Italy ranks top five when creating a list of European countries with sacred sites, stunning scenery, history, culture, and charming villages.
In addition, Italy is home to impressive architecture, food, art, and music to die for.
You don’t even need to know or speak the Italian language to explore cities in Italy.
But learning a few words and phrases can be useful.
Nevertheless, here are the top cities you should consider exploring when you visit Italy, arranged in no particular order:
Florence
Florence, the provincial capital of Tuscany and the cradle of the Renaissance, is one of the great art cities in Europe.
This city has exquisite architecture and art, including the canvases by Bronzino and Botticelli, Michelangelo’s sculptures, and frescoes by Ghirlandaio and Giotto.
You will definitely be overwhelmed by the beauty of these museums.
However, there’s more to Florence than monuments and museums.
This Italian city is bursting at its seams with quality crafts and quirky shops.
Classical music, contemporary art, and eclectic cultural life that always embraces opera are worth experiencing in one lifetime.
Florence also has a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene.
There’s no better place to wind down than in this city, given its proximity to the Chianti region and its vine-covered hills.
Everything is practically accessible due to the city’s diminutive size.
Most of the sights in Florence lie within walking distance of each other.
Florence should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for one of the best places for downtime or a city break.
Rome
Rome is known for its rich history as the leading capital of ancient Europe.
The Pantheon, the Palatine hill, the Colosseum, the Appian way, and the forum are relics of Rome’s ancient glories.
It is presently one of the most vibrant European cities and tops most travelers’ bucket lists.
Asides from gaping at Michelangelo’s pieta or visiting the Sistine chapel constructed by Sixtus IV in 1473, take time to explore the city.
Eat and enjoy the Italian-style ice cream called gelato on the Spanish steps and walk through the narrow streets of Trastevere.
Sipping morning cappuccino in Rome’s picturesque cafés and tossing a coin in the Trevi fountain so that you can return time and again is crucial but not mandatory.
But you will need to undertake several trips or spend a few days in Rome to see it all.
Venice
At first glance, it will seem as though the entire world has descended on Venice and do so daily.
But that is not the case, though it is a testament to the water-logged city’s hidden magic that attracts all and sundry from every corner of the world.
To avoid the crowds thronging the water streets of Venice, start your day by visiting St. Mark’s basilica located in Piazza San Marco by 8 am.
Then, you can ask your hotel to assist you in booking a gondola for an eventful ride down the grand canal.
Males dominate the gondola scene in Venice, but Giorgia Boscolo, the world’s first female gondolier, can boost the thrill of the ride for you.
If you love food, you’re welcome to take a hit at the Venetian version of street food consisting of hot and fresh fried fish wrapped in paper at the famous Fritto Inn, right in the Campo San Leonardo.
The bars in this city, located within the district of Canareggio and off the beaten tourist path, are also hospitable.
You can spend hours taking in the goings-on in and around that area.
Milan
Milan is the fashion and design epicenter of Italy, despite not being the country’s capital.
The city has several designed hotels you can stay in, and you can make dinner reservations at restaurants in the Navigli district.
So if you’re a fan of seafood, including rigatoni with miso sauce, and desserts with tasty bee pollen, you’re at the right place.
Milan is home to the Duomo with its fascinating look at art and religion spanning six centuries.
You can climb to the rooftop to take in the all-encompassing views over the alps and the city.
The Santa Maria Delle Grazie, which is nearby, houses ‘The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.
However, it is advisable to obtain tickets to this place long beforehand because it is one of the busiest tourist spots in Italy.
This city is precisely 40 minutes away from Lake Como, which you can visit via Milan Centrale.
After the day trip, spending a relaxed afternoon at the Villa Necchi Campiglio will be an excellent idea.
The Fondazione Prada is a contemporary art museum run by Prada, the famous fashion house.
This museum is home to an ever-dynamic collection of architecture and art.
You will be welcomed to a free food buffet, a cocktail, and Milan’s famous aperitivo, but only if you visit N’Ombra de Vin within the Brera district.
These are some of the top cities you should explore in Italy.
You can spend a day or two in each city before moving on to the next.
It won’t cost you an arm and a leg, as Italy is one of the most budget-friendly European countries to visit at any time of the year.
Italy Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Italy Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
