From the Roman Empire and the Renaissance to the modern day, Italy can often seem like a living museum, with its medieval buildings, ancient walls, works of art and amphitheatres bringing in millions of visitors year after year.
Here are some of our favourite destinations that are all about the history.
15. Bergamo
One of Italy’s most underrated cities, Bergamo’s reputation suffers somewhat due to its proximity to northern powerhouse Milan, yet it is absolutely worth visiting.
The historic Citta Alta (Upper Town) is the main attraction in Bergamo. A medieval old town encircled by walls built by the Venetians in the 16th century, and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2017, the Citta Alta not only gives off impressive views over the rest of the city and down towards the Citta Bassa (Lower Town), but is filled with authentic Bergamaschi cafes, restaurants and alleyways that make it seem like you’re stepping back in time.
A short train journey from Milan, Bergamo is undoubtedly worthy of your attention. Moreover, with Atalanta’s incredible rise to prominence over the past decade and their stadium among the best in the country, Bergamo has become something of a hotspot.
Visitor numbers are up almost 30% since 2019, with 2025 representing a record year for tourism, reflecting the city’s burgeoning reputation as a place to explore… and not just a runway to land on when flying in with Ryanair.
16. Pompeii
One of the standout sites in Italy, Pompeii is a must if visiting Naples. The story is known to most: Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the ash came down the mountain, covered the Roman town in a thick layer of pumice and blanketed its existence from the outside world for more than 1500 years.
Discovered in the 17th century, Pompeii offers a look at Roman life, with the ash acting as a time capsule and preserving everything underneath.
The ancient city is visited by around four million people each year, but in late 2024 the Italian authorities decided to cap the daily number of visitors at 20,000. This now means you need to book tickets in advance, so keep that in mind before making the trek out to the site.
A trip to Pompeii means you will likely be using Naples as a base, so it’s only right to visit the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to watch Napoli in action. Naples is arguably Italy’s most passionate football city and taking in a game at the Maradona isn’t to be missed.
17. Ancona
Capital of the Marche region, Ancona is one of the main gateways to the Adriatic Sea, with its port crucial to the economic power of the city.
Located around 170 miles northeast of Rome, Ancona is the only city in Italy where it is possible to watch the sunrise and sunset over the sea. This is due to the elbow-shaped position of the city in relation to the Adriatic.
Known as the Doric City due to Greek settlers founding it in 387 BC, Ancona has plenty to offer. Walking along the Passetto promenade is a joy and here you can see the beach with white limestone cliffs and ancient, hand-dug fishermen’s caves.
Take a stroll down to the harbour to see the Arch of Trajan, a marble sculpture that has been preserved since 115 AD, followed by a trip to see the Mole Vanvitelliana, an 18th-century pentagonal island structure that once served as a quarantine centre but now hosts cultural events.
Ancona is a little off the beaten path, but absolutely worth the jaunt . The city is Italy’s Capital of Culture for 2028 and for the time being, the football club is in Serie D.
18. Bologna
The capital of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is another city experiencing increased tourist numbers over the past few years. And it’s easy to see why. With its medieval porticoes, the oldest university in the world and mouth-watering ragu, Bologna is a must-visit.
It is most famous for the long stretches of covered walkways, about 40km of them in the city and more out in the suburbs, and these porticoes are UNESCO-protected. The most iconic is the section that leads from the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to the Madonna di San Luca in the Porta Saragozza area.
If you’re a foodie, then Bologna will tick every box. You won’t leave hungry.
Moreover, any visit to Bologna can involve top-level football, with the Rossoblu regulars in the top 10 of Serie A. The Dall’Ara is one of the most charming stadiums in the country, with the famous Maratona tower the defining feature.
If Bologna isn’t on your list of places to visit in Italy, it absolutely should be.
19. Ferrara
Competing with the likes of Bologna, Parma and Modena in Emilia-Romagna, Ferrara can often get overlooked. But it shouldn’t.
A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, the city earned that status due to its Renaissance urban design and architecture. This was the work of Biagio Rossetti in the 15th century, and changed the entire way towns and cities not just across Italy, but the world, were shaped.
Close to the Po Delta, Ferrara’s main centre is surrounded by medieval walls built for defence. Constructed between the 15th and 17th centuries by the Este family, the walls stretch for nearly six miles.
Ferrara’s peak came during the Renaissance and, as a result, the city has a lot of splendid buildings still standing, fully preserved from their golden period. For cinema lovers, the recently opened Spazio Antonioni museum is dedicated to Michelangelo Antonioni, one of Italy’s finest filmmakers, who is a native son.
In a sporting sense, the city was catapulted back into the public consciousness when SPAL were promoted to Serie A in 2017 for the first time in 49 years. They remained in the top flight before being relegated in 2020. They’ve since plummeted down the divisions and are now back in the amateur leagues, however, their stadium is built in the style of an old English ground, keeping the atmosphere tight to the pitch.
20. Padova
Much like Ferrara, Padova lives in the shadow of more tourist-heavy cities. Located in the heart of Veneto, it is sandwiched between Verona and Venice, and often bypassed.
Known as a city for art lovers due to its wonderful pieces and frescoes inside the Scrovegni Chapel that were painted by Giotto and considered masterpieces, Padova is worth the visit.
Piazza Prato della Valle is one of the biggest squares in Europe and, wonderfully, has a central island surrounded by a waterway and statues. Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta are two other main squares lined with cafes and restaurants, making it the perfect place to relax with an Aperol Spritz – a drink created in the region – and people-watch.
Padova is also home to one of the oldest universities in the world, with the University of Padova founded in 1222.
The city’s football team, meanwhile, has flirted with Serie A on occasion and were last in the top flight back in 1996. After years in Serie C, they are now in their second season back in Serie B.
21. Florence
Simply one of the most gorgeous cities in the world, the cradle of the Renaissance is a city on the wish list of most travellers.
The capital of Tuscany brings in about 15 million tourists per year, ranking it as one of the most-visited places on Earth.
The Piazza del Duomo, with its magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Baptistery of San Giovanni and Campanile Bell Tower designed by son of the city, Giotto, earned UNESCO status in 1982 and is the central hub for most tourists in Florence.
Piazzale Michelangelo, on the other side of the River Arno, is the perfect location to enjoy the sun setting over the centre of the city, while art lovers can marvel at the works in the Galleria dell’Accademia and Uffizi Galleries. Moreover, gelato was invented here, so grab a couple of scoops, especially in the stifling summer months.
As for the football, Fiorentina are Serie A mainstays and one of the biggest sides in the league. While there is enough in Florence to keep you busy away from the pitch, we will always recommend a trip to the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The best time to enjoy the city is from September through to May, with the summer months uncomfortably hot and tourist traffic at its peak.
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