Best Places to Visit in Italy: My Honest Ratings of 11 Destinations

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

Italy is one of those countries I keep coming back to. The food, the architecture, the beaches, the lakes, the chaos… there’s just something about it.

But after travelling around quite a bit of Italy, I’ve definitely realised that I don’t love every destination equally.

So instead of giving you another generic list of the best places to visit in Italy, here are my completely personal ratings of 11 Italian destinations I’ve actually visited.

These ratings are based on my own experience, including the atmosphere, things to do, prices, nightlife, beauty and how much I personally enjoyed being there. Your list might look completely different, and that’s kind of the point.

If you’re planning a bigger trip, you can also check out my Northern Italy Travel Guide for my route through Milan, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Turin, Genoa, Florence, Verona and Venice.

My Italy Travel Ratings at a Glance

DestinationMy ratingMy personal highlight
Rome11/10History, atmosphere & endless things to see
Sicily10/10Beaches, food, nightlife & chaos
Florence9/10Beauty, food & culture
Genoa8.5/10City + sea
Lake Como8/10Scenery & lakeside villages
Turin7.5/10Local atmosphere & affordability
Lake Maggiore7/10Peaceful lake views
Venice6/10Unique canals & atmosphere
Verona5.5/10Historic centre
Milan5/10Easy transport connections
Pisa4/10The Leaning Tower

Again: these are my personal ratings, not an objective ranking of Italy.

1. Rome: 11/10

Sorry, but I absolutely love Rome.

I’ve visited twice — once during COVID, when the lack of crowds made the city feel completely surreal, and once afterwards when things were much more normal again. They were completely different experiences, but I loved both.

Rome is one of those places where you can simply walk around without having a plan and still find something incredible around every corner.

You have ancient ruins, beautiful churches, tiny streets, piazzas, fountains, cafés and historic buildings basically everywhere you look.

Why I loved Rome

  • So much history
  • Beautiful architecture everywhere
  • The city still feels alive rather than like an open-air museum
  • Loads of things to do
  • The beach is reachable by train for a day trip
  • I found it possible to travel here without spending a fortune

The downside

  • It can be extremely touristy
  • Summer can be brutally hot

I personally wouldn’t choose the middle of summer for a city trip to Rome. You spend so much time walking around outside that the heat can really change the experience.

But overall?

Rome is still my favourite city in Italy.

If you want to read more about it, check out my Rome Travel Guide, including my favourite things to do, food, hidden gems and practical tips.

My verdict: One of those cities I could visit again and again.

Colosseum in Rome, Italy

2. Sicily: 10/10

Sicily was such a fun surprise.

I spent around two weeks backpacking around the island with my cousin, mainly staying in Palermo and Taormina, and honestly, I loved the whole experience.

Sicily has that combination of sun, sea, food, nightlife and complete chaos that makes travelling here feel very different from mainland Italy.

Why I loved Sicily

  • Beautiful beaches and coastline
  • Amazing food
  • Great prices compared with some of Italy’s more touristy destinations
  • Palermo has an incredible atmosphere
  • Taormina is ridiculously beautiful
  • Catania and Messina were also interesting to explore
  • Palermo nightlife happens right out on the streets
  • Very easy to meet people in hostels

I stayed at Ostello Bello Palermo and absolutely loved the atmosphere there. It was social, clean and in a great location, and I met loads of people.

I wasn’t as impressed by my hostel in Taormina, Homstel Taormina, but that definitely didn’t stop me from loving Taormina itself.

Drinking wine at sunset in Castelmola, Sicily

The downside

I did have a few moments where I felt uncomfortable walking around at night, so I wouldn’t recommend completely switching off your common sense.

Sicily isn’t somewhere I would describe as a place where you should constantly be scared, but I’d still stay aware of your surroundings, especially late at night.

If you’re planning your own trip, start with my Sicily Travel Guide, or check my guides to Palermo and Taormina.

My verdict: Chaos, sunshine, pasta and Aperol. What’s not to love?

3. Florence: 9/10

Florence is SO beautiful.

Yes, it is touristy. Yes, it can get expensive. And yes, you’ll probably be surrounded by people taking photos of the same buildings as you.

But honestly, I still think it’s worth it.

The architecture is incredible, there is loads of history, the food is great and there’s plenty to do.

Why I liked Florence

  • Beautiful architecture
  • Incredible historic centre
  • Lots of museums and cultural attractions
  • Great food
  • Good nightlife
  • Easy to explore on foot

I go into more detail in my guide to the 10 best things to do in Florence, including the sights, food and experiences I’d prioritise.

The downside

The biggest downside for me is the combination of crowds and prices.

Florence is definitely one of those Italian cities where travelling on a budget takes a little more effort.

My verdict: Tourist-heavy, but still absolutely worth experiencing.

4. Genoa: 8.5/10

Genoa was one of my favourite combinations of city + sea.

You get a proper Italian city, but you’re also right next to the Ligurian coast.

And Boccadasse?

Give me an Aperol, some sunshine and that little beach and I’m happy.

Why I liked Genoa

  • Beautiful harbour
  • Great combination of city and coastline
  • Boccadasse is adorable
  • Great base for exploring Liguria
  • Easy access to places such as Portofino and the Cinque Terre

The nightlife felt more relaxed than in somewhere like Palermo, but honestly, I didn’t mind that.

If you’re planning Northern Italy, my Northern Italy Travel Guide covers Genoa as part of my route through the north, while my 1-Day Genoa Itinerary focuses specifically on how I’d spend a day in the city

Boccadasse beach in Genoa Italy

My verdict: Perfect if you can’t decide between a city trip and a beach trip.

5. Lake Como: 8/10

Lake Como is basically Pinterest in real life.

Bellagio, Varenna, the lake, the mountains, the little streets… it is ridiculously pretty.

And apparently everyone else agrees, because you will see weddings and engagement photos happening everywhere.

Especially in Bellagio.

Why I loved Lake Como

  • Beautiful scenery
  • Stunning lakeside villages
  • Bellagio is gorgeous
  • Varenna is beautiful
  • Perfect for slowing down
  • Great ferry trips between different towns
View over Lake Como from Varenna Italy

The downside

It’s very calm.

Don’t come here expecting wild nightlife or a huge backpacker scene.

And it can definitely be expensive.

For more practical information, check out my guide on whether Lake Como is worth visiting, or my Lake Como itinerary and accommodation guides if you’re planning your own trip.

My verdict: Straight out of a wedding moodboard.

6. Turin: 7.5/10

Turin was one of my biggest surprises in Italy.

I honestly didn’t expect to like it as much as I did.

It has some of the big-city feeling you get in Milan, but I found it much more relaxed and less touristy.

There are markets, beautiful streets, historic buildings, cafés and plenty of places to sit down for an Aperol.

Why I liked Turin

  • Less touristy
  • More local feeling
  • Good food
  • Markets
  • Beautiful architecture
  • Relatively affordable
  • Easy to explore for a couple of days

The fact that it wasn’t packed with tourists was actually one of the things I liked most.

If you’re curious about what there is to do, check out my guide to the 10 best things to do in Turin.

Galleria Subalpina in Turin Italy

My verdict: A very underrated Italian city.

7. Lake Maggiore: 7/10

I visited Lake Maggiore around Stresa and really enjoyed how peaceful it was.

I stayed in a hotel with a lake view, which obviously made the whole experience even better.

Why I liked Lake Maggiore

  • Beautiful scenery
  • Gorgeous lake views
  • Very peaceful
  • Nice for a slower trip
  • Stresa is a convenient base

The downside

It was very quiet when I visited in March.

That wasn’t necessarily bad, but if you’re looking for nightlife or a very social backpacker atmosphere, this isn’t really the place.

I stayed in Stresa myself, and you can read more about the lake in my guide on whether Lake Maggiore is worth visiting.

Lake Maggiore waterfront in Stresa Italy

My verdict: Ideal when you want to slow down for a day or two.

8. Venice: 6/10

Venice is one of those places where I completely understand why people love it.

The canals are beautiful, the city is unique and there really isn’t anywhere else quite like it.

But personally?

I found it overwhelming.

The good

  • Completely unique
  • Beautiful canals
  • Amazing architecture
  • Lots of history
  • Very different from anywhere else in Italy

I wrote more about that experience in my honest review of whether Venice is worth visiting, including how I experienced the crowds and how long I’d personally stay.

Venice canals and water in Italy

The downside

  • Extremely crowded
  • Expensive
  • Tourist-heavy
  • Limited options because of the island layout
  • Can feel overwhelming after a while

For me, Venice is somewhere I’d happily visit again for a day, but I wouldn’t necessarily plan a long stay around it.

My Venice tip

If you’re travelling on a budget, consider staying outside the historic centre and visiting Venice as a day trip.

My verdict: Amazing to see once, but I don’t need a week here.

9. Verona: 5.5/10

Verona just didn’t really do it for me.

And honestly, this might have been partly because of where I stayed and the experience I had there.

I stayed at The Hostello, which was actually a really nice hostel: modern, clean and comfortable.

The neighbourhood, however, made me uncomfortable, especially at night.

I also had an unpleasant experience with a man exposing himself, which obviously affected how safe I felt walking around afterwards.

Maybe I was unlucky.

But even putting that aside, Verona itself didn’t impress me as much as some of the other Italian cities on this list.

Historic city centre of Verona Italy

My main downsides

  • I didn’t feel comfortable in my neighbourhood at night
  • Some areas felt a little run-down
  • I found there was less to do than in other Italian cities
  • The city simply didn’t click with me

That doesn’t mean Verona isn’t worth visiting. Plenty of people absolutely love it.

It just wasn’t my personal favourite.

If you want a more detailed look at my experience, I also wrote about whether Verona is worth visiting.

My verdict: Maybe I was unlucky, but it wasn’t really my vibe.

10. Milan: 5/10

Okay, this might be controversial.

But Milan is just not my favourite.

I’ve been twice, and both times I left feeling a little disappointed.

What I liked

  • Easy airport connections
  • Great base for travelling around Northern Italy
  • Beautiful Duomo
  • Navigli is fun for an evening
  • Lots of train connections
Duomo di Milano in Milan Italy

What I didn’t love

  • Very crowded
  • Expensive
  • Some drinks can be ridiculously pricey
  • I didn’t find there was enough to keep me interested for a long stay

For me, Milan works really well as a starting point for a Northern Italy trip rather than somewhere I’d build an entire holiday around.

And if you are planning to use Milan as your starting point, my Northern Italy Travel Guide has my route, transport tips and accommodation experiences.

I’ve written more about my experience in my guide to the 10 best things to do in Milan, although my personal opinion of the city is definitely mixed.

My verdict: Useful, but not my favourite Italian city.

11. Pisa: 4/10

Pisa is probably the destination on this list where I’d spend the least amount of time.

The Leaning Tower is obviously cool to see.

But once you’ve taken your obligatory photo, there isn’t that much that personally made me want to stay longer.

Why I didn’t love Pisa

  • Very small
  • Extremely touristy around the main attraction
  • Not that much to do compared with other Italian cities
  • You can see the main sights fairly quickly

My tip

If you’re already travelling through Tuscany, absolutely stop and see the Leaning Tower.

But personally, I wouldn’t build an entire trip around Pisa.

My verdict: Great for a quick stop, not somewhere I’d stay for several days.

So, What Are the Best Places to Visit in Italy?

If you want the extremely short version of my personal Italy travel ratings:

My favourite city: Rome

Rome is still the place I’d return to tomorrow.

My favourite island: Sicily

Sicily has the combination of beaches, food, nightlife and chaotic Italian energy that I absolutely love.

My favourite for beauty: Florence

Florence is incredibly beautiful, even when the crowds are annoying.

My biggest surprise: Turin

I didn’t expect to enjoy Turin as much as I did.

My favourite lakes: Lake Como & Lake Maggiore

Both are beautiful, although they offer very different experiences.

The place I enjoyed least: Milan

Milan just never really clicked with me, despite visiting twice.

Again, that’s my personal experience. I wouldn’t tell you to skip somewhere simply because I didn’t love it.

What I Love About Travelling in Italy

Despite all these differences, Italy as a whole is one of my favourite countries to travel around.

There are so many completely different experiences packed into one country.

You can spend one week swimming in Sicily, another wandering around Rome, then take trains through Northern Italy and end up sitting beside a lake.

And obviously…

The food.

Arancini in Sicily.

Fresh pasta in Florence.

Pizza.

Gelato.

Aperol.

Limoncello.

I don’t think I need to explain further.

Italy is also surprisingly good for different travel styles. You can backpack it, travel by train, stay in hostels, take a road trip, spend a week by a lake or do a very classic city break.

For a broader look at Northern Italy, check out my Northern Italy Travel Guide, or my Northern Italy Backpacking Guide if you’re travelling on a budget.

My Biggest Italy Travel Tip

Don’t rush Italy.

I know it is tempting to try to see Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Lake Como, Cinque Terre and Sicily all in one trip.

Technically, you probably could.

But why?

Some of my favourite Italian memories weren’t from ticking off famous attractions.

They were from sitting on a terrace with an Aperol, swimming in the sea, meeting people at a hostel, taking a random train somewhere or just wandering around a city with no real plan.

So yes, make an itinerary.

But leave some space for doing absolutely nothing.

Because sometimes that’s when Italy is at its best.

If you’re struggling to work out how much you can realistically fit into one trip, I’ve also written a guide on how many days you need in Italy with different itinerary ideas.

Final Thoughts

Italy has honestly given me some of my favourite travel memories.

I’ve loved Rome, completely fallen for Sicily, been surprised by Turin, relaxed around the lakes and discovered cities that simply weren’t for me.

And that’s exactly why I like writing these honest travel ratings.

Not every destination needs to be your favourite.

Sometimes a place can be beautiful and still not be your vibe. Sometimes the destination you weren’t expecting much from becomes the highlight of your trip.

So if you’re planning an Italy trip, use this as inspiration rather than a strict ranking.

And whatever you do:

Sit down. Order the Aperol. Stop rushing. Enjoy Italy.

Planning Your Trip to Italy?

Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.

That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.

→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides

OR

START BY AREA

→ Northern Italy Travel guide
→ Rome Travel guide
→ Sicily Travel guide

More Italy Travel Guides

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FAQ: Italy Travel Guide

What are the best places to visit in Italy?

Some of the most popular places to visit in Italy include Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Sicily, Lake Como, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast and the Italian lakes. The best destination depends on whether you want cities, beaches, lakes, food, history or nightlife.

How many days do you need in Italy?

That depends on how much of the country you want to see. For one city, 3–4 days can work well. For a broader trip covering several destinations, I’d recommend at least 10–14 days so you don’t spend the entire holiday travelling between places.

Is Italy good for backpacking?

Yes. Italy is well suited to backpacking, especially if you use trains, buses and hostels. Northern Italy is particularly easy to combine by public transport, while Sicily can also be travelled without a car, although a rental car can make exploring the island easier.

What is the best time to visit Italy?

Spring and early autumn are generally great times for travelling around Italy because temperatures are often more comfortable and popular destinations can be less crowded than during peak summer. However, the best time depends on where you’re going and what you want to do.

Is Italy expensive?

Italy can be expensive in popular destinations such as Venice, Florence and Lake Como, but it is possible to travel on a smaller budget. Hostels, public transport, supermarkets and local restaurants can help keep costs down.

Can you travel around Italy by train?

Yes. Trains are one of the easiest ways to travel between many major Italian cities. For some smaller destinations, lakes and coastal areas, you may need to combine trains with buses, ferries or other local transport.

Is Rome worth visiting?

Absolutely — at least according to my own experience. I’ve visited Rome twice and loved both trips for different reasons. The city has an incredible amount of history, architecture, food and things to explore.

Is Sicily worth visiting?

Yes. Sicily was one of my favourite parts of Italy, particularly because of the combination of beaches, food, nightlife, Palermo’s atmosphere and beautiful places such as Taormina. I have a full Sicily Travel Guide if you’re planning a trip.

Is Northern Italy good for a first trip?

Northern Italy can be a great option if you want to combine several destinations without constantly flying. Milan, Lake Como, Turin, Genoa, Florence, Verona and Venice can all be connected as part of a larger route, particularly by train and bus.

Which Italian destination is best for beaches?

For beaches and a more Mediterranean holiday atmosphere, I’d look towards Sicily or other coastal parts of Italy rather than inland cities such as Florence or Turin.

Should you visit Milan?

Milan can be useful as a starting point for a Northern Italy trip because of its transport connections. Personally, I wouldn’t spend a huge amount of time there, but that is based on my own experience after visiting twice.

How do you travel around Italy on a budget?

Hostels, trains booked ahead, FlixBus and local restaurants can all help reduce costs. In expensive cities, apps such as Too Good To Go can also be useful for finding discounted food.

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