The Most Beautiful Cities in Italy (+Photos)

When traveling to Italy, there are many great cities to choose from. Everyone knows about Rome, and many have seen its splendors through the eyes of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Fashion lovers will find the catwalks and shops of Milan to be inspiring. Those who love romance often head for Venice. The architecture lovers head for Florence.

But there is much more to Italy than these four famous Italian cities. Countryside lovers should try the cities in Tuscany or Umbria, to see vineyards and rolling hills. Those who like the beach can go to one of the many Mediterranean coastal cities.

Because Italy has almost three millennia of documented history, there are ancient ruins, examples of art from many different periods, and beautiful examples of architecture throughout the country. For those looking for a more authentic cultural experience, it can be an added benefit to spend an additional few days in some of the nation’s other great tourist cities.

Rome

While Rome’s iconic landmarks – such as the Colosseum and Roman Forum – need no introduction, with over three-thousand years of history, the city is saturated with fantastic historical monuments, piazzas, churches, mansions and more for visitors to explore. Wandering around its ancient streets is a heavenly experience; amazing architecture and beautiful ruins are everywhere you look. In the center of the city you can find the Vatican – the heart of the Catholic Church. Here, the impressive St. Peter’s Basilica is just one of the must-see sights.

Florence

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is mesmerizing to walk around and its historic center is full of beautiful art and stunning architecture. This enchanting city is located alongside the Arno River. The Ponte Vecchio bridge spanning it is one of Florence’s most famous sights, along with the incredible Duomo at its heart. Its delightful piazzas are marvelous to stroll through, with heavenly churches and impressive statues lining them. Masterpieces by Botticcelli and Michelangelo are generously shown off to the world in its fantastic museums.

Delightful cafes and restaurants look out over the ancient cobbles, and with fantastic shopping on offer, as well as sumptuous Tuscan cuisine and delicious wines, Florence will never disappoint.

Venice

A simply magical city, Venice is like no other place on earth. Located in the middle of a lagoon, its beautiful canals and waterways are lined with stunning buildings, palaces and churches. The winding alleys between them lead you on to yet more delights. While the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco are two of the must-see tourist attractions, simply wandering around this charming city is a dream.

Although it is very crowded with tourists, you can still find deserted back streets, atmospheric restaurants and bars hidden away here and there. The food here is divine, with awe-inspiring views often accompanying your meal. Take a gondola along the canals to see interesting boutiques and upmarket stores as well as souvenir shops. Aim to visit during February for its amazing costume-filled carnival.

Verona

The famed home of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is romantic and gorgeous. Its lovely piazzas are connected by delightful, cobbled streets that pass by beautiful old palaces, churches and monuments. Weaving its way around the city is the Adige River, with picturesque bridges crisscrossing over it.

With a spectacular Roman amphitheater at its heart, sumptuous cuisine and fantastic wines – plus its proximity to the lovely Lake Garda – Verona is a place that just must be visited.

Genoa

The largest port in the country, Genoa is full of grand old buildings that are slightly falling apart. While it does appear charming, the city is a bit squalid in places. Having ruled the Mediterranean in the 12th and 13th Centuries, history is everywhere you look and the old city is a fantastic labyrinth of streets for you to explore.

The Palazzi dei Rolli is beautiful and there are lots of museums, restaurants and bars to visit. Nowadays, many people stop by Genoa on their way to the nearby Cinque Terre.

Palermo

Capital of Sicily, Palermo’s location has long meant that different civilizations and cultures have left their mark on the city. Nowadays, you can fine Byzantine mosaics and beautiful Arab influenced buildings lying alongside Gothic palaces and Renaissance mansions.

With some fantastic markets to explore, as well the largest opera house in the country, this vibrant city has a lot to offer – the decaying grandeur about its streets is enthralling.

Pisa

Much more than just the iconic Learning Tower, the former maritime power of Pisa now relies on tourists to fuel its economy. Beautiful to wander around, architectural styles from throughout the ages are delightfully shown off, as Renaissance piazzas and Gothic churches jostle for space among the other fantastic buildings on show.

More authentic than many Italian cities which have become inundated by tourists, Pisa’s prestigious university means the city has a large student population – this manifests itself in the lively atmosphere evident in its bars and cafes.

Milan

A large city, Milan is home to Italy’s fashion industry. Numerous other big businesses are based in the stylish metropolis. With innovative and creative designs emanating from its workshops, there are an endless array of shopping options to explore.

Home to numerous breathtaking art collections, the city’s museums are captivating and its streets are lined with beautiful art-deco architecture, among other styles. At the heart of Milan is the gorgeous Duomo, which is simply spectacular. Throughout the city, you will find fantastic dining wherever you turn; Milan has the most Michelin Star establishments in all of Italy.

Naples

Lying on the Gulf of Naples, this energetic city is full of life and vigor, with a wealth of cultural and historic sites to visit. There are two royal palaces to explore, as well as three castles and numerous ruins dating back over the ages – not to mention the vast array of architectural marvels on offer.

Its fantastic museums showcase stunning frescoes and masterpieces by Caravaggio and others, while its gastronomic scene is the stuff of legends. Do a bit rough around the edges and much less popular as some other big Italian cities, Naples is a joy to visit.

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Perugia

Set on a hill surrounded by lush fields, this small and picturesque city’s historic center is a delightful mix of cobbled streets, steep staircases and hidden piazzas that tumble down the hillside. The capital of Umbria, Perugia is a fantastic university town, full of life and verve.

With great nightlife, lots of bars, and cheap yet delicious food options, Perugia‘s historic buildings make a beautiful backdrop to all the life surging through its streets. Head here during the summer for one of the best jazz festivals in Europe.

Lecce

Simply divine. It is not without reason that Lecce has been nicknamed ‘the Florence of the South’. Set in Puglia, its gorgeous baroque buildings and uniform architecture makes it a charming, sun-soaked city to visit.

Wandering along its streets is enchanting, as beauty abounds from every angle and there is a relaxed vibe. With a large student body, there are some fantastic bars and restaurants to check out. From here, you can easily explore the surrounding region with its multitude of beautiful, secluded beaches.

Syracuse

This beautiful Sicilian city houses ancient Greek ruins which are interspersed among verdant, sprawling orchards. Lively, cafe-lined piazzas and small alleys dot the center of town. Once the largest city in the world, Syracuse’s heyday has long gone, although the fantastic Parco Archeologico documents much of its fascinating history.

Looking out over the beautiful blue sea to the main island, Ortygia is the city’s delightful center. Lovely to wander around, it has a laid back vibe and chic nature, and its buildings look even better as the sun sets over the sea.

Trieste

Bordering the Adriatic and almost surrounded by Slovenia, for much of its history Trieste was controlled by different powers and was formerly ruled by the Hapsburgs. Due to its location at a cultural crossroads, there is an intoxicating mix of Slavic, Germanic, Greek and Italian influences.

There is also a little bit of Vienna about its beautiful cafes. Although there are no particular landmarks to visit, it’s a pretty city to stop by – from here you can easily head to the nearby wine regions.

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Padua

Lying not far from Venice, Padua is lovely to explore; its beautiful medieval marketplaces and extraordinary frescoes are dazzling to behold. In sharp contrast is the architecture dating back to the dark days of Mussolini, who made many speeches here and used it as a military and industrial center.

Thanks to its ancient and prestigious university, Padua was home to a large resistance movement and the city still attracts large numbers of students every year – hence the great nightlife scene.

Cagliari

The historic capital of Sardinia, Cagliari is actually closer to Tunisia than Rome. Taking the boat here is mesmerizing, as you sail across the beautiful blue waters before seeing the city impressively rise up ahead. With imperious domes and lovely facades surrounding it, Il Castello is the centerpiece of Cagliari.

The peaceful streets around it are lined with cafes and restaurants. The seafront marina is lovely to walk along and history is literally everywhere you look – Roman ruins, museums and churches jostle for space. If it is sun and sea you are after, then head to the nearby Poetto Beach with its vibrant party scene.

Turin

Lying on the border with the Alps, Turin is an elegant and wealthy city that has delightful leafy boulevards, beautiful palaces, and numerous fine art collections. The home of Fiat, the suburbs with their factories are not the prettiest places but the center more than makes up for it with a lively music scene, cafe culture, and innovative gastronomy – making it well worth a visit.

Its fine piazzas have fantastic local chocolate shops and upmarket boutiques lining them, as well as some great museums.

Bologna

With beautiful colonnades weaving their way around the city, Bologna is a fusion of elegance and charm that contrasts with the grit and graffiti of its alternative side. While there is a rich and posh part of the city where you can visit world class restaurants and the opera, Bologna has the world’s oldest university and a large, down-to-earth student population.

Full of beautiful architecture, lively bars and cafes, it is a fun city to visit and live in.

Bergamo

This town in the Alps is an interesting combination of an upper and lower city that are nestled together into a picturesque mountain region. The lower city, Citta Bassa, is the modern day portion of Bergamo, while the upper Citta Alta is known for art, history, and beautiful architecture.

The heart of Old town is a vibrant Piazza with a white marble fountain and a number of shops. Other highlights include the Campanone, a tower that allows views of all the spectacular sites, and the stronghold museum known as the Rocca.

Mantua

Mantua (Mantova) is a city in Lombardy, situated between Milan and Venice. Because of the power and influence of Gonzaga’s dynasty, which used to own the city for over 400 years, Mantua was one of the most important cultural cities in the Renaissance and it still maintains a lot of the buildings that made it famous during that period.

It was also the city where the composer Claudio Monteverdi premiered his opera L’Orfeo in 1607, the earliest surviving opera that is still regularly performed today.

Parma

One of Italy’s most prosperous cities, Parma has given its name to a ham and cheese and a number of world-famous culinary dishes. The term Parmesan is synonymous with excellent food. Though tourists may come to eat, they will stay for the sights as well. Highlights include the Museo Glauco Lombardi, Piazza Duomo, and world famous opera house, Teatro Regio.

An annual Verdi festival celebrates the operas created by one of Parma’s most famous residents. The Palazzo Della Pallota is one of the region’s finest, and is named after the sixteenth-century game of Pelota. The city is easy to reach, and is only an hour ride from Bologna.

Ravenna

Though today one of the smaller cities in Italy, Ravenna has an important history. It was the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th Century. it holds a set of mosaics generally acknowledged to be the crowning achievement of Byzantine art. No fewer than eight of Ravenna’s buildings are listed on the World Heritage List, including the amazing Basilica of San Vitale. It is mainly a walking and shopping city today, and a very popular choice for those whose favorite tourist activities involve shops and sightseeing on foot.

Rimini

Though most people come to Rimini to enjoy the modern beach resort town, this is one of Italy’s oldest settlements, with confirmed evidence of prehistoric inhabitants. Besides the beaches Rimini also offers fabulous food. Roman Emperors share the name with many of the sightseeing highlights here, such as the Tiberius bridge and Augustus Arch. Most people miss an old town here, however, and spend their days on the sand beaches along the coast.

Siena

This beautiful Medieval city was a major power during the fourteenth century before its defeat by Florence. Because it was so poor following its defeat, its medieval architecture was never torn down to be replaced with Renaissance style buildings.

Today, this has become a major selling point for tourists as it is one of the best-preserved examples of Medieval architecture in Italy. A few exceptions to this, like the Florentine-style Piccolomini palace, exist. Siena has an annual horse race, called Palio, that is a centuries-old tradition that not only is about the horses, but a special kind of old taunting that dates back to medieval times.

Lucca

This Tuscan city has an ancient history that dates back to Etruscan and Roman times. The architecture is mostly gothic, which pre-dates Renaissance times. Lucca is a walled city, with the distinct honor of having defensive walls designed by the great inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci. They include a ring park that sits atop the wall and can be walked by tourists. Highlights include an elliptical-shaped square built on the remains of a Roman amphitheater, an old Roman homestead, and the store-lined street of Via Fillungo.

Orvieto

This fortress city in Umbria was meant to be a protective village. It is filled with lovely Gothic architecture like the Duomo cathedral, which influenced Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel with its stunning mosaics and frescoes. It would also certainly be well worth the time to explore Orvieto’s labyrinth of underground tunnels.

Carved 3,000 years ago from volcanic rock by the Etruscans to provide escape routes for the nobility, these elaborate tunnels contain grandiose rooms, stairs, cisterns and quarries. Perched atop a volcanic hill, there are spectacular countryside views to be seen from the town’s high points.

Assisi

This famous home of 13th century friar St Francis is a small medieval town perched on a hill in Umbria. Assisi has retained much of its Medieval architecture, and though many of its tourists are religious pilgrims looking to retrace the footsteps of the famed saint, the historical beauty and culture that the town has to offer is worth seeing for the non-religious as well. Highlights include shopping on Corso Mazzini, the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva with its Roman columns, and the Basilica of St Francis.

Urbino

For those who want to see real-live Cinderella castles, this is a must-see city in the region of Le Marche. The Duke of Urbino, a scholar and military man of the fifteenth century, was the commissioner of the Palazzo Ducale, one of the largest examples of renaissance-style castles in Italy. It was changed into a palace later on. Urbino is mainly known for this landmark, but the narrow, hilly medieval streets lead to a picturesque town that is worth seeing in its own right.

Ragusa

This was a single city until a large earthquake in the late seventeenth century destroyed most of the town. When it came time to rebuild, the two main socioeconomic groups split, with the nobles staying in the old town location, known as Ragusa Ibla and the working class moved to a new place, known as Ragusa Superior. A beautiful arched bridge, known as Ponte Vecchio, spans the river dividing these two portions of Ragusa. Today Ragusa Ibla is a spectacular mix of narrow streets, steep winding steps, old churches, and fantastic views.