The Most Beautiful Cities in Italy

The most beautiful cities in Italy are not only full of Italian culture, they also have a lot to offer visitors. Milan, for example, attracts fashion lovers and art enthusiasts with a sea of impressive buildings and attractions including Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.

Venice is another popular choice, despite being overrun by tourists trying to take the perfect gondola photo. But don't miss the chance to visit the city's canals or admire its famous architecture.

Milan

While Milan may not be the first place to come to mind when thinking of Italy's most beautiful cities, the fashion capital has a lot to offer. From high-end shopping and restaurants to historical and architectural wonders, this city has something for everyone.

In the heart of Tuscany lies the city of Siena, an ancient treasure full of medieval and renaissance architecture. From the well-preserved city walls to the stunning cathedrals, this hilltop town is a must-visit for all those who love history and art.

Another underrated Italian gem, Turin is one of the most refined cities in the country. Its rich culture, elevated standard of living and delicious cuisine make it a great place to visit. The city is also home to many museums and art galleries, including the famous Egyptian Museum and the National Cinema Museum.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Florence is the birthplace of Renaissance and has been a top attraction in Italy for centuries. From the awe-inspiring Duomo to the impressive Uffizi gallery, there is plenty to do and see in this magical city.

The eerily beautiful city of Bergamo is another underrated destination in Italy. From the quaint upper old town to the modern lower part of the city, this city has many excellent attractions to offer. It is worth visiting just to see the enchanting Baroque wonders of the upper city, including the Sant'Anna Basilica, whose facade is decorated with animals, plants and grotesque figures.

Although Naples has a reputation for being a dirty and abrasive city, it has a lot to offer visitors. From stunning architecture and delicious cuisine to the spooky Cimitero Monumentale, this city has something for everyone.

Whether you are a tourist or planning to stay in Italy for a long time, you will need a good hotel: clean, safe and comfortable. In Milan, the average room rate is 70 euros per night. You can book Mandarin Oriental from EUR 157 per night.

Florence

Italy is a country that is rich in natural beauty with imposing mountains and pristine lakes, but it's also home to some of the most beautiful cities in Europe. These charming Italian cities are full of historic wonders and stunning architecture. From the cosmopolitan Milan to the classic Sicilian port of Messina, these cities offer something for everyone.

Florence, dubbed the Cradle of the Renaissance, is an Italian city that's full of historical and cultural highlights. Its UNESCO-listed center is filled with medieval and Renaissance-era churches and palaces. The Duomo, the cathedral of Florence, is a dazzling sight with its dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The nearby Campanile and Baptistery buildings are also impressive. Art lovers will want to check out the Uffizi Gallery, which has an incredible collection of renaissance artwork including Adoration of the Magi by Leonardo da Vinci and Primavera by Sandro Botticelli.

Bologna is one of the most picturesque cities in Northern Italy. Its old town, known as Barivecchia, is located on a tapered peninsula and looks like a maze of whitewashed houses and church bell towers. The city has been given a facelift in recent years and is now considered tourist-friendly. Visitors can explore the ancient walls that encircle the old town or visit some of its many museums, including the Emilia-Romagna Museum of Contemporary Arts and the National Cinema Museum.

Known as the “city of a thousand palaces", Venice is one of Italy's most enchanting cities. The canals, gondola rides, and impressive architecture make this city a must-see for any visitor to Italy. Besides palaces, Venice has an array of other sights that will take your breath away, from St. Mark's Basilica to the iconic Ponte de Rialto and the renowned glassworkers of Murano.

Bologna

Often overlooked by travelers in favor of its more well-known Italian counterparts, Bologna is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and a culinary capital. Its main square, Piazza Maggiore, is home to the city's large cathedral, the elaborate Neptune Fountain, and great people-watching.

It is also home to an ancient library that is now the Bologna National University and a large archaeological museum, the Museo Civico Archeologico. Here, you can step back in time and learn about the Etruscans, Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks.

If you want to experience a bit of Venice in Bologna, check out the small canal that runs underground along Via Piella. It is a secret spot that's usually not open to tourists but you can get a glimpse through a small window at the bottom of a low wall on this street.

Another hidden treasure of Bologna is its 40 kilometres of porticos. These covered walkways are beloved by locals and are on the list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are a wonderful place to walk and are shaded, dry, and pretty no matter the weather.

There are countless other things to do in Bologna, from discovering the best street art to visiting the famous Bolognese-based pasta restaurants. You can even ride an E-bike to explore the city on a guided tour with food tastings included. The city is easy to get around and its airport, Guglielmo Marconi, is connected to the city by a shuttle bus called Aerobus that costs EUR6 per person each way. The trip takes about an hour and it leaves every 15 minutes. There are also taxis to and from the airport that cost about EUR15.

Lucca

While Florence gets all the attention when it comes to Tuscany, Lucca is a stunning city that is well worth a visit. Surrounded by hills, vineyards and olive plantations, this beautiful city feels untouched and cozy, thanks to the thick medieval walls that surround it. The city center is full of cafes and restaurants, and you can even find a few hidden streets that only locals know about.

One of the main attractions in Lucca is the imposing City Wall, which is almost 4 kilometers long and completely surrounds the historic center. You can walk along the top of the wall, and it offers stunning views over the rooftops. A popular activity is renting a bicycle or family tandem and exploring the city walls by bike. Another notable landmark is the Guinigi Tower, which can be spotted from nearly anywhere in the city due to its 45-meter height and the trees growing on top of it. The trees on the tower are Holm Oaks, which symbolize rebirth.

Many of the buildings in Lucca are made from the local Lecce stone, which gives the city its unique milky-honey color. You can see this unique architecture throughout the city, including the impressive cathedral and the Church of San Frediano. The latter is known for its ornate rosette windows and intricate stone carvings. If you are able to climb the Torre delle Ore, you can get a fantastic view over the city from its highest point.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can find the lush and green Parco Nazionale delle Foreste. It is a great place for hiking and relaxing in nature, and it is also home to many ancient ruins.

Trieste

The northernmost city on the list is Trieste, a stunning seaside town with a gorgeous waterfront promenade and some of the most spectacular medieval buildings in Italy. It’s also the birthplace of Umberto Saba and Italo Svevo, the two most revered authors in modern Italian literature. And, it’s where James Joyce found the inspiration for his masterpiece Ulysses. Seek out his distinctive statue on the bridge over Canal Grande and read the historical plaques all around town that detail his various living quarters here either side of the first world war.

The grand public squares, palaces and cathedrals of Trieste make it a wonderful city for wandering and sightseeing. It’s also the perfect place to savor the flavors of Italy. Sip a cappuccino in the cafes of the historic center or try an osmiza, which is a typical Trieste dish made from ham, sausage, sliced tongue, sardines and anchovy fillets accompanied by toasted bread and olive oil.

Another reason to visit Trieste is the magnificent castle, Miramare. It’s located on the coast, so you can relax on a sunny beach or take in the impressive views. The city also boasts a pretty Canal Grande, which is a scenic spot for photos. It was actually built in the 18th century to be a waterway, but it was filled in later on and now it’s lined on both sides with beautiful palaces and piazzas.

If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Roman ruins and the 5th-century mosaics of Ravenna, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And, if you’re a fan of the movies, Trieste is also where director Giuseppe Tornatore shot his film Cinema Paradiso.