Your Guide to the 19 Best Places in Italy in 2024

Italy–home to gelato, pizza, pasta, high fashion, epic love stories, layers of ancient history, and so much more. If you're planning a trip to this land you’ll likely find yourself overwhelmed with choices. So, from north to south, here are 19 of the best places to travel in Italy in 2024. 

Table of Contents

• Lake Como
• Turin
• Milan
• Lake Garda
• The Dolomites
• Verona
• Venice
• Trieste
• Cinque Terre
• Bologna
• Tuscan Hill Towns
• Pisa
• Florence
• Siena
• Rome
• Naples
• Pompeii
• Capri
• Amalfi Coast

Northern Italy

Lake Como

Widely known as the setting of one of Geroge and Amal Clooney’s many homes, it is no wonder they, along with a selection of the other rich and famous of the world, have made this place home.

Lake Como is stunning.

Serene blue waters are backed by rugged deep, green hills.

Lake Como is the third-largest lake in Italy. So though it is picture-perfect and a playground for the wealthy, there are still parts of it that are more affordable for the everyday traveler. Check-in with a local to gain insight into the best areas to visit, stay, eat, and play based on your taste and budget. 

Turin

Heading into the north, Turin is another glamorous city well-known for its diverse architectural styles. Interestingly though, a lot of the city was redesigned and revamped quite recently as it was home to the 2006 Winter Olympics. 

Piazza Castello is central to life in Turin and it’s a great place to get a jumpstart on your stay. Simply sit and watch the world go by or pay a visit to the Diocesan Museum of Turin on the edge of the square, which brings you through the history of the city as well as wider Italy. 

Located in the region of Piedmont, Turin has great local wines and if you’re not planning to head out into the countryside you should definitely sample those local varieties while in the city. 

Milan

The Duomo Cathedral is a favorite amongst all visitors to Italy: Instagrammers and memory-keepers alike. A look at the outside from the square is oh-so-important and worthwhile, but heading in for a look at the interior and a climb up to the views of the city skyline is also a fabulous use of your time. 

Another favorite for photos, or just to marvel at, is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The design, the gold touches, and the bright light shining through makes this a gorgeous space. And the designer shops that you can shop at for real or just marvel at through the windows make it all very quintessentially Italian. 

Lake Garda

Also in northern Italy, Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and is a super popular spot to vacation–and for good reason! About the same size as Lake Tahoe or the Maldives, the area is not enormous but there are options for both where to stay and what to do.

Check out Sirmione for accommodation–it’s a small town that actually juts out into the water and offers great vistas, and the most exciting part is that you actually enter the town via a drawbridge and castle. 

An awesome way to get a full picture of the lake and its surroundings is to hop on a bicycle. It’s about 140 km to loop the lake, so if you’re not an avid cyclist, it’s a big feat. But you certainly don’t have to do the whole thing and can just leisurely do a portion of the route in a day as it suits your trip. 

The Dolomites

The Dolomites are a part of the Alps mountain range and are located in northeastern Italy. If you visit Italy in winter and want to go for a skiing trip, this is the spot. Or if you are into mountain biking and want to see what the Italian scene is like, head to the Dolomites. 

If you’re simply looking for a great place to head off on day hikes during the summer months, check out ​​the area of Val Gardena as your base camp (not actual base camp, there are hotels!). And if you’re off for skiing adventures, check out the Alta Badia area. Not sure when to go? Check out the best time to travel to Italy.

Remember, no matter where or when you go, the Dolomites is a popular area, and with fewer accommodation options than larger cities, it books up fast, so start planning your perfect itinerary now and make sure to lock in all your dream stops! 

Verona

Though it is widely believed that Shakespeare never actually set foot in the entire country of Italy, Verona is nonetheless the home of Romeo and Juliet. In Verona, you can visit Juliet’s balcony and, for good luck, rub the right breast of the statue of her which stands below it. You can also leave a letter to Juliet and wait for an answer from one of the secretaries who volunteer for this exact role. Do note though that even if Juliet had lived in Verona she never would have set foot on this balcony as it was built in the 20th century. That, though, does not make the experience any less romantic or enjoyable. 

Venice

Another spectacular and world-renowned Italian city, Venice lies in the northwest of Italy and is of course most well known for its romantic canals–an awesome Italian tourist attraction totally worthy of its fame! Going for a gondola ride and checking out St. Mark’s Square are easy enough to quickly check off your list–but locals recommend making Venice more than just a day trip, as the city empties out greatly in the evening when those who are day-tripping do move on, or return to their cruise ships and leave the city to you and the residents.

That’s the perfect time to wander the maze of streets and alleyways, get a bowl of risotto at La Colombina, and check out all the hotspots without the crowds. Or just go during the best time of year to visit Italy to avoid the crowds all day and night!

Trieste

Trieste lies in the far northeast of Italy in an area not often visited by tourists. It's very close to both the sea and neighboring Slovenia. The landscape of this little city is pretty spectacular, and because it is so far into its own corner of the country it also retains quite a unique culture and way of life. 

The Museum at the Miramare Castle is a must-do while in town. Not only will you get a great insight into historical royal life as you wander through the intricate rooms, but the whole sight is in an extraordinary location with epic views out over the seas. And while entry into the castle museum is paid, the gardens are actually free to visit and wander. 

Cinque Terre

Translate this into English and you get five towns, so it’s no surprise then that this seaside region is made up of, you guessed it, five small towns: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Locals highly recommend exploring the Cinque Terre on more than just a day trip. Doing so will give you ample opportunity to hike through the hills from town to town, laze about on the beaches, and enjoy a terrific glass of local wine as you watch the sunset and all the day trippers have cleared out. 

Monterosso is the largest of the five towns so you’ll find the most in terms of hotel and restaurant choices, but if you want a quieter stay, look to Corniglia.

Bologna

Bologna is the capital of the northern region of Emilia-Romagna. And if you’re thinking that name sounds familiar, it just might be. This is the home of parmesan cheese. So if that’s your thing, Bologna may be your heaven. Check out Vecchia Malga for a superb selection of not just local cheese but meats too.

If you decide to spend your entire visit to Bologna just snacking, no one would fault you. But if you do want to see a bit more of the city head over to Asinelli Tower and climb its 498 steps for a fabulous birds-eye view of the brown-red rooftops surrounding you. 

Central Italy

Tuscan hill towns

Made up of just under 9,000 square miles, the region of Tuscany is an absolute stunner and is a lot more than just its capital, Florence. Getting yourself in a car is definitely the best way to see this area of Italy, but if driving isn’t feasible you could join a tour that will get you to some of the best spots, or even hop on a train–though views are limited on a train you’ll still get some great snapshots of the countryside.  

Check out the towns of San Gimignano, Lucca, Volterra, and Cortona to start, but remember that it would take ages to hit all of the worthwhile stops in Tuscany, and it’s definitely not worth rushing through these postcard-perfect hills. 

Pisa

Known most famously for the Leaning Tower that calls Pisa home, there are still plenty of other things to do in this small city on Italy’s west coast. 

Firstly, the tower is actually just one part of a large cathedral complex. So after you get your mandatory snapshot out front–running from the tower about to smush you, or showing off your strength as you keep it from falling–head inside and experience the rest of Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. 

Following that, wander the streets and stop for a plate of Pici Pasta–a thicker alternative to spaghetti. While Pisa is a great stop, it’s often not included as more than a day trip on the perfect Italy itinerary, if you’re not sure how much time to devote to it, ask a local for advice. 

Florence

The capital of the beautiful, world-famous region of Tuscany, Florence has a rich history that dates back almost 3,000 years. It is well-known for its influences, past and present, on arts–especially Renaissance–and culture. 

Today, a visit to Florence calls for at least some time in the Uffizi Gallery which, amongst other works, has an extraordinary collection of Botticelli's and is definitely one of the tourist attractions in Italy most worth seeing. A visit to the iconic Duomo is a must, as is a chance to see David in person at The Galleria dell'Accademia.

Of course, there are loads of great pasta dishes to experience in Florence, but our locals insist that you’ll be missing out on the best in the world if you don’t stop for a gelato: check out Gelateria La Carraia.

Siena

Siena is yet another gorgeous little stop in Tuscany. Many make this a day trip during a longer stay in Florence. But to decide how exactly to fit Siena in, chat with a local guide about what they recommend based on your own personal travel preferences. 

With an open and thriving piazza, a picturesque Duomo, and a tower from which you can see it all spread out below you, Siena checks the boxes. If you’re making a day trip, you’ll need to stop for lunch. And if you’re not vegetarian, locals recommend a plate of wild boar at Osteria Enoteca Sotto Le Fonti, plus a glass of wine of course. 

Rome

Of course, you could never leave Rome, the Eternal City, the capital of Italy, and a city with layers upon layers (quite literally) of history, off a list of the best places to travel in Italy–there is just so much to do in Rome!

While all the things there are to see in Rome could take up an entire vacation just on its own, that doesn’t mean you can’t also work it into a larger Italy itinerary. Check out the renowned Colosseum, and the historic Pantheon, and of course, toss a coin into the picturesque (though usually very crowded) Trevi fountain (check out the best time to visit Italy for the fewest crowds). Or you could wander the landscaped gardens of Villa Borghese and stumble upon Roman ruin after Roman ruin along the Apian Way.

And then there’s the food. Start with a Carbonara Pasta at Giulio Passami l’Oli and then check in with a local expert to see where and what else they recommend eating. If you’re looking for even more of Rome check out this complete guide of everything to do in Rome.

Southern Italy

Naples

Pizza. If you’re headed to Italy for the best pizza you had best not miss out on Naples, the very home of the Margherita. Sorbillo is a favorite amongst tourists and locals and can take more than an hour to get a table at, but is totally worth it. 

Of course, as the third largest city in Italy, Naples is more than just a delicious slice. Once you’re all full of dough, head over to check out the archeological museum, or if you’re more interested in getting a taste of modern-day Naples head to Madre (Donnaregina Contemporary Art Museum). Or of course, you could simply wander the tree-lined, winding streets of downtown and breathe in the local life of Naples. 

Pompeii

You’ve probably heard about the history of Pompeii–a place that was once a sophisticated Roman city before the eruption of Vesuvius, which buried it in more than 19 feet of ash and preserved the people and way of life just as it was in that exact moment. It’s now a tourist attraction in Italy and very much worth visiting. While some of the casts created from the bodies are regularly moved to various exhibits around the world, The Garden of the Fugitives is an opportunity to see 13 of them, along with some ruins, in Pompeii itself. It’s also a great idea to visit Antiquarium to see other recovered items from the ruins and remains of the ancient city.

Most people take a day trip to Pompeii from either Naples or Sorrento, but if you’d like to stay overnight close to the site there are options, check in with a local for tips on the best accommodation nearby.

Capri

Capri sits west of Italy just off the coast near Naples, it has two peaks and a rugged landscape across its four-mile length. 

One of the absolute must-dos on the island is a visit to the Blue Grotto which is a natural phenomenon in which the sunlight enters an underwater cave to make the water inside appear a bright, electric blue.

Generally, Capri is quite an upscale destination and you’ll find lots of glitzy hotels, a few Michelin-starred restaurants, and loads of designer shops. If that’s what you came to the island for, awesome! But if you want something more local and down-to-earth, check in with a local guide to help you decide where to go and what to do that’s a bit more off the beaten path.

Amalfi Coast

Situated in Southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast is made up of just over 30 miles of stunning, glittering seashores. There are 13 towns, the most popular of which are Positano and Amalfi Town, but that doesn’t mean the others aren’t worth visiting. If you want to get a better idea of where to stop, let a local know all about your travel tastes and preferences and see what they can recommend. 

But of course, you don’t want to focus too much on village life when you’re so close to epic beaches. So make sure to include some sunbathing time in your itinerary in spots like Marina Grande Beach. Back on dry land you can also go hiking in Riserva Statale Valle delle Ferriere or wander through the gardens at Villa Rufolo.

It’s going to be a fabulous trip no matter what, Italy has so very much to offer! But to make sure every loose end is tied up and nothing is left to chance, take all your inspiration from this list of the best places to travel in Italy and chat with a local to get support with your trip planning!

And before your trip, be sure to check out: 

• Where To Stay in Italy: 13 Incredible Options
• Transportation in Italy: What to Know
• Is Rome Safe for Travel?
• Italy Travel Restrictions: What Travelers Need to Know
• Connect With a Local to Plan Your Trip