Best Places To Visit In Italy For The First Time
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Italy: known for slow food, stunning landscapes, extensive history, and generous people.
I recently took a month-long trip through Italy and it took my breath away. This was my first “real” solo trip abroad (Taiwan doesn’t count) and what struck me was just how rich everything was.
From the depth of culture to the complexity of history, there was just so much to take in…all the time.
While almost every single destination in Italy is spectacular in its own way, some stood out more than the rest.
So here are the top 3 cities and destinations that I felt were most memorable and three that I thought missed the mark.
Top 3 Places To Visit In Italy
"Top 3" is always subjective, right? So I want to clarify.
I chose these places on account of how memorable they were on my first trip to Italy. I'm the type of traveler who prioritizes nature, beauty, and culture but could care less for nightlife and food so if your interests align with mine, then I feel pretty confident that you will also like these places.
1. Cinque Terre
Cute colorful residences built into the mountains, easy transportation, stunning hiking trails, sunsets for days...Cinque Terre takes the cake with this one!
I ran into a little hiccup with my accommodation, but the locals were sweet enough to help me figure it out. Boasting a slower pace of life and total immersion in nature, this UNESCO World Heritage Site (and national park) truly lived up to its name.
If you're a nature-lover and want to enjoy all the picturesque benefits of the Amalfi Coast without the headache and tourist prices (we'll talk more about this later), definitely visit Cinque Terre!
2. Venice
Venice just introduced a new tourist tax this year, but you know what... I'd still visit.
Although Venice was super expensive and definitely on the touristy side of things, I found it to be worth the visit.
There's just something so whimsical about the city!
I loved how walkable it was and how around every corner was another exciting view to discover. Being close to water has been proven to be therapeutic for humans and it definitely ran true for the city of canals. Snack on cicchetti, admire the colorful buildings of Burano, and layer up because the windchill on the Grand Canal is pretty serious.
For a full itinerary, check out this 24-hour guide from my friend, Jade!
3. Rome
Rome: the capital of the country and the perfect blend of new and old. It would literally take me a lifetime to explore this city.
As a native New Yorker, it honestly shocked me how much I liked this city! At this point in my travels, I had already written off all cities as “just another city” but Rome really stood out. I loved the blend of vibrant culture, classic architecture, ancient history, and modern diversity.
Spend your stay exploring different neighborhoods, go on a guided tour of the Vatican, and catch the sunset at the Roman Forum.
Bonus: Capri
Capri is the island that solidified in my mind that I was in fact, an island girl.
The jaw dropping sunsets took my breath away and I still remember just how peaceful everything was. I visited off season when most tourists had already left, but it still left a strong impression of what life on the Italian coast could be like.
If you're ready to sip limoncello while sunbathing on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Capri is a must-visit spot for you.
3 Overrated Destinations In Italy
Let’s be honest…every country has over-hyped destinations.
While I’m not saying that these go on a definitive “skip” list (because if you have the time and funds, they’re still worth checking out), I am saying that for my own personal tastes, I probably wouldn’t spend too much time revisiting them.
1. Amalfi Coast
You’ve definitely seen pictures of the Amalfi Coast: sweeping shorelines, striking mountains, fanciful colorful buildings set within limestone cliffs, and of course, the iconic lemon trees…
What they don’t tell you about is how much of a pain it is to actually get around. Because the villages are built directly into the mountainous coast, the only way to get around is by bus.
Tickets are notoriously difficult to find (you can only get them from specific bodegas/tobacco shops) and buses run on inconsistent schedules.
While the views were quite pretty, the stress of potentially getting stranded overnight in a random village plus the overcrowding of tourists made it an over-hyped destination. Skip the Amalfi Coast and visit Cinque Terre instead.
The views were similar and transportation was much more streamlined.
2. Florence
Ah, Firenze, birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence is a city rich in culture and art but other than the iconic works, I found the city a little lacking. It felt like a tourist trap with very little happening other than museums and specific tourist attractions.
Weirdly enough, this was also the city that I felt the least safe in. (You'd think it'd be Naples, but nope!) Florence gave me small town vibes and not in a good way. It felt too small for anonymity but also too large for there to be a sense of community.
It might’ve also just been my personal experience, but it felt like there was also a pretty big wealth gap among the locals.
Visit Florence for the Uffizi, David, and other notable artworks but keep your stay as short as possible. Instead, spend your time at the neighboring Lake Como or head to the Tuscan Mountains to experience the best that this region has to offer.
3. Milan
Milan doesn’t really deserve to go on this list but if you’re low on time and funds, you could probably skip it.
When I say that I’m over cities, I really do mean it.
Milan was just another city where people were living their own lives and that’s totally cool…just something I’ve already seen and done.
However, if you're into fashion, then you should probably add Milan to your "visit" list. It’s home to some of the biggest names in luxury fashion and the thrifting scene is phenomenal. Other than that, it’s a pretty quiet and somewhat spread out city.
So there you have it, the top places to see in Italy as a first-time visitor.
These are of course my personal recommendations, so take them with a grain of salt and choose the destinations that best fit your personal interests.
Any destination is worth seeing once, but if you're limited on time and money, I hope that this guide was helpful in providing some insights! For more on slow travel, check out The Top 10 Communities For Solo Female Travelers and How To Pack A Two Week Travel Capsule Wardrobe!
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