Roavina

Country guide

Italy

A photograph of Italy
Photograph · Timothy A. Gonsalves · CC BY-SA 4.0

Italy holds 62 World Heritage Sites, more than any other country, spread across 301,340 km2 of land that runs from the Alps down into the middle of the Mediterranean. The distances between its cities are short and the differences between them are not: Venice has no roads, Naples sits under a volcano on a bay, Florence fits inside a walkable Renaissance grid, and Milan keeps its art indoors and works for a living. Rome is the capital and the obvious first trip; the argument is always about what comes second. Nearly 800 islands hang off the coast, and Sicily and Sardinia are each large enough to be a trip of their own.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
Italian
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+39
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C, F and L · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

10 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 4 Museums 159 Places of worship 2 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 2 Art and culture 0 Activities 10

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 5 1 to 2 hours 10

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Trastevere Trastevere
    01 2 hours

    Trastevere

    Trastevere is a historic district on the west bank of the Tiber River in Rome, Italy. Its name derives from the Latin trans Tiberim, meaning beyond the Tiber.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Rome
  2. Fori Imperiali Fori Imperiali
    02 2 hours

    Fori Imperiali

    The Imperial Fora constitute a sequence of monumental public squares constructed in Rome across several centuries of antiquity. These fora were commissioned by successive emperors as extensions to the original Roman Forum, serving administrative, religious, and commercial functions.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Rome
  3. Fontana delle Tartarughe Fontana delle Tartarughe
    03 2 hours

    Fontana delle Tartarughe

    The Fontana delle Tartarughe is a compact late-sixteenth-century fountain in Piazza Mattei, in Rome’s Sant’Angelo district. Four bronze youths lean over a marble basin, with dolphins and turtles creating the fountain’s lively silhouette.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Rome
  4. Gianicolo Gianicolo
    04 2 hours

    Gianicolo

    Gianicolo is a hill in western Rome, rising above the Trastevere district. It is not one of the traditional Seven Hills of Rome but holds significance as a historic vantage point.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Rome
  5. Palazzo Barberini Palazzo Barberini
    05 2 hours

    Palazzo Barberini

    Palazzo Barberini is a prominent palace in Rome, Italy, constructed in the 17th century for the Barberini family. The building exemplifies Roman Baroque architecture and now serves as one of the capital's significant cultural institutions.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Rome
  6. Palazzo Massimo alle Terme Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
    06 2 hours

    Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

    Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is one of the major sites of the Museo Nazionale Romano, close to Roma Termini. Its galleries present ancient Roman art across four floors in a nineteenth-century palace adapted for museum use.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Rome
  7. Ponte Sisto Ponte Sisto
    07 2 hours

    Ponte Sisto

    Ponte Sisto is a pedestrian bridge spanning the Tiber River in Rome's historic centre, connecting the Trastevere neighbourhood to the Campo de' Fiori area on the east bank.

    • Notable
    • Activity
    • Rome
  8. Fontana del Tritone Fontana del Tritone
    08 2 hours

    Fontana del Tritone

    Fontana del Tritone is a Baroque fountain located in Piazza Barberini, central Rome. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and completed in 1643, it was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII Barberini.

    • Notable
    • Activity
    • Rome
  9. Palazzo Spada Palazzo Spada
    09 2 hours

    Palazzo Spada

    Palazzo Spada is a historic palace in Rome’s Regola district, close to Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza Farnese. The building contains the Galleria Spada, a compact art museum formed from the collection of Cardinal Bernardino Spada and his family.

    • Notable
    • Activity
    • Rome
  10. Auditorium Parco della Musica
    10 2 hours

    Auditorium Parco della Musica

    Auditorium Parco della Musica is a major cultural complex in Rome designed by architect Renzo Piano and opened in 2002. Its identity comes from live music, contemporary architecture and several performance spaces gathered around a central piazza.

    • Notable
    • Activity
    • Rome

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Italy be?

Ten to fourteen days can combine Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome by high-speed train. Give Venice more than a transfer night and Rome several separate sightseeing days; rural Tuscany needs different transport planning from the rail-linked cities.

What entry documents are needed for Italy?

Italy is in the Schengen Area, but visa and passport requirements vary by nationality and route. Use Italy's official visa portal to confirm the applicable rule before travel rather than relying on another Schengen trip.

What is the best way to travel around Italy?

High-speed trains connect Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome, with regional rail and coaches serving smaller places. Drivers must check ZTL restrictions before entering historic centres because access controls are local and can generate fines.

When is a practical time to visit Italy?

April to June and September to October broadly suit the north-to-Rome rail route. Lagoon conditions in Venice, summer heat in Rome, and seasonal rural services in Tuscany should be checked independently.

What money and payment basics apply in Italy?

Italy uses the euro (EUR). Carry a modest cash reserve for small purchases while using cards where accepted, and verify the euro amount at the terminal instead of accepting an unexamined conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Italy?

Italy routes emergency calls through 112. Travellers encounter a 230 V supply and Type C, F, or L receptacles. No tap-water assessment is recorded for Italy; obtain current local advice at the destination.