Planning a trip to Italy? Get ready for slow mornings, scenic walks, and everyday magic that stays with you long after you’ve returned home. Italy has a way of making the ordinary feel special, a simple espresso at a quiet café, golden light spilling over cobbled streets, or the sound of church bells echoing through a sleepy hillside town. In this blog, you’ll discover the top 20 must visit places in Italy, before you die.
From the jagged peaks of the Dolomites to the rolling vineyards of Tuscany, every corner feels like a memory waiting to happen. The food, the art, the history, it’s all here, layered into each day like chapters of a well-loved book.
We’ve wandered through Italy six times now, each visit unfolding differently. With every trip, our connection to this beautiful country grows stronger. This list brings together our favorite places, the ones that left a lasting impression, the ones we’d go back to in a heartbeat.
If you’re not sure where to begin, this guide is a great starting point. At the end, you’ll also find suggested itineraries to help you plan a trip that flows naturally from one place to the next.
Take your time, enjoy the process, and let Italy move at its rhythm. You’re in for something special.
1. Rome
There’s something grounding about Rome, a city that wears its history like layers of well-worn stone. Here, the ancient and the everyday blur together. You might turn a corner and suddenly see the Colosseum rising above the rooftops or stumble upon a quiet piazza filled with laughter and clinking glasses.
The heart of Rome beats strongest in its small moments: throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, watching the sun filter through the columns of the Pantheon, or sharing pasta in a cozy spot in Trastevere. It’s busy, yes, but in the kind of way that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of something important.
Spend at least two days here, even if you’re moving fast. The longer you stay, the more layers you’ll see.
2. Florence
Florence feels like a quiet celebration of beauty, not just in its famous paintings and statues, but in the soft glow of late afternoon on stone streets, or a slow walk across the Ponte Vecchio. It’s easy to get swept up in the museums, but some of the best memories are found in the in-between moments: the taste of gelato, the view from a rooftop, the calm in a tucked-away garden.
With two to three days, you can take it all in at your own pace, climbing towers, wandering through art, and enjoying good food with no rush.
3. Tuscany
Tuscany invites you to slow down. The rhythm here is quieter, vineyard mornings, hillside towns frozen in time, and evenings that seem to last just a little longer. There’s a simple joy in driving through winding roads, windows down, stopping wherever catches your eye.
Enjoy a romantic wine and dine experience in Tuscany. Explore vineyards, stay in a countryside villa, and savor authentic Italian cuisine with your loved one.
Stay in a small town if you can for three to five days that will let you really settle in. Whether you’re sipping wine on a terrace or watching the sunset over golden hills, Tuscany knows how to make you feel at home.
4. Siena
Siena has the feel of a place that’s gently held onto its past. It’s quieter than Florence, more compact, and somehow warmer in spirit. Walk its narrow streets, find a sunny corner in the Piazza del Campo, or climb the tower for a sweeping view you won’t forget.
Even if you’re here for just a day, Siena leaves a soft mark. Stay a night, and you’ll get to see the city breathe after the day visitors leave.
5. Cinque Terre
The five towns of Cinque Terre tumble down into the sea like something out of a watercolor sketchbook. Colorful, sun-soaked, and connected by trails and train lines, each one has its own character. You can spend the day hiking between them or just sit by the water, eating fresh focaccia and letting time drift.
A night or two lets you catch both the stillness of morning and the soft glow of evening, after the crowds go. It’s the kind of place where doing less actually gives you more.
6. Pisa
Pisa is small, busy, and a bit playful. The Leaning Tower steals the show, it’s worth a quick stop if you’re passing through. There’s something fun about standing among travelers all trying to get that perfect photo.
Give it a couple of hours, climb the tower if you’re up for it, then move along to your next destination. Pisa is a pause, not a stay.
7. Milan
Milan is fast-moving and modern, but there are quiet surprises here too like; the stillness inside the Duomo, the hush that falls when you finally stand in front of “The Last Supper.” It’s a city of contrasts: old soul, fresh energy.
Even with just a day, you can catch its rhythm. It also makes a great base for a quick trip to Lake Como.
8. Lake Como
Lake Como is where time stretches out. With mountains behind you and still water ahead, you’ll find the kind of calm that stays with you. Ride the ferry, wander through Bellagio or Varenna, or just sit by the shore and watch the boats glide past.
Spend a night or two if you can beccause the pace here is meant to be slow, and it’s best enjoyed that way.
9. Aosta Valley
Tucked between the mountains, Aosta Valley is quiet, wild, and absolutely stunning. It’s a place for hikes, castles, and long drives with endless views. On clear days, you’ll spot snow-covered peaks rising in every direction. Mont Blanc is one among them.
If you love being outdoors, give it four or five days. Hike, breathe the alpine air, and enjoy how small everything feels in the best possible way.
10. Venice
Venice feels like a dream caught in time. The boats glide, the water reflects the sky, and no matter how many people are around, there’s always a quiet corner to find. Walk without a plan, take a gondola ride just for the joy of it, and let the city reveal itself slowly.
With two or three days, you’ll get to feel the rhythm beyond the main streets and discover that Venice’s magic isn’t just in the views, but in the moments between.
11. Sorrento
Perched above the sparkling Bay of Naples, Sorrento feels like the calm eye of a whirlwind of activity. It’s where lemon groves meet ancient ruins and the bustle of modern life slows just enough. Wander the charming Corso Italia, savor fresh seafood by Marina Grande, and don’t skip the hidden gem: Bagni della Regina Giovanna, a natural pool where history meets the sea.
Why stay longer? Three days gives you the perfect rhythm: day trip to Capri, hop over to Pompeii, cruise down the Amalfi Coast, then return to your lemon-scented base in time for dinner and sunset.
12. The Dolomites
Think all majestic views require hiking boots? Not here. The Dolomites gift you cinematic landscapes, whether you’re trekking the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo or simply riding a cable car to soaring ridgelines.
Perfect for… families, seasoned hikers, or anyone chasing Alpine magic with a splash of Italian hospitality. Kids over five? Try Lagazuoi to Falzarego. Have a week? You’ll never want to leave for once trust us, we stayed twelve days and still missed it.
13. Pompeii
There’s something haunting about Pompeii. The streets, the homes, the murals, it’s a place where ancient whispers still echo. Whether you explore solo or opt for a guide, it’s a history lesson unlike any other.
Time tip: Two hours gives you the highlights, but pair it with a Mt. Vesuvius hike and you’ll understand the power that once reshaped this world.
14. Capri
Take a boat from Sorrento and arrive in Capri, a dream carved in stone and sea. The views from Monte Solaro will take your breath away (and so will the chairlift up). Glide into the surreal Blue Grotto or just wander the narrow lanes of Anacapri.
Good to know: One day does it, but two lets you soak in the magic once the day trippers leave.
15. Amalfi Coast
Twist and turn along coastal cliffs with the scent of lemon and salt in the air. Each town like; Positano, Amalfi, Ravello will give you a vibes of its own romantic poem.
Local favorites: Hike the Path of the Gods, sip wine with a view, and take the kids kayaking in Positano. The whole coast in a day? Possible. But stay longer if your heart tells you to.
16. Emilia-Romagna & Bologna
Welcome to the land where fast cars and slow meals rule. From Ferrari and Lamborghini museums to tortellini so good it might ruin you for life, this region satisfies every appetite.
Make it yours: Visit medieval Ravenna, lounge on Adriatic beaches, or take the kids to Rimini. One day is delicious; a full week is unforgettable.
17. Verona
Step into a city where romance hangs in the air, but there’s much more than Juliette’s balcony. Verona charms with peaceful piazzas, riverside strolls, and that golden-hour glow that makes it feel like your own secret Italy.
Fast or slow? You can see the best in a few hours, but a night here lets you watch the crowds fade and the magic unfold.
18. Lake Garda
Italy’s largest lake is more than a pretty face, more collectively it’s a collection of lively towns, medieval castles, hidden beaches, and adventures for all ages.
For the curious: Wander Sirmione’s ancient ruins, ride up Monte Baldo, take a ferry to Isola del Garda, or just relax with gelato in hand by the water. Three days? Just enough to fall in love.
19. Sicily
Sicily isn’t just a destination, it’s a universe. From ancient temples to active volcanoes and beaches with soul, it’s where culture runs deep and the food gets under your skin (in the best way).
How much time? Two weeks lets you drive the full loop. One week? Focus on Taormina, Etna, and the Valley of the Temples. Don’t rush it. Sicily rewards those who linger.
20. Sardinia
Craving turquoise water with a side of mystery? Sardinia’s your spot. It’s where prehistoric Nuraghe meet stand-up paddleboarding, and where Italy’s wild heart beats strongest.
Plan your pace: Two days shows you the highlights. A week lets you swim, hike, climb, and explore to your heart’s content. Bring the kids, there’s something here for every kind of explorer.
