There are probably no other country in the world with such a huge number of cathedrals, palaces, art museums and ancient monuments as in Italy. And if you add to this the magnificent national cuisine, the mild climate and the colorful temperament of the locals, then your trip will become a bright holiday that will forever remain in your memory. Don’t know what to see in Italy? Especially for you, we have compiled a rating of popular places in this country, which includes the most interesting sights of Italy.
What to see in Italy first of all
Each of the listed attractions has its own history, and to find out you will need guides in Italy who will accompany you to the most interesting places. Also take into account the dates of the trip, because, for example, during religious or national holidays, many more tourists flock to the country.
1. Vatican City (Rome)
The dwarf state of the Vatican in Rome
Looking through the guide and choosing what to see in Italy, you can not miss the most famous enclave in the world, which is the Vatican. Each building of this mini-state is a landmark known far beyond the borders of the country. Here you can walk along the alleys of the famous Vatican Gardens and see the Pope with your own eyes, climb the dome of St. Peter’s Cathedral, visit the Sistine Chapel with its immortal frescoes created by Michelangelo, Botticelli and other great painters.
To enter the territory of the Vatican, you must follow a strict dress code. Guides in Rome will tell you what rules of conduct must be followed to avoid trouble and misunderstandings.
The first attraction that guests are invited to visit is St. Peter’s Cathedral. The size of the building is striking – the height is 136 meters, and the length of the main nave is 211 meters. But the main value here are the numerous sculptural and picturesque masterpieces created by the great masters of Italy.
In the Papal Palace of the Vatican, you can admire the beautiful frescoes of the great Raphael. They decorate the ceilings and walls of four rooms (dances).
Official website: http://www.vaticanstate.va/
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2. The Pantheon (Rome)
The Roman Pantheon
Choosing the sights of Italy that you should definitely visit on your first visit, you should not miss such a monumental structure as the Roman Pantheon. Originally built in 25 BC, it was destroyed several times by natural disasters, rebuilt and even “changed its religion.” But still hundreds of people every day strive to get under its arches to stand under the dome, admire the beautiful frescoes and statues, feel at the same time the breath of eternity and the inexorable destructive power of time.
The grandeur and beauty of the interior of the Pantheon are amazing. It is hard to believe that all this was created by human hands, and not by the powerful pagan gods in whose honor it was erected.
Passing under the arch of the portico, supported by 16 marble columns, you enter the main temple building, which is crowned by a dome with a diameter of 43 meters. In its center there is a large round hole called the Heavenly All-seeing Eye. According to legend, evil spirits pierced it, wanting to escape from the sacred place at the beginning of the mass.
The peculiarity of the light penetrating through the oculus is that at noon its rays do not disperse, but descend clearly vertically, forming a kind of light column and moving during the day from one statue to another, paying tribute to them.
The walls and the altar are painted with magnificent frescoes, partially created by Renaissance masters. Statues are installed in numerous niches, and the walls and floor are lined with mosaic tiles. There are benches in the center of the temple for those who want to offer prayer or just relax.
3. Castel del Monte Castle (Puglia region)
The Castle of Costel del Monte
Considering the sights of Italy, it is impossible not to distinguish among them the Castel del Monte castle with its unusual architecture and mysterious history. Despite the fact that it was built in the middle of the XIII century, when constant wars were waged, its design is radically different from the structures of that era:
- The cladding consists of marble, which was practically not used in defense construction. There is no defensive moat and earthen rampart around the castle, and utility rooms and basements are not adapted for storing ammunition, ammunition and weapons. Those who understand military affairs will immediately notice the absence of loopholes and windows that are too large from a security point of view.
But the most interesting is the shape of the building, which is a regular octagon framed by 8 towers. The courtyard and the fountain located on its territory also have 8 corners.
The number “8” was a constant companion of the owner of the castle, Frederick II, who personally participated in the development of the architectural project. According to historical data, the sum of the digits of his date of birth was “8”, his right hand was decorated with an emerald ring framed with eight golden petals, and an eight-pointed crown was on his head.
Even during the lifetime of Frederick II, there were rumors about his fascination with alchemy. They were “warmed up” by the fact of living in the castle of Michele Scotto, who was considered a famous theorist of alchemy. He conducted experiments to convert copper into silver and other metals into gold. To this day, the atmosphere of the castle is filled with magic and mystery, igniting the imagination and causing inexplicable mental anxiety.
Official website: http://www.casteldelmonte .beniculturali.it/
4. The Colosseum (Rome)
The Roman Colosseum
It is impossible to imagine the sights of Italy without the Colosseum. This is a huge amphitheater, built back in 72 AD and became the main symbol of the Roman Empire. This building once housed 55,000 people, and its fame spread far beyond the borders of the country.
The Colosseum owes its creation to Emperor Titus Flavius Vespasian, who decided to destroy Nero’s palace, thereby eradicating the memory of him and glorifying himself as a wise ruler.
Even with the development of modern technologies and the availability of heavy construction equipment, it is difficult to carry out the construction of such a grandiose structure. Therefore, when choosing what to see in Italy, you cannot skip a visit to the Colosseum.
Its shape is an ellipse with a length of 188 m and a width of 156 m. The strength of the structure is maintained due to the fact that an arch capable of withstanding enormous loads is chosen as the main architectural element.
During the performances, an awning was stretched over the Colosseum, protecting the audience from the scorching sun and rain. For this purpose, ships standing on the Tiber River with special cables attached to them were used, which, after stretching the awning, were fixed on huge pillars located on the outside of the building.
Numerous wars, earthquakes and other factors have destroyed most of the Colosseum. And the construction of highways that began, heavy traffic and polluted air led to the creation of a critical situation. But, fortunately, modern architects and builders managed to preserve the structure of the building, which in 2007 was named one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.
5. Sistine Chapel (Rome, Vatican City)
Top view of the Sistine Chapel from St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Maus-Trauden
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Aaron Logan
In 1509, on November 1, thousands of Romans, led by Pope Julius II, froze in admiration and bowed their heads before the great genius Michelangelo Buonarotti, seeing the vault of the Sistine Chapel. It is said that even the envious and slanderers of the master recognized his talent and the perfection of the paintings.
More than five hundred years have passed, and the images of the Sibyls, the first people, the prophets and other biblical characters continue to attract people from all over the world, make their hearts freeze and serve as a hymn to talent and hard work. Many who have experienced this feeling say that it is necessary to visit the Sistine Chapel in Italy once, and then return and relive everything anew.
Considering himself a sculptor, Buonarotti was simply forced, due to certain circumstances, to take up painting the vault of the chapel. Due to non-compliance with some nuances of the technique of creating frescoes, the first paintings disappeared. Then the master had to tear them off and create them anew, having previously deduced his recipe for plaster and paints.
The height of the building is 20 meters. Michelangelo independently designed the scaffolding, which was installed on the floor, and not fixed with ropes on the ceiling. For several years, the master climbed them daily, took an uncomfortable pose and created his masterpieces. This position of the body led to disability, which became the price for immortality in the eyes of posterity.
Official website: http://www.museivaticani.va/
See the beautiful places of Italy in this wonderful video!
6. Milan Cathedral (Milan)
Milan Cathedral
If you ask the Milanese what to visit in Italy, they will not hesitate to name the cathedral, built in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and which is the symbol of the city. This monumental building can accommodate up to 40,000 people at the same time, which makes it one of the largest Gothic churches in the world.
The laying of its foundation began in 1386 on the site of the demolished old church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The great artist and designer Leonardo da Vinci took part in the development of the project. But the construction was completed only 427 years later by order of Napoleon Bonaparte. Although minor changes to the exterior of the facade and interior decoration continued to be made until the middle of the twentieth century.
The cathedral is made of white marble and designed in the style of flaming Gothic. At first, the tourists see 135 marble spires pointing to the heavens. After admiring this spectacle, visitors enter the room, where 3,400 sculptures are installed, among which the main treasure is the golden statue of the Madonna (patroness of Milan). The walls are decorated with paintings by great Italian painters, and above the altar you can see the nail that was used in the crucifixion of the Savior.
Visiting this Italian landmark is not complete without climbing to the observation deck, which offers a magnificent panorama of the city.
7. Villa Adriana in Tivoli (foot of the Tiburtine Mountains)
Marble sculptures along the pond at Villa Adriana in Tivoli
When deciding what to visit in Italy, choose Villa Adriana, located on 120 hectares in the small town of Tivoli.
After learning the biography of its owner, Emperor Hadrian, it becomes clear that this place was not chosen by chance. This ruler went down in history as a wise philosopher, a connoisseur of painting and architecture. He himself participated in the development of many projects of that time, and in his declining years decided to build a villa where you can indulge in reflection and contemplation of the beautiful.
Traveling a lot around the world, Adrian made sketches of the buildings he liked, which allowed him to subsequently create a sketch of his own house, in which oriental, Egyptian and Greek cultures intertwined. Picturesque alleys and flower beds were laid out on the territory of the villa, garden trees were planted, ponds and pools were dug, and numerous statues were installed. In addition to the emperor’s chambers, buildings for servants and guards, baths, a theater, a maritime museum, a temple and even an academy were erected here.
An interesting feature of the porticos located on the territory of the villa is their low height. This is due to the fact that Adrian was small in stature and, passing through a low vault, could feel taller and more majestic.
There is a whole network of underground passages under the villa, along which servants and wagons with provisions moved. This allowed us to maintain peace and quiet, which the emperor valued very highly.
Despite the fact that most of the buildings have now been destroyed, and the statues have been smashed or removed, there are always a lot of visitors on the territory of this Italian landmark.
Official website: https://www.coopculture.it
8. Uffizi Gallery (Florence)
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence
For art lovers all over the world, there is a place that is a kind of Mecca, where you should go at least once in your life. Therefore, there is an unambiguous answer to the question of what to see in Italy — the Uffizi Gallery.
The famous museum houses the originals of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo and many other great artists. Many of the masterpieces were created between the 12th and 17th centuries, but most of the paintings belong to the Renaissance.
You can find the building of this museum in Florence by a huge live queue, which has been building since early morning. Therefore, if you decide to visit the gallery, you should not plan any other excursions for this day. In addition, the abundance of impressions from the masterpieces seen and the information received requires great inner strength.
The architectural ensemble of the Uffizi Palace is represented by two three-storey buildings in the shape of a horseshoe, standing parallel to each other. The main part of the exhibition is located on the second floor, which is reached by 126 steps of the famous Vasari staircase, made of gray stone. The vaults of the gallery are decorated with frescoes.
In the corridors and halls, in addition to famous masterpieces of painting, valuable sculptures or their exact copies, collections of precious stones, antique coins, vases and other antiquities are also presented.
Official website: http://www.uffizi.it/
9. Grand Canal (Venice)
The main water street of Venice is the Grand Canal
The sights of Italy are not limited only to architectural monuments, sculptures and paintings. Sometimes the sights are created by nature itself. A striking example is the Grand Canal in Venice, which runs through the entire city. It starts from St. Mark’s Pool and stretches in a big S for almost 4 km to Santa Lucia Train Station. The depth of 5 meters allows sea trams and other light water transport to move freely along it. Traveling along the water surface of the Grand Canal, you can slowly explore the beauty of this unique city.
Historians believe that it was the canal that became the starting point from which the development and construction of the city began. The merchant ships arriving here brought all kinds of goods, which quickly dispersed throughout Europe. This led to prosperity, and merchants began to build their houses right on its shore. A little later, they were joined by rich and noble residents, which was reflected in the architectural style of the buildings. Magnificent Gothic palaces, houses with painted arches, spacious loggias and elegant columns appeared along the canal. In the XVI century, they were replaced by windows of bizarre shapes, and bright colors were replaced by pastel tones. All this variety of styles has been preserved to this day, delighting visitors and the indigenous people of Venice.
You can get from one bank of the Grand Canal to the other via one of the four bridges, which also serve as an ornament of the city.
10. Leaning Tower of Pisa (Pisa)
The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in the “Square of Miracles”
The list of the most famous sights of Italy certainly includes the “falling” Leaning Tower of Pisa, which is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. In addition to its slope, formed as a result of an incorrect calculation by the architect, it has a number of unique characteristics that attract millions of tourists to it:
- The thickness of the walls at the base of the tower is 4.9 m, but gradually thinns and on the upper gallery is already 2.48 m. This is the only bell tower that is some distance away from the cathedral. Muslim motifs can be seen in the design of the facade.
But even without this halo of mystery, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a real architectural masterpiece. Its ground floor consists of a cascade of arches, and at the entrance visitors are greeted by majestic bas-reliefs. All subsequent floors are surrounded by galleries, the outer parts of which form elegant columns. From afar, it seems that they are twisted into an endless spiral, rushing into the sky. The tower is crowned by a huge belfry, inside which there is a three-ton bell.
The fall of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which has been going on for several centuries due to the peculiarities of the soil and errors in calculations during the laying of the foundation, was stopped only at the beginning of this century by the joint efforts of many scientists of the world. And although the building is open to the public, tourists should know that the time of one tour is limited to 30 minutes. It is strictly forbidden to move around the building on your own. Before climbing up, all personal belongings remain at the bottom, which reduces the load on the supporting structures. Children under the age of eight are not allowed inside the premises.
And another important factor is the presence of 297 steps. Visitors have to overcome them in less than half an hour. Therefore, when planning what to see in Italy, you should really assess your health in advance.
Official website: http://www.opapisa.it/en/
Sights of Italy: what else to visit while in Italy
It is difficult to tell about all the memorabilia that can be seen in this wonderful country. But we have collected information about a couple more places where travelers will definitely like it. If you plan to travel to different cities, it makes sense to book sightseeing tours in Italy, allowing you to explore the main attractions.
11. St. Mark’s Cathedral (Venice)
St. Mark’s Cathedral in St. Mark’s Square
The architectural sights of Italy include many beautiful buildings, but St. Mark’s Cathedral deserves special attention.
Its construction began in 829 with the aim of burying the relics of St. Mark, brought from Alexandria. Subsequently, this apostle became the patron saint of Venice.
The cathedral was built in just 3 years, but in 976 it was severely damaged by fire. The building was restored several times, but after 1094 only its interior was changed.
Those who have seen this cathedral with their own eyes claim that you can admire it all day without even going inside. There are several styles in the architecture of the building that form a perfect ensemble. Oriental marble, Greek bas-reliefs, Gothic capitals, and numerous sculptures by Italian and Byzantine masters were used in the decoration.
The cathedral is crowned with five domes, on which gilded crosses are installed. The facade of the building itself is lined with marble, decorated with arches, portals and huge niches. Above the entrance there is a mosaic panel and an exact copy of the famous four horses, cast in the IV century BC by Greek craftsmen.
The decoration inside the cathedral impresses with its luxury, abundance of gold, precious stones, paintings and statues. In the central part of it there is a huge golden altar, created more than 400 years ago. The walls are decorated with images of saints and scenes from Sacred History. The most famous image of them is considered to be Salome, holding the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
Official website: http://www.basilicasanmarco.it
12. Positano (province of Salerno)
The town of Positano in the province of Salerno
You can see the sights of Italy and at the same time have a great rest on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea by visiting the cozy town of Positano.
Everything that allows you to call this place a “paradise” is collected here. The amazing riot of colors created by nature is combined with man-made buildings. On the streets you can see numerous artists who, for a small fee, will paint a portrait or a landscape they like. The variety of architectural styles is due to historical events that have taken place in this area for many centuries.
Due to the mildness of the climate, since the first century AD, the city began to attract rich merchants and noble patricians, who began to build their stone villas here. After the fall of the Roman Empire, this city turned into a center of trade, which attracted numerous overseas merchants and Saracen pirates.
Each epoch brought its own peculiarities to the architecture of the city, but the most luxurious buildings, made in the Baroque style, appeared in the XIII century and have survived to the present day. After the First World War, Positano was recognized as one of the best resorts in Italy, and celebrities began to come here.
The most prestigious hotel in the city is the Palace of King Murat of Naples, which houses a magnificent botanical garden, open to all comers.
Official website: http://www.positano.com/
13. The Spanish steps (Rome)
Spanish steps and the Barcaccia Fountain in Rome
Anyone who has ever seen the film “Roman Holidays” will remember the famous Spanish steps connecting the Spanish Square and the Trinita dei Monti Church. Now they are considered one of the most romantic places in the capital, where lovers assign dates to each other and where newlyweds come to be photographed.
The history of the creation of this Italian landmark dates back to the end of the XVII century, when a diplomat from France, Etienne Geffier, decided to allocate 20,000 scudos for the construction of the staircase. However, disagreements between Cardinal Mazarin and the Pope prevented the implementation of this grandiose project.
He was remembered only in 1717 and entrusted with the design of the architect Francesco de Sanctis, who managed to diplomatically combine the heraldic symbols of the Bourbon dynasty with the eagle and crown representing the power of the Pope. The construction of the steps was completed in 1725.
The square, which is located at the foot of the Spanish Steps, is also of interest to tourists. In its center there is a fountain “Barkaccia”, made in the form of a small boat. It is possible to photograph a staircase without people sitting or walking on it only in the early morning.
14. Pompeii (province of Naples)
The famous city Museum of Pompeii
Pompeii is a unique dead city, freed by scientists from a multi-meter layer of ash and is now a huge open-air museum.
The city was completely destroyed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and only seventeen centuries later its excavations began. Due to the negligence of archaeologists, many artifacts were destroyed because they were not of artistic value. But since 1960, restoration work has been carried out, which made it possible to almost completely recreate the once-lost city of Pompeii.
Now visitors can walk freely through the streets and look at the houses of the townspeople who lived here almost 2000 years ago. Most often they are two-storey buildings decorated with frescoes or mosaics. The houses of wealthy people were distinguished by the presence of marble sculptures on the facades.
During the tour, tourists are invited to visit the oldest temple, created in honor of the Greek god Apollo. Of the 28 majestic columns, only 2 were restored, but the beautiful frescoes depicting the Trojan War, discovered in the inner niches of the temple, have been preserved almost in their original form.
Attractions such as the Temple of Jupiter, gladiator barracks, thermal baths, arenas of the Bolshoi and Maly Theaters and much more are also of interest.
Official website: http://www.pompeionline.net/
15. The Roman Forum (Rome)
Ruins of the Roman Forum
The sights of Italy include the Roman Forum, founded in the VI century BC.
It was originally created as a place for trade between the Romans and the Sabines, as a sign of reconciliation between these two peoples. But soon it turned into a square where state affairs were decided, justice was administered and religious ceremonies were held.
This was reflected in the appearance of the forum. The shopping malls were demolished, and temples, basilicas and other buildings that played a role in the political life of the empire appeared in their place. At first, wood was used for their construction, but after several fires, it was decided to replace it with stones. Due to this, some buildings have survived to the present day.
Here tourists are offered to explore the remains of the temples of Vesta, Saturn and Faustina. And although only a few columns remain of them, by their size it is possible to draw conclusions about the former greatness of these buildings.
The attraction of the forum is the Black Stone, under which, according to legend, Romulus– one of the founders of Rome, is buried.
It is also worth paying attention to the Curtius cleft, located in the central part of the forum. The guide will tell you an interesting legend about its origin and the death of a brave warrior. Legend has it that Rome’s most valuable treasure is its people.
16. Academy of Fine Arts (Florence)
The original of Michelangelo’s “David” in the gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence Dimitris Kamaras
Since ancient times, the culture of Italy has influenced the culture of the entire world space. Therefore, it is difficult to find a more suitable and more prestigious place to receive creative education than the Florentine Academy of Fine Arts. This is the first art university in Europe, and most visitors go to this institution, if not for study, then at least only to see with their own eyes the most valuable collection of works of art housed in the Academy’s gallery. For the fourth century, this institution has been nurturing young talented artists within its walls — it is for them that the Academy gallery stores the artistic works of their brilliant predecessors as a model.
17. Trevi Fountain (Rome)
Baroque Trevi Fountain on the background of Palazzo Poli in Rome
As for Rome, the most common ancient sights of Italy are the Pantheon, a grandiose ancient Roman structure with the status of the temple of all the gods, as well as the Trevi Fountain, the current form of which was created in the 18th century. In fact, the history of the fountain begins even before the appearance of the Pantheon, in the distant first century BC. At that time, the then reigning Emperor Augustus ordered the redevelopment of the growing city, and the question of water supply arose. Then an aqueduct was created, fed from the waters of the spring located here and called Aqua Virgo. And only in the 18th century it was decided to erect a new, more majestic structure on the site of the source, which is the Trevi Fountain. This is a monumental work of art that everyone should see.
18. Piazza del Campo (Siena)
Piazza del Campo is one of the majestic medieval squares of the Italian city of Siena
The central square in Siena is known for a number of characteristic features. It is, as it were, deepened to the center, creating a height difference of up to 5 meters. In addition, it is from here that the rays of as many as 11 central streets of the city radiate. Special attention should be paid to the red stone with which the square is paved in the form of peculiar sectors. This place is also known for the fact that horse racing is regularly held here. Finally, this is an unusual medieval square, the original appearance of which has gained worldwide fame. According to the chronicle, originally there was a valley of three hills, which became a famous place of trade. It was in those years that the “field square” appeared, which had the shape of a funnel surrounded by three hills.
19. Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence)
View of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Campanile and the Baptistery in Florence
Italy is authentic and rich in its unique monuments. The sights of Rome, despite their abundance, make up only a small part of the cultural, historical, and natural monuments of the sunny country. The Florentine church of Santa Maria del Fiore is the most important symbol of Italian and world architecture. The most recognizable building in Florence was originally built in the 13th century as a cathedral, but for the whole 7 centuries it was rebuilt and refined, and took its final form only by 1887. Today, visitors are impressed by its monumental Neo-Gothic facade, richly decorated with marble panels and decorative elements, as well as the grandiose expanses of luxurious interior halls.
Official website: https://www.museum
20. Sforza Castle (Milan)
The walls and towers of the 15th century Sforza Castle in Milan
One of the symbols of Milan is the Castello Sforzesco, or Sforza Castle, built by order of Duke Francesco Sforza of Milan. The remains of the previous structure, the castle of Porta Giovia, were taken as a basis. The 16th and 17th centuries were the heyday of the castle, when it was one of the largest citadels in all of Europe. Remarkably, the facade of the castle once formed the basis for the design of the Moscow Kremlin — this is especially noticeable in the shape of the towers and battlements. In front of the main entrance you can see a fountain, its shape resembles a cake. The courtyard of the castle is decorated strictly and concisely, and within the walls of the castle you can visit a number of museums and libraries that preserve both the history of the castle and Milan as a whole.
Official website: https://www.milanocastello
21. Juliet’s House (Verona)
The facade of the house with the legendary Juliet balcony in Verona Lo Scaligero
The plot of the romantic story about Romeo and Juliet is known today, perhaps, even to children. Therefore, the sights of Italy for children should probably include a visit to the unique medieval building of the 13th century, which once belonged to the Dal Capello family. The similarity of this surname with “Capulet” once convinced people that it was here that the drama of the young Juliet in love unfolded. The house gained national fame, and at the beginning of the 20th century the building was reconstructed as a museum dedicated to Shakespeare’s heroine. The facade of the house is decorated with elegant decorative elements and arched windows. There is a bronze statue of Juliet in the courtyard, and there is a belief that touching it will definitely bring good luck in love.
22. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento (Sicily region)
Temple of the Goddess of Concord or Concordia of the 5th century BC in the Valley of Temples in southern Sicily Evan Erickson
Those who want to spend a busy summer vacation will definitely find something to see in Italy in the summer — we recommend that you first go to the island of Sicily, where you can escape from the heat in the shade of the rapidly growing cypresses, laurels, eucalyptus trees or go out to sea on a yacht. But do not forget that the island is also rich in historical attractions, including the Valley of Temples, an outstanding monument of ancient architecture, which dates back to about 5-6 centuries BC. These are truly sacred places — once there was a series of temples dedicated to ancient gods, and today only fragments of buildings remain of them, but even they do not cease to admire the monumentality of their architecture.
Official website: https://www.parcovalle
23. The cave city of Sassi di Matera (Matera)
Cave dwellings carved into the rock in the ancient city of Matera Bönisch
In one of the authentic areas of Italy, sunny Basilicata, there is a small town that attracts the attention of travelers with its history and unique architecture. This ancient settlement is hollowed out of the rock itself, and just a few decades ago it was inhabited. The whole city is an extraordinary tangle of narrow alleys, boulders, churches, cave temples, museums, grotto houses, and all this against the backdrop of beautiful natural landscapes. Each stone preserves a rich history that began in the Neolithic era. Today, you can visit the Sassi caves and see what the life of the inhabitants who inhabited them was like, and even live in the cave city for several days in a row.
24. The Blue grotto (fr. Capri)
The entrance to the Blue Grotto on the north shore of the island of Capri hu:User:Pilgab
Boats with tourists inside the Blue Grotto on the island of Capri Adrian Pingstone (Arpingstone)
On the Italian island of Capri, we recommend visiting the sea cave, which has become its main attraction. The length of the cave is quite small – only about 50 meters, but the main thing in it is not this, but the extraordinary blueness of its waters, resembling the purest sapphire in color. The minerals located here, reflecting sunlight, refract it in such a way that the water turns not only blue, but also into completely unearthly pink, purple, orange and other shades. The sun’s rays enter the interior of the cave through two holes — the first is the narrow entrance to the cave, the second is a hole 10 times larger than the first, allowing the main portion of light to pass through.
25. Cortina d’Ampezzo (Veneto region)
View of Cortina d’Ampezzo with Alpine green landscape against the backdrop of the Dolomites
The highlight of a holiday in warm Italy will be a visit to a ski resort in the province of Veneto. Cortina is the world’s largest ski region, which has a large—scale system of snow slopes, where 450 lifts unite 12 valleys of the Alps. Both an experienced skier and a novice amateur will find a track here according to their capabilities, and snowboarding fans can try their hand at snow parks with different levels of difficulty. Visitors can enjoy excellent service, which can be compared in quality with the services of such resorts as Courchevel, Chamonix, etc. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can skate, sledge with dog sleds, motorcycle sleds and even book a helicopter ride.
26. The city of Orvieto
The city of Orvieto
The city is full of attractions, the main of which is the magnificent cathedral. The facade of the cathedral with golden mosaics and delicate marble carvings is a real masterpiece of Italian Gothic, admired by everyone who sees it. Inside, the cathedral is also amazing – its two chapels contain the main wonders. The Chapel of the Corporale houses a Christian relic – an altar cloth from Bolsena. In another chapel of the cathedral, unexpectedly for a medieval city, there are some of the most remarkable frescoes of the Renaissance, executed by Luca Signorelli. The first thing that comes to mind when you see them is the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. It is believed that it was in Orvieto that Michelangelo drew inspiration for his Last Judgment, which he would paint later in Rome. The labyrinths of medieval streets, mesmerizing views from the city walls, dungeons and wells that you can descend into – this is an incomplete list of what you can see in Orvieto. Another attraction of Orvieto is the famous Orvieto classico wine. The wine-making traditions in this area are more than 2500 years old – the Etruscans began to produce wine here. Over time, the winemakers have not lost their skills and there are many wineries around Orvieto where you can taste wine.
27. St. Patrick’s Well (Orvieto)
St. Patrick’s Well
An ingenious structure that will take you into the bowels of the rock to a depth of 62 meters, to a water source. Going down the spiral staircase, which is very gentle, since it was designed for donkeys, through the windows of the “underground tower” you will see people rising from the bottom of the well, but you will not meet them on your way down. Such a game with space was invented by architect Antonio Sangallo the Younger in 1527 by order of Pope Clement VII. The pope fled to Orvieto from Rome, captured by the Landsknechts, and was very afraid to find himself again in a besieged city without a water source. To unravel the secret of the swirling staircases of the well, it is best to go down into it yourself. And at the very bottom of the well, you may be able to feel the detachment from earthly life, for which monks have been coming down here for prayers for centuries.
28. Mount Vesuvius (Naples)
The city of Naples at the foot of the active volcano Vesuvius on a summer day
The lands of Italy are fraught with fascinating and at the same time dangerous places, among which Vesuvius is the most interesting — the only active volcano in Europe. It is located near the coast of the Gulf of Naples, and it gained its fame due to numerous eruptions, which often led to major casualties and large-scale disasters. Historical sources have recorded information about more than 80 such eruptions. Today, the volcano is in a state of “sleep”, so you can take a risk and climb to the top, explore the view of the crater, which is still hovering a little. And on a clear day, you can view the stunning panorama of the surrounding area from here.
29. San Gimignano (Tuscany region)
The medieval appearance of the town of San Gimignano on the top of a hill with a height of 334 meters
In the Tuscany region, the town of San Gimignano is located on a hill, famous for its numerous towers, which once symbolized the wealth of the families who lived here. There were 72 medieval towers in total, but only 14 of them have survived today. The history of the town began a long time ago, back in the 3rd century BC, when it was founded by the Etruscans and named after Bishop Geminian, who saved the city from invasion. Among the most notable places worth visiting are the main square of the city, the cathedral and the museum complex located on it, as well as the second most important square of the Cistern, where three torture museums with impressive exhibits function.
Official website: http://www.sangimignano
30. Cinque Terre (Liguria region)
The landscape of the Cinque Terre National Park on the Ligurian coast of Italy
It would seem that there are no places left in Italy that have not been traveled far and wide by travelers. And yet, there are little-known sights of Italy that can pleasantly surprise with their beauty and originality. The Cinque Terre National Park, which unites five settlements through which a picturesque hiking route is laid, can be classified as such places. The sheer cliffs, on which there are many colorful houses and vineyards, are framed by the azure sea, the foam waves of which beat against the boulders. Once these settlements were fishing villages, but today they have become World Heritage Sites.
31. Lake Como (Lombardy region)
A resort town on the picturesque shores of Lake Como in the Lombardy region of Italy
One of the most beautiful natural places not only in Italy, but all over the world is Lake Como and its surroundings, located in the north of the country, an hour’s drive from Milan. Its location surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and cozy villages makes this place particularly attractive. In addition, upon arrival at the lake, travelers can enjoy a lot of themed walking routes — here you can admire the greenery of gardens, luxury villas, visit Romanesque churches, as well as museums, archaeological sites, old castles and much more. You can also rent a house or rent a place at the hotel to arrange a full vacation in these beautiful places.
32. The cultural landscape of Val d’Orchia (Siena)
Beautiful landscape of Val d’Orchia with wheat field and vineyard in central Italy
The list of the best places in Italy is completed by the beautiful Tuscan landscape of Val d’Orcia. Initially, this area was designed as an object of cultural development, in order to create an aesthetically ideal model of the landscape. This region is worth seeing with your own eyes: numerous hills, oak and olive groves alternating with geometrically regular rows of vineyards — all this seemed to come off a beautiful picture. Ideally, it is worth driving through the vast territory of the landscape in order to be able to stop at any moment and slowly admire the beauty that has opened, taste the wines of the valley in wineries, visit farms, buy natural cheeses or olive oil. Next to Italy there is a country on the territory of which there are medieval towns, Alpine villages and beaches of the Mediterranean – France. While staying in Italy, be sure to take a look at this extraordinarily beautiful country! Read about the sights of France and get inspired for your further journey through Europe!