Things to Do in Italy

Dominating Turin’s Piazza Castello and with the appearance of two buildings uneasily glued together, Palazzo Madama began life as a fortified castle and has a medieval façade looking eastwards that was built by ruling house of Savoy in the 14th century. The later, ornate Baroque addition faces west and was added by the famous architect Filippo Juvarra in the early 18th century at the request of Marie Jeanne of Savoy, who gave her nickname to the palace. Juvarra was appointed court architect by the Savoy dynasty and went on to design much of Turin’s glamorous arcaded face lift in the 1860s. Palazzo Madama also reveals a Roman gate and foundations, medieval towers and a series of courtyards and apartments constructed in Renaissance times.

Today, the building houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art (Museo Civico di Arte Antica), a sprawling and roughly chronological collection that leads over four floors, starting off with a small Roman collection in the basement and running on through medieval stonework to Renaissance art in the ornate Baroque galleries on the first and second floors. On the top floor there is one of Italy's largest collections of decorative arts to discover, with examples of precious Meissen porcelain, Delftware and fine embroidered textiles. However, quite the most spectacular artwork on display here is Antonello da Messina’s glorious Portrait of a Man, painted around 1475 and hidden away in the Treasure Tower at the back of the building. 

Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is the most important church in Rome’s sweeping Piazza del Popolo. With a 17th-century facade designed by Bernini, chapels by Bramante and Raphael, and museum-quality art by Pinturicchio and Caravaggio, Santa Maria del Popolo is highlight on any tour of Roman art treasures, architecture, or Catholic sights.

 

Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, one of three churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Piazza del Popolo, was rebuilt in the 15th century over a chapel erected in 1099. Gian Lorenzo Bernini reworked the facade in the 1650s, and stunning frescoes, mosaics, and paintings were added over the centuries to decorate the church and its ornate chapels.

 

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is a highlight of private and small-group tours focused on Rome’s artistic masterpieces of the 16th and 17th centuries, as it contains works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Carracci, and Bernini. Fans of author Dan Brown can join an Angels and Demons tour that visits Roman sites featured in his bestselling novel. Santa Maria del Popolo, one of Rome’s Augustinian basilicas, is also an important house of worship and included in most tours of the city’s Catholic landmarks.

 

 

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is located on Piazza del Popolo, one of the most important squares in Rome. You can reach the square by taking Metro line A and getting off at the Flaminio stop.

 

The cool and quiet interior of the church is a welcome respite from the heat and crowds in Piazza del Popolo in the summer, though the church closes for a few hours starting around midday on weekdays and Sundays (open all day Saturday). Tourists are not allowed to enter when Mass is being celebrated, so check the schedule carefully before planning your visit.

 

Rome was the setting of Dan Brown’s bestselling novel Angels and Demons, published in 2000 and inspired by the secret society known as the Illuminati. The book casts a number of Rome’s most important historic sights as plot points or backdrops for the mystery. Included are the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, and Castel Sant’Angelo.

With its multi-colored marble façade and striking round windows, the small-yet-beautiful Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli is one of the most important examples of early Renaissance architecture in Venice. It’s also a highlight of the historic Cannaregio neighborhood along the Miracoli Canal.

This early Renaissance church was built in the late 15th century to honor of a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary that was said to have performed a number of miracles. Renaissance architect Pietro Lombardo's use of polychrome marble, sculpted pilasters, and ornate reliefs lends a distinct grandeur to the exterior and interior, where the fabled icon still stands proudly on display.

Because of its architectural importance, it's best to visit Santa Maria dei Miracoli as part of a Venice art and architecture private tour. Many private walking tours stop also stop here, along with other famous sights like St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

 

The Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli is located on the Miracoli Canal at Ponte dei Miracoli. Take vaporetto (water bus) line 1 or 2 from San Marco or the train station down the Grand Canal to the Rialto stop near the Rialto Bridge, then walk north along the Miracoli Canal.

Venice is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, and the city can be especially touristy in summer. Time your visit to late fall or early spring to enjoy the city without the crowds.

It’s said that the pastel-colored marble used for the facade of Santa Maria dei Miracoli was taken from leftover construction materials after the completion of St. Mark's Basilica, also in Venice. 

By Rome's standards, the Church of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola seems like it isn't very old at all – only consecrated in 1722 – but that's because prior to 1650, it was a private church.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of the Society of Jesus – better known as Jesuits – and the original church on this site was built entirely by Jesuit labor in the 1560s on the foundation of an earlier building. That church, built as the private chapel for the Collegio Romano (the first Jesuit university), was expanded slightly in 1580, but by the early 1600s it was already too small for the number of students at the college. Construction on the current church was started in 1626, a mere four years after Saint Ignatius of Loyola was canonized, and it opened to the public in 1650.

The interior reflects the church's Baroque style with heavy ornamentation. There is gold decoration everywhere, enormous frescoes, and Jesuit iconography and stories depicted throughout. There's even an enormous trompe l'oeil ceiling, with an indication on the floor where to stand to get the best view.

Having just opened in 2014, Cinecitta World is Italy’s newest amusement park and the largest film studio in Europe. Dedicated solely to film and entertainment, eight film sets, four theaters, and twenty attractions comprise the main area. The park was built in the Castel Romano complex atop former a film studio, and remains an homage to great Italian cinema produced here in the 1960s. Films such as Gangs of New York, Ben-Hur, and Dante's Inferno were brought to life in this space.

Visitors today are immersed in the experience of filmmaking, having the chance to go behind-the-scenes in former and imagined movie sets. Oscar-winning composer Ennio Morricone created the soundtrack for the Western themed set, and designer and art director Dante Ferretti completed the initial drawing plans. The idea is that the line between fiction and reality becomes blurred during the experience. The park also has two rollercoasters and live themed shows daily.

Lecce’s Church of St. Irene was built between 1591 and 1639 for the Theatines and dedicated to the city’s patron saint. The church is not far from the Duomo and the Basilica di Santa Croce in Lecce’s city center.

The facade of the church features a statue of Saint Irene, sculpted in the early 18th century. Above that statue is Lecce’s emblem - a shelf-wolf and an oak tree. Artwork worth noting inside the church includes a number of beautiful altarpieces. A particularly large altar dedicated to Saint Cajetan dates from the late 17th century, and two other altarpieces date from the mid-17th century - including one to Saint Irene.

Some walking tours of Lecce include a stop in the Church of St. Irene, though many will make passing reference to the church from the outside.

Many churches in Italy are built on older worship sites. What makes the Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro in Milan different is that the old church was incorporated into the new one, both in design and name.

The original church on this site was dedicated to San Sitiro (Saint Satyrus), built in the 9th century. In the late 15th century, the church was also dedicated to Mary. The name "Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro" indicates that the new church was "staying with" (presso) the old one.

When the church got its additional dedication, it also got a bit of a redesign. The artist Bramante played a role in the renovation. One of the most interesting pieces of artwork at the church is Bramante's wonderful trompe l'oeil behind the altar; it looks like there's a series of columns that recedes into the distance, but it's just paint.

If you are looking for a unique way to see the countryside surrounding Mount Etna, hop aboard the historic narrow-gauge Circumetnea Railway. This scenic train ride takes passengers around the foot of Sicily’s famous volcano on a vintage mid-20th-century railroad car. 

As its name suggests, the Circumetnea Railway (Ferrovia Circumetnea) circumnavigates the base of Mt. Etna from Catania Borgo to Riposto, just south of Taormina on Sicily’s eastern coast. The main line stretches over 68 miles (109 kilometers) with 30 stops—the largest stations are Paternò, Adrano, Bronte, Randazzo, and Giarre—and the complete trip from one end to the other takes more than three hours one way, assuming there are no delays. Along the way, enjoy lovely views over Sicily’s rural scenery, including the lunar landscapes of the lava fields, pistachio plantations, citrus groves, prickly pear cacti loaded with fruit, and the railway line’s picturesque abandoned stations.

From Catania, take the metro to Catania Borgo, from where the Circumetnea departs. The Riposto station is located in the center of town.

The Circumetnea is primarily a commuter train transporting locals from town to town, so trains run from early morning to late at night every day except Sundays and holidays. Opt for a ride departing in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat. The schedule varies depending on the season, so check at the Circumetnea station for the current timetable.

You can combine a ride on the Circumetnea around Mount Etna with a visit to the spectacular Alcantara Gorges. Simply get off at the Randazzo stop and catch a bus to the gorges park, or book a combined tour of both to avoid the hassle of public transportation.

Rome’s Circus Maximus—a massive arena for chariot races, games, religious ceremonies, and civic events—was the largest stadium in the Roman Empire. A major restoration in 2016 yielded a spruced-up archaeological site comprising arched walkways, ancient shops, a newly excavated cobbled road, and the Circus track’s oblong outline and starting gates.

Measuring more than 2,000 feet (610 meters) long and 387 feet (188 meters) wide, and capable of holding an audience of 150,000, the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) was built on the plain between Aventine Hill and Palatine Hill in the sixth century BC. Five centuries later, Julius Caesar gave the venue its distinctive shape—especially suited to chariot racing. The stadium was enlarged repeatedly over the next several centuries, and Emperor Trajan completely rebuilt it in the early second century. Its last recorded use dates from the sixth century, after which the site fell into disuse and became a public park.

Today, as one of the most important sites dating from imperial Rome in Italy’s capital, the Circus Maximus is best visited as part of an Ancient Rome guided tour, which also includes skip-the-line access to the underground chambers and arena inside the Colosseum and the ruins of the Roman Forum. You can combine private Circus Maximus visits with an Aventine Keyhole tour, for the iconic view of St. Peter’s Basilica through the famous garden door.

The Circus Maximus is located between Via dei Cerchi and Via del Circo Massimo in central Rome. Take the metro’s Line B to Circo Massimo station, located directly in front of the archaeological site.

The Circus Maximus is open from Tuesday to Friday for guided tours, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm to the general public. As it’s an outdoor archaeological site, try to visit on clear days when the temperature is mild.

The towering Flaminio Obelisk (Obelisco Flaminio) in the center of Rome’s Piazza del Popolo was built in Egypt in the 13th century BC. Emperor Augustus had it brought to Rome in 10 AD and placed as part of the central barrier in the Circus Maximus. Pope Sixtus V moved it to its current location in 1587.

Sedir Island is best known as Cleopatra Island, named after the pharaoh who allegedly met her lover Marc Antony on its shores. Forever romanticized by its connection with the iconic lovers, this small island in the Gulf of Gökova is now a popular stop on boat cruises and jeep safaris from Marmaris. 

Cleopatra Island’s second claim to fame is its unusually textured sands, made up of smooth white, ground seashells. To preserve this one-of-a-kind sand, visitors are required to leave their belongings and shoes at the entrance to the beach. Removing the sand is strictly prohibited. Typically, such sand can only be found on Egyptian shores, fueling the legend that Marc Antony had it shipped in to Sedir Island from North Africa in an attempt to woo his mistress.

The island also has an additional sandy beach, popular among swimmers and sunbathers, that is home to a number of Roman ruins, including an agora and an amphitheater that dates back to the fourth century B.C.

Beloved by both pilgrims and art aficionados, the Church of St. Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli) houses the chains that bound Saint Peter when the Romans imprisoned him in Jerusalem. Built in the fifth century, the church today is also home to Michelangelo’s Moses, part of the unfinished monumental tomb of Pope Julius II.

 

Michelangelo’s dramatic Moses statue was to have been the most prominent of the 40 figures planned for Pope Julius II's tomb and is considered one of the artist’s best works. But, work on the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican interrupted progress on the tomb, and Michelangelo completed only a few of the planned statues before his death.

 

The Church of St. Peter in Chains, also known as the Basilica Eudoxiana, is a favorite stop on walking tours of Ancient Rome that include other early Christian churches, such as San Clemente and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Those who want to pair their culture with cuisine can combine a tour of St. Peter in Chains with a wine tasting in the surrounding Monti neighborhood.

 

 

St. Peter in Chains is only a short walk from the Colosseum and Roman Forum; the closest metro stop is Cavour.

 

Italy's capital city is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and its sights can be very crowded in the summer months. Try to visit from November to April to enjoy the city's treasures without the crush of high-season tourists.

 

This holy relic eventually made its way from Jerusalem to Rome, where it arrived in two parts, one of which was sent to Eudoxia, wife of emperor Valentinian III. When held next to shackles owned by Pope Leo I, legend holds the two parts miraculously fused together to form a single chain, now kept in an urn under the main altar.

Sorrento’s Cloister of San Francesco is an oasis of tranquility steps away from the historic town’s bustling central piazza of Sant’Antonino. The cloister unites a religious complex of seventh-century monastery and a late-medieval church, both dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, and is a showpiece of various architectural styles from pre-Roman through Arabic to medieval. 

In the 14th century Franciscan friars from the monastery repurposed an ancient oratory into their church; it has some Baroque features and its simple white façade was rebuilt in 1926. Inside there are several richly decorated chapels adjoining the single nave and in 1992, a bronze statue of St Francis was placed outside the church; it is the work of Roman sculptor Alfiero Nena. 

But the cloister, built at the same time as the church, is the star turn here; its tranquil gardens are filled with bougainvillea and vines that climb over arched arcades, which are made of soft tufa stone and rubble pinched from earlier pagan temples. During the summer there are art exhibitions and concerts set to the stunning backdrop of the cloister and it is also one of Sorrento’s most popular venues for weddings. 

Always dress conservatively when visiting churches in Italy; shoulder and legs should be covered.

Ciampino was the first airport serving the Rome area, and though it was replaced for many routes by the larger, newer Fiumicino International Airport, Ciampino remains in operation for many of the domestic and shorter routes within Europe. It is also known as G. B. Pastine International Airport, and services commercial and civilian as well as military aircraft.

The airport opened in 1916 and remains one of the oldest airports still in operation. During World War II, Ciampino was captured by Allied Forces and became a cargo hub, even serving as a United States Army Air Force airfield at one time. Today it welcomes just over 5 million passengers per year and is a hub for Ryanair, the budget airline connecting most of Europe.

Cinque Terre National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of postcard-worthy landscapes: sweeping sea cliffs dotted with sandy coves, brightly painted villages clinging to steep terraces, and forested plateaus blooming with wildflowers. Stretching some 4,300 acres (1,740 hectares) along northern Italy’s rugged Italian Riviera, the park dazzles visitors with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coastline.

 

The five centuries-old villages comprising Cinque Terre National Park—Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, and Vernazza—are the main draw for travelers. A well-worn footpath links the towns; some portions of the trail are better maintained than others, but all offer stunning views over the Ligurian Sea. Day tours are the most convenient way to visit the coast, running to the Cinque Terre from La Spezia, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, and most commonly, Florence. Most day trips squeeze in all five towns plus a stop in nearby Portovenere, but those who want more time in the Cinque Terre can stay overnight or on a multi-day tour to make the most of outdoor activities—such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and paragliding—plus the region’s seafood and warm hospitality.

Cinque Terre National Park is two hours from Florence by road, an hour from Pisa, and 20 minutes from La Spezia. Parking is limited in the villages, so unless you are staying in Cinque Terre overnight, ditch the car and join a tour or arrive by train. Trains (year-round) and ferries (mid-April through October) connect the five villages, but the best options for exploring the national park are hiking and mountain biking. 

 

Cinque Terre National Park sees the most visitors (especially day-trippers) and the highest temperatures—upwards of 100°F (40°C)—during summer. Hikers should aim to visit in May or September to avoid the heat, while budget-minded might plan around August, when hotel prices rise. Visiting in winter is possible, but some hiking trails may be inaccessible in rainy weather. 

There are over 75 miles (120 kilometers) of hiking trails in Cinque Terre National Park, some of which were the only connection between the villages and the hinterland for centuries. Today, the most commonly traversed path is the Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro), a six-hour coastal trail linking Cinque Terre’s villages and offering spectacular views. For visitors who fancy more of a workout, there are plenty of rugged mountain trails, including the Sciacchetrail, a challenging 29-mile (47-kilometer) route that loops around the entire protected area—and hosts an annual trail-running race.

With its crumbling ruins perched atop a precipitous mountaintop and reachable only by a footbridge that climbs up the cliff side, Civita di Bagnoregio is surely one of Italy’s most dramatically situated towns. Originally built by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago, Civita di Bagnoregio boasts a fascinating history and, thanks to its remote location, a wealth of well-preserved medieval buildings. 

With erosion causing most inhabitants to move on, the cobbled streets and stone-brick houses of Civita di Bagnoregio are now near deserted, leaving it as a hauntingly beautiful reminder of times past. The uniquely situated town still springs to life in summer as part-time residents return to welcome tourists and visitors gather to enjoy the jaw-dropping views and wander around the town that time forgot. 

Taking prize place beside the Town Hall on Piazza Duomo, the Collegiate Church of San Gimignano, or the Duomo of San Gimignano, ranks among most impressive monuments of San Gimignano’s UNESCO-listed historic center.

Behind its comparatively reserved façade, the church’s main claim to fame is its exquisite frescos, which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, and remain remarkably unrestored. The bold colors and painstaking detail bring to life iconic biblical scenes including Cain and Abel, Noah’s Ark, the Garden of Eden and dramatic depictions of Heaven and Hell, with highlights including works by Bartolo di Fredi, Lippo Memmi, Benozzo Gozzoli and Taddeo di Bartolo.

Adjoining the church, the small Museum of Sacred Art includes more works taken from the Collegiata and other San Gimignano churches, including a Crucifix by Benedetto di Maiano and the ‘Madonna of the Rose’ by Bartolo di Fredi.

Part of the 4th-century Villa of Maxentius complex along the Via Appia Antica in the Roman countryside, the Circus of Maxentius is the best preserved chariot racetrack in Rome and second in size only to the Circus Maximus.

Located between miles I and II of Rome's ancient Appian Way, the villa complex, which was commissioned by the Emperor Maxentius, is home the ruins of the imperial palace and the Mausoleo di Romolo (Tomb of Romulus). The highlight, though, is the Circus of Maxentius—also known as the Circus Maxentius, Circo di Massenzio, or, for many years, the Circus of Caracalla. In its heyday, the public stadium held 10,000 spectators; the obelisk that decorates Piazza Navona today once marked its center. Explore the site on a Vespa tour of ancient Rome, a guided bike ride, or independently.

The Circus of Maxentius is located in the Villa of Maxentius at Via Appia Antica 153 between the Basilica of San Sebastiano and the tomb of Caecilia Metella inside the Appian Way Regional Park (Parco Regionale Appia Antica). You can reach it on bike or Vespa from center of Rome.

The archaeological ruins are part of an open-air park, so visit on a clear day with mild temperatures.

The circus, where games, political events, religious functions, and funerals were held, was the primary gathering place for ancient Romans. Italy's most important Roman circuses are located in Rome, Milan, Aquileia, and Marino.

As a 17th century Baroque church facing Piazza Navona, the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone stands in one of the busiest areas of the in Rome’s historic city center — yet it remains a peaceful sanctuary and renowned Roman church. History tells us that the Early Christian Saint Agnes was martyred on site here in the ancient stadium built by Emperor Domitian. The structure itself was built in 1652 and meant to act as a personal chapel for the family of Pope Innocent X, who lived in the palazzo just beside it. Today it remains a beautiful chapel, known for its frescoed ceilings, many fine sculptures and altars, and impressive marble work. It is also a shrine to Saint Agnes, with her skull still on display to visitors and her body buried in the catacombs. The church’s architecture is characterized by its massive dome, Corinthian columns, and Greek cross plan.

Positano’s photogenic cascade of pastel-hued houses is striking, but one of the most remarkable details is the colorful tiled dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta). Lovely from the outside, the church is also an architectural delight within, and home to a 12th-century Byzantine-style icon of a Black Madonna and Child.

Near the waterfront at the foot of town, the beautiful Church of Santa Maria Assunta is Positano’s most recognizable landmark. The church’s brightly painted majolica dome and soaring bell tower catch the eye for miles around, but it’s also worth a peek inside to see the grand archways, elaborate classical decoration, and the Byzantine icon from which Positano is said to have gotten its name. Beneath the church are the ruins of a Roman villa dating from the second century BC.

The church, one of the main attractions in Positano, is included in small-group Positano tours or Sorrento shore excursions to the Amalfi Coast. In addition to Positano, Amalfi Coast tours include stops in Amalfi and Ravello. 

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is located in the pedestrian-only center of Positano, along Italy's famed Amalfi Coast. You can reach the coast by ferry from Naples in the summer or by bus from Sorrento year-round. The more courageous can drive along the beautiful coastal highway.

The Amalfi Coast—especially its main towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello—get incredibly crowded during the summer, so it’s best to explore the sights along this stretch of coastline in the spring and fall.

According to legend, Positano’s Black Madonna and Child was on a ship skirting the Italian coast when sailors heard the figure of Mary depicted on the icon saying, “Posa!” (“Put me down!”). The icon has been in Positano ever since, and the town’s name can be traced back to that legend.