Italy attractions

For a respite from the heat and crowds of Taormina, retreat to the lush confines of the 19th-century English-style gardens of the Parco Duca di Cesarò, also known as the Villa Comunale. Unwind surrounded by colorful tropical plants and flowers, explore the tower and gazebo, and take in the view over the sea from the terrace balustrade.

One of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme)—actually in Rome’s eastern Esquilino neighborhood—houses important relics, long believed to have been brought from the Holy Land. Relics said to be in its care include pieces of the True Cross, a nail from the crucifixion, thorns from the crown, and small pieces of the Grotto of the Nativity and the Holy Sepulchre. The church is a must for visitors of Christian faith or those curious about religious artifacts.

Lecce is famous for its sumptuous baroque architecture, and the Lecce cathedral (Duomo di Lecce) is one of the most ornate examples. Its magnificently carved and adorned Leccese-stone facade is a 17th-century masterpiece and one of the highlights of this city on Puglia’s Salento peninsula.

Syracuse’s Greek Theater (Teatro Greco) was one of the largest in the world when it was constructed, able to seat up the 16,000 spectators. Hewn directly from the side of the Temenite Hill overlooking the Sicilian countryside, the stone theater is a highlight of the UNESCO-listed Neapolis Archaeological Park.

Steps away from Piazza San Marco is one of Venice's most artistically dazzling places of worship, the Church of San Zaccaria. Looking out over a serene square, this hidden gem dates back to the 9th century, with a layer cake–like facade designed during the Venetian Renaissance. Inside, you’ll find a museum’s worth of art, including a striking altarpiece by Giovanni Bellini, and an eerie crypt that’s visitable despite being flooded for most of the year.

For centuries, Amalfi was one of the most important producers of paper in Europe, and water-powered paper mills lined the river running through the center of town. See how these ingenious mills worked and learn about the history and production of Amalfi’s prestigious paper at the Paper Museum, located in a fully functioning historic mill.

The ninth-century Basilica di Santa Prassede houses the remains of Saint Praxedes, known for helping Christians fleeing Roman persecution in the second century. Inside, intricate gold-flecked Byzantine mosaics cover the walls and ceilings, particularly above the altar and inside the Chapel of Saint Zeno (Cappella di San Zenone). A glass-enclosed relic—said to be a piece of the pillar Jesus was tied to while flogged—attracts religious pilgrims.

A medieval gem in the UNESCO-listed Renaissance art city of Ferrara, the Estense Castle (Castello Estense ticks all the right boxes, with towers, dungeons, a moat and drawbridge, and the restored and renovated royal suites to explore. The most impressive sight in the city, this colossal castle is a must-see when visiting Ferrara.

The largest square in Italy isn’t in Rome or Florence, but in the charming northern city of Padua. A turn through the oval-shaped Prato della Valle, considered one of the most beautiful public spaces in Italy, to admire its grassy central island encircled by an elegant statue-lined canal, is a must while visiting Padua.

In northeastern Italy, close to the Austrian border, the Dolomites form a stunning mountain range of jagged peaks, dramatic spires, and picturesque valleys. The Cinque Torri–a group of five tower-like rocks outside the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo—is one of the most famous attractions in the Dolomites and offers an array of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Via Monte Napoleone (sometimes written as Montenapoleone) is the most luxurious shopping street in the Italian fashion capital of Milan. It is lined with designer boutiques including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, and Prada as well as many jewelry shops. The decadent drag is located in the heart of Milan’s Fashion Quarter and is known as the most expensive street in Europe.

The Roman emperor Nero was not known for his restraint, and his Golden House (Domus Aurea) reflected a taste for decadence. Built after Rome’s great fire destroyed his original Domus Transitoria in AD 64, this legendary pleasure palace that covered nearly one-third of the ancient city was long lost to history. The rediscovered remains are now open to the public for independent visits, guided tours, and VR experiences.

Pit yourself against the genius of Leonardo da Vinci at this museum that spotlights his engineering and mechanical feats. Working models of the Italian luminary’s inventions, from the hydraulic saw to the printing press, bring his original sketches to life, while a workshop gives you the chance to do some building of your own. With multimedia exhibits and hands-on displays, the Leonardo Interactive Museum® is a fun stop for both kids and adults.

The largest outlet shopping center in Europe, the Serravalle Designer Outlet outside Milan has more than 200 designer shops. Many stores offer discounts of 30 to 70 percent off retail prices all year round on brands like Furla, Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, and many more.

Farnese Palace (Palazzo Farnese) is one of the most majestic Renaissance palaces in Rome, designed by an A-list team of architects (including Michelangelo) and masterfully frescoed by Annibale Carracci and other 16th-century artists. Originally the residence of the noble Farnese family, the palace is now the seat of the French embassy—though most visitors come to admire its opulent interiors, which include mythological paintings and ancient Roman mosaics.

Perched on Colle della Guardia 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) southwest of Bologna’s historic center, the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca (Santuario della Madonna di San Luca) was built to house a Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary. Its portico, running from the city’s Porta Saragozza to the hilltop sanctuary, is the longest covered arcade in the world.

One of the most important gulfs in southern Italy, the Bay of Naples (Golfo di Napoli) is home to the vibrant city of Naples, the resort town of Sorrento, and the lovely islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida. Mount Vesuvius looms over the coastline, a dramatic reminder that ruins of the ancient Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum are also located here.

Verona Arena, the first-century Roman amphitheater on Piazza Bra is one of the city’s most famous sights, but Verona also boasts a pristine Roman Theater that is even older than the arena and is set on the banks of the River Adige. Visit the theater to see remains of the stage, stone seating (cavea), and loggia arcades.

One of Messina’s most important examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani was one of the few buildings left standing after a devastating earthquake leveled much of the city in 1908. Architecture enthusiasts will especially appreciate its magnificent Arabic-Byzantine facade.

Set in Perugia’s elegant Piazza IV Novembre, the 13th-century Fontana Maggiore is one of the most important examples of medieval sculpture in Italy, and a symbol of this hilltop city. Built between the cathedral and Palazzo dei Priori, the intricately carved pink-and-white marble fountain is a highlight of the historic center.

The imposing Politeama Garibaldi Theater (Teatro Politeama Garibaldi), which overlooks Palermo’s Piazza Ruggero Settimo, turns heads with its triumphal arch entrance and circular design ringed with two levels of columns. Home to the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, this 19th-century concert hall stages classical music performances year round.

Padua is home to one of Italy’s greatest treasures of medieval art: the Scrovegni Chapel (Cappella degli Scrovegni). Decorated with an exquisite early-14th-century fresco cycle by Giotto—considered a masterpiece of Western art—the chapel was restored in 2002, and the frescoes were returned to their original magnificence.

The Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro in Milan is a unique “two in one”, with the 9th-century church of San Satiro incorporated into the later 15th-century church of Santa Maria, both in design and in name.The Renaissance trompe l'oeil apse attributed to Donato Bramante makes it a must-see.

The Siena Civic Museum (Museo Civico di Siena), housed in Palazzo Pubblico on Piazza del Campo, is one of the most important museums in Siena, with a large collection of frescoes, paintings, and sculptures from the Sienese school and others. The most significant is Ambrogio Lorenzetti's massive 14th-century fresco cycleThe Allegory of Good and Bad Government.

A French-Jewish lawyer is said to have had a vision of Mary and converted to Catholicism in this small, lesser-known church in Rome’s historic center. Tucked between Piazza di Spagna and the Trevi Fountain, it houses notable art—including two elegant angels by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Rome’s only Putridarium, a crypt once used for the decomposition of bodies.

Near the banks of the Tiber, this Byzantine church charms with decorative elements, including a potentially pre-Roman crypt and Cosmatesque marble floors and altar. The Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin (Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin) is best known as home to the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità), an ancient Roman artifact swirling in medieval legends located beneath its front portico—an item most travelers may recognize from the classic film Roman Holiday.

Leading from Capitoline Hill through the Roman Forum and down to the Colosseum, Via Sacra (Sacred Road) was once the main thoroughfare of Rome, where citizens gathered and triumphal processions were held. Part of the open-air museum that is the Roman Forum, the road is lined with the remnants of some of the ancient city’s most important structures and monuments.

The medieval hill town of Assisi is best known for the magnificent Basilica of Saint Francis, but this UNESCO-listed landmark isn’t the only important church. Despite its name, Chiesa Nuova (or New Church is one of Assisi’s most historically significant churches, constructed in the 17th century to mark Saint Francis’ birthplace.

The hilltop Saint Elmo's Castle (Castel Sant'Elmo) is a stunning architectural relic that overlooks Naples and offers visitors some of the best panoramic views of the city. Hike up the hillside or take the funicular to the top to enjoy the ramparts and on-site chapel. On a clear day, expect lovely vistas across the Bay of Naples.

One of the most unique destinations along Sicily’s western coast, the Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Natural Reserve combines the fascinating history of traditional sea salt harvesting with the spectacular beauty of the over 150 species of bird that use this protected area as a haven for nesting and migration.