The 12 most beautiful cities in Italy that you can visit

Italy is history, architecture, art, beauty, landscapes, gastronomy... And many of its cities bring together all these qualities, fascinating anyone who visits them and making this Mediterranean country one of the most beautiful in the world.

But which are the most prominent? We have prepared a list with the 12 most beautiful cities in Italy that you will wish to visit.

These are the 12 most beautiful cities in Italy

Be it for their excellent architecture, their fascinating landscapes or their charming streets, these towns and cities stand out for their exceptional beauty.

1. Florence

The capital of the beautiful region of Tuscany could not be missing among the most beautiful cities in Italy, since even It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From the elegance of its buildings to the magic of its bridges, Florence is a delight to behold.

The city is steeped in art and it is no coincidence that it is home to some of the best museums in the world. However, the beauty of the duomo or the great works of Renaissance painters will remain small next to the beauty of a sunset in the city.

2. Rome

Rome is undoubtedly another of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Beyond its fame and being the capital of the country, every corner in this old city is magical. Despite being the largest city in Italy, the life they lead is very relaxed, and its streets invite you to get lost at any time of the day.

Although its historic center is small, it concentrates more than 2,500 years of history between buildings, churches, museums and ruins. It does not matter where you are: walking through its cobbled streets you will discover charming corners in any neighborhood of this historic city.

3. Venice

This beautiful city is characterized by being built on an archipelago of 118 islands, in which the canals replace the streets and the gondolas become the main means of transport. Added to this, the beauty and decadence of its bridges and palaces have just made it one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world.

Places such as the Rialto Bridge, the Basilica of San Marcos or the Doge's Palace are some of the essential points. But the best thing is to get lost in its labyrinthine streets and let yourself be invaded by the nostalgia that this city awakens.

4. Verona

Not in vain was this the city that inspired and served as a background in many of Shakespeare's works, especially remembered for being the scene of the romance between Romeo and Juliet. Verona is close to Venice, but being less popular it is much quieter and more welcoming, ideal to visit it calmly.

The attractiveness of its buildings and courtyards, especially the one where Juliet's balcony is located, make it one of the most beautiful and charming cities in Italy. It is also famous for its Roman amphitheater and its beautiful castles.

5. Turin

Although it is much less known and frequented than the usual tourist destinations in the country, Turin is still one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. The one that is the capital of Piemonte, a region that occupies the northwest of the country, is located on the banks of the Po river and surrounded by the Alps, which offer a beautiful snowy landscape in winter.

The historic city center is full of palaces, beautiful churches and arched streets, as well as old and elegant cafeterias that preserve the aspect that they maintained back in the 19th century. Although it is a colder city, its squares and bars do not lose their warmth and have a very good atmosphere to go out for a drink.

6. Manarola

Manarola is one of the towns that make up the protected complex of Cinque terre, named a World Heritage Site in 1997. This complex is made up of five coastal villages, on the shores of the Ligurian Sea, which are characterized by being carefully erected on the cliffs formed by the rugged terrain.

Its colorful hanging buildings form a picturesque sight worth visiting. It can be visited on foot from the town of Riomaggiore following a path surrounded by vineyards and the coast, called Via dell’Amore (way of love). Manarola is said to be the oldest of the 5 cities that make up the area of Cinque terre, but also one of the most beautiful.

7. Sorrento

Another of the most beautiful cities in Italy is located a few kilometers from Naples, on the gulf of the same name. The city is located on high ravines located between the sea and the mountains, offering a spectacular natural landscape. Its historic center, surrounded by a wall preserved since the 16th century, is very particular and maintains the original layout of the Roman era.

The 18th century palaces and villas that are found there make it an elegant seaside town ideal to visit in one day. Enclaves such as the Cathedral, austere on the outside but beautiful on the inside, or the cloister of the Church of San Francisco are a must.

8. San Gimignano

San Gimignano is another of the jewels that the Tuscany region offers. It is a small medieval walled town whose historic center was declared a World Heritage Site in 1990.

This beautiful town still preserves many of its towers that made up the fortress, some up to 54 meters high, and which give the city an impressive profile. But the best preserved are its buildings of medieval and Renaissance architecture, which together with the many squares give it a charming air.

9. Positano

Positano is one of the most visited towns on the Amalfi Coast and also one of the most beautiful. Writer John Steinbeck catapulted it to fame in the 1950s by calling it “a dream place” in Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

Colorful buildings of arabesque character line up a steep hill on the shores of the Gulf of Salerno, forming a picturesque and very attractive panorama.

10. Capri

Capri is another of the most beautiful coastal cities in Italy. Built on an island in the Gulf of Naples, this place was already famous for its beauty in Roman times.

Some of its most outstanding enclaves are its small port, the Belvedere di Tragara panoramic walk or the Blue Grotto, an impressive sea cave.

11. Siena

Siena is world famous for keeping alive its traditional Palio Festival, a horse race of medieval origin and one of the oldest in the world. This striking celebration takes place in Piazza del Campo, known for being one of the best-preserved medieval squares in Europe and the world.

Similarly, its cathedral and the Communal Palace are other points of interest in the city, which maintains its charm thanks to the architectural, artistic and historical wealth of its alleys, churches and palaces. Its historic center was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995.

12. Lucca

Lucca is considered another of the most beautiful cities in Italy, due to the historical and cultural heritage that its old town offers. The wall that surrounds the city is perfectly preserved, keeping intact inside the numerous medieval churches and renaissance palaces that add charm to the city.