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undeniable Roman Impact as a tourist destination – but Italy There are many equally exciting urban leisure destination There is no group of people at the same level.
We’ve rounded up five destinations that all boast dazzling architecture, delicious food and stunning backdrops—but they also have room to breathe.
Our picks include Italy’s ultimate foodie cities, home to some of the most revered cuisine pasta Dishes are created and this former capital has a surprise: world-class Egyptian museum.
Venture south along the coast from Rome and you’ll discover a vibrant destination volcano That’s quite possibly where the best pizza you’ve ever eaten comes from. There is a beautiful city on the opposite coast, like a work of art.
Or if you want your sightseeing landmarks to be within walking distance, we know where to go.
Read on and discover why the magic of Italy doesn’t begin and end in the capital. And where to stay in each of these alternative cities.
1. Bologna
bologna Earning its reputation as the gastronomic capital of Italy, some of the world’s most popular pasta dishes were invented here. Although contrary to popular belief, it is not the birthplace of spaghetti bolognese and is not served in traditional restaurants here.
Dishes that originated in Bologna include tagliatelle al ragù (spaghetti strips with meat sauce), tortellini (stuffed pasta rings) and lasagna (without meatballs).
There are plenty of options to enjoy a meal (the city center has more than 700 restaurants), and there are many fun ways to satisfy your appetite, including a steep 2.4-mile walk to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cathedral of San Luca, which is connected to the city by the world’s longest portico, made up of 666 arches. You can also climb the bell tower in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna.
In Bologna’s magnificent central square you’ll find the Basilica of San Petronio (one of the largest churches in Europe). The Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio is well worth exploring, once the historic seat of the university and now home to the Anatomical Theater and the historic Archiginnasio Library.
Al Cambio is a restaurant that serves standard lasagna, while Da Cesari is a classic Italian trattoria (casual eatery) with authentic dishes and delicious local wines.
How to get there: Bologna is located at the foot of the Apennine Mountains in northern Italy. Many overseas visitors first fly to Rome or Milanand then take the high-speed rail (two hours for the former and one hour for the latter).
Where to stay: Grand Hotel (formerly Baglioni) (rooms from $350) is an elegant five-star hotel located a short walk from Piazza Maggiore and has 106 rooms with antique furniture.
Read more: Rome’s best hotels, spend the night in historic palaces and luxurious urban hideaways
2. Turin
Turin The best-known landmark is the Mole Antonelliana, an extraordinary 550-foot-tall brick tower designed in 1863 as a synagogue and now home to the National Film Museum and a great place to view it from above. Take the transparent elevator to the observation deck at the top and admire stunning views of the Alpine backdrop and the elegant skyline of the city that served as Italy’s first capital between 1861 and 1865.
Venture into Piazza Castello, Turin’s historic center, and you might start to wonder whether its former role should be reconsidered: this huge pedestrian square exudes an air of grandeur with its beautiful porticoes and majestic architecture. At one end is the Royal Palace of Turin, the seat of the Savoy dynasty, which has preserved the Shroud of Turin since the 15th century, which some believe is the shroud of Jesus.
The relic is kept in an incubator in Turin Cathedral next door and is only occasionally displayed. However, you can learn more at the nearby Shroud Museum.
You can view even more artifacts at the world-class Egyptian Museum, which houses the most important collection of Egyptian antiquities outside of Cairo. There are more than 30,000 artifacts on display.
If you want to reflect on all you’ve seen, book a reservation at the Ristorante Consorzio to taste authentic Piedmontese cuisine. Think meat-stuffed pasta with 30-month-old Parmigiano Reggiano, or beef cheek braised in wine and celeriac cream.
How to get there: Turin is located in northwestern Italy, at the foothills of the Alps. Most overseas visitors fly to Milan and take the high-speed train from there, a journey time of just one hour.
Where to stay: prince of piemont (Rooms from $300) Featuring striking Art Deco interiors, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the city’s attractions.
Read more: The 12 Best Ski Resorts in Italy for a Vacation in 2026
3. Naples
Naples This was Italy’s most chaotic and intense period. Here, traffic rules feel haphazard, streets are filthy and laundry is permanently hung to dry, but it remains one of the country’s most valuable urban leisure destinations. It’s home to arguably the best pizza you’ll ever eat (it’s the birthplace of the margherita) and a historic center that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, it is guarded by Mount Vesuvius, one of the most famous volcanoes in the world.
The key is to embrace the chaos of full throttle and enjoy the feeling of getting lost in a chaotic lane (if you give up on reorienting, the taxi will never get away from you).
Starting in Spaccanapoli, this long, straight street packed with motorcycles bisects the city center, a maze of churches, espresso bars and artisanal workshops selling everything from tailors to cheesemakers.
Head to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, where you can catch your breath and admire one of Italy’s greatest collections of antiquities, including mosaics and everyday objects preserved from Pompeii and Herculaneum, ancient cities destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
After a stroll along the promenade, head to Lungomare Caracciolo di Napoli for views of Mount Vesuvius and the stunning Bay of Naples, before heading to the lively L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele restaurant for a slice of the gold standard of Neapolitan pizza. There are three choices on the menu: margherita (tomato and mozzarella), margherita doppia mozzarella (double cheese) or marinara (tomato, oregano and garlic). They are served soft and hot, made with fresh ingredients and eaten with a knife and fork. Traveling alone? You will make friends here.
How to get there: There are seasonal direct long-haul flights to Naples International Airport, but many flights fly to Rome and then take the high-speed train south. Journey time is one hour and ten minutes.
Great place to stay: exist Grand Hotel Vesuvius (Rooms from $300) The service was impeccable and the view of Mount Vesuvius was beautiful.
Read more: Naples remains a city passionate about the beautiful game
4. Lecce
Welcome to “Florence of the South”.
LecceNestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, Puglia is home to monuments dating back to Roman times, such as the Roman amphitheater in Piazza San Oronzo, and dazzling Baroque buildings built by local pietra leccese, a limestone that sparkles in the afternoon sun.
Head to Piazza del Duomo, one of Italy’s most elegant urban spaces, and you’ll be surrounded by honey-hued architecture, the most striking example of which is the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta. Climb the 236-foot tall Campanile for stunning panoramic views, then walk 5 minutes to Piazza Santa Croce.
The space is centered around the decadently ornate Basilica of Santa Croce, its facade ornately carved with saints and animals.
After touring the architecture, head to the Alle Due Corti restaurant to sample local specialties such as carrot cake with cat ears (Radish greens), local signature pasta, and wild chicory broad bean puree.
How to get there: Fly to Rome or Milan and take the high-speed train south (journey time 5 to 9 hours), or fly to Bari and take the train from there (1 and a half hours).
Where to stay: Patria Palace Hotel (Rooms from $250) puts you in the heart of Lecce’s Baroque splendor—just across from the Basilica of Santa Croce.
Read more: 7 of the best towns and villages in Tuscany worth visiting
5. Ravenna
Ravenna Offering one of Italy’s most fascinating cultural experiences – all within a flat, compact, walkable historic centre. In fact, the main attractions are all within a 10 to 15 minute walk.
One of them is the 6th-century Basilica di San Vitale, which has a plain red-brick exterior but a jaw-droppingly luxurious interior filled with color and light.
Stroll slowly among the ornate columns and admire the jewel-toned Byzantine mosaics depicting biblical scenes and imperial figures such as Justinian I and Empress Theodora.
Nearby is the 5th-century tomb of Galla Placidia, with some of the oldest mosaics in the Western world stretching onto the walls, arches and ceilings. The highly decorative tiles depict flowers, stars, and biblical figures such as St. Lawrence, the apostles, and the evangelists, as well as Christ, clothed in gold and purple, seated among his flock. The atmosphere is peaceful and moving.
Another experience of Ravenna’s mosaic tradition is the nearby 6th-century Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, which features exquisite friezes of saints and martyrs.
Visit the old town’s candlelit Ca’ de Ven to stay true to its history, gastronomically.
How to get there: Ravenna is located in the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy.. Fly to Rome, Milan or Venice and take a train. Journey times range from two to four hours.
Where to stay: Bates Palace Hotel (Rooms from $200) Close to stunning attractions, it features smart rooms with free Wi-Fi, a spa with hammam and a sun terrace.
Read more: Best budget hotel in Rome with central location and nice budget rooms