Explore Roman History in Italy: The Best Places to Visit

The history of Italy, then Rome, dated back to nearly 753 BCE, and it has witnessed prolific growth in terms of art and culture. From the emergence of the Roman Catholic Church to giving birth to the Renaissance to nurturing humanism, the country’s influence on the world’s course of history is unfathomable. No doubt Italians are so proud of their cultural heritage. They have a natural inclination towards classic art, dynamic music and good food. The country is home to some of the greatest icons from the past, and it treasures almost 50% of the world’s most iconic arts.

When to Visit Italy?

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The spring (March-May) and the autumn (September-November) is perhaps the best time to visit Italy, especially if you want less crowd and more tranquility. At the same time, the weather also remains comfortable during this time. During the summer (July-August), the tourists’ group reaches its peak, making it difficult to enjoy the sightseeing peacefully. Moreover, you do not need to break the bank to have an Italy trip. Italy is less expensive when compared to the other nations of the EU, like the UK. However, the prices go higher than usual during the peak season of the summer.

Italy is famous for its bright and colorful festivals. If you are traveling to Italy during the festival season, you cannot afford not to participate in them. Some of the very popular festivals are Carnevale, Palio de Siena, Procession of Mysteries, Battle of Oranges, Riggata, and Infiorata Festival.   

In this article, We will tell you about the best places to visit in Italy for the first time. Let’s find out what are those best Italy tourist places:    

1. Colosseum

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Colosseum is a vast arena built by the Roman Empire, and it is also their most enormous surviving edifice. It was made to fulfill the demand for public entertainment through sports and spectacles. The whole oval-shaped structure of the Colosseum was 186 meters long and 156 meters wide.

The Colosseum is one of the best places to visit in Italy with family. You can see it on your own, but going for a guided tour would be more convenient, keeping the tourist rush in mind. Also, do not forget to visit the Hypogeum and the Upper Tiers and most of the tourists tend to neglect them. Walking through the underground tunnels and seeing the lion cages will give you goosebumps. Also, try to cover the nearby attractions like the Arch of Constantine, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

You can try Colosseo Metro Cafe situated just opposite the Colosseum’s entrance if you want some snacks. Other good options are Royal Art Cafe, Osteria Angelino (Roman cuisine), and Via Capo d’Africa.

2. The Grand Canal, Venice

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Who has not dreamt of a gondola ride in Venice? No one, perhaps. Venice, a city of islands, uses the waterways as their streets. The Grand Canal is the largest among those numerous passageways. It has the most beautiful of the palaces situated by its sides. These palaces belong to some of the wealthiest families and date back from the 13th to the 18th century.

If you want to enjoy a gondola ride avoiding the crowd, you should visit the Grand Canal before 9 in the morning. A typical 40 minutes of gondola right in the morning costs around 80 Euros. An additional charge of 20 Euros will have to be paid for an extra 20 minutes. The prices are generally high in the evening.

3. Pompeii

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Pompeii is a beautiful city situated near Naples in Campania. Nearby to this ancient city is the infamous Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption destroyed the whole town in 79 AD. This a city of archaeological sites and historical remains. It will let you have a glimpse at the excellence of Ancient Roman engineering and architecture. At Pompeii, you should see the Temple of Jupiter, the Basilica, the stone columns and the Triptolemus. The city also has a grand amphitheater named Teatro Grande and the most oversized community baths, Stabian baths.

Herculaneum is another excavated city near Pompeii. Unfortunately, it was also destroyed by the same eruption. If you are staying for longer, you should try climbing up to the rim of Mount Vesuvius.

4. Cinque Terre

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If you want to experience a memorable sunset on the Mediterranean Sea, you should visit the coastal region of Cinque Terre. It is also called “The Five Lands” because of the five fishing villages of this region. They are Monterosso al Marre, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. These villages are connected via beautiful narrow roads and a railroad. It is one of the best places to visit Italy with friends due to its beauty and remoteness.

You can explore Cinque Terre by hiking between the villages. However, to access the hiking trails, you will need a pass. You can access the walking paths by buying the Cinque Terre Trekking Card. You can also enjoy unlimited Cinque Terre train Travel and access to the hiking paths by using the Cinque Terre Train Card.

5. Amalfi Coast

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Amalfi Coast stretches along the coastline of the Sorrentine Peninsula and has gained the UNESCO World Heritage Site title. The two most famous towns are Positano and Amalfi. Apart from the towns, it would be best to explore the villages to enjoy the scenic beauty of this place.

Grotta delo Smeraldo or Emerald Cave is situated close to the village of Conca dei Marini. You can also hop between the villages using boat rides. However, walking through the coastline is the best thing you can do here. The walking trail of Santiago Degli Dei, Footpath of the Gods, will take you through the magical world of lush green, lemon groves, and wildflowers.

6. Leaning Tower of Pisa

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The city of Pisa has several tourist attractions, but nothing can beat the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was started to be built in the 1100s, and the leaning began when the construction reached its third story.

Apart from the Leaning Tower, you must visit the National Museum of Pisa to see some excellent artworks, paintings and sculptures. A walk along the Amo River can freshen up your mind like nothing else. Borgo Street should be your next destination if you crave some pizzas and other Italian delicacies after the walk. 

7. Lake Como

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Lake Como is the largest lake in Italy. The Alps surround this picturesque region. It has been home to several wealthy people since Roman times because of its beautiful climate. The pristine villas still remind of them.

With stunning views, the lakeside is one of the most photographed areas in the world. It has also been the wedding spot of several celebrities like Linda Phan and Ryan Biegel.

8. Lake Resia

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Lake Resia or Reschensee is located far north in South Tyrol of the Alpine region. It is one of the unique places to visit in Italy. Reaching the lake, you will feel like you are already in a Stephen King novel. The lake has the view of a church steeple emerging from the icy waters. It is the last remaining village of Curon, which was drowned in 1950. The sight of the lake has inspired a novel as well as a Netflix series.

 The hikers generally visit this place during the summers. However, during the winters, you also can walk through the frozen surface of the lake.

9. Scanno, Abruzzo

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Scanno is a small village commune situated in the Abruzzo region. You can reach this tiny but beautiful village by bus directly from Rome and Sulmona. 

Forest-covered hills surround this small traditional Italian village. You can visit the famous Molise National Park, book a boat ride at Lake Scanno or explore the rustic town on foot.

If you prefer walking through the roads, there is also an information centre which can provide the local map. The traditional chocolate and almond biscuit of Scanno are something you should try before leaving this place.

10. Pantheon

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Pantheon is the first pagan temple transformed into a church, and it is one of the most famous icons of Rome. It is a marvel of architecture which the famous Michelangelo also recognizes. This monument is also used for mass gatherings and weddings.

It is within only 9 km distance from the Rome airport and can be accessed very easily. The Pantheon is open for visitors from 8.30 am to 7.15 pm from Monday-Friday. On Sundays, the timing for opening is from 9 am to 5.45 pm. Therefore, if you want to avoid long queues, you should visit Pantheon on weekdays. Also, avoid planning to see it in the evening. Otherwise, you will miss its glory in the sunlight and the famous reverse sundial effect.  

11. Tuscany

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Nothing could be more appealing to someone who admires greenery than the stunning green landscapes of Tuscany. The countryside appeal and its artistic heritage make it unique among the other destinations in Italy.

You can spend your days in Tuscany by visiting the historic churches, chapels, monuments and other archaeological masterpieces. In addition, you can enjoy peaceful walks along the scenic walkways or can cycle down the hills. Tuscany is famous for its wine, and if you visit Tuscany in the spring, you can also grow vineyards. During the spring, Tuscany offers several outdoor activities like thermal baths or hot springs. In addition, several food and wine festivals are often organized during this time in Tuscany.

12. Dolceacqua

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Dolceacqua is a small commune and a part of the Italian Riviera divided into Terra and Borgo. This small village is famous for its architecture and scenic beauty. The Ponte Vecchio is an old yet elegant bridge that connects the two parts of the town. The Dolceacqua Castle is situated in the Terra district and has a history of over centuries. You can also visit the Visionarium, which has a project room that projects high-quality naturalistic documentaries. Dolceacqua’s red wine and the Michetti (a traditional sweet) have been parts of this village’s culinary culture for ages.

13. Naples

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Naples is one of the most frequented places by tourists. This city is very close to the Bay of Naples, and its history dates back to the 2nd century. The city houses several places with historical significance like Castle dell Ovo, the Capodimonte Museum, Lungomare Amphitheatre, the National Archaeological Museum, and Museo Cappella Sansevero. This beautiful city is also well known for its classic foods like Neapolitan Pizza. From Naples, Pompeii is very easily accessible.    

14. Sicily

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Sicily is the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villages, castles, beaches, and ancient structures make this island worth a visit for tourists worldwide. Agrigento the Valley of Temples has three Greek Temples. Roman del Casale is a beautiful roman villa in Etna. The town of Comiso is breathtaking with its awe-inspiring architecture and cobbled streets. Regular and Media is the nest of world-class Baroque art. San Vito Lo Capo is one of the best beach destinations in Italy.

15. Earth Pyramids

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On Renon Mountain, you will find one of nature’s finest wonders: Earth Pyramids. These earth pyramids are the tallest and finest in the whole of Europe. They are almost 25,000 years old and formed from soft moraine clay from the last Ice Age.

This region of Ritten is very close to Bolzano. You ride the train on Ritten’s narrow-gaze railway, which takes you directly to the top of the plateau of Ritten from the heart of Bolzano. Ritten’s cable car is also another site of attraction for both locals and tourists.

Conclusion

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The tourism industry in Italy contributes significantly to the country’s economy. Therefore, Italy’s tourism policy is very international tourist-friendly, and getting an Italy tourist visa for Indian is not very troublesome. Moreover, Italy is a very safe country to visit, and Indians can affordably visit Italy through several Italy tour packages.

EaseMyTrip offers affordable, hassle-free flight tickets and as well as flight booking. We also curate some of the most convenient tour packages. Visit our website to know more about our services.