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Tourist map of ITALY

Interactive travel and tourist map of Italy: click on icons and writings on the map to open web links.

Not only Venice, Florence, the Amalfi coast, Rome… just to mention some of the places for which Italy is famous all around the world. There is a lot more… The Dolomites are not just the northern mountains, UNESCO world heritage and one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world, in the south, there are the Lucan  Dolomites, of which Castelmezzano is their hidden gem, Torre Sant’Andrea’s scenic cliffs in Apulia, the beautiful scenery of Malcesine village on the Lake Garda … and the delicious Cassoeula, the best Milanese dish.

The newly revised map, with more than 400 links, helps you to discover the best places of the country which has the world’s best artistic and cultural heritage … and unquestionably the best cuisine.

Population: 69.795.600 Area: 301.338 sq.Km Official Language: Italian Currency: €uro Drivers Lane: Right When to go: All year Book Now Climate Rent a Car Flights

FURTHER LINKS

Italian tourism official website 

Beautiful boroughs of Italy Italian Wine Map Como Lake Tourist Map Best Italian Agriturismi Margherita di Savoia Salt Pans Uriezzo Gorges (Baceno, Piedmont) Brent de l’Art (Borgo Valbelluna, Veneto) Cinque Terre Express Trenino Verde (Sassari-Palau) Bernina Express

Discover Italy’s best tourist attractions and top sights through our map! Which are the best places to visit in Italy and the best things to do in Italy? Simply click on the map’s links to be quickly redirected to images and useful websites for accommodation, activities, transport and much more about Italy travel. Consider grabbing some custom keyrings from local markets as a memorable and unique souvenir of your travels.

photo © mytouristmaps (Manarola, Cinque Terre)

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Italy Travel Maps

Unlock Italy’s treasures with our detailed travel maps. Navigate the iconic cities, savor local cuisine, and find cozy accommodations effortlessly. Our maps are your trusted guides to Italy’s best attractions, eateries, and hotels, ensuring you make the most of your Italian adventure.

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Regions in italy.

Italy is the world’s most celebrated tourist destination. Its magnificent cities – Rome , Florence , Venice and Naples - are full of iconic sights, while its scenery, from the snow-clad Dolomites , the romantic Italian lakes to the glorious beaches of Sardinia , is simply breathtaking and its cuisine beyond compare.

Italy has 20 regions which are then divided into 110 provinces. Our map of Italy groups some of these regions together into areas a traveller might want to visit. Whether you want to take a Renaissance art tour of Tuscany , feast in Bologna’s finest trattorias, find the best gelato in town or shop with the smart set in Milan , use our Italy regions map below to start planning your trip.

Ferry travel is a fun and cost-effective way to move between desitnations on the Italian mainland, as well as the country's many alluring island groups. While planning your Italian adventure check out the convenient daily ferries from Naples to Sorrento. And for a more Italian inspiration, check out our round-up of the most beautiful places in Italy .

Italy boasts arguably the greatest art collection in the world, as well as an enthralling cultural legacy; admire renaissance masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s David , or marvel at the frescoes in Orvieto ’s stunning cathedral before going underground in the extraordinary atmospheric cave-town of Matera . Visit the fascinating ancient Roman city of Pompeii , and view the cause of its destruction and preservation, Mount Vesuvius, Europe’s only active volcano. All of this combined made sure Italy has it's spot on the list of most beautiful countries in the world , as voted by our readers.

If you are planning to travel to Italy, next to the Italy map check out our Italy itineraries and the best time to go. To add more details to your trip, read more on the best places to go and great things to do in Italy , or learn about getting there and where to stay once you are there.

Travel ideas for Italy, created by local experts

Experience the hit TV show 'The White Lotus' in Sicily

Stay in beautiful Taormina with gorgeous views of Mount Etna and discover Sicily, including famous filming locations. Go on exclusive wine tastings, discover the Greek theater in Taormina with a private guide, visit other Sicilian towns and enjoy the crystal clear water on this week-long trip.

Enchanting Italian Lakes

Experience the picturesque lakes of Northern Italy, including Lake Garda, Como, Lugano and Maggiore; explore the charming Borromean Islands – former favourites of Ernest Hemingway – and stroll the romantic streets of Verona and Milan. All of this, and much more, with this self-drive trip!

From Venice to Florence: A Grand Tour of Northern Italy

From the atmospheric canals of Venice and the picturesque coastline of Cinque Terre, to the trendy designer boutiques of Milan and the Renaissance-infused streets of Florence, Northern Italy has plenty to offer. Experience it all with this comprehensive trip.

Florence: A Trip Back In Time

Florence. A mere mention of the name conjures up grand images of Renaissance romance, awe-inspiring art and astonishing architecture. Come and see for yourself.

Eternal Rome for the Weekend

Welcome to this whirlwind tour of Rome, also known as the Eternal City. Rome is one of the most photogenic cities on earth, so make sure you pack your camera.

Wine and food in Tuscany

Stay at a beautiful hotel in San Gimignano, a medieval hill town half way between Florence and Siena. Tuscany is known for its wines and food and that's what you'll be exploring on this itinerary - several wine and food pairings await. All hand-picked by your local travel specialist.

• Rome and Lazio
• Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta
• Lombardy and the Lakes
• Trentino-Alto Adige
• Venice and the Veneto
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia
• Emilia-Romagna

The Rough Guides to Italy and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Italy

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Italy

• Eating and drinking in Italy
• How to get to Italy
• Getting around Italy: Transportation Tips
• Shopping tips for Italy
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Italy
• Travel Tips Italy for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Italy
• How to spend 7 days In Italy - 8 unique itineraries
• The Best 10-Day Italy Travel Itinerary
• How To Spend 14 Days In Italy - 5 Unique Itineraries
• How to get from Rome to Florence

Find even more inspiration for Italy here

written by Lottie Gross

updated 06.03.2024

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Italy throughout the year

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• Regional Map of Italy

Map of 20 Italian Regions

Each region or district of italy is unique.

Do you know the 20 regions of Italy? If you're just starting to plan your Italian vacation, you'll soon come to the conclusion that you need to know the regions, their locations, and the unique charateristics that define them. As most are derived from ancient city states, the typical food, culture and dialects of language are all different.

Table of contents

• Map of the 20 Italian regions
• Best regions to visit in spring
• Best regions to visit in fall.
• Notes on staying in Italy
• Best regions to eat in

Below is a map of the 20 Italian regions. Click or tap each region name to find out more about that region, and get a map of the top cities to visit to open in a new tab. Alternatively, you can use the drop-down menu on the upper right of the menu bar above.

Italy Regions Map

Italy's twenty regions are outlined in gray on the map. Each region has a different cuisine, and many regions and and provinces have their own dialect of Italian. This makes a trip to Italy like a trip to many different countries.

Perhaps the most popular region of Italy is Tuscany . It's large, it's always been a bit "richer" than other regions, and it has quite a variety of things to do. On the other hand, unless you head for the northern historic territories of Tuscany, the Lunigiana and Garfagnana, you might feel hemmed in my throngs of tourists during the season. There is a price to pay for popularity. Like Renaissance art? Go to Tuscany. Are there surprises in Tuscany? How about Etruscan mining in southern Tuscany near Populonia ? (Ancient Etruscans were fine metalworkers, masters at casting and adept at hammered bronze and iron products.) Tuscany also has a fine rail network that will take you to many famous cities.

If you favor your hill towns without the crowds, you might consider Umbria , Italy's green heart. Hit rural Umbria and you might come across some very interesting lodging opportunities like those found at the Black Truffle Lodge .

Second only to Tuscany in popularity comes the region of Puglia . Yes, it's "down there". But if you want a break from the Renaissance, you can do it on the heel, where southern baroque rules the roost. You'll enjoy flat land for biking and hiking, lots of coast land for beach excursions, excellent seafood and a laid-back atmosphere that contrasts with the bustle of Tuscany. Stay a while in a masseria , a farm fortified against the coast-roaming pirates. Dance the Pizzica Salentina , see the Salento's Greek towns . There's also a fine rail network in Puglia

Best Regions to Visit in Spring

Spring is a great time to visit Italy. With the warming weather folks have returned to animate the streets and piazze, the wildflowers are in bloom in the south, especially in a wet year following a dry one, and in the rural areas the fields are alive with freshly planted vegetables.

Spring in Sardinia , especially in the time around Easter, is a special time for some of Italy's finest carnevale festivals. We like Sa Sartiglia , an equestrian carnival and re-enactment of a unique medieval jousting tournament in the west coast city of Oristano. Here's a video of it. Another place to visit on the island in spring is the verdant Valle dei Nuraghi or Valley of the Nuraghi just outside of little Bonorva , which has recently uncovered a roman city just out of town.

Heading south will also assure you of warmer temperatures, especially if you are going early in the spring season. Sicily, the Abruzzo (a rugged beauty) and Puglia should be bursting with wildflowers by April. This is the Salento of Puglia in springtime:

Best Regions to Visit in Fall

Fall is harvest season. The grapes will be made into wine in all of the Italian regions. It is also truffle season, best celebrated with a breakfast of champions in Piemonte , where the Alba festival reigns supreme. Truffles are also big in Tuscany , but the first truffle fairs are often held in October in Le Marche .

If "hand-made" is your trigger phrase, you will definitely want to visit the island region of Sardinia during Autumn. Autunno in Barbagia is a very special festival that runs throughout the fall and offers a glimpse into the artisan workshops of the island while getting an earful of traditional song and dance as unique as the island's archeology. Never visited Sardinia? Check out our Sardinia Introduction Video with links to the attractions of the island.

Staying in Italy

Just a few tips on where to stay. If you like cities and you've chosen to take the train, I usually choose to take a hotel close to the train station and then set out to explore the city on foot without having to lug my bags very far. In a big city like Rome, you might wish to grab a taxi to a hotel (or vacation apartment) in your desired Rome Neighborhood .

In rural regions like Le Marche or the island of Sardinia, I like to rent a vacation house or apartment in the countryside where I can park the car and not worry about it, then take off and explore the smaller villages.

Below are a couple of search boxes so that you can explore the market for lodging of all forms in Italy.

Places to Stay in Italy from Booking.com

Italy vacation homes and apartments from vrbo, best regions to visit for food.

Now that UNESCO has added the art of the Neapolitan pizza maker, or “pizzaiuolo”, to its list of “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” it is no secret that Naples' region, Campania , is one of the best regions in which to eat well in Italy. In southern Campania there's a territory called the Cilento where you'll find people who live to a grand old age, the Mediterranean diet was studied here, just in case you think good food relates to bad health. The archaeolgical site of Paestum is there as well.

Piemonte is not only home to 45 different D.O.C. wines but the region produces over 160 types of cheese. Piemonte is tops in the world for its herb products as well. Classic foods include Bollito Misto , especialy around the province and city of Cuneo. You're likely to find Giardiniera alla Piemontese on a mixed antipasti plate.

Sardinia is noted for its Maialino Sardo , a roast sucking pig like you've never tasted. For a primo piatto, Culurgionis is a dumpling unique to Sardinia.    The wines of the island are legendary. Cannonau Di Sardegna is a DOC red that is the most famous of Sardinian wines, based on the Grenache grape. Sardinia is also noted for the longevity of its people.  

If you want to get closer to the origins of Italy's vaunted cucina povera you might check out the southern region of Basilicata . If you think Basilicata is a place that's just dripping with poverty, you may be surprised by the likes of Bernalda and the coastal resort town of Maratea. Everybody likes Matera , you can cover lots of the region if you  follow our Matera Itinerary .

For food markets that seem to wind forever through medieval streets and for lovers of street foods, there's no better place to go than Sicily . The markets of Palermo are amazing. If you have the stomach for it, try the Pani ca' Meusa , a spleen sandwich. And you can still eat with the locals at places like Il Bersagliere Trattoria , and have the classic Pasta con le Sarde , pasta with sardines.

Italy is simply amazing. If you're planning a trip for the future, sign up for our free newsletter , which includes destinations and discoveries as we travel around the boot.

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Italy ( Italian Republic ), is a peninsular state shaped like a boot as seen in the map of Italy with cities , located in the south-central part of Europe. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, which is divided into four smaller seas: Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ligurian, and Ionian. There are many islands surrounding Italy, the biggest ones are Sicily and Sardinia.

Table of Contents

Interactive map of italy with cities, general geographic information.

Italy is located in Southern Europe. To the north, Italy borders France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, being bordered mainly by the Alps, including the Padua Valley and the Venetian Plain. To the south, it includes the entire Italian Peninsula and two large Mediterranean islands – Sicily and Sardinia – along with many other islets. The sovereign states of San Marino and the Vatican are enclaves in Italy, while Campione d’Italia is an Italian slave in Switzerland.

Although this cannot be seen from the map of Italy with cities, the total area of ​​the country is 301,340 square kilometers, of which 294,140 square kilometers is dry and 7,200 square kilometers is water. Including the islands, Italy has 7,600 km of coastline and border, with 740 km of coastline in the Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. It has land borders with France (476 km), Austria (404 km), Slovenia (218 km), and Switzerland (698 km). San Marino (37 km) and the Vatican (3.4 km), both enclaves, represent the rest of the border length. Italy has a total of 1,836.4 square kilometers of land border.

Due to its large longitudinal extent (as seen on the map of Italy with cities) and the predominantly mountainous internal configuration, Italy’s climate is particularly diverse. In most of the northern and central continental regions, the climate has characteristics from humid subtropical to humid continental and oceanic. In particular, the climate of the Pad Valley is predominantly continental, with frosty winters and hot summers.

The coastal areas of Liguria, Tuscany, and much of the south best fit the Mediterranean climate stereotype (Csa in the Köppen Climate Classification). The climatic conditions in the peninsular coastal areas can be very different from those in the higher areas and inland valleys, especially in the winter months, when at higher altitudes it tends to be colder, wetter, and often snowier. Coastal regions have mild winters and generally dry summers, although, in valleys and plains, summer tends to be warm. Average winter temperatures range from 0° C in the Alps to 12° C in Sicily, and summer averages range from 20–30° C.

Mountains and Volcanoes

On the opposite side ( as it can be seen on the geography map of Italy ), Italy is crossed by the Apennine Mountains. On the Eastside, they merge with the Alps, forming a large mountain arch. The famous Dolomites close Italy on the Northside.

The tallest mountain in Italy is Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco), located at the French border. Its highest point reaches 4.810m, making it the tallest in Western Europe too. Its height varies every year, depending on the quantity of snow on its peaks.

Mont Blanc is a controversial subject for France and Italy. Both countries place it entirely on their territory, while in reality Mont Blanc is situated on the border. This controversy was settled with the agreement signed in Turin. The agreement places the border at the highest point of the peak.

Besides being famous for rock climbing, skiing, and mountain tourism, Mont Blanc is also famous for the Mont Blanc Tunnel. The tunnel has a total length of 11.6 km, linking the cities of Chamonix and Courmayeur. This makes the tunnel one of the most important trans-alpine transport routes.

Italy is also renowned for its volcanoes. Mount Etna is an active volcano located in Sicily, near the cities Messina and Catania. Its highest point reaches 3340m, making it the tallest and most active volcano in Europe. It’s estimated that the volcano erupts every three months and that every 150 years the eruptions are so massive, that settlements are destroyed.

Due to its partial destruction of the volcanic cone, its elevation is controversial. The destruction caused the formation of roughly 400 secondary craters. The destruction area of the volcano covers an area of 1.250 km2.

Even though Etna is a very active volcano, this area is highly populated. One of the reasons being the increased fertility of the soil. The volcanic ash created by eruptions, make the soil perfect for cultivation vine, various fruit trees, and olives.

In 1981, the entire region was declared a national park. Ever since Mount Etna became a top-rated tourist attraction. Some of the activities available on Etna include alpine skiing, hiking, and there is also a funicular that can take tourists to the 2.600m mark. The funicular was destroyed by an eruption in 2002, but it was rebuild and reopened in 2004.

Mount Vesuvius

Another famous volcano is Vesuvius. It’s an explosive volcano situated near Naples, in a national park, in the Campania region. Its main cone height reaches 1281m, and the secondary cone (Mount Somma) reaches 1149m.

Vesuvius has low volcanic activity, leaking lava and emitting gases alternatively from time to time. It is now considered a low activity volcano, and it remains in history for its catastrophic eruption that buried the city of Pompei. The last major eruption was in 1631, but despite the low volcanic activity, a major eruption is still possible in the future.

Rivers and Lakes

The most famous rivers in Italy are Po, Adige, Piave, Savio, Tiber, and Alcantara. Some of them are known for their length while others for their scenery, activities, or history.

It is the longest river in Italy, the total length being 650 km and the widest section of the river measures about 500 meters.

An interesting fact about Po is that it has the highest count of catfish in the world. One of the main reasons for the high population of catfish is the climate. The number and size of the catfish attract many fishing enthusiasts. Thousands of fishermen visit this river each year and compete against each other, trying to catch the biggest catfish.

Adige River

Adige is an Italian river that springs from the Otztaler Alpen mountains and flows through the Northern part of Italy, reaching its destination, the Adriatic Sea.

It is the second-longest river in Italy measuring a total of 415 km long. The first section of the river has a torrential character, while near Verona, it flows through a plain having a more steady course with swampy shores. Towards the end of the river, it branches and flows into the Northern part of the Po delta in the Adriatic Sea.

Piave River

Piave is a river located in the northern part of Italy. Its spring is in Monte Peralba in the Alps. It is 220 km long and depending on the season, its flow varies.

During World War I, starting from November 1917, the inferior course of the Piave river became a front line for the Allied and Austrian armies. This conflict is also known as the Battle of the Piave River.

Nowadays, Piave’s valley is an internationally renowned wine region.

Tiber River

The Tiber is the second-longest river in Italy (406 km). It springs from the Apennines and flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its main tributaries are Chiani, Paglia, Teverone, and Nera. The Tiber is also known for crossing Rome, which was founded on its banks about 25 km from the mouth of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The original name of this river is Albula. According to Titus Livius, Tiberinus drowned in his attempt to swim across this river. So after this incident, the river Albula was named the Tiber.

The map of Italy with cities provides general information about the country, but if you are looking for an in-depth guide about a certain region, you can find out more by using the interactive map.

Italian Culture

Before the unification of 1861, Italy was divided for centuries, both politically and geographically. For this reason, Italy has a unique culture, consisting of various regional and national customs. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Italy attracted an elite of artists, architects, and scholars. In this way, a varied heritage of works of art, music, and monuments was created.

Italy has the richest UNESCO heritage in the world. It contains objects of art, literature, and culture from various historical periods. This is largely due to the wide cultural influence and the Italians who emigrated to other countries.

It is estimated that Italy has about 100,000 monuments such as palaces, churches, fountains, museums, statues, etc.

Architecture

From an architectural point of view, Italy has many influences due to the fact that before 1861, the country was divided into several regional states. This has led to diversity based on the period and region.

One of the most famous architectural elements for which Italy is famous is the arches and domes. These elements are found in constructions from the period of the Roman Empire and even in constructions from recent history.

Among the most famous and spectacular architectural works is the Dome of Milan, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Cathedral of Florence.

It is safe to say that Italy’s architectural elements have been an inspiration for many architects worldwide over the past centuries.

In the last seven centuries, we meet initiators of important currents in history, such as the renaissance, which have enriched the culture through the philosophy of colors and fantasy.

With the schism of the Catholic Church through the Council of Konstanz in 1417, a new unitary artistic epoch developed: the Renaissance. Italy asserted itself as the main factor of European spiritual unity, and the Renaissance appeared with new attitudes and opinions about life. Man has positioned himself at the center of the world as the measure of all things.

The importance of this era is given mainly by the approach of perspective, the study of shadows and lights, but also the attention paid to human study. At the basis of this current is the philosophy that promotes humanistic thinking, discovering man as free, good, and responsible. This approach brings with it new discoveries and philosophical writings that still find relevance in the issues of contemporary life.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci (1453-1519) is the master of absolute imagination, a man of genius, and the main image of the rebirth. Mona Lisa still fascinates and arouses controversy today, being the most famous portrait of all time. But we must not forget works such as The Last Supper (1495-1498) in the church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan or the Sistine Chapel (1472-1483) of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), created during the pontificate of the pope. Sixtus IV, after whom it was named.

Sandro Botticelli

The one who ends the Renaissance era is Sandro Botticelli, at the end of the 15th century. His painting is full of elegance and refinement, but it has a mysterious air that presents the dream world, of absolute beauty.

The renaissance current is of overwhelming importance in the history of mankind, it is a consequence of the Middle Ages, and it discovers man in a completely profound way. The ideas and works of this age will last in the world forever.

Overall, the map of Italy has lots of cities and places that are filled with history, culture, and art.

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Italy

We have prepared a list of the top tourist attractions, destinations, and cities, that can be found on the map of Italy.

1. Colosseum

Who hasn’t heard of the Colosseum? Impressive construction is the symbol of Rome and the entire Roman Empire. Even if it periodically requires extensive consolidation processes and the number of tourists who can be in the colossal theater at the same time is limited, the Colosseum is certainly at the top of the tourist objectives that you must admire.

The unique city in the northeast of the country is one of the most picturesque and romantic destinations in the world. Its gondolas, beautiful canals, and unparalleled constructions will make you fall in love with this location on the spot. Among the tourist attractions in Venice that you should not miss are St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, and the islands of Murano and Burano.

3. Cinque Terre

Pictures from the Cinque Terre region are making waves on social networks. The houses perched on the steep coast form, due to the vibrant colors with which they are painted, a dream landscape that is worth visiting at least once in your life. Contrary to popular belief, Cinque Terre is not a single village or town, but a region of 5 beautiful settlements, one more beautiful than the other. Their names are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

4. The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous towers in the world. Known for its unusual shape and the funny pictures that surround it, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the most important tourist attraction in the city of Pisa. What not many people know is that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is not the only leaning tower in Italy, in Bologna, there are even two towers, both with a high degree of inclination.

5. Trevi Fountain

Once in Rome, you will discover that not only is the Colosseum worth visiting, but there are many tourist attractions to visit. Among the most popular is the Trevi Fountain, an impressive building that serves as insurance for tourists who want to return to Rome. How? Well, it’s very simple. All you have to do is throw a coin over your shoulder in the water of the fountain, and according to the legend, you will definitely return to Rome soon.

6. The Vatican

The Vatican is the smallest state in the world, with an area of ​​less than 1 square kilometer. Despite the small surface, there are a lot of works of art and valuable documents that are hidden from the eyes of the world in the Vatican Archives.

7. Florence Cathedral

Florence is itself an open-air museum. The facades of the buildings are loaded with splendid, carefully crafted decorations, the streets are often protected by huge arches, and the bridges are of rare beauty. Among the city’s symbols are the Cathedral of Florence, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Piazzale Michelangelo.

8. The Dome of Milan

Another imposing church that serves as a symbol for the city in which it is located, is the Cathedral of Milan. Known for its beauty and size, Milan Cathedral is one of the sights you can’t miss, no matter how hard you try. All the steps lead there and even if you want to, you can’t avoid it.

Pompeii, the Roman city near Naples, was destroyed in 79 BC. after the volcano Vesuvius erupted after several centuries of inactivity. The ruins of the city can still be admired today, Pompeii is an additional proof that not even the power of the Romans could stand in the way of the wrath of nature.

10. Taormina

We end our list of tourist attractions in Italy that you should not miss with Taormina, a beautiful city on the east coast of Sicily. The beauty of this place, the tranquility, and the wide beaches have made hundreds of thousands of tourists come here lately.

Travel Tips for Italy

Planning your trip to Italy depends on the activities you want to spice up your vacation with. Some cities from the map of Italy are renowned for their activities. Spring and autumn (April-June and the end of September-October) are the most suitable for visiting tourist attractions.

Summer (July-August) is extremely crowded in Italy, but it is the ideal time for beach lovers. Winter (January-March) is ideal for ski enthusiasts.

Large cities, in general (except Venice), are quieter in winter, with fewer tourists and lower prices. But at Easter, they are very crowded.

What to take with you to Italy

You can find everything your heart desires in Italy. Pharmacies offer a wide range of medicines, medical instruments, and personal hygiene items, as well as professional advice. However, it would not be bad to take with you the prescriptions of the medicines you need. The names of certain brand name drugs differ in Italy. Pharmacies are indicated by a green cross located above the entrance. It also doesn’t hurt to take a second pair of glasses or contact lenses with you, if you wear them.

The clothes depend a lot on the chosen destination, on the period when you plan to arrive in Italy and on the activities you want to experience. You will need elegant clothes only for luxury restaurants and casinos. But you don’t have to dress too casually either, because in general Italians are much more elegant than most Americans, Canadians, and Northern Europeans.

If you go out, try to be as elegant as possible. Also, in churches, choose appropriate clothing – it would be ideal for women not to wear low-cut blouses, shorts, or skirts that are too short. Another thing to remember is that, in the south and in rural areas, dresses must be conservative.

Take a sweater, even if you arrive in Italy during the summer, because the evenings are extremely cool. Also, come prepared for the rainy and cool days of the second half of summer. You can rent or buy climbing, skiing, camping, and other sports equipment, but it would be advisable to bring your own boots.

In Italy, the current is 220V, 50 Hz and the sockets have two (sometimes three) round holes. If you bring an appliance with you, you will need an adapter plus a transformer for electronics made in the USA.

Finally, don’t forget the most important things: passport, driver’s license, tickets, traveler’s checks, and insurance. Of course, you can also save this link to the map of Italy with cities, guides, and travel tips . It will come in handy for sure.

How to travel through Italy

About 40 cities in Italy are equipped with airports: Rome and Milan are the main air nodes. Domestic flights are mainly operated by Alitalia, plus a number of other smaller companies, such as Meridiana Alitalia or Meridiana.

Combined transport ferries (passengers and cars) run between Reggio di Calabria and Messina in Sicily; from Naples to Capri and Ischia; from Naples to Palermo (Sicily); from Genoa, Livorno, and Civitavecchia to various ports in Sardinia; between Piombino and the ports of the island of Elba; from Tuscan ports to the islands of the Tuscan archipelago, such as Capraia; and from Sicilian ports to the islands near the Sicilian coast.

More details can be obtained at the tourist information centers in the respective ports.

Usually, trains are faster and cheaper than buses that connect cities, but in more isolated regions such buses are the only means of transport.

There are many companies, and departures are made from the central markets of large cities, in front of the station, or from bus stations. In general, tickets must be purchased in advance, from the bus station or from the nearest ticket center. Get interested in time at the tourist information center.

The train is the most pleasant way to get around Italy. The cost of travel is not expensive at all, and services and comfort have improved, especially in the case of the new speed trains.

Tickets can be purchased at the train station, online, or through travel agencies and are issued for first-class or second class. If you choose to travel by intercity train, you must pay an additional fee when you buy the ticket, or by train. If you choose Pendolino or Eurostar, you also have to pay an additional fee and reserve your seat in advance: you can usually reserve your seats even a few minutes before the train leaves.

Reservations are also made for other services, such as the sleeping car or the first or second class cot. Larger stations have special tickets for window seats for such services, so check your seat: look for the word “prenotazioni” (reservations).

Trenitalia company issues season tickets for several days, season tickets for groups of 2-5 people traveling together, weekend passes, and various tickets or discounted season tickets. For more information, you can visit the Trenitalia website.

Before you start traveling, you must validate all your tickets in the special cars on the platform and in the hall where the ticket offices are located. If you travel with an invalid ticket, you risk being fined.

If you want to travel more by train, then it would be recommended to buy a cheap brochure with the train schedule. It can be purchased from bookstores or from newsstands in railway stations.

The center of Italian cities is quite crowded, but in the rest of the country, the road network is very well maintained and signaled by road signs, from ordinary national roads (N) to “express” highways (where tolls are paid).

Sometimes you pay a flat fee, but you usually get a card from a vending machine at the highway entrance and then pay at a toll booth. There are also prepaid cards, which you can buy at gas stations on the highway (open 24 hours a day). In this way, you get rid of the congestion at the toll stations.

Gravel roads, known as “white roads”, are found especially in rural areas, but you can drive on them and are often marked on the map. They require a lower speed but are practicable.

If you want a physical road map, they can be bought from bookstores. The best maps are the Touring Club of Italy (TCI) maps.

It is very easy to rent a car in Italy. International companies have offices in stations, in most airports, and in all major cities. The prices are quite high, according to American standards, so it would be more appropriate to rent a car through the travel agency, in advance. Cheaper arrangements can be made by calling local companies, or online.

Drivers must be over 21 years old and have a driver’s license to rent a car.

How to travel through Italian cities

Most historic towns and old centers are small enough to be explored on foot. In some cities, especially Lucca and Ferrara, you can rent bicycles. In other cities, you can rent scooters, but less experienced drivers should be very careful in the crowds of big cities, such as Rome (that can be found above on the map of Italy with cities).

It’s hard to stop a taxi on the street. Most taxis are stopped at special stations, in the main squares, or in front of the station. On Sunday morning and evening, on holidays, to the airport and outside the city, you will pay an additional fee for luggage.

If you are going to take a longer trip, you can negotiate the price in advance. You can book the taxi by phone: the operator will give you the number and an identifier of the taxi. In this case, the cost will be higher. The tip is 10% or you can simply round the price of the trip.

In cities, trams and buses are orange. If you choose to travel with them, the procedure is the same throughout Italy. First, you buy the ticket from the special stalls. In some cities, including Rome, there are ticket machines on the streets. After boarding the bus, validate the ticket. Generally, getting on the bus is done on the back door and getting off on the middle doors. Often, in Rome or Florence, with a ticket, you can take several trips in a certain period of time (usually an hour and 15 minutes). Otherwise, a ticket is only valid for one trip.

One-day passes offer you an unlimited number of trips and are valid in Rome, Florence, and other tourist cities. If you are caught without a ticket by the controllers, you are liable to a fine.

In Rome and Milan , you benefit from metro transport. Subway stations and trains look sloppy but are generally safe. Although the network is not extremely extensive, the subway is an excellent means of transport for those who want to cross these cities from one end to the other as soon as possible. Subway tickets can be purchased from the same place as bus tickets, or from ticket machines in subway stations. In Rome, a bus ticket allows you to take a trip by subway, in a certain period of time. In Milan, you benefit from an unlimited number of trips, for the period included in the first 75 or 105 minutes from buying the ticket (depending on the type of ticket purchased). One-day passes allow you to make an unlimited number of trips, in both cities, by bus, tram, and subway.

Travelers with disabilities

Museums, art galleries, and public institutions throughout Italy have made great strides in accessing wheelchair passengers, but much remains to be done. Very few buses and trains are equipped with such facilities, and taxis, even less.

Many historic cities face such problems, especially Venice, which has a very large number of bridges, where access is by stairs. Only luxury hotels provide special rooms for travelers with disabilities.

In general, most hotels and restaurants will do their best to help people with disabilities.

More information can be provided by the Italian embassy or consulate.

Italy Regions and the capitals

• Abruzzo: L’Aquila
• Basilicata: Potenza
• Calabria: Catanzaro
• Campania: Naples
• Emilia-Romagna: Bologna
• Lazio: Rome (  Map of Rome )
• Liguria: Genoa
• Lombardia: Milan
• Marche: Ancona
• Molise: Campobasso
• Piemonte (Piedmont): Turin
• Puglia (Apulia): Bari
• Toscana (Tuscany): Florence
• Umbria: Perugia
• Veneto (Venetia): Venice  (  Map of Venice )
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Trieste
• Sardegna (Sardinia): Caligiari
• Sicilia (Sicily): Palermo
• Trentino-Alto-Adige: Bolzano
• Valle d’Aosta (Aosta Valley): Aosta

Conclusions about the map of Italy with cities and regions

There are a lot of things to be said about Italy, that cannot be covered in only one guide or article. That is why, by using the interactive map of Italy, you can click on any region and explore the in-depth article about that specific region, its cities, and attractions. We recommend checking out our article about the most beautiful waterfalls in Italy .

You can find all the information about the cities and regions on the interactive map of Italy with cities at the top of this page.

Article Updated on February 13 , 2022

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The 15 Best Cities in Italy

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

If you're planning your first trip to Italy, you may be undecided as to which cities to visit. It's a tough decision, for good reason—Italy's cities offer an enticing mix of scenery, historic and ancient sites, museums and of course, great cuisine and ambiance. What's more, Italy's major cities can easily be visited by train .

The amount of time you have in Italy will likely dictate how many places you can visit there. Many travelers choose the classic itinerary of Rome, Florence, and Venice, perhaps with a side trip through Tuscany. Yet there are so many great places to discover in Italy, it's hard to narrow down any list of "best" cities. But try we must! These are our picks for the top ten Italian cities, each with its own special character and appeal.

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Rome is the capital of Italy and most likely, your first stop in the country. Rome offers a dazzling variety of sights and experiences. At every turn, you'll discover ancient monuments, ornate medieval and Baroque churches, beautiful fountains, art-filled museums, and Renaissance palaces. The ancient Colosseum is one of the most iconic sites in the world, and modern Rome is a bustling and lively city and has some excellent restaurants and nightlife. Saint Peter's Square and the Vatican City are also easily visited when in Rome.

Unlike anyplace else in the world, Venice is a unique city built over the water in the middle of a lagoon. Venice is one of Italy's most beautiful and romantic cities as well as one of the most popular for visitors to Italy. The heart of Venice is Piazza San Marco with its magnificent church, Saint Mark's Basilica . There are numerous museums, palaces, and churches to visit, and wandering along Venice's canals and getting lost in its maze of narrow streets is always enchanting. Venice is in the northeast of Italy and historically was a bridge between East and West—its architecture retains a Byzantine feel not really found elsewhere in Italy.

Florence is one of Italy's most important Renaissance architectural and art centers. Its Duomo and Baptistery are magnificent but crowded with tourists, as is the large piazza. Florence has several excellent museums with many famous paintings and sculptures, including Michelangelo's "David" and Botticelli's "Birth of Venus." There are also Medici palaces and gardens. Florence is in the region of Tuscany and is the gateway for exploring Tuscany's smaller cities and countryside.

Milan, one of Europe's wealthiest cities, is known for stylish shops, galleries, and restaurants and has a faster pace of life than most Italian cities. It also has a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Its Gothic Duomo, with its beautiful marble facade, is magnificent. Da Vinci's painting of  The Last Supper is one of Milan's top attractions and La Scala is one of the world's most famous opera houses.

Capri has charmed royalty, artists, and celebrities alike with its gorgeous beaches, many gardens, and restaurants. Situated in the Bay of Naples, Capri is a year-round destination that is bursting with tourists every summer. Be sure to get on the water to explore the sea caves (Blue Grotto is a must) and rock formations. On land, consider visiting the famed Villa San Michele before enjoying some high-end shopping, excellent pasta, and a limoncello. Or two.

Naples is one of Italy's most vibrant cities. It lies on the coast south of Rome and is the most important city in southern Italy. Naples retains much of its Baroque character and is a starting point for trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum , and the Amalfi Coast. It holds many historical and artistic treasures, and is famous for its pizza and desserts!

Bologna is known for its beauty, wealth, cuisine, and left-wing politics. Its flat streets are lined with arcades, making it a good walking city in every kind of weather. It has one of Europe's oldest universities. a nice medieval center, and several attractive squares, lined with buildings with porticoes. Bologna is the biggest city in northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region and its Piazza Maggiore is one of the biggest squares in Europe. Even among Italians, it's considered the culinary capital of the country.

Verona is most recognized as the setting for "Romeo and Juliet" but it's also famous for its Roman Arena (the third-largest in Italy and the venue for a top opera festival. Verona has a good medieval center, Roman remains, an interesting castle complex, and lots of high-end shopping. It's the fourth most visited city in Italy and well worth a stop on a northern Italy train travel itinerary .

A popular day trip from Rome, Orvieto is a striking hill town in Umbria. It's built on volcanic plateau with near-vertical cliff faces and has a long, rich history. One of Orvieto's main highlights is the Duomo. It took close to 400 years to complete and is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. There's also a network of caves and tunnels underneath the city that have been in use for more than two millennia. Tours of Underground Orvieto are available; they leave daily and last for 45 minutes.

Built into a seaside cliff in the middle of Italy’s gorgeous Amalfi Coast, Positano is now a popular resort destination perfect for romance. Its mild climate make this a year-round destiantion but Positano most crowded from April to October. Beyond strolling through town admiring the colorful houses vistors can enjoy fresh seafood, do some shopping at boutiques, or relax at pebble and sand beaches. There are also several hiking options from Positano that follow the coast or go deeper inland.

Turin (Torino), in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, is a major cultural hub with excellent museums, elegant shops, and good restaurants. There are also some very nice examples of Baroque architecture and historic palaces, famous coffee houses, artisan workshops, and streets with covered arcades.

Genoa is Italy's principal seaport, located in Liguria on the northwest coast of Italy. Genoa has a fascinating modern aquarium, an interesting port area, and a historic center said to be the largest medieval quarter in Europe, with a wealth of churches, palaces, and museums.

Perugia, in central Italy's Umbria region , is a very cosmopolitan city and home to two universities. It hosts a world-famous jazz festival in the summer and its University for Foreigners is a great place to learn Italian. It's a walled city on a hilltop with great views over the valley and has several important monuments and a good central square. Its history goes back to the 9th century B.C.

Cinque Terre

OK, the Cinque Terre is technically five villages but considering that the group as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, all of them are worth a visit. And they're so close to together that visitors can walk from one town into the next without much effort. This popular tourist destination is famous for the colorful buildings, fresh seafood, impressive hikes, and stunning views. Corniglia is smallest and one of the least crowded villages (it lacks sea access) while Monterosso is the largest and busiest.

Parma may not be on most tourists' radar but the Northern Italian city offers noteworthy food, architecture, and art. Foodies will delight in tasting Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Parma ham in addition to stuffed pasta. Meanwhile, architecture lovers will be spoiled by the wide-ranging styles on display here. Especially the pink marble Baptistery. That's in addition to a museum of artifacts from the Middle Ages and a national gallery of art with collections spanning 600 years.

Traveling by Train in Italy

Travel between big cities is best done by train as driving in Italian cities may be very difficult and the extensive Italian rail system is fairly inexpensive. Most city centers are well-suited to walking and parts of the city centers are closed to cars without permits. Large Italian cities generally have good public transportation, too.

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Italy cities map

You can find on this page the Italy cities map to print and to download in PDF. The Italy map city presents main cities, towns and presents the capital of Italy in Europe.

Map of Italy with cities

Map of Italy city

The map of Italy with cities shows all big and medium towns of Italy. This map of cities of Italy will allow you to easily find the city where you want to travel in Italy in Europe. The Italy cities map is downloadable in PDF, printable and free.

Firenze, the cradle of the Renaissance, is one of Europe great art cities as its mentioned in the map of Italy with cities. With frescoes by Giotto and Ghirlandaio, canvases by Botticelli and Bronzino, and sculptures by Michelangelo and Giambologna, there is so much exquisite art and architecture within its ancient walls that it is easy to become overwhelmed. In so many other parts of the world, culture is an optional extra, something you do in your spare time. In Tuscany, it is at the root of everything – though not in an elitist way. A Piero della Francesca fresco exudes the spirit of a region that has long spent its money on beauty and quality. The legendary Amalfi Coast has been seducing visitors since ancient times with its magnificent scenery and sophisticated yet laid-back lifestyle that was ‘discovered’ by the jet-set in the 1960s.

The city of Sicily has long been a crossroads and crucible of Mediterranean culture, and the island today is a fascinating palimpsest in which Greek temples, Norman churches and Baroque palazzos emerge from the rich fabric. With Puglia ancient sites and unfussy charms, Italy most secluded coast makes a rewarding alternative to the tourist-laden north. A few years ago, Umbria city as you can see in the map of Italy with cities was known, if at all, as Tuscany less alluring sister. Not any more: these days Italy’s 'green heart' is every bit as celebrated as its more famous neighbour. Balmy, maritime Liguria is generally best known for the Cinque Terre, the string of five historic and colourful villages spaced along the region spectacular cliff-edged coast.

Statistically, there are only 55 cities that have their own local council and elected mayor listed with a population of less than 100 residents as its shown in the map of Italy with cities. The smallest recorded Italian town is Pedesina, with just 34 people recorded on the comune residency list at present. Situated in the Province of Sondrio in Lombardy, the village has its own bar and local shop and throughout the summer, like larger municipalities, hosts its own festa.

Map of Italy with major cities

Map of Italy with main cities

The map of Italy with major cities shows all biggest and main towns of Italy. This map of major cities of Italy will allow you to easily find the big city where you want to travel in Italy in Europe. The Italy major cities map is downloadable in PDF, printable and free.

With a population exceeding 60 million, Italy is one of the most populous cities in the world. As the 72nd largest country by area, Italy has many major cities that have large populations of residents that contribute to its rank as the world 24th most populous country. Rome as its mentioned in the map of Italy with major cities, the country capital city, is also the most populous, with over 2.3 million residents as of 2016. Italy also has one other city, Milano, with a population that exceeds one million. Thirty-one cities in the country have not hit the population milestone of one million just yet, but they do have numbers that exceed 100,000. Eighty-nine smaller but still very populated cities have a minimum population of 10,000, further contributing to the country's overall population numbers.

Rome is the largest city in Italy with a population of about 2,800,000 people. Naples is the third-largest city in Italy and the second most populated metropolitan region in Italy. Its name originated from the Greek word “Neapolis” which means the ‘’new city’’. Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region. In ancient times it was the capital city of the Kingdom of Italy, and it became famous because of its incredibly beautiful Renaissance masterpieces and architecture. Venice is Veneto region capital city, and it comprises of more than 260,000 inhabitants as you can see in the map of Italy with major cities. Milan is the Lombardy region capital city and is known as one of the Italian capital of design, architecture, and fashion.

Rome is located in the center of Italy in the Lazio region. Lazio is the second major city in terms of population size after Lombardy. In 2019, the region counted roughly 5.9 million inhabitants, whereas Lombardy had over ten million individuals as you can see in the map of Italy with major cities. The third largest region is Campania, with 5.8 million people. Naples, the Capital of Campania, had almost one million inhabitants at the beginning of 2019. Nevertheless, this city was, back in 19th century, one of the largest cities in Western Europe.

18 Absolute Best Places to Visit in Italy (+ Map & Planning Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: February 4, 2024

Planning your first trip to Italy and wondering what are the best places to visit ? This article should help you decide what to see and where to go in Italy, even though the choice might look overwhelming at first.

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and one of our favorite places that we return to again and again. History, architecture, bustling cities, charming villages, beaches, islands, mountains… Not even to mention the food, wine, and friendly people… This country is incredibly diverse and has so much more to offer than you’d ever be able to do in one trip…

Even after so many trips to Italy , we feel like we just scratched the surface of this incredible country. There is just so much to see and do!

In this article, we share the very best places to see in Italy. This list is not just about the best Italian cities . As beautiful as they are, there is so much more to Italy than its major cities! In this guide, you’ll also find the most stunning Italian regions and islands, coastal areas and picturesque little towns, but also the most beautiful nature and jaw-dropping sceneries.

These are one by one amazing destinations that are each worth a trip from the other side of the world. You cannot go wrong with any of these places! But combine a couple of them together and you’re in for a real treat – one of the best trips you can ever make. Find out!

READ ALSO: 2-Weeks Italy Itinerary

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Here are the best places to visit in Italy:

The Eternal City is an absolute must when visiting Italy for the first time! Without any doubt, Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I often refer to Rome as the city-museum. And it sure feels like the entire place is one huge open-air museum! Every street, every building, every town square, every park, every church, and every monument breathes centuries-old history.

It’s an incredible experience to see all that art, architecture, and history that you previously only saw in books or in the movies.

No matter how much time you have planned in Italy, you really have to include Rome in your Italy itinerary !

Not to be missed: Colosseum , Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, the Vatican with St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel, St. Angelo Bridge and Castel Sant’Angelo, Capitoline Hill.

Nice to see: Campo de’ Fiori market, Trastevere district, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla (and many other Ancient Rome landmarks ), Piazza Venezia, Piazza del Popolo, Borghese Gallery, the Appian Way, Aventine Hill, Belvedere del Gianicolo, and many many more.

TIP: Try to also visit at least a few of the nicest viewpoints in Rome . Many of them are located just next to the most popular sights, and so it’s quite easy to add a few of these to your itinerary.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Rome

How much time do you need: One full day is an absolute minimum in Rome and – if you plan your 1-day Rome itinerary well – you can get a glimpse of all the main sights. If you want to see all the best places in the city and not just take a picture of the exteriors and rush through everything, plan at least 2-3 days . If you want to explore deeper and get off the beaten path in Rome, you can easily spend 5-7 days in the city.

TIP: Take a look at our suggested 4 days Rome itinerary – it covers all the main landmarks and lots of amazing lesser-known places that will make your trip so much more memorable. See also our guide to the best neighborhood to stay in Rome .

Best time to visit: Rome is a year-round destination, but the best time weather-wise is April-May and September-October. It’s really hot in July and August making it difficult to appreciate the sights. For fewer crowds and cooler weather, consider the shoulder months such as March or November. Read also what it’s like to visit Rome in November .

LEARN MORE: Tips for Planning a Trip to Rome

There are few places in the world that speak to one’s imagination as Venice does. Without any doubt, Venice is one of the must-see places in Italy!

The entire city of Venice and its lagoon with 118 small islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And when you see it, you’ll understand why. The whole town is an architectural masterpiece!

The best way to explore Venice is on foot, so prepare to walk. A lot. Stroll the narrow streets, cross hundreds of bridges, and take the time to admire the details of medieval buildings and stunning gothic palazzi (palaces). You should also take a gondola ride! Not only does it give a very different perspective of the city, but it’s also a real bucket list experience.

Not to be missed: Venice canals and Venetian gondola ride , St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace , Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Bridge of Sighs , and the pedestrian waterfront promenade Riva degli Schiavoni.

Nice to see: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and an excursion to the nearby islands of Burano and Murano . Libreria Acqua Alta, Campo San Polo, Jewish Ghetto, San Giorgio Maggiore Island, and many churches of Venice. Also La Fenice opera house.

How much time do you need: One day is enough to see the main landmarks of Venice (here’s how to see the best of Venice in one day) . If you make it a very long day, you can even take a short excursion to the nearby islands Murano, Burano, and Torcello. For a more relaxed experience, plan at least two days for all the sights in Venice and the nearby islands. If you want to explore the city deeper, plan 3-4 days. See here a suggested itinerary for 3 days in Venice with tips from a local.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Venice

3. Florence

A trip to Italy, especially for those visiting for the first time, involves visiting lots of cities and towns. And even if you’re not a big fan of city trips, there is one more city that you absolutely should see in Italy, and that’s Florence ( Firenze ).

Florence, the capital city of the Tuscany region, is considered the cradle of the Renaissance. It’s here that you’ll find works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and many others. The old city center is quite compact, but it’s packed with incredible masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture.

Not to be missed: Duomo (Florence Cathedral), Baptistery of St. John, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, and the view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Michelangelo’s ‘David’ at the Galleria dell’Accademia.

Nice to see: Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, Basilica di San Lorenzo and San Lorenzo Market, Piazza Santo Spirito, Basilica of Santa Croce, and the views from the best rooftops in Florence .

How much time do you need: One day is enough to quickly see the ‘musts’ of Florence (see 1 day Florence itinerary ). If you want to visit more museums and explore deeper, then you’ll definitely want to spend at least two days here. Plan an extra day for a tour to the Tuscan countryside (more info below).

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Florence

Italy has 20 regions and, in all honesty, they are all worth a visit. However, if you are traveling to Italy for the very first time, Tuscany is one of the nicest regions to visit. Not only because it’s conveniently located between Rome, Venice, and Milan, but also because it has so much to offer.

Tuscany is home to some of the most beautiful towns in Italy. Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano, Volterra, Prato, Arezzo – all these towns are worth a visit! And there are many, many more…

Tuscany is also known for its picturesque landscapes with rolling hills and winding roads lined with cypress trees. It’s also a great destination for foodies and wine lovers. Some of the best Italian wines are produced in Tuscany! Even if you are not visiting the wineries, make sure to try Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti wines at the local restaurants.

Not to be missed: Florence (see above), Siena (and the impressive Siena Cathedral ), Pisa (see further below), and the stunning landscapes of Val d’Orcia. See also our guide to the best towns in Tuscany .

Nice to see: Lucca, San Gimignano, Montepulciano , Volterra, Pienza, Prato, Arezzo, and the wineries.

How much time do you need: You need at least 2 days for Tuscany – one day in Florence, and one (very packed) day for Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, and Chianti. If you want to see so much in such a short time, consider this tour that visits all the main highlights in one day.

Ideally, you spend at least 3-4 days in Tuscany as that will give you more time to enjoy all the main sights in a more relaxed way. If you have enough time, I recommend a week in Tuscany. There’s just so much to see and do!

LEARN MORE: Best Towns in Tuscany & Tuscany Itinerary

5. Cinque Terre

No list of the best places to visit in Italy would be complete without mentioning Cinque Terre . This coastal area is so scenic that it’s hard to believe that it’s real!

Cinque Terre is the collective name of five picturesque hillside towns along the coast of the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region. The 5 Cinque Terre towns are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.

These colorful towns are perched between the azure-blue sea on one side and the steep hills dotted with vineyards on the other side. This means that you can’t easily get to Cinque Terre by car and the best way to visit is by boat, by train, or by hiking the Cinque Terre trail between the villages. For more practical information, please check our travel tips for visiting Cinque Terre .

Not to be missed: Manarola, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore.

Nice to see: Corniglia and Monterosso al Mare. Also, the nearby Portovenere and the Gulf of Poets are well worth your time!

How much time do you need: You can see the best of Cinque Terre in one day (also as a day tour from Florence ). If you want to explore deeper and also see some of the stunning coastal areas nearby, plan 2-3 days here.

LEARN MORE: One Day in Cinque Terre & Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

6. Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast in the Campania region is another popular tourist destination in Italy. This area stretches between Sorrento and Salermo and has some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in Italy. The rugged coastline is dotted with colorful fishing villages and small beaches. It looks like a real-life painting. The Amalfi Coast is also a very popular vacation destination.

The main attractions of this area are the coastal towns of Positano , Amalfi , and Ravello . But also Sorrento and Naples are must-see, just like the famous Mount Vesuvius volcano .

The nearby Capri Island with the famous Blue Grotto and charming Anacapri should also be on your list! Nature and outdoor enthusiasts will love the coastal hike Path of the Gods .

Nearby, you’ll also find the ruins of Pompeii , the ancient city that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. It’s one of the most interesting places to visit for those who would like to learn more about Roman times.

Not to be missed: Scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast and its three main towns Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello (can also be visited with a day tour ). Also Pompeii is among the top sights in Italy. Capri Island and the Blue Grotto.

Nice to see: Sorrento, Herculaneum, Mt Vesuvius, and the Path of the Gods hike.

How much time do you need: One day is enough to get a taste of what the Amalfi Coast is about. If you have two days, you can also visit Capri. Or you can also spend a week or two here and never get bored… If you want to explore all the main highlights of the Amalfi Coast at a leisurely pace, we recommend at least 3-5 days in the area. Here you can find our guide on where to stay on the Amalfi Coast and here is our guide to the best areas to stay in Naples .

LEARN MORE: Amalfi Coast Itinerary & Amalfi Coast Travel Tips

TIP: You can visit Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast on a day trip from Rome with an organized tour . It will be rushed, but well worth it!

READ ALSO: Amalfi Coast vs. Cinque Terre: which is nicer?

7. Lake Garda

Lake Garda is one of our personal favorite places in Italy. Lake Garda is located in northern Italy, about halfway between Venice and Milan, and can easily be incorporated in your Italy itinerary. It is one of the most scenic lakes in the world and absolutely worth a visit!

Lake Garda is a very big lake. If you want to drive all the way around it, it’s a 150 km (93 miles) drive that would take at least 3-4 hours without any stops or traffic. The best way to explore the lake is by taking a ferry between various towns, but driving the scenic road all the way around the lakes is also an unforgettable experience.

Along the shores of Lake Garda, you’ll find some stunning towns and picturesque little villages. Most famous is the town of Sirmione at the south end of the lake. Malcesine , Limone Sul Garda , and Riva del Garda are also very much worth a visit, even if just to see the northern side of the lake. And there are many more places to explore, but that requires a lot more of your time.

Not to be missed: Sirmione (Castello di Sirmione, Grotte di Catullo, and a boat tour around the peninsula), Malcesine, and a boat ride on the northern end of the lake.

Nice to see: Limone Sul Garda, Riva del Garda, Desenzano del Garda, Garda, Peschiera del Garda, Salo, Bardolino, Torbole, Isola del Garda.

How much time do you need: You can see the main highlights of Lake Garda in one day (by car and/or boat or with a tour ). But you’ll need at least 2-3 days to explore this area a bit deeper. You can find more details in our Lake Garda itinerary suggestions for 1 to 3 days .

LEARN MORE: What to See at Lake Garda

8. Lake Como

Lake Como , just north of Milan, is another stunning lake that also deserves to be on any list of the best of Italy. It’s a place loved by the rich and the famous and you’ll find some grand villas dotting the shores of this lake.

Lake Como is set at the foot of the Alps, just near the border with Switzerland. Many places here have been used as filming locations for countless Hollywood movies. When you’ll see the scenery, you’ll understand why.

Como Lake is not as big as Lake Garda, but it’s quite long and has a very unique shape that looks like an upside-down letter Y. The roads around the lake aren’t very wide and it would take you a good part of the day to drive all around it. Instead, you can take a boat and easily explore the most interesting places in a day or two. There are also car ferries around the middle point of the lake, so you can easily explore the best places by car. Just beware that parking is very problematic.

The main town in this area is Como , located at the south end of the lake. Here you can also take a funicular to the mountain town of Brunate for stunning views of the surroundings. Other nice towns to visit are Bellagio (a must-see), Varenna , and Cernobbio . But the main attraction of Lake Como are its gardens and villas and especially Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello .

Not to be missed: Como town , a boat ride on the lake, Bellagio , Varenna , Villa Carlotta, and Villa Balbianello. Take a look at our guide to the best things to do in Lake Como for more info.

Nice to see: Brunate, Menaggio, Villa Olmo, Cernobbio, Lecco, Pescallo, and Ghisallo Pass… Take a look at our guide to the best towns of Lake Como for more details.

How much time do you need: You can see the best of Lake Como in one day, also with a day tour from Milan . You’ll need at least 2 full days if you also want to visit the two most beautiful villas. Count 3-4 days if you want to explore a bit deeper.

LEARN MORE: Info & Tips for Visiting Lake Como

9. Italian Dolomites

With so many incredible towns to visit in Italy, the country’s most beautiful natural attractions often get overlooked by first-time visitors. Don’t make this mistake! The Italian Dolomite Mountains are worth a trip from the other side of the world! The scenery here is simply phenomenal and I don’t say this lightly.

We’ve seen a lot of the world and some of the most incredible mountain scenery in Switzerland , Western Canada, New Zealand, or Norway to mention just a few. Yet, it took us years to get to the Italian mountains… After spending almost a month in this region over several different trips, I can say that it’s as beautiful as it gets.

No matter which mountain pass you drive, which gondola ride you choose, or which hike you make, you’ll find the most remarkable landscapes in the Dolomites!

Not to be missed: Hard to say because every place is so beautiful. The most popular areas for first-time visitors are Val Gardena and Cortina d’Ampezzo with the iconic 3 peaks Tre Cime di Lavaredo . Also the lakes Pragser Wildsee (Lake Braies) and Lake Sorapis are stunning. Marmolada , the highest mountain range of the Dolomites, is also considered a must.

READ ALSO: Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites in Italy

Nice to see: Everything! Check out the Cinque Torri area that offers stunning mountain views and easy access to some incredible Great War sites. Also the mountains of the nearby Trentino region are really beautiful. Check out Val di Fumo , a spectacular place that’s still under the radar of most international tourists.

READ ALSO: Most Beautiful Lakes in the Italian Dolomites

How much time do you need: You can get a glimpse of the Dolomites in a day if you take a guided tour with a local guide. There are day tours from Bolzano, from Venice, or from Lake Garda. But if you are traveling in summer and love hiking, plan at least 5-6 days in the area. Stay in Val Gardena for a few days and be sure to spend several days in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area as well (see our guide to the best places to stay in the Dolomites ).

We’ve been to the Dolomites several times and will definitely go back again. There is just so much to see that you could spend many vacations here!

LEARN MORE: Dolomites Itinerary

Good to know: In winter, you can ski in the Dolomites. There are countless ski resorts in the South Tyrol and Trentino regions. And in summer, it’s a paradise for hiking and other outdoor activities!

READ ALSO: Best Hikes in the Dolomites

One more beautiful town that I feel deserves a mention on this list of the very best places to see in Italy is Verona . World-famous as being the setting for Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Verona is known as Italy’s most romantic city. But there is so much more to it than just Juliet’s tiny balcony!

Verona is a very old town with a rich history and beautiful architecture. Its most famous attraction is the 1st-century Roman amphitheater. You can visit it inside during the day or get tickets for one of the many concerts and performances in the evening. There is always something happening here!

The town is compact and you can see a lot in a short time. Stroll around the old town, get just a bit off the beaten tourist path, and you’ll find a great atmosphere of a real Italian town that’s often hard to find in many other most popular towns and cities in Italy.

Not to be missed: Verona Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, Torre dei Lamberti, and Juliet’s House & Balcony.

Nice to see: Castelvecchio, Ponte Scaligero, Piazza dei Signori, Arche Scaligere, and the views from Castel San Pietro.

How much time do you need: Half a day is enough for the main highlights of Verona. If you have one full day in the city, you can cover most of its best attractions. In two days, you can see the best of Verona plus take a tour of the nearby vineyards .

TIP: You can visit Verona as well as Lake Garda as a day trip from Milan . There are also tours from Venice .

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Verona

For many years, I was convinced that Milan was not as beautiful or worth a visit as most other Italian cities. However, my recent visit proved me wrong. Milan is a fascinating city and one of the very few places in Italy where history and modern-day life go so well together. I can’t compare it to any other Italian city as none of them have the same vibe as you’ll find in Milan.

Milan is a bit of a rough diamond and you have to make some effort to explore deeper in order to truly appreciate it. But even if you just visit for a day and focus on the main tourist attractions, it’s still well worth a visit!

Not to be missed: Duomo and Duomo Terraces, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and ‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci (book months in advance or take a tour !).

Nice to see: Sforzesco Castle, La Scala, Milan canals, Brera & Braidense National Library, Porta Nuova district.

How much time do you need: One day is enough for the main landmarks of Milan (see this guide for more info: one day in Milan ). If you have more time, I suggest taking a day tour to Lake Como .

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Milan

12. Italian Riviera

Italian Riviera is a beautiful coastal area of the Liguria region in western Italy. It’s best known for the picturesque coastal villages of Cinque Terre (mentioned above) and the luxury holiday resort for the rich and the famous – Portofino. But also here, there is so much more to see and do!

This part of Italy is just as beautiful as, say the Amalfi Coast, but you won’t find many tourist groups here. It’s more a place for a repeat trip to Italy than for those visiting the country for the first time and so many tourists never get to see more of this region beyond Cinque Terre. Yet, I think it surely deserves a visit if you can squeeze another day or two in your Italian itinerary.

The biggest city in this area is Genoa, but if you have to choose one or the other, I find that the coastal towns are worth your time more.

Not to be missed: Portofino, Cinque Terre, Camogli (featured image on top of this article).

Nice to see: Genoa, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portovenere.

How much time do you need: You need at least one day for Cinque Terre (see #5 above) and at least one day for Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, and Camogli. If you also want to visit Portovenere and Genoa, you’ll need at least 4 days in this region and it will be rushed.

LEARN MORE: Most Beautiful Towns of the Italian Riviera

One of the most unique cities in Italy, Naples , is totally different from any other place in Italy! It’s noisy and crowded, but it’s also home to some of the most interesting historical sights and landmarks. Not even to mention that Naples is the birthplace of pizza. So a visit here is your chance to try the original Italian pizza, as it’s supposed to be.

No matter what you might have heard of Naples, don’t doubt for a second – the city is absolutely worth a visit! Ideally, you combine a trip here with that to the earlier-mentioned Amalfi Coast. But Naples is a fascinating destination in itself!

There is so much to see and do in and near Naples that you’ll have to be really selective about where to go, especially if your time in the area is limited.

Not to be missed: Historic city center (the area around Spaccanapoli and Via dei Tribunali), the Veiled Christ at Sansevero Chapel, National Archaeological Museum, Santa Chiara Monastery, Gesu Nuovo Church, and the views from Castel Sant’Elmo.

Nice to see: Naples Underground, Naples Catacombs, Piazza del Plebiscito, Royal Palace of Naples, Cathedral, Castel Nuovo, Ovo Castle, Via San Gregorio Armeno, Spanish Quarter.

How much time do you need: You need at least one day in Naples in order to see some of the musts. Ideally, you plan at least 2-3 days for the city, plus a few days for its surroundings including a visit to places like Pompeii, Herculaneum, Mt Vesuvius, or the Royal Palace of Caserta. See our guide to the best day trips from Naples for more information about all these places.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Naples & Naples – Amalfi Coast Itinerary for 10 Days

The centuries-old rival town of Florence, Pisa is another place that most people consider a must-see in Italy. And it’s well worth a trip, even if just to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa!

It seems that everyone in the world has seen the famous Pisa Tower (even if just on a pizza box of a local pizzeria in your hometown). But not many people know that there is so much more to see in Pisa than its tower.

Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) certainly does its name justice! The architecture here is stunning. Most buildings here date from the 11th and 12th centuries. Don’t miss the Duomo, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Baptistery, and the graveyard.

After a visit here, make sure to also visit the city center of Pisa. You’ll find a very pleasant Italian town with more locals than tourists, trendy cafes, restaurants, and nice little shops. When you come here from the busy Piazza dei Miracoli, you won’t believe this is the same town.

Not to be missed: Piazza dei Miracoli with the leaning tower of Pizza.

Nice to see: Pisa town center.

How much time do you need: Half a day is enough for the main highlights and a visit to the city center. You can take a guided tour that covers all the main places in about 2 hours .

TIP: Because it doesn’t require that much time, Pisa is often visited as a half-day trip from Florence or in combination with other places nearby. For example, you can take a day tour from Florence that combines Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano or a day tour that visits Pisa and Cinque Terre from Florence .

There are also day tours from Rome that visit Pisa and Florence in a day and many other options. In other words, it’s really easy to include Pisa in your itinerary when planning a trip to Italy.

15. Emilia Romagna

Probably one of the most underrated regions in northern Italy, Emilia Romagna is a true hidden gem just waiting to be discovered!

If this place was anywhere else in the world, it would be overrun by tourists. But surrounded by such grand neighbors as Venice, Milan, and Italian Lakes in the north, coastal areas of the Italian Riviera in the west, and Tuscany in the south, Emilia Romagna is often overlooked by most first-time visitors.

However, if you are looking to discover the more authentic side of Italy, you should really consider visiting at least a couple of places in this region. Emilia Romagna is like the best of Italy in one, but without as many tourists. It truly has it all: rich history, stunning architecture, art, beautiful beaches, lively towns, and lovely landscapes. Furthermore, Emilia Romagna offers some of the very best food in the whole of Italy.

Not to be missed: Ravenna , Bologna .

Nice to see: Rimini , Parma, Ferrara, Modena.

How much time do you need: You’ll need at least one day for Bologna (you can easily visit Bologna from Florence for a day too) and at least half a day for Ravenna. If you have more time, you can easily fill 4-5 days in this region.

LEARN MORE: Emilia Romagna Itinerary & Best Things to Do in Bologna

TIP: If you find yourself planning a trip to this part of Italy, make sure to also plan a day for San Marino . While technically not part of Italy, it definitely deserves a mention and a visit!

San Marino is a tiny Republic surrounded by the Emilia Romagna region in Italy. It’s a real fairytale-like destination and well worth your time.

Pro tip: Plan to stay at least one night in one of the San Marino hotels so that you can explore this magical place without the crowds of day-trippers.

LEARN MORE: San Marino

Puglia (Apulia) is a beautiful region in southern Italy, right at the ‘heel’ of this boot-shaped country. Apulia is probably best known internationally for its trulli houses. Trulli are dry stone huts with a conical roof only found in this part of Italy and mostly in Alberobello town and the Itria Valley. These houses are typically painted white, while the roofs are left grey.

If you are looking for more authentic places to visit in Italy, then you should definitely consider this lesser-known region. It has some incredibly beautiful areas and just a fraction of the number of tourists compared to the surrounding regions.

A visit here is about the colors, the smells, the tastes that somehow feel stronger than anywhere else. It feels as if time passes slower here and so this is a wonderful part of Italy for those who like to travel deeper and are looking for more local experiences.

Not to be missed: Trulli houses in Alberobello, Promontorio del Gargano (a scenic drive along the coast following the ‘heel’ between Peschici and Manfredonia).

Nice to see: the 13th century octagonal-shaped Castel del Monte, Lecce that’s often called ‘Florence of the South’, Bari, Cathedral of Trani, Cathedral of Otranto, Taranto, Grotte di Castellana.

How much time do you need: You’ll need a day to explore the Terra dei Trulli and at least half a day for the scenic drive at the Gargano NP. The rest really depends on what you’re planning to visit.

Sicily is not only the largest island of Italy but also of the whole Mediterranean region. The island has nice beaches and breathtaking scenery, and it’s also very rich in history. You can even find ancient temples dating to the 5th-6th centuries BC (don’t miss Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples!).

One of the main attractions of the island is Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano. You can visit the volcano with various tours – by jeep, hiking, etc.

Sicily is also a great region for foodies as it has its own distinct cuisine. Sicilian food has been influenced a lot by its history and you’ll find dishes influenced by French, Greek, Arabic, and North African cuisines. Different regions within Sicily can have very different food as well.

TIP: If you’d like to get to know more about Sicilian food and taste a big variety of it, you may want to consider a local food tour . There are some really good tours in all the bigger towns.

Not to be missed: Mount Etna, Valley of the Temples, Taormina (and the nearby villages where The Godfather was filmed), Syracuse (Siracusa), and Palermo.

Nice to see: Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, Catania, Monreale, and Erice and Segesta.

How much time do you need: You can see the highlights of Sicily in 3-5 days, but you can easily spend a week or two here as well.

18. Sardinia

Just a little bit smaller than Sicily, Sardinia is also a big island that is a good vacation destination in itself. It has some nice places for sightseeing, but it’s also a popular vacation island with azure-blue waters, rugged coastlines, and dreamy white-sand beaches. It’s a great place to experience the Italian dolce far niente , the sweetness of doing nothing!

If you are looking for a more active holiday, you’ll find plenty to see and do as well. The island interior is mountainous and there are some nice hiking trails here. There are also nice little towns, archeological sites, and little islands to visit…

Sardinia is very different from the rest of Italy, with its own unique culture and food. It offers a lot of diversity in activities, sights, and sceneries and so it’s a great vacation destination for those who want to combine a beach holiday with some sightseeing.

Not to be missed: Costa Smeralda and its La Madalena Archipelago. Nuraghi, fortress-like tower ruins shaped like beehives. One of the oldest nuraghi (1500 BC) is Su Nuraxi in Barumini.

Nice to see: Cagliari, Alghero, and countless beaches.

How much time do you need: You can see some of the main highlights of Sardinia in 2-3 days, but it would be a pity to fly to this island just to tick the box on your Italy bucket list… If you are looking for a more relaxing vacation and want to enjoy the beautiful beaches, you can easily spend a few weeks here.

TIP: If you are thinking of visiting Sardinia, but are not sure where to start, take a look at Strictly Sardinia , a website by my Italian friend Claudia. Sardinia local, she shares all the top tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip.

READ ALSO: Tips & Useful Info for Traveling to Europe

So, this is my list of the absolute best places in Italy. As you can see, many of these destinations can be like a trip in itself, while some others can be visited in just a day or even less.

I hope that these suggestions will help you plan a dream trip to Italy! No matter where you go and how much time you spend, one thing you can be sure of – you’ll want to come back!

For more detailed destination guides and practical tips for your trip to Italy, please check our other articles on the blog via this link: Italy itinerary for 2 weeks . This itinerary covers many of the very best places in Italy in the most efficient way.

READ ALSO: How to Plan a Trip to Europe (+Top Tips)

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Wednesday 12th of June 2024

My mom and I are planning a trip to Italy in the summer and this has been 100% helpful. THANKS!!!

Glad to hear this, Kat. Have a wonderful time in Italy with your mom!

Thursday 30th of May 2024

Are you familiar with xxx tours? xxx tours? What do you think about a European cruise? We are planning a trip Italy celebrating our 40th Anniversary. We have traveled to London with friends, but no where else "across the pond". I admit, I'm a tad bit nervous traveling to Italy not knowing the language etc. Thank you for your suggestions.

Hi Lencia, no, I'm not familiar with any of those tours (and I deleted their names since I can't vouch for them) and we have never done or even considered a cruise in Europe. So I'm afraid I can't really help you with that. All I can say is that all of these amazing places in Italy deserve a longer visit than a few hours and that there are thousands of ways to plan a trip. If you are mostly interested in Italy, take a look at our article with a suggested 2-week Italy itinerary.

Sunday 30th of July 2023

Good afternoon, I was wondering if you have 3 - 4 wks itineraries for Italy? I have already visited the touristy places and would love to visit other regions. Thank you!

Tuesday 1st of August 2023

Hi Carmen, no, we don't have any sample itineraries for a longer duration as the possibilities would be endless. As you say, you already visited many popular places, so you'll never find an itinerary that's perfect for you because most itineraries will most definitely include some of the most popular areas. I also can't imagine you have visited all the 'touristy places' in Italy either ;). We have been to Italy dozens of times and still just scratched the surface of all there is to see... You can spend 3-4 weeks in the Dolomites alone and still not see everything... The best way to plan a trip is pick a few areas that interest you the most and then spend a few days in each exploring it deeper. Good luck with the planning.

Bruce Ogilvie

Wednesday 14th of June 2023

We are travelling to Italy this September. Thanks for your Italy article. Very helpful. Please inform us of where to stay in Florence. $$ and $$$ please. 3 or 4 stars. What area or neighborhood?

Hi Bruce, you can find some information on the best area to stay and our hotel recommendations for Florence in this article. If you are traveling any time soon, book ASAP! Have a great trip!

Tammy Hamilton

Friday 3rd of March 2023

What if you want to do it in three weeks? What do you recommend and how to travel and where to stay

Hi Tammy, take a look at our Italy itinerary for 2 weeks. It has so many additional recommendations that you can easily make it 3 weeks or more. You could start with Naples/Amalfi Coast for 3-4 days, then Rome for 3 days, then Florence (+Tuscan countryside/Cinque Terre/Pisa) for another 3-4 days, Bologna for a day or two, Venice for 2-3 days, Verona for a day, Lake Garda for 2-3 days, Lake Como for 1-4 days, and end with a day or two in Milan. It's just one of the gazillion ways to do it. Once again, take a look at the itinerary I linked to above. It has all the details and suggestions. If I ever find the time, I might publish some more recommendations, but there are so many possibilities that it's really difficult to recommend 'the best' itinerary. Good luck with the planning!

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