75 Beautiful Bucket List Destinations in Italy to Fall in Love With

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Italy, a country where every corner tells a story, invites travelers to embark on unforgettable adventures.

Verona in Italy

From snow-capped Alps to Mediterranean islands, Renaissance cities to coastal paradises, these 75 bucket list destinations in Italy capture the essence of La Dolce Vita.

Whether you dream of gliding through Venetian canals, or standing before Rome’s ancient wonders, this curated list will guide you through Italy’s best destinations.

75 Bucket List Destinations in Italy to Visit

Here are the 75 best destinations to visit in Italy sorted by region to make it easier for you.

Bucket List Destinations in Northern Italy:

1. Venice: Floating city with winding canals, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and romantic gondola rides.

Venice in italy

2. Burano: Rainbow-hued fishing island famous for handmade lace, technicolor houses, and fresh seafood.

3. Murano: Legendary glass-making island where master artisans create spectacular works in historic furnaces.

4. Milan: Fashion capital boasting the magnificent Gothic Duomo, Leonardo’s Last Supper, and world-class shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Milan Duomo, Italy, Best Food tours in Milan Italy

5. Lake Como: Glamorous lake retreat with Renaissance villas, stunning gardens, and mountain views.

6. Turin: Elegant city with royal Savoy palaces, world’s second-largest Egyptian museum, historic cafes, and chocolate heritage.

7. Cinque Terre: Five colorful coastal villages linked by scenic hiking trails. Postcard-perfect harbors, terraced vineyards, and crystal waters.

Manarola In Cinque Terre in Spring

8. Dolomites: Dramatic mountain range offering world-class skiing, hiking, and climbing.

9. Verona: Romeo and Juliet’s city featuring Roman arena, medieval squares, summer opera festival, and romantic atmosphere.

Verona Italy

10. Padua: University town housing Giotto’s revolutionary frescoes in Scrovegni Chapel, historic botanical garden, and vibrant squares.

11. Bergamo: Medieval hilltop city with spectacular Città Alta (upper town), Venetian walls, ornate churches, and funicular access.

12. Portofino: Luxurious fishing village turned celebrity haven with pastel houses, yacht-filled harbor, and clifftop castle.

Portofino harbour in Italy

13. Lake Maggiore: Alpine lake featuring Borromean Islands’ baroque palaces, exotic gardens, and Belle Époque resorts.

14. Genoa: Historic maritime republic with Europe’s largest medieval center, ornate palazzi, grand port, and birthplace of pesto.

15. Lake Garda: Italy’s largest lake surrounded by medieval castles, lemon groves, charming resort towns, and water sports.

View of lake garda in italy for a comparison post about whether you should visit lake Garda or lake como

16. Bologna: Culinary capital with medieval towers, world’s oldest university, endless porticoes, and legendary food markets.

17. Parma: Gastronomic paradise known for Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto, art-filled baptistery, and Correggio frescoes.

18. Modena: Home to Ferrari, world’s finest balsamic vinegar, Romanesque cathedral, and Osteria Francescana.

Modena

19. Ferrara: Renaissance jewel with moated Este castle, magnificent cathedral, and perfectly preserved medieval streets.

20. Ravenna: Byzantine splendor showcasing world’s finest mosaics, Dante’s tomb, and eight UNESCO World Heritage sites.


Bucket List Destinations in Central Italy:

21. Florence: Renaissance cradle featuring Michelangelo’s David, Uffizi masterpieces, iconic Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio bridge.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

22. Rome: Eternal City showcasing Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Forum ruins, and lively piazzas.

23. Siena: Medieval masterpiece with shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, striped cathedral, and legendary Palio horse race.

Further Reading: Best Things to do in Tuscany

24. Pisa: Home to iconic Leaning Tower, marble cathedral complex, and prestigious university.

best towns to visit in tuscany - Pisa with kids

25. San Gimignano: “Medieval Manhattan” with 14 surviving towers, world-champion gelato, and Vernaccia wine.

26. Val d’Orcia: Quintessential Tuscan landscape with cypress-lined roads, rolling hills, thermal springs, and wine estates.

27. Montepulciano: Hilltop wine town with grand Renaissance palaces, deep wine cellars, and sweeping valley views.

Montepulciano in Tuscany italy

28. Assisi: St. Francis’s hometown featuring stunning basilica frescoes, Roman ruins, and spiritual atmosphere.

29. Orvieto: Dramatic cliff-top city with golden-facade cathedral, underground caves, and Etruscan heritage.

Further Reading: Where to Go in Tuscany

30. Lucca: Perfectly preserved Renaissance walls, Puccini’s birthplace, tree-topped tower, and charming squares.

cozy cafe on the old streets of Italian cities - Lucca

31. Civita di Bagnoregio: “Dying City” perched on eroding volcanic rock, accessed only by footbridge.

32. Volterra: Etruscan hill town famous for alabaster crafts, Roman theater, and medieval atmosphere.

Volterra Tuscany Italy

33. Montalcino: Celebrated wine town producing Brunello, with 14th-century fortress and spectacular countryside.

34. Elba Island: Napoleon’s exile home offering beaches, hiking trails, and historic residences.

35. Saturnia: Natural thermal springs cascading over white travertine terraces in the Tuscan countryside.

Saturnia Hot Springs

36. Tivoli: Villa d’Este’s Renaissance gardens and fountains, Hadrian’s Villa ruins, and ancient olive groves.

37. San Marino: Microstate republic with three medieval towers crowning Mount Titano, duty-free shopping.

38. Urbino: Renaissance masterpiece with Ducal Palace, Raphael’s birthplace, and perfectly preserved historic center.

Urbino, Marche

39. Perugia: Etruscan-founded city known for chocolate festival, medieval fountains, and jazz festivals.

40. Vicenza: Palladian architectural masterpieces, Olympic Theater, and Monte Berico sanctuary.


Bucket List Destinations in Southern Italy:

41. Amalfi Coast: Dramatic coastline with pastel towns, lemon groves, and scenic Path of the Gods hike.

Positano, Amalfi Coast Italy

42. Naples: Vibrant city with underground catacombs, best pizza, Baroque churches, and Archaeological Museum.

43. Pompeii: Perfectly preserved Roman city frozen in time by Vesuvius’s eruption.

44. Matera: Ancient cave dwellings (sassi), rock churches, and James Bond film locations.

Matera

45. Paestum: Best-preserved Greek temples outside Greece, buffalo mozzarella farms.

46. Lecce: “Florence of the South” with ornate Baroque architecture and Roman amphitheater.

47. Sorrento: Coastal town famous for limoncello, inlaid wood, and Gulf of Naples views.

Sorrento Italy

48. Gallipoli: Historic island-town with beaches, fishing port, and ancient olive oil wells.

49. Otranto: Easternmost Italian city with stunning cathedral floor mosaic and Turkish defensive walls.

50. Alberobello: Unique trulli houses with conical roofs, UNESCO heritage site.

Traditional trulli houses in Alberobello, province Bari, region

51. Caserta: Italy’s largest royal palace with spectacular gardens rivaling Versailles.

52. Ostuni: “White City” with lime-washed medieval center and olive-grove surroundings.

53. Polignano a Mare: Dramatic cliff-side town with caves, beach cove, and poetry-lined streets.

54. Maratea: “City of 44 Churches” with Christ the Redeemer statue and pristine coastline.


Bucket List Destinations in Sicily:

55. Taormina: Glamorous resort town with Greek theater, Mt. Etna views, and cable car to beaches.

Taormina, Sicily

56. Palermo: Arab-Norman architecture, vibrant markets, puppet theaters, and street food.

57. Syracuse: Ancient Greek capital with archaeological park, Ortigia island, and Caravaggio masterpieces.

58. Agrigento: Valley of Temples featuring best-preserved Greek temples outside Greece.

Temple of Concordia Agrigento with Kids in Sicily

59. Catania: Baroque city built from volcanic stone, with famous fish market and street food.

60. Noto: Baroque architectural symphony in golden limestone, famous for granita.

Further Reading: Best Things to do in Sicily

61. Ragusa: Split-level Baroque city with stunning views and Michelin-starred restaurants.

An underrated town in Italy Ragusa Ibla

62. Modica: Famous chocolate-making town with dramatic location and Baroque churches.

63. Cefalù: Norman cathedral, perfect beach, and picturesque fishing port.

Cefalu Sicily Italy

64. Mt. Etna: Europe’s largest active volcano offering skiing, wine tasting, and lunar landscapes.

65. Aeolian Islands: Volcanic archipelago with black beaches, thermal springs, and active craters.


Bucket List Destinations in Sardinia:

66. Costa Smeralda: Emerald waters, luxury yachts, and pristine beaches of Porto Cervo.

Best Island in the World - Sardinia, Italy

67. La Maddalena Archipelago: Pink beaches, crystal waters, and Napoleon’s historic residence.

68. Alghero: Catalan-flavored city with coral jewelry, ancient walls, and Neptune’s Grotto.

69. Cagliari: Historic capital with flamingo-filled lagoons, Roman amphitheater, and hilltop citadel.

Cagliari Sardinia Italy

70. Neptune’s Grotto: Spectacular seaside cave system accessed by boat or scenic stairway.


Bucket List Destinations – Italian Islands:

71. Capri: Glamorous island with Blue Grotto, designer shopping, Faraglioni rocks, and Roman villas.

Best Island to Visit in Italy - Capri

72. Ischia: Thermal spa paradise with medieval castle, gardens, and volcanic mud baths.

Further Reading: Best Islands in Italy

73. Procida: Authentic fishing island with colorful harbor, hidden beaches, and film locations.

74. Lampedusa: Africa’s closest Italian territory with turquoise waters and pristine beaches.

Lampedusa Italy

75. Pantelleria: Volcanic island with Arabic gardens, thermal vents, and sweet Passito wine.


Final Thoughts on Italy Bucket List Destinations

From the enchanting canals of Venice to the sun-soaked shores of Sicily, these 75 bucket list destinations capture the magic of Italy.

Ready to experience the country’s timeless beauty, rich culture, and unforgettable landscapes? Let our Italy Travel Guide turn your Italian dreams into reality.

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Jolene Ejmont

Originally from South Africa, now living in Australia, Jolene is a wife and a mother to three beautiful daughters. Together with her family, she is embarking on a journey towards changing her current stress-filled life to one focusing on her dreams and her passion for travel. She wants to share her stories in the hope to inspire you to chase your own dreams!