Things to do in  Italy

The Colosseum has been a symbol of Rome since 80 AD, and it remains a top monument in Italy today. Some 50,000 spectators once gathered in the amphitheater’s tiered seats to watch gladiator games. Though parts of the original marble facade were pilfered over the years to build the likes of [St. Peter’s Basilica (https://www.viator.com/Rome-attractions/St-Peters-Basilica/d511-a708), the Colosseum remains remarkably intact 2,000 years later.

Michelangelo’s spectacular 16th-century ceiling frescoes are the biggest draw to the Sistine Chapel, one of the most celebrated and visited sights in Italy. The monumental The Last Judgment, which covers the apse wall, is one of the artist’s best-known works and an influential masterpiece in art history. The chapel also holds works by Sandro Botticelli and Pinturicchio, Michelangelo’s predecessors, and serves as a glorious homage to Renaissance art.

Home to some of Italy’s most important art collections—from paintings and sculptures to tapestries and classical antiquities—the Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) are among the country’s top attractions. Explore the Pinacoteca, Egyptian Museum, Gallery of Tapestries, Pius-Clementine Museum, and Gallery of Maps, before admiring the crown jewels in the Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina), famed for Michelangelo’s ceiling and The Last Judgment.

The enormous St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) dominates Vatican City, and its dome can be seen from all over Rome. Built on the site of St. Peter’s crucifixion, it’s the epicenter of the Catholic Church and sits atop many papal tombs. The lavishly adorned basilica is the largest church in Italy, and it’s also a museum full of priceless works of art—including Michelangelo’s sublime Pietà and Bernini’s bronze baldachin on the high altar.

A sprawling mass of ruins, the Roman Forum (Foro Romano) was once the center of the Roman Empire, with temples, courts, and basilicas in full swing until falling into ruin around AD 410. Abandoned for centuries and plundered for its marble, the site can be a challenge to interpret without an archaeologist guide. Despite its deterioration, this archaeological treasure just steps from the Colosseum is one of the most important attractions in Rome.

Vatican City may be the smallest independent state on Earth, but it’s a religious and cultural superpower. Home to some of the world’s greatest artistic and architectural marvels—namely St. Peter’s Basilica and its dome designed by Michelangelo, St. Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums—it’s also the headquarters of the Catholic Church. Surrounded by Italy’s capital on all sides, Vatican City is one of the top attractions in Rome.

Of Rome’s seven legendary hills, Palatine Hill (Palatino) is the most important in the capital’s history and lore: It is said that Romulus and Remus founded Rome on this hilltop, and many of the city’s most important archaeological sites dating from ancient times are located here. These include lavish imperial residences, such as the House of Augustus (Casa di Augustus), and later additions, including the 16th-century Farnese Gardens offering beautiful views over the city.

The heart of Vatican City is St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro), a grand plaza providing visitors with a magnificent approach to St. Peter’s Basilica. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, the semicircular Piazza San Pietro is lined by hundreds of statue-topped columns. Walk through on your way to the Vatican Museums or while taking an obligatory photo of St. Peter’s dome.

The crown jewel of Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica blends elements of Gothic, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Renaissance architecture—testimony to the city’s political and economic dominance that spanned centuries. Topped by soaring domes and featuring an interior of shimmering mosaics, the church is so opulent that it is known as the Chiesa d’Oro, or the Golden Church. Today, it is one of the city’s symbols and the top attraction in St. Mark’s Square.

Astonishingly intact, the Pantheon has been wowing visitors to Rome for almost two millennia, and its massive dome is still the largest of its kind built out of unreinforced concrete in the world. Stand below the central oculus to watch clouds float above, then check out the highlights inside this temple-turned-church, including the ornate tombs of Renaissance artist Raphael and the first kings of unified Italy.

The powerful Doges ruled the Venetian Empire from the Gothic confines of the Doge’s Palace until the fall of Venice in 1797. The sprawling residence was meant to impress visitors as they sailed through the lagoon and landed at St. Mark’s Square, and the Doges ruled with an iron fist—often meting out justice in the courtrooms and prisons here. The marble facade and art-filled interiors continue to inspire awe today.

The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is a top attraction on the island of Capri, located in Italy’s Bay of Naples (Golfo di Napoli). To enter this sea cave, named after the bright blue light filtering through the water via an opening in the rock below sea level, you must board a small rowboat and duck through a low opening. Once inside, you’ll have time to snap a few photos of the glowing turquoise water and—if you’re lucky—listen to a rower perform a quick Italian serenade.

Ancient and sprawling, the city of Pompeii offers glimpses of a distant past. Rather than viewing museum displays behind glass, you’ll stroll the cobbled streets, see ancient graffiti, and likely be struck by the similarities to a modern city. From restaurants to public bathrooms to amphitheaters, ancient Romans followed many of the habits we do today. Wandering this almost 2,000-year-old city is a way to remember that people from all ages share commonalities.

The historic center of Rome boasts more than 300 monumental fountains, but none are more famous than the ornate Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi). Centered around the sea god Oceanus (and including Tritons, horses, and other figures symbolizing Rome’s abundance of water), the baroque fountain has made many cameos on the silver screen and is thought to bring good luck; just throw in a coin and make a wish.

Perhaps one of the world’s most beloved architectural mistakes, the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s inimitable tilt has made the UNESCO World Heritage Site an Italian icon. While travelers flock to snap photos of themselves “holding up” the tilted tower—originally intended as a bell tower for Pisa Cathedral—you can also ascend the 294-step spiral staircase for stunning views over Pisa.