling fish market supplies the local seafood restaurants, and the city’s patron saint, Saint Agata, inspired a provocatively-shaped pastry called a cassatella di sant‘Agata… ask for one in any bakery!
Who Should Go –Anyone going to Sicily should consider spending time in Catania. It’s perfectly-sized for a short visit and you’ll leave feeling like you had an authentic experience.
Who Should Skip It – If you’re really pressed for time I will excuse you for flying into Catania but heading straight for a more picturesque city, like Syracuse (see below). Your get-out-of-jail-free card does not apply to Taormina, however! 😂
What’s Nearby – Catania is squarely in the shadow of Mount Etna. In fact, the streets are permanently dusted with a light layer of black ash from the volcano. Day tours combine half-day hikes with lunch and wine tasting in the vineyards that take advantage of the volcanic soil.
How to Say It In Italian – Catania (the same!)
10. Lecce
Often referred to as “The Florence of the South”, Lecce is a hidden gem in South Italy. Nothing beats waking up early in Lecce and going for a walk through the tranquil historic center as the sun begins to rise over the white-walled city.
Known for its distinct style of Baroque architecture, Lecce is jam-packed with beautiful churches and carefully-restored palazzi. Aside from the Renaissance churches, Lecce also has well-reserved Roman ruins including an amphitheater, a smaller theatre and a full archeological park just south of the center.
The beaches of Puglia are gorgeous, and Lecce is only ten kilometers from the coastline. Consider renting a car for the day to visit nearby Grotta della Poesia and Torre Sant’Andrea, two landmark swimming spots known across Italy for their natural beauty.
Who Should Go – Architecture lovers will all in love with Lecce’s impressive facades.
Who Should Skip It – Lecce buzzes with life in the warmer months, but can be sleepy in the winter. If you’re looking for a high-energy winter getaway, this isn’t it.
What’s Nearby – The two beaches I mentioned are very close, and the port city of Brindisi (with its ancient harbour area) is only half an hour north.
11. Lucca
You’ll find lists of the best cities to visit in Italy where one of the “cities” is Tuscany. Don’t trust anyone who says Tuscany is a city – it’s actually one of the largest regions in Italy. When we’re talking about cities, Lucca is the city to visit if you want to experience the truly Tuscan lifestyle.
I suggest going to Lucca sooner rather than later, as their tourism board is making a big push to attract more travelers. As soon as you arrive you’ll understand why: Lucca looks like it should be on the cover of the next Lonely Planet guidebook. The historic center of Lucca is within the medieval defensive walls, which stand twelve meters high and are now a walking path open to visitors who want a beautiful view of the city. You are even allowed to bring a picnic lunch up with you!
In the morning you can enjoy a cappuccino with a view of one of the city’s medieval towers, and in the evening you can pause again for a glass of wine on a terrace with a view of one of Lucca’s Romanesque churches… the pace of life here is leisurely, making the ideal Italian city for slow travelers.
Who Should Go – Travelers who like the idea of Florence, but are turned off by the thought of all the crowds.
Who Should Skip It – Travelers who need to constantly be entertained might find Lucca’s slower pace boring.
What’s Nearby – Lucca is only twenty kilometers from Pisa (#20 on this list) and you can take the train between the two in thirty minutes. Consider visiting Pisa as a day trip from Lucca.
How to Say It In Italian – Lucca (the same!)
12. Naples
Pizza was born here. Need I say more?
When I lived in Northern Italy I would often spend my vacations in the south, along the Amalfi Coast or on the nearby islands of Capri and Ischia. No matter how little time I had to spare I always made a point of stopping in Naples in either direction (or both!) because, I swear, pizza really is better here. My personal recommendation is Pizzeria Trianon, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary and serves a margarita pizza with buffalo mozzarella that is to die for.
It’s true that Naples can be rough around the edges, especially as you emerge from the central train station. However, I always loved walking underneath the old stone Porta Nolana and then wandering through the historic center, where Italian grannies lean over their balcony and shake their dusty carpets on your head (yes, it’s intentional…), where men stop, stare and whistle as you walk past, and where you can pause for a coffee or almond granita at any neighborhood cafe and be welcomed immediately.
Who Should Go – Confident travelers who can look past a few overflowing trash bins to be fully immersed in a vibrant, multicultural city.
Who Should Skip It – Nervous travelers who feel uncomfortable in run-down or dirty environments. Take the Circumvesuviana train directly to Sorrento and stay there instead.
What’s Nearby – Naples is the easiest starting point for day trips to Pompeii and Herculaneum.
How to Say It In Italian – Napoli
13. Sorrento
Just down the coast from Naples, Sorrento is one of my favorite small cities in Italy and, in my opinion, the best place to relax and enjoy La Dolce Vita.
What is there to do in Sorrento? Sunbathe on the beach during the day, sip limoncello in the afternoon, take a dip in the sea before dinner, indulge in a heaping plate of pasta and then enjoy a gelato made from local citrus fruits before you go to bed and do it all over again the next day.
But actually, Sorrento is the perfect city to use as your home base on the Amalfi Coast. The train connects you to both Pompeii and Herculaneum, and there are year-round bus connections, and seasonal boat connections, to Amalfi Coast cities like Amalfi and Positano.
Who Should Go – Travelers who want to include a few days of relaxation in their trip.
Who Should Skip It – People who want to go, go, go.
What’s Nearby – Sorrento can be your gateway to the Amalfi Coast (including Amalfi, Positano and Ravello) and to the archeological sites of Herculaneum and Paestum.
How to Say It In Italian – Sorrento (the same!)
14. Palermo
Of Sicily’s two largest cities, I have to rank Catania well above Palermo. Catania is more relaxed, more authentic and significantly tidier than Palermo. However, it definitely lacks the density of attractions that you can find here in Palermo, where there really are some spectacular Sicilian sights.
The center of Palermo has several opulent churches, and with each one you visit you receive a discount on admission to the next. My favorite was the Santa Caterina Monastery, although that was mostly because there is a bakery inside selling delicious sweets made by hand by local nuns. Of course, the surrounding streets are filled with elegant fountains, palazzi that have now opened their doors as museums and galleries, seaside promenades and even an underground labyrinth of catacombs to rival those of Paris.
While you’re in Palermo, I recommend a day trip to Monreale, a hillside suburb where you’ll find a UNESCO World Heritage Site Cathedral. The Cathedral of Monreale is known for its golden mosaics, which cover more than 6,000 square meters of the interior walls and showcase Norman, Byzantine and Italian influences.
Who Should Go – If elaborate, embellished churches help you connect with your spirituality, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Palermo.
Who Should Skip It – If you can’t handle the heat, don’t visit Palermo in the summer. It was over 40°C every day when I was there in August.
What’s Nearby – If you can’t make it all the way to Syracuse (see below), Trapani is an hour away by bus and has a similar historic center. If you want to spend a day at the beach, Cefalu is also an hour away by train.
How to Say It In Italian – Palermo (the same!)
15. Siena
Visiting Siena was not a priority for me, until I had the opportunity to visit in the summer to check out the dazzling Palio di Siena. This horse race has been taking place every summer for almost five hundred years. In this dazzling showdown, riders from ten of Siena’s neighborhoods race around the Piazza del Campo as locals and visitors alike cheer them on. This is a huge event, so if you’re thinking of watching from the front row you’ll need to get there at least four or five hours early, and if you’re wanting to have dinner at one of the restaurants with a view of the track you may need to book your table a full year out (and be prepared to pay a lot!).
Even if you can’t visit on one of the two summer Palio days, Siena still has a lot to offer. Known for being one of the most beautiful Italian cities in Tuscany, Siena is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with wine bars (try the local vinsanto, a sweet dessert wine) and independent boutiques. The city is perfect for meandering as traffic is extremely limited within the historic center. Siena also has a number of museums that are home to Renaissance masterpieces that you can take in without the crowds of Rome or Florence.
Who Should Go – If you trust the judgment of travel guru Rick Steves (I do!) then you’ll want to come to Siena to see what he calls the “best square in Italy” (Piazza del Campo).
Who Should Skip It – If you’re also going to Lucca, you might find Siena too similar.
What’s Nearby – Many people combine Siena with a side trip to San Gimignano, another idyllic Tuscan hill town less than an hour away.
How to Say It In Italian – Siena (the same!)
16. Bari
Most travelers skip over Bari, but I actually chose to stay there for almost a full week so that I could use it as a home base for day trips to nearby towns, villages and beaches. Bari had excellent transportation connections around the south of Italy and it was easy to explore by bus and train (no need for a rental car!).
The old town is known as Bari Vecchia and it’s where you’ll find historic sites like the city’s archeological museum and the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, which is known for housing the relics of Saint Nicholas (aka Santa Claus). You’ll also find a waterfront castle and the pretty Piazza Mercentile (shown above) that is surrounded by cafes and restaurants. If you like the food, make sure to sign up for a cooking class where you can learn to make your own orecchiette pasta, which is a Barese specialty!
Who Should Go – Travelers like me who love going on unique day trips. Bari is the perfect home base for exploring many of the small towns around Puglia.
Who Should Skip It – If you’re on a tight timeline, head to Lecce instead.
What’s Nearby – Towns like Bitonto and Ruvo di Puglia are worth visiting for a half-day each, and you can also spend a day at the beach in nearby Polignano a Mare.
How to Say It In Italian – Bari (the same!)
17. Matera
A few decades ago, people would have thought you were crazy if you said you were planning a trip to Matera. For decades it was known as the worst slum in Italy, where the residents literally lived in caves without electricity or running water. Living conditions were so poor that eventually the entire city was relocated into purpose-built new developments a few kilometers away and the original cave structures were abandoned.
In the 1980s, young people who had grown up in these new developments became interested in preserving and even reviving the historical areas of their town, which are believed to be the third-oldest (continually-inhabited) human settlement on the planet. Today, the fruits of their labour are apparent as Matera has become a world-class tourist destination, where luxury hotels are now situated in those caves and rock churches commemorate the faith of the resilient local community.
Who Should Go – Matera’s distinctive geography makes it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience life in a cave. If unique experiences make you happy, so will Matera. (Also, if you love James Bond movies, Matera was featured in the opening scenes of No Time to Die!)
Who Should Skip It – If you’re not traveling south of Rome, or even the Amalfi Coast, then save Matera for a future trip to Italy as it’s a bit out of the way.
What’s Nearby – Consider visiting nearby Alta Murgia National Park, where you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage Site Castel del Monte surrounded by fragrant pine forest.
How to Say It In Italian – Matera (the same!)
18. Syracuse
I didn’t do much research into Syracuse before I visited, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my Sicily trip. Smaller and more peaceful than both Palermo and Catania, Syracuse is what I imagined Italy was like before it became inundated with tourists. In Syracuse, you are never more than a street or two away from either a spectacular view of the sea or a piazza lined with beautiful Baroque buildings.
I recommend that you stay on the island of Ortigia, which is the historic center of Syracuse. There was an Ancient Greek settlement on this land, which is still visible at the Temple of Apollo and the legendary Fountain of Arethusa. You can spend your days strolling, sipping, swimming in the sea and shopping, and when you’re ready for a change of scenery you can take the bus or train to Noto, which was featured beautifully in Season 2 of The White Lotus.
Who Should Go – People who like pretty places.
Who Should Skip It – Anyone not already planning to be on the south side of Sicily, as it’s a bit out-of-the-way.
What’s Nearby – Noto, Ragusa and Modica are all popular day trip destinations in southern Sicily.
How to Say It In Italian – Siracusa
19. Bolzano
To be honest, I didn’t make it all the way to Bolzano on any of my trips to Italy, much to the chagrin of my Italian roommate in Turin who always declared her hometown to be the most beautiful city in all of Italy and always got upset when I chose to spend my long weekends at the beach instead of at her family’s mountain home. Consider this addition to the list my atonement!
I actually live in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, so when I go on holidays I am looking for something different: sun, sea, beaches and ancient history. Bolzano feels too much like my hometown to make it a priority travel destination for me, but I know that lots of other travelers are looking for a more mountainous getaway. Bolzano is perfect for that!
Located near the Italian-German border in the region of South Tyrol, Bolzano is a unique mix of both cultures. There is German influence in the food (especially the baked goods), the language and the architecture, but Bolzano is still distinctly Italian. You can easily spend a long weekend just in the city center (make sure to go see Ötzi the Iceman!) but Bolzano is also the perfect home base for day trips to the many Alpine villages and medieval castles in the surrounding countryside.
Who Should Go – Alpinists and winter sports enthusiasts can use Bolzano has a home base for an adventurous mountain vacation. Try to visit around Christmas, when Piazza Walther is decked out as a beautiful Christmas market.
Who Should Skip It – Visitors looking for big-name museums and art galleries won’t find them in Bolzano.
What’s Nearby – South Tyrol is home to many beautiful mountain villages, like Brunico and Chiusa. Rent a car to explore the region.
How to Say It In Italian – Bolzano (the same!). Bolzano also has a German name: Bozen.
20. Pisa
Okay, the last city on my list was a tough one for me to include, but I had to do it. Yes, Pisa may be one of the best cities to visit in Italy for a specific type of traveler. If you grew up staring at photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (alongside those photos of the Venetian canals I mentioned earlier!) and always dreamed that one day you would see it in person, then yes, Pisa might be worth adding to your Italy itinerary.
Aside from visiting the Leaning Tower and seeing the churches and buildings on the same square, there really isn’t that much to see and do in Pisa. So, I would suggest doing it as a day trip from either Lucca, Florence or Rome, or do what I did and stop for a few hours en route to another destination in Italy (there are several luggage storage options in and around Pisa Centrale train station, so you won’t have to drag your bags around with you!).
For safety reasons the number of people who can ascend the tower at the same time is extremely limited, so make sure to book your timed entry window well in advance, using the official site.
Who Should Go – If the Leaning Tower of Pisa has really captured your imagination, go for it!
Who Should Skip It – Anyone with a limited amount of time in Italy. Other cities have more to see and do, and more authenticity.
What’s Nearby – There are some beautiful beaches on the coast around nearby Livorno.
How to Say It In Italian – Pisa (the same!)
So, there you have my list of the 20 Best Cities to Visit in Italy! Do you agree? Do you disagree? Let me know in the comments!
Before you plan your own Italy trip, I recommend reading my guide to avoiding common Italy travel mistakes, and then checking out all of my Italy travel guides.
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