A Guide to the Top Cities in Italy

Everything you need to know for your trip to Italy

Italy is a destination like nowhere else in the world. Some of the most magnificent cities are dotted around this historic and vibrant country. Ancient ruins, profound architecture, world-famous monuments, and unimaginable beauty fill the streets (and canals) of some of our favourite Italian cities.

Read more about Rome, Venice, Florence and Verona and add these little gems to your travel wish list.

Visiting Rome | Visiting Venice | Visiting Verona | Visiting Florence

What are the top cities in Italy to visit?

Rome - Italy’s Capital

Known as the ‘Eternal City’, Rome is steeped in history, artistic grandeur and impressive architecture. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Delicious food, artistic treasures and historic legacy construct the very fabric of this magnificent city. Italy’s capital was once the very centre of power, culture and religion.

This compelling history endows the city with its unique sense of importance. It is bursting with historical sights, extraordinary enough to impress more than just the history buff. The city of Rome will leave you in awe.

Visiting Rome

Rome can be divided into a few individual districts. The modern centre of Rome is where many of the hotels, shops and restaurants are located as well as the famous Via Veneto and the iconic Trevi Fountain.

The historic centre of Rome, on the other hand, is much smaller. It captures the essence of the Renaissance in the form of its architecture, beautiful squares and stunning cathedrals. We recommend strolling through Old Rome on foot, exploring its narrow streets and indulging in the delicious cuisine in its laid-back trattorias.

Sightseeing in Rome

Rome has a truly impressive artistic heritage and is brimming with some of the greatest masterpieces that have graced our world. It has enticed and inspired artists for centuries. Its churches are overflowing with art, its medieval piazzas boast beautiful baroque facades, and its streets are home to sculptures by Michelangelo.

Don’t miss some of Rome’s most profound attractions. The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Square, The Spanish Steps and The Sistine Chapel are famous for good reason. However, do try to experience Rome’s Mediterranean rhythm and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy its street-side cafes, unwind in the pretty piazzas and sample its vibrant nightlife. Marvel, wander, eat and drink - what more could you want?

Venice - The Most Serene City

One of the most romantic cities in the world, the floating city of Venice is one of epic grandeur. Take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal and gaze upon the glorious Venetian architecture lining its banks. Built on a lagoon, this city will surely amaze you.

Cultural Sightseeing in Venice

There’s nothing more romantic than taking a gondola ride down Venice’s Grand Canal. Stroll along the Bridge of Sighs, explore the range of historic sights and wind down with a coffee or a glass of prosecco in the popular St. Mark's Square. In high season, you will often find outdoor orchestras playing next to cafes and restaurants, adding a magical touch to evenings in Venice.

Venice has been attracting poets and artists for many years. It is one of Italy’s finest cities with a truly inspiring atmosphere. The famous Grand Canal is lined with impressive buildings and beautiful architecture. It leads toward St. Mark’s Island, where you will get a chance to explore some of the city’s most famous tourist attractions.

On the island, you will see the unforgettable St. Mark’s Cathedral. You will be struck by its beauty, where the front of the basilica ripples and crests like a wave. This impressive building exudes a sense of history, culture and grandeur.

The Rialto Bridge is the most famous one that crosses the Grand Canal and is a definite must-see. Explore Venice’s narrow backstreets to see beautiful churches lined with Venetian paintings and priceless marbles.

Verona - A City of Romance

Home to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, Verona is defined by its sense of romance and drama. At the heart of the city lies centuries of history and art. Experience this dazzling city and see some of its most impressive sights with Topflight, Ireland's Italian Specialist.

A Historical City Waiting to be Explored

The core of the city is a Roman town nestled in the loop of the River Adige. It is home to one of the richest collections of Roman remains in northern Italy. The surviving remains include the city gate of Porta Borsari, which dates back to the first century AD. The Roman theatre is one of the most famous of the remains. Set in picturesque surroundings overlooking the River Adige, the theatre is home to the town's fascinating archaeological museum.

Sightseeing in Verona

See the magnificent Arena di Verona, the famous Roman amphitheatre that survived a 12th-century earthquake to later become the city's legendary open-air opera house. It is located in the beautiful Piazza Bra, Verona's main square. This historic arena oozes grandeur. Here, you can experience world-class entertainment during your trip to Verona.

Visit Casa di Giulietta, where you can see the romantic balcony on which Shakespeare's Juliet is said to have pined for her lover, Romeo. Experience the beautiful Piazza dei Signori, the beautiful ‘Square of Lords'. This is the former centre of power in Verona. Magnificent buildings surround the square, which is dominated by the statue of the Italian poet, Dante Alighieri. Visit the Piazza delle Erbe, which has remained the vibrant heart of Verona since Roman times. Grandiose buildings, elegant restaurants and market stalls make up this beautiful square.

Visit the prestigious Via Mazzini, lined with extravagant shops and designer boutiques. Shoppers will find everything their hearts could desire, from Gucci to leather goods from the magnificent Furla.

Florence - The Home of the Renaissance

Florence is a beautiful Renaissance city in the heart of Tuscany. Most of its sights are contained within the main centre, making it ideal to get around on foot. The town is situated on the River Arno, whose famous bridge, Ponte Vecchio, is a striking landmark. Florence is overflowing with some of the world's most important works of art, which you can find in its many galleries and museums.

Sightseeing in Florence

Florence was founded in the first century BC and is simply jam-packed with historical, cultural and artistic treasures. We recommend visits to the Gothic Santa Maria Novella church and Piazza della Signoria, where Michelangelo’s handsome David guards the town hall (Palazzo Vecchio), albeit not the original statue, which is housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia.

You should also see the beautiful Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge crossing the Arno which has tiny jewellery shops across the whole bridge, built into it like bird nests. And don't forget to visit one of the biggest and most impressive churches in Europe, the Santa Maria del Fiore, with its huge cupola, designed by the famous architect Brunelleschi. In front of the church, you will find the antique Baptist church with its fantastically worked “door of paradise”.

Florence is a wonderful city to simply wander, perhaps enjoy a delicious cappuccino in one of the elegant cafés, go shopping or explore one of the more than 70 museums that the city offers.

Book a Holiday to Italy

Want to go city hopping in Italy but don’t want to plan it? Let us do the heavy lifting while you imagine yourself wandering the cultured streets, tasting gelato, sipping espresso in sun-drenched piazzas, and discovering hidden gems in every corner, from Rome’s ancient ruins to Florence’s art-filled alleys and Venice’s winding canals.