We Italians sometimes forget it, but there is a reason if Italy is the Bel Paese! In fact, the beauties of Italy are renowned all over the world and visitors hungry for Italian Life Style arrive from all over the world. But we asked ourselves: which is, among all, the most beautiful city
Making a ranking of the most beautiful Italian cities to visit is not easy, considering the amount of Italian artistic heritage, crossing the best cities of art with the most visited ones, and the opinions of travelers on the main booking portals, without forgetting that what is beautiful is not beautiful, but what is liked is, here is our special ranking of the most beautiful Italian cities!
Venice
Rome
Florence
Naples
Siena
Syracuse
San Gimignano
Palermo
Verona
Trieste
Parma
Milan
Mantua
Bergamo
1/15
City Region Stay (4 days / 3 nights) Period Venice Veneto from € 210.00 Winter
Rome Lazio from € 165.00 Spring
Florence Tuscany from € 180.00 Winter
Naples Campania from € 150.00 Summer
Siena Tuscany from € 165.00 Summer
Syracuse Sicily from € 150.00 Summer
San Gimignano Tuscany from € 180.00 Spring
Palermo Sicily from € 135.00 Summer
Verona Veneto from € 210.00 Winter
Ferrara Emilia-Romagna from € 180.00 Spring
Trieste Friuli-Venezia Giulia from € 195.00 Spring
Parma Emilia-Romagna from € 180.00 Spring
Milan Lombardy from € 165.00 Autumn
Mantua Lombardy from € 171.00 Spring
Bergamo Lombardy from € 156.00 Spring
1 – Venice, Veneto
At the head of the podium is the most romantic city in the world , a destination for newlyweds since time immemorial: our grandmothers were already dreaming of a honeymoon in a Gondola !
The third most visited city in Italy , the main Italian city of art, in 6th place among the most beautiful cities in the world . It has one of the most beautiful squares in the world: Piazza San Marcoand in 1987 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
With such a presentation it could only be in first place among the most beautiful cities in Italy. Venice one of the most romantic cities in the world and its strong point is its unique and characteristic charm: its canals with traditional gondolas, the noble palaces, the lagoon … visiting it certainly does not disappoint expectations.
Obviously, a mention cannot be made of the incredible and engaging tradition of the Venetian Carnival , a riot of colors, masks and pranks, which transcends time and gives emotions to all generations.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Venice
- Best time: Spring, Summer and on the occasion of Carnival
- How to get there: Bus to Venice from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 70.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 50.00 per couple
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Venice gondola tour skip-the-line entry to the Doge’s Palace
2 – Rome, Lazio
The second of the magnificent three is the most visited city in Italy and a favorite among tripadvisor travelers.
Roma Caput Mundi is literally an open-air museum: from the Imperial Forums to the Pantheon, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain to be amazed in front of the Colosseum, passing through Piazza Navona.
The history of Rome exudes from every corner and is lost in the mists of time: those who visit it can only be satisfied with beauty and culture.
It is a city that offers everything, suitable for those who want to make a social life, or simply go shopping, or enjoy the renowned Italian cuisine.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Rome
- Best time: All year round, in any season.
- How to get there: Bus to Rome from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 55.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 60.00 per couple
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Visit to the Colosseum with priority entrance Skip-the-line entrance to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
3 – Florence, Tuscany
And here we are to climb the lowest step of the podium, dominated by the Tuscan city, symbol of Made in Italy in the world.
Florence is the cradle of Renaissance culture , a concentration of monuments and works of art. Here is the most visited Italian museum: The Uffizi Gallery.
Florence was the home of the greatest Italian artists and poets, from Dante Alighieri to Petraca, from Michelangelo to Leonardo da Vinci ; for this reason it can be considered the main destination of Italian cultural tourism .
To take your breath away, just take a peek from the top of Piazzale Michelangelo and enjoy the splendid view overlooking the city.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Florence
- Best time : All year round. In June on the occasion of the feast of the Patron Saint John.
- How to get there: Bus to Florence from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 60.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at the restaurant : from € 45.00 per couple
- Low cost flights: starting from € 59.98. From Milan and Rome and equidistant, about 250 km, therefore trains or buses are preferred.
- Card, ticket and recommended tour: Skip-the-line entrance to the Uffizi Gallery Panoramic tour of Florence on a Vespa guided entrance to the Duomo and Dome
4 – Naples, Campania
Higher up we find the largest and most visited among the cities of Southern Italy. It is said “See Naples and then die” because you cannot leave this land without having been in Naples at least once; it will be for this reason that it has returned to full merit among the most visited cities in Italy.
Naples has a secret charm, waiting to be discovered, which is very much reflected in the cheerful and colorful character of its inhabitants. The Gulf, the Vesuvius , the splendid ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii , the music, but above all … the pizza, make it absolutely unique.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Naples
- Best time : Spring, Summer
- How to get there: Bus to Naples from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 50.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 40.00 per couple
- Card, ticket and recommended tour: excursion in Vesuvius in 4×4 Jeep Naples Underground
5 – Siena, Tuscany The city of the Palio
could not be missing in the ranking . Siena is splendid precisely in its being a city, not only for the artistic treasures it preserves.
Siena is a city rich in traditions, whose beauty lies entirely in its ancient streets and alleys. The flagship is Piazza del Campo , where the Palio takes place .
Strolling through the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is pleasant and surprising, among shops and shops, enjoying a ciaccino, typical Tuscan street food.
The Tuscan culinary tradition is appreciated all over the world, and Siena is certainly one of the best places to appreciate it. Remember to taste the “Pici”, the “Pappardelle with Pinta sauce” or the “Ribollita”.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Siena
- Best period : Spring, Summer, on the occasion of the Palio
- How to get there: Bus to Siena from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 55.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 50.00 per couple
- Low cost flights: starting from € 33.06. From Rome or Milan it is generally preferable to take the train or bus. The distance is about 250km
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Siena Cathedral express ticket Guided tour with a local guide
6 – Syracuse, Sicily
Moving up the rankings we return to Sicily, to discover a surprising city , candidate for the European capital of culture: Syracuse.
In Syracuse and the Sicilian Baroque which is the host, and the square of Ortigia is dazzling for its beauty, thanks to the presence of one of the Cathedral. The sea creates breathtaking landscapes and the taste is tickled by the typical smells of tasty Sicilian food.
- Best time : Spring and Summer
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 50.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 40.00 per couple
- Low cost flights: Flights to Catania (70km from Syracuse) from € 33.06
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: 3-hour guided walking tour
7 – San Gimignano, Tuscany
Let’s go up the ranking a little and go up the peninsula as far as Tuscany , in the heart of the Val d’Elsa, more than a city we find a village: San Gimignano!
Crossing the walls of San Gimignano you go back to the thirteenth-fourteenth century, in the middle of the Middle Ages, because here nothing has changed since then. For this it has earned the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The country is located in an excellent position: between Chianti, Valdesa, Florence and Siena.
- Best time : Spring and Summer
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 60.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : dinner for two € 50.00
- Low cost flights: Flights to Florence (5km from San Gimignano) from € 49.98. From Rome or Milan generally the train or bus is preferable, the distance is about 250km
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: day trip to San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti
8 – Palermo, Sicily
We are still at the bottom of the ranking with one of the cities of the South with a long and complex history, as are its monuments and its streets: the current Corso Vittorio, the axis of the ancient Cassaro, and the first ancient road around which the development of the city originated.
Elegant and contradictory, Palermo contains Arab, Norman traits, with Gothic-Catalan spots and baroque opulence.
It is a noisy and colorful city with a unique character; exactly like the Vucciria, the historic market that stretches out into the narrow streets of the historic center.
From arancine to Panelle, without forgetting cannoli and cassata: Palermo is a city full of ancient smells and flavors that can be found in street foodsand in desserts.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Palermo
- Best time : Spring and Summer
- How to get there: Bus to Palermo from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 45.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at the restaurant : from € 30.00 per couple
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Street food tour
9 – Verona, Veneto
The city with the most famous balcony in the world ranks second to last in the top ten, but it is a fact that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site for its urban structure and architecture. Noteworthy is also the famous Arena, which often hosts both television and classical opera shows, providing a decidedly suggestive location!
It is certainly one of the most romantic cities in the Bel Paese, thanks to its charm that is enhanced especially at sunset, famous for having been the backdrop to one of the most beautiful and tragic love stories in literature: Romeo and Juliet by W Shakespeare
SEE ALSO : What to see in Verona
- Best time: All year round and on the occasion of Valentine’s Day
- How to get there: Bus to Verona from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 70.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 60.00 per couple
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Dreamers’ tour with Romeo and Juliet
10 – Ferrara, Emilia Romagna
Photo by Massimo Baraldi. At the next position we find the city of the Este . Ferrara is medieval and Renaissance, an elegant city on a human scale , where life flows slowly on horseback, among palaces, noble houses, churches and castles. Furthermore, you are in the heart of Emilia Romagna, take the opportunity to delight your palate!
SEE ALSO : Ferrara: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
- Best time : Mid-seasons are recommended
- How to get there: Bus to Ferrara starting from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 60.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 40.00 per couple
- Low cost flights: Flights to Bologna (50 km from Ferrara) from € 55.68
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Guided tour with a local guide
11 – Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia
Situated on the Adriatic Sea and almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia, Trieste is a city that is geographically and historically isolated from the rest of the Italian peninsula. It is a historic place, an important commercial port that for centuries has been the link between the Mediterranean and the Slavic and Germanic people. It is a very charming place, full of cafes and with a splendid view of the sea.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Trieste
- Best time : Spring-Autumn
- How to get there: Bus to Trieste starting from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 65.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 50.00 per couple
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Day trip to Postojna cave
12 – Parma, Emilia Romagna
Among the most prosperous cities in Italy, Parma is also famous for the production of two of the most exported and appreciated Italian culinary products abroad: Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano. It is a small town on a human scale, with lovely romantic alleys to visit as a couple or perhaps to travel by bike.
SEE ALSO : Parma: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
- Best time : all year round
- How to get there: Bus to Parma from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 60.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 60.00 per couple
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: City tour with a local guide
13 – Milan, Lombardy
Milan and Paris compete for the title of European fashion capital . This makes it the most important city in Italy economically speaking. On the occasion of the fashion week, the city is teeming with renowned designers, models, showbiz characters and paparazzi. It is the ideal place to go shopping and find out about new trends.
Milan is a huge, dynamic metropolis full of opportunities . A city that never goes to sleep, where things to do are almost endless.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Milan
- Best time: In any season. To attend the Fashion Week, the spring / summer shows are held in September / October, the autumn / winter shows are in February / March.
- How to get there: Bus to Milan from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 55.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at the restaurant : from € 70.00 per couple
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Milano Card
14 – Mantua, Lombardy
The Lombard city of Mantua is also included in the ranking . Pearl of the Renaissance, thanks to the Gonzagas, Mantua was one of the most important cultural cities and maintains many buildings built in that period. Mantua is surrounded by greenery, in a suggestive and enjoyable natural area, a stay in a farmhouse is particularly recommended.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Mantua
- Best time : Spring
- How to get there: Bus to Mantua from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 57.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at the restaurant : from € 45.00 per couple
- Low cost flights: Flights to Verona (48 km from Mantova) to € 55.24
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: City tour + Doge’s Palace
15 – Bergamo, Lombardia
This beautiful city in the Alps combines two different but complementary hamlets, the upper and the lower part. The lower city, and the modern area of ​​Bergamo, while the upper part coincides with the historic center.
Not to be missed is Bergamo Alta, the historic center of the city and the place where the main attractions are concentrated.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Bergamo
- Best time : Spring
- How to get there: Bus to Bergamo from € 4.99 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 52.00 per room – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant : from € 50.00 per couple
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: 2.5-hour guided tour in the upper town
Italian cities to visit
Look for more inspiration or advice for your next Italian destination
Here are some suggestions from the community:
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- Cities to visit in Autumn : for a journey to discover small villages and autumn flavors, here are the Italian destinations to visit in September, October and November.
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