423 Best Sights in Italy

The "little scuola" of the shoemakers—also known as the Scoletta of Sant' Aniano—conducted its affairs in its headquarters in this charming building on Campo San Tomà. It is now used for community meetings and lectures open to the public, as well as small exhibitions. Most notable is the relief carving (Pietro Lombardo, 1478) above the main door that vividly portrays San Marco miraculously healing Aniano, a poor shoemaker and the scuola's patron saint. The story goes that San Marco had arrived in Alexandria, Egypt, and was directed by the archangel Michael to go to Aniano to fix his broken sandal. He found the shoemaker in terrible pain from having injured himself with one of his tools. Marco preached the gospel to him, and then created a substance by mixing his saliva with dust from the road that healed the injury immediately. Aniano converted to Christianity and was baptized by Marco himself.

This good, sandy beach lies between the nature reserves of Foce del Platani and Torre Salsa and is easily reached by car. It comes with a handful of lidos where you can eat and drink well and rent sun loungers in season. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.

Panarea is known more for its boat culture than for an abundance of beaches. But the crescent of golden sand, gently lapping waves, and shallow waters at Zimmari make it a popular beach for sunbathing and taking a dip. From San Pietro, it's an easy 20- to 30-minute stroll as you meander south through the winding streets and continue on the path above the coastline. You'll know you've arrived when the path ultimately ends. Amenities: sunbeds and umbrellas to rent; snack bar. Best for: snorkeling, swimming.

Only the most intrepid beachgoers will seek out Spiaggia della Calcara. Located on the northern tip of the island, it's reachable by winding through the streets of Iditella, continuing down a dirt path, and then through some hearty shrubs. But your reward is a practically private beach of small stones with spectacular views of rocky outcroppings in the sea (not to mention a reprieve from the chaos of the vacationers who fill the island each summer). Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes to get down and back up the path; this is not a beach for flip-flops. Amenities: none. Best for: sunbathing, swimming.

From the port of Levante, walk five minutes in the direction of Porto di Ponente, past the stone tinged yellow with sulfur that radiates constant heat. Or really just follow your nose as the natural hot springs of Vulcano have a very distinctive odor. Once you arrive at this little stretch of beach, you'll notice the water gurgling in pockets at the edges, creating natural rock-enclosed hot tubs. Even though the official fanghi (mud baths) have been closed for the last few years, you can still experience the warmth of the water coming from the hot springs at the nearby beaches.

A short 15-minute walk from the port, this wide beach features soft, powdery, black volcanic sand that sits in sharp contrast to the clear crystalline waters. Along the strand, you'll find various beach clubs set up during the summer months with chair and umbrella rentals. It's advised to wear a dark-colored swimsuit as the black sand has been known to discolor fabric.

The curvy, rustic roads to Spiaggia di Piana Grande lead to an off-the-beaten-path beach. It's not the typical Sicilian crowded summer beach; it has a humble chiosco (beach kiosks) serving fresh fried fish, a rocky coastline, and pristine blue waters. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming, walking.

This beach of sandy red-gold dunes offers lots of fascinating sea plants and flowers growing straight out of the sand. There are no facilities, so bring provisions and sun protection. Also note that the beach is at the Foce del Belice Natural Reserve, so you will have to walk a quarter of a mile to get there. It's lovely for beach walks and bird-watching (look out for kingfishers, egrets, and herons) as well as swimming. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; walking.

The walkway from the Piazza Flavio Gioia leads down to Spiaggia Grande, Positano's main beach, bordered by an esplanade and some of the town's busiest restaurants. Surrounded by the spectacular amphitheater of houses and villas that leapfrog up the hillsides of Monte Comune and Monte Sant'Angelo, this remains one of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.

The area around Piscità and Ficogrande is full of narrow side streets that lead down to the sea, where you'll find an assortment of different coves, inlets, and lavic outcroppings. Just head downhill from the principal streets and you'll eventually hit water. The largest beach area is Spiaggia Nera on the island's northeastern coast, where the black sand and stones sit in stark contrast to the aquamarine waters. 

Begun by Julius Caesar and completed by the emperor Augustus in 13 BC, this theater could house around 14,000 spectators. Like other ancient monuments, it was transformed into a fortress during the Middle Ages. During the Renaissance, it was converted into a residence by the Savelli, one of the city's noble families. Today, only the archaeological park around the theater is open to the public, with its picturesque walkway that curves past the ruins and links to the Portico d'Ottavia. In summer, the small park becomes a magical venue for open-air classical music concerts.

The ruins of this 1st-century amphitheater, opposite the city's questura (police station), were discovered during 1938 demolition work. Its crumbling and partly grassy steps can be viewed from the street, while its statues are now displayed at the Museo Civico. The space is used for summer plays and concerts.

Scattered through the piazza just across the bridge to Ortigia are the ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo, which dates back to the 6th century BC. A model of this is in the Museo Archeologico. In fact, little of this noble Doric temple remains except for some crumbled walls and shattered columns; the window in the south wall belongs to a Norman church that was built much later on the same spot.

The round layout of the Temple of Hercules Victor led it to be mistakenly identified for centuries as the Temple of Vesta, which has a similar shape but really sits on the other side of Palatine Hill in the Roman Forum. Now called by its correct name, it was built in the 2nd century BC around the same time as its neighbor, the Tempio di Portuno. The little park around the temples was once ancient Rome's cattle market, but now has benches to rest weary feet.

The Malatesta family constructed the Tempio Malatestiano, also called the Basilica Cattedrale, with a masterful facade by Leon Battista Alberti (1404–72). Inside, the chapel to the right of the high altar contains a wonderful (if faded) fresco by Piero della Francesca (1420–92) depicting Sigismondo Malatesta kneeling before a saint. The two greyhounds in the right corner are significantly less faded than the rest.

One of the major monuments of contemporary Italian architecture, the Brion family tomb was designed and built by the architect Carlo Scarpa (1906–78) between 1970 and 1972. Combining Western rationalism with Eastern spirituality, Scarpa avoids the gloom and bombast of conventional commemorative monuments, creating, in his words, a secluded Eden.

If you need a dip in the Mediterranean after a morning of sightseeing, Tonarella offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty that is easily accessible from the city center. Explore the ancient "tonnara," a traditional tuna fishing system still in use today, with its fascinating network of nets and platforms. Relax on the mixed sand and pebble beach, and swim in the calm waters; it's the perfect spot for children and those who prefer not to fight the waves. With several nearby beach clubs offering refreshments and delicious food, you can easily spend a whole day enjoying this unique coastal destination.

Standing high above the Spanish Steps, this 16th-century church has a rare double-tower facade, suggestive of late–French Gothic style; in fact, the French crown paid for the church's construction. Today, it is known primarily for its dramatic location and magnificent views. The obelisk in front is from the 2nd or 3rd century AD and was originally a centerpiece to an imperial villa.

Street/graffiti artist Keith Haring (1958–90) created this joyous work of art shortly before he died. It's on the southern wall of the church of Sant'Antonio Abate (originally dating from the mid-14th century but largely destroyed and rebuilt after World War II). "Tuttomondo" literally means "All World," and you can see figures dancing in harmony.

When it comes to contemporary art, Venice's Biennale may get all the ink, but this new art center on the Zattere gives it a run for its money. Set up within the Palazzo Clary, it features both permanent and temporary exhibitions of thought-provoking contemporary art. Be aware that some of its shows are dense, technical creations. When you work up an appetite, café-restaurant Sudest 1401 features classic and innovative dishes from the Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta regions, uncommon elsewhere in Venice. A bonus: it's one of the few museums open on Monday.

Visit this church, said to have been built in 1141, to see two medieval treasures: an 11th-century Romanesque crucifix and an elaborate 15th-century wooden altar, carved by Michael Pacher and a masterpiece of the Gothic style.

One of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe, the Via delle Volte clearly evokes Ferrara's past. The series of ancient volte (arches) along the narrow cobblestone alley once joined the merchants' houses on the south side of the street to their warehouses on the north side. The street ran parallel to the banks of the Po River, which was home to Ferrara's busy port.

With the ever-looming volcano perfectly framed at the end of the road, this main street is lined with cafés and stores selling high-street jewelry, clothing, and shoes. At sunset, it plays host to one of Sicily's most enthusiastic passeggiatas, in which Catanesi of all ages take part. Starting in 2022, the central stretch became a pedestrianized zone, limiting all vehicle traffic.

Sooner or later you'll wind up at one of the busiest commercial arteries, also known as Via Roma, which is thankfully closed to through traffic—at least along the stretch leading from the Palazzo Reale. Don't avoid dipping into this parade of shops and coffee bars where plump pastries are temptingly arranged.

A steep gravel road leads north out of Bagno Vignoni for 2 km (1 mile) to the town's upper village, a tiny grouping of buildings huddled at the base of a 13th-century tower. The tower, now a private home, was built to watch over the Via Francigena. A spectacular view of the entire Val d'Orcia opens up from the eastern gate.

This small, verdant park across the street from the Piazza del Quirinale is a good spot to stop and take a break. In the center sits an equestrian statue of King Carlo Alberto, the king of Piedmont-Sardinia during the turbulent period of the Reunification of Italy. There are benches to sit and kids often play on the grass. If you happen to be in the area at sunset, cross the street to see the spectacular sunset over Piazza del Quirinale and the rooftops of Rome.

Peek at the gardens of Villa Chigi, a 19th-century estate built on the site of a 14th-century castle (actually the "new castle" from which Castelnuovo got its name). The villa is closed to the public, but its manicured gardens are open on weekends and holidays from April to October.

One of the best excursions from Anacapri is to the ruins of the Roman Villa di Damecuta. Sited strategically on a ridge with views sweeping across the Bay of Naples toward Procida and Ischia, the villa would have had its main access point at the landing stage right by the Grotta Azzurra at Gradola. This was probably one of the villas mentioned by Tacitus in his Annals as having been built by Tiberius: "Here on Capreae, in twelve spacious, separately named villas, Tiberius settled." Like Villa Jovis to the east, Villa di Damecuta was extensively plundered over the centuries prior to its proper excavation in 1937. Below the medieval tower (Torre Damecuta), there are two rooms (domus and cubiculum) that are thought to have been Tiberius's secret summer refuge. Affinities with Villa Jovis may be seen in the ambulatio (walkway) complete with seats and a stunning backdrop. To reach Villa Damecuta, get the bus from Anacapri to Grotta Azzurra and ask the driver to let you off at the proper stop. Alternatively, you can walk down from the center of Anacapri—from behind the Santa Sofia church take the well-marked network of virtually traffic-free little alleyways running parallel to the main road (about 30 minutes).

Villa di Castello was bought in 1477 by Lorenzo and Giovanni di Pierfrancesco de' Medici and restructured by Cosimo I in the 16th century. The Grotta degli Animali displays sculpted animals by Giambologna. Allow about 45 minutes to visit the garden.

To get to Villa di Castello by car, head northwest from Florence on Via Reginaldo Giuliani (also known as Via Sestese) to Castello, about 6 km (4 miles) northwest of the city center in the direction of Sesto Fiorentino; follow signs to Villa di Castello. Or take Bus 28 from the city center and tell the driver you want to get off at Villa di Castello; from the stop, walk north about ½ km (¼ mile) up the alley. (Hours and opening times are highly variable; call ahead to verify.)

What began as the Pamphilij family’s suburban getaway during the 17th century is now the true green heart of Rome. Spanning more than 180 acres, the beloved park is one of the largest in the city. Made up of towering pine groves and sprawling lawns, the estate is centered around the former Baroque residence known as the Casino del Bel Respiro (beautiful breath) because it once offered a literal escape from the malarial air of the city below. The building can only be admired from outside but the surrounding gardens still offer spectacular views, as well as meandering paths and numerous picnic spots.