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.

  1. Villa Borghese gardens Villa Borghese gardens
    02 1 hour

    Villa Borghese gardens

    Villa Borghese

    Villa Borghese is a large public park in central Rome, Italy. It covers substantial ground on the Pincian Hill and surrounding area, making it one of the city's most significant green spaces.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Rome
  2. Oppian Hill Oppian Hill
    03 1 hour

    Oppian Hill

    Parco del Colle Oppio

    Oppian Hill Park, or Parco del Colle Oppio, is a public green space on Rome’s historic Oppian Hill in the Monti district.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rome
  3. Villa Torlonia Villa Torlonia
    04 1 hour

    Villa Torlonia

    Villa Torlonia is a historic villa and public park in Rome, Italy. Originally a noble residence, it became state property and now serves as a cultural site with museums and gardens.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rome
  4. Parco degli Acquedotti Parco degli Acquedotti
    05 1 hour

    Parco degli Acquedotti

    Parco degli Acquedotti is a public park in Rome's southeastern periphery, named for the ancient Roman aqueducts that traverse its terrain.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rome
  5. Orto Botanico di Brera Orto Botanico di Brera
    06 1 hour

    Orto Botanico di Brera

    Orto Botanico di Brera is a historic botanical garden in Milan’s Brera district. Founded in 1774 under Maria Theresa of Austria, it was created as an academic setting for cultivating medicinal plants and supporting pharmaceutical education.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Milan
  6. Orto Botanico dell'Università di Roma "La Sapienza" Orto Botanico dell'Università di Roma "La Sapienza"
    07 1 hour

    Orto Botanico dell'Università di Roma "La Sapienza"

    Orto Botanico

    The Botanical Garden of Rome, or Orto Botanico, occupies the slopes of Janiculum Hill in Trastevere. It is a university botanical garden and a historic landscape descended from the grounds of Palazzo Corsini.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rome
  7. Garden of Eden Garden of Eden
    08 1 hour

    Garden of Eden

    Giardino Eden Hundertwasser

    The Garden of Eden, also known locally as Giardino Eden Hundertwasser, is a Venice garden associated with the artistic vision of Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Venice
  8. Orange Garden Orange Garden
    09 1 hour

    Orange Garden

    Giardino degli Aranci

    The Orange Garden, or Giardino degli Aranci, is a compact public park on Rome’s Aventine Hill. Its elevated terrace opens across the city toward the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica, making it one of Rome’s most rewarding short viewpoints.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Rome
  9. San Giuliano park San Giuliano park
    10 1 hour

    San Giuliano park

    Parco San Giuliano

    San Giuliano Park is a large public green space on the mainland side of the Venice lagoon.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Venice
  10. Parco di Villa Querini Parco di Villa Querini
    11 1 hour

    Parco di Villa Querini

    Parco Andrea Zanzotto

    Parco di Villa Querini is a public park in Mestre, the mainland district of Venice. The park occupies grounds associated with Villa Querini and is also known locally as Parco Andrea Zanzotto.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Venice
  11. Parco di Villa Fabbricotti Parco di Villa Fabbricotti
    12 1 hour

    Parco di Villa Fabbricotti

    Parco di Villa Fabbricotti is a public park in Florence, set within the grounds of a former private villa.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Florence
  12. Parco di Villa Stibbert Parco di Villa Stibbert
    13 1 hour

    Parco di Villa Stibbert

    Parco di Villa Stibbert is the landscaped park surrounding Villa Stibbert in northern Florence. The villa is home to the Stibbert Museum, created around Frederick Stibbert’s collection, while the grounds provide the outdoor counterpart to the museum’s historic interiors.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Florence
  13. Venice Lido Venice Lido
    14 1 hour

    Venice Lido

    Lido di Venezia

    Lido di Venezia is an 11-kilometre-long barrier island in the Venetian Lagoon, separating the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. It forms part of the municipality of Venice and serves as the city's primary beach resort area.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Venice

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.