Been Around Italy? These Are 6 Places I’d Gladly Revisit, And 2 I’d Pass On Next Time
Italy stole my heart with its incredible mix of history, food, and breathtaking scenery. After exploring this boot-shaped country from north to south, I’ve had some truly magical experiences – and a few that didn’t quite live up to the hype.
Here’s my honest take on which Italian spots deserve a second visit and which ones I’d skip on my next Italian adventure.
1. Florence’s Artistic Soul Captured My Heart
Walking through Florence felt like stepping into a living art museum. Around every corner, Renaissance masterpieces and architectural wonders waited to surprise me. The food scene alone deserves multiple visits – I still dream about the bistecca alla fiorentina I enjoyed at a tiny trattoria near the Arno River.
Even with crowds of tourists, the city maintains its authentic charm. What truly won me over was how walkable everything is, letting you discover hidden courtyards and local spots that guidebooks miss.
2. Cinque Terre’s Colorful Coastal Magic
My jaw literally dropped when I first saw those famous colorful houses clinging to the cliffs above the Mediterranean. Each of the five villages has its own personality, connected by scenic hiking trails and a charming local train.
Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Manarola and watching sunset in Vernazza rank among my favorite travel memories ever. The seafood is incredibly fresh – I had the best anchovies of my life here.
Despite summer crowds, the natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere make this place worth revisiting in different seasons.
3. Rome’s Eternal Charm Never Fades
They call it the Eternal City for good reason – I could visit Rome a hundred times and still discover something new. Throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain and wandering through the Forum connected me to thousands of years of history.
Beyond the major sites, I fell in love with Trastevere’s winding streets and neighborhood restaurants where locals outnumbered tourists. The gelato alone is worth returning for – I had three scoops daily without regret! Even with its big-city bustle, Rome feels surprisingly intimate once you escape the main tourist zones.
4. Tuscan Countryside’s Timeless Beauty
Nothing prepared me for the rolling hills of Tuscany, where cypress-lined roads lead to medieval hilltop towns that seem frozen in time. My rented Fiat and I explored tiny villages where elderly locals still gather in the piazza each evening.
Wine tasting at small family vineyards around Montepulciano and Montalcino offered not just incredible Brunellos but also genuine connections with passionate winemakers. The sunflower fields in summer created postcard-perfect scenes at every turn.
This landscape has a way of slowing down time that my busy life desperately needs more of.
5. Venice’s Mysterious Allure at Dawn
Venice gets a bad rap for crowds, but I discovered its true magic by exploring at sunrise. The empty calli (narrow streets) and misty canals created an almost mystical experience before the day-trippers arrived.
Getting lost is actually the best way to experience Venice – I stumbled upon tiny workshops where artisans still craft masks and glass by hand. A local taught me to order cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and spritz like a true Venetian, away from the tourist traps.
Though expensive and sometimes overwhelmed by visitors, Venice’s dreamlike beauty is something I need to experience again.
6. Sicily’s Raw Authenticity Surprised Me
Sicily wasn’t initially on my must-visit list, but it ended up being the most authentic Italian experience I had. The island feels like its own country with Greek temples, Arab influences, and Norman castles telling its complex history.
Markets in Palermo burst with colors and flavors I’d never encountered before. Locals welcomed me with incredible hospitality despite my broken Italian. The beaches rival any Mediterranean hotspot but without the pretension or high prices.
Add in Mount Etna’s dramatic landscapes and the best street food in Italy, and Sicily demands a longer return visit.
7. Milan’s Cold Commercialism Left Me Underwhelmed
I wanted to love Milan, but it felt more like an expensive shopping mall than the Italy I had fallen for elsewhere. Beyond the magnificent Duomo and Last Supper painting, the city seemed to lack the warmth and character I found in other Italian destinations.
Restaurants catered more to business expense accounts than passionate food lovers. The prices shocked me – I paid more for mediocre meals here than for exceptional dining experiences in other regions.
While fashion enthusiasts might disagree, I found Milan’s polished corporate vibe disconnected from the soulful Italy I cherish.
8. Pisa’s One-Trick Tourist Trap
Yes, the Leaning Tower is genuinely impressive in person – for about five minutes. Then you realize the entire city seems built around selling tower-shaped souvenirs and overpriced meals to day-trippers.
I found myself done with Pisa in under two hours, surrounded by thousands of tourists all taking the same forced-perspective photo. The nearby attractions felt like afterthoughts, and authentic local culture was hard to find among the souvenir stands.
With so many charming Tuscan towns nearby offering genuine experiences, I’d skip Pisa’s tourist circus and spend those precious Italian vacation hours elsewhere.