What’s the most beautiful place in Italy? We chose 21, and we’re still lamenting all the places we had to leave out. When you behold a list of the most beautiful places in Italy, you realize how much stunning scenery this one slender European country contains.

Our Ultimate Italy journey is 12 days of signature luxury guided travel, taking in Venice, the Cinque Terre, Florence, San Gimignano, Tuscany, Rome, Naples and more, but you could always extend your stay (for a year or so) to fit in all of the locations below. The pictures are probably speaking for themselves by now, so let’s dive in.

Burano, Venice

It’s impossible to choose just one beautiful spot in one of the most ethereally beautiful cities in the world, but Burano is a sight to be savored. It’s the island in the Venetian Lagoon you’ve seen on art prints a hundred times – pastel-colored homes reflected in the canal below. It’s a special place, deserving of its fame, with its leaning bell tower, fairytale bridges and shops and workshops full of intricate lacework.

Grand Canal, Venice

OK, we didn’t choose just one. There is nowhere on earth like the Grand Canal, especially at sunset, when the sky is streaked with pinks and purples, and the surrounding palazzos take on a golden glow. The most elegant way to arrive in Venice is by private water taxi, which ideally takes you to your hotel by the water’s edge, as on our Ultimate Italy journey.

You may also enjoy reading: The 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World You Need to Visit

Polignano a Mare, Puglia

Just before the heel begins, on the southern Adriatic coast, this enchanting town is perched on limestone cliffs. It’s petite, but spectacularly positioned. Day trippers come from Bari (30 minutes away) to see the waves crashing against the craggy cliffs and to cruise the coastal caves. Admirers tend to focus their gaze on Lama Monachile, a rocky bay between cliffs that was once used as a port.

Lecce, Puglia

In the Salento region of Puglia, tucked well within the heel of the boot, this honey-coloured Baroque city of exuberant carved sandstone is often referred to as the “Florence of the South”. However, that seems a little reductive because Lecce is a masterpiece on its own merit – a mini metropolis of 17th century piazzas, basilicas, columns and gargoyles, with architectural surprises (and leisurely lunches) around every cobblestone corner.

Ostuni, Puglia

Will we ever leave Puglia? Perhaps. But first we must take a pause in Ostuni, which is known as the White City for its wedding cake of sun-drenched, whitewashed houses, arranged across three hills. Delicious things await in Ostuni’s medieval alleys, and from the walled city’s many balconies, you also get glorious views of the Puglian countryside – olive groves, vines and all.

Ortigia, Sicily

Ortigia is the tiny Sicilian island that forms the historical heart of Siracusa – it’s connected by three bridges, with cars best left in the car park outside. Ortigia’s story began in 734, when Archia arrived from Corinth to defeat Sicilians and form the Greek colony of Siracusa. Nowadays, it provides more of that honey-hued baroque magnificence we’ve met before, but with added turquoise waters and atmosphere in abundance.

Discover more about out Ultimate Italy journey: How Travel Concierge Elena Makes Italy Sparkle

Matera, Basilicata

You really have to see Matera to believe it. In Basilicata, in southern Italy, this city of stone is situated on a rocky outcrop and the whole place sparkles at dusk. Matera incorporates the Sassi (“stones”) districts, complexes of unfathomable cave dwellings which have been excavated and extended over millennia. It’s one of the most unique landscapes in the world – beautiful inside and out.

Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach), Lampedusa

What are the most beautiful beaches in Italy? Those of the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast are up there, but Spiaggia dei Conigli is a special one we couldn’t miss. It’s accessible by boat or on foot via a 20-minute detour from the main road and it is a true Sicilian paradise, named after its original inhabitants. There are aperitif boat rides and dolphin spotting excursions, but once you get there, the best thing to do is sit and drink it in.

Duomo de Milano, Milan

What are the most beautiful cities in Italy? While the capital of fashion might not rank highest in your mind, it’s undeniable that the Duomo de Milano is a Gothic sensation, its facade festooned with gargoyles and spires. Constructed over several centuries, with the input of various architects, sculptors and artists, the duomo combines contrasting styles and contains more statues than any other cathedral in the world – over 3,500.

Val d’Orcia, Tuscany

This is a lush, hilly expanse of countryside so green and densely packed it’s on the UNESCO World Heritage list, making it officially one of the most beautiful places in Italy. This quintessential Tuscan landscape is graced with vineyards, olive groves, medieval villages, cypresses and chestnut groves. Visitors meander between thermal spas, rustic osterias and enrapturing wine trails, stopping to take photographs around each and every bend of the cypress-lined road.

Soak up even more travel inspiration: The 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World You Need to Visit

Roman Forum, Rome

Once the centre of public life – the place to witness gladiatorial combats, public speeches and criminal trials – this is now (bear with us) an assemblage of rather random ruins between the Palatine and Capitoline hills. And while it’s hard to picture the area in all its former glory, the sheer spectacle of the iconic columns and archways seemingly sprouting from the ground right in the middle of modern day Rome is something special.

Ravello, Amalfi Coast

High in the hills, with coastline views unlike anywhere else on earth, Ravello is one of the Amalfi Coast’s quieter but no less flamboyant towns. It may not be as famous as Positano or Amalfi, but its position is second to none. Ravello is a place of such stark beauty that writers and artists have come here for decades to feel alive again, and be inspired. Whether you’re creative or not, the view from the belvedere at Villa Cimbrone will live with you, always.

Lake Como, Lombardy

Opulent neoclassical villas and garden follies in shades of pearl and rose are set against a backdrop of mountains, cypresses, magnolias and palm trees, arranged around the star of the show: the twinkling Lake itself. Add to the picture a few speedboats and ferraris and here you have the location of the Bond film Casino Royale and the site of Amal and George Clooney’s wedding. Not just one of the most beautiful places in Italy, it’s one of the most luxurious and captivating places on earth, and you have to see it.

Tropea, Calabria

On the Gulf of Saint Euphemia, part of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Tropea is another irresistible cliffside town. It’s a white sand paradise, famed for its associations with Hercules (who may have founded it), for being “the jewel in the crown of Calabria”, for its assemblage of cobbles and piazzas, and – not forgetting – its Tropea red onions. It’s frequently named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Food lovers may also enjoy reading: These Are Our 15 Favorite Michelin Star Restaurants in Italy

Vernazza, Cinque Terre

On the rugged Italian Riviera, this divine little fishing village is the Cinque Terre in a nutshell – little jumbles of candy-coloured houses balanced on and around the cliffs, opening out to perfect bays where lucky people are taking the most beautiful and invigorating sea swims of their lives. Cinque Terre means “five lands”, and it actually consists of five villages, all of them absurdly photogenic, but Vernazza just pips the others.

Capri, Bay of Naples

In Italy’s Bay of Naples, Capri (darling) is chic to the bones, with its elegant boutiques, megayachts and sun-kissed limoncello. But it also has natural beauty in rich abundance, in its dramatically craggy rock formations and sea caves tucked into cliffs. The Blue Grotto is the most famous sea cave – so-called because the sunlight streams through an underwater cavity, giving the water a blue glow that lights up the space.

Langhe, Piedmont

The softly rolling, wine-growing hills of the Langhe may be less dramatic than Italy’s city duomos and craggy coastline, but it is no less beautiful. As you drive around, among the vines, with the scents of hazelnut and truffle in the air, each hilltop appears iced with its own fairy castle. What are the most beautiful towns in Italy? It could be these Piedmontese dream locales: Alba, Grinzane Cavour and Barolo.

Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia

On the east coast of Sardinia, the Gulf of Orosei is home to some of the most photogenic beaches in Italy and the whole Mediterranean, with their clear turquoise waters and white sand. Cala Luna is the real deal, with powdery soft sand and a gentle slope out to sea – it’s accessible by boat, or a two-hour hike. Cala Goloritzè is just as idyllic, with the same impeccable colour palette, but it’s a little wilder, with a mighty limestone pinnacle.

Piazza del Campo, Siena

Italy has piazzas aplenty, but no others quite like Siena’s huge, sloping social centre. One of the most beautiful places in Italy, it’s the shape of a scallop shell, divided into nine sections, recalling the ‘Nove’ (the nine) who governed the city for the ‘common good’, not for the nobility, at the end of the 13th century. Nowadays, it’s surrounded by the Palazzo Pubblico and its Torre del Mangia, as well as various opportunities for aperitivo.

Bookmark for later: The Luxury Gold Guide to Private Wine Tasting in Italy

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites

Three distinctive rocky peaks rise abruptly and spectacularly into the sky in the Sexten Dolomites of northeastern Italy. These are the three epic icons of The Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site and if you want to hike them all, it’s a 10km route, best taken in the summer when the buttercups, forget-me-nots and vanilla orchids are in bloom. The Dolomites are a popular draw all year long, though, and one of the most inspiring places on earth to get outside and walk.

San Fruttuoso, Liguria

What this list needs to finish is a good, ancient Benedictine monastery, right on the seashore. The tiny hamlet, situated between Camogli and Portofino, and surrounded by Portofino Regional Park, has all the right shades of aquamarine and sun-blanched white, but its dominated by the Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, with its domed watchtower. It has to be one of the most beautiful places in Italy to lay your chic, striped beach towel.

Keen to discover Italy in luxury style? Take a look at our Ultimate Italy small group journey.

There are almost as many ways to eat in Italy as there are to be a person. The twenty regions each foster their own unique flavours and techniques, and within those there are untold variations. Michelin star restaurants can be wildly creative, or classic, old-school affairs. Here’s our guide to the gamut of Italian fine dining, featuring some of the most famous restaurants in Italy, and some of the lesser known ones, too. 

Lido 84, Lake Garda

The lakeside dinner of your dreams is in lush little Gardone Riviera, among the cypress trees, oleanders and bougainvillea. This is a joyous, relaxed place to soak in the lake’s majesty, with chefs regularly bustling in and out of the jewel-like turquoise dining room to present dishes made using local sardines, raw mountain milk, olive oil, lemons and Wisteria flowers. 

 

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Accursio, Modica

Modica is one of three Baroque towns in southern Sicily – it’s dazzling and monumental, and somewhat mind-blowingly nestled in a valley 25 minutes from the sea. Accursio’s tasting menu is a vivid introduction to the wildly varied cuisine of Sicilia, taking you from the coast to the mainland, the east to the west. 

Piazza Duomo, Alba

In Piedmont, unassuming Alba lures foodies in their droves with its Barolo wine, gianduja chocolates and highly prized white truffles. And for a seat in meticulous creative genius Enrico Crippa’s rosato pink dining room. This is one of the most awarded Michelin star restaurants in Italy – it’s had three for 13 years. Crippa’s 51-ingredient salad will change the way you think about foliage forever. 

 

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Osteria Francescana, Modena

One of the most famous restaurants in Italy and indeed the world, Massimo Bottura’s colossus is quite used to being called ‘the best’. Bottura’s singular work must be eaten to be believed; his menus are influenced by art and the cultural traditions of his Emilia-Romagna homeland. This is Italian fine dining as exuberant theater. 

Read more about Michelin star chefs around the world. 

Joia, Milan 

Pietro Leemann was one of the first chefs to take Italian fine dining to the green side, and in 1996 his trailblazing Joia became Europe’s first entirely vegetarian venue with a Michelin star. Leemann’s dishes are indulgent, complex and brimming with surprises, and the dining room has all the cool, chic minimalism you’d expect from Milano. 

 

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Glass Hostaria, Rome

Cristina Bowerman draws on American and Asian influences, never forgetting that Glass is a Roman restaurant, located right in the middle of Trastevere, a cobbled neighborhood across the Tiber. In a super-modern space, in which glass wine cases are embedded in floors, Bowerman reimagines Roman classics – her Amatriciana-stuffed ravioli are yolky, silky, rich magnificence. 

Le Monzu, Capri

Picture a romantic table for two in Capri: white tablecloth, plate of exquisite cuttlefish, next to the window where the sun is setting over the sea and some dramatic rock formations. You are picturing Le Monzu, one of the Michelin star resaurants on our Ultimate Italy journey, and the only restaurant with a Michelin star in Capri (its tagline is “Where an extra star shines over the Med”) . It sparkles. 

What to expect when dining at a Michelin star restaurant. 

 

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La Caravella dal 1959, Amalfi

As much a part of Amalfi as the lemons, La Caravella received its first star in 1969 at the helm of Antonio Dipino’s parents. It was later lost, but Chef Antonio won it back in the nineties with his imaginative reinterpretations of local dishes. Beneath spectacular frescoed ceilings, enjoy a Very Amalfi degustazione, ending with “the sun in a dish” – a legendary lemon souffle.

Casa Mazzucchelli, Sasso Marconi

A new star for 2024, Casa Mazzucchelli is just south of abundant Bologna, the city known for its ragus and brodos rather than its Italian fine dining. Brother Massimo takes the warm oak and bronze dining room and sister Aurora leads the kitchen, which is deeply devoted to bread. Look for Aurora’s leavening prowess in sourdough ravioli stuffed with chickpeas, lard and black cabbage, or in braised eel with corn focaccia.

 

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Duomo, Ragusa

Michelin awards two stars to Chef Ciccio Sultano for what they describe as “an intimate portrait of Sicily”. Enjoy a five- or eight-course showcase of the island’s finest almonds, sea urchins, lasagna and cassata in an old apartment, opposite the dramatic Duomo di San Giorgio, which sits with its neoclassical dome and Corinthian columns, like a giant honey-coloured wedding cake. 

Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence

In a former Renaissance palazzo, with a soundtrack of live piano, this is opulent, dreamy Florence in a nutshell, with three Michelin stars. It’s the sort of restaurant in which the sommelier will find you a glass of wine that pairs with your very soul, and the service is so immaculate the staff seem to float around you. The menu is a catalogue of wonders. 

 

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Enrico Bartolini al Mudec, Milan

Chef Enrico Bartolini has been awarded more Michelin stars for restaurants in Italy than anyone else, and this one is his flagship. Find the exquisite dining room (all soft leather, taupe and gentle lines), on the third floor of Milan’s Museo delle Culture (Mudec). The ‘contemporary classic’ menu is rooted in Milan, but with influences and ingredients from all over Italy. 

Oasis – Sapori Antichi

 

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In the Fischetti family, the women have run the kitchen for 35 years now and the ricotta ravioli with walnut and seared garlic has been there throughout. Today, it’s Michelina and her granddaughter Serena collaborating on dishes that are open to the world, but faithful to local tradition. The restaurant also has a Michelin green star for its connection to the region – the Fischettis use mostly small-scale producers and make olive oil on their own organic farm.

Zia, Rome

Michelin describes Antonio Ziantoni as “a young chef of undoubted talent”. He has a lot of interesting things to say, and he does so through red shrimp with rhubarb and basil, and through tortelli stuffed with pork, plums, Parmesan and bitters, and through rice pudding with coffee and black cardamom. If you want to surprise and delight your taste buds, book a table at Zia. 

How many Michelin star restaurants are there in Italy?

In 2024, there were 395 Michelin star restaurants in Italy. 

Which city in Italy has the most Michelin stars?

In 2024, Rome and Milan topped the leaderboard, with 21 stars apiece. 

Read more: The essential guide to Italy for foodies. 

Meticulous craftsmanship. Exquisite materials. Prestigious brand heritage and attention to detail. When it comes to shopping for a travel souvenir, we understand you’re looking for something special to remember your journey by.

That’s why we’ve pulled together a list of our favourite shopping destinations in a selection of the world’s most glamorous cities – you needn’t look anywhere else. From browsing big-name luxury brands on the Champs-Élysées in Paris to shopping for men’s tailoring on London’s lesser-known Jermyn Street, these are just a handful of the exclusive boutiques and decadent shopping experiences that await you on your travels.

Bond Street, London, UK

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Acclaimed for its elegant stores, designer fashion brands, art galleries, fine jewelry and antique shops, Bond Street is one of the world’s most renowned shopping streets. It is also the most expensive and sought after strips of real estate in Europe.

This luxury shopper’s paradise has been at the heart of London’s high fashion since the 18th century and is where you find iconic flagship stores of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, and Versace, showcasing the latest haute couture and ready-to-wear collections. As well as exquisite jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Bulgari.

More than just a high-end retail experience, you can enjoy an auction at Sotheby’s or an exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts. And with Claridge’s or The Ritz just steps away, treat yourself to a luxurious British afternoon tea.

While in the capital, gentlemen should also take a look at Jermyn Street. Dating back to 1664, Jermyn Street holds a worldwide reputation for high quality British artistry and craftsmanship. One of the more unique shopping streets you will find, it is home to the highest concentration of gentlemen’s clothiers in the city. The street hosts London’s finest men’s tailors, shirt makers and suppliers of leather goods.

Visit London on: British Royale

You might also like to read: What to expect when dining at a Michelin starred restaurant

Via Condotti, Rome, Italy

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Synonymous with luxury shopping Rome’s Via Condotti is a destination in itself.  Where fashion, art, and history converge, the street is adorned with prestigious fashion houses and renowned Italian brands. Here you will find Valentino, Fendi, Bulgari, Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo, and discover a rich tapestry of high fashion, exquisite leather goods and designer accessories.

One of the world’s most famous shopping streets, a day spent on Via Condotti is a day immersed in the grandeur of Italian fashion and craftsmanship. Opulent flagship stores and boutique showrooms bustle with attentive and knowledgeable staff providing a personalized service. Take a break from shopping at charming sidewalk cafes, savoring an espresso or gelato and drink in the street’s picturesque architecture and historical charm.

Often going under the radar Via del Babuino is also a charming shopping location. Running from Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish Steps, the street is dotted with high-fashion boutiques among which are Chanel, Cavalli, Tiffany, Sandro Ferrone and RedValentino brands.

Revel in Rome on: Ultimate Italy

You might be interested to read: The Luxury Gold guide to discovering statement art pieces on your travels

Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon’s chicest street, Avenida da Liberdade, was conceived by the city’s urban planners who wanted it to mimic Paris’s iconic boulevards and shopping streets. Built in the 19th century, a thoroughfare was created in the center of the Portuguese capital featuring wide, leafy lanes. The cobblestoned promenades are paved with stunning Portuguese-style patterns, smoothed by the many pedestrians over the decades.

Because of its history, Avenida da Liberdade became the natural destination for opulent visitors. The most expensive street to buy or rent property on, it is adorned with grand theaters, townhouse-style homes of dignitaries and celebrities, and luxury hotels.

Unsurprisingly Liberdade is also the most sought-after address for big-name fashion labels. Cartier, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Gucci can all be found, offering a luxury shopping experience to rival Paris or Milan.

Treat yourself to a gourmet dining experience at one of the elegant restaurants, indulge in a delightful pastry at a traditional café or a stay at one of the luxurious hotels that adorn the Boulevard.

Chiado is also considered to be the best shopping district in Lisbon, in which fine boutiques and street markets coexist to offer a blend of classic and contemporary fashion. It is a great place to buy gold and jewelry as you often get a better deal here than anywhere else in Portugal.

Discover Lisbon on: Spain & Portugal in Style

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Avenida Alvear, Bueons Aires, Argentina

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One of the world’s most stylish and flamboyant cities, Buenos Aires just oozes sophistication and style. To fill your shopping desires head to Anevidar Alvear, one of the city’s most aristocratic avenues. Dating back to 1885 it is the home of architectural marvels like the iconic Teatro Colon, a grand opera house that has hosted world-class performances for over a century.

An impressive lineup of prestigious fashion houses and designer labels including Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada can be found. Additionally, exclusive jewelry boutiques such as Tiffany & Co. and Cartier offer dazzling collections for those seeking timeless elegance.

To complete the experience, a tantalizing selection of upscale restaurants and cafes adorn the avenue. Indulge in gourmet cuisine or enjoy a delightful afternoon tea at the classic Alvear Palace Hotel.

A lesser known but must-visit destination for upscale shopping in Buenos Aires is Galerías Pacífico, an exquisite shopping mall that exudes both historical significance and contemporary glamour. This magnificent Beaux Arts style building, originally constructed in the late 19th century as a railway station providing access to the Pacific Ocean, has a captivating past. The basement of Galerías Pacífico was later revealed to have served as a grim torture chamber during the military junta of the 1970s. Today, Galerías Pacífico is home to an exciting range of upscale boutiques. Inside, you’ll discover an array of world-renowned brands, including Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger and Lacoste, among others.

Enjoy Buenos Aires on: Classic South America

You might also enjoy reading: Discover the Boutiques, Vineyards and Views of the Swiss Riviera

Ginza, Tokyo, Japan

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Though not so much a street as a district, Ginza in Tokyo is a luxury shoppers paradise. The ritziest and biggest upscale shopping district in Tokyo is home to the city’s exclusive boutiques and glamorous department stores, such as the classic Mitsukoshi and avant-garde Dover Street Market. Dior, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Burberry, Printemps, Chaumet and Hermes all have boutiques here.

The district is also dotted with art galleries, traditional tea houses and Michelin-starred restaurants, offering a fusion of artistic expression and gastronomic delights.

Also in Tokyo, Omotesando Hills is a sleek, chic shopping, dining, art and café space that opened in 2005, designed by the famous modern Japanese architect Takao Ando. While this leafy boulevard includes some of the most popular shopping malls in the city, it’s also one of the more unusual shopping streets in that it is home to some of the most amazing examples of human-scale modern architecture that you’ll find anywhere in the world. The Prada and Dior buildings are both are outstanding when lit up at night.

Discover Tokyo on: Majestic Japan

You might also be interested to read: Bird costumes and cherry blossom: why spring is the best time to visit Japan

Champs-Élysées – Paris, France

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The mile-long Champs-Élysées in Paris, gliding glamorously down from the Arc de Triomphe, is probably one of the world’s most iconic shopping streets. In a city where stye and chic are ingrained in every moment, this legendary boulevard epitomizes the elegance, beauty, and grandeur of France.

The Arc de Triomphe, majestically standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, commemorates Napoleon’s military victories and offers breathtaking views of the city. Further down the avenue, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais showcase magnificent Beaux-Arts architecture and host world-class art exhibitions.

High-end fashion boutiques, flagship stores and prestigious brands line the avenue, enticing fashion enthusiasts from around the globe. From Louis Vuitton and Chanel to Dior and Guerlain, the Champs-Élysées is a paradise for those seeking the epitome of style and refinement.

We also love Rue saint Honoré. Here you’ll find all the major fashion houses like Dior, Givenchy and Hermès, and lots of well-known brands mixed in with more niche designers. A favorite of magazine editors and style bloggers since it is just steps from the Jardin des Tuileries, where many fashion week runway shows take place, this is one of the shopping streets you should definitely have on your radar.