Italy is one of the most popular countries in the world among tourists. Travel lovers from all countries dream of visiting Italy at least once, and many have already been able to fulfill their dream. According to statistics, Italy is the fifth most visited country in the world after France, USA, China and Spain. More than 60 million foreign tourists visited Italy in 2023! We warn you right away: Italy is a large and diverse country. One trip will not be enough for you.
Reasons for the popularity of Italy
Why is Italy so popular among tourists? Perhaps the reason is that it has everything that interests tourists.
Italy has a rich history. This is the country in which modern European civilization began to develop. Since the times of the Roman Empire, Italy has gathered all the best from the countries of the Mediterranean region.
Italy is a real treasure trove of architectural attractions. The country ranks first in the world in terms of the number of sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In Italy there is a huge amount of works of art, painting, sculpture. Many famous artists lived in Italy and their works are still in local museums. You don't even need to go to the museum! You can find beauty and art right on the streets of cities! Take a closer look.
Italy is a great destination for a beach holiday. The length of the Italian coastline is approximately 7,500 thousand kilometers. Beach lovers will find beautiful beaches, warm seas and a Mediterranean climate. The Italian Riviera is located near the famous Cote d'Azur of France. There are beautiful beaches, including on the islands (Sicily, Sardinia, Capri, Ischia).
Italy is a country with a varied climate and landscape. Beautiful beaches await sea lovers. The Alps offer opportunities for winter sports (alpine skiing, snowboarding). Lake Como has been a popular holiday destination since Roman times.
Italy is a wonderful country for lovers of delicious food. Mediterranean cuisine, good wine, delicious ice cream and the most delicious coffee in the world.
In addition to the above, European travelers find in Italy beautiful nature, nature walks, small and unique cities, and a relaxing Italian lifestyle.
Shopping is one of the most favorite activities among tourists. Italy is one of the best countries in Europe for shopping, for those who want to buy fashionable and stylish clothes. Prices here are not the lowest, but during sales (usually from January to mid-February and late summer) fashionable clothes and shoes can be bought at reasonable prices.
Italy is surrounded by the sea and in Italy there are many magnificent beaches. Most of them are small beaches that are in small, rocky bays.
The longest beach in Italy is not on the mainland, but on the island of Sardinia. Poetta Beach is near the city of Cagliari. Its length is about 7 kilometers.
See also - Italy regions.
Most popular cities in Italy
Which cities in Italy attract the most tourists? Rome, the capital of Italy, ranks first in terms of the number of tourist arrivals. The next most popular cities in Italy among tourists are: Venice, Milan, Florence, Sorrento, Pisa, Bologna, Naples, Palermo and Verona.
Those travelers who have repeatedly visited Italy often choose small towns and villages located on the coast for their vacation.
It is impossible to make a list of all interesting cities. Many places in Italy have something interesting for curious tourists.
Rome (Roma) is the capital of Italy. This city was the center of the powerful Roman Empire. The list of the most famous attractions in Rome includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. The Vatican is also located in Rome.
Florence (Firenze) is located in northern Italy. The city was one of the centers of Renaissance art. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei lived here.
Milano is the second most populous city in Italy. It is a renowned global center for business, design and fashion. Milan's La Scala opera house is one of the most famous in the world.
Naples (Napoli) is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Naples is located near the famous volcano Vesuvius. Nearby are the architectural excavations of the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Venice is probably the most famous and unusual city in Italy. Venice's canals and gondolas set the city apart from other cities. The Venice Carnival is one of the most famous events in the world.
Which region of Italy should you visit? Italy Experts say that northern Italy is completely different from the southern part. To learn more about this country, you need to visit different regions. Located in the north of the country, cities such as Florence, Venice, Milan, Genoa can offer a lot of interesting things to tourists. However, it is believed that those who have not visited Naples and Sicily have not seen the real Italy. And, of course, Rome is a city that is a must-see for all travel lovers.
Popular regions
Which region of Italy should you choose as your next holiday destination? Perhaps our tips will help you make a choice.
- Lazio region. The city of Rome is located in Lazio.
- Veneto region. The city of Venice and the city of Verona, Lake Garda and the beaches of Lido Di Jesolo.
- Region Tuscany. Visit the cities of Florence and Pisa. Vacation in coastal towns. Enjoy Tuscan cuisine and wine.
- Region Liguria. Liguria: the city of Genoa, the opportunity to travel to France and Monaco.
- Region Campania. The city of Naples, the birthplace of pizza, the ancient ruins of Pompeii, a cruise to the island of Capri.
- Region of Apulia. Puglia is the sunny south of Italy. The port of Bari has a ferry connection with the Greek island of Corfu.
- Sicily. The island of Sicily is a very special region of Italy.
- Sardinia. The island of Sardinia is famous for its beaches. The rich and famous often choose this island as their vacation spot.
How to get to Italy
By plane
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Italy is a plane. There are airports near all major cities of Italy. Many airlines have regular flights to Italy. This makes it possible to choose the most convenient flight. Most often, tourists use airports in Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice, Bergamo, Catania, Bologna and Palermo.
Plane tickets in Italy at the best price you can buy online.
By train
Italy is linked by rail to many European countries. You can come in Italy by train from France (from Nice, Lyon and Paris), Croatia, Austria (Vienna), Germany (Munich), Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Spain.
By sea
It is possible to get to Italy by ferry from certain countries. According to available at the present time information, there is a regular sea links with Greece, Italy, Albania, Croatia, and Spain (Barcelona).