8 Italian Destinations I'd Visit Again

Italy stole my heart years ago with its incredible food, stunning architecture, and rich history. After multiple trips exploring everything from busy cities to quiet coastal towns, I’ve formed some strong opinions!

Some places exceeded my expectations and left me eager to return, while others simply didn’t live up to the hype. Here’s my honest take on which Italian destinations deserve a second visit—and which ones I’d skip next time.

1. Florence: A Renaissance Dream Worth Revisiting

Every corner of Florence feels like stepping into a Renaissance painting. My first glimpse of the terracotta-domed Duomo literally took my breath away, and the feeling never faded during my entire stay.

The Uffizi Gallery houses masterpieces that photos simply can’t do justice. I spent hours wandering between Botticelli’s works, completely losing track of time.

Walking across the Ponte Vecchio at sunset, watching the Arno River turn golden, convinced me that some places truly deserve multiple visits in one lifetime.

2. Bologna: The Underrated Food Capital I’d Return To Tomorrow

Most tourists rush through Bologna on their way to more famous cities, but this mistake worked in my favor! With fewer crowds, I discovered the authentic food scene that locals treasure.

Fresh pasta shops line the streets where artisans still make tortellini by hand. The rich, meaty ragù here makes every spaghetti bolognese I’ve had elsewhere taste like an imposter.

Under the city’s medieval porticoes, I found cozy wine bars serving Lambrusco alongside platters of mortadella—an experience that haunts my food dreams to this day.

3. Cinque Terre: Colorful Cliffside Villages That Deserve The Hype

Despite the crowds, Cinque Terre’s five villages clinging to impossible cliffs above turquoise waters stole my heart completely. Hiking between towns on ancient pathways offered views that no photo could possibly capture.

Vernazza, with its natural harbor and castle ruins, became my favorite spot for evening aperitivo. Watching fishing boats return as the sun set behind dramatic cliffs felt magical.

Swimming in crystal clear water beneath colorful buildings stacked like Legos against the hillside made me promise myself I’d return someday—preferably in the quieter shoulder season.

4. Matera: The Ancient Cave City That Left Me Speechless

Hidden in southern Italy, Matera’s sassi (cave dwellings) date back 9,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on earth. Walking through these stone streets at dawn felt like time travel.

My hotel room was carved directly into the rock, with modern luxuries somehow blending perfectly with the prehistoric setting. The contrast was both jarring and wonderful.

From certain viewpoints, the entire city appears as a jumble of stone rising organically from the ravine. This UNESCO site transformed from Italy’s “national shame” to a cultural treasure in just a few decades.

5. Sicily’s Southeastern Coast: A Baroque Paradise Without The Crowds

Far from the tourist trail, Sicily’s southeastern towns like Noto, Ragusa and Modica showcase the most spectacular Baroque architecture I’ve ever seen. After an earthquake destroyed the region in 1693, it was entirely rebuilt in a unified honey-colored Baroque style.

Wandering Noto’s streets at golden hour, the buildings literally glowed. Every church facade seemed more elaborate than the last, yet somehow without feeling excessive.

The local cuisine blends Arab, Spanish and Italian influences into something entirely unique. I still dream about the chocolate from Modica, made using ancient Aztec techniques preserved for centuries.

6. Umbrian Hill Towns: The Tuscan Experience Without Tuscan Prices

Just east of Tuscany lies Umbria, where medieval towns perch atop hills surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Here I found all the charm of Tuscany but with half the tourists and significantly lower prices.

Orvieto, built on a massive rock outcropping, became my favorite base. The striped cathedral facade stopped me in my tracks, while underground caves revealed an entire subterranean city.

Local trattorias served wild boar pasta and wines I’d never heard of for astonishingly reasonable prices. The authentic, unhurried atmosphere made me feel like I’d discovered a secret Italy that mass tourism hadn’t yet transformed.

7. Lake Como: Celebrity Spotting And Jaw-Dropping Mountain Views

Despite its reputation as a celebrity playground, Lake Como surprised me with its accessibility and genuine charm. Taking the ferry between lakeside villages offered constantly changing perspectives of the dramatic scenery.

Villa gardens burst with azaleas and camellias against the backdrop of snowcapped Alps. I spent hours wandering through these perfectly manicured grounds, pretending I owned the place.

The lake’s microclimate supports palm trees and tropical plants despite being so close to the mountains. This unexpected juxtaposition created some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve seen anywhere in the world.

8. Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda: Caribbean-Blue Waters In The Mediterranean

If someone blindfolded me and dropped me on a Sardinian beach, I’d swear I was in the Caribbean. The water clarity and color gradient from turquoise to deep blue is simply unmatched in Europe.

Granite rock formations sculpted by wind create natural artwork along the coastline. Some beaches require short hikes to reach, rewarding the effort with complete solitude even in high season.

While the Costa Smeralda gets expensive in summer, I found affordable spots by staying just a few kilometers inland. The perfect compromise allowed me to experience some of the Mediterranean’s most stunning beaches without the celebrity price tag.

9. Venice: Beautiful But Drowning In Tourists

My expectations for Venice were impossibly high, which partly explains my disappointment. The canals and architecture are undeniably beautiful, but the crushing crowds made it nearly impossible to appreciate them.

Moving through narrow streets felt like being in a human conveyor belt. Finding authentic, reasonably priced food proved challenging in a city where most restaurants cater exclusively to tourists.

Perhaps visiting during off-season might change my perspective, but my summer experience left me feeling that Venice has sacrificed its soul to mass tourism. The magical city I’d imagined existed only in early morning hours before the day-trippers arrived.

10. Pisa: One Tower Doesn’t Make A Destination

My entire Pisa experience can be summarized in 30 minutes: arrive, take the obligatory photo “holding up” the Leaning Tower, look around at thousands of others doing exactly the same thing, then leave. The famous tower itself is impressive, but the surrounding area felt like a tourist trap.

Souvenir shops selling identical merchandise lined every approach to the main square. Restaurants nearby charged outrageous prices for mediocre food, knowing tourists would pay anyway.

With so many amazing destinations in Tuscany, spending more than a quick photo stop in Pisa seemed wasteful. Next time, I’ll admire it from the train window as I pass through to somewhere more rewarding.

11. Capri: Overpriced And Overrated Island Escape

From the moment I stepped off the ferry in Capri, my wallet started hemorrhaging money. The island’s reputation as a luxury destination means even basic services come with astronomical price tags.

The famous Blue Grotto involved a two-hour wait for a five-minute experience. Tour boats pack visitors in like sardines, and guides pressure you for large tips afterward.

While the scenery has undeniable beauty, nearby islands like Ischia offer similar landscapes with more authentic atmosphere and reasonable prices. Capri felt like it exists primarily as a status symbol rather than a place to genuinely enjoy Italian coastal culture.

12. Milan: All Style But Little Substance

Fashion-forward Milan left me feeling surprisingly underwhelmed. Beyond the magnificent Duomo and Last Supper fresco, the city offers limited cultural experiences compared to other Italian destinations.

High-end shopping districts cater to luxury consumers, creating an atmosphere that feels more international than distinctly Italian. Many neighborhoods could be mistaken for any modern European business center.

The food scene, while good, doesn’t showcase the regional specialties that make Italian cuisine so beloved. For the same travel time and budget, cities like Turin or Verona offer more authentic northern Italian experiences with equally impressive architecture but more distinctive character.

13. Pompeii: Fascinating History Ruined By Poor Management

Few archaeological sites have Pompeii’s potential, which makes its terrible visitor experience all the more disappointing. Minimal signage leaves most visitors confused about what they’re seeing without an expensive private guide.

Many of the most interesting buildings remain closed to the public with no explanation. Those that are open often suffer from damage caused by uncontrolled tourist access and inadequate conservation efforts.

The site lacks basic amenities like sufficient water fountains or shade, making summer visits physically uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. Nearby Herculaneum offers a better-preserved and better-managed alternative with a fraction of the crowds.

14. Positano: Instagram Famous But Logistically Nightmarish

Those iconic images of pastel buildings cascading down cliffs don’t show the reality of visiting Positano. The vertical layout means endless stair climbing in sweltering heat, with no accessible alternatives for those with mobility issues.

Beach space comes at a premium, with most requiring rental fees for loungers that cost more than a nice dinner elsewhere in Italy. Restaurants with sea views charge accordingly, regardless of food quality.

The narrow roads create traffic jams that can turn a 20-minute drive into a 2-hour ordeal during high season. Nearby towns like Praiano or Atrani offer similar Amalfi Coast beauty with significantly fewer headaches and lower prices.