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Planning a trip to Italy means facing an impossibly delicious problem: where do you even start? The country overflows with cities worth visiting, each with its own pull, its own magic. Ancient ruins meet Renaissance masterpieces. Canals wind around islands. Piazzas come alive at dusk.
We've spent time exploring Italy – living there, returning time and again, finding hidden corners and favourite spots.
In this guide, we share the best cities to visit in Italy, the ones that capture what makes the country so special. Whether you're drawn to world-class art, historic centres, or simply spending time where life moves at the perfect pace, you'll find your match here.
- Ready to visit the top cities in Italy? Discover Italy travel packages designed by locals
1. Rome, Lazio
The capital of Italy hits you the moment you arrive. History is everywhere – the sprawling ruins of the Roman Forum, the towering Castel Sant'Angelo, and centuries-old piazzas with stories to tell. Yes, it gets busy, but the hustle and bustle is part of the experience.
Stand where gladiators once fought at the infamous Colosseum. Press pause and gaze up at Michelangelo's masterpiece on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. These spots are iconic. And popular – time your visit for early or late in the day, when there are fewer people around.
But here's what makes Rome truly special: turn down an unassuming cobblestone street, and you'll stumble onto something unexpected. A tucked-away church with Caravaggio paintings. A neighbourhood market selling the freshest buffalo mozzarella. A tiny café where locals gather for morning “cornetti” (“pastries”).
Rome is also home to the Vatican City, the world’s smallest country. The museums here hold enough treasures for a lifetime of visits. Dress conservatively if you’re visiting the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (your shoulders and knees must be covered).
Rome demands time. A couple of days will let you scratch the surface, but this is a city you can return to again and again.
The food alone could keep you here for weeks. Carbonara and cacio e pepe were born in these streets. Do they taste better here than anywhere else? Grab a forkful and find out.
- Visit Rome and beyond on these popular Italy tours
2. Florence, Tuscany
Florence sits along the Arno River, cradled by Tuscan hills. Small, walkable and stunningly beautiful.
The Renaissance started here. Look around, and you’ll see it in every direction – Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia, Botticelli's Birth of Venus at the Uffizi, and the soaring Duomo that dominates the skyline.
The city centre is compact enough to wander on foot. Cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge, where goldsmiths have worked for centuries. Climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset for views that stretch across terracotta rooftops.
Florence moves at a gentler pace than Rome. Stroll along the river with a gelato in hand. Duck into artisan workshops in the Oltrarno neighbourhood. The city is known for top-notch stationery – try Il Torchio for leatherbound journals. Stop for “pappardelle al cinghiale” (“wild boar ragù”) paired with local Chianti.
Go beyond the city limits for rolling vineyards, rows of cypress trees, and medieval hill towns like San Gimignano. Rent a car or get around by train. Spend time day tripping in the countryside, and you'll understand why people fall for Tuscany.
A couple of days is enough to take in the highlights. But 3–4 lets you settle in and savour the art, architecture and food that make Florence legendary.
3. Venice, Veneto
Venice shouldn't work. A city built on 118 islands, connected by canals instead of roads, surrounded by a lagoon. Yet here it stands. And it's extraordinary.
The Grand Canal curves through the heart of the city, lined with Renaissance palaces. Gondolas glide beneath arched bridges. St. Mark's Basilica gleams with golden mosaics. The Doge's Palace holds secrets in every room.
Try to embrace rising early in Venice. Explore in the quiet hours before the city wakes up. Early morning is when you'll find the city at its most serene – mist rising from the canals, footsteps echoing on empty bridges.
Take a “vaporetto” (“waterbus”) to nearby islands in the lagoon. Murano’s a popular stop – it’s been the home of Venetian glass-making since 1291. See glass-blowing in action at a workshop. Or head further out to Burano, where brightly painted houses practically beg for photos.
Prices can run higher than in other Italian cities. But if you dream of watching gondolas drift past, roaming maze-like alleyways, or experiencing a city unlike anywhere else, Venice delivers.
If you can, plan for an overnight stay. The city transforms when the day-trippers leave.
4. Milan, Lombardy
Milan, Italy's fashion and design capital, sometimes gets dismissed as all business, no soul. Not true. Not even close.
The Duomo alone justifies a trip – a gothic masterpiece you can climb for rooftop views across the city. Book tickets in advance for Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, a piece of artwork that might actually take your breath away.
Expect world-class museums to rival Rome and Florence. A food scene that's one of Italy's finest (the city has around 20 Michelin-starred restaurants). Shopping that ranges from designer boutiques to independent vintage shops.
Give Milan at least 2 days, if you can. One for the main sights, another to dig deeper into neighbourhoods locals love.
Start at the Duomo, slip into Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, then explore the Brera district with its cobbled streets and art galleries.
Milan is also a great base for visiting Lake Como, just 2 hours north by train. Spend a day hopping on and off ferries between villages like Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna.
5. Naples, Campania
Pizza was born here. That alone is reason enough to visit.
Naples is vibrant and unapologetic. The third-largest city in Italy sits in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.
The city centre is cut in half by the main street, Spaccanapoli, which literally translates as “Naples splitter”. Laundry hangs from balconies overhead. Street vendors call out from corners. Masterpieces by Caravaggio hide away in under-the-radar churches.
Naples can feel rough around the edges, especially near the central train station. But venture into the neighbourhoods, and you'll find the real city. Locals who welcome you into cafés. Pizza that makes you understand why people argue about authenticity. An archaeological museum with treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Speaking of which, Pompeii and Herculaneum are just a short train ride away – the perfect day trip. Further south, you’ll find Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. From here, you can get to the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida by ferry.
But first, the pizza at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele (featured in Eat Pray Love) lives up to the hype. So does Pizzeria Trianon nearby. Expect Neapolitan pizza with buffalo mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes – simple, perfect, impossible to replicate anywhere else.
If you can look past a bit of chaos, Naples will reward you. This is the authentic heart of southern Italy. Whether you’re passing through or staying the night, you'll leave with stories.
- How to tell the difference between northern and southern pizza? Find out in our guide to Italian food
6. Verona, Veneto
Verona earned its nickname as the city of lovers thanks to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Yes, the romance lives on – but there's much more to discover here.
The Roman amphitheatre, Arena di Verona, hosts open-air opera performances throughout the summer. Check the calendar before you visit. Watching Aida under the stars in a 2,000-year-old arena is unforgettable.
Next door sits Piazza Bra, café-lined and welcoming. From there, wander into the historic centre where you'll find Juliet's Balcony, medieval towers, and quiet gardens.
A full day covers the highlights. Two lets you slow down, catch a performance, and go beyond the main sights.
Located between Venice and Milan, Verona is an easy stop on a Northern Italy itinerary. It’s also close to Lake Garda, where the village of Sirmione juts into blue water.
7. Como, Lombardy
Lake Como is the most showy of the Northern Italian lakes (and it knows it). George Clooney has a villa here, Ferraris sweep along country roads, and Bond film-worthy scenes await.
At the lake's southern tip sits Como. The town itself is compact and sometimes overlooked by visitors rushing to the famous lakeside villages.
Stop here for beautiful churches, waterfront promenades, and the Como-Brunate funicular railway that whisks you up 500 metres (1,640 feet) for panoramic views.
Villa Olmo graces Como's waterfront – a neoclassical marvel with sprawling gardens and art exhibitions inside. Wander the grounds, the largest of any villa here, and you'll see why locals treasure it.
From Como, ferries connect you to Bellagio, Varenna, and other villages within an hour.
Or spend more time in Como, browsing art galleries, shopping for silk (the city is famous for it), people-watching with an Aperol in hand.
Half a day is enough to see Como's main sights. But consider staying overnight – the lake at sunset, with mountains darkening against pink skies, is worth lingering for.
- Combine your visit to Lake Como with time in nearby Switzerland
8. Pisa, Tuscany
Yes, everyone comes for the Leaning Tower. And yes, it's worth seeing. The entire Piazza del Miracoli – with its cathedral, baptistery, and the famous tower – is genuinely impressive.
But don't rush off after the photos. Pisa's city centre, just a 15-minute walk from the square, feels refreshingly local. The Arno River cuts through quiet neighbourhoods. Cafés serve students from one of Italy's oldest universities.
Half a day covers the highlights comfortably. Book your tower climb in advance – numbers are limited for safety reasons. Then head on to Lucca or use Pisa as a stopping point between Florence and Cinque Terre.
Lesser-known gems
Now you know the best Italian cities to visit, let’s explore some places you might not have heard of. Step off the main route and discover destinations that deserve more attention.
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9. Lucca, Tuscany
Lucca feels like Tuscany before it made everyone's wish lists.
Medieval walls wrap around the old town – wide enough to walk or cycle along the top. Below, terracotta roofs glow in the afternoon light. Churches rise between narrow streets. And barely a queue in sight.
This is Florence's quieter cousin. Romanesque facades, tower views, and plenty of art – just without the elbow-to-elbow sightseeing. Climb the Guinigi Tower (the one with oak trees growing on top) for a view that stretches across rooftops and out towards the hills.
Then find a piazza. Order an espresso. Or an Aperol, if the sun's out. And just sit.
Lucca's only 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) from Pisa, so you can easily visit both in a day. Though once you're here, you might not want to leave.
10. Siena, Tuscany
Siena's Piazza del Campo curves like a scallop shell – and it might just be the most beautiful square in Italy.
The medieval city unfolds around it. Cobbled lanes twist between gothic palaces. Wine bars pour local Vinsanto by the glass. Little boutiques are tucked into buildings that have stood for centuries.
Summer brings the Palio – a bareback horse race that's been tearing around the piazza for nearly 500 years. It's chaotic, emotional, and deeply ingrained in the city’s yearly rhythm.
Skip the Palio, and Siena still delivers. Expect Renaissance frescoes without Rome's hustle and bustle, proper Tuscan cooking, and a skyline that hasn't changed much since the 1300s.
Give yourself a full day here. Then add another for day-tripping to San Gimignano's towers or a drive through Chianti wine country – both are close enough to reach before lunch.
11. Sorrento, Campania
Sorrento perches on cliffs above the Bay of Naples, all lemon groves and sea views.
The town itself is charming enough – terracotta-roofed buildings, narrow streets lined with ceramics shops, and more limoncello than you'll know what to do with. But Sorrento's real strength is location. It's the gateway to some of southern Italy's biggest draws.
Ferries leave for Capri throughout the day – the island's just 20 minutes offshore. Or head east along the Amalfi Coast, where towns like Positano and Amalfi cling to cliffsides above impossibly blue water. Both make easy day trips, and you'll be back in time for dinner.
Speaking of which: the seafood here is excellent, the pasta's made fresh, and you're never far from a terrace with a view.
12. Sirmione, Lombardy
Sirmione stretches into Lake Garda on a slender strip of land – almost an island, but not quite.
At the tip, the Roman ruins crumble picturesquely by the water. At the entrance, Castello Scaligero, a 13th-century castle, stands guard – moat and all. In between, thermal springs bubble up from deep underground, just as they have for centuries.
The town is small, walkable in an hour or two. But the setting – jutting into blue water, backed by limestone peaks – makes it special.
Most people come as day-trippers from Verona. But if you stay overnight, you'll have the lake to yourself once the visitors thin out. The thermal baths at Aquaria are worth booking too – especially if your idea of a good afternoon involves floating in warm water with lakeside views.
13. Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige
Trento sits in the Italian Alps, close enough to the Austrian and Swiss borders that you can feel the cultural crossover.
Frescoed Renaissance facades stand next to steep-roofed Alpine houses and mountain-backed piazzas. You’ll hear German spoken alongside Italian. This is where Italy starts to blur at the edges – and it's all the more interesting for it.
Buonconsiglio Castle looms over the old town, while Piazza Duomo anchors the centre, and Neptune keeps watch from his fountain.
But Trento's real draw is what's just outside it – the Brenta Dolomites.
Cable cars lift you into the mountains within minutes. In winter, take your pick from nearby ski resorts. Come summer, hiking trails thread through forests and wildflower meadows with views that’ll make you stop mid-sentence.
- Swap cathedral domes for jagged peaks on a multi-country Alps tour
- Related: Must-see mountains in the Alps
Tips for travelling responsibly in Italy
It’s not always easy being this beautiful though. Like many much-loved destinations around the world, Italy’s cities are under pressure.
Want to help? Consider travelling outside peak season – visit in spring or autumn when the weather stays pleasant, but there are fewer people around. Support local businesses instead of international chains.
Take your time rather than rushing through. Exploring deeply beats ticking cities and attractions off a “must-see” list every time. Savour moments in a neighbourhood café. Use public transport or walk if you can.
Small choices add up. And they make your trip better too – quieter streets, authentic experiences, and the feeling that you've genuinely connected with a place.
- Get tips for travelling more sustainably in Italy
- Related: Best time to visit Italy
Your Italy journey
There’s more to Italy's cities than you can experience on one trip. And that's fine – Italy isn't going anywhere. For now, choose the cities that speak to you.
Art lover? Florence, Milan and Rome are calling. After mountain views? Head to Lake Garda or Como. Want to head off the beaten path? Allow time to linger in Tuscany.
Our local experts have designed these self-drive to hit Italy’s top cities – and then some.
Get to know Italy on a trip organised by your own travel consultant (based in Rome, of course). They’ll book top-rated accommodation and car rental or other local transport, like airport transfers. That’s a given.
What about arranging a pizza-making masterclass in Rome? Or showing you where to go for cinematic shots on the Amalfi Coast? Or knowing the quietest times to visit world-class museums? They know that too.
Get in touch to start planning your trip to Italy. Whether you've got 1 week or 3, we'll make sure you embrace the real Italy – the one locals know and love.
