Italy attractions

The highest range in the UNESCO-listed Dolomite Mountains that straddle the border between Italy and Austria, Marmolada has five peaks topping 9,000 feet. Outdoor and skiing enthusiasts flock to these slopes, famous for their excellent pistes in winter, spectacular trails in summer, and dazzling alpine scenery all year round.

Hop on the historic funicular from the city of Como and climb 2,362 feet (720 meters to the hilltop town of Brunate to take in the spectacular panorama over Lake Como as far as the Swiss Alps. If that isn’t enough of a bird’s-eye view, you can continue up the trail to the 1920s lighthouse for an even higher scenic perch.

Along the Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast often steals the spotlight—but Mt. Faito, part of the little-known Lattari Mountains, offers some of the best views of Capri, Naples, and Mt. Vesuvius. The highest peak in the area, Faito is a favorite escape for locals and off-the-beaten-path travelers alike, who come here to cool off in the summer air and hike to the Monastery of San Michele or up to the summit overlooking the Gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi Coast.

Rome’s Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round (Basilica di Santo Stefano Rotondo) is the city’s oldest circular church. It is an active church and a lesser-known Roman attraction, where you can admire the original fifth-century architecture of the central core and the gruesome 16th-century fresco cycle depicting 34 scenes of martyrs’ suffering that line the outer wall.

The Amphitheater of Capua is one of the most important ancient Roman sites in Campania. Probably built in the first century BC, and second in size only to the Colosseum, the massive stadium was where Spartacus led the legendary uprising in 73 BC.

A cluster of the island’s unique limestone edifices dating from between the Bronze and Iron ages, this 3,500-year-old Nuragic village is one of the most captivating megalithic sites in Sardinia. Tour the main towers and meeting hut to learn about the enigmatic Nuragic culture and its striking architecture.

The Tuscan town of Collodi was the birthplace of Carlo Lorenzini, the writer who dreamed up the world’s most beloved wooden boy. The town is also home to an old-school theme park dedicated to the adventurous hero Pinocchio, which welcomes younger tots with vintage rides and other gentle pleasures from the bygone days of fairy tales.

Part of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli complex, the Porziuncola Museum (Museo della Porziuncola) is a repository of artwork and archival documents related to St. Francis. Pilgrims, art aficionados, and those wanting to take a deeper dive into the saint’s life and teachings will enjoy this small but exceptional collection.

Located in the countryside southwest of Cagliari, the Caves of Is Zuddas (Grotte Is Zuddas) are one of the natural wonders of Sardinia. This network of tunnels and caverns stretches more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) underground and is home to incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations, including twiggy helictites in the main hall.

Perched in the scenic Euganean Hills outside Padua, Villa dei Vescovi was built in the 16th century as a summer retreat for the city’s bishops. Today, the stately villa and its grounds are owned by Italy’s National Trust (FAI), and its frescoed halls and walled garden offer a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Renaissance elite.

This UNESCO-listed palace is one of Palermo’s many fine examples of Norman architecture dating from the 12th-century Moorish reign over Sicily. Though the interior has long been stripped of its original decoration, architecture buffs will enjoy seeing the unique Arab influence on the style of this former royal hunting retreat.

The star landmark on the sparsely populated island of Torcello, the 7th-century Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the oldest structures in the Venetian Lagoon. It’s best known for renovations added in later centuries, including glittering Byzantine mosaics depicting the Last Judgment, intricate polychrome marble flooring, and a richly colored iconostasis. That’s not all; the landmark bell tower offers lovely views over the lagoon and Venice in the distance.

Housed in the 16th-century residence of the Zapata family (who once ruled southern Sardinia), this small museum complex includes the remains of an Iron Age Nuragic settlement, artefacts from the nearby Su Nuraxi archaeological site, and exhibitions about the local culture and the Zapata dynasty.

The monumental Basilica of Superga (Basilica di Superga), built in 1731, is one of the most unique churches in Turin and an excellent example of the baroque classical style. A must for architecture aficionados, the basilica is also fascinating for history buffs, as its Royal Crypt holds the tombs of the House of Savoy.

Milan is famous for its fashion and design, and the Franciacorta Outlet Village is one of the largest and most popular outlet centers outside Lombardy’s cosmopolitan capital. Browse Italian and international brands at the more than 70 retailers offering deep discounts off retail prices.

In the 16th century, the island of Burano was renowned for its lace-making; the royal courts of Europe grew enamoured with it, and sought it out for everything from collars to tablecloths. Lace industries in the Republic of Venice flourished. Centuries later, few locals are as skilled in the delicate craft, but Burano is still synonymous with lace-making, and the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) is the best place to see its most prized pieces.

Behind the unassuming exterior of the 15th-century Sant’Anna dei Lombardi are lavish interiors, rich with baroque paintings and Renaissance sculptures. Be sure to take in this dazzling church and monastery—complete with ornately decorated chapels and a sacristy frescoed by Giorgio Vasari—while visiting Naples’ historic center.

The House Museum of Soap (Casa Museo del Sapone), created by an artisan soap company in their estate’s historic Sicilian farmhouse, is dedicated to the history and science of soap-making. You can view old presses and agricultural tools, see demonstrations, and even make your own soap during the guided tour.

A short walk from the Duomo, Piazza Fontana is one of the prettiest squares in Milan’s center, a quiet respite from the hubbub of nearby Piazza della Scala and Piazza del Duomo. The piazza is named for its 18th-century neoclassical central fountain, designed by Giuseppe Piermarini and is encircled by trees and benches.

Just opposite Lucca’s Cattedrale di San Martino, the Cathedral Museum Complex is home to some of the church’s most precious works of art, from early Renaissance paintings to jewel-encrusted crowns. A must for art enthusiasts, this dazzling collection is testimony to the history and wealth of Lucca’s most important church.

Inside the Galleria Agostiniana and part of Rome’s must-see Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, the small Leonardo da Vinci Museum (Museo Leonardo da Vinci) is dedicated entirely to Italy’s great engineer and artist. Explore the hands-on collection of more than 50 inventions modeled after Leonardo’s machines, admire reproductions of his most famous artworks, and experience the thrill of flying over Florence’s rooftops during a unique VR ride.

While today’s tourists escape bustling Venice on boat rides to the islands of Murano and Burano, the Floating City’s elite once flocked in the other direction to the Brenta Riviera. This meandering waterway flows from Padua into the Venetian Lagoon and is lined with the opulent second homes of Venice’s noble families. Surrounded by greenery, the villas, which date back to the 16th–18th centuries, provide a relaxing countryside atmosphere just a short distance from Venice.

The Venice Lido (Lido di Venezia), a long stretch of sand in the Venetian Lagoon, offers visitors something different from the typical sightseeing experience. This barrier island is an easy escape for a quick beach break, round of golf, gentle bike ride, or leisurely meal. The island is just minutes from the center of Venice by boat, so sneaking away from the crushing crowds of St. Mark’s Square couldn’t be simpler.

The deconsecrated church of Santo Stefano al Ponte Vecchio is now Cattedrale dell’Immagine—a venue for digital art exhibitions in the heart of Florence. While live music concerts take place here during evenings, by day, visitors come to be immersed in exhibitions, many of which feature projections onto the walls and floor of the former church, virtual reality experiences, and video footage.

Siena’s National Art Gallery houses a large collection of paintings from the Sienese School, an artistic movement from the 13th and 15th centuries. Peruse paintings and sculpture from the late Middle Ages through the Renaissance at this museum.

Piazza delle Erbe (Market Square) is the bustling heart of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Verona. Cafés and elegant buildings front the rectangular square, whose centerpiece is the 14th-century Madonna Verona Fountain (Fontana di Madonna Verona)—an allegory of the city topped by an ancient Roman statue of a female figure holding a scroll bearing the civic motto.

A busy Mediterranean naval port in northern Italy, the La Spezia Cruise Port (La Spezia Terminal Crociere) offers cruisers easy access to three of the country’s top destinations—Pisa, Florence, and the Cinque Terre. Cruise passengers also use La Spezia as a jumping-off point for other highlights in Piedmont and Liguria or stick around to enjoy the town's own modest but beautiful attractions.

Built in the 11th century for Doge Vitale Falier, the Church of San Vidal (Chiesa di San Vidal) is now less about religion and more about culture. Visitors can attend evening classical concerts performed by the Interpreti Veneziani ensemble, while admiring the church’s historic artwork. There are several pieces by the Venetian Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio, including his esteemed St. Vitale on Horseback and Saints.

If you are touring Italy with kids who have had their fill of majestic churches and Roman ruins, a day at Gardaland may be in order. This landmark amusement park sits on the eastern flanks of Lake Garda and is the country’s most popular family-oriented resort, with more than 30 rides, musical performances and light shows, and an aquarium.

The pretty resort town of Desenzano del Garda is on the southern shore of Lake Garda (Lago di Garda), Italy's largest lake that straddles the northern regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino. A popular destination for ancient Roman nobility from nearby Verona, the town is home to the ruins of a Roman villa and a museum of artifacts unearthed during its excavation. There is also an archaeological museum, a picturesque harbor, and a waterfront promenade.