6 places you must see in Italy

Actually, hundreds of reasons. There are so many great places to go and incredible experiences to have here that making a short list of what to do in Italy is a really difficult task. Not because of what to put in, but because of everything you have to leave out.

In other words, this list is not meant to be in any way exhaustive, or complete. Italy is full of hidden gems and fantastic places to explore, but there are also some places you simply have to go in the country, and that’s what we’re going to focus on.

Yes, you’ll encounter tourist crowds. Yes, you’ll get hit with high prices. But there are just some places you can’t avoid if you want to be able to say you’ve actually seen some of Italy.

As always, you can keep costs down by travelling with an eSIM from ZenSim. With unlimited plans that cover you across Italy, we can protect you from roaming charges wherever you go.

1. Rome

The Eternal City is just unmissable. It would be criminal not to spend at least a few days seeing some of what Rome has to offer.

Rome is often described as being one big open-air museum, and as you traipse from the Colosseum to the Roman forum to the Pantheon, it can feel that way.

But along with the relics of Imperial Rome, you also get to explore some of the world’s greatest collections of art, enjoy incredible food, and, thanks to the presence of the Vatican, explore two countries in one.

Just watch out for scams.

Rome is my favourite city in the world. Because although it can sometimes feel like a museum, it’s actually a lively and vibrant place.

When you’ve had enough of history and art, head to Piazza Trilussa across the river in Trastevere, where locals sing and dance all night long, and you’ll see what makes Rome so special.

2. Venice

Let’s be honest. You’re not shocked to see Venice on this list. Frankly, it’s kind of unavoidable.

I have mixed feelings about Venice, as do most people who go there. After all, it’s one of the most touristed cities in the world, and this relatively small city of canals built on the lagoon is far smaller than places like Paris and Rome, that can handle the influx of tourists better.

That means you’re going to get crowds, whenever you go. More than Rome, more than almost anywhere I’ve been, Venice can start to feel like a kind of Disneyfied version of a city, not a real place where people live.

But it’s just so beautiful. And unique. Yes, there are other cities built on a network of canals, but none of them look like this.

So yes, you should still go to Venice. Even though there will be crowds and high prices. Even though they now charge an entry fee just to get in. It’s still worth it if you’ve never been.

At the same time, it’s one of those places that, once you’ve seen it for yourself, you probably won’t feel any urge to return.

3. Naples

In case you accuse me of playing it safe, here’s a more controversial pick. See Naples and die, the old saying goes. And they mean it.

Naples doesn’t have the best reputation. This port city has always had a gritty side, along with problems with organized crime, infrequent rubbish collection, and general urban squalor.

That’s not to say that Naples isn’t beautiful, because it is. Almost heartbreakingly so. And in some ways, the shabbiness of the beautiful old churches and villas makes them even more appealing.

Naples sits on the slopes of an active volcano, and the views from its hills over the bay are absolutely incredible. It’s also the birthplace of pizza, and the home of one of the best street food scenes anywhere in Italy. It’s cheaper than other major Italian cities like Rome and Florence, and although it gets plenty of tourists, it’s not overrun with them like Venice is.

But what really makes Naples special goes beyond its scenic location and its beautiful crumbling architecture. It’s the people. Naples still feels like a city that exists for its locals, and they are what makes the place what it is.

Neapolitans live unapologetically. The streets are full at all times of the day and night, echoing with laughter and songs and young couples making out under the glow of the streetlights. Maybe because it lives in the shadow of a destructive volcano, it’s the most alive place I’ve ever been.

If you can handle a little bit of grit, you might find yourself falling as deeply in love with Naples as I am.

4. Capri and the Amalfi Coast

If Naples sat alone in an empty wilderness, it would still be worth visiting. But it doesn’t. This beautiful, vibrant city is also the ideal home base to explore some of the most iconic locations in Italy, and probably some of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see.

Just a short ride from Naples, Capri has been a playground of the international jetset for decades. The small island, with its dramatic cliffs and hiking trails, is also home to luxury hotels and designer boutiques where you can spend a fortune, if that’s your thing.

But you don’t have to be rich to enjoy Capri. One of the best things to do here is wander through the hills, enjoying panoramic views of the sea. And don’t forget to get a caprese sandwich from Salumeria Aldo on the waterfront. It’s probably the best sandwich I’ve ever had in my life.

Then there’s the Amalfi coast. You’ve definitely seen pictures of Positano and Amalfi, because they’re some of the most beautiful villages in the world. With brightly-coloured houses set on steep hills among lemon groves and overlooking the glittering Mediterranean, these places seem almost otherworldly in their beauty.

Add the incredible preserved Roman city of Pompeii to the mix, and it’s easy to see what makes this area so incredible to visit.

5. Sicily

This might be cheating a little bit, lumping all of Sicily into a single entry on this list. But I have to make space somehow, right?

Sicily can give you whatever you want from a trip, no matter what you’re into. It has:

• Beautiful Renaissance towns like Noto
• Ancient Greek temples at Agrigento
• Incredible views and luxury shopping in Taormina
• Gorgeous beach resorts in Cefalu and outside Palermo
• Amazing food, from gelato to cannoli to pasta alla Norma

Plus, where else can you see an active volcano from the arrivals hall of the airport?

Sicily is full of great hiking and natural areas if you want to get away from it all, but it also has big, bustling city like Catania and Palermo that have thousands of years of history. Honestly, you could spend a month in Sicily and really only scratch the surface of everything it has to offer.

6. Florence

This is yet another place I just couldn’t leave off the list.

Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance, an artistic, cultural, and scientific movement that changed the course of world history. To this day, Florence is filled with incomparable masterpieces by artists of the calibre of Michelangelo and Botticelli, and it’s the perfect place to understand this vitally important chapter of Italian history.

One of the great things about traveling in Italy is that it’s a country of many different regions. The food and wine you’ll get in Florence, if you eat locally, is totally different from what you’ll get in Rome, Naples, or Venice.

Florence is also cleaner, better maintained, and more orderly than somewhere like Naples, so if the chaos is too much for you, this is a good option. That does, however, come at the price of raw authenticity. With its tourist crowds and designer boutiques, Florence can sometimes feel… well, not fake exactly, but let’s say very well groomed.

That doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeing, because it definitely is, especially for fans of art, history, and food. And a trip to Italy that doesn’t include Florence wouldn’t really be doing the country justice.

Italy’s Highlights

I’m going to have to stop here, because otherwise this article could end up being 300 pages long.

Italy has some incredible places to visit, from Lake Como to Palermo, and a list like this can only ever give you the briefest glimpse.

Still, the places I’ve mentioned all have a different vibe, so whatever you like to do on holiday, one or more of these places should appeal.

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