Italy travel guide : explore art, history, cuisine and top destinations

What you need to know before visiting Italy

• Official name: Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana)
• Capital: Rome
• Population: About 60 million people
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Government: Unitary parliamentary republic

How Italy's history shaped western civilization

Few nations can claim a historical tapestry as rich and influential as Italy's. Each era has left indelible marks on world civilization:

Ancient origins: from Etruscans to the Roman Empire

Before the glory of Rome, the peninsula was home to the sophisticated Etruscans and Greek colonies in the south. Around 753 BCE, a small settlement on the Tiber River would grow to become the mighty Roman Empire, whose legal systems, engineering marvels, and cultural achievements still echo through modern society.

Medieval Italy: city-states and maritime republics

After Rome's fall in 476 CE, Italy fragmented into city-states and kingdoms. The Byzantine Empire and Lombards ruled parts of the territory, while the Catholic Church's power grew. Maritime republics like Venice and Genoa became commercial powerhouses, connecting Europe to distant trading routes.

The Renaissance: how Italy changed art and science forever

The 14th to 17th centuries witnessed Italy's greatest gift to humanity—the Renaissance. Florence, Rome, and Venice became crucibles of artistic and intellectual revolution, as figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael created works that fundamentally changed how we perceive art and human potential.

Modern Italy: from unification to European power

After centuries of foreign domination and political fragmentation, the Risorgimento (Resurgence) movement achieved Italian unification in 1861. Italy endured the turmoil of two World Wars and fascism under Mussolini before emerging as a democratic republic in 1946, becoming a founding member of the European Union and developing into one of the world's largest economies.

Italian culture: language, art and traditions

Italian language: what makes it the language of music

Often called "the language of music," Italian flows with a rhythmic beauty that has influenced opera, classical music, and even everyday English words. With Latin roots and regional dialects that vary significantly from north to south, Italian remains one of the world's most beautiful and expressive languages.

Italian art: why Italy remains the heart of western art

Italy's artistic legacy is unmatched in its scope and influence. From the delicate frescoes of Fra Angelico to the architectural brilliance of Brunelleschi, from Caravaggio's dramatic canvases to Bernini's dynamic sculptures, Italian artists have defined and redefined beauty through the centuries. With more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country, Italy itself feels like one vast museum where art, architecture, and landscape blend seamlessly.

Italian cuisine: essential dishes and regional specialties

Italian cuisine celebrates simplicity, quality ingredients, and regional diversity. Essential Italian flavors include:

• Pasta in countless shapes and regional preparations
• Pizza, from Naples' traditional Margherita to creative variations
• Risotto, creamy rice dishes from the north
• Gelato, Italy's velvety answer to ice cream
• Espresso coffee, the rhythm of Italian daily life

Italy's wines are equally celebrated, with regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto producing some of the most sophisticated vintages in the world, from robust Barolo to elegant Chianti.

Italian design: from fashion houses to automotive excellence

"Made in Italy" represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and style. From Ferrari and Lamborghini in automotive design to fashion houses like Gucci, Prada, and Armani, Italian designers have mastered the art of balancing innovation with timeless elegance.

Where to go in Italy: top cities and attractions

Rome: essential sights in the eternal city

The ancient capital layers history in a way no other city can match:

• The Colosseum: The iconic amphitheater that once hosted gladiatorial games, still standing after nearly 2,000 years.
• Vatican City: The world's smallest sovereign state, home to St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.
• Roman Forum: The ancient heart of the Roman Empire.
• Trevi Fountain: The baroque masterpiece where visitors toss coins to ensure their return to Rome.
• Spanish Steps: The grand staircase connecting Piazza di Spagna with Trinità dei Monti church.

Florence: exploring the birthplace of the Renaissance

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence dazzles with its artistic and architectural treasures, from Brunelleschi's magnificent Duomo to the Uffizi Gallery's unparalleled collection of Renaissance masterpieces.

Venice: how to experience the floating city

This dreamlike city of canals and bridges floating on a lagoon seems to defy reality. The Grand Canal, St. Mark's Square, and the Bridge of Sighs create a romantic atmosphere that has inspired artists, writers, and lovers for centuries.

Naples: gateway to southern Italian culture

Vibrant, chaotic, and intensely authentic, Naples offers a taste of southern Italian life at its most passionate, along with incredible pizza, proximity to Pompeii, and views of brooding Mount Vesuvius.

Milan: Italy's fashion and financial capital

Italy's sleek financial and fashion capital balances business with beauty, from the spectacular Gothic Cathedral to Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" and the glamorous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade.

Best natural destinations in Italy: from mountains to coast

• The Amalfi Coast: A dramatic shoreline of pastel-colored villages clinging to cliffs above azure waters.
• Tuscan countryside: Rolling hills dotted with cypress trees, vineyards, and medieval towns.
• The Dolomites: Jagged alpine peaks that glow pink at sunset in this northern mountain range.
• Lake Como: A Y-shaped lake of extraordinary beauty surrounded by elegant villas and gardens.
• Sicilian landscapes: From Mount Etna's volcanic power to ancient Greek temples overlooking the Mediterranean.

Fascinating facts about Italy you might not know

Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites (58) than any other country in the world.

The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is considered the oldest university in continuous operation.

Italians invented the piano, the thermometer, the mechanical clock, and the telephone (Antonio Meucci).

The Italian police force includes a division dedicated solely to protecting art and cultural heritage.

Italy has three active volcanoes: Vesuvius, Etna, and Stromboli.

What Italy gave to the world: inventions and contributions

• The banking system (originated in medieval Italian city-states)
• Opera (beginning with Jacopo Peri's Dafne in the late 16th century)
• The battery (invented by Alessandro Volta)
• Radio (Guglielmo Marconi's wireless telegraph)
• The foundations of modern science (Galileo Galilei's methodology)