From floating canals to Renaissance art and sizzling pizza straight from the oven, the best cities in Italy are bursting with moments you’ll want to relive again and again.
Rome: The Eternal City
Rome feels like stepping into a time machine, only with better coffee. One moment you’re at the Colosseum—once able to hold up to 50,000 spectators for ancient gladiator games—imagining the roar of the crowd; the next, you’re gazing up at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. The piazzas are perfect for people-watching, and yes, you’ll want to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck.
Florence: Birthplace of the Renaissance
Florence is love from first sight. Botticelli and da Vinci masterpieces adorn the Uffizi Gallery, while the red dome of Florence Cathedral glows warmly against the sky. The Ponte Vecchio is lined with jewelry shops that have endured the test of time—literally timeless fashion.
Venice: The City on Water
Venice is straight out of a fairytale. Built on over 100 tiny islands connected by over 400 bridges. Cars are substituted by gondolas and vaporettos along twisting canals. St. Mark’s Square is stunning, and climbing the Campanile tower is rewarded with panoramic vistas. Getting lost is a near-adventure as well.
Milan: Fashion Meets History
Milan struts to its own beat. World-class shopping meets cultural icons like The Last Supper and the towering Duomo, twhich took almost 600 years to finish, starting in 1386 and wrapping up in 1965. Aperitivo hour—drinks with generous snacks—turns every evening into a mini celebration.
Naples: Pizza Paradise
Naples is bold, colorful, and delicious. It’s historic center is one of the largest in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Naples is where pizza Margherita was born in 1889, and you can still taste that tradition today. It’s also the perfect base for trips to Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, and the Amalfi Coast.
Verona: City of Romance
My personal favorite—and easily one of the best cities in Italy —Verona is overflowing with charm.Juliet’s balcony is a must-visit for anyone in love, and the Roman Arena features summer concerts under the stars. The ancient streets are perfect for leisurely strolls and long meals.
Bologna: Foodie Heaven
Bologna celebrates its love of food for everyone to enjoy. Hand-cut noodles, meat ragù, and gelato ice cream overwhelm its menus, and medieval towers and infinite porticoes create the streets. It has nearly 40 kilometers of walkways under cover, so it’s perfect for visiting regardless of the weather, and its markets are the perfect place to taste your way through the town.
So, it’s right to say that the best cities in Italy aren’t just places on a map— they are pieces of history, plates of memories, and streets where every corner is a movie moment. Every city has its own rhythm, its flavor, and its way of making you fall in love. The question is: which one do you visit first?
Planing your tip? Check out this full Italy travel guide for routes, tips, and hidden gems.
