Italy is one of those countries that captures your heart the moment you arrive – a land where every region feels like its own world. And I know this because all my friends who visited Italy said the same thing!
From snow-capped Alps to golden beaches, from tiny medieval villages to cities filled with world-changing art, there’s simply too much beauty for one lifetime. But that’s part of the magic: every trip reveals something new.
If you’re planning your first Italian adventure or your tenth, this guide was created to help you explore deeper – to discover not only the places everyone dreams about but also the corners that locals quietly treasure. You’ll find famous landmarks, fairytale villages, peaceful lakes, mountain escapes, and ancient wonders – all scattered across the entire country.
Whether you’re searching for the best things to see in Italy, planning your next vacation, or simply dreaming from your desk, here’s your inspiration. These are 100 unforgettable places to see in Italy – the icons, the surprises, and the stories waiting for you to experience them.
100 Incredible Things to See in Italy: From Iconic Landmarks to Hidden Gems You’ll Fall in Love With
1. Colosseum, Rome: where gladiators once fought for glory under a blazing sun, still standing proud after two millennia. It is also one of the must-visit places in Europe!
2. Vatican Museums, Vatican City: home to the Sistine Chapel and an astonishing collection of Renaissance masterpieces. (I know Vatican City is an independent city-state (the world’s smallest country), but it is surrounded by Rome, and almost anyone visiting Rome goes to see the Vatican too)
3. Pantheon, Rome: a perfectly preserved temple with a massive dome open to the sky – pure Roman brilliance
4. Trevi Fountain, Rome: toss a coin, make a wish, and let the sound of water carry your dreams through the city – one of the famous Rome landmarks. When visiting, make sure you do not do this – otherwise you will get fined in Italy
5. Piazza Navona, Rome: a lively square with fountains, artists, and centuries of beauty layered in stone
6. Florence Duomo, Florence: Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome rising above the heart of Tuscany’s capital
7. Uffizi Gallery, Florence: where Botticelli’s Venus and Leonardo’s genius still steal the spotlight, and one of the best places to see in Italy
8. Ponte Vecchio, Florence: the city’s most romantic bridge, lined with glittering jewelry shops over the Arno River
9. Siena’s Piazza del Campo, Siena: a vast medieval square where the famous Palio horse race stirs centuries of rivalry
10. San Gimignano, Tuscany: the “city of towers,” frozen in time and full of medieval charm (for many, one of the best hidden gems in Italy)
11. Lucca, Tuscany: walk or bike along its perfectly preserved Renaissance walls for views over terracotta rooftops
12. Pisa’s Leaning Tower, Pisa: a symbol of imperfection turned into one of the most photographed icons in the world
13. Arezzo, Tuscany: an artistic town with frescoes, antique markets, and Tuscan soul
14. Pienza, Tuscany: the ideal Renaissance town – every street seems designed for beauty and balance
15. Montalcino, Tuscany: surrounded by vineyards that produce the legendary Brunello wine
16. Val d’Orcia, Tuscany: rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, and postcard-perfect villages at every turn
17. Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio: a fairytale town perched on a crumbling cliff, reached only by footbridge
18. Assisi, Umbria: peaceful hill town known for St. Francis and its magnificent fresco-filled basilicas
19. Spello, Umbria: flower-covered streets that burst with color every spring and summer
20. Perugia, Umbria: an Etruscan city with deep history, lively cafés, and chocolate festivals
21. Gubbio, Umbria: a lesser-known medieval gem with winding lanes and mountain views
22. Venice Grand Canal, Venice: glide through centuries of history where palaces meet the water. It is one of the famous landmarks in Italy
23. St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice: a golden wonder of mosaics and domes, shimmering in the lagoon light; it is one of the top tourist spots in Italy
24. Burano, Venice: a kaleidoscope of colorful houses, lace-making traditions, and fishing boats
25. Murano, Venice: famous for its delicate glass art and island charm
26. Rialto Bridge, Venice: Venice’s oldest bridge and a timeless spot to watch the city’s rhythm
27. Lake Como, Lombardy: sparkling blue water surrounded by mountains and elegant villas
28. Bellagio, Lake Como: often called “the pearl of the lake,” where romance meets luxury
29. Varenna, Lake Como: a quieter, authentic lakeside village with stone streets and flowered balconies
30. Lake Garda, Lombardy/Veneto: the largest Italian lake, perfect for sailing, swimming, and scenic drives
31. Sirmione, Lake Garda: a castle, Roman ruins, and thermal baths – all on a peninsula that feels enchanted
32. Riva del Garda, Trentino: where the mountains kiss the lake, loved by climbers and windsurfers alike
33. Dolomites, Trentino-Alto Adige: jagged peaks and alpine meadows, one of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes
34. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Veneto: glamorous mountain resort with breathtaking ski slopes
35. Bolzano, South Tyrol: a blend of Italian warmth and Austrian charm at the gateway to the Dolomites
36. Turin, Piedmont: elegant arcades, royal palaces, and the best hot chocolate in Italy
37. Aosta, Aosta Valley: ancient Roman ruins framed by snow-covered Alps
38. Gran Paradiso National Park, Aosta Valley: pristine alpine scenery and ibex sightings guaranteed
39. Alba, Piedmont: capital of white truffles and Barolo wine, perfect for food lovers
40. Lake Orta and Orta San Giulio, Piedmont: a romantic, overlooked lake with an island monastery
41. Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), Milan: a marble masterpiece with rooftop views across the city – One of my husband’s favourite places in Italy
42. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan: Italy’s oldest shopping arcade, filled with light and luxury. Yes, a shopping gallery – but also a place to add to your Italy bucket list
43. Brera District, Milan: artistic streets, cozy cafés, and a vibrant creative atmosphere
44. Bergamo Alta, Lombardy: a walled hilltop town where every corner feels cinematic
45. Mantua (Mantova), Lombardy: lakes, palaces, and Renaissance elegance without the crowds
46. Verona, Veneto: city of Romeo and Juliet, ancient arenas, and romantic charm – perfect for your Italy trip!
47. Arena di Verona, Verona: a Roman amphitheater still alive with opera and summer concerts
48. Padua, Veneto: home to Giotto’s frescoes and Italy’s second-oldest university
49. Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna: a Renaissance city surrounded by walls and noble palaces
50. Bologna, Emilia-Romagna: food capital of Italy – tortellini, tagliatelle, porticoes, and passion. I also presented you a complete guide to Bologna – a city my husband visited a few times with his job
51. Modena, Emilia-Romagna: where fast cars (Ferrari!) meet fine cuisine and aged balsamic vinegar
52. Parma, Emilia-Romagna: elegant and musical, famous for Parmesan cheese and opera heritage
53. Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna: shimmering Byzantine mosaics that seem to glow from another world
54. Florence Boboli Gardens, Florence: green perfection behind the Pitti Palace, full of sculptures and fountains
55. Arezzo countryside, Tuscany: small villages and rolling hills that inspired films and painters
56. Amalfi Coast, Campania: a ribbon of cliffs, lemon groves, and villages that defy gravity
57. Positano, Amalfi Coast: pastel houses cascading toward the sea – pure Mediterranean magic
58. Ravello, Amalfi Coast: peaceful gardens with unforgettable views over the coast
59. Amalfi, Campania: once a maritime powerhouse, now a lively seaside gem
60. Capri, Bay of Naples: cliffs, grottos, and that dolce vita allure – My friend Mirela loves this part of Italy!
61. Blue Grotto, Capri: glowing turquoise light inside a sea cave like no other
62. Naples, Campania: chaotic, authentic, bursting with energy and flavor
63. Pompeii, near Naples: walk through Roman streets frozen in time by Vesuvius’ fury
64. Mount Vesuvius, Campania: the volcano that shaped history and still looms above Naples
65. Caserta Palace, Campania: a royal masterpiece often called the “Italian Versailles”
66. Paestum, Campania: Greek temples standing silent in golden fields
67. Matera, Basilicata: ancient cave dwellings transformed into boutique hotels and film sets
68. Alberobello, Puglia: a fairy-tale town of whitewashed trulli houses with conical roofs
69. Polignano a Mare, Puglia: clifftop town with turquoise waters and dramatic sea caves
70. Lecce, Puglia: the “Florence of the South,” famous for its ornate Baroque architecture
71. Ostuni, Puglia: the white city shimmering above endless olive groves
72. Otranto, Puglia: seaside charm and a cathedral floor made of medieval mosaics
73. Gallipoli, Puglia: an island old town with sunset views and vibrant nightlife
74. Castel del Monte, Puglia: mysterious octagonal fortress built by Emperor Frederick II
75. Trani, Puglia: Romanesque cathedral overlooking a calm Adriatic harbor
76. Matera Cathedral, Basilicata: a commanding symbol above the stone labyrinth of the Sassi
77. Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, Sardinia: turquoise waters and luxury meets wilderness
78. La Maddalena Archipelago, Sardinia: dreamy islands perfect for boat hopping and snorkeling
79. Cagliari, Sardinia: colorful capital overlooking the sea, full of character and history
80. Alghero, Sardinia: Catalan influences, cobblestone streets, and golden sunsets
81. Palermo, Sicily: chaotic, exotic, and irresistible with its mix of cultures and street food. There are a few amazing day trips from Palermo you can take!
82. Monreale Cathedral, Sicily: golden mosaics that rival any in Europe
83. Cefalù, Sicily: laid-back coastal beauty backed by a dramatic rock
84. Taormina, Sicily: ancient theater with one of the world’s best views
85. Mount Etna, Sicily: Europe’s highest active volcano and an otherworldly landscape
86. Syracuse and Ortigia, Sicily: baroque streets, sea views, and ancient Greek roots
87. Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, Sicily: majestic ruins glowing in the Sicilian sun
88. Aeolian Islands, Sicily: volcanic isles where time slows and sunsets burn red
89. Pantelleria, Sicily: wild, wind-carved island of lava cliffs and hot springs
90. Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia: a fascinating port city blending Italian, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic influences – a true hidden gem in northern Italy
91. Miramare Castle, near Trieste: a fairytale white castle overlooking the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by lush gardens and timeless elegance
92. San Daniele del Friuli, Friuli Venezia Giulia: a quiet town world-famous for its delicate prosciutto and authentic Italian charm
93. Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia: a lively yet underrated city with Venetian-style architecture and a beautiful castle on a hill
94. Cinque Terre Trails, Liguria: scenic coastal paths connecting colorful fishing villages – one of the most beautiful hikes in Italy
95. Portofino, Liguria: a glamorous seaside town with a tiny harbor, pastel houses, and luxury yachts – pure Italian Riviera magic
96. Camogli, Liguria: a peaceful alternative to busy Portofino, full of fishing boats, local flavor, and photogenic charm
97. Parma countryside, Emilia-Romagna: rolling hills, family-run dairies, and vineyards producing some of Italy’s most delicious food
98. Trentino’s Val di Funes, South Tyrol: picture-perfect alpine valley framed by the Odle peaks – one of the most photographed spots in northern Italy
99. Lake Maggiore and Isola Bella, Piedmont/Lombardy: elegant villas, lush gardens, and lakeside views that belong on every Italy bucket list
100. Civita di Arpino, Lazio: a charming hilltop village off the beaten path, known for its ancient Cyclopean walls and peaceful atmosphere
My Conclusion
Italy is a country of endless wonder. Every time you think you’ve seen it all, another hidden piazza, quiet village, or coastal path surprises you.
These 100 places are just the beginning – a living invitation to keep exploring. Whether you’re chasing history, food, art, or simply beauty, Italy gives you all of it – with a side of espresso and passion.
FAQ: Planning Your Trip to Italy
1. How many days do you need to see the best of Italy?
Ideally, spend at least 10–14 days to enjoy a mix of big cities and smaller towns. With two weeks, you can visit Rome, Florence, Venice, and one or two regions like Tuscany, Puglia, or Sicily at a relaxed pace.
2. What is the best time to visit Italy?
Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) are the best months – warm weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant landscapes. July and August are hot and packed, especially in major cities.
3. What are the must-see landmarks in Italy?
The Colosseum, Florence Duomo, Venice canals, Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii are Italy’s most famous highlights – but don’t skip smaller gems like Matera, Alberobello, or Lake Orta for a more authentic experience.
4. What is the easiest way to travel around Italy?
Trains are the best option for most routes – fast, comfortable, and scenic. Rent a car only if you’re exploring rural regions like Tuscany, Umbria, or Puglia.
5. Are there any hidden gems in Italy worth visiting?
Absolutely – places like Civita di Bagnoregio, Spello, and the Aeolian Islands offer quieter, more authentic glimpses of Italy away from tourist crowds.
Photo sources (except Capri, Milan Duomo): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
