Italy is like old wine: it gets better with every trip. Once you visit Italy once, you keep finding more and more reasons to travel to the Apennine Peninsula again and again.
Last updated: November 1, 2024
10 Irresistible Reasons Why You Need to Visit Italy
Italy doesn’t need an introduction. Italy doesn’t need an expensive marketing campaign to persuade you to visit it. The country is already on every traveler’s bucket list. And there are ample good reasons why.
From ancient ruins to stunning landscapes, picturesque cities, and Italian cuisine, the country offers more in one visit that one can experience in a lifetime. For those who need a little bit more persuasion, here are 10 main reasons why you should visit Italy at least once.
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT ITALY
1. Rich History
Italy is a history lover’s paradise. Once the center of the Roman Empire, one of the largest empires in the world, it boasts some of the most incredible monuments of the ancient world. Endless museums and historic buildings let you dive deeper into the rich cultural and historic heritage of the country.
After all, even in ancient times, people all over the world knew that all roads lead to Rome. Apart from the size of the country, little has changed nowadays. Italy still invites world travelers to enjoy its hospitality and enjoy its remarkable attractions.
2. Ancient Ruins
Italy has also enriched the world with some of the most outstanding ancient ruins. From the Roman Forum to the Colosseum and the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Verona, the country keeps its history alive.
It’s hard to believe that some 2000 years ago Julius Caesar himself lived and walked in some of the buildings, which remains we long to see every time we visit historic cities of Italy.
3. Italian Cuisine
In one movie I watched a long time ago, a female main character said: “People didn’t stop visiting Italy because Pizza Hut is around the corner”. Indeed, while Italian cuisine is replicated throughout the world, indulging in authentic dishes in the places of their origin is one of the truly good reasons to visit Italy.
Nowhere in the world, you will find the same lasagna, Italian pasta, risotto, or bruschetta. And everybody knows that Naples has the best pizza in the world. Ask people with a sweet tooth, and they’ll confirm that gelato or tiramisu are pretty valid reasons to jump on the next plane to Italy.
4. Dramatic Landscapes
Italy has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Sadly just a few first-time visitors know about this side of the country, allowing Rome and Venice to steal all their attention.
But there is a different side of Italy, a country of great contracts and scenic views. This Italy encompasses rolling hills of Tuscany, snow-capped peaks of the Alps, and dramatic scenery of Lake Come. The list of the reasons to visit this side of Italy gets bigger and bigger the more you explore the country beyond its popular destinations.
5. Iconic Cities and Villages
Incredible architecture of Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, winding canals of Venice, and cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre… Small and big, Italian cities and villages are as irresistible as the country’s natural landscapes.
6. Italian Festivals
The Italians have long been known for their love of festivals and celebrations. It must have something to do with their hospitable and outgoing nature. Another reason can be that the Italians use any occasion to dress up and get together. Either way, from the Venice Carnival to the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) and the Battle of the Oranges, the Italian festivals ought to be enjoyed with all their pomposity.
7. Home to Two Fashion Capitals of the World
Until recently, Paris was the only fashion capital of the world, influencing styles and tastes of millions of people all over the world. With time the term fashion capital expanded. Today it includes four other cities, including Rome and Milan that host annual fashion weeks.
8. The Vatican
The Vatican is the smallest country in the world and not a part of Italy like many people think. But there is no way to visit the Vatican City and explore its ageless treasures without first arriving in Rome, the capital of Italy.
9. UNESCO World Heritage Sites
According to UNESCO, there are more than 50 reasons to visit Italy. With 50 cultural and 5 natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s one of the most recognized by UNESCO countries in the world.
Interestingly enough, the entire Amalfi Coast is one of these sites. The significance and importance of the historic center of Rome as well as the Vatican City were acknowledged by UNESCO in the 80s of the 20th century. The historic centers of Florence, Naples, Siena, and San Gimignano also made it onto the list. Recently, the Dolomites and Mount Etna have been some of the biggest reasons to visit Italy.
10. Italian Style
I grew up believing that Italian shoes are the best. I got to test my childish beliefs a year ago when I bought two pairs of boots for me and my son. While an adult can wear her shoes for many years, an active toddler puts his shoes to the real test.
So, my son was wearing his boots, rain or shine, for almost 1.5 years until he outgrew them. Apart from some scratches, the shoes are still as good as new.
But the shoes are just one of the reasons to visit Italy and go on a little shopping spree. Clothes, accessories, and even furniture pass high Italian standards of style and quality. What else can you expect from a country that gave the world such brands as Versace, Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Valentino?
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