Italy attractions

Sicily’s most significant archeological site, the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is home to some of the most remarkably preserved ancient Greek ruins in Italy. Dotted along a ridge just outside modern-day Agrigento, the imposing ruins of seven Doric temples are the remnants of the ancient city of Akragas. Dating from the 6th century BC, they are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sitting astride the steep gorge that once divided the cliff-top center of Sorrento, Piazza Tasso is the pulsating heart of one of Italy’s most popular seaside resort towns. This bustling, café-lined main square is where locals and visitors alike come to see and be seen, and to admire the square’s baroque church and 18th-century palace. Set off from here to explore the old town, shop on Corso Italia, or take the steps down to the waterfront below.

There is no better stretch of beach in Positano to take a dip or work on your tan than Spiaggia Grande, next to the town’s main jetty. There is a small area of free public beach, but most of the area is covered in beach clubs where you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella. Stroll along the waterfront, grab a meal at the nearby restaurants, or hop on a ferry to other coastal destinations or the islands.

Milan boasts a number of trendy neighborhoods thick with hip bars, restaurants, and clubs. Of these, the Brera district—a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with boutiques and cafés near the Duomo in the city center—is perhaps the most beautiful thanks to its laid-back pace and old-world charm.

Castel Nuovo, known locally as Maschio Angioino, has the imposing stone walls, soaring turrets, and crenellated ramparts of a storybook medieval castle. Built as the new royal residence between 1279 and 1282 by Charles I of Anjou, it is one of Naples' most striking buildings and home of the city’s Civic Museum.

Tiny Ravello, an idyllic village along the Amalfi Coast, has a long history and vibrant cultural life. Founded by the Romans in the sixth century, this picturesque clifftop town draws today’s travelers with its sea views, villas, and gardens. Home to Villa Rufolo—so beautiful that it inspired new music by German composer Richard Wagner—and Villa Cimbrone, known for its panoramic gardens, Ravello is an elegant respite from the crowds along the coast.

For a glimpse into the sumptuous life of Florence’s powerful Medici family, look no further than the Medici Riccardi Palace (Palazzo Medici Riccardi). Designed by the architect Michelozzo for Cosimo the Elder, the 15th-century palace is now a museum displaying masterpieces collected by members of the Medici and Riccardi families. Get a feel for the palace’s Renaissance glory with Filippo Lippi’s Madonna With Child, then see its baroque era in the lavishly frescoed Mirror Gallery.

The Basilica of St. John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the most important of Rome’s four papal basilicas—after all, it’s the seat of the Pope, the bishop of Rome. It’s also the city’s oldest church, built under Constantine I in the fourth century and now decorated with rich mosaics, Cosmatesque floors, stained-glass windows, and larger-than-life-size marble statues of the Twelve Apostles.

You may feel like you’ve been dropped into a gnome village during a visit to Alberobello, which is home to more than 1,000 round trulli: fairy-tale-like whitewashed cottages topped with conical roofs. Dating as far back as the 14th century, trulli sometimes stand alone, but are often adjoined from the inside to form larger homes, shops, and restaurants. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a top destination in Puglia’s Itria Valley and a must for everyone from photographers to families.

One of Taormina’s most spectacular sights, the Greek Theatre dates back to the 3rd century BC—though it was renovated by the Romans centuries later—and could once seat around 10,000 spectators. The theater is the second-largest in Sicily, and the stage’s original rear wall and wings are almost entirely intact. Still serving as a venue for concerts and performances, this archaeological gem has impeccable acoustics and memorable views.

One of the most historic of Rome’s seven hills, Capitoline Hill is the site of Piazza del Campidoglio—the elegant public square designed by Michelangelo, which overlooks the Roman Forum and features the monumental Cordonata staircase. It is also home to the Capitoline Museums, dating from 1471, displaying treasures including ancient Roman sculptures and works by artists such as Rubens, Titian, and Caravaggio; the institution is considered the world’s oldest public museum.

Home to the city’s town hall and other important buildings, Piazza Bra sits at the heart of life in Verona. The huge city square welcomes visitors from all around the world who come to stroll the wide expanse, enjoy a coffee or a meal at one of the al fresco restaurants, or attend one of the regular music performances held at the Verona Arena.

Of Venice’s 100-plus outlying islands, the group that forms Murano is the most famous. This tight cluster of islets has been the center of the city’s historic glassmaking industry since 1291. Today, travelers visit Murano to see how master artisans blow glass into exquisite stemware, chandeliers, vases, and sculptures. The island is also home to the Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro), which traces the art back to ancient Egypt.

Florence’s 19th-century Central Market (Mercato Centrale) has all the gastronomic variety you’d expect from the city’s largest covered market. Some Florentines still do their daily shopping on the ground floor—a great place to sample Tuscan cheeses and Chianti wine, then stock up on gourmet goods to take home. Upstairs, a modern food court offers everything from fresh pasta with truffles to burgers made with local Chianina beef, as well as a cooking school.

The largest opera house in Italy, Palermo’s handsome 19th-century Massimo Opera House (Teatro Massimo is one of the city’s crown jewels. From its elegant neoclassical exterior honoring Sicily’s ancient temples to the lavish gold-and-velvet interiors with impeccable acoustics, this landmark theater dazzles with more than just music.

Piazza Barberini is a transport hub in central Rome, but look past the bustle of traffic and pedestrians to appreciate not one, but two 17th-century fountains designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. These include the small yet delightful Fountain of the Bees and the ornately sculpted Triton Fountain. The latter is near the entrance to Palazzo Barberini—a must for art lovers, as it’s home to the National Galleries of Ancient Art (Galleria Nazionale di Arte Antica).

Don’t be put off by the heavy traffic in Palermo’s busy Quattro Canti. This square that doubles as a major intersection is a popular stop for architecture enthusiasts, drawn to the four largely identical 17th-century buildings that sit at its four corners, considered among the finest examples of baroque architecture in Palermo.

San Gimignano’s Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, known simply as the Duomo, is one of the most impressive sights in this Tuscan hill town’s UNESCO-listed historic center. Behind the church’s plain facade you'll find exquisite 14th- and 15th-century frescoes inside, remarkable for their bold colors and painstaking details.

Though modest by Roman standards, this ancient portico in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto has a fascinating past—it once held temples, a library, and a medieval fish market. Emperor Augustus refurbished the original structure and dedicated it to his sister Octavia. Though only a few of its original columns remain today, the portico lies steps from the Theater of Marcellus via a small passageway.

Perched atop the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples and just a short stroll from Capri’s central Piazzetta square, the lush Gardens of Augustus (Giardini di Augusto) are a quiet oasis offering mesmerizing views of the tiny cove of Marina Piccola and the soaring Faraglioni sea stacks just off shore.

Historically, Piazza dei Signori (also known as Piazza Dante in honor of the poet’s statue in the square center) was the civic and political heart of Verona, and is still home to the Loggia del Consiglio, the former city hall. Lined by medieval palaces and elegant arches, this square is a vibrant local gathering place.

Formula 1 fans and sports car aficionados won’t want to miss the Ferrari Museum, devoted to the history and legacy of the household-name auto manufacturer. Located in Ferrari’s hometown of Maranello, close to the famous Ferrari Factory, the museum not only houses an impressive collection of rare models, vintage Ferraris, and supercars, but also offers a Ferrari simulator and a pit-stop tire-change experience.

A European Capital of Culture, the UNESCO-listed Sassi di Matera are one of Basilicata’s most fascinating destinations. The cave dwellings and caverns carved into the hillside of Matera date from prehistoric times and were inhabited until the 1950s. Today, they host unique hotels, restaurants, churches, and museums.

Rome is home to some of the oldest churches in the world, including the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. However, it is the later additions to this 4th-century landmark that help it draw attention today among the restaurants and artisan shops of bohemian Trastevere, particularly the medieval mosaics found inside and adorning its bold facade.

Art enthusiasts are drawn to the Lucca Cathedral for its paintings by masters like Ghirlandaio and Tintoretto; architecture aficionados appreciate the church’s unique mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles. But the Duomo di Lucca is revered by locals primarily as home to the city’s most precious relic: the Holy Face of Lucca (Volto Santo.

This Gothic church and museum has a long history. The site was once home to an oratory to the archangel Michael (San Michele, in Italian). In the Middle Ages, it was replaced by a grain market, with the upper floors serving as a storehouse to ward off famines. But Catholics still saw Orsanmichele as a holy site, attributing miracles to an image of the Madonna inside. It was eventually converted into a place of worship.

One of Italy’s most prestigious performance venues, La Fenice Opera House (Teatro La Fenice) has been at the heart of Venice’s cultural scene for centuries. While its storied history since opening in 1792 includes fires and restorations, it remains a much-loved venue known for its ornate interiors and world-class shows. Come to take guided tours behind the scenes or attend opera and ballet productions in a truly historical setting.

The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute was constructed in the mid-17th century to give thanks to the Virgin Mary, after a deadly bout of bubonic plague ripped through Venice, wiping out a third of the Floating City’s population. Today, the votive church—known as La Salute, meaning “health” in Italian—is a recognizable landmark that houses masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto.

Perched on a hill in Tuscany’s unspoiled Val d’Orcia is Pienza, surrounded by the cypress trees and rolling hills for which the region is famed. A town without a train station in the middle of the countryside, Pienza isn’t the easiest place to reach. However, those who do make the effort to get there are rewarded with a pristine Renaissance town, city walls for panoramic views, and the town’s famous pecorino cheese.

Presumed to be set over the tomb of St. Paul, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) is one of four papal basilicas in Rome and among the city’s most important Christian sites. The 4th-century church, located south of Rome’s old Aurelian Walls, has a striking interior decorated with 80 columns and extensive frescoes and mosaics, plus a beautiful Romanesque cloister with unique twisting columns.