Most Visited Attractions in Italy

Posted by jyotishah on August 22nd, 2022

Italy – the birthplace of the Renaissance and the Roman empire is a treasure trove of art, architecture, and history. Italy has the most UNESCO-listed cultural sites than any other country with a vast number of masterpieces by some of the most gifted artists to have ever lived.

You might arrange a whole tour around a single interest, such as art or camping, but we're here to give the first-time visitors a glimpse of the best of what Italy has to offer.

The Florence Duomo

The Duomo Cathedral of Florence, also known as the Cattedrale Di Santa Maria Del Fiore, was one of the most important architectural structures in 14th-century Florence. It brought a new era of art and engineering to Italy.

Take a walk in the Piazza Del Duomo and admire the centuries of art all around you, or a guided tour through the Florence Cathedral, the Baptistry, the opera theatre, Brunelleschi's Dome, the cathedral bell tower, and the Santa Reparata Crypt. You can climb to the top of the dome and be awed by an intimate view of the stunning fresco “The Last Judgement”.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is a Roman icon, one of the ancient world's seven wonders and a stunning example of ancient Roman architecture.

The Flavian Amphitheater (the nick-name Colosseum came much later) was built on Emperor Vespasian's whim between 70 and 80 AD. A modern-day football pitch could easily fit within this old sports facility. Nearly four centuries of blood-sport were observed on the Colosseum Arena floor. The Colosseum hosted gladiatorial contests and public shows including as animal hunts, simulated sea warfare, re-enactments of popular battles, executions, and tragedies. It stands as a reminder of the Roman Empire’s might and wealth.

The Vatican City

The Vatican – the holy city is home to some of the most valuable art and art collections in the world. The vast Basilica of St. Peter, which houses St. Peter's grave, and one of Michelangelo's most moving works, the Pieta, is the focal point and a tour of the Vatican City is a must for the pious at least once in your life.

Watch the Pope address the people at the St. Peter’s Square and witness Michelangelo's frescoes on the walls and ceilings of the Sistine Chapel, and works by Raphael and other great artists in the Vatican Palace. You can be a devout pilgrim or a lover of art and the artists, a tour of the holy city should be on your bucket list.

Cinque Terra

Cinque Terre is a beautiful seaside region with high hills and sharp cliffs that gaze out over the Mediterranean. The villages in the region are connected by walking trails, a railroad that burrows through the headlands to emerge at each town, or a spectacular tiny road high on the slope above. If you're a nature lover, an adventurer, or into camping and hiking then this is the place for you.

Hike between the villages that still retain that old-world charm of a fishing village and enjoy the terrific scenic beauty far away from the hustle and bustle of the city that Cinque Terre provides. 

Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius

Book a tour of the ruins of Pompeii and look at the still smoldering Mt. Vesuvius, which looks over the city it destroyed thousands of years ago. You get the chance to view the frescoes, mosaics, and sculptures that were encased in lava since the eruption.

Witness the remains of houses, markets, baths, temples, theaters, streets, and human bones discovered. You can take a tour of the site, stroll over old alleys scarred by chariot tracks, and view Roman engineering from over 2,000 years ago. Is there a better way to let your inner explorer out than while exploring the ruins of Pompeii?

As a bonus, you can also combine a tour of Pompeii with that of another excavated city-  Herculaneum, which was destroyed by the same eruption but was buried in lava and ash that consolidated the town exactly the way it was.

Milan Duomo

The Duomo in Milan is without a doubt the city's most beautiful edifice. This massive Gothic church, which stands tall in Piazza del Duomo, has seen more than 600 years pass by, as evidenced by its history and architecture.

With its magnificent Gothic architecture, stained-glass windows, and tapestries, it is one of Italy's and Europe's largest cathedrals. Climb to the rooftop, 150 feet above street level, for a panoramic view of the city, which is ornamented with white marble spires in different rows. Don't miss the opportunity to go below under the foundation of the Basilica di Santa Tecla and the Baptistry.