Italy is one of our favourite countries. It truly has everything: culture, history, art, architecture, mountains, beaches and the best food.
Choosing our favourites has been impossible (sorry Dolomites, Amalfi Coast, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Puglia – especially Lecce, Cinque Terre and all of the Lakes). Here’s our top 5:
Rome:
The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel – it is breathtaking. Try and go early or late to avoid the crowds, or book for an evening tour.
The Catacombs and Appian Way– Rome has many catacombs, we think the Catacombs of San Callisto are the best place to start.
St Peter’s Basilica – this vast church and square are must see, as is Michelangelo’s Pieta inside.
Tip:
Don’t have great expectations for the Trevi Fountain or The Spanish Steps as they are packed with tourists 24/7, instead try hanging out in the spectacular Piazza Navona.
Florence:
Is another big hitter. Whenever we visit we can’t resist returning to:
The Uffizi– the Uffizi is home to some of the most famous, and best Italian art in the world.
The Galleria dell’Accademia – the Galleria is home to Michelangelo’s best work of art – David – and many other stunning sculptures.
The Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore – it’s a vast gothic structure with a record breaking dome designed by Brunelleschi.
Vivoli – Vivoli’s ice cream is possibly the best in the world. When in Florence we have at least 2 a day from this back street emporium.
Tip:
Florence is best explored on foot and make sure you pre-book museums.
Venice:
We always have mixed thoughts on Venice, as it’s so rammed with tourists and incredibly expensive, but its unique beauty can’t be ignored. Don’t miss:
St Mark’s Square – possibly the most beautiful square in the world and home to the ornate St Mark’s Basilica.
The Rialto – early morning or late night is the time to appreciate this bucket list bridge.
Gallerie dell’Accademia – if you go to just one gallery make it the Accademia – it’s packed with renaissance gems.
The Guggenheim – The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one the most important museums of European and American art of the twentieth century in Italy. It’s also in a spectacular position on the Grand Canal.
Burano – This instagram hit is well worth the trip across the lagoon. Burano is home to brightly coloured houses lining the canals and streets.
Tip:
Get off the tourist drags and explore the atmospheric back streets.
Siracusa:
This city is our favourite place in Italy set in the south east of Sicily. Siracusa has an impressively intact Greek Amphitheatre and Catacombs in the wider city. However, the main star is a small island reached by bridge – Ortygia.
Ortygia is simply beautiful to walk around – the architecture ranges from Greek and Norman to Baroque. It has fortified walls with coloured buildings facing the sea. Don’t miss the Fonte Arethusa and the Piazza del Duomo – our favourite square in Italy.
Tip:
Just wander and explore back streets, plus there’s good beaches nearby like Fontane Bianche.
Sardinia:
Sardinia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. By Italian standards there’s little to see – we like the town of Bosa and the Roman ruins of Nora – but the island has white sand, crystal clear water and multiple stunning beaches.
Most of the beaches are to die for. We love Campulongu and Porto Giunco in the south and the beaches of the Maddalena Islands in the north.