Italy: The land of slow food, fast espresso, cobblestone cities, and unapologetically charming locals who will absolutely cut in line at the bakery but do it with style. I spent a month there—solo, hungry, and wide-eyed.
And no, Taiwan doesn’t count as my first solo trip abroad, because honestly? Italy hits differently. It’s art, drama, carbs, and passion… wrapped in centuries of empire and wrapped again in prosciutto.
Some cities enchanted me more than others. And while every corner had something to offer, certain places made me whisper, “Is this even real?” more than once.
So, grab your espresso and passport—I’m breaking down the most unforgettable places to visit in Italy (with prices, moments, and a few that, yes, were a bit overrated).
💡Also check out this First-Time Guide to Italy and our full Italy Budget Travel Guide to plan better.
Savoring the last drops of espresso in a quiet Italian café.
Florence: The Renaissance Feels Personal Here
If Italy is an open-air museum, Florence is its crown jewel.
I started my Florence morning climbing the Duomo (Dome entry: €25/ person if you book early—worth every sweaty step). It’s 463 stairs and a thigh workout, but when you reach the top? A sunrise draped in peach and gold spills over the terra cotta rooftops. Honestly, I nearly cried.
Art lover or not, Florence makes you feel like you’ve met Michelangelo personally. The Uffizi Gallery (€12–20) houses Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and if you stare too long, you start to wonder why your ex never looked at you like that.
But Florence isn’t just museums. It’s about sipping €4 espresso on cobbled streets and hearing street violinists practicing for opera night.
It’s about talking with a sculptor at a hidden wine bar in Oltrarno (the “left bank” of Florence)—I recommended a biodynamic red from Tuscany that changed my entire relationship with grapes.
Pro Tip: Skip dinner near Piazza della Signoria. Walk 10 minutes south to Santo Spirito and pay €9 for the best truffle tagliatelle of your life.
Find great deals on Trip.com for boutique hotels and flight + hotel bundles.
Amalfi Coast: Postcard Views, Adrenaline Roads
The Amalfi Coast is exactly what Instagram promised—but it smells better.
I rented a Fiat Panda for €65/day (gas: another €20 for a day of zig-zagging cliff roads), and even though the roads made my palms sweat, every curve revealed something even more ridiculous: cliffside lemon groves, rainbow-colored houses, and boats bobbing like toys in turquoise water.
I stayed in Positano (yes, the famous one)—but only for a night. Rooms here can hit €300/night, even in shoulder season. Instead, I based myself in Maiori, a quieter town where you can find beach-view B&Bs for €80/night with fresh-baked focaccia at breakfast.
Unforgettable moment? A boat ride to a private grotto near Praiano (€25 for a small group). Crystal water, no crowds, and a local guide who serenaded us with Italian pop hits. Cheesy? Yes. Magical? Also yes.
Book Amalfi Coast day tours with Viator or plan multi-city trips with Omio.
Matera: The City Carved into Time
Matera felt like time travel. Not Renaissance-old—prehistoric old.
The Sassi district (meaning “stones”) is a maze of cave homes, some over 9,000 years old. I booked a room in a converted cave hotel for €55/night. The walls were rough stone, the lighting was warm, and it felt like a monk and an interior designer teamed up to make it cozy.
Walking through Matera at night—everything lit by candlelight and gas lanterns—was hauntingly beautiful. It’s no surprise they filmed The Passion of the Christ here. You half expect someone to yell “cut!”
Dinner? A bowl of orecchiette pasta with foraged greens and aged ricotta salata for €10, plus local Aglianico wine (€3 a glass). Simple, earthy, divine.
Fun fact: Matera was once considered Italy’s shame for its poverty. Now? It’s a UNESCO site and European Capital of Culture. Total glow-up.
📱 Tip: Use Airalo eSIM (code: MUHAMM7693) to stay connected while you wander through stone alleys.
Venice: A Fairytale… If You Time It Right
Okay, confession: I love Venice—but you need to work around the crowd calendar.
The Grand Canal in July? A gorgeous, moving traffic jam of boats and selfie sticks. But wake up at 6:30 a.m.? You’ll have St. Mark’s Square nearly to yourself, with the bells echoing through the morning mist.
The gondola ride is €80 for 30 minutes (day rate)—I split with 3 strangers who became fast friends over awkward laughter and shared Aperol recommendations. Worth it once. Just once.
Only in Venice — spotted a water ambulance speeding through the canals!
What I really loved was Cannaregio, the quiet northern neighborhood. Here, I watched kids play football next to 800-year-old synagogues and bought a €1 espresso where the barista refused to speak English (respect).
Skip: Eating in San Marco. Even a Coke can run €5. Wander 15 minutes inland, and you’ll find lasagna for €8 and gelato that doesn’t taste like disappointment.
🚆Planning a train journey to Venice? Don’t miss our guide on the Rome to Venice High-Speed Train.
Lake Como: Millionaire Vibes, Budget Tears
Let’s talk Como. Is it beautiful? YES. Is it affordable? Eh… not unless your last name is Clooney.
I splurged €120/night for a lakeside B&B in Bellagio with epic views and included breakfast (croissants so flaky they’d ghost you). Every restaurant was scenic and overpriced. Think €18 pasta and €9 Spritz, minimum.
But once I ferried over to Varenna (€5 ferry), everything changed. Smaller crowds, cheaper eats, and the same fairy-tale lake. I hiked the Greenway del Lago for free, picnicked with local cheese and olives, and swam in water so clear I could see my chipped toenail polish.
If I did it again? I’d stay in Varenna and visit Bellagio by day. Same vibes, 30% fewer tourists, and 50% lower bills.
💡Check out Booking.com deals for accommodation around Lake Como or nearby towns.
Pisa: Meh, But Make It a Detour
I know, I know—Pisa is on every list. And yes, the Leaning Tower really leans. But that’s about it.
It cost €18 to climb (book ahead), and I spent more time dodging people doing the “push the tower” pose than actually enjoying the architecture.
I left after 2 hours and hopped on a train to Lucca—a hidden Tuscan town with medieval walls you can bike around (€3/hour).
Lunch there? A hearty bowl of ribollita soup, warm bread, and house wine for €10. Pisa is fine. But Lucca is a secret worth keeping.
🛤️For more insights on Italian train travel, read our full Italy Train Travel Guide.
What You Should Know Before You Go
It’s not just about checking things off a list in Italy. Of course, Rome has the Colosseum, Milan has fashion, and Naples has pizza (the real deal).
But the fun stuff happens in between. Like the lady in Bologna who chastised me for putting parmesan on seafood. Or the gelato vendor in Verona who gave me a discount because I said “grazie” with flair.
Here are anecdotes to smoothen your trip.
Trenitalia train tickets: Regional tickets may presently cost €7-€50 based on the distance. First book, then look for the bargains.
Tourist Tax (tassa di soggiorno): Most cities charge between €1 and €4 per night. And they start adding up.
SIM card: €10 to €30 for a higher data plan with TIM for Google Maps and train schedule saver.
Apps I’ve used: Rome2Rio, TheFork (for restaurant discounts), and Komoot for hikes.
✅ Read our 15 Essential Travel Tips Before Visiting Italy.
In a nutshell, Italy?
Where calories don’t count, fashion walks the streets, and history sits beside you like a meddling aunt. You can’t take in every sight in one lifetime, so don’t bother trying.
Eat slowly. Walk until you get lost. Learn to say “scusi” (excuse me or sorry) with your heart.
And most definitely bring stretchable pants.