You might have guessed by now, my love for Italy is deep, real and very, very meaningful. this is exactly why I wanted to share some gorgeous places to visit in Italy that I’m hoping you’ll love.
You’ll have probably also guessed by now that I just can’t stop speaking about Italy and to be honest, I can’t make any apologies for it. How could I when there is so much delicious gelato, beautiful scenery, stunning towns, and a long (and fascinating) history and culture that is so diverse?
Anyway, before I waffle into a sonnet about my love of Italy, I wanted to share some of my very top spots that you should consider visiting on your next trip.
It doesn’t matter if it’s your very first, second or fifteenth time in this beautiful country, I guarantee you’ll always find a new and stunning place to discover… or at the very least, find a yummy new gelato flavour to devour.
Take a look at some of the most gorgeous places to visit in Italy. Have the best trip.
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1.) Explore the shores of Lake Como
The shores of Lake Como are a very special place. Imagine stunning little villages, mountains of delicious food and a vast array of boats to hop on board and tour the lake.
After visiting the stunning town of Como, take a drive up the lake towards Bellagio, here you’ll find one of the best restaurants in the region, Alle Darsene di Loppia.
Make sure to try their homemade gnocchi that’s paired with some freshly caught lake fish. It’s so yummy.
Read more: Best things to do in Lake Como
2.) Stroll through Milan
Milan is one city that I somehow end up visiting time and time again. It’s one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Italy, especially if you want a little city break.
Make sure to visit the incredible; Gothic Milan Cathedral, The picturesque Castello Sforzesco and the area around Brera for some of the city’s best foody spots and bars for the evening.
For an extra special treat, head over to Contraste a concept restaurant that’s gained quite a name for itself in the city. A little more expensive than some other restaurants but you really do get what you pay for. Their tasting menu is incredible.
Read more: Best things to do in Milan
3.) Admire the views of Lake Garda
It was only a few weeks ago that we arrived back from Lake Garda and I have to say that it lived up to all my expectations.
Make sure you visited Sirmione but be warned, it does get pretty hectic with visitors around mid-day and early evening. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit first thing on a weekday morning.
For a taste of the local seafood, make sure to visit Ristorante L’Incontro, though be prepared, the dishes are relatively small (which isn’t bad) but if you’ve worked up an appetite, you may want to grab a gelato on your way home.
Read more:Best things to do in Lake Garda
4.) Enjoy Venice
Let’s be honest, Venice needs very little introduction but how could I not include one of Europe’s most iconic and unique cities?
If you’re looking to stay away from the crowds, take a wander around the many winding and cobbled streets in the morning, it’s one of my favourite times to explore the city.
One thing to consider about Venice is that prices can be highly inflated due to the popularity of the city. Plan your trip wisely and if you’re wanting to keep costs lower, try staying in one of the towns just outside Venice.
Venice is easily one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Italy if you want to be a totally unique Italian city.
Read more: Best things to do in Venice
5.) Wander the towns of Cinque Terre
Okay, Cinque Terre is one of my very favourite places to stop in Italy. These five towns of Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza and Manarola.
You can squeeze them all into a one (pretty long and rushed) day trip but I’d definitely recommend 1 or two nights in this area. If the weather is great, take a walk between the towns, alternatively take the train that takes minutes between the town (as it cuts through the mountains).
Don’t forget, one of the very best views of Manarola is upon the coastal walkway that connects the towns.
Read more: Best things to do in Cinque Terre
6.) Rent a farmhouse in the Tuscany Countryside
No visit to the best spots in Tuscany is complete without exploring its gorgeous rolling hills.
When we stayed in Tuscany last, we rented a farmhouse on an organic blueberry farm, which was idyllic as it sounded! It was perched on a sprawling estate and one of the most relaxing places I’ve ever visited.
We loved our trip so much and it was such a great place to use as a base to explore all the places in Tuscany. This alone made it one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Italy for sure!
Read more: Our Tuscan farmhouse we booked
7.) Watch the sunset over Florence
Perched in the heart of Tuscany is the gorgeous city of Florence.
There’s so much to see and do when visiting Florence, especially on a beautiful sunny day. One of the best spots to watch the sunset over the city is from, Piazzale Michelangelo (with gelato or Chianti in hand, of course).
If you’re planning to visit, make sure to explore these free things to see and also these top places to include on a weekend visit to Florence.
Read more: Best things to do in Florence
8.) Wander through San Marino
Okay, technically not Italy, but San Marino is a tiny enclave country within the Italian countryside.
Make sure to make a stop at Guaita, the city’s oldest and most historic forts, discover the beautiful Basilica di San Marino and discover De La Fratta, one of the peaks that overlook this impressive country.
Read more: Microstates in Europe to visit
9.) Stop off at Orvieto
Orvieto is a gorgeous little town perched in the countryside between Rome and Florence. If you’re thinking about driving your route, make sure to use Orvieto as your lunch stop off.
It’s a gorgeous place that’s filled with a rich history. Orvieto is totally perfect for an afternoon visit and one of the more gorgeous places to visit in Italy on a road trip down the spine of Italy.
Read more on why you should visit Orvieto
10.) Enjoy Rome
The capital city of Italy, Rome, is one heck of a city to explore.
Make sure you wander to some of the amazing free sites and historical landmarks, head over to the Vatican and enjoy a quiet tipple at Baguetteria del Fico. Most visitors miss this lovely little place, it really is so charming.
Read more: Free things to do in Rome
11.) Enjoy pizza in Naples
I have every right to blame Naples for my ever-growing waistline and an unquenchable hunger for pizza; especially because they invented it.
Make sure you make a stop for some local pizza whilst in the city. One of the best places to grab a slice will be at Mondo Pizza.
Made fresh to order, these guys know how to knead that dough! Honestly, this alone makes it one of the yummiest and gorgeous places to visit in Italy.
Read more: Best things to do in Naples
12.) Wander through Pompeii
Just a little drive away from Naples is the ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii, which was largely destroyed and then abandoned after the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Wander through the many intact streets, see how life used to be and learn all about the history and fate of this historic city.
Make sure to head over here first thing in the morning to avoid the big crowds and tours.
Take a look at some of the best things to see in Pompeii
13.) See the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast has earned itself a pretty respectable reputation as one of Italy’s most pretty areas.
Make sure you wander the many clifftop towns, wake up early to catch the sunrise over the mountains and shore and enjoy a little tipple of Lemoncello, one of the local alcoholic drinks.
Make sure you stop over at Lattari Mountains Regional Park, too. It offers some incredible views over the area!
If you’re wanting to plan your Italian trip around food, take a look at our map on the regional foods you should be eating at each stop in Italy.
Read more: Best things to do on the Amalfi Coast
14.) See the Trulli of Alberobello
The province of Bari is extra special, especially to the many Trulli that are perched within Monte Pertica. These historic mud huts are pretty unique in Italy and the perfect place to see a historic slice of Italian life.
We loved our time here and totally found the most amazing Trulli hotel (called, Borgo Canonica) to stay in (around 25-minutes from Alberobello).
They’re so unique and it’s one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Italy that’s in Bari.
Read more: Best things to do in Bari
15.) Head up Mount Etna
Perched on the southeast side of Sicily, Mount Etna is a truly awesome active volcano you can visit.
Don’t worry if you get too fearful to hike to the top, you can get some equally impressive views from the towns below.
On our last trip to Sicily, we were meant to scale to Mount Etna but the darn fog scuppered our plans.
If you do plan on visiting, have backup options due to the unpredictable weather and cloud cover that can take a turn for the worse.
Read more: Best places to visit in Sicily
16.) Discover Palermo
Palermo is a gorgeous city, and one of the best places in Sicily to visit when looking for a city break.
The city has such a wealth of amazing museums, art galleries and even a rather morose catacomb where preserved bodies are laid to rest.
The city is a great place to explore and perfect to pair up with a trip to Mount Etna on the other side of the island.
The whole island is so dramatic and historic; it is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Italy; especially when travelling in the south.
Also, for a sumptuous bite to eat, head on over to L’Ottava Nota they make an incredible broad bean and squid soup, too. It’s so yummy.
Finally, don’t forget about the best beaches in Sicily that are easily reached from the likes of Palermo. They’re some of the best in the Mediterranean.
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