Must See Spots in Italy – Rome

Some of the most famous landmarks in the world include the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican. The history here spans 28 centuries, making Rome one of the oldest inhabited cites in Europe (and one of the best places to visit in Italy).
This city is a wonderful blend of historical sites, charming piazzas and neighborhoods, world-class museums, and iconic sites. For the first-time visitor, Rome belongs at or near the top of your list. It’s a big, bustling city but the main sites are clustered around the historic city center.

Don’t miss the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, and the Borghese Museum. Walk through the historic heart of Rome, explore Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori, and have dinner in Trastevere.

Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Rent bikes and bike the Appian Way. It’s a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon and it’s the perfect sightseeing break for kids.

You can hit the main sites in a rushed one-day tour of the city. With two to three busy days you can visit the highlights. With even more time, you can explore Rome’s nooks and crannies, take a food tour, and venture off-the-beaten-path.

Must See Spots in Italy – Florence

Without a doubt, Florence (Firenze) is one of the best places to visit in Italy.
This city was the birthplace of the Renaissance and the art museums here are a testament to that. Michelangelo’s David, the amazing Uffizi Gallery, the murals inside the dome of the Duomo, and the statues that are on display in the historic city center are spectacular sights to see. But there are enough towers to climb, gelato to eat, and shops to visit that you don’t have to feel like you are on museum overload on a visit to Florence.

Don’t miss Michelangelo’s David, climb the Duomo, tour the Uffizi Gallery, stroll across Ponte Vecchio, eat lots of gelato, and watch the sunset over Florence from Piazza le Michelangelo.

Florence can feel like museum overload for kids. In between museum visits, climb the towers and treat them to gelato. Be sure to see Michelangelo’s David, climbing the Duomo, walking through Boboli Gardens and touring the Galileo Museum.

You can race through the best of Florence in one day, however, two to three days allows you to slow down and visit some worthwhile off-the-beaten-path spots. Florence also makes a great home base for day trips into Tuscany.

Must See Spots in Italy – Amalfi Coast

The drive along the Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Don’t miss the towns on the Amalfi Coast such as Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno. You can get around using public transportation, but pay the extra money and hire a driver.

Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Rent kayaks in Positano. Kids will love this and the views of the town are amazing from the water. You can drive the entire Amalfi Coast in one day. However, if you enjoy coastal towns, several nights in Positano would be a great experience.

Must See Spots in Italy – Lake Como

Lack Como is nestled at the foot of the Alps, Lake Como is one of Italy’s most romantic spots. Leave the hustle and bustle of Italy’s cities behind on a visit here.

Visit classy Bellagio, explore the town of Varenna, cruise past the villas on Lake Como, and visit Villa Carlotta and Villa del Balbianello

Ideas for Traveling with Kids: Rent a boat and cruise past the villas (this is fun for kids and adults). Kids will also like the riding Funicolare Como.Brunate for amazing views over Lake Como.

Lake Como is a very easy day trip from Milan. With more time, spend the night in Bellagio and have fun wandering the picturesque streets once all the day trippers leave for the day.

Must See Spots in Italy – Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most scenic spots. It is here that five colorful, gorgeous towns precariously sit on the hills that tumble into the Mediterranean Sea. Hike it or hop from town to town by train.

Explore the five towns … Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, and Corniglia. If you like hiking, you can hike between all five towns in one day. The more you hike the more gelato you get to eat. End in Monterosso and cool off with a quick swim in the Mediterranean.

Hiking from town to town can be fun for older kids. Spend some time at one of the beaches. In Monterosso al Mare. Rent a paddle boat with a slide for hours of fun for kids and the adults get to enjoy beautiful views along the coastline.

It is possible to visit the Cinque Terre on a long day trip from Florence. However, for the best experience, plan on spending at least one night (two or three nights is ideal) in one of the five towns. With one full day, hike or take the train to connect all five towns. With more time, relax on one of the beaches or day trip to Portofino.

Must See Spots in Italy – Tuscany

With scenic, picturesque hillside towns rising up amidst vineyards and rolling hills, Tuscany is gorgeous and a joy to explore. You could easily spend one week in Tuscany, settling down in a Tuscan villa, with day trips out to the surrounding towns.

Tour the hill towns of Tuscany. Siena is one of the larger towns and, like Florence, makes a great home base for exploring this region. Top hill towns include San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Volterra.

Tuscany is a nice break from Italy’s bigger cities. It’s possible to rent bikes and take a cycling tour of the wineries.

With one day you can day trip into Tuscany from Florence, visiting a few of the smaller towns. But more time, ideally three to five days, allows you to relax and soak up this region. Stay in Siena or one of the smaller hill towns and explore Tuscany and its wineries.

Must See Spots in Italy – Milan

Milan is home to the Duomo, world-class museums, trendy shopping areas, and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper:’ This city is undergoing an architectural Renaissance and it is worth even a few hours on the fastest of itineraries.

Walk on the roof of the Duomo, see Da Vinci’s “Last Supper;’ go shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 11.

Climb to the roof of the Duomo for a bird’s eye view over the city.

Milan makes a nice day trip if you are traveling between cities such as Florence, Venice, Lake Como, and the Cinque Terre.

Must See Spots in Italy – Venice

Milan is home to the Duomo, world-class museums, trendy shopping areas, and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper:’ This city is undergoing an architectural Renaissance and it is worth even a few hours on the fastest of itineraries.

Wander along the canals, take a gondola ride through the city, see St. Mark’s Square, walk across the Rialto Bridge, and visit the Doges’ Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica.

Don’t miss the gondola ride. You can also rent bikes and cycling around Lido island.

Plan on spending at least one busy day to see the highlights of Venice. Two to three days gives you more time to visit Murano, Burano, and Lido and to explore the quieter neighborhoods away from the main touristic area.