Italy is among our favorite countries in the world for sightseeing. Wherever you go you will find incredible places. In addition, it has a delicious gastronomy, good weather, an exciting history, affordable prices, a good transport network and it is a safe destination. What more could you want? If you are thinking of taking a tour to discover the best cities in Italy, you will have to make a selection because there are too many worthwhile. We tell you which are the 12 most beautiful cities in Italy.
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You will find the best places to see in Italy on this map.
Best Cities In Italy
Rome, undisputed among the best cities in Italy
We couldn’t start with any other city in Italy. Rome is the capital of the country, but in its day it became the center of the Roman Empire, which dominated much of Europe. Therefore, it is a privilege to be able to enjoy the remains of that time walking through its streets. From the Colosseum, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, to the charming Fontana di Trevi Did you know that you can visit two different countries within Rome? We refer to the Vatican and its impressive St. Peter’s Basilica. Don’t miss the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums either! But beyond these must-sees, simply wandering aimlessly through the charming streets of Rome is an experience well worth it. How many days to spend in Rome? The Italian capital has so much to offer, you could spend weeks getting to know it thoroughly. But we consider that a minimum of 4 days is necessary if it is the first time you visit it.
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Florence
Florence is beauty in its purest form, another indisputable in this list of the best cities in Italy. It is a paradise of Renaissance art. Its cathedral is a true masterpiece crowned by the dome that has become the icon of Florence. The Uffizi gallery is another obligatory stop to see paintings by geniuses such as Botticelli, Da Vinci or Caravaggio. Also do not forget to visit the famous David by Michelangelo, a perfect sculpture. Beyond all these cultural plans, get lost in the alleys in search of good ice cream parlors, cross the Ponte Vecchio and enjoy the views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
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Sienna
We continue in Tuscany to talk about Siena, another of the best cities in Italy. In this case, its medieval old town is its main attraction. Piazza del Campo is a beautiful square in the heart of Siena, where you can surround yourself with buildings from the 14th century. The most striking thing is the Torre del Mangia with its 88 meters high, which perfectly withstand the passing of the centuries. You can even go up to get great views of all the stone buildings so characteristic of the area. How long does it take to see Siena? Dedicate at least a whole day to it, although the ideal is to stay overnight to enjoy its charm also at night when there are not so many tourists.
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Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and in the whole world
Venice is a unique city. The avenues are replaced by canals and the cars by boats, creating a fairytale atmosphere. Saint Mark’s Square is the center of a labyrinthine city, full of dead ends where it’s nice to get lost. The Basilica of San Marco and the Ducal Palace are well worth a visit, although the most romantic plan is undoubtedly a gondola ride. How many days does it take to get to know Venice? It is a small island that can be seen well in a couple of days. We recommend a third day to make an excursion to Murano and Burano.
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Verona
There are many romantic cities in Italy, but only Verona can claim to be the setting for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Beyond being famous for this, it seems to us to be one of the most underrated cities in Italy. Is beautiful! Don’t settle for visiting the crowded Juliet’s balcony, the Verona Arena is much more impressive. It is an amphitheater from Roman times that is still used for concerts and events. If you want to have the most beautiful view of the city, go up to Castel San Pietro, a movie site! How many days are needed to get to know Verona? In one day you can see the essentials of Verona. In fact, many people choose to go from Venice to Verona for an excursion.
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Bologna, one of the best cities in Italy with a casual atmosphere
Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and we could say that it has two faces. On the one hand, the elegance of its arcades, squares and medieval buildings. And on the other, the alternative atmosphere of his street art. In addition to being one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, it is one of the most lively thanks to its large student community. In fact, it has one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Although the whole of Italy eats great, Bologna is a paradise for foodies. Their sausages are especially famous. In the late afternoon, many bars have an aperitif hour, where you can eat all the tapas you want for the price of a drink. Do not miss it! How many days are needed to get to know Bologna? It seems to us an ideal city for a weekend getaway. In one day you can see its essentials, but with two days you can enjoy Bologna and its exquisite restaurants more calmly.
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Milan
To be honest, we didn’t like the city as much as we expected. But it is indisputable that it has authentic artistic gems. Starting with the impressive Duomo, one of the most imposing cathedrals we have ever seen. Right next door is the exclusive Vittorio Emmanuele II gallery, full of luxury shops. And it is that Milan is considered the capital of world fashion. Another essential stop is the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where you can see The Last Supper, a Da Vinci masterpiece. To relax in the open air in Milan, there is nothing like spending a few hours in the beautiful Parco Sempione. How many days to dedicate to Milan? We advise you to spend a minimum of two days, although you can also follow our itinerary to get to know the essentials of Milan in one day. Of course, it is possible to do many cool excursions from Milan if you have more time.
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Bergamo, one of the best cities in northern Italy
It is often in the shadow of Milan, but Bergamo seems to us to be one of the best cities in Italy. It is divided into two zones: the città alta and the città bassa. The lower part is modern and does not have great attractions, but the elevated area maintains the structure and medieval buildings. It is a wonder! How much time is needed to get to know Bergamo? In one day you can explore the historical part of Bergamo. Even if you only have a few hours before you fly from Bergamo airport, you can take the opportunity to visit the city, we promise it’s worth it!
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Turin
We continue with another of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy. Turin has a unique elegance, which is why there are those who compare it to Paris or Vienna. In its streets you can find wonderful examples of baroque architecture. Many of these buildings are occupied by very stylish cafes and shops. Although without a doubt, the icon of the city is the Mole Antonelliana. It is also a very popular place for religious tourism. In the Turin Cathedral you can see the legendary Shroud, a piece of cloth with the impression of Jesus Christ. In addition, Turin is lucky to be surrounded by the Alps. We recommend you go up to the Monte dei Cappucini viewpoint to have a postcard view of the city with the mountains in the background. How much time is required to visit Turin? We recommend you spend a weekend in the city. There are many interesting museums that you can visit if you want to dedicate more days to it.
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Naples
Naples is beauty in the midst of chaos. Despite having a reputation for being a dangerous city, the truth is that its charms are well worth discovering. Get ready for crazy traffic, dirty streets and areas that can make a bad impression. But beyond that, the streets of the historic center of Naples will win you over with their authentic atmosphere. And we do not forget to mention that Naples is known for having the best pizzerias in the world. That chubby Neapolitan dough is irresistible! How many days does it take to get to know Naples? excursions to fantastic places The center of Naples can be seen in one or two days. But we recommend you stay extra days to do things like Pompeii, Vesuvius volcano, Sorrento, etc.
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Matera, one of the most beautiful cities in southern Italy
Are you one of those who enjoy walking through cities with history and imagining what life was like centuries ago? Then Matera will steal your heart. In fact, it is one of the oldest cities, and it has been continuously inhabited since the Palaeolithic. The Sassi of Matera are a peculiar system of caves dug in stone that make up the historic center of the city. You can visit some of these traditional houses and lose yourself in its streets full of magic. An essential place is the Crypt of Original Sin, considered the Sistine Chapel of cave art. We recommend you stay until sunset to see the beauty of the illuminated city.
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Perugia
We end our list of the best cities in Italy with another rather unknown destination. Perugia is the capital of the Umbria region, known for its dreamy medieval hill towns. Strolling through its cobbled streets will make you go back in time. Lose yourself in its alleys and, of course, don’t miss the Rocca Paolina fortress, from the 16th century.
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