We’ve listed some of the best cities in Italy to visit to help you decide where to go if you’re planning an Italian vacation for the first time. Read on.
Tourists and travel experts have known for a long time that Italy is a special place. In fact, almost everyone has put Italy on their bucket list.
Italy’s offerings are unrivaled, thanks to its incredible food, numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, highly regarded art, charming small towns and picturesque cities, and stunning coastlines.
So, do you have a favorite Italian destination? Keep reading to learn more about some of the best cities to visit in Italy for the first time.
12 Best Cities in Italy To Visit
Let’s check out the 12 best cities in Italy to visit for first-time travelers.
1. Venice
Venice is no doubt one of the best cities in Italy to visit. It is charming and very enchanting, especially for lovers. Once you see the city on the water, you’ll agree with the cliché!
The Grand Canal is just outside the Santa Lucia train station. You’ll see water taxis pass under Ponte degli Scalzi and might hear a violin serenade.
Gondola drivers sing to smitten couples as they glide through the city’s waterways. Narrow passageways pass Old World storefronts, homes, and bridges on land.
Getting lost is normal in Venice, so embrace the disorientation or join one of the best Venice tours:
This canal-clad city’s main draw is its magic, but you’ll also find diversions. St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace have excellent tour guides. The Gallerie dell’Accademia has works by Titian, Veronese, and others. And the Teatro La Fenice has world-famous operas. You can also visit Lido’s beach, Murano’s glass, and Burano’s lace.
So if you’re visiting Italy for the first time, you must consider Venice to be one of your destinations.
Where To Stay in Venice
2. Rome
The origins of Rome, one of the most famous Italian cities, are mythical. Romulus and Remus, twins, nursed by a she-wolf and fathered by a war god, founded the Eternal City.
Most travelers agree that Rome is magical, despite historians’ doubts. Roma is sure to enchant, whether it’s the Vatican or the Colosseum, a caffè on Piazza Navona, or a plate of pasta at a trattoria.
The Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and dozens of churches remain. Art lovers will enjoy the Vatican Museums, and foodies will love Italian cuisine and gelato.
Rome is a fast-paced, modern city with designer storefronts, sleek hotels, and cutting-edge restaurants.
Where To Stay in Rome
3. Florence
This charming city nestled in the Tuscan hills casts a long shadow through history. Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, housed the influential Medici family and inspired artists such as Brunelleschi and Michelangelo. It is hands down one of the most popular cities in Italy.
It’s easy to imagine that you have traveled in time back to the 14th century if it weren’t for the modern Italians and trendy shops lining the iconic Via Tornabuoni. However, it is not just the Renaissance art that attracts visitors to the Tuscan capital; there’s also the gorgeous Florentine sunset, the excellent Florentine cuisine, and the romantic atmosphere in general.
Make the most of your time in Florence by taking one of the city’s best tours led by a local:
Only have 24 hours in Florence? Check out this one-day in Florence itinerary.
Where To Stay in Florence
4. Bari
Bari is well-known for its architectural beauty, atmospheric Old Town, delicious food, and pristine beaches. It is also one of Southern Italy’s harbors and a regional transportation hub.
Many consider Bari to be Italy’s most beautiful coastline, and it’s difficult to disagree. Nearby Polignano a Mare’s crystal blue waters are especially appealing, and you can choose between rocky and sandy beaches. Cala Porto is well-known for its smooth white marble beaches. Porto Cavallo has a sandy beach.
First-time travelers will fall in love with Bari easily. It is also one of Italy’s safest cities anyone can visit.
Where To Stay in Bari
5. Milan
Milan is one of the major Italian cities, attracting artists and designers as well as models and photographers. However, it is also Italy’s most industrial city and no doubt the wealthiest. Milan is also a haven for foodies.
The Lombard capital is a city for everyone, and its elegant vibe and hidden corners make it a fantastic place to visit. If you like shopping for Italian brands, there are various brands you can buy in Milan.
The city is renowned as the Italian fashion capital due to its historic fashion houses and four fashion weeks held each year. But it offers so much more, including quaint little streets, fantastic shopping, and even more hidden gems.
Milan is also known for its artworks and architecture, as it is the location of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and the Duomo, a celebrated Gothic cathedral.
Where To Stay in Milan
6. Bologna
Bologna is the food capital of Italy. Fine dining can be found almost anywhere in the city. This is largely due to balsamic vinegar, Parma ham, and Parmesan cheese in the surrounding Emilia-Romagna region.
With its stunning architecture and the longest-running university in the Western world and stunning architecture, plus being regarded as the gastronomic capital of the country, Bologna is an enticing place to visit and definitely one of the best cities in Italy every first-time traveler should visit.
Where To Stay in Bologna
7. Naples
Naples, the third-largest Italian city, has history, art, architecture, and delicious food. However, the city is also known for crime and grime. We have written an article that addresses this concern.
There are numerous things to do and great places to visit in Naples, so you shouldn’t skip this Southern Italian city.
Certosa e Museo di San Martino offers spectacular views from above. You can stroll Via Caracciolo e Lungomare di Napoli or chat with friendly locals to feel the city’s magic. And of course, you can’t forget the world-famous Neapolitan pizza in the very place where it was invented or that perfect sip of espresso.
You can’t judge Naples by its rough edges. Doing so would mean missing out on fascinating architecture, underground frescos, royal palaces, and so much more.
Where To Stay in Naples
8. Turin
Turin is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. It has beautiful Baroque buildings, several world-class museums, and a lively café scene. It is often overshadowed by its northern rival, Milan.
Still, the Piedmontese capit is an excellent place to visit all year long because there are things to see and do for every season.
There are more than 40 museums in Turin. Some of the best ones are the Automobile Museum, which shows the city’s rich history with cars; and the Egyptian Museum, which is known for its important archaeological finds.
The art scene in Turin is also quite massive.
Where To Stay in Turin
9. Genoa
Located between the sea and the mountains, Genoa is best known for its port and Aquarium. It also has a lovely city center and several worthwhile attractions, including an atmospheric historical city center and interesting UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The city is ideal for art, history, and culture buffs because of its numerous museums as well as art and architectural treasures. Its expressionistic ancient Centro Storico is one of the biggest in Europe.
Genoa also boasts a verdant seafront and a diverse food and wine culture.
Where To Stay in Genoa
10. Verona
Verona, best known for its Shakespearean connections, caters to Romeo and Juliet fans with themed tours of the locations that allegedly inspired the play.
But this city is more than its literary connection.
Verona, about 15 miles east of Lake Garda, has several impressive attractions and historic buildings because the whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautifully sculpted Renaissance gardens, Giardino Giusti, are must-see for visitors, and so is the Arena di Verona which is a first-century Roman amphitheater that is still in use.
Where To Stay in Verona
11. Trieste
Trieste is the capital and largest city of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The city is a deep-water port that serves as a maritime gateway for northern Italy, Austria, Germany, and Central Europe.
Trieste is distinctive among many cities in Europe. Most cities have a historic square, but Trieste has one that looks out over the water. Day or night, you should go to Piazza Unità d’Italia (Unity of Italy Square). Check out the legendary Fontana dei Quattro Continenti, Palazzo del Governo, and Town Hall of Trieste.
Trieste is different from what you might typically find in Italy. The Habsburgs had a significant impact on it, and you can see it in the architecture and the food.
Where To Stay in Trieste
12. Matera
Matera’s Sassi is well-known for their unique cave dwellings, which have been populated since the Paleolithic period. They combine to form an exceptional and truly unique landscape. This is why the Sassi di Matera has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
Matera is a beautiful city in Basilicata, Italy, with a rich history, cave hotels, and delicious Italian food.
The ancient town of Basilicata is fast becoming one of the most popular cities in Italy – the country’s next big thing – so the time has come to visit Matera!