Italy. The land of pizza, gelato, beautiful blue water, vineyards amid rolling hills, and so, so much history. You could travel for a lifetime in this incredible country and never get bored. The country has 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the most of any country in the world (tied with China). But if you only have time for a short trip, you’re going to want to pack in as many of the top Italy landmarks as possible.
In this post, I’ll cover the best things to see in Italy on your first trip (or second, or third, since you’ll definitely be coming back). These are the places you’ve surely dreamed about seeing with your own eyes your entire life — and they’re every bit as amazing as you’ve imagined. Pour yourself a glass of Chianti and read on!
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Rome: A city jam-packed with the most famous landmarks in Italy
If there’s one city that tops every list of the best places to visit in Italy, it’s Rome. The seat of Europe’s greatest empire, the chaotic capital of modern Italia, and the home of the Catholic church is one of the most fascinating destinations on the planet. And you’ll find most of the top Italy landmarks in a walkable grid of streets right in the city center!
The Coliseum
The one landmark everyone wants to see when they plan a trip to Italy is the Coliseum. The former home of gladiator fights is still the most iconic structure in the modern city and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. You can’t miss it when you visit Rome.
The Coliseum was built between 70 and 80 AD. In its heyday, more than 50,000 people could crowd into the arena. Events had a violent spin to them, including gladiator fights and even executions, but it occasionally hosted more innocuous events like chariot races.
Weather and time have done a number on the Coliseum, but about 2/3 of the original structure still stands. It’s right in the heart of ancient Rome, with a traffic circle surrounding it — making it a great spot to get those “ancient vs. modern” photos. You can see much of it from the outside, but many visitors buy a ticket to get a better sense of the scale from the inside.
The lines to visit the Coliseum are as long as you’d expect considering it’s one of the most famous landmarks of Italy. So buy a timed ticket in advance to avoid them. This costs €14 to buy online in advance (including the processing fee). It includes admission to the Forum as well. You can book your ticket here.
St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel
A marvel of art and architecture, and the center of the Catholic bureaucracy, St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most popular Italy tourist attractions.
The basilica is the largest church in the world. Michelangelo played a key role in its design and decoration. It’s the finest example of Renaissance architecture in existence. Plus, you can see the Pope at the Wednesday Papal Audience events nearly every week.
The basilica is in Vatican City, which is technically its own country but operates more like a neighborhood of Rome. (You won’t get a passport stamp or go through immigration.) It occupies an enormous plaza, where you’ll wait in line to enter the church for well over an hour in the summer. Swiss Guards stand watch outside and pilgrims come and go, making for some of the best people-watching on the planet.
The basilica contains a treasure trove of artwork. There are statues by Michelangelo, more than 10,000 square meters of mosaics, and much, much more. Signs describe key pieces inside.
You must cover your knees and shoulders to enter the church. It’s completely free and you can visit independently. If you want to climb to the top for ~that~ famous view of Rome, it costs €8 to take the stairs or €10 to take the elevator.
But after you visit the cathedral, you’re still not done with the Italy landmarks in the area! Walk around the corner to reach the Vatican Museum, where you can see the famous Sistine Chapel, often considered the most perfect painting in the world. Admission is €17. Buy a timed ticket in advance to avoid the sometimes-multi-hour line.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the most overlooked Italy landmarks, but one of the most rewarding to visit. This former Roman temple is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the city. It was converted to a church in the 600’s AD, which saved it from being burned during the violent Middle Ages and the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Pantheon’s circular dome was unique in its time. It remains the largest unsupported dome in the world, and the hole in the top continues to intrigue visitors.
You can visit the Pantheon for free, and it’s open 24/7. Go at night and wander around with the moonlight shining through the roof, or in the morning to see the details inside. Just try to avoid visiting on a rainy day if you don’t want to get dripped on through the hole in the roof! You can find it in Piazza della Rotonda — a lovely spot for an aperitivo.
The Trevi Fountain
It’s hard to say why the Fontana di Trevi is so special. Maybe it’s because of the beautiful architecture. Maybe it’s because of the atmosphere surrounding it on a hot summer night in the heart of the ancient city. Or maybe because it’s a symbol of one of the most sophisticated water systems in the world — which allowed Rome to be one of the most sophisticated ancient cities in the world.
Whatever draws you here, without a doubt, you’ll agree that the Trevi Fountain is one of the most essential places to visit in Italy. Travelers have thrown coins over their shoulder into the fountain for over a millennium. Don’t miss the chance to join in that tradition.
Being one of the most famous landmarks in Italy, the fountain is naturally extremely crowded. For the best experience, visit at night. After the tour groups head home, you can snag a spot on the benches with a couple scoops of gelato. Watch the police blow whistles at kids who stick their hands in, Instagram wanna-be’s spend half an hour staging the perfect coin-throwing shot, and elderly Italian couples walk by holding hands.
The Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are one of the most overlooked Italy landmarks. But you can’t visit Rome without seeing them.
These 135 steps may seem like “just another stairway,” but they’re a cultural institution. Their original purpose (and name) comes from connecting the Spanish embassy at the top to the Holy See below. But they’re also a popular gathering place, and in the summer, you may get the chance to watch some street theater or musical performances.
Because of their historical importance, the city of Rome has imposed strict regulations on visiting the Spanish Steps. You’re not allowed to eat or drink there. You’re not even allowed to sit down anymore. But they’re still worth a visit — and a climb.
The Forum
When you think of ancient Rome, what you’re probably picturing in your mind is the Forum. This large area of protected structures forms the heart of the old city. It was the seat of government, the commercial center, and where people lived, worked, and worshiped.
The Roman Forum is an expansive site covering much of central Rome. You can easily wander around the main streets in the city center and stumble upon an enormous, out-of-context arch or column. A few of the most iconic structures are the Arco di Settimio Severo, the Curia, the Tempio di Saturno and the Arco di Tito.
As you walk around, the ancient city will seem to come to life all around you. Imagine toga-clad Senators walking through the Curia. Street markets buzzing with traders from as far afield as Istanbul or Cairo. Pagan temples built for gods that have faded from memory.
Best of all, you can see much of the Forum without buying a pricey admission ticket. Simply walk down the main road connecting the Coliseum to the Pantheon. If you do want to dive deeper, a ticket costs €14 (including the online booking fee) and includes the Coliseum as well. Visit in the late afternoon for spectacular light.
Venice: Drift past top Italy landmarks in a gondola
Rome may have more of the best things to do in Italy than any other city, but Venice is a very, very close second. It has perhaps the most unique urban planning model anywhere in the world, with the entire city built on the canals. So naturally, waterways and bridges make up most of the top Venice attractions.
The Rialto Bridge
One of the first things that will surprise you about Venice is how spread-out it is. And a key reason why is because the Grand Canal is big — really big. That makes it all the more impressive that an ancient bridge such as the Ponte Rialto is able to span it.
The Rialto Bridge was constructed in the Rialto district back in Venice’s very early days, when the neighborhood was an important trading center. Today, the atmosphere seems almost unchanged since the 9th century. Vendors still hawk trinkets to tourists all along the sides of the bridge. But it’s undoubtedly one of the most magical places in the city.
For the best experience, visit the Rialto Bridge around sunset in winter, when the crowds are fewer and the light is perfect. And don’t forget to walk up and down the streets on either side of the canal to capture the bridge from different angles.
The Grand Canal
The absolute best way to get into Venice when you first arrive is to grab a spot on a vaporetto traversing the Grand Canal. These public boats crawl through the city’s main waterways, offering spectacular views on all sides.
Vaporetto Route 1 is the best of the best. It connects the train station to the city center (you can get off at St. Mark’s Cathedral) via the Grand Canal. You’ll zig-zag back and forth across the canal and see some of the most beautiful buildings in the city from the water. Along the way you’ll pass the Rialto Bridge, various 13th-century palaces, and the epic Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Better yet, at only €7.50 a ticket, the vaporetti are a steal compared to a gondola ride!
St. Mark’s Cathedral
Venice has a history totally unique from the rest of Italy. At one time, it was the center of its own mini-empire. Its cultural influences extended throughout the Mediterranean — in particular toward North Africa and the Middle East — far more than the Romans’.
One of the best examples of Venetian culture is St. Mark’s Cathedral, in the heart of Venice. The church is perhaps the best example of Byzantine influence in Italian architecture.
Mosaic work dominates the interior, with a heavy emphasis on gold. Look up to follow the story of the Life of Christ, which is portrayed on the ceiling.
Admission to the church itself is free, but you should still booked timed tickets in the summer due to the outrageous tourist crowds. In off-season the line is reasonable to just wait (maybe 15 minutes). If you want to climb to the top of the dome for a spectacular view of the entire city, that costs €13.
The Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs
The most powerful leader in Venice’s gubernatorial system was known as the Doge. From around 700 AD through the end of the 18th century, the Doge lived and worked in a spectacular palace in the city. Today, the Doge’s Palace is a museum, and it’s one of the most spectacular Italy landmarks.
The palace showcases the evolution of Italian architecture throughout the Renaissance period and beyond. It also houses invaluable works of art, many in the former residences of the Doge and his family.
Because it doubled as a residence and an administrative building, the Doge’s Palace contained a courtroom as well as prisons. They were connected with the palace’s most famous feature — the Bridge of Sighs. The bridge got its name from the reactions of prisoners as they walked across and caught their last glimpse of freedom, looking out toward San Giorgio Church.
The only way to visit the Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs is on a guided tour through the museum. This costs €25 and takes about two hours. You cannot buy tickets online (luckily the palace is less popular than other activities in Venice), but you can learn more about the tours here.
Florence: Home to some of the best things to see in Italy
After Rome and Venice, Florence is next on many travelers’ Italy wish lists. It’s the perfect jumping-off point for traveling in Tuscany. But it also has some of the finest museums in Europe, gorgeous churches and more. Add the following Italy landmarks to your Florence itinerary.
The Duomo
The Duomo of Florence may be the most beautiful church in all of Europe, and it’s easily one of the most famous landmarks in Italy.
The church, which was constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries, is in the Gothic style. The exterior is elaborately decorated with various colors of marble, and includes some impressive statue work. The interior is relatively plain — but look at the ceiling to see frescoes typical of the era.
At the time of its construction, the dome was an impressive architectural feat. It was one of the largest of its time.
Entrance to the cathedral is free, and of course it’s free to walk around outside. In the summer, lines can be long. Groups of 4 or more must now rent an audio guide (around €3) to prevent loud speaking inside the church. If you want to climb the tower, you’ll need to reserve a ticket in advance and shell out a steep €18.
Ponte Vecchio
The Arno River bisects Florence, separating the one-time home of the Medici family from the city’s historical center. Local friars began to build bridges across the river beginning in the first century AD. The oldest one still standing is Ponte Vecchio.
Beginning in the 13th century, shopkeepers began selling their wares on the bridge. But it got out of hand when tanners began setting up shop on the bridge and dumping their byproducts into the river. The city’s officials then barred anyone besides goldsmiths and jewelers from occupying the shops. Today, the bridge still has many of those old shops.
The bridge makes a pleasant place for a stroll on a warm Florentine evening. Better yet, grab a bottle of wine from a shop along the riverbanks, take a seat on Ponte alle Grazie (the next bridge to the east), and watch the sun set behind the bridge.
Famous Italy landmarks elsewhere in the north
Florence, Rome, and Venice have the largest concentrations of famous landmarks of Italy. But they’re not the only cities with incredible things to see. Northern Italy has an especially large concentration of tourist attractions hidden in small towns, along with a couple other urban attractions. You can fit these in as day-trips from Florence or Venice, or stop for a night in between other destinations.
The Cathedral in Milan
Milan is primarily famous for being one of the fashion capitals of the world (right up there with Paris). It’s the kind of city tourists fly into and leave quickly, as it doesn’t have a lot in the way of conventional things to do in Italy. But even if you’re only stopping over for a night, you can’t miss the epic cathedral.
The Gothic-style cathedral took nearly five centuries to build, and required the construction of a new canal system to accommodate it. Its architectural style is one of the most elaborate in Europe. But most importantly, its rooftop is completely covered with statues and gargoyles — the most of any church in the world.
The cathedral sits on an enormous piazza with great photo opportunities. You can walk around and see the statues on the outside from all angles. Then, climb to the roof and spend an hour or so exploring. The interior is also worth a visit — you’ll really get a sense for the classic Gothic mentality of “build tall things to make people feel small compared to God.”
Unlike most churches in Italy, the Milan cathedral charges admission both to visit the church itself and to visit the rooftop. The best deal is the combined entry, which costs €13. You can book your ticket here.
Villages of the Cinque Terre
One of the most famous Italian landmarks for tourists to visit is the Cinque Terre region. This area consists of five tiny villages with spectacular locations on cliffsides hugging the Ligurian coast. The villages are colorful, the water is crystal-clear, the beaches are lovely, and you can hike through vineyards and old-fashioned farms to travel between them. All in all it’s everything you could want from a vacation destination.
The five villages of the Cinque Terre are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corneglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Riomaggiore is the best backpacker base — it has a handful of hostels, cheap restaurants, a nice (rocky) beach, and the best small-town vibe. Corneglia is the most beautiful village (and the least-visited, since it requires a steep slog up from the train station). The best beaches are in Monterosso, which has more of a high-end resort vibe.
The entire area is a National Park. You can get between the villages by train, but hiking is more fun — pick up a trail map when you buy your park pass. The main trail along the coast runs about 26 km through all five villages, but you can take diversions further up into the hills that are much less touristy. The trails sometimes close in the event of landslides or floods.
You can visit the Cinque Terre on a day trip from Milan (take the train to La Spezia and change for a train to Riomaggiore). But it’s far more pleasant to spend a couple nights in the area. You’ll get to see the villages after the tour bus crowds leave.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Perhaps the most iconic of all famous Italy landmarks, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a must for most travelers. And considering it’s an easy day-trip from Florence, there’s no reason not to add it to your Italy itinerary!
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is technically nothing more than a clock tower. But its claim to fame is that after construction began, the building started to tip over. Today it’s been stabilized, and barring a natural disaster it should hold up for at least another couple hundred years.
The tower is in the town of Pisa, a 90-minute train ride from Florence. You can combine it with a visit to the town’s church, and if you have time, explore further afield — this is a classic small Tuscan city with tons of charm.
Of course, you’ll want to leave plenty of time for all those ridiculous selfies. Just don’t walk on the grass to get the perfect shot — it’s against the rules and you could face a steep fine for doing it!
Admission to the tower costs €18. You can book tickets in advance to skip the line here, but it comes with a steep €10 processing fee.
The Arena in Verona
Verona is full of cliche landmarks centered around the story of Romeo and Juliet. But before you write it off with an eye roll and decide to skip in on your Italy trip, it also has some of the most famous buildings in Italy — including its gorgeous arena.
The Arena of Verona follows a similar construction to the Coliseum. But it’s better-preserved and far less touristic. It’s also much smaller — only 20,000 spectators can fit in its stands.
The other reason the Verona Arena is unique is that the city still uses it for many of its original purposes — cultural performances. Today, you can watch an opera or theater production in the arena on a summer night. It’s truly a unique travel experience — you’ll feel a profound connection to life 700 years ago.
Admission to the Arena during the day costs just €10 and you don’t need to book online in advance. This makes it one of the best bargains of all the famous landmarks in Italy. If you want to visit during the Opera Festival to see a performance, be prepared to shell out a bit more — but backpackers can still snag an unreserved seat on the stone steps for €17.
The most famous landmarks in Italy south of Rome
While southern Italy has fewer famous tourist attractions than the north, the area around Naples has a lot of history, not to mention beautiful nature. These Italy landmarks also see fewer tourists than further north.
Mount Vesuvius
Towering over Naples, Mount Vesuvius serves as a constant reminder of the power of nature. It’s the only active volcano in mainland Europe. It hasn’t erupted since 1944, but Napolitans still keep a close eye on it.
You’ll see the volcano from just about everywhere in Naples — you can’t miss it. But the best view is from Piazzale di San Martino on Vomero Hill. You can take the tiny cable car to reach it.
If you want to get more up-close-and-personal with the volcano, consider hiking Mount Vesuvius! The locals will all tell you you’re crazy to try, but it’s actually quite an easy hike. Take the train to Herculaneum and ask around for the starting point of the trail. It takes about four hours to reach the crater — you’ll pay a €6.50 admission fee when you’re near the rim. You’re in direct sunlight with no shade most of the time. You can also take a minibus from the Pompeii train station for €10 round-trip.
The ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum
In the year 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius unleashed a horrific eruption with the power of 100,000 atomic bombs. The eruption almost instantly wiped out the entire cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the foothills of the volcano. But because of the nature of the destruction, they also kept the cities almost perfectly preserved (aside from the enormous amount of hot ash that rained down).
Today, Pompeii and Herculaneum are two of the most famous landmarks in Italy for people who want to understand Roman history. You can wander among the ruins and see exactly how daily life occurred — from the labels of wine bottles to the charred remains of settlers.
If you only have time to visit one of the ancient cities, most people recommend Pompeii. It’s larger and shows a greater array of daily activities because it was a major trading center. However, Herculaneum is better-preserved and sees far fewer crowds, so it’s a good alternative if you want something quieter.
Admission to Pompeii costs €15, while Herculaneum costs €11. You can buy a combined ticket for €20. Both sites are easy to reach on local trains from Naples.
The islands of Capri and Procida
Beyond the famous buildings in Italy, the historical sites, the ruined cities, and the palaces, you can still find a few hidden gems. And one of the best is the volcanic island of Procida, off the coast of Naples.
The island won’t make most lists of famous landmarks in Italy — most visitors are local. But if wandering through the lemon groves to black-sand beaches, eating the catch of the day at a seafront cafe, or sitting on the balcony of an old house in an impossibly colorful village sounds nice to you, it’s worth checking out.
Of course, if you’re interested in more traditional Italy landmarks, head to Capri — Procida’s sister island — instead. It has similar landscapes and beaches, along with the Blue Grotto.
You can easily reach both islands on ferries from Naples — the trip takes about an hour. Capri is also accessible from Sorrento. Capri is extremely crowded in peak tourist season, while Procida is much more low-key. You can get around both islands on foot or with a guided tour.
Overall, there are so many incredible Italy attractions that I couldn’t possibly fit them all into one post. As I said at the beginning, Italy is one of those countries you’ll want to return to again and again. But these Italy landmarks are the ideal starting point to plan your first trip — so start planning today!
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So many beautiful places to visit and so little time! I love Rome, but found it to be a little disheveled, for want of a better word. I guess I didn’t expect to see graffiti there, but that’s crazy of me, considering I wouldn’t blink if I saw graffiti in any other country.
Hah I totally know what you mean! I CouchSurfed in Rome so when I first arrived, I didn’t even go through the city center — just went to one of the outlying neighborhoods where my host lived. It was really jarring to see how different “real” life is compared to the touristy spots.
Oof. So much to see! Italy is truly one of those places you can come back to again and again. Love this!
Totally agree! I’ve been three times now and I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.