Places to visit in Italy

Milan, Italian Milano, is a beautiful city and capital of Lombardy, northern Italy. The city has become the leading financial, manufacturing, and commercial centre of Italy with its deep roots in history. Milan resides in the heart of the Po Basin of northern Italy, enveloped amidst the plan spreading between the Ticino and Adda rivers. Milan’s beauty showcases different periods of historical crisis, architectural and organic structure development. These periods largely include the beauty of the cathedrals, four-gated city of Mediolanum, and intricately constructed neighbourhoods. The Spanish domination brought various changes to the architectural trends which resulted in the involvement of pastel colours and brick structures. 

Milan has more than its share of attractions along with iconic historical edifices. The city’s icons are filled with an influential and rich cultural heritage. Milan’s Duomo boasts of Gothic architecture and serves as the most visited tourist attraction. For art fanatics, the city has a plethora of art museums, Leonardi Da Vinci’s Last Supper and Pinacoteca di Brera. If you wish to explore the bohemian side of Milan, head to the neighbourhoods of Ticinese and Porta Romana. When it comes to things to do in Milan, there are plenty of options to dive into. Embrace the local trend of aperitivo at the Brera neighbourhood and cherish the “When in Milan, do as the Milanese do” vibe.

Lined up with chic cafes and bars, tourists often visit this place for admiring the Renaissance-style architecture. Or, you can head to Navigli to cruise over the canals of Milan. If you’re a shopaholic then head to the shopping haven of Milan, Galleria Emmanuele II. Milan has a continental and humid subtropical climate. The temperature is majorly affected by the Alps and the Apennine Mountains. These plains act as a natural barrier to protect Milan from major circulations of northern Europe and the sea. Here, weather usually witness hot and humid summers, damp and chilly winters, and heavy rainfall.

The historical region in Central Anatolia, the heartland of what is now known as Turkey, Cappadocia City is bounded by historical regions of Lycaonia to the Southwest, and Galatia to Northwest. Also, during your trip to Turkey, you will have the opportunity of experiencing this spectacular land to its fullest. Valley, Hills, all types of rocks, and chimney formations in vibrant colors display traces of the history that today offers grounds for amazing activities far away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan cities.

There is a reason behind the popularity of Cappadocia Tourism among local and international visitors too as there are many sightseeing attractions to witness in the city like Byzantine era rock-cut churches along with spectacular frescoes, villages carved out of hillsides, and also the labyrinthine underground cities, where once the early Christians hid from the invaders. Whether you are visiting here with your friends or family, you will have the best time of your life at this mesmerizing place that is dotted with substantial rock formations and crisscrossed with spectacular valleys. 

Lucky for you, Cappadocia is the magical wonderland filled with numerous exciting things to do that both history buffs and nature lovers can appreciate. There is a lot of hiking in this city that will at least take you 1 week to explore every diverse hiking trail here. Also, you can have an amazing hot air balloon ride that will live up to your expectations. Due to the high altitude and inland location, this city has a noticeably continental climate, along with snowy cold winters and dry hot summers. It is hugely semi-arid and rainfall is infrequent in the region. Both the winter and summer season in Cappadocia can have severe cold and heat. Although there is often snow accumulation of about 20-30 cm, it won’t hinder sightseeing trips held in the area.

Pisa, located in Tuscany, is one of the most well-known places in the world. The city with intriguing and unknown origins has changed hands between various empires, which have left indelible marks on its culture, food, and architecture. It has been one of the most valuable port areas for Italy supporting the country’s economy during wars. Like most Italian cities, Pisa is bestowed with extraordinarily beautiful landscapes and natural beauty. Its varied landscape comprises the stark white Volterra ravines, green hills of Monti Pisani, and is dotted with lush olive groves, pine-forested beaches, and vineyards.

The most obvious and the best-known attraction here is the Leaning Tower. The 12th-century free-standing bell tower is famous for its iconic leaning structure, arches, and for offering beautiful views from its top. The National Museum of Pisa is a must-visit for people who want to know the history of the city and see paintings, manuscripts, and sculptures dating to the 12th-century.

One of the must-do activities in Naples is to take a long serene walk along the Arno River. The cobbled promenades, charming houses in traditional architecture, and view of the Leaning Tower are absolutely worth seeing. No visit to Naples is complete without exploring the super-luxury designer stores and cafes. Most of these are lined on Borgo Street.

Due to its proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea, the weather of Pisa is mostly Mediterranean. The warm and dry summer months of March-June are hot and dry. Winters (November-February) are cold with temperatures falling up to 10°C. November also receives the maximum amount of rainfall.

Porto is located on the north west of Portugal and is a coastal city. It is popular for its bridges, production of port wine, medieval districts; cobble stone streets, churches, baroque style architecture, culture, discoveries, history, culture, and cuisine. You can take a stroll along side the River Douro also known as the River of the Gold and get a bird’s view of the city in helicopter tours. There are many scenic landscapes for hiking and nature walks. You can also take a cruise on this river and enjoy the scenic view of the city. There are also beaches which face the Atlantic Ocean.

There are trade routes and adventure tours which depict the treasures of this country. Porto is a busy industrial and commercial centre. The climate of this city is semi Mediterranean. Winters are humid and mild hot. Porto has always been a trader’s city. Residents of this city are known as Tripeiros. Portuguese locals lack social graces and more informal in their mannerisms. The communication of the locals is more direct and informal and should not be considered rude. It is their normal way of communication. You can take an international flight to the Aeroporto do Porto airport. Within the city you can travel in car, metro, bus, taxi, boat, helicopter, and the cable railway system. Visit this city for its more than a century old history, take walking tours, and cruise up the River.

The Province of Siena, located in central Tuscany, was the erstwhile commercial and banking hub of Italy till about the 14th-century. The province was in the midst of power struggles and battles reinforcing its commercial importance. Now, of course, it is one of the best places to visit in Italy to explore the country’s history, art, and traditional food.

The beauty of Sienna is unexplainable in words. Its beautiful countryside, huge farm areas, thickets of cypress trees and wildflower, lush olive groves, and wave-like hill formations look straight out of a dream- only to be broken by the stunningly magnificent coastline and beaches. One of the most beautiful places to visit is the UNESCO protected Piazza del Campo, the erstwhile public square known for its magnificent structure. This is where ‘Palio’ the most important horse-racing event takes place twice in Siena.

Visit the humongous black and white 12th-century Siena Chapel to see its Gothic walls, ornamented arches, and the famous dome designed by the great artist Bernini. The Civic Museum here is not only one of the best places to trace the Roman history of Siena but is an architectural marvel in itself. It has frescoed walls, arched ceilings, and stone structure that are absolutely amazing.

When in Siena, don’t miss to try traditional foods like Crostini Neri, Pici, Ribollita, local wines, and delectable desserts like Panforte, Cantucci, Ricciarelli, etc. Marvel at the 13th-century medieval architecture of Palazzo Pubblico and its beautiful paintings. Visit Torre del Mangia, which is one of the best-known attractions here. The top of the tower offers great views of the city and the countryside.

Siena enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures throughout the year, varying slightly between hilly & coastal areas. The winters are pretty chilly in the hills with temperatures plunging to around 3°C. It rains the most in the months of November-December and March-April. In summers, the temperature averages around 27°C with sunny, breezy, and pleasant days.

This historic city, established in the first century, has a rich past, culture, and architecture that has shaped beautifully over 2000 years. This UNESCO protected city, one of the most charming places to see in Italy, and its architecture was destroyed and revived during World War II, but it still stands proud in all its splendour. Verona lies encircled by River Adige at the foothills of the Lessini Mountains.

Verona’s striking beauty lies in the magnificence of its architecture laid out on its cobbled streets, views of the blue-green waters of the Adige River, and winding streets and their buildings with flower-laden windows. A storybook-like atmosphere awaits people in this city that inspired Shakespeare to write about the love story of Romeo & Juliet. While looking at the historical bridges and houses, one is immediately transported to the idyllic Romanesque times.

One of the most famous attractions here is the first-century Arena di Verona. This spectacular pink and white stone structure, next only to the Colosseum, used to have numerous tunnels and was the site of gladiator games and concerts. Another great attraction is the Casa di Giulietta or Juliet’s House, the most famous Shakespeare character, the famous (but supposed) balcony, and Juliet’s statue. The magnificent marble structure of the 11th-century Torre dei Lamberti, its huge arches, clockface, and domes are a must-see.

One of the best things to do here is to spend serene time at the Verona Cathedral and soak in the grandeur of its beautiful stained glass windows, ornate walls, marble columns, and Renaissance-era frescos. Don’t miss to try the delicious risottos, rich stews, and Pastissada de Caval, a delicacy that dates back to the 5th-century. Another great activity is to take a boating trip across the beautiful Lake Garda and see the charming medieval-era towns like Sermione and Bardolino.

Winter months in Verona are extremely cold with the temperature plummeting to 6°C. Summer months of March-May are fairly hot with temperatures rising to 30°C. The place receives heavy rainfall in the autumn months of September-November.

Located in South Italy on the Amalfi Coast overlooking the Bay of Naples, is this town bestowed with unbelievable beauty and charm. Home to some of the oldest ethnic tribes and later to the Romans, this ancient place has also seen the rule of several empires ranging from the Ostrogoths, Guaimars, Ottomans, etc. one can still see their imprints on the architecture and food, making it one of the must-visit places to go in Italy.

The beauty of Sorrento lies in the calm azure expanses of the water of the Bay of Naples. Beautiful cobbled streets winding around the historic architecture, gardens, and villas lend an even more old-world charm to the place. Sorrento is landmarked by charming colourful houses located on elevated cliffs looking onto the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and thick lush groves of lemon, orange, and olive.

Explore the Old Town area, which is also the best place to observe the local culture and pick up traditional lace, ceramics, and knick-knacks. One of the best attractions here is the 14th-century Cathedral of San Filippo and San Giacomo famous for their Renaissance-era architecture and traditional wood sculptures. Villa Comunale is one of the best places to watch a grand sunset backdropping the sea waters dotted with colourful boats.

Take a leisurely horse carriage ride at the sun-soaked expanses of Piazza Tasso. This is also one of the best places to enjoy an espresso and a traditional pastry. Head over to the bay area to enjoy water sports like scuba diving, swimming, snorkelling, or simply sunbathing. One of the most interesting things here is to go for a lemon farm trail. This is a great way to see the lush orchards on foot and try products made of Sorrento’s most famous food!

The Mediterranean climate here makes Sorrento experience sunny but breezy summer months from March-June. The temperatures rise to 29°C. The winters (November-February) are mildly cool & comfortable with temperatures hovering around 13°C. The wettest month is November.