The Most Beautiful Towns in Italy

Visiting Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, should be at the top of your Italian itinerary
Visiting Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, should be at the top of your Italian itinerary | © mauritius images GmbH / Alamy
Mary Jane Dempsey

Most travels to Italy are limited to three particular cities – Rome, Florence and Venice. Nevertheless, this country contains a number of stunning towns with curious histories; here are some of the most beautiful worth adding to your itinerary.

Keen to visit Italy but not sure where to go? Take your pick from Culture Trip’s specially curated 10-day Northern Italy trip or our action-packed 10-day Sicily adventure.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Siena

Architectural Landmark

View of Siena
© rudi1976 / Alamy Stock Photo

With a historic center that’s been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Tuscan city of Siena is situated on three hills. Famous for its 17 contrade, or neighborhoods, who compete in the Palio horse race twice a year in Piazza del Campo – the main square of the city, which is shaped like a shell with scalloped edges. Expect to find beautiful, historic architecture and a uniquely neighborhood vibe. Interested in visiting? You can do so with Culture Trip by joining our specially curated 10-day Northern Italy tour.

Todi

Architectural Landmark

Todi, Umbria, Italy
© BERTOLISSIO Giovanni / hemis.fr / Hemis / Alamy Stock Photo
Situated on the east bank of the Tiber River, Todi is noted for having the ability to reinvent itself through time. The city is located in Umbria and you can find many castles just by walking through the center. After being damaged during World War II, the Todi Castle has recently been renovated and is definitely worth a visit.

Palmanova

Building

Palmanova Cathedral
© Palmanova Cathedral at Piazza Grande- Church seen at sunset / Alamy Stock Photo

Shaped like a star, Palmanova is noted for being the best example of a Renaissance ideal city due to the town being constructed in line with utopian theory – the concentric circles that make up the city represent perfection, as well serve for defense. You will find this town in the southeast Friuli-Giulia, between Udine and Trieste; it will pique the interest of those who are fascinated by unique architecture.

Riomaggiore

Architectural Landmark

View across open water to the slipway and colourful cliffside buildings of Riomaggiore

One for those who don’t mind hiking their way to a beautiful view, Riomaggiore never fails to impress with its brightly painted buildings on the cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Genoa. As the first of five villages that make up the Cinque Terre – a stunning section of the Italian Riviera coastline, which features on our 10-day small-group Northern Italy trip – Riomaggiore is the point of departure for those following the trail up and down the La Spezia hills, starting with the famous Via dell’Amore – the path that leads to Manarola.

Civita di Bagnoregio

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Aerial view of Civita di Bagnoregio
© Andrea Rescigno / Alamy Stock Photo

If you’re looking to get out of the Eternal City, just 75mi (120km) north of Rome you will find Civita di Bagnoregio. Located on the top of a volcanic tuff overlooking the Tiber river valley, the city’s buildings are constantly at risk of crumbling due to the slow erosion of their underlying support, so much so that plans have been formed to insert steel rods into the cliff, preventing further damage to the structures. Due to its location and erosion of the earth, Civita has become known as the “town that is dying”.

Sabbioneta

Architectural Landmark

Italy, Lombardy, town of Sabbioneta, Chiesa dellAssunta
© White Fox / AGF Srl / Alamy Stock Photo

Another site on the World Heritage List, Sabbonieta is found in Lombardy, about 19mi (30km) from Parma. The city is considered another brilliant example of Renaissance urban planning theories. Sabbonieta also has a historic Jewish ghetto where tourists go to see a centuries old Hebrew printing press.

Bologna

Architectural Landmark

View from Piazza del Nettuno down Via Rizzoli towards the Due Torri, Bologna
© Ian Dagnall / Alamy Stock Photo

Jutting into the skyline, the Asinelli and Garisenda stand tall at the heart of Bologna. Famous for being the home of the first university in Europe, Bologna also offers beautiful sights due to its well preserved historical center and porticoes that serve as roofs for the sidewalks. The Bolognese culture also distinguishes this town from others in Italy; for example, in 2006, Unesco selected Bologna as a “city of music”.

Positano

Architectural Landmark

Positano, Amalfi coast, Campania, Italy
© Stefano Politi Markovina / Alamy Stock Photo

Located in the Salerno province, Positano is a village situated on the Amalfi Coast, with crystal blue waters and cliffs that drop into the sea. Though the town lost some of its liveliness due to emigration, tourists began to discover the beauty of this colourful cliff-top town and revitalized its atmosphere. You can catch a glimpse of Positano in films such as Under the Tuscan Sun.

Lecce

Architectural Landmark

Roman amphitheatre (Anfiteatro romano di Lecce) and Sedile Palace (Palazzo de Seggio) in Piazza SantOronzo in Lecce
© Angus McComiskey / Alamy Stock Photo

If you want to see baroque architecture but cannot face the crowds in Florence, then the Pugliese city of Lecce just may be what you are looking for. Known for its sculptures and ceramic production, Lecce is a city whose buildings recount its past, especially its connection with Greek culture, it’s said that the Cretans founded the city.

Agrigento

Architectural Landmark

The Temple of Juno in the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento - Sicily, Italy.
© Marius Dobilas / Alamy Stock Photo

Formerly known as the ancient Greek city of Akragas, Agrigento is a Sicilian city where you can still see the ruins from the golden age of Ancient Greece. Due to its archaeological legacy, Agrigento has become a popular site for tourists. In particular, there are particularly well preserved temples believed to be attributed to goddesses, Juno Lacinia and Concordia.

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