With more than 63 million visitors every year, Italy is constantly in the top 5 of the most visited countries in the world. Italy is a beautiful country that is renowned for its history, art, culture, fashion, and cuisine.
There are so many wonderful places to see in Italy! To make your trip worthwhile, here’s an easy itinerary of the top 7 attractions that you must visit in Italy thanks to Matt from ItsAllinItaly.com.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Tourists from all over the world flock to Pisa for a chance to climb the nearly 300 steps of the Leaning Tower. Also known as La Torre Pendente, it is an example of Romanesque architecture that gained fame because of a design flaw.
Built in the 1100s, the tower began to sink when work reached is third-story. In time, the sinking caused the tower to lean.
In 1990, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was given restoration work. It was estimated that the tower would eventually topple over by the year 2000. Fortunately, the tower remains steadfast and continues to give tourists stunning views of the city.
The tower is located on the Piazza dei Miracoli which it shares with the historical Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
The Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum has been featured in many Hollywood movies but it is a sight to behold in real life. Built by Emperor Vespasian in 80 AD, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre built by the Roman Empire.
The site, which can hold more than 55,000 spectators, was used to host public spectacles including deadly wild animal and gladiatorial fights. The Colosseum was also used to simulate mock sea battles.
Underneath its structure, you will find 2 stories composed of rooms, tunnels, cells, and built-in passages for the workers, wild animals, and the gladiators. Despite its violent past, the design of the Colosseum has been used as the blueprint for the modern-day sports arena.
For the best experience, it is recommended to sign up for fully-guided tours as some areas of the Colosseum are restricted to private visits. These restricted areas include the top level and the underground passages.
Statue of David in Florence
The artist Michelangelo is renowned for many masterpieces such as La Pieta, Bacchus, and the painting of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. Arguably, his most famous work is David which can be seen at the Accademia Gallery in Florence.
The Statue of David was carved out of a block of marble that measured 5.50 metres in height. Many artists tried to sculpt it but without success. Finally, in 1501, the Opera del Duomo of Florence commissioned Michelangelo to turn the block of marble into a work of art.
Michelangelo worked on David from September 1501 to May 1504. When David was finally completed, the statue was measured at over 5 metres and weighing in excess of 5 tons.
The original location of David was the Piazza della Signoria. But continued exposure to the elements necessitated the transfer to the Accademia Gallery.
The Grand Canal of Venice
Venice is composed of a group of islands that are interconnected by canals and narrow passageways. The Grand Canal of Venice is the centre point and the most photographed attraction in charming and romantic Venice.
A ride in one of the iconic gondolas isn’t the only motivation to visit Venice. At the end of the canal, you will find a lagoon near the Santa Lucia Railway Station. Along the banks of the Grand Canal are historic buildings that were built back to the 13th and 18th centuries.
Then, ask the “gondola driver” to navigate the vessel under the Rialto Bridge which first opened in 1591. A bit of trivia on the Rialto Bridge was that for 300 years, the bridge was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot.
Another must-see attraction while on the gondola ride is the Bridge of Sighs which in the 17th century was used to connect the prison to the interrogation rooms.
On a positive note, bring someone you care about under the Bridge of Sighs where a kiss is supposed to guarantee eternal love!
The Vatican in Rome
The Vatican attracts more than 6 million visitors every year. A city within the city of Rome, the Vatican is a complex of museums that house some of the world’s most priceless collections in art.
When in the Vatican, visit the Sistine Chapel and marvel at the ceiling paintings created by Michelangelo. Spend time at the great Basilica of St. Peter where the tomb of St. Peter is located. It is in the Basilica of St. Peter where you can find another one of Michelangelo’s greatest masterpieces, La Pieta.
Right outside is St. Peter’s Square where the Pope holds Sunday mass and addresses the Catholic faithful.
Pompeii in Rome
The ancient city of Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Ironically, the eruption was able to preserve many of Pompeii’s art treasures which include sculptures, frescoes, and mosaics.
After decades of excavations, remains of houses, baths, theatres, markets, and temples were unearthed. While on tour of the ancient city, you will see remnants of the old streets that have been marked by thundering chariots of the past.
Of course, you can get a good view of Mount Vesuvius which is still spewing hot smoke to the present day.
You can visit Pompeii as part of a day trip from Naples or from the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento.
The Duomo in Florence
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (AKA The ‘Duomo’) is widely regarded as one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. It was built between the 13th and 15th centuries with its breath-taking dome being the centrepiece of the cathedral. The Duomo was designed and completed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1434.
Another focal point of the Duomo is the cathedral’s bell tower which was designed by Giotto. The bell tower or campanile has a height of 82 metres. To access the bell tower, you have to climb 414 steps.
The climb is worth is as you will be rewarded with the best views of the city of Florence. Across from the Duomo is an amazing baptistery which is renowned for its panelled doors that are made of bronze.
Summary
Are there other attractions to visit in Italy? Yes, there are! However, the 7 places we listed here are popularly recognised as the must-see attractions.
If you’d like to see more of Italy, follow ItsAllinItaly on Instagram for ongoing images that may just inspire your next trip to Italy?
Indeed, it will be hard to convince your friends that you were in Italy without visiting these wonderful attractions.
