So you’re looking for the best cities to visit in Italy for the first time? You’re in for a treat.
Italy is a country rich in history, culture, and stunning cities, and is a dream destination for many travelers.
Deciding which city to visit can be overwhelming when planning your first trip to Italy.
To help you, we curated a list of the top 10 cities in Italy that are worth a visit.
Whether you’re into art, food, or history, or you’re seeking breathtaking scenery and the chance to explore nearby attractions, Italy has something special for everyone.
These Are The Top Cities To Visit For Your First Trip To Italy
1. Rome: The Capital And Eternal City
Rome is the capital of Italy. The Eternal City of Rome is one of the most important cultural cradles in Europe.
The Colosseum (check out our Colosseum tips) and the Roman Forum are the go-to places offering insights into the Roman Empire.
The historical buildings are one of the many reasons why to visit Italy.
In Rome, you can also visit the Vatican City, the seat of the Pope. Here, you can enjoy the vast square and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Additionally, there’s the chance to admire the famous Sistine Chapel, home to one of the most significant ceiling frescoes in the world.
Make sure to visit the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi). Legend says that if you throw a coin into the fountain you will return to Rome.
In the Trastevere district, you can indulge in Italian cuisine, including pasta, pizza, wine, and gelato. Food is an integral part of Italian culture.
You can easily explore the city by taking a self-guided walking tour in Rome.
We recommend you read our Rome for the first time visitor guide, including everything you need to know before booking your trip.
If you start your Italy trip in Rome, it’s easy to visit other cities as well.
Rome is in central Italy and you can reach the other cities mentioned below pretty fast by taking the high-speed train or car.
Alternatively, you can join guided day tours from Rome to see the cities in Italy.
While some spend just one day in Rome (we have the optimized route for that case), we recommend spending at least two days in Rome, but better three days in Rome to get a great overview of Italy’s capital.
2. Florence: The Cradle Of The Renaissance
Florence is known as the cradle of the Renaissance.
The influential Medici family commissioned artists to create magnificent buildings, sculptures, and paintings.
Taking a stroll through Florence feels like walking through an open-air museum.
Statues of David are scattered throughout the city.
(Michelangelo‘s original can be admired at the Galleria dell’Accademia).
The Uffizi Galleries is one of the world’s most visited art museums.
Florence Cathedral, featuring the impressive dome by Brunelleschi, is a highlight in the city.
Florence’s attractions are relatively close, allowing you to visit the city in a day (read more in our Florence in one-day itinerary), though two days in Florence to three days are ideal.
Florence is also the capital of the Tuscany region.
You can take great day trips from Florence to Tuscany, explore the small towns in Tuscany, visit cities near Florence, and enjoy breathtaking landscapes, delicious food, and wine.
3. Venice: The Lagoon City
Venice is the city of canals, carnival, and romance.
Venice is also one of the most visited cities in North Italy.
The best way to explore the city up north is by taking a gondola ride.
Impressive sights include the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, and St. Mark’s Basilica.
If you’re planning your Italy trip in winter, you can watch the Carnival parade.
I experienced it once, and it was an impressive sight to see the elaborately decorated masks of the revelers.
You can easily explore Venice’s old town on foot.
In fact, it’s the only way to get around since there are no transportation options other than boats.
If you have enough time, you can take a ferry to the island of Murano.
There, you’ll find glassblowers creating intricate and colorful artworks like vases or ornaments.
⭐ Travel tip: Check out our Checklist For Traveling To Italy
4. Milan: Italy’s Fashion Capital
Milan is also known as the fashion capital and is the second-largest city in Italy.
Milano is located in northern Italy and is famous for the Milan Cathedral, and our highlight of the Duomo di Milano rooftop terrace.
The cathedral is Milan’s landmark.
Next to it is the Galleria Emporio Emanuele II, a stunning arcade covered with a glass dome.
This open arcade has some of the most luxurious designer shops, restaurants, and cafés.
If you’re interested in art, Milan has a lot to offer. You can visit Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, inside the refectory of the Santa Maria delle Grazie church.
You can also do day trips from Milan to Lake Como, Cinque Terre, or even hop on the famous Bernina Express.
5. Naples: Pizza And Volcano
Naples is known for its culinary history, the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the impressive volcano Vesuvius.
It’s a must-visit for you if you’re exploring Italy and the cities in Southern Italy for the first time.
Naples and the surrounding area offer many highlights.
Naples is the birthplace of the Pizza Napoletana. Make sure to visit a pizzeria in the historic center. Find out more about the city in our 1-day Naples itinerary.
Close to Naples are the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. They were destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
While Pompeii is more famous, Herculaneum offers well-preserved buildings, mosaics, and paintings.
The view of Mount Vesuvius, which you can even hike up to, is spectacular from Pompeii.
Besides the historic center and visiting the underground tunnels and catacombs of Naples, you can also explore the nearby regions.
The Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful coastal areas in Italy, with picturesque towns like Positano or the island of Capri, are highlights you should put on your bucket list.
6. Verona: The City Of Love
Verona is a smaller city in northern Italy and one of our favorite cities. It’s one of the best walkable cities and you can easily see the highlights of Verona in one day.
You can visit Juliet’s balcony at Casa di Giulietta (Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare).
Fun Fact: “Juliet’s House” has no real historical ties to Shakespeare’s characters.
You can visit the Arena di Verona, an ancient amphitheater, which looks a bit like the Colosseum in Rome, and is one of the top things to see in Verona.
After exploring the city you can head to the Hotel Milano’s rooftop bar near the Arena di Verona, where you can enjoy an aperitivo while taking in breathtaking views.
Besides the Torre dei Lamberti, it was our favorite viewpoint in Verona.
Verona has beautiful historic streets and piazzas to offer.
From the city, it’s a short trip to the beautiful Lake Garda, which has a Mediterranean feel to it, while being surrounded by the Alps.
And if you want to visit the Dolomites, Verona is the best of the mentioned cities as a starting point, because you can reach them in about 1 1/2 hours.
Venice is also not far away. If you have Venice on your itinerary you might want to include Verona as well.
7. Siena: The Medieval Heart Of Tuscany
If you want to explore Tuscany and its beautiful towns, Siena is a must-see.
You can do a day trip from Florence to experience the special atmosphere of the Piazza del Campo.
It’s a huge square where the famous Palio horse race takes place once a year.
You can also visit the Siena Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece with intricate carvings and sculptures.
Siena is also the perfect starting point to explore the Tuscan countryside. You can join wine-tasting experiences at local vineyards surrounded by the typical Zypress trees.
Additionally, you can visit my favorite medieval hilltop towns: Volterra, San Gimignano, and Montepulciano.
Conveniently located, Siena also makes for an ideal day trip from Florence, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and allure of this enchanting city.
8. Genoa: The Port City
Genua is a port city in the northwest part of Italy. You can explore Genoa’s maritime past at the old port.
You can also wander along the Carrugi district, where you’ll find narrow medieval streets full of charm.
Genoa is also home to the famous Christopher Columbus. You can visit the house from the 18th century where the explorer grew up.
When I was hiking in Cinque Terre, I visited Genoa, because it’s a quick train ride.
You can also visit Genoa from Milan, if you’re interested in the city at the sea.
9. Pisa: City Of The Leaning Tower
The city of Pisa, home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is also a highlight in Italy. It’s best combined with a trip to Florence and Siena.
In addition to the Leaning Tower, the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Cathedral and the Baptistery is worth visiting.
Pisa is located a few miles from the coast, so you can also combine it with a beach vacation.
But the Cinque Terre region, with its colorful houses built into the steep cliffs, is also nearby.
10. Small, Medieval Towns In Italy
Visiting small, medieval towns in Italy is one of my highlights, thus I’m mentioning them here.
Those cities are often overlooked, yet they are full of charming streets and they are perfect for experiencing the Italy-flair.
Among my favorite cities are the hilltop towns Volterra, Montepulciano, and San Gimignano.
They are located in the Tuscany region. You can easily visit them when you’re in Florence, Siena or Pisa.
Final Thoughts About The Best Cities In Italy For First Timers
Italy has so many amazing cities full of history and charm.
The Italian culture, history, and food make them perfect for first-time visitors.
If you start your Italy trip in Rome, you can easily visit some of the other cities like Florence, Venice, Milan or Naples.
Because of the fast train that connects the major cities you will be there quickly and effortlessly.
