Italy Things to Do

 
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Italy

1.

Colosseum   Rome

Colosseum, Rome

 631 Reviews  When visiting Rome its a must to go to the Colosseum. I can recall many times seeing it on tv and always saying it would be so cool to go and actually be there and touch it. Im somewhat of a history... 

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2.

Churches   Venice

Churches, Venice

 402 Reviews  In the local dialect the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo (Saints John and Paul) is better known as San Zanipolo. This huge church is home to the tombs of no less than 25 Venetian Doges and many... 

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3.

Ponte Vecchio & Arno River   Florence

Ponte Vecchio & Arno River, Florence

 260 Reviews   The Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence by virtue that the Germans in WWII did not destroy it, crosses the Arno River near the Uffizi Gallery. Today it is lined with gold jewelry shops and... 

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4.

Duomo   Milan

Duomo, Milan

 259 Reviews  If you're going to Milan right now just to see the facade of the Duomo, you are going to be disappointed as its currently being renovated. (Note - renovations now complete) Don't be discouraged... 

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5.

Romeo & Juliet   Verona

Romeo & Juliet, Verona

 123 Reviews  "Juliet lives here, write to her!" So it says in five languages, right above her mailbox. Evidently people have been writing to Juliet for years, and the letters are answered by her volunteer... 

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6.

Houses and Villas   Pompeii

Houses and Villas, Pompeii

 92 Reviews  Pompeii has many houses (domus) that are fascinating to explore. Some of them are very large and well preserved with re-created roofs, gardens, original mosaics and wall paintings. They are creatively... 

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7.

Towers - Torri   Bologna

Towers - Torri, Bologna

 69 Reviews  The Torre degli Asinelli lay next to the Torre di Gariselda and with its 98 meter height it is the taller of all Bologna towers. Climbing will be cheap in money (3-4 euros) but expensive in sweat... 

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8.

The Tower   Pisa

The Tower, Pisa

 205 Reviews  Its just one of those things you see all your life and you expect it to be dissapointing. Then you see it in person, and you think wow now I know why its so iconic. get here early to get tickets to... 

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9.

Marina Grande   Sorrento

Marina Grande, Sorrento

 11 Reviews  Beaches are a rarity near Sorrento because of the cliffs But there are a few, the best by far is at Marina Grande, a small fishing village that has now become a part of Sorrento. There are some nice... 

 See All 215 Things to Do in Sorrento

10.

Architecture (Neo Classic and Baroque)   Torino

Architecture (Neo Classic and Baroque), Torino

 65 Reviews  You will find this charming galleria under the arches of Piazza Castello. The glass roof was remained as originally when it was built.. fine restaurants and cafeterias in it.. it was nice to walk... 

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11.

Palazzo Ducale & Piazza De Ferrari   Genoa

Palazzo Ducale & Piazza De Ferrari, Genoa

 44 Reviews  Do you like Statue's with Horse's, I do! Located infront of the Theatre, "Carlo Felice" in Piazza de Ferrari, is a nice monument of Garibaldi on his Horse. Garibaldi is known as an "Italian National... 

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12.

MIRAMARE Castle   Trieste

MIRAMARE Castle, Trieste

 59 Reviews  The area of sea surrounding the castle is populated by every species of sea organism existing in this part of the Adriatic sea. Therefor the Miramare Sea Park was created in 1973. Miramare castle and... 

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13.

Città Alta   Bergamo

Città Alta, Bergamo

 71 Reviews   This is an elegant octagonal building dating from 1340. It is usually only opened during baptisms, but apparently visits can be made by appointment. This used to be part of the interior of... 

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14.

Duomo   Siena

Duomo, Siena

 139 Reviews   On my first trip to Siena, I was simply amazed at the floors in the Cathedral – inlaid marble that make up pictures, geometric designs, mosaics, etc. It was simply amazing to me. The cathedral itself... 

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15.

Vucciria and other markets   Palermo

Vucciria and other markets, Palermo

 16 Reviews  There are no words in any language to accurately describe this place. It is a mix of heaven and hell in one place! The mix of smells and people and cultures all in one market. You can glimpse into the... 

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16.

City walls   Lucca

City walls, Lucca

 35 Reviews  Lucca and its city wall is home to several gates which are all well worth seeing, because of the different architectural styles. Porta San Pietro was erected in 1566 and is located at the southern... 

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17.

Santa Maria Assunta   Positano

Santa Maria Assunta, Positano

 7 Reviews  When you're at the business end of Positano (read down the bottom) there is one building that stands out due mainly to the colourful Moorish style dome. The church of Santa Maria Assunta is located... 

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18.

Mosaics   Ravenna

Mosaics, Ravenna

 63 Reviews  There are 13 panels on each wall, depicting Christ’s miracles and parables (the left wall), and the Passion and Resurrection (the right wall). Christ on the left is a young, beardless man, dressed... 

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19.

Beach   Rimini

Beach, Rimini

 17 Reviews  Rimini has 15 km of beach along the strip and it's used well. In the summer months it's really crowded here, but when I arrived in the beginning of September it was less people, and more space. The... 

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20.

Como Historic Center   Como

Como Historic Center, Como

 24 Reviews  Roam around the streets to see the old buildings in a range of periods - prominent feature of the Como skyline when looking from across the lake and huge when looking down from the viewpoint on the... 

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21.

Lakeside Towns   Lago di Como

Lakeside Towns, Lago di Como

 38 Reviews  We took a boat to Varenna, which looked like a fairytale village from the boat, and it didn't disappoint us when we walked there. It's a mere village and less touristy than Bellagio and thus have more... 

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22.

The Cinque Terre trails   Manarola

The Cinque Terre trails, Manarola

 11 Reviews   This tip also appears as an “Off the Beaten Path” one on my Riomaggiore page so describes the walk as it seemed to us starting from there. The most southerly stretch of the footpath that links the... 

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23.

the trail - via dell'amore   Vernazza

the trail - via dell'amore, Vernazza

 8 Reviews  I did the trail between Corniglia and Manarola trought the vyniards...gorgeous, although it tooks us 4 hours and tiring, but worth it, because there is less tourists, the scenery is beautiful and if... 

 See All 81 Things to Do in Vernazza

24.

surrounding, Cinque Terre   La Spezia

surrounding, Cinque Terre, La Spezia

 34 Reviews  The walk from Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare (an 18 km/11 mi hike), at the steadily-decreasing-in-price-per-day-bought price of 5 Euro for one day, is quite a bargain. You get breathtaking views of... 

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25.

Castello Brown   Portofino

Castello Brown, Portofino

 19 Reviews  Castello Brown was built in the 16th century and had important strategic purpose in defending Portofino bay against the intruders. It is perfectly positioned controlling the entrance into the bay but... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Train Trips Through the Swiss Alps

by beejay421

I think you should first decide if you want to see the Swiss Alps or the Italian Lakes both fantastic options. If you decide on Como and stay in Varenna you can take the train to Tirano and the Bernina Express to St. Moritz. This can be accomplished in one very long day. If you decide on the Glacier Express spend the night in St.Moritz and in the morning take the Glacier Express with an overnight in Zermatt--and from there make your way to the Cinque Terre. Those two train trips are unbelievably beautiful and a wonderful and stress-free way to see the beauty of that part of Switzerland.

Look For Christmas Markets

by RoscoeGregg

As Christmas approaches in Italy we have run into several holiday markets. These often highlight local and artisanal products. We have had some excellent cheese, olive oil, wine, chocolates and a cool hat at these markets. This can be a real highlight of a trip to Italy.

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Rome

by Maria81

My travels to Rome:I've finally made it to Rome in the late 1990s, as part of my InterRail tour of Europe - same one when I've visited most of my Italian destinations. I have come back in 2004 since then, and more recently we have visited in August 2011 for a weekend break.What to do in Rome:The Seven Hills and the Forum to see the sights of Ancient Rome. Also the Markets of Traian and the Colosseum, as well as the Pantheon. And then on to the age of Christianity. The Vatican complex with St. Peter's Basilica. Santa Maria Maggiore and San Giovanni in Laterano. Scores of smaller, less crowded churches, mostly baroque from 15th-17th centuries. Putting your hand in the 'Bocca della Verita'' (or the 'mouth of truth') - but keep in mind queues to actually put your hand in are an hour long at least during the peak tourist season. To get your fix of art, Capitoline Museums, Vatican Museum,...

Venice

by Maria81

My travels to Venice:I have wanted to visit the city for as long as I can remember - since I could read, look at pictures, watch the documentaries on TV. Forever, in fact :) I've finally made it there in the late 1990s, as part of my InterRail tour of Europe. I have come back since then, and we are planning to return in February 2012 for the Carnival.What to do in Venice:Right, where to start... A trip down the Grand Canal in a vaporetto or a gondola (depending on finances and personal taste), a wander through the streets and passageways, some barely wide enough for two people to pass through without bumping into each other. Amazing museums and churches, culminating in the Piazza San Marco and the San Marco Cathedral. The Palace of Doges and its secret passages (but you have to book an organised tour to visit). The colourful houses of the Burano island - a photographer's paradise. And,...

Milan

by Maria81

My travels to Milan:Milan was the very first Italian city I've visited - on a high-speed rail day trip from Geneva. It has been somewhat marred by the train being late, but I made up for that later by making a number of subsequent trips, both as a tourist and on businessWhat to do in Milan:First of all, stop off at the Piazza Duomo to see the Cathedral and the Cathedral museum & treasury (the local diocese used to be one of the richest in Italy and the treasury fully reflects that). Unless you suffer from vertigo, a visit to the roof is a must. Also, the Last Supper - but you will have to book tickets in advance as visitor numbers are strictly limited to protect the painting from furhter damage.When done with sightseeing, time to break out the debit/credit card and head to fashionista's heaven - the streets around Via Montenapoleone which has all the big fashion, accessories and...

Assisi

by croisbeauty

Beautifully situated on a fertile hill brightened up by olive groves and cypress trees, Assisi stretches out along the slopes of Mount Subasio in a lovely spot along that part of Valle Umbra situated between the Tescio, Topino and Chiascio rivers.Originally an Umbrian settlement, the city developed along with other territories controlled by the Etruscans, under whose influence it prospered. Under Roman domination it was known as Asisium. Having become a flourishing Municipium, it was evangelized by the martyr Rufino (3C) who became its first bishop.Modern -day Assisi has the characteristic configuration of a medieval town which is still encompassed within its ancient town walls. An extremely interesting centre for art and culture, it is also a religious hub of world-wide fame, and attracts pilgrims and tourists from all corners of the globe.

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Cinque Terre

by croisbeauty

The resort of Cinque Terre, which is patrimonial of UNESCO world heritage, is a must see if any possible. However, it is off the beatten path and the visit there must be aimed, either from La Spezia either from Levanto. There excist no road to Cinque Terre resort, it is reachable by the special local train or boat only.Anyway, visiting this area worth any effort one must do because there aren't many of such a charming places on earth. Can you imagine five small villages, one after another, built in a steep cliffs all houses painted in the pastel colours and overlooking open sea? Well, that's Cinque Terre resort and it look almost unreal.%s?

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Capri

by solopes

One of the highlights of Italy, the bay of Naples, has Capri as its central attraction. Frequent boats from Sorrento and other harbours allow a visit that may be accomplished in just one day.Beware of touts and the promotion of the blue cave - only in some days, at some hours, you'll be able to enter.

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Genova

by croisbeauty

I was in Genova 15 years ago, before this new visit, and found its Porto Antico completely renewed and very beautiful. It was amazing to see all changes made in such an relatively short time, those who remember old port at it used to be will agree with me. I got impression that the old port was back to life, having now the same importance which used to have centuries ago. ........

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Educate Yourself BEFORE You Go

by RoscoeGregg

I have found that my travels to Italy have had much more meaning when I know a little about what I am looking at.A great thing to do before you leave for Italy is to visit the Open Yale Course web site. You can down load whole courses on topics relevant to visiting Italy. They have courses on things like Roman architecture, art history and the development of political thought.These courses made my last trip to Rome so much better. It made it easier to piece things together in a comprehensive way.So put that i-pod to work!!

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Top 3 Hotels in Italy

Albergo Del Senato  Rome

 5 Reviews and 1076 Opinions  The Pantheon is my favorite building in Rome and might be my favorite building in the world. The... 

 Hotels in Rome

Al Ponte Antico Hotel Venice  Venice

 6 Reviews and 473 Opinions  My sisters and I stayed 2 nights at this hotel and our time there was priceless. Matteo and his... 

 Hotels in Venice

Hotel David  Florence

 6 Reviews and 920 Opinions  My husband and I stayed at the hotel 4 years ago and loved it, so when I planned our family trip... 

 Hotels in Florence

Questions and Answers

Cveilleux profile photo

Q:  Four of us are arriving at Marseille and driving to the Cortona Italy area (farmhouse). I would like to find a nice coastal... 

gwened profile photo

A: beautiful drive indeed, done it to Milano. You should get your itinerary from www.viamichelin.com and they will help you trace your stops with hotel/resto recom along the... 

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