Visiting Italy soon and wondering what cities in Italy to visit while you’re there? This post is all about the top 17 unique and underrated cities in Italy to visit. these are perfect if it is your first time visiting, or if it is your 10th time! Some of the best cities are unheard of, and will give you a truly authentic view of Italy. Have fun planning your trip, and enjoy exploring!
Cities in Italy to Visit
1. Florence
If visiting Italy, Florence is one of the largest yet most beautiful cities you have to visit! Florence is the best place to view historical art from some of the most famous artists of all time.
Florence is home to the St. John’s baptistry doors, the Uffizi gallery, the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Michelangelo’s David. There is so much to see and do here, and is absolutely worth visiting and is beautiful!
Florence is also closest to some of the beautiful Tuscan countryside cities recommended below. Looking for an itinerary in Florence? Check out our 3 Days in Florence Itinerary!
2. Venice
Venice is a MUST see city in Italy. You can’t see Italy without seeing this unique and beautiful city! Complete with water canals and gondolas to get you from place to place, this city is unlike any other in the world.
Venice is home to the Bridge of Sighs, Gondola rides, Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Bell Tower, and so many more beautiful places. Be sure to plan a trip to Venice while visiting Italy.
If you’re looking for more info on Venice, check out our travel guide!
3. Verona
A beautiful and very underrated city in Italy is Verona. The city of love (aside from Paris of course!) Verona is a great city to see if you have time to go, or it is your second time visiting Italy!
Verona is home to Juliet’s Balcony, beautiful historic plaza’s, artwork, and views of the Alps from the bell tower!
This city is just incredibly beautiful to walk through, and has so many unique sights to see that are some of the oldest in Italy. Verona is located about in the middle between Milan and Venice. If visiting Venice and Milan, this would be a great stop along the way to one or the other!
4. Mantua
Closely located near Verona is a beautiful city called Mantua. If you take the time to visit Verona, this is close by and can be seen in the same day or on the way to traveling to Verona!
Mantua has some unique sites to see that are incredibly historic and are so beautiful. Be sure to explore this beautiful city if you are visiting Verona! This can be a half day trip on the way to Verona from Florence!
5. Varenna – Lake Como
Varenna is another great place to visit in Italy if you are looking to see Lake Como! Nearby cities are Milan and Venice. The best time to see this city and visit the lake is while visiting Milan, as this is the closest to Lake Como. From here, you can take a ferry to other lakeside cities such as Bellagio, Como, and so many others!
Como is home to the Italian Alps, beginning here. The mountains you’ll see are part of the Alps, and provide beautiful breathtaking views. Visit here for a great relaxing getaway while in Italy!
Varenna specifically has a really unique hike to a castle on a hill! Such a fun experience with a beautiful view of the lake and the Alps from above. If you are looking for a day trip to Varenna from either Florence or better from Milan, see our guide on a Day Trip to Lake Como!
6. Bellagio
Bellagio is another beautiful city near Lake Como!
Como is home to the Italian Alps, beginning here. The mountains you’ll see are part of the Alps, and provide beautiful breathtaking views. Visit here for a great relaxing getaway while in Italy!
Bellagio has some of the nicest restaurants and shops for you to enjoy. This is a much more expensive part of Lake Como but is so worth the trip!
7. Milan
Another one of Italy’s largest cities that is absolutely beautiful is Milan! This is a great city to stay in if you are looking to visit the cities around Lake Como, or visit Verona and Mantua.
Milan is home to the Milan Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Starbucks Reserve, beautiful art museums, and one of the most well known fashion capitals of the world!
If you are looking for a day trip guide to Milan, check out our travel guide!
8. Rome
Another one of Italy’s largest most beautiful cities is Rome. Rome is densely packed with beautiful historical architecture that you MUST see while in Italy. This is a great city to stay in to visit many other cities in southern Italy. Closely located to Pompeii, this is a great place to stay if looking to visit Pompeii!
Rome is SUCH a dense city, home to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, and SO much more.
If you are looking for a complete 3 day guide to Rome, be sure to check out our Ultimate 3 Day Itinerary for Rome!
9. Turin
I have SO many regrets not seeing this beautiful city while studying abroad in Italy! This is another great city to see if you are looking for unique views of the Alps from Italy. This is a northern Italian city that is worth the visit while staying in Italy! If you are looking for cities in Italy to visit with views of the alps, or a unique winter experience, this place will not disappoint!
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10. Salerno
Salerno is one of many beautiful cities in Italy to visit that you will likely come across on your way to visit Pompeii or Amalfi. This is nearly the Amalfi coast, and provides breathtaking views of the sea while traveling through Italy!
Certainly worth a longer train transfer time if you can find the opportunity while traveling. There are delicious cafe’s near the train station, and the coast is about a 5 minute walk from the train station as well! Perfect for an hour long train transfer time.
11. Pompeii
While visiting Southern Italy or staying in Rome, be sure to check out Pompeii! One of the most humbling beautiful cities in Italy to visit. The view of the Volcano is beautiful, and even more amazing if you stay at this AirBnB!
12. Bologna
Not far at all from Florence is a beautiful city of Bologna! Take a train from Florence in under and hour to see this beautiful Tuscan city.
Bologna has some really unique and beautiful sites to see, and is especially fun at Christmastime to visit the markets and walk around and enjoy time with your friends or family! A great place to take a food tour and enjoy shopping at the local markets.
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13. Vicenza
Vicenza is another beautiful Italian city known for its 16th century architecture and trade of precious metals, known as the “city of gold”. If you’re looking for unique and underrated cities in Italy to visit this is one of the coolest ones to see!
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14. Siena
Siena is one of the most beautiful Tuscan countryside cities in Italy to visit while staying around Florence, Italy. This city is a must visit if you have a ton of time in Florence and it’s one of your second or third trips to Italy!
Siena is home to Piazza del Campo; the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia. The city dates back to the 14th century. Can easily be a day trip from Florence!
15. San Gimignano
San Gimignano is another great city nearby Florence to visit in the same day you visit Siena, Italy. This town dates back to the 13th century with its architecture around the town square. Filled with medieval towers, architecture, and so much more you won’t want to miss out on
Be sure to climb the bell tower while visiting to get an aerial view of the entire Tuscan countryside!
16. Lucca
If you are visiting Pisa, Lucca is a beautiful unique city to visit that is close by! This is a great day trip if combined with Pisa, as you will definitely not need the entire day to visit to see the leaning tower. This is another great unique small Tuscan city.
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17. La Spieza
La Spieza is one of 5 towns in Cinque Terre! Of course all 5 of these towns are a MUST if visiting, but this is one of the best views of Cinque Terre! Complete with convenient hiking trails, ocean views, and town views filled with vibrant color this place certainly won’t disappoint! For a complete guide to visiting Cinque Terre in a day trip from Florence, see our Cinque Terre travel guide!
I hope you enjoyed this post all about cities in Italy to visit! If you are looking for more info on planning a trip to Italy, check out all of our Italy travel guides clicking the links below!
