Ten cities · 41°–47° North
The shape of Italy
Every marker below sits at its true latitude and longitude. Point at one to read the summary, then open the full guide.
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Pick a city
Hover, tap or tab through the markers on the chart. Each one links to a full guide with the city’s main sights and how to plan around them.
Open guideICONS & ART CITIES
Icons & Art Cities
The four names most itineraries are built around — and the reason Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country.
41.9028° N 12.4964° E
Rome
Ancient wonders at street level — the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Vatican City, all inside a walkable centre.
Read the guide →43.7696° N 11.2558° E
Florence
The birthplace of the Renaissance — world-famous galleries, Michelangelo’s David, and Brunelleschi’s dome over the whole city.
Read the guide →45.4408° N 12.3155° E
Venice
A romantic island city built on water — winding canals, gondolas, St Mark’s Square and the lagoon islands beyond.
Read the guide →45.4642° N 9.1900° E
Milan
Italy’s capital of fashion and finance — a stunning white marble cathedral, high-end shopping and Leonardo’s Last Supper.
Read the guide →FOOD & REGIONAL CAPITALS
Food & Regional Capitals
Regional capitals where the cooking is the reason to go, and the monuments are the bonus. Italian food is regional before it is national.
40.8518° N 14.2681° E
Naples
A vibrant southern coastal city — the birthplace of authentic pizza, with Pompeii and Vesuvius on the doorstep.
Read the guide →44.4949° N 11.3426° E
Bologna
Italy’s culinary capital — incredible pasta, medieval towers, and kilometres of covered porticoes.
Read the guide →45.0703° N 7.6869° E
Turin
An elegant northern city framed by the Alps — regal architecture, chocolate, and the Mole Antonelliana.
Read the guide →45.4384° N 10.9916° E
Verona
A charming medieval city with a Roman arena, rose-marble piazzas and the Romeo and Juliet legend.
Read the guide →COASTAL & ISLAND GEMS
Coastal & Island Gems
Two port cities on opposite seas, both former maritime powers, both with old towns you can genuinely get lost in.