Published on: January 23rd, 2025
Last updated: January 23rd, 2025
Italy is replete with legendary landmarks, from Ancient Roman ruins to Renaissance masterpieces. It boasts 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – more than any other country – and is practically overflowing with history and culture. Many of its most recognisable sites reflect an intriguing combination of religious, artistic and architectural significance.
Our picks for the top landmarks in Italy are scattered across the country, from the Mediterranean island of Sicily to the glamorous metropolis of Milan. Whether you’re interested in classical art, religious history, gladiators or volcanic eruptions, these are the spots you can’t miss.
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1. Colosseum – Rome
Undoubtedly among the most famous landmarks in Italy, the Colosseum is set right in the heart of Rome just steps away from the Roman Forum. It’s nearly two thousand years old and is the largest amphitheatre in the world that’s still standing.
Although it’s best known as the site of ancient gladiator fights, it also hosted other events like dramatic performances and public executions. Visiting it today is especially impactful; it’s easy to imagine what this colossal site might have looked and felt like at its peak.
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2. Leaning Tower of Pisa – Pisa
For most travellers, the city of Pisa brings one thing to mind. And although its famous tower really does look like it’s about to topple over, it’s remained upright for more than eight centuries so far – including multiple earthquakes.
The Torre di Pisa is located in Tuscany, about an hour-and-a-half drive from Florence. It’s set on one side of the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), a large grassy area that also features an impressive cathedral, cemetery and baptistery.
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3. Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica – Rome
Vatican City isn’t just a city; it’s also the smallest independent country on earth. Home to about 800 people – including, most notably, the Pope – it covers less than half of a square kilometre (a fifth of a square mile) in the centre of Rome.
The primary structure within the Vatican is St. Peter’s Basilica: the world’s largest church, including contributions from Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Bernini. It’s in the nearby Apostolic Palace, however, that you’ll find the Sistine Chapel and its famous ceiling.
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4. Venice Canals and St. Mark’s Basilica – Venice
The 150 canals of Venice are collectively considered one of the most quintessential Italian landmarks. Snaking through the city, these picturesque canals have been gradually expanded and improved over the centuries; they were originally natural waterways.
On one side of the grand Piazza San Marco you’ll find St. Mark’s Basilica, which features an eclectic combination of architectural elements. Every so often the square is inundated by the acqua alta, but the basilica itself is protected by flood barriers.
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5. Duomo di Milano – Milan
Located in the northern region of Lombardy, Milan is known as a hub of both finance and fashion. Its most famous landmark is the Duomo di Milano, or Milan Cathedral, which dates back to the 14th century (though construction was only finished in 1965).
The Duomo di Milano is notable for its ornate facade and exterior, featuring 135 Gothic spires. There are also thousands of detailed statues depicting various saints and Italian icons, in addition to the gilded Madonnina that crowns the tallest spire.
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6. Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius – Campania
Unlike many of Italy’s historical landmarks, Pompeii isn’t a particular structure, but a whole city that’s frozen in time. In 79 AD the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius covered the city in ash, perfectly preserving many of its buildings and inhabitants.
Located in Campania between Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii makes for a fascinating day trip. You can still see the details of daily life, from homes and restaurants to baths and brothels, creating a rare sense of connection with the faraway past.
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7. Santa Maria del Fiore – Florence
Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Florence Cathedral, is the centrepiece of a city renowned for its abundance of art. Its outside walls are decorated with intricate patterns of white, green and pink marble, as are those of the adjacent campanile and baptistery.
Inside the cathedral you’ll find several beautiful frescoes, including the ones covering the interior of Brunelleschi’s dome: a feat of architectural engineering. You can climb to the top of the building to see the frescoes and the dome up close, plus panoramic views of the city.
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8. The Uffizi Gallery – Florence
Much of Florence’s artistic renown is thanks to the powerful Medici family, whose collections are now housed in the Uffizi Gallery on the banks of the Arno River. The museum is among Italy’s top attractions and a must-visit for anyone interested in art history.
The Uffizi’s three floors are filled with paintings, sculptures and other works of art by masters like Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio. Don’t miss Botticell’s Birth of Venus and da Vinci’s Adoration of the Magi, which is particularly interesting due to its unfinished state.
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9. Mount Etna – Sicily
If you want to see one of Europe’s largest active volcanoes, head to the island of Sicily off Italy’s southern tip. Here Mount Etna towers over the city of Catania, perpetually topped by a cloud of smoke and prone to frequent eruptions.
Adventurous travellers can go hiking or horse riding on the volcano’s slopes, or opt for an off-road expedition led by a volcanologist. We can also arrange a cooking class featuring food and wine cultivated in Etna’s exceptionally fertile soils, including citrus and pistachios.
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10. Trulli di Alberobello – Puglia
The southern region of Puglia is perhaps best known for its picture-perfect beaches, but if you venture inland you’ll find the equally beautiful Valle d’Itria. This valley of vineyards and whitewashed villages is also home to the traditional houses known as trulli.
Trulli are small limestone buildings with white walls and conical roofs, built with a technique that’s been preserved for millennia. The Trulli di Alberobello are especially iconic, covering a large part of the town of Alberobello and still inhabited by local residents.
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