Why visit
Italy is endless travel. Rome's ruins, Florence's Renaissance, Venice's canals, Amalfi's cliffs, Sicily's markets, Dolomites hiking. Regional food and dialect identity remains strong.
Country - Europe
Italy
culturefoodhistorybeachcity
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Italy works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Rome as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Italy.
At a glance
Location
42.8°, 12.8°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
301,336 km²
116,346 mi²
Country population
58.9 million
195/km²
Subregion
Southern Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+39
Language
Italian
Demonym
Italian
Internet
.it
UN
Member state
ISO code
IT / ITA
Where in the world
42.8° - 12.8°
Italy
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country (60+).
- Venice is built on over 100 small islands in a lagoon, connected by 400+ bridges.
- Italy has two microstates inside it: Vatican City and San Marino.
- Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the European mainland.
Bordering Italy
Traveler notes
- Rome + Florence + Venice is the ten-day classic
- Schengen area; e-ETIAS coming soon
- Shoulder months avoid heat and crowds
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Rome, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Signature travel cities in Italy
Florence
Florence is the Renaissance in a walled walking city. Uffizi, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Accademia (David). Plus Tuscan day-trips to Siena and San Gimignano.
Venice
Venice is 118 islands, 400 bridges, and a fragile lagoon you can cross by vaporetto. Visit in shoulder season; the crush of high summer hurts everyone.
Milan
Milan is Italy's design and finance capital. The Last Supper, the Duomo's roof terraces, Brera's gallery and aperitivo, and the Navigli canals at night.
Naples
Naples is pizza's birthplace, the gateway to Pompeii, and the wildest, most alive city in Italy. Spaccanapoli's alleys, Capodimonte's art, and the Amalfi Coast next door.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Italy
What is the capital of Italy?
Rome is the capital of Italy.
What currency does Italy use?
Italy uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Italy?
The primary language is Italian.
Is Italy landlocked?
No, Italy has a coastline.
What countries border Italy?
Italy borders Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Vatican City.
What is the international calling code for Italy?
The calling code is +39.
When is the best time to visit Italy?
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other Europe destinations
Geneva
Geneva is Switzerland's most international city. UN headquarters, CERN, Lake Geneva's Jet d'Eau, and easy access to Chamonix and Mont Blanc.
Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland's financial capital turned lifestyle destination. Bahnhofstrasse shopping, Lake Zurich swimming, Kunsthaus art museum, and the Uetliberg city-mountain.
Interlaken
Interlaken sits between two lakes with Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau rising behind. Switzerland's adventure-sport capital for paragliding, skydiving, canyoning.
Lucerne
Lucerne wraps a medieval old town and the 1333 Chapel Bridge around a lake framed by Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. The classic base for central Switzerland's boat-and-cogwheel mountain circuits.
Salzburg
Salzburg is Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, and a summer festival (Festspiele) that's one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck is Alpine city living. Cable cars from the center to 2,334 m, Maria-Theresien-Strasse's baroque, and ski resorts 20 minutes out.