Italy is one of those countries I keep going back to. The food, the chaos, the beauty… it just does something to me.
But not every place hit the same — so here’s my honest ranking 👇
🥇 11/10 – Rome
Sorry but I loooove Rome
Been here twice — once during covid (no crowds = insane experience), and once after
Both completely different, but equally magical
+ Everywhere you walk = something beautiful
+ So much history, but still feels alive
+ Not far from the beach (±1h by train)
+Actually not that expensive
– Very touristy
– WAY too hot in summer → don’t go then
✨ Just one of those cities that keeps amazing you
🥈 10/10 – Sicily
Such a fun island
+ Sun, sea, cocktails, good food
+ Palermo = amazing vibe, met so many people (my hostel: Ostello Bello 💛)
+ Taormina = WOW, so beautiful (didn’t love my hostel that much: Homstel Taormina)
+ Also loved Catania & Messina
+ Nightlife on the streets in Palermo >>>
– Sometimes felt a bit unsafe at night → don’t walk alone
✨ Chaos but in the best way
🥉 9/10 – Florence
+ SO beautiful, I can’t
+ Good parties, good food
+ Lots to do
– More expensive (very touristy)
✨ A classic, but worth it
4th – 8.5/10 – Genoa
+ Beautiful harbour
+ Close to Portofino & Cinque Terre
+ Loved Boccadasse beach → aperol + sun = the good life
– Nights are more chill
✨ Perfect mix of city + sea
5th – 8/10 – Lake Como
+ Literally Pinterest in real life
+ Bellagio & Varenna = stunning
+ You’ll see people getting engaged / doing weddings everywhere because it’s so beautiful
+ Parks in Bellagio especially = FULL of proposals
– Very calm, not much nightlife
✨ Straight out of a wedding moodboard
6th – 7.5/10 – Turin
+ SO underrated
+ Markets, cute streets, local vibes
+ Cheap
– Not super touristy (which I liked tbh)
✨ Perfect short stop
7th – 7/10 – Lake Maggiore (Stresa)
+ Super pretty
+ Stayed in a hotel with lake view → unreal
– Very quiet (went in March tho)
✨ Ideal for a calm escape
8th – 6/10 – Venice
+ Very unique, canals are cool
BUT:
– SO crowded (like actually insane)
– Expensive
– Limited options (it’s an island)
💡 Tip: stay outside & visit for 1 day
✨ Nice to see once
9th – 5.5/10 – Verona
– Stayed at The Hostello → hostel itself was actually really nice, modern, clean
– BUT the neighborhood felt super sketchy, especially at night
– Had a really uncomfortable experience there (guy exposing himself 🤢) → felt unsafe after that
– In general just didn’t feel at ease walking around
– City itself also didn’t impress me that much
– Not a lot to do compared to other Italian cities
– Some areas felt a bit run-down
✨ Maybe I was unlucky, but really not my vibe
10th –5/10 – Milan (controversial 😅)
I’m sorry but… no
– Very crowded
– Overpriced (aperol €15–20??)
– Not that much to do except the Duomo
– Been twice, both times disappointed
- Only good thing: cheap flights & easy base to travel elsewhere
✨ Just use it as a transit city
💡 Summary / Takeaways
Best overall: Rome
Best island: Sicily
Most beautiful city: Florence
Best hidden gem: Turin
Best lakes: Como & Maggiore
Most overrated (for me): Milan
Italy in general 🇮🇹
- Amazing food (obviously)
- Beautiful architecture everywhere
- Good mix of cities, beaches & lakes
- Can be cheap if you do it right
✨ Italy just has that magic
💡 Biggest tip:
Don’t rush Italy. Sit down, order an aperol, and enjoy the moment.
