Map view
Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
- Piazza Maggiore is a central square in Bologna, largely preserving its 15th century layout
- The square is surrounded by major administrative and religious buildings in the history of Bologna
Bormio Ski
- Bormio is a town and popular winter sports resort
- In addition to modern skiing facilities, the town is noted for the presence of several hot springs that have been tapped to provide water to three thermal baths
Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Cortina d'Ampezzo offers skiing facilities for amateurs, centrally located among the 12 resorts of the Dolomiti Superski area
- Facilities also exist for cross-country skiing, including a long stretch of the old railway line
- In and around Cortina d'Ampezzo, there are opportunities to participate in many other winter sports such as curling, ski mountaineering, snowboarding, sledding, and extreme skiing
Courmayeur
- Courmayeur is cited as "Italy's best all-round ski resort", and contains the Alpine Botanical Garden Saussurea, which describes itself as Europe's highest botanical garden
Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence
Best time to visit: May-Sept
- Piazzale Michelangelo is a square with a panoramic view of Florence, Italy
- The square, dedicated to the Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo, has bronze copies of some of his marble works found elsewhere in Florence
- The view captures the heart of Florence from Forte Belvedere to Santa Croce, across the walkways and the bridges crossing the Arno
Florence Cathedral
Best time to visit: May-Sept
- Florence Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is a Roman Catholic church located in Florence
- It serves as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Florence and is one of the largest churches in the world
- The construction of the cathedral began in 1296 and was completed in 1434
- It has since become a symbol of Florence and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture
Uffizi, Florence
Best time to visit: May-Sept
- The Uffizi Gallery is a renowned art museum located in Florence, and is famous for its collections of ancient sculptures and paintings, spanning from the Middle Ages to the Modern period
- The gallery is particularly noted for its extensive collection of Italian Renaissance art, showcasing masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Caravaggio
- Originally constructed in the 16th century as the offices of Florentine magistrates, it was later transformed into a public museum in 1765
- The museum's archicture itself is a significant example of Rennaissance design, and contains some of the most important artworks in Western art history
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa
- Spiaggia dei Conigli ("Rabbit Beach") is a beach located in Lampedusa, the largest island of the Italian Pelagie Islands, close to Tunisia
- Historically, Lampedusa was a landing place and a maritime base for the ancient Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy's oldest active shopping gallery and a prominent landmark in Milan
- Constructed between 1865 and 1867, it was designed to celebrate the unification of Italy
- The gallery is named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy, and serves as a significant cultural and commercial hub
- The Galleria houses luxury brands and historic cafes, making it a popular destination for shopping and dining
Milan Cathedral
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- Milan Cathedral, known as Duomo di Milano, is the cathedral church of Milan, dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary
- It serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Milan and is located in the central square of the city
- The construction of the cathedral began in 1386 and took nearly six centuries to complete, with various architectural styles evolving throughout its development
- It is renowned for being one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world
- The Duomo is famous for having the most statues of any church in the world, with over 3,400 sculptures adorning its facade
Cappella Sansevero, Naples
Best time to visit: March-April
- Cappella Sansevero, also known as the Sansevero Chapel, is a renowned chapel located in the historic center of Naples
- It was built in the late 16th century and is famous particularly for the life-sized marble statue known as the Veiled Christ, created by the artist Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753
- The statue is considered one of the most extraordinary sculptures in the world due to its intricate detail and the illusion of a transparent shroud covering Christ's body, which is carved from the same block of marble
- The chapel features frescoes, including the ceiling fresco titled Glory of Heaven, painted by Francesco Maria Russo in 1749
Pompeii, Naples
Best time to visit: March-April
- Pompeii was a city in what is now the municipality of Pompei, near Naples
- Along with Herculaneum, Stabiae, and many surrounding villas, the city was buried under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of volcanic ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
- Largely preserved under the ash, Pompeii offers a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried
Leaning Tower of Pisa
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower located in Pisa, where it serves as a bell tower for the adjacent Pisa Cathedral
- The tower's construction began in 1173 and spanned nearly 200 years, completing in the 14th century
- The tower is famous for its unintended tilt, which is a result of unstable foundation soil. It leans at an angle of about 5.5 degrees due to settling and has undergone various stabilization efforts over the years
- The Leaning Tower is renowned for its Romanesque architectural style, characterized by its white and gray marble construction and intricate arcades
Castello Brown, Portofino
- Castello Brown is a historic house museum located high above the harbour of Portofino
- Its site has been used for military defense since Roman times, built in 400 AD
- After peace fell upon the region in the early 19th century, the Castello was abandoned
- It is now owned by the city of Portofino, which opened it to the public in 1961
Marina di Praia, Praiano
- Marina di Praia is a beach cove located in the town of Praiano, along Italy's Amalfi Coast
- The beach serves as a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a more relaxed beach experience compared to the busier beaches in the region
Pantheon, Rome
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Oct-Dec
- The Pantheon is an architectural structure located in Rome, originally built as a temple dedicated to all Roman gods
- The Pantheon was initially commissioned by Marcus Agrippa around 25-27 BC
- It was later reconstructed by Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD after the original structure was damaged by fire
- The building features the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, and has a central opening that allows natural light to illuminate the interior
- It is one of the best-preserved monuments from ancient Rome, showcasing the ingenuity of Roman engineering and architecture
- Since 609 AD, the Pantheon has served as a Catholic church
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Oct-Dec
- Trevi Fountain is a renowned 18th-century fountain located in the Trevi district of Rome, and is one of the largest and most exquisite fountains in the world, exemplifying the Baroque architectural style
- The site of the Trevi Fountain has historical roots dating back to ancient Roman times, associated with the Aqua Virgo Aqueduct, which supplied water to the city
- The centerpiece of the fountain features a grand statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, flanked by allegorical figures representing abundance and health
- According to popular legend, tossing a coin into the fountain ensures that visitors will return to Rome
Colosseum, Rome
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Oct-Dec
- The Colosseum is a monumental amphitheater located in the center of Rome
- The Colosseum was built as a demonstration of the power and grandeur of Rome, commissioned by Emperor Vespasian around AD 70-80
- It could accommodate tens of thousands of spectators, making it the largest amphitheater in the Roman world
- It was the venue for various public spectacles, including gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, mock naval battles, and was even a site for executions
- The Colosseum is an elliptical structure made primarily of stone and concrete, utilizing a complex system of vaults, which was innovative for its time
#5 in Best Attractions in the World
#11 in Best Landmarks in the World
Trastevere, Rome
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Oct-Dec
- Trastevere is an administrative division in the city of Rome
- The area across the Tiber belonged to the Etruscans, which Rome conquered to gain control of and access to the river from both banks, from 753-509 BC
- Nowadays, Trastevere maintains character thanks to its narrow cobbled streets lined by ancient houses
- At night, loclas and tourists alike flock to its many pubs and restaurants
Piazza Navona, Rome
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Oct-Dec
- Piazza Navona is a renowned public square located in the center of Rome
- It was constructed on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, which dates back to the 1st century AD
- The square is famous for its stunning Baroque architecture, featuring three magnificent fountains: the Fountain of the Four Rivers the Fountain of Neptune, and the Fountain of Moor
Galleria Borghese, Rome
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Oct-Dec
- The Galleria Borghese is an esteemed art gallery located in Rome, within the grounds of the Villa Borghese Pinciana
- Originally built as a private residence, the gallery showcases a collection of art that includes works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods
- Highlights of the gallery include a collection of paintings and sculptures by renowned artists such as Caravaggio, Raphael, and Bernini
- The gallery also includes ancient sculptures, bas-reliefs, and mosaics, reflecting the artistic heritage of Rome
Ortygia, Syracuse
- Ortygia (also spelled Ortigia) is a small island that serves as the historical center of Syracuse, located in Sicily
- It is the oldest part of Syracuse, with evidence of habitation dating back to at least the 14th century BC
- It has a long history influenced by various cultures, including the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines
- The island is known for its Baroque architecture, featuring sandstone buildings, narrow alleys, and piazzas
Val Gardena
- Val Gardena is a valley in the Dolomites of South Tyrol
- It is best known as a tourist skiing, rock climbing, and woodcarving area
Vatican Museums, Vatican City
- The Vatican Museums are a renowned collection of art and Christian museums located within Vatican City, which is an enclave in Rome
- Established in the early 16th century, these museums house an extensive collection amassed by the popes over the centuries
- The museums contain art, archaeology, and ethnographic collections, including works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods
- Among the highlights are the Sistine Chapel, known for Michelangelo's ceiling, and the Raphael Rooms, which feature frescoes by the artist Raphael
- The Vatican Museums comprise about 54 museums and galleries, totaling approximately 1,400 rooms
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
- St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most significant and iconic churches in the world, located in Vatican City, and is a major pilgrimage site for Catholics
- The basilica is traditionally believed to be built over the tomb of Saint Peter, one of Jesus's apostles and the first Bishop of Rome
- The current structure was initiated by Pope Julius II in 1506 and completed in 1615
- It was designed by several renowned architects, including Michelangelo, who is famous for creating the intricate dome
- The basilica houses numerous chapels, altars, monuments, and artworks, including Michelangelo's Pietà
- It is one of the largest churches globally, measuring about 722 feet in length, and can accommodate around 20,000 worshippers
Doge's Palace, Venice
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- The Doge's Palace is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice
- The palace included government offices, a jail, and the residence of the Doge of Venice, the elected authority of the former Republic of Venice
- It was originally built in 810, rebuilt in 1340 and extended and modified in the following centuries
- It became a museum in 1923
Canal Grande, Venice
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Canal Grande, also known as the Grand Canal, is the largest and most significant waterway in Venice
- It serves as a major transportation route through the city, following a natural S-shaped course that stretches from Saint Mark's Basin to the lagoon
- The canal is lined with numerous Renaissance palaces, making it a picturesque area filled with gondolas and vaporetti (water buses)
Verona Arena
- The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheater located in Piazza Bra, Verona, that was constructed around 30 AD and is notable for being one of the best-preserved ancient structures in the world
- It is the third-largest surviving Roman amphitheater in Europe, following the Colosseum in Rome and the amphitheater in Capua
- The arena is still actively used today, primarily as a venue for opera performances and concerts
- The arena's elliptical shape contributes to its excellent acoustics, allowing sound to carry well throughout the structure