As the fifth most visited country in the world, it’s little surprise that Italy has plenty to offer. So much in fact that it’s not always easy to choose where to stay.
From elegant lake holidays to the sophisticated Riviera, foodie meccas and historic cities, Italy has it all. We take a look at the top ten cities and regions to visit in Italy.
Unsure of where to go for your Italian holiday? From beautiful coastal towns overlooking the Mediterranean sea and the stunning Italian Riviera, to Lake Como and the olive groves and hillside vineyards in Tuscany, one of Italy’s most famous regions you can choose to stay in bustling cities such as Florence, Naples or Milan.
Don’t forget to visit the Eternal City of Rome or Venice, ideal for a romantic getaway. Stay in cheap hostels, in the best b&b’s or great value hotels. There is plenty of accommodations to choose from.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love a visit to the Northern region of South Tyrol, which borders Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Close by is Lake Garda, located in the Italian Lake District, ideal for water enthusiasts.
Highly recommended is a visit to the Italian island of Sicily. From foodie activities to wine tasting, to hiking up Mt Etna and exploring the salt pans of Trapanie. This island is well worth a visit. Popular cities include Palermo, Taormina and Catania.
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10 Best Places to Visit in Italy
Don’t know where to stay in Italy? We present a round-up of the ten best places to holiday in Italy.
Amalfi Coast
Technically Italy’s second Riviera, the Amalfi coast in southwest Italy is just as beautiful as its northern counterpart AND has better weather too. The Amalfi Coast is made up of beautiful coastal towns overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Highlights include Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi itself. Frequently cited as one of the world’s best coastal road trips, many holidaymakers rent a luxury car in Naples, heading down to the start of the coast and carrying on to Vietri sul Mare.
Along the way visitors can sample seafood, ricotta and gnocchi before washing it all down with some glorious limoncello.
> Best Places to Stay Amalfi Coast
Florence – Firenze
The home of the renaissance, there’s no greater place on Earth for an art lover to visit than Florence. The capital of the Tuscan region, Florence earns a place on this list as a destination of its own right.
Once home to the Italian royal Medici family in the late medieval era, some of the world’s most famous artworks are found in this city on the walls of the Uffizi Galleria, the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Palazzo Vecchio, not to mention some seriously spectacular architecture.
Visiting out of season will help you avoid the crowds. Budget accommodation is available in Florence, especially if you’re happy to stay a couple of kilometres out of the city centre, again early booking will avoid disappointment and secure cheap room prices.
Italian Riviera
The beautiful clifftop towns of the Cinque Terre as well as Portofino and Santa Margherita make up the stunning Italian Riviera. The famous Riviera is a crescent-shaped coastal area in Liguria, made famous by glamourous jet setters throughout the 20th century.
Despite its huge popularity as a holiday destination, it is as beautiful today as it has always been. Book out of season where possible to avoid the summer crowds but if you are planning on going in July or August, book early as accommodation gets booked up fast.
Naples – Napoli
Naples is one of the most gastronomically significant cities in the country, thanks in part to being the birthplace of pizza. It also happens to be a beautiful bustling city with many historic sites.
Naples is an excellent base to explore the surrounding in Campani region, especially the ancient city of Pompeii which is just 25 km away.
Rome – Roma
The Eternal City of Rome should be on everybody’s bucket list. This immensely significant city was obviously the HQ of the Roman Empire, but as well as the colosseum, pantheon and numerous more Roman sites, it’s also home to some of the best baroque architecture in the world and the amazing Vatican City.
Sicily
The large island located south of the southernmost tip of Italy is home to the best beaches and best weather in the country. Sicily is also famous for its specialty cuisine. Pasta is first recorded as being eaten on Sicily and here you will find it served as a second course in the form of famous dishes such as Pasta alla Norma and Pasta con le Sard.
The island is so large that visitors can choose from the bustling port cities of Catania or Palermo or the baroque towns of the southern coast such as Syracuse, an excellent place to discover Greek and Roman sites.
South Tyrol
This part of Northern Italy is where the culture, cuisine and language of Italy combines with that of its Swiss, German and Austrian neighbours. South Tyrol is the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts who can hike and cycle in summer and ski in winter.
Accommodation includes hotels as well as chalets and villas.
The Lakes
Italy is home to many lakes, and to the north of the country is a collection of seven major lakes, which are sometimes referred to as the Italian Lake District. Villas, hotels and chalets are found dotted on the banks of all the lakes but choosing which one to visit is no mean feat.
Lake Como is arguably the most exclusive and glamorous, home to many Belle Epoque villas whilst Garda, the biggest lake, is ideal for those looking for plenty of water activities or those with young children looking for a choice of facilities and cheap hotels.
Tuscany
One of Italy’s most famous regions, Tuscany is located in the centre of Italy and is arguably the country’s larder.
Famous for rustic food and classic hearty meals such as Pappa al Pomodoro and Panzanella and some of the Italy’s best wines, the landscape is characterized by this agriculture in the form of olive groves and hillside vineyards.
Venice – Venezia
Venice is an obvious one, but for good reason. Overcrowded and pricey it may be but there really is nowhere on earth like Venice. Ideally head to Venice out of season in the warmish months of September or May to avoid the summer crowds. The city is built on 100 lagoons with waterways and canals in place of roads, where the only way to get about is via gondola.
Truly glamorous and always captivating, Venice is ideal for a romantic getaway. Another plus to visiting Venice is that it’s within an 1.5 hour drive of Verona, Lake Garda and Padua, allowing you to tick off many more excellent Italian places in one trip.
