Sights, Italy

Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is an iconic example of how truly beautiful the Mediterranean landscape is, supported by UNESCO, which awarded it a World Heritage Site for its astounding and original beauty, vast landscapes and overall stunning coastline.

This 50-kilometre stretch of idyllic coastline is a sight you simply can’t afford to miss when holidaying in Italy, with quaint and secluded beaches in abundance, colourful fishing villages, accompanied by a luscious, mountainous backdrop.

You will be spoilt for choice on a trip to the Amalfi Coast: visit what’s regarded as the most picturesque village on this coastline – Positano and gaze at the colourful houses steeped in history, sitting atop towering, mossy mountains.

Alternatively, take a boat ride to the “Emerald Cave” (Grotta dello Smeraldo), or venture to and admire the cascading waterfall – Valle delle Ferriere. With so much to see and discover, this coastline is the perfect sightseeing adventure to embark on during your trip to Italy.

Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is a truly spectacular natural phenomenon – an ancient cave surrounded by and consisting of dreamy blue waters, in the northern coast of calming Capri. Simply purchase a ticket for a small fare from the floating ticket office to experience this natural wonder by boat, which speeds across the aqua blue waters and into the awe-inspiring grotto.

Be prepared to duck to see every inch of this miraculous cave. Then, once you enter the grotto, you will be astounded by its magical beauty. The walls here are bright blue from the beautiful reflection of the waters within the grotto, which is why many refer to this cave as a lava lamp, due to the lighting changes and varied colours.

Be sure to head to this wondrous sight on a sunny day, to enjoy the scenery and the grotto itself in all its glory and do remember, the grotto is closed in the winter months.

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is the only remaining covered bridge in the whole of Venice, with its passageway completely encased in stone, with merely two windows looking out onto the beautiful surrounding scenery and water below.

Many even coin this bridge as being the most beautiful bridge in the whole of Venice, thanks to its impressive baroque style and striking architectural design.

Built atop the glittering waves, this bridge is easily accessible by boat. So, be sure to book onto a boat tour during your travels and experience the view of this spectacular bridge first hand. This bridge, however, cannot be so easily reached by foot, since it is a part of a government prison facility, which is interesting enough in itself.

Legend has it that if lovers kiss on a gondola ride under the Bridge of Sighs, they will be blessed with eternal happiness – but only if they kiss as the bells of St Mark’s Campanile chime.

Colosseum – Rome

The Colosseum, located in the popular city centre of Rome is a classic Roman arena building, originally known to locals as the Flavian Amphitheatre. When this ancient site was built, visitors would flock here to watch 100 days of games between different gladiators, a true source of entertainment back then.

Initially, it took the Romans 10 years to complete the arena, being coined as one of the most impressive pieces of architecture the world had (and still has) ever seen. Even today, the impeccable image and structure of the tiered seating within the arena is truly astounding, still standing proud and strong today, despite being built so many years ago (between 72 A.D and 80 A.D).

This phenomenal, sightseeing wonder is suited to all age ranges, with kids fascinated by the size of this marvellous building, and parents intrigued by the history behind it and the culture associated with it.

Lake Como

Discover the pinnacle of Italy’s beautiful landscapes, on a sightseeing trip to Lake Como, located in Italy’s Lombardy region. This natural wonder is popular for its heavenly waters, gorgeous surrounding scenery, relaxing vibe and warm temperatures – making any traveller feel at peace in a spot of complete paradise.

When you first arrive, take a trip on the authentic Como funicular, taking you to the top of a surrounding cliff, where you can experience panoramic views of the lake from up above. Then, walk up to the lighthouse for an even better viewpoint, or if you don’t fancy the uphill walk in the heat, catch a tourist bus which drops you off at the top.

Book onto a high-speed or standard boat to take you across to the different towns surrounding the expansive and idyllic lake, departing from Como. If you plan your time right, you can see up to three mesmerising towns in one day, all of which feature different cultures and landscapes but with one common denominator – they all sit by different points of the glimmering Lake Como.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic sight to be seen in Italy. This impressive building is tall tower soaring above the skies, designed with intricate arches on each row, with fantastic architectural design weaved into every aspect of this building structure.

The tower itself took just over 200 years to complete, starting construction in the early years of 1173, still stounding proud today amongst Pisa’s many other historical sights.

Millions of travellers visit this captivating sight each year, to see the awe-inspiring ‘lean’ of the tower, which originally wasn’t intended. In fact, it was built with the purpose to stand straight, but the ground it was built on was composed of soft materials like sand, clay and shells. So, by the time it was complete, it began tipping to the side slightly.

Many tourists flock here for the comical picture opportunities, raising their arms up to the camera lens to make it appear like they’re holding up this famous and fantastic leaning building.

Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology

The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum is actually the largest science and technology museum in the whole of Italy, spanning across an impressive 40,000m2. This iconic museum houses the past, present and future of science, showcasing both the history behind each of Leonardo da Vinci’s impressive inventions, as well as the makings of his brilliant ideas from over the years.

What’s so intriguing about this spectacular museum is the building itself, which was originally a sixteenth-century Olivetan monastery – meaning its architecture is detailed, intricate and simply sublime, both inside and out.

Families will love exploring this fascinating museum with the little ones, especially as it is filled with as many as 13 interactive museum workshops to toy around with and understand.

Holidaymakers simply have to pay a small fee for entry, and a café is available to dine at or there are tables designed for picnicking. So, feel free to pack up a tasty lunch for you and the kids to bring along beforehand.

Museums

Italy’s museums tell a thousand different stories about this country’s rich past. The museums teach travellers all about the previous cultures, laws, religions and tastes here; even relationships showcased from the abundance of art galleries located in idyllic Italy.

It can be hard to decide which museum to venture to, with each individual location in Italy boasting a diverse range of different museum spots to visit. Choose from art museums (since Italy is so famous for its intricate art displays), including The Vatican Museums in Rome, The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia or the Academy Gallery in Venice – home to fantastic paintings, with a background of great history.

Or, head to Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli in Naples – Italy’s iconic archaeological museum filled with ancient gems to uncover.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site, head to Villa d’Este in Rome – a 16th-century villa with Renaissance gardens and impressive fountains which sit next to the grand entrance.

St. Peter’s Basilica

If you’re holidaying in Rome, you can’t leave without visiting the grand St. Peter’s Basilica cathedral.

Coined as one of the finest cathedrals in the world, St. Peters is filled with exquisite architecture, featured both outside and in. This impressive building is also the spiritual hub of the Vatican and inside, holidaymakers can find rich painted ceilings, domed ceilings and towering arches, sculpted with rich, renaissance art.

Even at night this cathedral is astoundingly beautiful; it is lit up to showcase all its glory (acting as a symbol of Italy’s impressive acknowledgement for art and religion).

Many hotels and tour guides have information and tickets to visit St Peter’s Basilica, or if you’re a spare-of-the-moment type of traveller, head over to this sightseeing wonder when you have a free minute and pay on arrival. However, If you do book in advance, purchase a ‘skip the line’ ticket for the Vatican Museums; this helps ensure you’re not waiting in lengthy tourist queues.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain in Rome dates back to ancient Roman times, built at the final point of the aqueduct, located at the junction of three roads. Impressively, this popular sightseeing spot is the largest Baroque fountain in the whole of the city, and the materials it’s made of is actually the same as that used for the Colosseum.

The sculptured 85-feet tall fountain sees water pumping out of various sources, and though in the ancient Roman times this was used to drink out of, the water is now recycled through the fountain to ensure the water supply in Rome is forever constant. So, if you do want a refreshing drink of water, take a drink from the stand-alone water fountains nearby.

It’s a well-known tradition to grab a coin and throw it over your shoulder into the bottom of the Trevi Fountain, which Romans believed brought good luck, a safe return, as well as love and marriage. It is actually illegal to steal the coins here, because they are collected each night and given to charity, to help Rome’s underprivileged local’s source food.