These cities in Italy are serving up some serious looks.
It’s no secret: Italy is home to some of the most beautiful global sights. With the wealth of history and art, there’s no wonder it’s the fifth most visited country in the world. These spectacular views are not exclusive to the countryside, but found in cities and coastlines as well. While it may not be the happiest according to world reports, the scenery alone is certainly enough to make it look like it is.
Verona
Shakespeare’s famous rendering of this romantic city has brought Verona enormous fame. You can find Juliet’s balcony and wall of letters along the Casa di Giulietta – the former home of the Cappello family – which served as the inspiration for the Capulets. Those who don’t identify as literary junkies will agree that the city has an abundance of views which speak for themselves. Artistic heritage is evident throughout the city, including: Ponte di Pietra, Piazza del Erbe, Ponte Scaligero, and the Arena… simply to name just a few. These gothic medieval structures arrange themselves around the Adige River to make for one exceptionally stunning stage.
Florence
This city is fondly referred to as “the Athens of the Middle Age,” and known for its celebration of art – past and present – through a wealth of well-preserved historical monuments. While museums and art galleries are prevalent, many of the real sights can be found on the streets. In the whole of the city, there is not one single street free from the rich markings of artistic and political history. This makes it nearly impossible to observe everything completely and all at once, though there are truly some unmissable sights, such as: the Ponte Vecchio, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Baptistery of ST. John, Porte Sente, Palazzo Vecchio, Basilica di San Miniato al Monte, Piazzale Michelangelo, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens and the Uffizi. Nonetheless, it’s nice to know that even in the furthest corners, you’re a part of this breathing, vibrant city.
Venice
This ancient “floating city” is considered to be one of most famous destinations in Italy since it was built around waterways, rather than the land. The area is built around a hundred small islands, which are separated entirely by canals. These are connected only by bridges, and can range from several steps to hundreds of feet in length. While this should probably speak for itself, it’s noteworthy that Venice accommodates breathtaking architecture, as is found especially in St. Marks Square. It is also home to the Venice Carnival, the world-famous festival celebrated through elaborate and colorful masks.
Cinque Terre
“Five Towns,” as we call it, is a string of fishing villages high on the Italian Riviera in the region of Liguria. Each of these hamlets – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – are connected by a system of ancient footpaths, but can be more easily reached by boat. Over several centuries, inhabitants have carefully built terraces to cultivate grapes and olives on the rugged, steep landscape. These colorful, vibrant houses collect over coastline cliffs to overlook the Mediterranean Sea. It makes for one of the most striking views, whether you’re facing the water or harbor.
Naples
This third largest city in Italy is known for its spectacular cuisine. Naples is overlooked by Mount Vesuvius (yes, that volcano) on one side, and surrounded by clear Tyrrhenian waters on the other. The city’s cathedral, the Duomo di San Gennaro, is filled with beautiful frescos, and the lavishly constructed Castel Nuovo depicts an architectural classic against the bright blue sea. Ancient ruins are abundant across the city, particularly in the decay of elegant palaces and medieval castles. If one so chooses, they can reach Pompeii quite easily from there.
