12 Best Reasons To Visit Italy

There are so many amazing reasons to visit Italy. In all honesty, there are too many! If I were to list ALL the best reasons to visit Italy, we’d be here all week. But I’ll narrow it down for you and share some of the top reasons as to why I love Italy.

As a true Italian born and raised in Italy, maybe I’m a little biased. That said, I’m not the only one who thinks this way about my home country.

Italy continues to be ranked as one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Rome and Milan both made CNN’s list of the top 20 cities to visit. Rome and Florence are mentioned in the U.S. News ranking of the best vacation spots.

Furthermore, according to the World Popular Review, Italy was the sixth most visited country in the world in 2019 (and stays around there to this day).

As you can see, it’s not only my bias that makes me want to gush about Italy’s grandeur and splendor. So, what exactly about Italy that draws tourists from all over the world year after year?

As an Italian and an avid traveler, I’m here to share the top reasons to visit Italy! Ready to learn all about the magic behind the mouth-watering pizzas and high-fashion cities?

My post How To Plan A Trip To Italy shares important information on how to effectively plan your trip.

12 Top Reasons To Visit Italy

Pizza, pasta, and cuisine

Why visit Italy, you ask? Pizza, of course!

While I think Italian food is the best food in the world, it’s not the best reason to visit Italy. However, when most people ask about Italy and start planning a trip to Italy, food is usually the first thing on their mind (or at least, one of the first), and I understand why.

If you’re a fan of pizza and pasta, you’ll be in heaven here. Our pizza might not be what you’re used to. For example, it’s a far cry from what many people in the U.S.A. think of when they think of pizza.

For example, pepperoni pizza in Italy is usually pizza with bell peppers (we use the word “peperoni” to refer to bell peppers). If you want American pepperoni pizza, you’ll have to order pizza with salami (that’s salame in Italian).

The pizza is also always made with fresh ingredients, depending on where you have you will have a very thin crust, or a thicker one (that’s my personal favorite), and little to no grease.

It’s not uncommon for Italians to go to a restaurant, order an entire pizza, and enjoy every last bite while chatting with friends – which is also easier because our pizza crust is thinner than it is in the US, the dough is made with natural yeast, and we don’t overload the pizza with toppings (this means the pizza is actually much lighter than American style pizza).

But it’s not all about the delicious pizza, either (that’s a common myth about Italian food). Gelato is another Italian specialty that’s earned international recognition. And there’s no question Italy is home to the best gelato in the world. Look for spots that have very few flavors as those are generally the ones that sell the best gelato.

What about pasta then? Let me start by saying that each region – actually, each city – has its very own local pasta dishes. Don’t expect to go to Rome and find tagliatelle alla bolognese on the menu, as they are typical of Bologna. Likewise, you won’t really find carbonara in Bologna, as that is typical of Rome.

What’s ubiquitous, however, is how delicious pasta is in Italy. It’s always cooked al dente (with a bit of a bite) and with just enough sauce to make it mouthwatering without being too heavy.

No matter which foods pique your interest, make sure you come to Italy hungry!

Abundance of history and culture

The unique and abundant Italian history and culture are one of the top reasons to visit Italy, especially if you’re a history nerd like me.

Italy’s human history goes back over 850,000 years and was also the center of the ancient Roman civilization. With such a long, complex, and ever-changing history, it’s no surprise that history alone is a great reason to plan a trip to Italy.

There are many great places to visit in Italy and so many incredible landmarks. As you likely already know, Rome is a hotspot for history lovers. The Roman civilization began in a small village on the Tiber River. It paved the way for many languages, technologies, inventions, religions, cultures, and so much more.

Nowadays, you can visit Rome and walk through the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon and the Domus Aurea (Nero’s Golden Home), and so much more.

However, Italian culture isn’t exclusive to Rome and ancient Roman civilization. Italy is so rich in culture and diversity that it’s shocking. There are actually 12 recognized minority languages in Italy, and even more dialects and accents.

One of the best ways to explore the various cultures and traditions is to attend one of the many Italian festivals. We love our festivals, and tourists do too. Each region, city, town and sometimes even village has its own festivals and variations of celebrations.

Carnevale (Carnival) is one of the most popular festivals in Italy, and there are celebrations going on around Easter weekend in every village, city, and town. There are also more regional festivals, like Game of the Bridge in Pisa and Regata Festival in Venice, or Sant’Efisio in Cagliari.

Natural and architectural beauty

If you’re traveling to Italy for the scenery, you’re in for a treat. There are two sides to this coin in Italy: the natural beauty and the architectural wonders found throughout many Italian cities.

Italy is truly a paradise for nature lovers. In the north, you have the Dolomites, with some of the best hiking trails, epic viewpoints in the summertime, and fast-paced and exhilarating skiing trails that’ll put Aspen to shame in the winter.

You also have magnificent coastal and island areas. The Almafi Coast is world-renowned for some of the best ocean viewpoints in the world, complete with rugged cliffs and colorful fishing villages. You also have hidden gems like Sardinia (my current home), on the Mediterranean Sea, with its incredible scenery.

While natural beauty is worthy of mention, so is the architectural beauty found throughout all cities and villages.

Rome, Florence, and Venice are all known for incredible architecture. Rome has historical and cultural ties, Venice has the unique beauty of the waterway and Gothic architecture, and Florence has its iconic display of Renaissance architecture.

Whether you’re focused on natural beauty or architectural art, Italy has something for you, and that’s also one of the reasons why you should visit Italy as soon as possible!

“Tropical” Italian beaches

Okay, maybe Italian beaches aren’t tropical, and you can’t go to the beach and swim year round. But if you visit at the right time and go to the right places, it’s actually a great place for a beach getaway, and in fact some of the beaches in Italy are actually way more beautiful than “tropical” ones.

Italy doesn’t come across as a beach destination, but us locals love our beaches, and I genuinely think we have some of the best beaches in the world, or at least in Europe.

The Italian Riviera is a stretch of coast northwest of Italy, from the Italian-French border to the Tuscan border. Genoa is perhaps the most well-known city on the Riviera and has some popular beaches.

There’s an international airport in Genoa and a central train station that connects to all major Italian cities, including Rome, Venice, and Florence.

Camogli is also a little hidden gem in the Italian Riviera. It’s a colorful fishing village with everything you want in a little beach town. And of course there are all the Cinque Terre villages, with their small beaches (the most famous one is Fegina in Monterosso al Mare).

Away from the Italian Riviera, there are a lot of options, as well. The small towns of the Amalfi Coast all have their own beach with blue waters; and there are gorgeous beaches in the Riviera del Conero in the Marche region, in Puglia (especially in the Salento), in Sicily.

Then of course, there’s Sardinia, my beloved island. Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean (the largest is Sicily) and it has so much culture, pazazz, good cuisine, and, of course, great beaches. The two pictures above were both taken in Sardinia. So you get the picture – yes: our beaches are actually better than tropical ones!

My post The Most Beautiful Beaches In Italy highlights the unmissable beaches in the various Italian regions.

Italian language

Many students and language learners also come to Italy to practice Italian. Obviously, it’s the best place in the world to tone up your Italian. But one of the best things about Italy is how friendly and helpful most people are.

So, if you’re practicing Italian, no matter your level, many people will have a lot of patience and want to help. Although, you don’t need to speak Italian to get around.

If you’re not practicing your Italian, that’s okay. You can still enjoy our language! You don’t necessarily need Italian to get around, especially if it is a popular tourist destination – most Italians speak at least some English, especially among the younger generations. However, you can still enjoy the melodic rhythm of the language from afar.

Wine, coffee, and other drinks

I’m sure everyone loves Italian pizza and pasta, but travelers also love our drinks.

Let’s start with wine. The Tuscany vineyards are some of the most famous in the world, but honestly, the wine is also good elsewhere. I am a fan of Piedmont wines (Barolo, anyone?), as well as Franciacorta (I actually prefer it to Champagne!).

There are even wine-tasting events throughout Italy. Cantine Aperte in Serdiana (Sardinia) is a really fun wine fair. Participants pay a set price, get a glass and can visit all the vineyards in the area and sample their wines.

And of course, you don’t have to wait for a wine festival to try our wines: you can enjoy wine tasting experiences at many wineries around the country, there are lots of enoteche (wine bars) and any good restaurant will have a great selection too.

Next, we have coffee. Italy doesn’t produce coffee beans, but we know how to roast the beans and pour the perfect cup of coffee. A nice, warm cup of cappuccino in the morning is probably the most popular coffee drink in Italy, and after lunch or in the afternoon we always enjoy espresso.

Finally, you must sample Aperol Spritz, one of Italy’s most famous cocktails. It’s made from Aperol, Prosecco wine, and soda water. It’s the perfect beachy beverage, but you’ll find it all over Italy and Europe.

There’s no question that Italians know how to eat and drink, making this another reason to visit.

Observe the lifestyle to live longer

Italy is home to Sardinia, one of five Blue Zones worldwide. A Blue Zone is defined as an area or region where people are determined to live significantly longer than the rest (with some living to be 100 years old and even more).

Many aspects make a Blue Zone healthier than most societies, including afternoon naps, regular physical activities, and a good diet. Sardinia, Italy, is an excellent spot to observe this.

You can try the food, see what the community is like, and maybe take some notes to help improve your overall quality of life!

Maybe one little visit to Sardinia won’t make you live longer, but who knows? It just might. And anyway, it’ll give you a fresh perspective!

Good train and transportation system

One of the best things about visiting Italy is how easy it is to get around. It’s not the best public transportation in the world, but it’s certainly more efficient than the United States or Mexico.

You can get almost anywhere by train, from Italy to Europe. There are two types of trains: high-speed trains and slower regional services. Sometimes, flying is the fastest and most convenient option, but you technically don’t have to step foot on a plane while in mainland Italy (you obviously do if you want to reach Sardinia, though).

A lot of people also rent a car to explore Italy. This is much more conveient, as things are faster and you have more flexibility and freedom. Still, it isn’t necessary, especially if you visit major tourist cities and Italian attractions.

Fashion capital of the world

Milan is known as one of the four fashion capitals of the world (it shares the title with Paris, New York City, and London). So, Milan draws fashionistas from all over the world every year.

There are major fashion shows, events, and activities. There are incredible shopping malls in all major cities in Italy – though most of us prefer heading to the city center to shop as that’s where the best boutiques are located.

Honestly, there are a lot of really fashionable people (especially in the cities). So, this is oa reason to visit for designers and fashion enthusiasts.

But even if you aren’t into high fashion and all that hoopla, it’s still a great place for even low-key shopping.

For example, Via Toledo in Naples is one of the most fascinating shopping streets. The street is about 1.2 km (.74 miles) long and filled with souvenirs, gifts, handmade crafts, and other goods to bring home. Via Toledo dates back to the 1500s, so it’s also littered with interesting historical monuments.

Home to some of the loveliest people you’ll meet

If the culture, nature, and magnificent cities aren’t enough reasons to visit Italy, maybe the people are.

Italians are some of the best and kindest people you’ll find anywhere. We value relationships and connections, and this shows in our interactions with others. There’s also usually a very tight-nit, welcoming vibe, especially in smaller cities.

Family is of great importance, and friends are equally as important. You will see us sitting at cafés, in parks, at a restaurant or simply going for a walk, engaged in conversation as if we haven’t met for a long time when in reality we talk to our family and friends pretty much every day!

You’re bound to encounter some fantastic people during your Italy travels, making an already memorable vacation even more memorable.

Better weather than many European destinations

The comparably better weather in Italy is one of the reasons why you should visit Italy over some other European countries.

Italy isn’t warm year-round; there’s a mix of seasons, especially between northern and southern Italy. However, southern Italy has milder winter weather than other popular European destinations.

Some people prefer visiting Italy in the winter because it’s cheaper in most areas. Even in the north, where people flock to the Dolomites for great skiing, things are still relatively affordable.

There’s been this online trend about how it’s cheaper for an American to fly to Europe for a ski vacation than to take a ski vacation in the United States (including flights and accommodation). And that’s largely true. Passes are much more affordable in Italy compared to many major North American ski resorts.

Summer in southern Italy is like a dream come true, too. Early summer, like June, is particularly lovely in the south. It’s not as hot as the middle of the summer, but it’s still great weather for hiking and exploring.

But if you are planning on spending your time on the beaches of Sardinia or Sicily, you can also visit in September and October: the days are shorter, but the weather great and the water warmer than it is at the beginning of the summer.

Either way, the fact that there’s no tipping culture in Italy will make your trip significantly cheaper than you imagine.

Electric art and music scene

Finally, Italy’s art and music scene is yet another reason to plan a trip. It ties in nicely with Italy’s culture and history, as much of it is intertwined with its past.

Italy has some of the most famous art museums in the world, including the Vatican Museums, Borghese Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, Bargello National Museum, the Galleria dell’Accademia. These are all excellent places to learn more about Italian art and history.

Like the art in Italy, music is another excellent expression of our past and present. The modern-day music scene is a blend of many different genres. But classical music and performance are special.

The Teatro Alla Scala in Milan is one of the most famous opera houses in the world, and it is worth visiting if you are interested in opera.

Summary Of The Best Reasons To Visit Italy

Honestly, there are too many good reasons to visit Italy to list. However, some of the best reasons include the incredible cultural and historical connections, the vibrant villages and neighborhoods, the incredible landscapes and scenery, and the amazing locals.

If you need a little persuasion to add Italy to your future travel plans, hopefully, you consider all of these facts about Italy when making your decision.

Italy is so much more than the sum of its pizza, pasta, and wine. It’s a country that showcases its beauty and magnificence everywhere you go, and I’m privileged to share my personal opinion and experience as to why I love Italy so much.

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