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If you’re planning a trip to Italy soon, Rome, Venice and Florence are three cities you absolutely must visit.
There are some unique reasons to visit these incredibly beautiful cities: the fascinating history of Rome, the gorgeous canals of Venice, and the Renaissance art of Florence, not to mention the delicious Italian food you’re gonna find in all of them.
We have visited these three Italian cities many times, and we never get tired of them.
Let’s take a look at a few of each city’s top attractions and check out what makes them so special and worth combining the three of them on a great Italian tour. And keep in mind that these cities are perfect destinations for a city break in Europe.
Impressive Rome
The Colosseum: Rome is famous for its history as one of the greatest empires that has ever existed. What better place to experience all this history than the Colosseum itself? Once, this was the site of bloody battles and chariot races. Today, it’s a major tourist attraction and even though it hasn’t been used for centuries, the structure is mostly intact.
This is a must-see for anyone who appreciates history, but it can be a bit overwhelming to plan and see it all. Here is a guide on how to visit the Colosseum that can help you book the tickets and plan your hours visiting this incredible Italian landmark.
The Sistine Chapel: you can find the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, which is located in Rome. Widely considered one of the greatest artistic achievements in human history, the Sistine Chapel is something every art lover deserves to see. Along with its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo, the Sistine Chapel also contains brilliant frescoes made by artists such as Botticelli and Ghirlandaio. Visiting this Chapel is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you don’t want to miss it.
The Pantheon: originally built as a place to worship the Roman gods, the Pantheon dates back 120 AD. It was also the largest dome in the world for many centuries and a burial place for many Roman kings. Because it’s been used for various purposes throughout history, it’s one of the best-preserved buildings of Ancient Rome.
To see all these and much more follow our 2-day Rome itinerary here, we crafted this itinerary with the best of the city, and I’m sure you will love it.
Rome is worth visiting not only because of its attractions but also its food. For an unforgettable experience look for the best restaurants in Rome and eat your way through the city.
Once in Rome, you might want to go a bit South and explore beautiful Naples. Find out more about where to stay in Naples here. And a bit further is the Amalfi Coast, you can easily travel from Naples to Positano for a day trip.
Romantic Venice
Saint Mark’s Square: one of the best places to start your adventures in Venice is in Saint Mark’s Square. This famous piazza has been the site of many important historical events. From here, you can find your way to many of Venice’s top attractions, including Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. It’s also a wonderful place to simply get lost and wander around. As it’s a site that holds so many beautiful works of architecture it can keep you entertained for hours.
Saint Mark’s Basilica: Saint Mark’s Basilica is one of the most famous religious buildings in Italy and it’s also one of the most visited attractions in Venice. If you’ve ever wanted to see some Byzantine architecture up close, this is the most perfect example of it. Besides being a beautiful work of architecture itself, the church also contains many fantastic works of art which includes over 8,000 square meters of mosaics, a truly magnificent site that you can’t afford to miss.
The Grand Canal: as you probably know, the city of Venice is made of hundreds of canals and the Grand Canal is the largest one. This massive waterway stretches from one side of the city to the other and before you leave Venice, you should go on a ride down the canal on a gondola. This is a marvelous way to see the city, and it’s a ride unlike anything else you’ll see anywhere. As you go down the Grand Canal, you’ll pass by nearly 200 buildings, some of which have been around for centuries.
If are still in doubt if you should visit Venice or any other famous city in Italy, I can convince you easily. Here are 85 quotes about Italy to inspire you even more.
Artistic Florence
Duomo di Firenze: the Duomo is one of Florence’s most iconic landmarks. The construction took 140 years to be completed and it is a truly breathtaking sight to behold. The interior, as a contrast, is surprisingly sparse but still worth seeing, it holds frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari. There are also 44 stained glass windows and on top of all this, you can go up the cathedral’s famous dome. This is will give you an indescribably beautiful view of the gorgeous city of Florence.
The Uffizi Gallery: the Uffizi Gallery is one of the world’s first modern museums. To this day, it’s one of the most famous and most visited museums in Florence and in the world. It’s well-known for its collections of priceless Renaissance art. Some of these include The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, Bacchus by Caravaggio, and Madonna of the Goldfinch by Raphael. Of course, the Uffizi isn’t limited to just the Renaissance. It also contains works from Ancient Greece all the way to the 18th century. It’s a truly magnificent museum and something art lovers have to see.
The Accademia Gallery: for those of you who can’t get enough of Renaissance art, you should also check out the Accademia Gallery. This museum is famous for being the home of Michelangelo’s David, which is possibly his greatest work. It also contains many of his other sculptures, including the harrowing Prigioni. There you can also find paintings by other Renaissance artists such as Botticelli, Lippi and Ghirlandaio.
Of course, this is only a small sample of what makes Rome, Venice and Florence unforgettable cities. Start planning your Eurotrip today and see for yourself what makes them must-see destinations in Italy and in Europe. For more travel tips read our Accommodation Guide and Travel Planning Resource. And if you want to travel in style here is your packing guide for Europe.
