Top Tourist Attractions in Italy

With so much to see and do, deciding what the Top Tourist Attractions in Italy are can be pretty difficult. Italy’s history spans thousands of years, and all of that history is marked by fun things to do and see. Separating the “must sees” from the “should sees” is a pretty difficult task, but here are some ideas.

Top Tourist Attraction in Italy #1: Grand Canal in Venice

Grand Canal in Venice - The Top Tourist Attraction in Italy, Photo: minky_pinky100 (Away), Flickr
Grand Canal in Venice - The Top Tourist Attraction in Italy, Photo: minky_pinky100 (Away), Flickr

Of course one of the top tourist attractions in Italy is the Grand Canal in Venice. The thought of Venice – the watery gem of Italy – conjures romantic images of gondola rides, the seductive mystery of the elaborate masks of Carnevale, the fairy-tale opulence of world-famous glass, and the intricate beauty of Renaissance architecture. And when you’re finished sightseeing, you can relax on the amazing beaches of the Lido di Venezia. Regardless of what lures you, Venice won’t disappoint.

Top Tourist Attraction in Italy #2: Rome

Colosseum in Rome - The Top Tourist Attraction in Italy, Photo: Stuck in Customs, Flickr
Colosseum in Rome - The Top Tourist Attraction in Italy, Photo: Stuck in Customs, Flickr

Rome is another of the top tourist attractions in Italy. It boasts such famous sights as the Colosseum, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, Galleria Borghese, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon – none of which should be missed. Because it’s been a major hub of world events for centuries, Rome has been nicknamed “Caput Mundi,” or “the capital of the world.” As one of the world’s most beautiful ancient cities, Rome is a place not to be missed.

Top Tourist Attraction in Italy #3: Vatican City

Vatican City - The Top Tourist Attraction in Italy, Photo: Juan Rubiano, Flickr
Vatican City - The Top Tourist Attraction in Italy, Photo: Juan Rubiano, Flickr

Nestled in the city of Rome lies one of the world’s smallest countries, and the head of the Catholic Church – Vatican City. The city is home to several famous pieces of artwork, most notably Michelangelo’s painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The various collections that can be found in the Vatican Museums and the Vatican library are of unrivaled importance – historically, culturally, and scientifically. Just remember that of the top tourist attractions in Italy, this one is an entire country that requires reverence when visiting.

Top Tourist Attraction in Italy #4: Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa - The Top Attraction in Italy, Photo: neilalderney123, Flickr
Leaning Tower of Pisa - The Top Attraction in Italy, Photo: neilalderney123, Flickr

One of the most iconic of the top tourist attractions in Italy is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Built as the bell tower for Pisa’s cathedral, and originally intended to be perfectly vertical, design flaws and a poor foundation caused the tower to tilt, and thus it became the unforgettable monument it is today. Set in the heart of Tuscany, the Leaning Tower is not only a unique sight, but it’s set in one of the most famous food and wine areas of the country. So you can enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes while you’re there.

Top Tourist Attraction in Italy #5: Florence

Florence - The Top Attraction in Italy, Photo: jonrawlinson, Flickr
Florence - The Top Attraction in Italy, Photo: jonrawlinson, Flickr

Also in Tuscany is another of the top tourist attractions in Italy: Florence. Considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence was home to many notable historical figures – Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galileo, Botticelli, Donatello, Brunelleschi, and the Medici family, among others. But the spectacular displays of culture, art, and history don’t end with the Renaissance. Florence is still an amazing font of creativity and innovation.

Top Tourist Attraction in Italy #6: Pompeii

Vesuvius Volcano with Pompeii Ruins - The Top Attraction in Italy, Photo: rogilde, Flickr
Vesuvius Volcano with Pompeii Ruins - The Top Attraction in Italy, Photo: rogilde, Flickr

A list of the top tourist attractions in Italy would be severely lacking if it didn’t include Pompeii, that historicaly lavish city that was perfectly preserved by the ash of Mount Vesuvius when it erupted in 79 AD. Walking around Pompeii is like walking back through time – you see glimpses of what everyday life was like in the early Roman Empire everywhere you look.

There is so much to do in Italy that it’s impossible to fit it all into one trip. But these are the top tourist attractions in Italy that you must see.

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