With more than 100 cities on the European Union list, Italy is no stranger to having some of the most beautiful Italian cities. From the majestic Colosseum to the medieval towns on the Amalfi Coast, there’s something to be seen in Italy’s cities.
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In order to show you what the country has to offer and to help you choose the city to spend a few days in, we have chosen the top 10 beautiful cities of Italy.
The Italian cities on the list have everything you can ask for: wonderful architecture, interesting museums, beautiful historical centers and great food to enjoy.
The top 10 beautiful cities in Italy
1. Torino
One of the oldest Italian cities, Torino was settled by the Etruscans in about 700 BC. The Romans made it the capital of Italy and that is why there are so many historical monuments and Roman ruins in the city.
The Italian city is known for its beautiful architecture such as the Palazzo Madama, the Banca di Regia and Palazzo della Provincia. This italian city is also surrounded by green fields, and all of the hills surrounding the city are dotted with vineyards and olive trees.
Torino is also famous for having the largest Italian wine region at more than 4,500 km (2,782 mi). The best time to visit Torino is between April and June, and of course, the best time for wine lovers is between May and September.
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Torino is the most important italian city in the Piedmont region and has an amazing nightlife as well as some of the most important museums in the country. And at the end of the day, we could say that there’s just nothing like it!
2. Bologna
Bologna is probably one of the most visited Italian cities in the entire world, being the third most visited city in the country. It’s best known for being the home of the University of Bologna, one of the oldest universities in the world, and also for having the only surviving Roman Amphitheater in the entire country.
The university is housed inside the old Roman Amphitheater of Porta Maggiore and is one of the most important cultural centers in the country. Bologna is also famous for having one of the most beautiful squares in Europe: the Piazza Maggiore. It is one of the only cities in the world where you can hear the bells of the basilica ringing at their usual setting, 8 AM.
Bologna has some great bars and restaurants as well as the main train station of the country, that is what makes it such a big tourist destination.
Bologna is also famous for having a great italian cuisine and for its traditional pastries.
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3. Florence
You may have heard of the city of Florence when you watch the movie ‘The Last Supper’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio, because this is the city where the famous painting is located. Florence is also known as “Città delle Arti” (City of the Arts) and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986.
In the city, you can see more than 300 monuments and italian art galleries, including the Florence Cathedral and Palazzo Vecchio, the most famous museum in the city. The Cathedral is the most important Romanesque building in Italy and is still under the patronage of the bishops of the city.
An interesting thing in Florence is to get the famous Florence Nightlife Pass, which grants you free access to a number of bars and clubs. This Italian city is one of the most touristic in Italy and it’s considered one of the most romantic in Europe as well. The Italian city has a fascinating history with many different cultures and the Renaissance that happened in Florence had an impact on the entire Europe.
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4. Milan
The capital of Lombardy, Milan is the second largest city in Italy and its most populous city. It was settled around the 8th century BC. Milan was a part of the Roman Empire and later, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until 1871.
The center of the city is known as The Quadrilatero della Moda, a well-known and trendy area of the city. It’s also home to La Scala, one of the oldest Italian opera houses in the entire world.
Milan has a lot of interesting things to see such as the Teatro alla Scala, the Sforza Castle and the Museo del Novecento, the most famous museum in the city. Another interesting fact is that the city is one of the most popular stops on the European city tour and it’s considered one of the most stylish cities in Europe.
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5. Turin
The capital of the Piedmont region, Turin is a city with a lot of charm and history. It has been the capital of the Piedmont region since the 14th century. During the Middle Ages, it was known as Torno, a name derived from the Lombard dialect. It was also the capital of the Duchy of Savoy, that lasted from 1815 to 1861.
One of the best things to see in Turin is the Palazzo della Pilotta, which houses the Royal Palace of Savoy. It was used as the home of the Piedmontese royalty between 1716 and 1860 and even today it is used as the National Museum of Piedmont.
The Natural History Museum can be found at the Museo Nazionale di Storia Naturale, which is an attraction of note in Turin.
The museum is located on the top of Mount Gaudenzio. It has one of the most important collections of zoological and botanical in the entire world and has collections of fossils from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous period.
6. Genoa
Genoa is one of the most important cities in the region of Liguria and the second largest city of Italy after Rome. It was founded in the year 810 by the Byzantine Emperor. It was originally named after the legendary founder of the city: the Greek hero Jason.
During the Middle Ages, Genoa was the capital of the Republic of Genoa, that lasted from 1228 to 1797. It was also one of the most important trading centers in Europe and it is known to have been a main power in the Mediterranean until the 19th century.
As for the city’s attractions, you should definitely check out the Palazzo Ducale, the most famous royal palace of Genoa, also known as the Palazzo dell’Arsenale. The palace was built from the beginning of the 14th century and its construction started on the ruins of the Roman Forum. It was also the home of the “Collegio dei Nobili”, the ancient ruling body of the city.
Take a trip to the Giardino Bardini for the ultimate Italian garden experience – it’ll be a sight to behold!
The Ponte Morandi was also built by the Romans and it was restored in the late 20th century after being hit by a massive earthquake in Genoa in 1980.
7. Naples
Neapoli is the capital of the Campania region and the seventh most populous city in the country. It has been a city since the 5th century BC and it was already in the hands of the Etruscans, Carthaginians and Romans. It was the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from 1759 to 1860.
As for the most interesting things to see, you should definitely check out the Duomo (the main cathedral) and the Castel Sant’Elmo, that is where you can find the famous Castel Sant’Elmo Fortress.
Naples is a city full of interesting history! Did you know that it was the first European city to have electricity and telephone? It’s no wonder that there’s such a variety of architectural styles, a reminder of all the different stages of the city’s development.
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8. Rome
The city of Rome has always been one of the biggest attractions of Italy. It’s been the capital of the country since its founding in the year 753 BC and it was ruled by the first of the Roman Republic: Romulus. It was then named “Roma” by the Etruscans.
Rome is one of the most important cities in the world in terms of tourism and is famous for being the center of Catholicism in the entire Europe. As you might have already known, Pope Francis is from Rome and the Vatican, the religious-political-philosophical institution is located in the center of Rome.
Rome has a lot of well-preserved historical and cultural centers such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It has some of the most important art galleries and museums in Italy as well.
9. Venice
The city of Venice is one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in the entire country and one of the largest and most ancient in Europe. It is one of the most important cities in the world in terms of tourism.
Venice was already inhabited by the Ancient Roman Empire and it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire during the 4th and the 5th century. The ancient name of the city was “Roma Giudea” and it was also a part of the Kingdom of Italy since the 7th century. It was the capital of the republic from the 8th century to the 17th century.
There are many churches and monuments in Venice but the one that is by far the most famous is St Mark’s Cathedral, also known as the Basilica di San Marco. It is also one of the oldest and largest churches in the entire country and it’s even bigger than the Basilica of St Peter in Vatican City.
It’s no wonder Venice has become such an iconic city – it’s home to some of the most stunning canals in the entire world! And if you’re a foodie, you’ll love all the amazing restaurants and unique culinary history. What a place!
10. Verona
Verona is a town in the region of Veneto, that is best known for its Roman Arena and many other historical buildings and monuments. It has a population of about 180,000 and it’s also famous for its production of wine and its beautiful, medieval architecture. It’s also one of the most romantic towns in the entire country.
The historical center of Verona is also one of the most attractive and fascinating in the entire Italy. It’s also one of the biggest tourist destinations in Italy. The Arena, or as it’s called, Stadio (Stadium) in the local language, is considered to be one of the most interesting and fascinating Roman arenas in the entire Europe.
Verona is an amazing place to visit! There are lots of beautiful and historic sights, like the Porta dei Leoni, Piazza delle Erbe, the Church of San Fermo Maggiore, the Church of San Giuliano and the ancient Roman Amphitheater. If you get the chance, make sure to add this beautiful Italian city to your travel Bucket list!
I hope that this article was helpful in terms of providing you with an idea about some of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Italy. You should definitely consider visiting one of them and see the whole of the beauty that the country has to offer.
Also, you should make sure that when you plan your trip to Italy, you don’t forget to research online about the weather and the climate in the Italian cities and the regions you are planning to visit. The weather and the climate in Italy are completely different from city to city and from region to region.
In case you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a comment.
Thank you for reading.
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