A photograph of Italy

Country guide

Art and culture, Up to 1 hour in Italy — page 2

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 Mediterr...

Photograph · Timothy A. Gonsalves · CC BY-SA 4.0

20,204 Places
4Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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.

Checked 2026-08-25

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

Top things to see

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

  1. Teatro Malibran Teatro Malibran
    07 1 hour

    Teatro Malibran

    Malibran

    Teatro Malibran is a historic opera house in Venice, Italy, situated in the Cannaregio district. Originally opened as Teatro San Giovanni Grisostomo in 1678, it was later renamed in honour of the celebrated Spanish mezzo-soprano Maria Malibran.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  2. Teatro della Pergola Teatro della Pergola
    08 1 hour

    Teatro della Pergola

    Teatro della Pergola is a historic theatre in Florence, Tuscany. It stands as one of Italy's most significant theatrical landmarks, with origins tracing to the mid-seventeenth century.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Florence
  3. Teatro Goldoni Teatro Goldoni
    09 1 hour

    Teatro Goldoni

    Teatro stabile del Veneto Carlo Goldoni

    Teatro Goldoni, formally Teatro Stabile del Veneto Carlo Goldoni, is a historic performing-arts venue in Venice. Named for the Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni, it continues the city's long tradition of theatre and live performance.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  4. Teatro Verdi Teatro Verdi
    10 1 hour

    Teatro Verdi

    Teatro Verdi is a historic theatre in Florence, part of the city’s living tradition of music, opera and drama.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Florence
  5. Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
    11 1 hour

    Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

    Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is Florence’s principal opera house and the home of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival. The modern building opened in 2011 near Cascine park, replacing the former Teatro Comunale.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Florence
  6. Teatro Toniolo Teatro Toniolo
    12 1 hour

    Teatro Toniolo

    Teatro Toniolo is a historic theatre in Venice, Italy, serving as a significant cultural venue within the city's performing arts landscape.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  7. Biblioteca Carpenedo Bissuola Biblioteca Carpenedo Bissuola
    13 1 hour

    Biblioteca Carpenedo Bissuola

    Teatro del Parco

    Biblioteca Carpenedo Bissuola, locally known as Teatro del Parco, is a cultural venue in Venice's mainland district of Mestre.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  8. Teatrino Palazzo Grassi Teatrino Palazzo Grassi
    14 1 hour

    Teatrino Palazzo Grassi

    Teatrino di Palazzo Grassi

    Teatrino di Palazzo Grassi is the small theatre attached to Palazzo Grassi, the contemporary art museum on Venice’s Grand Canal. The venue belongs to the Pinault Collection’s cultural complex and continues the Venetian tradition of palace performance spaces.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  9. Teatro alle Tese
    15 1 hour

    Teatro alle Tese

    Teatro alle Tese is a theatrical venue located in Venice, Italy. The name reflects its architectural origins connected to the historic Arsenale complex, where 'tese' refers to the long workshop buildings once used for shipbuilding and maritime production.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  10. teatro Momo teatro Momo
    16 1 hour

    teatro Momo

    Teatro Arnaldo Momo

    Teatro Arnaldo Momo, commonly called Teatro Momo, is a theatre venue in Venice. The name honours Arnaldo Momo and places the venue within Venice’s performing-arts landscape.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  11. Teatro Verde Teatro Verde
    17 1 hour

    Teatro Verde

    Teatro Verde is a theatre in Venice, Italy, known by the name “Green Theatre.” The venue belongs to Venice’s broader performing-arts landscape, a cultural tradition associated with opera, drama and music.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  12. San Francesco del deserto San Francesco del deserto
    18 1 hour

    San Francesco del deserto

    San Francesco del Deserto is a small island monastery in the Venetian Lagoon, located between Venice proper and Burano.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Venice
  13. The Last Supper The Last Supper
    19 45 min

    The Last Supper

    Ultima Cena

    Il Cenacolo Vinciano is a one-room state museum built around a single wall.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Milan
  14. Moses
    21 1 hour

    Moses

    Mosè

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • 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.