The Best Places to Visit in Italy for the First Time

Italy is one of my favourite countries in the world because it has something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie, a hiker, an art historian, a beach lover, an island hopper or a wine connoisseur, Italy will have a place for you.

But if it’s your very first trip to Italy, the question is: Where should you go?

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Italy four times, visiting cities and towns all over the country. And yet I still want to go back because there’s so much left to discover or enjoy again.

One of my bucket list items is to spend a month or more travelling all around Italy and soaking in all of the good food and culture.

But if you don’t have a month or more to see all of Italy, you have to narrow it down. That’s why I’ve put together this post to help you decide where to go on your first trip to Italy.

As I said, Italy has something for everyone, so it’s all about matching up your interests with what Italy has to offer.

Below I’m suggesting 10 places you should consider going on your first trip to Italy, based on what type of trip you’re looking for!

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If you want iconic sightseeing and city life, choose Rome

No list of where to go in Italy would be complete without Rome, the Eternal City!

Rome is what we think of when we think of classic Italy. It’s pasta and gelato, bustling squares and markets, and heavy hitters like the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

Because Rome is so popular with so much to see, it would be my number one recommendation for places to go on a first trip to Italy.

Yes, it’s full of tourists, but for good reason! Plus, if you visit in the off-season, you’ll find Rome way more enjoyable. My husband, Colin, and I went in November and felt like we had the city to ourselves.

Rome is the place to go if you love exploring big cities with lots to see and do.

You’ll definitely want to visit the Colosseum (I recommended doing a guided tour that includes access to the arena and underground areas) plus explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill next door.

Other must-sees in Rome include: the Vatican Museums (book a skip-the-line ticket in advance!), Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese and the Pantheon.

But my favourite part of Rome was just walking through the city streets. It was incredible to see ancient ruins and ornate fountains right next to locals getting on the bus to get to work or doing their daily shopping.

Pro travel tips: We downloaded Rick Steves’ Heart of Rome audio tour which is a great (free!) way to enjoy a guided walking tour around Rome at your own pace. Check out all of his free Italy audio tours here.

If you want to tick a lot of things off your sightseeing bucket list, eat some great food, and mix with locals leading their busy daily lives, then head to Rome on your first trip to Italy.

Check out how to spend 2 days in Rome with my Rome itinerary!

For really great food, visit Naples

I’d venture to say that nowhere in Italy is better known for their food than Naples. After all, this is where pizza comes from! I am literally salivating thinking of all the incredible pizza I’ve eaten in Naples.

But it’s not just pizza. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to what to eat in Naples. From pizza and pasta to gelato and sfogliatelle, this is certainly a trip where you won’t go hungry.

Naples is a good pick for your first trip to Italy if you love to build your vacation days around your meals. If travel to you means great food, you need to come to Naples.

Of course, you’re going to need something to do between all that eating. Luckily, the very cool ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii are nearby for great sightseeing.

I’ve been to Pompeii twice and Herculaneum once and recommend visiting both. If you’re at all fascinated by ancient history, ruins, volcanoes or archeology, you will really enjoy exploring these sites.

I’ll be honest, Naples is not one of my favourite cities. It’s one of Italy’s grittier cities, that may not feel as clean or welcoming to visitors. I also didn’t find that there was a ton to do in the city itself.

But if you’re a foodie traveller who wants to base in a real Italian city that happens to be close to some fantastic ruins, Naples would be a great choice!

If you’re looking for beautiful views and luxe living, you can’t beat the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in all of Italy. I was lucky enough to visit Positano in 2014 and totally fell in love with the winding streets, houses built along the cliff sides, and beautiful views of the coast.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one. The Amalfi Coast is now one of the busiest and most expensive places to visit in Italy.

The word is out and people, including some A-list celebrities, flock to the Amalfi Coast all summer long. Beaches, buses and boats are crowded, restaurants are reservation-only, and you may have to stay inland to afford a room.

But if you don’t mind sacrificing your personal space and bank balance in order to be in a hot destination with beautiful views, head here.

Personally, I’d recommend waiting for the off-season to visit the Amalfi Coast. It may not be beach weather and the boats may not be running, but it would also be less crowded and less expensive.

For all the art and culture, go to Florence

Florence is truly the capital of art and culture in Italy. Millions of visitors flock to this city every year to walk the Ponte Vecchio, admire the Duomo, tour the Uffizi Gallery and say hi to Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery.

PS: Skip the line at the Uffizi and Accademia galleries with this highly rated small group day tour!

Besides the artistic masterpieces located all over Florence, there’s also the city itself to discover. There’s a delicious food scene and beautiful viewpoints. Plus Florence is a great gateway to other places in Italy.

Sadly, Colin and I only spent one day in Florence during a Europe trip with our moms in 2019, but that was enough to impress me with all that the city has to offer.

It was also enough to show me how crowded Florence can get! The next time I visit Florence, it will definitely be in the off season.

If you’re more cosmopolitan, have a taste for art and enjoy exploring busy cities rich in culture, Florence is the place for your first Italian trip!

If you want stunning scenery and a laidback lifestyle, you’ll enjoy Tuscany

If you asked me where I’d love to go in Italy, I’d say Tuscany in a heartbeat! Tuscany is my favourite place in Italy and I can’t wait to go back and live my Tuscan villa dream life again soon.

Tuscany is full of rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive trees, charming historic towns, and really delicious food. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Florence or Rome, head to Tuscany.

We spent a few nights in Tuscany in 2019 and it’s still one of my favourite travel memories. I loved how laidback Tuscany was.

Every morning we’d hang out around our Tuscan villa (way better than any hotel!), enjoying the view and just relaxing. In the afternoon, we’d head to a nearby town, like Siena or San Gimignano, to shop, explore and pick up provisions.

At night, we’d return to our villa and cook up a basic but delicious Italian meal. We’d sit on the patio, admiring the view until the sun faded. It was blissful!

Pro tip: You’re going to want to rent a car for Tuscany. While a few of the bigger towns are connected by train, a car will help you go farther off the beaten track and explore at your own pace.

If the idea of ending every day with a glass of wine on the porch overlooking vineyards appeals to you, get yourself to Tuscany.

For a quick stop and photo op, check out Pisa

Pisa is kind of like the Mona Lisa of Italy – it’s very popular but a bit of a let-down in person. Still, I think it’s worth considering for your first Italian trip since almost everyone knows about its famous tower.

We visited Pisa very briefly on our way home from Italy in 2019 and I did enjoy myself. Of course, while in Pisa, you have to check out the iconic tower and take the touristy photos. Sure, it’s corny, but you have to do it.

Prepare to be extremely underwhelmed by the leaning tower of Pisa. It was smaller than I thought it would be and at certain angles, didn’t even look like it was leaning that much.

On a happier note, I did enjoy walking the streets of Pisa. Away from the leaning tower, Pisa did seem pretty cool and we found some great gelato on our exploration.

The rest of the city was much quieter too, which was a nice break from the tourists at the tower. Something tells me Pisa has more to offer than just a lopsided building.

So if you have to check the leaning tower off your bucket list and want a quick stop to visit in Italy, head to Pisa. Though I’d encourage you to pair it with somewhere nearby!

If you enjoy charming little coastal towns, try Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is another highlight of Italy, at least as far as social media is concerned. Similar to the Amalfi Coast, here you’ll find small towns hugging the coast with beautiful views and colourful homes.

While the Amalfi Coast is more ritzy, Cinque Terre is more rustic. But that’s not to say it isn’t popular!

Cinque Terre is another place in Italy that gets absolutely swarmed in high season (and pushing into shoulder season too). As the five villages are small, it can feel a bit suffocating when the summer crowds hit.

We visited in late September and that was a little too close to high season for me. Friends of mine have visited in October and November and it looked like a much nicer experience then.

But I still had a wonderful time in Cinque Terre. We stayed for two nights in Riomaggiore, which is the largest and most easterly of the five towns.

During the day, we took the train across to visit the other towns (there’s also a ferry you can take or you can hike). We had breakfast in Vernazza, swam off the beach in Monterosso and enjoyed the most beautiful (but crowded) views in Manarola.

Sadly, we didn’t have time to get to Corniglia, the smallest of the five towns and least accessible. As this is the only inland town of Cinque Terre, it often gets skipped. But it’s supposed to be the most tranquil!

I really loved staying overnight in Cinque Terre as the atmosphere changes when the day trippers leave. It was so fun going out to dinner, hearing local voices and enjoying a less crowded scene.

Unlike Tuscany, you do not need a car for Cinque Terre. In fact, it’s almost impossible to drive anywhere near these small towns. They’re wonderfully connected by train, ferry and hiking trail, so ditch your rental before you arrive.

If you’re after beautiful coastlines and small town charm – and don’t mind dealing with some crowds – head to Cinque Terre!

Short on time? Check out my 1 day itinerary for Cinque Terre!

To check something off of your bucket list, you have to go to Venice

Venice is a must on most people’s travel bucket lists and a good option for your first trip to Italy. It’s the iconic city of canals and bridges! But the reality isn’t always as picturesque.

Many travellers to Venice end up either really loving it or really hating it. Those who love it get completely swept up in the charm while those who hate it think this over-touristed city doesn’t live up to the hype.

For me, I came down in the middle. There were things I loved about Venice and things I hated. I’m glad I went but I’m not rushing to go back.

I went in with very low expectations, so was pleasantly surprised to find the city, while over-crowded and over-priced, still pretty charming. If you stayed off the grand canal and away from San Marco/St Mark’s Square, there was lots of Venice to discover in peace.

My favourite memories of Venice were getting lost in the winding maze of tiny streets and canals, drinking coffee and cocktails by the water, eating great food at a local osteria and stumbling upon a game of soccer in one of the piazzas.

We also took a day trip to nearby Burano and Murano, islands just off of Venice. While I loved the colourful houses of Burano and beautiful glasswork of Murano, the boats to get there were extremely crowded and made us wait forever to board.

If you love iconic cities, getting lost and charming views, plus a few million other tourists, you need to make it to Venice (at least before she sinks!).

If you want to visit a busy, fashion forward city, pick Milan

If you’re looking for fashion with a side of culture in Northern Italy, consider Milan. Known as a global fashion capital, this is the place to go if you’re into shopping. You’ll also get to see Milan’s impressive Duomo and da Vinci’s Last Supper painting.

To be honest, Milan didn’t do it for me. I’m not into fashion or shopping and besides a few minutes of seeing the Duomo and the Last Supper painting, I was kind of bored.

Milan actually was where I went on my first trip to Italy. I had big expectations for Italy – incredible food, ancient ruins, culture, views – and so I felt let down by Milan.

But I don’t think that would be true for everyone. If you’re really into fashion and cosmopolitan cities, I think Milan could be a great fit.

Or if you just have to see Milan’s impressive Duomo or the Last Supper in person, that could be reason enough to visit for an Italy first timer.

I also happened to visit Milan in February, when it was pouring rain, which I’m sure didn’t help my first impression. In better weather, maybe I would’ve loved it!

To relax with the rich and famous, head to the Italian Lake District

Luckily, my trip to Milan in 2014 wasn’t a total bust. From Milan, my friends and I took a day trip to Lake Como in Italy’s Lake District and I was totally blown away.

The Italian Lakes are a stunning, peaceful and beautiful place to escape busy city life. We visited on a sunny day in February and fell in love (funny enough, it did happen to be Valentine’s Day) with the charming towns and beautiful views.

You might know the Lake District best thanks to George Clooney, who has a home on Lake Como. Keep your eyes peeled for him and other A-listers when you visit!

But it’s not just Lake Como. There are lots of cute towns, islands and a few different lakes to discover here. You can relax by the water or fill your day by visiting places like the Villa Carlotta museum and Duomo di Como.

While I’m sure it’s busier in the summer, this region wouldn’t be as crowded as popular places like Rome or Venice. It would also be a lot cooler, as the lakes are in the north.

So if you’re looking for a cool – both in temperature and in trend – location for your first trip to Italy that is charming and beautiful, plus close to mountains and cities like Milan, check out the Lake District!

Where else can you go in Italy?

Of course, there are so many other amazing places to visit in Italy for first timers. Sadly, I haven’t been to them all, so can’t personally recommend them.

But I have included some awesome posts by my fellow travel bloggers to give you some more ideas to build out your Italy itinerary.

Here are some places in Italy I can’t wait to get to and why you might want to visit them too:

• Sicily: Sicily is on the toe of Italy and from what I’ve heard, it really has its own regional culture. Sicily is known for hot weather, great food, beautiful beaches and rich history. Sounds like the perfect place to wait out a cold winter!
  
• Emilia Romagna: This is an area of Italy I really cannot wait to visit because it’s all about the food. I want to base myself in Bologna, do day trips to cute towns in Emilia Romagna and eat all of the Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto and pasta that I can!
  
• Puglia: Puglia is a region of Italy I’m not as familiar with but super excited to visit one day. It’s located on the heel of the country and known for charming villages and a beautiful coastline. And since Puglia is not as popular as Rome, Venice or the Amalfi Coast, it’s also not as busy.
  
• The Dolomites: Did you know Italy has a mountain range where you can hike and even ski? Welcome to the Dolomites! I’m not much of a hiker or skier myself but the scenery in this area looks incredible. I’d love to stay in a cozy mountain cabin in a cool town and take it all in.
  
• Sardinia: Sardinia is the island off of Italy’s mainland and the place to go if you’re looking for an epic beach vacation. Beach vacations aren’t usually my thing, but my mom visited in 2023 and had a great time.

Wrapping up the best places to visit in Italy for the first time

From bustling cities full of art and ruins to coastal towns and lakeside retreats, Italy really does have it all!

No matter what you’re interested in, I’m sure you’ll find a place in Italy to totally blow you away. I’ve been to Italy four times and it always has that effect on me.

The best part is you don’t have to choose just one place. If you have the time, you can visit a few different places on your first trip to Italy and get a great mix.

For example, an awesome trip would be to combine Rome, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. This gives you a combination of big cities, ancient ruins, delicious food and beautiful views.

Similarly, you could combine Florence (art, culture, big city) with Tuscany (views, food, small towns) and Cinque Terre (coast, views). Or visit Milan (big city, fashion) and Venice (bucket list) with somewhere more peaceful nearby, like the Lake District.

I can guarantee that almost anywhere you go in Italy will involve beautiful views, delicious food and interesting history. And if that doesn’t make a good trip, I don’t know what does!

I’d love to know: Where do you most want to visit in Italy?