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A photograph of Italy

Country guide

Theme: History, 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.

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12 places match

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Category

Historic monuments 5 Museums 0 Places of worship 7 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 12 1 to 2 hours 1

Interests

History 12 Art 9 Museums 2 Nature 3 Sea and beach 3 Viewpoints 0
  1. Aventine Keyhole Aventine Keyhole
    07 45 min

    Aventine Keyhole

    San Pietro dal Buco della serratura

    The Aventine Keyhole is a peephole in the green door of the Priory of the Knights of Malta on Rome’s Aventine Hill.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Rome
  2. Jewish Ghetto Jewish Ghetto
    08 45 min

    Jewish Ghetto

    Ghetto ebraico

    The Roman Jewish Ghetto is a historic district in Rome's Rione Sant'Angelo, established in 1555 by papal decree. It served as a compulsory residential area for the city's Jewish population until 1870.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Rome
  3. Palazzo Serbelloni Palazzo Serbelloni
    09 45 min

    Palazzo Serbelloni

    Palazzo Serbelloni is a privately owned Neoclassical palace at Corso Venezia 16 in Milan.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Milan
  5. San Carlo ai Catinari
    11 30 min

    San Carlo ai Catinari

    Santi Biagio e Carlo ai Catinari

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Rome
  6. Ascensione
    12 30 min

    Ascensione

    Chiesa dell'Ascensione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Florence

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.