Italy is a nation that provides an ideal mixture of history, culture, natural beauty and excellent food. It is not surprising that it is among the most popular travel destinations in the world with its picturesque cities, stunning landscapes, and a great variety of historical landmarks. Italy can offer you anything, depending on who you are as like history buff, an art lover, food cartoon or total relaxer under the sun of the Mediterranean. These are five of the best places to visit in Italy that you have to visit on your bucket list.

Rome (Italy) – The Eternal City

Nothing in Italy can be complete without a visit to Rome, the capital of the country and the center of the ancient history. A living museum, called the Eternal City, Rome is a place which breathes the past, with every corner of the street speaking about what happened 10 thousand years ago. The city is overwhelmed with magnificent monuments and sights such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

Key Attractions

• The Colosseum: Considered as one of the most iconic symbols of the Roman city, this ancient amphitheater is a must visit place. It was constructed about 2,000 years ago when gladiator games and spectacles were on.
• The Vatican City: Famous to be home to the Pope and the smallest self-governing state on face of the earth, the Vatican is an architectural wonder. The Sistine Chapel and frescoes of Michelangelo and Vatican Museums you must not miss.
• Roman Forum: Formerly Roman political life center, the Roman Forum is an intriguing admittance to the depth of ancient history.
• Trevi Fountain: An old-time tourist attraction to place a wish by throwing a coin in this majestic Baroque fountain.

Best Time to Visit: Spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) is the best time to be in Rome, as the weather is mild but there is no excessive crowd.

Florence (Italy) – The Cradle of the Renaissance

Florence, the city of breath-taking art and history where the Renaissance was born. It is an art lover paradise, packed to the rafters with masterpieces of Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci to name but a few. The city itself is a living museum with its cobbled streets, breathtaking piazza and sensational architecture.

Key Attractions

• Uffizi Gallery: The Uffizi is also among the most renowned artworks globally, its paintings illustrate some of the greatest masters of the renaissance to encompass The Birth of Venus by Botticelli and The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci.
• The Duomo: The cathedral of Florence is the masterwork of Gothic style, and the most recognizable red-tiled dome is created by Filippo Brunelleschi.
• Ponte Vecchio: The old bridge over which adorable shops are located, selling jewels, arts and souvenirs.
• Galleria dell’Accademia: The famous statue of David by Michelangelo is located in this gallery, which is a must to visit by art lovers.

Best Time to Visit: The city of Florence is magical in all months of the year; in order to avoid unbearable summer heat and massive tourist flow it is advisable to visit in the shoulder seasons of April-May or September-October.

Venice (Italy) – The City of Canals

Venice is one of the most unique cities in the world as it was built on the water. Its labyrinth of canals, impressive architecture and gondola rides are romances that need to be seen. Even though Venice is known as a tourist destination, it is also a city of silent beauty and is an excellent place to become immersed in the Italian culture and life.

Key Attractions

• St. Marks Basilica: The basilica is a beacon of Byzantine style that has been renowned because of its elaborate mosaics and magnificent gold domes.
• Piazza San Marco: Also called the drawing room of Europe, this is a stunning square lined with cafes and monuments, such as Doge Palace and Campanile.
• Grand Canal: The major waterway of Venice the Grand Canal is a truly wonderful place, full of breathtaking palaces to view, either Vaporetto ( waterbus ) or by exclusive gondola.
• Rialto Bridge: This is one of the most renowned landmarks of Venice with stunning views showing the Grand Canal.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and early fall (April-May or September) are great months to visit Venice, as the weather is pleasant and you can see the splendor of the city without lots of crowds of tourists that visit in summer.

Amalfi Coast (Italy) – A Mediterranean Paradise

The Amalfi coast is a world UNESCO site with the dramatic cliffs of the coast, the idyllic towns and clear waters of the coast. It has beautiful landscape, colorful villages and peaceful ambiance which makes it best visited by whoever wants some adventure along with relaxing.

Key Attractions

• Positano: This town is characterized by steep and narrow streets, pretty pastel buildings, as well as beautiful vistas that border the Mediterranean, all of which lends it the reputation of being the most beautiful coastal village.
• Amalfi: Amalfi is a nice town with beautiful beaches, narrow streets and a great cathedral, the Amalfi Cathedral. It is a good location to take a seat and have a tipple of the local limoncello.
• Ravello: Perched itself high above the coast climbs Ravello, which has stunning panoramas and two historical villas, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, both including stunning gardens and terraces.
• Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei): This is the most beautiful and panoramic hiking trail that gives the visitor an awe-inspiring view of the coastline and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Amalfi Coast is late spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October), as the weather is warm but not overwhelming and the crowds are not so numerous.

Cinque Terre (Italy) – The Five Lands

The Cinque Terre or translated Five Lands, consists of five small fishing villages along the rocky Ligurian coast. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are colorful towns, the names of which are identified by the steep streets, colorful houses, and the fantastic view of the coast. It is also a nice hiking spot, swim and eat some fresh seafood.

Key Attractions

• The Villages: All the five towns are truly delightful. Riomaggiore and Manarola villages are particularly popular due to their beauty, whereas Riomaggiore and Monterosso have nice beaches.
• Sentiero Azzurro: This beautiful coastal path links all the five villages, and one can enjoy beautiful views of the sea and the cliffs nearby.
• Cinque Terre National Park: The park includes various hiking variations in vineyards, groves of olives and the coastline.
• The Ligurian Cuisine: Savor fresh seafood, pesto and some local delicacies, such as focaccia and absorb the powerful energy of the villages.

Best Time to Visit: Cinque Terre is most suited to be visited in the spring (April-June) and early fall (September-October), when the weather conditions are the most appropriate to engage in outdoor activities, and the tourist traffic is not as high as it is usually.

Conclusion

Italy is a nation full of history, culture and natural beauty and this is just the start as these five locations are only the tip of the iceberg. Whether it be the ancient ruins of Rome, or the beautiful coast of the Amalfi Coast, each region is unique. Regardless of whether you want to explore art and history, rest and enjoy the view on the sea or stroll through small villages, Italy offers an unforgettable journey that you will definitely not want to forget any time.