We Italians sometimes forget it, but if Italy is the Bel Paese there is a reason! Indeed, the beauties of Italy are renowned throughout the world, and from all over the world come visitors hungry for Italian Life Style. But we asked ourselves: which of them is the most beautiful city?
Making a ranking of the most beautiful Italian cities to visit is not easy, considering the sheer volume of Italy's artistic heritage, cross-referencing the best cities of art, with the most visited ones, and the opinions of travellers on the main booking portals, without forgetting that it is not what is beautiful that is beautiful, but what is liked is, so here is our special ranking of the most beautiful Italian cities!
Venice 
Rome 
Florence 
Naples 
Siena 
Syracuse 
San Gimignano 
Palermo 
Verona 
Trieste 
Parma 
Milan 
Mantua 
Bergamo 
1/15
City | Region | Stay (4 days/3 nights) | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
Veneto | from €210.00 | Winter | |
Lazio | from €165,00 | Spring | |
Tuscany | from €180,00 | Winter | |
Campania | from €150,00 | Summer | |
Tuscany | from €165,00 | Summer | |
Sicily | from €150,00 | Summer | |
Tuscany | from €180,00 | Spring | |
Sicily | from €135,00 | Summer | |
Veneto | from €210.00 | Winter | |
Emilia-Romagna | from €180.00 | Spring | |
Friuli-Venezia Giulia | from €195,00 | Primavera | |
Emilia-Romagna | from €180.00 | Primavera | |
Lombardy | from €165,00 | Autumn | |
Lombardy | from €171,00 | Spring | |
Lombardy | from €156.00 | Spring |
1 - Venice, Veneto
At the top of the podium is the most romantic city in the world, a destination for newlyweds since time immemorial: our grandmothers already dreamt of a honeymoon in a Gondola!
The third most visited city in Italy, Italy's main city of art, ranked 6th among the most beautiful cities in the world. It has one of the most beautiful squares in the world: St. Mark's Square and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
With such a presentation, it could only be in first place among the most beautiful cities in Italy. Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world and its strong point is its unique and characteristic charm: its canals with their traditional gondolas, the stately palaces, the lagoon... visiting it certainly does not disappoint.
Of course, one cannot fail to mention the incredible and enthralling tradition of the Venetian Carnival, a riot of colours, masks and jokes, which transcends time and gives emotions to all generations.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Venice
Best period: Spring, Summer and during Carnival
How to getthere: Buses to Venice from €4.99
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €70.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €50.00 per couple
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Venice gondola tour, line-free entrance to Doge's Palace
2 - Rome, Lazio
The second of the magnificent three is the most visited city in Italy and a favourite among tripadvisor travellers.
Rome Caput Mundi is literally an open-air museum: from the Fori Imperiali to the Pantheon, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain to gawping at the Colosseum, passing by Piazza Navona.
Rome's history oozes from every corner and is lost in the mists of time: those who visit it cannot help but be filled with beauty and culture.
It is a city that offers everything, suitable for those who want to live the high life, or simply go shopping, or enjoy the renowned Italian cuisine.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Rome
Best time of year: All year round, whatever the season.
Gettingthere: Buses to Rome from €4.99
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €55 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €60.00 per couple
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Visit to the Colosseum with priority entry Ent rance without queue to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
3 - Florence, Tuscany
And here we come to the lowest step of the podium, dominated by the Tuscan city that is the symbol of Made in Italy in the world.
Florence is the cradle of Renaissance culture, a concentration of monuments and works of art. It is home to Italy's most visited museum: the Uffizi Gallery.
Florence has been home to Italy's greatest artists and poets, from Dante Alighieri to Petraca, from Michelangelo to Leonardo da Vinci; this is why it can be considered Italy's main cultural tourism destination.
To be breathless, just take a peek from the top of Piazzale Michelangelo and enjoy the splendid view overlooking the city.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Florence
Best time of year: All year round. In June for the patron saint's festival of San Giovanni.
Gettingthere: Buses to Florence from €4.99
Where to Stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €60.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €45.00 per couple
Low cost flights: from €59.98. From Milan and Rome is equidistant, about 250 km, so trains or buses are preferred.
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Entrance without queue to the Uffizi Gallery Panoramic tour of Florence by Vespa Entrance with guide to the Duomo and Cupola
4 - Naples, Campania
Further up we find the largest and most visited city in southern Italy. They say'See Naples and then die' because you can't leave this land without having been to Naples at least once, which is why it is rightfully among the most visited cities in Italy.
Naples has a secret, undiscovered charm that is very much reflected in the cheerful and colourful character of its inhabitants. The Gulf, Vesuvius, the splendid ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii, the music, but above all... the pizza, make it absolutely unique.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Naples
Best time: Spring, Summer
Gettingthere: Buses to Naples from €4.99
Where to Stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €50.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €40.00 per couple
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Vesuvius excursion by Jeep 4x4 Napoli Sotterranea
5 - Siena, Tuscany
The city of the Palio could not be missing from the list. Siena is splendid precisely in its being a city, not only for the artistic treasures it preserves.
Siena is a city rich in tradition, whose beauty lies in its ancient streets and alleys. The jewel in the crown is Piazza del Campo, where the Palio takes place.
Strolling through the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is pleasant and surprising, amidst shops and workshops, while enjoying a ciaccino, typical Tuscan street food.
The Tuscan culinary tradition is appreciated all over the world, and Siena is certainly one of the best places to appreciate it. Remember to try 'Pici','Pappardelle al sugo di Pinta' or'Ribollita'.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Siena
Best period: Spring, Summer, during the Palio
Gettingthere: Buses to Siena from €4.99
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €55.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €50.00 per couple
Low cost flights: from €33.06. From Rome or Milan it is generally preferable to travel by train or bus. The distance is about 250km
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Quick ticket Siena Cathedral Guided tour with a local guide
6 - Syracuse, Sicily
Moving up the list, we return to Sicily to discover a surprising city, a candidate for European Capital of Culture: Syracuse.
In Syracuse, it is the Sicilian Baroque that dominates, and the Piazza di Ortigia is dazzling in its beauty. The sea creates breathtaking scenery and the taste buds are tickled by the typical smells of tasty Sicilian food.
Best time: Spring and Summer
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €50.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €40.00 per couple
Cheap flights: Flights to Catania (70km from Syracuse) from €33.06
Card, tickets and recommended tours: 3-hour guided walking tour
7 - San Gimignano, Tuscany
Let's move up the chart a bit and also go up the peninsula to Tuscany, in the heart of the Val d'Elsa, more than a town we find a village: San Gimignano!
Going through the walls of San Gimignano takes you back to the two-thirteenth century, to the middle ages, because nothing has changed here since then. This is why it deserved the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town is in an excellent location: between Chianti, Valdesa, Florence and Siena.
Best period: Spring and Summer
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €60.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: dinner for two €50.00
Cheap flights: Flights to Florence (5km from San Gimignano) from €49.98. From Rome or Milan it is generally preferable to take the train or bus, the distance is about 250km
Card, tickets and recommended tours: day trip to San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti
8 - Palermo, Sicily
We remain at the bottom of the list with one of the southern cities with a long and complex history, as are its monuments and streets: today's Corso Vittorio, the axis of the ancient Cassaro, is the first ancient street around which the development of the city originated.
Elegant and contradictory, Palermo embodies Arab and Norman traits, with Gothic-Catalan flecks and Baroque opulence.
It is a noisy and colourful city with a unique character; just like the Vucciria, the historic market that stretches through the narrow streets of the historic centre.
From arancine to panelle, not forgetting cannoli and cassata: Palermo is a city full of smells and ancient flavours that can be found in its street food and sweets.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Palermo
Best time to visit: Spring and Summer
How to getthere: Buses to Palermo from €4.99
Where to Stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €45 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €30.00 per couple
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Street Food Tour
9 - Verona, Veneto
The city with the most famous balcony in the world ranks second to last in the top ten, but it is a fact that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site for its urban structure and architecture. Also noteworthy is the famous Arena, which often hosts both television and classical opera shows, providing a very atmospheric location!
It is certainly one of the most romantic cities in Italy, thanks to its charm that is especially exalted at sunset, famous for being the setting for one of the most beautiful and tragic love stories in literature: W. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Verona
Best time: All year round and on Valentine's Day
How to get there: Buses to Verona from €4.99
Where to Stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €70.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €60.00 per couple
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Dreamers tour with Romeo and Juliet
10 - Ferrara, Emilia Romagna
Photo by Massimo Baraldi. At the next location is the city of the Este family. Ferrara is medieval and Renaissance, an elegant city on a human scale, where life flows slowly by on a bicycle, among palaces, noble houses, churches and castles. Moreover, you are in the heart of Emilia Romagna, take the opportunity to delight your palate!
SEE ALSO: Ferrara: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
Best time of year: Recommend mid-season
How to get there: Buses to Ferrara from €4.99
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €60.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €40.00 per couple
Low cost flights: Flights to Bologna (50 km from Ferrara) from €55.68
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Guided tour with a local guide
11 - Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia
Located on the Adriatic Sea and almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia, Trieste is a city that is geographically and historically isolated from the rest of the Italian peninsula. It is a historic place, an important trading port that for centuries acted as a bridge between the Mediterranean and the Slavic and Germanic peoples. It is a very charming place, full of cafes and with a beautiful view of the sea.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Trieste
Best period: Spring-Autumn
How to getthere: Buses to Trieste from €4.99
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €65.00 per room
Average cost of a dinner at a restaurant: from €50.00 per couple
Card, tickets and suggested tours: Day trip to Postojna Cave
12 - Parma, Emilia Romagna
One of Italy's most prosperous cities, Parma is also famous for the production of two of Italy's most exported and appreciated culinary products abroad: Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano. It is a small town on a human scale, with pretty, romantic alleyways to visit as a couple or perhaps to cycle through.
SEE ALSO: Parma: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
Best time of year: all year round
How to get there: Buses to Parma from €4.99
Where to stay: hotels and B&Bs from €60.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €60.00 per couple
Card, tickets and suggested tours: City tour with a local guide
13 - Milan, Lombardy
Milan and Paris vie for the title of European fashion capital. This makes it the most important city in Italy economically speaking. During fashion week, the city teems with renowned designers, models, showbiz personalities and paparazzi. It is the ideal pretext for shopping and finding out about new trends.
Milan is a huge, dynamic metropolis full of opportunities. A city that never goes to sleep, where the things to do are almost endless.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Milan
Best time of year: Whatever the season. To attend Fashion Week, spring/summer shows are in September/October, autumn/winter shows are in February/March.
How to getthere: Bus to Milan from €4.99
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €55.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €70.00 per couple
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Milano Card
14 - Mantua, Lombardy
The Lombard city of Mantua also features in the ranking. The pearl of the Renaissance, thanks to the Gonzaga family, Mantua was one of the most important cultural cities and retains many buildings from that period. Mantua is surrounded by greenery, in an evocative and enjoyable natural area, and a stay in an agritourism is particularly recommended.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Mantua
Best period: Spring
How to get there: Bus to Mantua from €4.99
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €57.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €45.00 per couple
Cheap flights: Flights to Verona (48 km from Mantua) from €55.24
Card, tickets and recommended tours: City tour + Palazzo Ducale
15 - Bergamo, Lombardy
This beautiful city in the Alps combines two different but complementary districts, the upper and lower parts. The lower town is the modern part of Bergamo, while the upper part coincides with the historic centre.
Don't miss Bergamo Alta, the historical heart of the city and the place where the main attractions are concentrated.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Bergamo
Best time: Spring
How to get there: Buses to Bergamo from €4.99
Where to stay: hotels and b&b from €52.00 per room
Average cost of a restaurant dinner: from €50.00 per couple
Card, tickets and recommended tours: 2.5-hour guided tour of the upper city
Italian cities to visit
Looking for more inspiration or tips for your next Italian destination? Here are some suggestions from the community:
Cities to visit inWinter: for a nice weekend in the snow or a Christmas-themed holiday, here are tips for holidays in Italy in December, January and February.
Cities to visit in Spring: for a nice spring break, here are the right tips on where to go on holiday in March, April and May.
Cities to visit in Summer: for a summer holiday by the sea or in the mountains, here is where to go in June, July, and August.
Cities to visit inAutumn: for a trip to discover small villages and autumn flavours, here are the Italian destinations to visit in September, October and November.
Most romantic cities: ideal for a romantic getaway, here are the most romantic cities and places in Italy and the perfect destinations to celebrate Valentine's Day