Last semester I was able to live in Italy for three months. I was able to travel to different cities in the north, the south, and different coasts. These are my top 10 favorite Italian cities that I visited.
Positano
Positano is a beautiful city located in Southern Italy on the Amalfi Coast. The scenery is breathtaking from the architecture of the houses to the beautiful beaches. Positano is by far one of my favorite beaches I have visited because of the view of the mountains and houses in the distance to the dark sand leading into the Mediterranean sea.
Capri
Capri is an island located south of Italy. It is a 20-minute boat ride from Sorrento, Italy, and the view is unbelievable. On Capri, there is a hike to the top of the island called the Phoenician Steps with a stunning, panoramic view of the island. If you rent a boat, you can enter the Blue Grotto, which is a small cave on the island where the water inside is crystal blue. It is one of the seven natural wonders of Europe.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is located on the coast in the Italian Riviera consisting of five villages in the National Park. It is a coastal city, very similar to the Amalfi Coast, but definitely worth visiting. It is a great place to vacation and just relax.
Firenze
Firenze, also known as Florence, is in Northern Italy and is one of the most famous cities in Italy. Firenze is a small city with a lot to do. You can walk around the entire city because everything is in walking distance from the cathedrals to the restaurants. The beauty of Firenze is incredible.
Montefiascone
Montefiascone is a small town about an hour and a half drive north of Rome. This city is a part of the Viterbo province. One of Montefiascone’s most famous attractions is Lake Bolsena, where all the locals spend their time boating and swimming during the summer.
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is located in Southern Tuscany. When in Montepulciano, you must go wine tasting and experience wine from Tuscany. In this Tuscan town, you have to walk because there are no cars allowed on the roads.
Rome
Rome is one of the most famous cities in Italy. Rome is known for its history from the gladiatorial fights in the Colosseum, the work done by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, and the hundreds of churches located all over Rome. Within Rome is the Vatican city where the St. Peter’s Basilica is located. This church is one of the most important places to see in Rome because this Basilica is a burial site for St. Peter, one of the 12 disciples. Rome is filled with so much to do, like any big city, but it feels like walking through a history book.
Tuscania
Tuscania is a small, old town where everyone knows each other, located north of Rome. Tuscania is a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the architecture and the nature. There is not much to do in Tuscania, but it is a great place to experience the real Italy.
Venice
Venice is located in northeastern Italy consisting of 117 islands. This city is completely different from the rest of Italy from the beauty from the architecture, and the views looking over the canals are absolutely stunning. Be sure to take a gondola ride while you are there.
Viterbo
Viterbo is a historical city located in central Italy and is also province within Italy consisting of small towns, such as Tuscania and Montefiascone. One of Viterbo’s most important tourist attractions is the Palazzo dei Papi di Viterbo, which was once a residence for the Pope.