TRAVEL INSPIRATION
10 Best Places to Visit in Italy in 2026
By Maria Wilson
Reviewed by Lynda Petruccelli, Destination Lead
Published September 9, 2025 | Reading Time: 12 mins
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
By Maria Wilson
Reviewed by Lynda Petruccelli, Destination Lead
Published September 9, 2025 | Reading Time: 12 mins
From Rome’s ancient ruins and Florence’s Renaissance masterpieces to Venice’s romantic canals, Italy’s cities are timeless works of art where every street and square tells a story.
Venture into the rolling hills of Tuscany, the dramatic cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, or the serene shores of Lake Como to uncover Italy’s natural splendor and regional charm—each inviting you to slow down and savor la dolce vita.
Whether exploring the ruins of Pompeii, island-hopping in Sardinia, or dining in a hidden trattoria, Italy rewards those who travel deeply. With expert guidance, every journey can be uniquely tailored to your passions and pace.
Italy has long been one of the most desired travel destinations in the world, and it's easy to see why. From ancient ruins and Renaissance art to world-class cuisine, wine, and fashion, the country offers endless ways to explore.
Whether our clients are visiting Italy for the first time or returning to discover somewhere new, our Destination Experts are often asked to share their favorite cities, towns, and regions as they customize their journeys. Based on the experience of our Destination Lead Lynda Petruccelli, here are the 10 best places to visit in Italy: a collection of iconic highlights and hidden gems that will inspire your next journey.
For many travelers the first place in Italy they want to experience, Rome is a city where history, art, and everyday life blend effortlessly. First-timer visitors will want to stand in the shadow of the Colosseum and wander the Roman Forum to trace the footsteps of emperors, then marvel at the Pantheon’s perfect dome. Discover the Vatican’s quieter side in its lush gardens before stepping inside the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s masterpieces and the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica.
In the evenings, our Italy Destination Lead Lynda Petruccelli recommends strolling Trastevere’s cobblestone streets with a private guide: “Come to taste the local specialties like supplì and artisanal cheeses, or embrace Trastevere’s vibrant nightlife.” Art lovers can explore masterworks by Caravaggio and Raphael at Galleria Borghese or visit one of the oldest and largest private palaces in the city at Palazzo Colonna. For those who are passionate about history, Lynda advises a visit to nearby Ostia Antica to explore the fascinating ruins of the well-preserved port city.
Rome invites you to linger, whether with an espresso in a sunlit piazza, a glass of wine in a bustling neighborhood, or a gelato in hand as you watch the city go by. Every moment here feels timeless, making Rome a destination to savor as much as to see.
Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is a living masterpiece where every street, square, and stone tells a story. In the heart of the historic center, first timers should explore the Duomo with its majestic dome rising above Giotto’s Bell Tower, while Piazza della Signoria reveals tales of power through the Palazzo Vecchio and Neptune Fountain. Stand before Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, or discover quieter treasures like Orsanmichele’s intricate façade and the whimsical porcellino fountain.
Beyond the famous landmarks, Florence’s charm lies in its contrasts; bustling artisanal streets, serene gardens, and views from the surrounding hills that frame the city in timeless beauty. For returning travelers, our Italy Destination Lead Lynda recommends exploring the Oltrarno and Santo Spirito neighborhoods: “They offer a wealth of artisanal workshops, lively piazza life, and buzzing cafés and bars.”
And for a gorgeous retreat from the city center, Lynda suggests the Pitti Palace and surrounding Boboli Gardens: “It’s home to many Renaissance masterpieces and the grand Medici collections, as well as being an incredibly beautiful place to wander.” Here, art and history aren’t confined to museums; they are woven into the very fabric of daily life. For many travelers, ultimately this is why Florence is one of the best places to visit.
Venice is a city like no other — a floating masterpiece where history, artistry, and daily life are intertwined with its shimmering canals.
For first time visitors, glide along the Grand Canal by private boat, passing elegant palaces and the Rialto Bridge, before venturing into quiet waterways to uncover hidden gems and lesser-known churches adorned with masterpieces by Tintoretto. Stroll St. Mark’s Square, home to the basilica’s golden mosaics and the Bridge of Sighs, and explore the Gothic grandeur of the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo, final resting place of 27 doges.
Venice is a favorite of our Destination Lead Lynda, who says, “It’s really worth exploring the more distinctive neighborhoods such as Cannaregio for a glimpse of authentic Venetian life and the Jewish Ghetto, or Castello for its leafy gardens and neighborhood osterias.”
She also suggests taking a boat to Venice’s outer islands: Murano for glassmaking, Burano for colorful fishing houses and lace, and Torcello for its ancient Byzantine mosaics. And as evening falls, step aboard a gondola with a glass of Prosecco in hand, drifting through romantic back canals and past timeworn façades. In Venice, every bridge crossed and every ripple in the water carries a story waiting to be discovered.
Tuscany is a legendary region of Italy where art, history, food, wine, and landscape all converge in perfect harmony. In Florence, the Renaissance comes alive as you stand before the Duomo’s iconic dome, gaze up at Giotto’s Bell Tower, and admire Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Gallery. But Florence is just the start.
Lynda recommends the medieval charm of Lucca: “It’s so lovely to strollitsstroll its perfectly preserved wide walls built in the Renaissance, then lingering in its sunlit piazzas.” In Siena, the grandeur of Piazza del Campo and the Gothic beauty of its Duomo tell stories of centuries past. San Gimignano's medieval towers are unlike anything else you’ll see, and Cortona offers an atmosphere of pure charm as you explore its Etruscan roots.
The Tuscan countryside unfolds in a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves, and hilltop villages that invite discovery. Taste Pecorino cheese at a family farm, explore subterranean wine cellars in Montepulciano, and wander the walled village of Radda in Chianti before mastering fresh pasta in a 12th-century castle kitchen. In Assisi, a town in Italy’s Umbria region, walk through ancient olive groves and savor golden extra virgin olive oil. Every moment in Tuscany and Umbria offers something to savor, both on the palate and in the soul.
Positano is the Amalfi Coast’s most iconic locale and one of the best places in Italy to visit—a cascade of pastel houses spilling down steep cliffs toward a sun-drenched beach. First time visitors will want to stroll Spiaggia Grande, climb to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its iconic majolica dome, shop for handmade sandals and linen along the narrow lanes, and take in the view from Le Sirenuse’s terrace.
According to Lynda, returning travelers should explore Fornillo Beach, a smaller and more relaxed alternative to the main beach, as well as Nocelle, a tiny village perched high above, the gateway to the famous “Path of the Gods” hike.
Days here are made for lingering, whether lounging by a pool with a view, descending to the beach for a swim, or as Lynda suggests, venturing out along the coast by private boat to explore the hidden coves and sea caves. Evenings bring the pleasure of dining al fresco, with fresh seafood and local wine as the sun dips behind the cliffs. Elegant, glamorous, and endlessly photogenic, Positano is a place to slow down, soak in the beauty, and let the views do the talking.
The Amalfi Coast, known as The Divine Coast, is a place where dramatic cliffs, pastel-hued villages, and the shimmering Mediterranean meet in breathtaking harmony. In nearby Sorrento, grand hotels and lemon-scented streets recall the romance of the 19th-century Grand Tour, offering a quintessentially Italian welcome. In Positano, houses cascade toward the sea in a sweep of peach and pink, while steep lanes lead to boutiques, cafés, and sunlit beaches. Drive past Praiano and the striking fjord of Furore before arriving in Amalfi, where the magnificent façade of St. Andrew’s Cathedral overlooks a lively piazza filled with artisan shops.
Perched high above, Ravello’s sweeping views and serene gardens have inspired artists and composers for centuries. Along the way, lemon groves perfume the air, and every curve in the road reveals another postcard-perfect vista. According to our Destination Lead Lynda, whether you’re savoring seafood by the shore, wandering medieval laneways, or simply pausing to take in each stunning panorama, the Amalfi Coast always invites you to linger.
Lake Como is where alpine beauty meets timeless Italian elegance. Ringed by forested mountains and dotted with pastel-colored villages, the lake stretches in a dramatic “Y” shape, its deep blue waters reflecting centuries of history and grandeur. Cruise past stately villas — from Villa Carlotta, with its lush gardens and 19th-century art, to Villa Balbianello, a former monastery turned explorer’s retreat and now one of the most photographed residences in Italy. Many of the grand villas you’ll pass are private homes owned by some of the world’s most famous figures, adding to the lake’s mystique.
Our Destination Lead Lynda suggests Bellagio to wander cobblestone lanes lined with boutiques and cafés, or strolling the gardens of Villa Melzi along the lakeshore. Stop in Varenna to sip prosecco against a charming backdrop of colorful ochre houses or explore quiet fishing hamlets where life moves at a slower pace. At every turn, Lake Como is as refined, romantic, and captivating as Italy itself.
Pompeii offers a hauntingly vivid window into life in the ancient Roman world, and this makes it a “must see” for so many travelers to Italy. Once a thriving port and trading hub, the city was buried under volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., freezing its streets, homes, and public spaces in time. Today, you can explore its remarkably preserved roads, past bathhouses, bakeries, and open-air markets that once bustled with daily life. Colorful frescoes still adorn villa walls, public fountains stand ready for use, and even graffiti remains etched into stone. Step inside an amphitheater or gladiator barracks to imagine the spectacles that once captivated its citizens.
Perhaps most moving are the plaster casts made from the hollow spaces of Pompeii’s residents and animals, their final moments captured in striking detail. From grand forums with views of Vesuvius to the smallest traces of everyday routines, Pompeii is both a testament to Roman ingenuity and a poignant reminder of nature’s power.
Our Destination Lead Lynda is passionate about Sardinia, an island of striking yet inviting contrasts—where turquoise waters and soft white sands meet rugged granite cliffs and wild, fragrant scrub. Along the Costa Paradiso, wind-sculpted rocks frame hidden coves, while the fishing villages of Isola Rossa and Santa Teresa di Gallura offer charm, sweeping views of the Strait of Bonifacio, and easy access to the pristine Maddalena archipelago. In Palau, nature and legend intertwine at the Bear Rock, and nearby Porto Rafael’s whitewashed homes and gardens overlook the sea.
Inland, the mountain town of Fonni, surrounded by dense forests and prehistoric ruins, is the home of Sardinia’s beloved pane carasau: an ancient, paper-thin bread once baked for shepherds and still savored today. Distinct from mainland Italy in its cuisine, language, and traditions, Sardinia is also rich in history, with Bronze Age nuraghe and mysterious “Tombs of the Giants” scattered across the island. Here, beauty lies in both its wild landscapes and its deeply rooted culture.
Milan is Italy’s modern heart, a city where cutting-edge design and global fashion meet centuries of history and art. First-timers should not miss the Duomo, the country’s largest cathedral, climbing to its rooftop for sweeping views across the skyline. Step inside Santa Maria delle Grazie to witness Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, and explore the home of world-class opera at La Scala.
For those who want to go deeper, Lynda suggests the fresco-filled Church of San Maurizio, one of Milan’s hidden Renaissance gems. Explore the artsy Brera neighborhood and its fabulous Art Gallery, where masterpieces span from Caravaggio to Hayez, as well as the charming Navigli area with its scenic canals, vintage shops and buzzing nightlife.
“If you love art,” says Lynda, “I recommend the Pinacoteca di Brera, and the Museo del Novecento for 20th-century Italian masters. Or for cutting-edge contemporary works, visit the Fondazione Prada.” Pair this with Milanese culinary classics like risotto alla Milanese and cotoletta, and you’ll find a city that celebrates tradition, creativity, and innovation in equal measure.
These ten destinations are just the beginning when it comes to exploring Italy. From the timeless streets of Rome and Florence to the serene waters of Lake Como and the beaches of Sardinia, every region has its own magic to offer. No matter where you go, with the help of an expert such as Lynda, you’ll encounter history, art, cuisine, and landscapes that make Italy one of the best places to visit in Europe—and in the world.
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