Out of the European countries I’ve visited (so far), Italy is by far my favourite. Full of fascinating history, stunning architecture, amazing art and of course enough pizza and pasta to keep you going for days.
Whether you visit one of Italy’s iconic cities or one of its charming villages, the country will leave a lasting impression.
Through my posts I hope to show how you can see the best of Italy, even if you have limited time there, as well as highlighting some events you could build into your travels.
So if you are thinking about or planning a trip, take a look below for some ideas of where to go and what to see in Italy.
Where to go in Italy
Rome
What is there to say about Rome that hasn’t been said before?
With ancient ruins, spectacular monuments, awe-inspiring art and bustling street life, you could spend weeks in Rome and not run out of things to see and do. It really is one of the most breathtaking cities in the world.
Everyone should visit the Eternal City at least once in their lifetime.
- Find out how to spend a day in Rome
- How to climb to the top of St Peter’s Basilica and see incredible views of Rome
- Want to see the Sistine Chapel? But not keen on crowds? Here’s how I saw the Sistine Chapel with less than 100 other people in the room.
Lucca
Lucca may not be as well known as it’s famous neighbour but this charming city is full of surprises. With its historic city walls, cobblestone streets and traffic free centre, Lucca is Tuscany’s best kept secret.
- Visiting Lucca? Whether you are there for a day or spending a long weekend in the city, here are 7 things not to miss in Lucca
- Lucca plays host to a number of festivals throughout the year. In the summer the city comes alive with the Lucca Summer Festival.
- Still not sure whether to visit Lucca? Here are 23 photos of Lucca to inspire you to book that trip to Italy.
Florence
Florence is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world and strolling round the city it doesn’t take you long to realise why.
Packed with stunning architecture, magnificent monuments and some of the worlds most important museums, Florence is one of Italy’s must see destinations.
- While you need a good few days, if not weeks to fully explore Florence it is just about possible to see the highlights of the city in a few hours. Trust me, I’ve had to attempt that twice…here’s how I did it…
- Want to see panoramic views of Florence? To see the red roof tops fanning out in the distance? Well you could climb the famous Duomo or the Giotto’s Bell Tower, but why be like everyone else?
Climb the Torre Di Arnolfo at the Palazzo Vecchio instead. You’ll avoid the crowds plus get a spectacular photos of Florence with the Duomo taking centre stage.
Looking for more to see in Italy?
Other cities worth considering visiting in Italy include Bologna, Milan, Naples, Verona and of course Venice.
If you are a photographer – or just like to take a lot of photos – Italy is packed with scenic moments. From the big cities to off the beaten track towns, there are plenty of picturesque day trips you can take to get that perfect shot.
Exploring Italy by cruise? Popular port stops include Civitavecchia (for Rome), La Spezia or Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), Palermo (Sicily) and Salerno (for the Amalfi Coast). Of course these areas can also be visited as a weekend break or as part of an Italian road trip.
Events in Italy
Music & festivals
Italy has a diverse festival scene so whether you are pop, rock or classical music fan there will be an event for you. A great night (or weekend) of music plus the chance to explore this amazing country. What’s not to like?
- Lucca Summer Festival – held within (or next to, if it is a big show) the historic walls of Lucca, the festival plays hosts to a series of gigs through June and July.
- Roma Sumer Fest – series of concerts held in the open-air theatre at the Auditorium Parco della Music. With a capacity of around 3000 it provides a more intimate experience than the big festivals.
- Rock in Roma – Rock festival that takes place throughout June and July and usually has some pretty names performing. Shows take place at a number of different venues in Rome.
- Firenze Rocks – Huge rock festival held in mid June at the Visarno Arena in Tuscany.
Discover more music festivals in Italy.
Sports
If you are a sports fan there are some pretty iconic sporting venues to visit and thrilling events to attend.
Football
- San Siro Stadium – home to AC Milan and Inter Milan and one of the largest stadiums in Europe. It has hosted World Cup games, European Championship matches and European Cup Finals. In 2026, the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics will be held there.
Formula 1
- Monza – this historic race track north of Milan is one of the quickest circuits on the racing calendar. So you can be sure of an exciting race here.