15 Famous Tourist Attractions in Italy
Last Updated on 6th December 2022 by admin
Are you looking for inspiration to visit the beautiful country of Italy and want to see its famous tourist attractions? Here we bring you a list of the most famous tourist attractions in Italy. The country is replete with beautiful sites and unique architectural designs from ancient times to the modern era. It is a good idea if you have added Italy to your bucket list, with so many beautiful things to do and places to see in the country, you will definitely love it! There are many beautiful cities, a rich history, stunning sights, beautiful Mediterranean islands and as you may know, Italy is also famous for delicious food. Italy is one of the favorite destinations in Europe, even in the world. So, let’s know some of the most famous tourist attractions in Italy, where everyone likes to go.
1) Colosseum, Rome
The Colosseum is one of the wonders of the world located in the center of Rome, the ancient city of Italy. Considered to be one of the largest elliptical amphitheaters ever built in Italy. It is an excellent example of the architecture and engineering of our Rome. The Colosseum is an oval structure that could hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. The area of the Colosseum is spread over 24,000 square meters of land, with which it is 189 meters long, 156 meters wide, and the height of its outer walls is 157 feet.
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Colosseum is famous for its ancient magnificent stadium structure which still stands proudly today. It is also included in the 7 wonders of the world, and one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. The current Colosseum is a major tourist attraction in Rome with thousands of tourists entering each year to view the interior. The construction of this Colosseum was started by Emperor Vespasian between 70 AD to 72 AD, it was used for entertainment, performances, and sports. Also, it was used as a central performance area like an open-air stadium.
2) Grand Canal, Venice
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Italy is the Grand Canal of Venice, also known as the Canalazzo. It is in the center of the city of Venice in Italy and is one of the city’s major water-transport corridors. The Grand Canal of Venice is the largest and important canal in the city and is almost 4 km long. The canals also make it possible to transport and carry goods from one part of the area to the another. Most of it is surrounded by magnificent buildings along its entire length, making it one of the symbols of the city.
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Venice is a charming and magical city that is world famous for its waterways. The Grand Canal is the most important and the lifeline of the city which crosses the entire city, giving it the appearance of a floating city. It is also known as the “City of Bridges”, where there is an ancient bridge called the Rialto Bridge, which is considered one of the famous bridges in the world. The Grand canal of Venice is also one of the most romantic places in the world
3) Santa Maria Del Fiore, Florence
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Florence Duomo, stands above the city with its magnificent Renaissance dome, named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore. Florence’s Cathedral is third largest church in the world, but when it was completed in 1436, it was the largest church in the world, holding up to 30,000 people. The cathedral is a massive Gothic structure built on the site of the 7th-century church of Santa Reparata designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.
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The dome is the most famous part of the cathedral building, which belongs to the Gothic tradition. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore has been dazzling visitors for years and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Italy. Santa Maria del Fiore is the most iconic symbol in Florence and the most recognizable building in Italy and is a must-see when you plan to visit the city.
4) Leaning Tower of Pisa
There are many historical buildings in Italy, but one of the ancient structures “The Leaning Tower of Pisa” inspires people from different countries to explore its wonderful history. The construction of the famous tower began in 1173, originally designed as a bell tower. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is almost 56 meters high; you can reach the top of the tower and enjoy amazing views of the city from there. The monument belongs to UNESCO since 1987.
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One of the famous or interesting things in the tower is that it is tilted on one side. Most people come here to see this marvel of medieval engineering. The famous tower stood upright for more than 5 years, but when the third floor was completed in 1178, it started to tilt. Remedial work between 1993 and 2001 reduced its inclination from about 5.5 degrees to a stabilized at 4 degrees.
5) Trevi Fountain, Rome
The Trevi Fountain also known as ‘Fontana di Trevi’, is the most beautiful fountain in Rome, located in a tiny piazza in the heart of the city in the Trevi district. The Baroque Fountain of Trevi is one of the most famous fountains in the world, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed between 1732 and 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini. This masterpiece and unprecedented beauty attract thousands of visitors to the Italian capital Rome.
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The Trevi Fountain is considered to be one of the oldest fountains in the world. The fountain dates to ancient Roman times and the fountain’s design depicts Oceanus, the god of the sea, in a shell-shaped chariot led by Triton with sea horses. The fountain is made mostly of travertine stone which is 85 feet tall and about 161 feet wide. There are many tourist attractions in Rome, Trevi Fountain probably being considered the top-rated tourist attraction.
6) Duomo di Milano, Milan
Milan cathedral (The Duomo di Milano) is the most impressive structure in Milan, this massive cathedral was built over a period of five to six centuries, beginning in 1386, and completed in 1965. During this time various engineers, sculptors and architects made their professional contribution in the construction of this beautiful cathedral. The Duomo di Milano is the best place to discover the history, culture, and art of Milan, with an incredible interior.
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Milan Cathedral is the most unique and the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and features both Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles, dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente. The white marble façade of the cathedral gives a very beautiful view of this huge Gothic building, you can also go to the terrace by stairs and elevator and see the beautiful view of city. It is one of the oldest churches in the world and one of the most photographed tourist spots in Italy.
7) Pantheon, Rome
Pantheon in Rome is one of the most visited tourist places in Italy, located in Piazza della Rotonda. The name Pantheon comes from Greek word meaning “honor all Gods” it was built between 25 and 27 BC on the orders of Marcus Agrippa. It is believed that the Pantheon was originally built as a temple and dedicated to all the gods of Rome. Thereafter officially converted to Christianity and was an inspiration for Raphael, one of the greatest architects of the Renaissance.
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The Pantheon, an architectural marvel attracts over 6 million people to an ancient monument every year, making it one of the most famous tourist destinations in Italy. The Pantheon in Rome is a true architectural wonder and one of the most recognizable Roman buildings. The Pantheon represents the greatest expression of Rome’s majesty
8) Roman Forum
The Roman Forum, also known as the Forum Romanum (Latin), is at the center of ancient Rome, it is also the largest inner-city archaeological area in the world. It was once a busy marketplace, with temples and many attractive buildings. The Forum contains the largest number of temples and monuments in the city under the Roman Empire. The site was first developed in the 7th century BC, becoming over time the social, political, and commercial center of the Roman Empire.
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It is most important forum in ancient Rome, situated on low ground in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. The Roman Forum is surrounded by the ruins of important ancient government buildings located in the center of the city. Today the Forum is one of Rome’s most popular and most visited landmarks, attracting more than 4.5 million visitors each year.
9) Lake Como
Lake Como, also known as Lario, a part of northern Italy, lies at the foothill of the Alps and has a continental climate. Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in Italy to visit with your loved ones. Lake Como, has an area of about 56 sq mi (146 sq km), making it third largest freshwater lakes in Italy. The lake is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Italy, attracting over 2 million people each year.
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It is a destination of amazing nature and breathtaking scenery, from where you can discover peace and enjoy your trip. It is one of the five most popular lakes in the Italian lake region, and one of the deepest in Europe with more than 200 metres (660 ft). Lake Como offers a host of activities for visitors, such as boat rides, hiking to the nearby hills and mountains, gardens and lakeside promenade, and also allowed to take along your bicycle.
10) St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Saint Peter’s Basilica (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri) is a Renaissance church located in the Vatican City, within the city of Rome, Italy. This magnificent building dedicated to Peter the First of the Apostles, the first Pope and head of the Church. The history of the church began in the 4th century when Emperor Constantine decided to build a basilica. The construction of the new basilica began in 1506 and was finished in 1626.
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St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the holiest temples for Christendom and one of the largest churches in the world and can accommodate up to 20,000 people. Just a short walk from the church is the Vatican Museums, which one of the largest museums in the world. St. Peter’s is one of the most important in the Christian world and is famous as a place of pilgrimage and for its liturgical functions.
11) The Uffizi Gallery, Florence
The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) is one of the most famous museums in the world, located in the historic center of Florence in the Piazza della Signoria, Tuscany region. The museum was built between 1560-1580 and houses the world’s finest collection of sculptures, paintings, unique artifacts and masterpieces, most of which date from the Renaissance period.
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The museum houses one of the most famous paintings “The Birth of Venus” by the Italian artist Sandro Botticelli. It is one of the most important museums to know the Western Civilization. The Uffizi Gallery receives over 2 million annual visitors who love to see masterpieces ranging from antiquity to modern times.
12) The Valley of Temples, Sicily
The Valle dei Templi, or Valley of the Temples, is an archaeological site in Agrigento, Sicily. It is one of the finest examples of ancient Greek art and architecture, founded by the Greeks in 580 BC, when it was known as Akragas, the area being the home of the goddess Persephone. The Temple of Heracles is the oldest of the Agrigento temples, having been erected at the end of the 6th century BC.
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Sicily’s Valley of the Temples is particularly famous for its well-preserved Doric temples. The Valley of the Temples is spread over 1,300 hectares, this architectural marvel comprises of 7 Doric temples. The Valley of the Temples is one of the most important, lavish and best-preserved archaeological sites of Greek civilization. It was given World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997.
13) Amalfi Coast, Salerno
Italy is full of beautiful villages and coastal towns, with one of the most famous tourist attractions being the Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Italy, located along the southern coast of Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Coast is named after the city of Amalfi, one of the coast’s most popular towns, and the political center. It is one of Italy’s most famous tourist attractions, with over 5 million visitors each year. Even this beautiful place is one of the most popular summer destinations in all of Europe.
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The Amalfi Coast is most famous for picturesque seaside towns, beaches, cliffs, medieval charms, stunning beaches, lovely gardens, villas and also famous for its cuisine. The coast was also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The Amalfi Coast stretches for about 50 km, which includes about 13 towns and villages. The panoramic views and colorful landscapes of the Amalfi Coast make it a primary destination for every tourist.
14) Pompeii, Naples
Pompeii is a large archaeological site, and an ancient Roman city near Naples in the Campania region of Italy. The nearby Mount Vesuvius volcano has erupted many times. But its most dangerous eruption happened about 2000 years ago in 79 AD, the next day a cloud of hot gases was formed. Buildings were destroyed, people died, and the city was buried under volcanic ash. Earlier, Pompeii was a bustling city, when the population of the city was around 12000, Pompeii was a very densely populated city by that time.
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Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was listed in 1997. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy and attracts over 2.5 million visitors each year. Pompeii is one of the most prominent proofs of Roman civilization, it was forgotten until it was discovered in 1748 by a survey engineer.
15) Cinque Terre, Liguria
Italy is such an incredible and beautiful country, Cinque Terre is another beautiful example of its beauty, located in a coastal region within Liguria in the northwest of Italy. There are 5 small traditional villages dating back to the late Middle Ages, whose primary occupation is fishing. Here you get the facility of transport easily, due to which you can enjoy this beautiful place without any hindrance.
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Cinque Terre is most famous for its colorful houses built into the side of a cliff, fresh seafood, beautiful Ligurian Sea surrounding the area, gorgeous hiking trails, and beautiful view of sunset or sunrise, making it a favorite destination for travelers. It is one of Italy’s most famous tourist attractions, part of the Cinque Terre National Park, featuring beaches, beautiful villages, and rolling hills.
