Where to begin
These are the places worth planning a trip around: the museums, cathedrals and palaces, the ancient sites and the landscapes that make Italy what it is, from the Uffizi and the Colosseum to the Dolomites and the temples of Agrigento. Each has its own guide, with the story behind it, what to look for once inside, how to plan the visit and the tours worth booking. Begin with the best known, or choose a region.
391 monuments
Pietrapertosa
PietrapertosaBasilicata's highest village, Saracen quarter carved in rock, Volo dell'Angelo zipline, eagle's-perch lanes
Basilica of San Francesco
AssisiGiotto's Life of Saint Francis, two churches stacked, the saint's tomb, Cimabue frescoes
Castelmezzano
CastelmezzanoDolomiti Lucane amphitheater, rock-carved stairways, Norman castle ruins, Volo dell'Angelo zipline
Villa Romana del Casale
Piazza ArmerinaRead the house from the courtyard The villa lies in the countryside below Piazza Armerina.
Cumae Archaeological Park
CumaLight enters the Cave of the Sibyl through openings cut sideways into the rock.
Villa d'Este
TivoliBegin on the palace terrace and look down before taking the stairs.
Burano
BuranoIn the lagoon of Venice, Burano’s coloured façades line canals and narrow calli that lead towards Piazza Baldassarre Galuppi.
Piazza Navona
RomeStart at the curved northern end.
Capitoline Museums
RomeLook at Marcus Aurelius on horseback in Piazza del Campidoglio before you enter.
Galleria Borghese
RomeStart in Room III and move slowly around Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne.
Santa Maria della Salute
VeniceSanta Maria della Salute began with a public vow.
Sforza Castle
MilanAt the edge of Parco Sempione, Castello Sforzesco carries Milan’s changing powers in its brick courts and towers.
Teatro di San Carlo
NaplesFrom the stalls, turn to face the audience.
Teatro La Fenice
VeniceLa Fenice’s five tiers of boxes make the auditorium a room to look across as well as toward the stage.
Arena di Verona
VeronaFind the Ala from Piazza Bra Walk around the outside before entering.
Baths of Caracalla
RomeStand where you can see both sides of the central block.
Selinunte
CastelvetranoThree temples on the eastern hill Enter from Marinella and start on the eastern hill.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
MilanBetween Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala, Giuseppe Mengoni gave Milan a covered street that opens into a room.
Gallerie dell'Accademia
VeniceA museum built out of older rooms From the Accademia bridge, walk straight into the former religious complex of the Carità.
Padua Botanical Garden
PaduaBegin in the old circle The University of Padua founded the garden in 1545 so students could learn to recognise medicinal plants.
Gran Paradiso National Park
CogneItaly's first national park, Alpine ibex herds, Cogne valleys, the only 4,000-meter summit entirely on Italian soil
Spanish Steps
RomeStart near the Barcaccia and stand far enough back to see the full rise of the steps.
Trastevere
RomeCross Ponte Sisto and make for Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Manarola
ManarolaTower houses over the cove, the classic Cinque Terre sunset view, Sciacchetra vineyards, cliffside swimming
