Italy remains one of the most popular tourist hotspots on the planet. In fact, with 64.5 million annual arrivals, it’s the fifth-most visited country.
And, when you flick through the vast catalogue of Italian destinations, it’s not hard to see why. The only issue is deciding where to go first.
While we can’t make your mind up for you, we can point you in the direction of some of Italy’s most unmissable spots.
Here are three places that simply have to feature on your travel bucket list.
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1. Abruzzo
It’s not often the first place travellers think of when dreaming of an Italian retreat, but Abruzzo should certainly be on your radar.
Found just east of the capital city, the region is easily accessible if you’re based in Rome. Although there are some mountains to navigate, the journey can take less than two hours in the car.
Getting back to nature is the order of the day in this part of the world. With so much natural beauty awaiting around every corner, there’s always something new to discover and admire.
Head to the region’s Adriatic coastline, where you’ll come across some of the country’s most alluring beaches. There are also plenty of nature reserves, national parks, and viridescent valleys to explore at your leisure. Dubbed ‘the greenest region in Europe’, Abruzzo is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast.
2. Cinque Terre
Plastered across travel brochures and Instagram feeds at every opportunity, when it comes to unbridled Italian beauty, Cinque Terre truly is the country’s crowning glory.
With its name translating directly to ‘Five Lands’, the region is home to five towns that are best known for the rows of kaleidoscopic houses that are perched precariously along the country’s northwest coast.
Even though lots of tourists choose to factor Cinque Terre into their itinerary on a day trip, to do so would mean missing out on truly appreciating the charm that you experience when taking your time in this special corner of the country.
The narrow streets become incredibly crowded during the peak tourist season, so the area’s not designed for rushing around. A typical day here would be spent hiking one of the local trails, before soaking in the seaside scenery while savouring a glass or two of the local specialty wine.
3. Verona
If you’d prefer your Italian pilgrimage to see you land in one of the country’s famous metropolises, keep the city of Verona on your shortlist.
Though it’s often unfairly overlooked by international visitors in favour of the more prominent urban spots like Rome or Milan, Verona has more than enough to offer as a standalone destination.
Sandwiched between Milan and Venice, by all means you can visit the city on a day trip, but we urge you to spend a little longer wandering the historic streets which provided the backdrop for one of the most famous love stories of all time.
Verona is a compact city, meaning you can expect to walk just about everywhere during your stay. If you’re able, exploring the area by foot is a wonderful way to soak up the romantic atmosphere that permeates the beautiful buildings at every turn.
You can also buy a Verona Card, which at present grants you access to 15 attractions during a 24-hour period for €27. This is guaranteed to save you money if you’re planning on visiting several of the main tourist spots.
Discover Italy for yourself
It’s fair to say that Italy isn’t short of magical locations that are tailor-made for wonderful tourist experiences.
Best of all, the country is very well connected by public transport, so it’s easy to travel to different regions in the same trip.
Italy appeals to just about every different type of traveller: you’re sure to fall in love with this special country wherever you land.
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