Italy: 10 Best Places to Visit, Rome to Amalfi Coast
Explore Italy's top 10 destinations across 5,580 km, from Rome's ancient landmarks to Venice's iconic canals, Tuscany's rolling hills, and the Amalfi Coast's dramatic cliffs. This route covers major cities like Milan and Naples, plus natural wonders including the Italian Lake District, Sicily's Mount Etna, and Cinque Terre's clifftop villages.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Naples & Campania (Rank #10)
- End
- Palermo
- Stops
- 15
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Naples & Campania (Rank #10) — Vibrant coastal region home to Mount Vesuvius, ancient Pompeii ruins, and authentic Neapolitan pizza culture.
- Italian Lake District (Rank #9) — Alpine glacial lakes surrounded by dramatic mountains, charming lakeside villages, and Belle Époque villas.
- Sicily (Rank #8) — Mediterranean island blending Greek temples, Norman architecture, and Arab-Norman heritage with distinct local cuisine.
- Cinque Terre (Rank #7) — Five pastel-colored fishing villages clinging to steep cliffs above the sea, connected by hiking trails.
- Milan (Rank #6) — Fashion capital and design hub featuring the Gothic Duomo cathedral, world-class museums, and contemporary architecture.
- Amalfi Coast (Rank #5) — Dramatic clifftop coastline with pastel villages, Mediterranean gardens, and winding roads offering spectacular sea views.
- Venice (Rank #3) — Unique lagoon city built on islands with Grand Canal waterways, Byzantine-Gothic palaces, and St. Mark's Basilica.
- Tuscany (Rank #2)
- Rome (Rank #1)
- Pompeii — Ancient Roman site buried by Mt. Vesuvius eruption
- Lake Garda — Largest lake in Italian Lake District with stunning mountainous northern stretches
- Lake Como — Lake in Italian Lake District with forested slopes rising from water's edge
- Lake Maggiore — Western Italian Lake District location with family resorts
- Valley of the Temples — Ancient Greek temples in Sicily showcasing art and history
- Palermo — Sicilian city known for Baroque churches and rich cultural heritage
Useful for your trip
- Food
- Try authentic Italian foods that originated in Naples such as pizza, spaghetti and parmigiana, which feature fresh, locally grown ingredients.
- Where to stay
- Use Naples as an ideal base to explore nearby famous sites like the Bay of Naples and Pompeii.
- Timing
- Visit the Italian Lake District which is popular with tourists for over 100 years and combines good weather with attractive scenery.
- Tip
- Lake Garda offers stunning scenery, especially in its mountainous northern stretches. Lake Como has forested slopes rising directly from the water's edge.
- Tip
- Visit Sicily to see art and history from Agrigento's Valley of the Temples to Palermo's Baroque churches and Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano.
- Transport
- Use the Blue Trail, a paved hiking path connecting all five villages of Cinque Terre, suitable for all ages with stunning coastal views.
- Tip
- In Venice, take a gondola ride along one of its many canals to experience the romantic waterways and historic architecture.
- Food
- In Tuscany, taste wine in Chianti as one of the main pleasures of the region.
- Tip
- Visit Positano on the Amalfi Coast for beautiful pebbled beaches, pastel houses and scenic mountains, described as one of the most romantic and posh towns.
- Tip
- Pompeii excavation began in 1748 and the site is yet to be totally unearthed. Walk along ancient streets to see remains of bakeries, brothels and baths.
- Tip
- In Tuscany, explore Renaissance art in Florence and visit the medieval city of Siena which holds excellent works of art and has one of the most popular historic centers.
- Tip
- Rome has ancient Roman structures and Vatican City with more than 2,500 years of history. Plan several months or years to see it all.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Italy - Travel Video