Wondering what to do in Italy? It’s this way ! Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover or even a gourmet, Italy can only seduce you. A magnificent country in southern Europe, a land of contrasts and absolute change of scenery, there is an infinite choice available to you: majestic monuments, rich and varied museums, authentic landscapes, and above all a unique art of living!
And if you are still wondering what to do in Italy, we offer you a list of the 25 most beautiful places to visit in Italy, this country located just a few hours from France. Embark on the peninsula that you will enjoy discovering and exploring. Andiamo!
1. Rome , Latium
Certainly very touristy, it is nevertheless impossible to ignore the wonders of Rome if you visit Italy! In the eternal city, the eras are traversed over the walks. Thus, after an ancient getaway in the Colosseum and through the ruins of the Forum, we let ourselves be impressed by the beauty of the Renaissance monuments in Capitoline Square, the work of Michelangelo, but also in the heart of the Vatican and the immensity of Saint Peter’s Basilica where all the popes are buried since the martyrdom of Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, considered by Christians to be the first pope.
2. The Dolomites range, Northern Italy
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites offer a magnificent set of cliffs and peaks that rise majestically towards the sky. Hikers will be delighted by this little paradise, one of the most beautiful natural curiosities to do in Italy!
3. Venice , Veneto
Also not to be missed, you will undoubtedly fall under the spell of the Serenissima and its labyrinth of canals lined with magnificent palaces which will be revealed to you during a gondola ride in the footsteps of the great seducer Casanova!
4. Cinque Terre , Liguria
Discover Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, 5 small colorful villages perched on the cliff sides, each more beautiful than the next. Thanks to their proximity, it is very easy to visit them on foot via a small hiking trail that connects them, or by train or even by boat for a breathtaking view.
5. Florence , Tuscany
A veritable open-air museum, it is THE Renaissance city to visit in Italy. Santa Maria Novella, Piazza del Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore but also the city of artists Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli… Art history enthusiasts will find what they are looking for here! The rest of Tuscany is also to be done if you come to visit Italy.
6. Stromboli , Sicily
In the Tyrrhenian Sea, the island of Stromboli is home to the most active volcano in Europe. Its ascent is a memorable experience, with incredible landscapes between land and sea.
7. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Veneto
Besides being one of the very first ski resorts in the world, it is also one of the most beautiful. You will enjoy an exceptional view of the peaks of the Dolomites from this pretty alpine town is located at an altitude of 1210 m.
8. Sestri Levante, Liguria
Stroll along its main thoroughfare and admire the beauty of its pastel-colored houses while observing the fishing boats drifting on the waters. Sestri Levante has two wonderful beaches: the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fairy Tales.
9. Lecce, Puglia
Much less known than its neighbours, the city of Lecce is worth the detour! Located in Puglia to the south of the heel of the boot, in the Ionian Sea and facing Albania, you will fall under the spell of this city under Baroque influence.
10. Tuscany
It is easy and advisable to drive around Tuscany in your car along the hills and perched villages such as San Gimignano, Siena, Volterra. Get ready for incredible gastronomic discoveries by crossing the province of Grosseto or the Chianti region and its essential wines.
11. Milan , Lombardy
Impossible to visit Italy without going to the capital of fashion and design, Milan, which will delight fashionistas at heart thanks to its many luxury boutiques. But you will also be pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the districts and by the multitude of museums and sites to visit, such as the mythical theater of La Scala!
12. Gargano Natural Park, Puglia
The largest natural park in Italy, the Gargano, which owes its name to the limestone peninsula, is located in the Puglia region and is made up of caves, cavities and very beautiful wild creeks.
13. Burano , Veneto
14. Lake Resia , Trentino-Alto Adige
Unique in its kind thanks to a Romanesque bell tower that emerges from its waters (following the construction of a dam that engulfed the village in 1950), the magnificent Resia lake is located in one of the most beautiful and calm places in Trentino. -Alto Adige, near the Swiss and Austrian borders.
15. San Fruttuoso and the Christ of the Abyss , Liguria
After a hike that will take you to a magnificent bay sheltering the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, put on a mask, flipper and scuba tank and set off to explore this mythical place in depth where the Christ of the Abyss rests, a statue erected, then submerged under the water in memory of those who dedicated their lives to the sea.
16. The Garden of Ninfa, Lazio
A small paradise on Earth still very little known, discover the picturesque ruins of the medieval town of Ninfa hidden in the middle of extraordinary vegetation 60 km south of Rome.
17. Puglia
The heel of the boot, in the extreme South-East of Italy, Puglia deploys hundreds of kilometers of beaches which rival in beauty but also the magnificent Trulli , these troglodyte houses typical of the region made of stone, conical in shape with a pointed roof, a change of scenery guaranteed!
18. Rimini, on the Adriatic Coast
The Adriatic coast has become in recent years a fashionable destination to visit in Italy. Here Rimini is the seaside resort par excellence, ideal for a family holiday.
19. Lake Como , Lombardy
The landscapes, tranquility and warmth will mark your stay if you decide to make a stopover at Lake Como dear to Stendhal or the musician Franz Liszt. Your days will be punctuated by boat trips on the lake or walks in the olive groves, enough to soak up the Italian soul and live the Dolce Vita.
20. Le Parc de Bomarzo, Latium
Guaranteed extraordinary atmosphere with this park in the north of Rome known as the “sacred wood” which houses unique works of their kind! The best known: The Leaning House defying all the rules of perspective!
21. Sardinia
Renowned for its countless fine sandy beaches and hiking trails, Sardinia is one of the must-see destinations in Italy with nearly 2,000 km of coastline.
22. Lake Maggiore , Lombardy
Ideal for letting go, Lake Maggiore has an incomparable charm with its islets, castles and exotic gardens.
23. Naples , Campania
Capital of the Campania region, the Parthenopean city, far from the bad reputation that stuck to it for a long time, reveals itself to you as one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. You will be enchanted by its welcome, its charm and the liveliness of its streets and its inhabitants.
24. The Sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii , Campania
The remains of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, will give you the opportunity to relive the atmosphere of daily life in ancient Rome. An amazing and unmissable thing to do in Italy!
25. Sicily
In this piece of Mediterranean paradise, an Arab-Norman island, enjoy a short walk on the coast, a moment of idleness by the beach where visiting museums turns into a magical moment that you take the time to enjoy.
Lake Garda , Northern Italy
Located between the Alps and the Padanian plain, Lake Garda is the largest Italian lake and one of the main tourist places to visit in the Northern Italy region. Its many villages, the most famous of which is Sirmione, are usually chosen as summer destinations by many Italian and foreign tourists.
Article updated on 7 December 2022