Country guide
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
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
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photograph · Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photograph · Wikibusters · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photograph · Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
137 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
Palazzo Giustiniani
Ca’ Giustinian is a historic Venetian palazzo in the San Marco district, associated with the city’s tradition of grand residences along the Grand Canal.
Chiesa di San Niccolò Oltrarno
The Church of San Niccolò Oltrarno is a parish church in Florence’s Oltrarno district, south of the Arno River. Its setting places it within a traditionally local part of the city known for artisan streets and neighbourhood life.
Palazzo Mocenigo Gambara is a historic palace in Venice’s Dorsoduro district, linked with the Mocenigo family, one of the city’s prominent patrician houses. Its significance lies in the combination of noble-family history and Venetian palace architecture.
Porta San Giorgio
Porta San Giorgio is a medieval city gate in Florence, located in the Oltrarno district near the Arno River. It forms part of the historic defensive walls that once encircled the city.
Santa Maria a Quinto
The Church of Santa Maria a Quinto is a religious building in Florence and part of the city’s extensive network of churches.
Palazzo Cornaggia
Cornaggia Palace is a named historic building in Milan and a specific architectural destination within the city’s dense urban fabric.
Palazzo Crespi
Palazzo Crespi is a historic palace in Milan, situated in the city's central area.
Forte Bazzera is a historic military fortification in the mainland part of Venice's municipal territory. It offers a different perspective on Venice from the lagoon palaces, bridges, and churches of the historic centre.
Forte Carpenedo is a military fortification located in the mainland district of Mestre, part of the Venice municipality. It belongs to the system of forts built during the Austrian domination of the Veneto region in the nineteenth century.
Forte Gazzera is a historic military fortification located in the mainland district of Mestre, part of the municipality of Venice.
Forte Malamocco is a historic fortification on the Lido of Venice, near Malamocco, one of the island's oldest settlements. It belongs to the defensive landscape that protected the lagoon entrance and maritime approaches to Venice.
Forte Rossarol is a military fortification in the Venetian lagoon defensive landscape. Its importance comes from the network of forts that protected Venice and the approaches to its waters, linking the structure to the city's broader military history.
Forte Mezzacapo
Fort Mezzacapo, or Forte Mezzacapo, is a historic military fortification connected with Venice’s wider defensive landscape. It represents the strategic architecture used to protect the lagoon and surrounding territory.
Forte Batteria Treporti
Fort Treporti, also known as Forte Batteria Treporti, is a historic military fortification in the Venetian lagoon area. It belongs to the defensive landscape that protected Venice and its maritime approaches.
Forte Tron
Fort Tron is a Venetian military fortification and a quieter historical counterpoint to the city's churches, palaces, and canals. Known locally as Forte Tron, it represents the defensive side of Venice's past and the strategic importance of the lagoon.
Palazzo Litta Cusini Modignani
Litta Cusini Modignani Palace is a historic aristocratic palace in Milan. Its name connects the building with the Litta, Cusini, and Modignani families and places it within the city’s tradition of noble urban residences.
Palazzo Lurani Cernuschi
Lurani Cernuschi Palace, or Palazzo Lurani Cernuschi, is a historic palace in Milan. It represents the city’s noble residential architecture and belongs to the layered urban environment that makes Milan interesting beyond its headline attractions.
Palazzo Mapelli
Mapelli Palace, or Palazzo Mapelli, is a historic palace in Milan.
Villa Imperiale
The Ancient Roman imperial palace of Milan, known locally as Villa Imperiale, stands as a significant archaeological remnant of Milan's Roman past.
Giardini Reali di Venezia
Giardini Reali is a historic formal garden beside Piazza San Marco, where a small landscaped space interrupts Venice’s dense stone-and-water cityscape. Its position near the Royal Palace area makes it an easy addition to a walk through San Marco.
Monumento ai Caduti delle Guerre d'Indipendenza
The Obelisk of Piazza dell'Unità Italiana stands beside Florence's Santa Maria Novella railway station.
Palazzo Erizzo
Palazzo Erizzo a San Martino is a historic Venetian palace in Dorsoduro, identified with the Church of San Martino. It belongs to the architectural world of Venetian noble residences, where grand buildings shaped the city's canals, campos, and streets.
Palazzo Moro
Palazzo Moro a San Barnaba is a historic Venetian palace located in the Dorsoduro district, overlooking the Rio di San Barnaba canal.
Palazzo Arcivescovile
The Archbishop's Palace, known locally as Palazzo Arcivescovile, stands as the historic residence of the Archbishop of Florence. This significant ecclesiastical building occupies a prominent position near the Duomo cathedral complex in the heart of the city.
Ca' del Duca
Ca' del Duca is a historic palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district near the Grand Canal. The building represents Venetian Gothic architecture and holds significance in the city's noble residential heritage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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