Five Of The Best Cities And Places To Visit In Italy

Italy is a country that everyone must travel to at least once. Envision colorful towns along the Amalfi Coast, tropical beaches in Sardinia, and not to mention the historic capital city of Rome.

St Peter’s Basilica, from the Pincio

With so many beautiful cities in Italy, it’s hard to choose the best one © Getty Images

Everyone who decides to visit Italy on holidays will be able to find something for themselves, regardless of the time of year you go, be it Christmas or summer.

Here at Kiwi, we have put everything you need to know about Italy before you go into one article so that you can have the best trip. From great times to visit to cool places to go.

It’s time to plan a vacation in Italy.

When Is The Best Time To Travel To Italy

The most popular months to fly to Italy are May, June, and September. Unfortunately, this means many people are traveling then, so the prices of everything are much higher. On the plus side, the weather is fantastic and not too hot, averaging between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius.

July and August are scorching months in Italy. It’s common for temperatures to hit 32 degrees celsius and above. While these months still attract a substantial amount of tourists, it’s less busy than May, June, and September, so there are some great bargains to get your hands on.

From November until April, things die down in Italy. It gets cooler, with average temperatures dropping to an average of 13 degrees Celsius. In the north of the country, in places like Milan, temperatures can drop to go down to 10 degrees Celsius.

Sicily is one of the warmest parts of the country all year round , which puts some people off. If you really want to visit Sicily but want to dodge the extreme heat, go there during spring. The weather tends to be milder, and you can spend more time outdoors exploring.

Five Top Places You Have To See In Italy

Rome
Venice
The Dolomites
Florence
The Amalfi Coast

Rome - The Italian Capital That Houses One Of The Seven Wonders Of The World

Beautiful Rome is a historic center showcasing phenomenal monuments like the Colosseum and intriguing museums like the Capitoline Museums. The fabulous city blows every tourist away and leaves an unmatched impression on them that they’ll never forget.

Attractions You Can’t Afford To Miss When You’re In Rome

Visit the Colosseum - Known as the emblem of Italy, the Colosseum is a huge oval-shaped amphitheater built during the Roman Empire and used for grueling gladiator fights, showcasing exotic animals and executions. Learn about its history by taking a guided tour and discover all that went on within those ancient walls.

Sun shining through the arches of Coliseum at sunrise, Rome, Italy

A wonder of the world you cannot possibly miss © Getty Images

Get your photo taken at the Trevi Fountain - If you can manage to bust past the crowds, be sure to stop by the Trevi Fountain when in Rome. 20 meters in width and 26 meters in height, it’s the biggest fountain in the city. There’s a mysterious myth that if you throw one coin inside, you’ll return to Rome again. If you throw two, you’ll fall in love with an Italian, and if you throw three, you’ll get married to the person you met. It’s worth a shot.

Climb up to the top of the Spanish Steps - Dating back to 1723, the Spanish Steps sit at the eastern end of the old city. It’s a staircase that was built to make the Bourbon Spanish Embassy and the Trinità dei Monti church meet. There are over 138 steps in total, and anyone who’s unable to reach the top can take a lift up to the top.

Delicious Food And Drinks To Try In Rome

Carbonara - You haven’t lived until you’ve tried carbonara from its birthplace, Rome. The classic recipe consists of spaghetti or rigatoni, egg yolk, cheese, olive oil, and bread for some dipping. You won’t struggle to find carbonara in Rome. It’s sold anywhere and everywhere, from corner shops in train stations to luxurious five-star restaurants.

Angelo Azzurro - This famous Italian cocktail translates to “Blue Angel” in English. It’s made with triple sec, gin, and blue curaçao. They have a powerful taste and are pretty strong. If you have two of these guys, you’ll forget you’re in Rome.

Top Tips For When You Travel To Rome

Plan your trip to Rome for the first Sunday of any month of the year. This way, you can get free access to any galleries, museums, archaeological sites, parks, and gardens owned by the state.
Cash is more widely accepted in Rome than bank card. Always keep a few extra euros in your back pocket, just in case.
Rome has a vibrant nightlife scene, but there’s an unwritten rule that nobody heads out to the clubs for some music until after midnight.

Show me what Italy has to offer.

I would love to fly to Rome.

Venice, canals, gondola, boat, summer Italy

Make sure to rent a gondola and take a beautiful trip down the canals of Venice © Getty Images

Venice - The Floating City Of Canals

One of Italy’s iconic places is the enchanting city of Venice. Famed for picture-perfect canals, conspicuous architecture, and glorious bridges, no matter what your travel style is, Venice will blow you away.

Venice - What To Do There

Take a gondola ride - Float through the city’s canals on a vintage gondola while passing impressive palaces and hearing the story behind this unusual place. It’s the ultimate thing to do when in Venice for a honeymoon. You can usually reserve tickets for a gondola ride online beforehand or negotiate with one of the captains along the banks on the day.

Walk Around St. Mark’s Square - This is where a lot of the city’s main activities are located, like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Clock Tower of Venice. Pop your head into one of the many cafes in St. Mark’s Square for a coffee and soak up these very attractions from a distance. Of course, you can pay entry into them, but they’re much nicer from the outside.

Admire the Rialto Bridge - The oldest of the four bridges suspended above the Grand Canal is the Rialto Bridge. This fascinating structure was built in the 16th century and still stands strong today. Having it all to yourself is rare due to its popularity. You’re better off appreciating it from the side of one of the canals.

Must Try Bites And Drinks In Venice

Cicchetti - Wherever you walk in Venice, there will always be a vendor trying to drag you into their restaurant for some Cicchetti. It’s a variety of snacks and side dishes served on a plate. Usually, it comprises of sliced artisan bread, crackers, olives, ham, cheese, and seafood, although in every restaurant, it varies.

Typical Italian dish: cicchetti from Venice

Typical Italian dish: cicchetti from Venice © Getty Images

Aperol Spritz - No doubt you’ve tried an Aperol Spritz before, but if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. It’s a Venetian Prosecco-based cocktail that’s served with Aperol liqueur, soda water, and a slice of fresh orange. Typically, you’ll find restaurants selling an Aperol Spritz and Cicchetti apart of a lunch deal.

What You Need To Know Before Visiting Venice

You’ll have to pay for public toilets around the city. A way to avoid this is to plan your toilet trips accordingly with your meals, so you can go where you’re eating.
The cheapest and the best way to get around Venice is on foot. Avoid water taxis as much as possible, as they can be overpriced.

I want to hear more about Venice.

Provide me with flight deals to Veneto.

The Dolomites - A Unique Mountain Range In Northern Italy

Prepare yourself for a holiday to one of the top places in Italy. The breathtaking Dolomites are a mountain range in Italian Alps that has been recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site. There’s no airport there, so you must fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport and take a bus to the town of Cortina in the heart of the southern part region.

One person standing in front of sharp dolomites peaks, Italy

The sharp dolomites peaks © Getty Images

What Is There To Do In The Dolomites?

Hop in a cable car up to Cima Tofana - From the charming town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, grab a ticket for a cable car up to Cima Tofana, one of the biggest mountains in that part of the region at an altitude of 3244 meters. Enjoy stunning mountain views of snow-capped mountains in the winter.

Check out Lago Fedaia - Hike meters to see the Fedaia Lake, an awe-inspiring lake that was formed by the Marmolada glacier. Sadly, swimming is not permitted, so you can leave your trunks at home.

Go skiing - There are a number of skiing resorts in the Dolomites where you can base yourself for hitting the slopes. Check out the Alta Badia Ski Resort, filled with 130 kilometers of pistes and 53 chair lifts. The skiing season there runs from the 3rd of December to the 11th of April every year.

Traditional Dishes You Need To Try In The Dolomites

The cuisine in the Dolomites is less advanced than in other parts of Italy. Dishes are sometimes made with poor-quality ingredients. Expect to be served basic dishes since the region is remote.

Tris Di Canederli - Translating to three tastings of Canederli, this dish is made with three balls of dough in a broth. The dough is mixed with speck, a cured type of ham. Nothing will warm you up more after a day in the cold like this.

Game meat - Dive right into the culture of the Dolomites by sampling some game meat which are wild animals from the region. From daino (fallow deer) to capriolo (roe buck), you’ll have a wide selection to choose from.

Insider Tips For The Dolomites

Public transport is easily accessible in the Dolomites. Numerous bus services and cable cars run throughout the day, so you don’t have to worry about getting from A to B.
Rifugis (mountain huts) are the preferred accommodation option. The vast majority of them provide meals and bedding and are an affordable alternative to hotels.

I want to learn about the Dolomites.

Give me cheap fares to Belluno.

Italian freshly made pasta

When in Florence, you must try the freshly made pasta © Getty Images

Florence - The Land Of Renaissance Art

Florence wins the prize for warm places to travel to in central Italy. The romantic city is home to famous works of art like the Statue of David by Michaelangelo and interesting art museums like the Uffizi gallery designed by Giorgio Vasari.

What Are Some Must-See Spots In Florence?

Walk through the Piazza del Duomo a handful of times - When you’re in Florence, you’ll find yourself in the Piazza del Duomo more often than not. This is the city’s historical center, and it houses famous sights like the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore and Battistero di San Giovanni. Usually, it’s crammed with people, but luckily the buildings are so big you can spot them from afar.

Beautiful sunset cityscape view of the Santa maria nouvelle Duomo and the town of Florence, in the Italian Tuscany.

Beautiful sunset cityscape view of the Santa maria nouvelle Duomo and the town of Florence, in the Italian Tuscany © Getty Images

Scout out the Palazzo Vecchio - Only down the street from the piazza del Duomo is the Palazzo Vecchio, a famous symbol of Florence. This building was once the palace Signoria of the Republic of Florence and is now the city’s town hall. It has become iconic over the years for its square shape replicating a castle and sandy look.

Catch the best view of Florence at Piazzale Michelangelo - A bit of a walk from the city’s main center, but well worth going to, is the Piazzale Michelangelo. The vista that you’ll have from there of the metropolis is incredible. Gaze for hours at the birthplace of some of the world’s highly skilled artists.

Tasty Food And Drink That Florence Is Known For

Bistecca Fiorentina - Are you a fan of steak? Bistecca Fiorentina is a Florentine steak, either a veal or heffer. It can be found in certain restaurants across the city and is a little bit expensive, but when you put the first piece in your mouth, you’ll realize why.

Tuscan wine - Florence is situated in Tuscany, one of the world’s well-known wine regions, so you can bet you’ll have palatable wine in all corners of the city. Wine enthusiasts will typically recommend you try the likes of Chianti, a red wine that’s popular among locals.

Florence Travel Tips

Keep your valuables by your side at all times. Petty crime is common in Florence. Pickpocketing is the most common incident that tourists will experience. Always wear clothes with zip pockets to prevent an incident from occurring.
Many galleries have a ban on selfie sticks and flash-on cameras, so you’ll have to do without them.

I would love to find out about more destinations in Florence.

Fly me to sunny Tuscany.

The Amalfi Coast - A Spectacular Stretch Of Coastline Adored By Couples And Families

The Amalfi Coast is on everyone’s bucket list. Located in the Campania region, this 34-mile stretch of seaside cliffs, majestic coastal towns, and bright blue waters entices 5 million tourists annually. Whether you stay in Sorrento, Positano, or one of the other many adorable municipalities, you’ll be blown away by the beauty.

Beautiful Places To See In The Amalfi Coast

Take on the hills of Positano - When you see Positano for the first time, immediately, you’ll think it’s the most pretty place in the world. It’s a gorgeous little town built on the edge of a cliff by the sea with bright-colored buildings. Spend your time strolling through tiny streets exploding with charm, relax by postcard-like beaches or head out into the ocean on a stand-up paddle board.

Amalfi Coast on the road

Hop on a boat to the island of Capri - If you’re one for sun, dramatic landscapes, and high-end shopping and want to see where the rich go to play, Capri is a vacation idea you should consider. The island sits in the bay of Naples and is only about 6 kilometers long, but it attracts millions of tourists every year. See the island’s famous Blue Grotto, enjoy seaside views from the Gardens of Augustus, or trek to the Sentiero dei Fortini Borbonici.

Make a day trip to Pompeii - Have a tour of the archaeological site you learned about in school. Located between the Amalfi Coast and Naples, the famous site was destroyed by a volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Excursions run daily from the likes of Sorrento, where you can see the remains of the disaster.

Food And Drinks You Can’t Leave The Amalfi Coast Without Trying

Cuoppo d’ Amalfi - A street food favorite that brings locals and tourists together, the Cuoppo d’ Amalfi is simple yet so flavorful. It’s a recipe containing fried squid, fish, onion rings, and a couple of chips served in a paper cone.

Limoncello - This renowned Italian liqueur will often be offered to you after every meal you have on the Amalfi Coast. The drink comes as a shot in a chilled ceramic glass and is made from lemon zest, sugar, and grain alcohol. It’s not that strong, but it has a sweet and sour after-taste that will remain in your mouth for a couple of minutes.

Things You Should Know Before Visiting The Amalfi Coast

Research the location of your accommodation before booking. The vast majority of the properties are outside of the center of the popular towns, so you want to ensure you have transport.
Sorrento is an excellent base for exploring the Amalfi Coast and a cheap alternative to its neighbors.

Learn about Amalfi Coast.

Get me to Naples.

Five Of The Best Cities And Places To Visit In Italy

When Is The Best Time To Travel To Italy

Five Top Places You Have To See In Italy

Rome - The Italian Capital That Houses One Of The Seven Wonders Of The World