Top 11 amazing attractions that make everyone want to return to Italy

If Rome is majestic and ancient, Venice is a graceful beauty floating on water. Venice is the dream of many, a city of love and romance. Known as the 'Floating City' of Italy, it comes as no surprise that Venice is built on an archipelago of 118 islands connected by 150 canals. Among them, the Grand Canal stands out as the largest and most important waterway in Venice.

The Grand Canal is often called the most beautiful waterway in the world, a famous 'S' shaped artery of Venice. On this canal, traditional gondolas with intricate designs glide, taking visitors through time, while they enjoy the serenades of the gondoliers and admire the unique architecture that lines both shores, some of which have stood for centuries.

Visitors to Venice love traveling by gondola because it offers the unique advantage of navigating narrow canals and alleyways, immersing visitors in the everyday life of the locals. Drifting along the clear waters of the Grand Canal, tourists can also take in the grand palaces, majestic churches, impressive hotels, and public buildings designed mainly in Renaissance, Roman, and Gothic styles that line the waterway.

The Grand Canal is crossed by four famous bridges, each built at different times with its own distinctive architectural style. The oldest and most famous is the Rialto Bridge, designed by Antonio da Ponte in the late 16th century. The Rialto Bridge spans the canal at its midpoint and marks the boundary between the San Marco and San Polo districts.

Burano Island is known as the land of sunshine and vibrant colors. It's hard to describe just how charming and beautiful Burano is. Once you arrive, you'll want to buy a colorful house, relax by the sea with a yoga mat, and in the afternoon, settle into a wooden chair with a good book. Venice may be bustling and full of energy, but Burano offers peace and serenity, where life moves slowly as if it doesn't care about the world around it. Burano is tiny, and most of its residents are fishermen. The small houses here, painted in bright colors like blue, yellow, and orange, or simply white, stretch along the canals, casting their reflection on the water—an unforgettable sight for visitors to the island.

Transportation: The primary way to travel around the canals is by using the "vaporetto", a public waterbus system that's a unique feature of the city, commonly used by the locals.

Address: Burano is located approximately 7 km northeast of Venice, Italy.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the oldest shopping centers in the world, named after the first king to unify Italy.

If you find yourself in one of Italy's fashion capitals, you shouldn't miss this remarkable shopping center with its unique architecture. Designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II features two glass-covered arcades connected by a central octagonal space. At the heart of this artistic marvel is a massive glass dome, beneath which are four ceramic mosaics representing the four major cities of the Kingdom of Italy: Milan, Turin, Florence, and Rome.

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 20123 Milano, Italy

Phone: +39 02 8845 5555

Opening hours: Open 24/7

Right next to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the Milan Cathedral, an architectural and artistic masterpiece of Italy that can hold up to 40,000 people.

This cathedral was begun in 1386 and completed 500 years later. Skilled Italian artisans have crafted exquisite details, creating a "poetic marble masterpiece" with towering columns, soaring arches, and grand frescoes. Despite its monumental size, the interior of the Milan Cathedral offers an unusual warmth. Beautiful stained-glass windows depict scenes from the Bible, casting strange reflections on the cathedral's floor. Descend the marble staircase from the main church to explore the Cathedral's Treasury, where visitors can find artifacts from early Christian and Roman times.

Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1871 before the capital was moved to Rome. In the 18th century, Florence blossomed as a hub for literature, art, and architecture. The city boasts nearly half of Italy's historic buildings and art treasures. Among these ancient structures, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral stands as the architectural symbol of the artistic city of Florence.

Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Florence, is located at the heart of the city. Built during the Renaissance, it features a unique Gothic-style dome and is regarded as a symbol of Florence's artistic heritage.

The cathedral is one of the four largest churches in the world, completed after more than a century of construction. With a diameter of 45 meters, its dome is the largest in the world. For a breathtaking view of Florence, visitors can climb the bell tower atop the dome to gaze over this poetic city.

The most striking feature for visitors is the stained-glass windows. The cathedral has 44 stained-glass windows, all of which are exceptionally large. The windows along the aisles depict scenes from the Old and New Testament, while the circular windows near the dome and inside the nave show images of Christ and the Virgin Mary. These windows, painted by renowned artists of the time such as Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Paolo Uccello, and Andrea del Castagno, are masterpieces in their own right. Thanks to the vaulted and pointed architecture, combined with the expansive stained-glass windows, the cathedral is flooded with natural light from the outside.

Address: Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Italy.

Phone: +39 055 230 2885

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is a unique bridge that spans the picturesque Arno River.

Known as the Old Bridge, it dates back to medieval times. Historical records note that during World War II, as the Nazis withdrew from Italy, they destroyed many of the beautiful bridges to block the Allied forces. All the bridges in Florence were demolished, except for Ponte Vecchio.

On this ancient bridge, you'll find a collection of jewelry shops housing some of the finest craftsmen in Florence.

A stroll across Ponte Vecchio at sunset offers a chance to watch artists painting and listen to street musicians filling the air with their melodies. Occasionally, newlywed couples walk by, cheered on by the well-wishes of passersby.

Uffizi is one of the oldest museums in the world, dating back to the 16th century. It is also among the top 10 most visited art museums by tourists. Uffizi is renowned for its masterpieces from the Renaissance and earlier periods. Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122, Florence, Italy. Phone: +39 055 238 8651 Opening hours: 8:15 AM – 6:50 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Italy is not only known for its romantic, ancient, and picturesque landscapes but also for its rich culinary heritage that attracts food lovers from all over the world. Some must-try dishes in Italy include: Gelato Italy's sweet and romantic indulgence, gelato, comes in a variety of seasonal flavors that change throughout the year. Gnocchi This ancient dish, dating back to the 17th century, is a pasta that shares similarities with Chinese dumplings. Seppie al nero A Venetian specialty, this dish features squid ink sauce paired with either pasta or risotto. Antipasto Toscano A Tuscan appetizer platter featuring locally made cured meats and cheeses. Bistecca alla Fiorentina A thick T-bone steak, grilled to perfection, often enjoyed with a glass of Chianti Classico red wine from Tuscany. Cappuccino Experience Italy's iconic cappuccino, and you'll understand why Starbucks isn't as popular here. Risotto alla Milanese A rich rice dish flavored with saffron, one of the world’s most expensive spices. Chianti Classico Wine The famous wine of the Chianti region in Tuscany.

The Vatican Museums are nestled within the walls of the Vatican City in Rome. It is one of the largest museums in the world, housing an extensive collection of priceless artworks amassed by the Roman Catholic Church over the centuries.

Every day, thousands of visitors flock to ancient Rome, drawn by the remnants of Renaissance glory, only to line up for hours outside the Vatican Museums, eager to witness the grandeur of this extraordinary institution. If you lack the patience to wait in the long queues, you might miss out on the wonders this remarkable country has to offer.

Inside the museum complex lies the Sistine Chapel, where visitors are urged to maintain absolute silence as they gaze in awe at Michelangelo's masterpiece adorning the chapel's ceiling. What’s even more fascinating is that when you step into Vatican City, you're entering the world’s smallest independent state, but one with an unparalleled influence on religion.

Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome, Italy.

Phone: +39 06 6988 3332

Website: http://mv.vatican.va/

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, closed on Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month) and certain fixed holidays.

St. Peter's Basilica (or San Pietro Basilica in Italian) is a monumental masterpiece designed by the legendary architects Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Constructed over more than a century, its majestic dome towering against the clear blue skies of Italy has become a symbol of Rome itself.

St. Peter's Basilica stands as a representation of God's presence on Earth. It is historically significant as the site where the apostle Peter came to Rome to spread Christianity and was martyred under the reign of Emperor Nero. It is not only a sacred place for Catholics but also an enduring symbol of art, a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the Italian people.

Address: West of the Tiber River, near Janiculum Hill and Hadrian's Mausoleum, Vatican.

Anyone who has visited the romantic Mediterranean country of Italy must have, at some point, closed their eyes and tossed a coin into the Trevi Fountain, hoping to one day return to this magical land.

Constructed in 1723 and nestled against an ancient palace, the Trevi Fountain is one of Italy's most magnificent sculptural landmarks. The fountain's waters are still considered sacred, known as Aqua Vergine. Standing 25.9 meters tall and 19.8 meters wide, the fountain features statues of the gods Neptune and Oceanus at its center.

The heart of the fountain is a massive statue of the sea god Neptune, riding a chariot pulled by two sea horses, with four smaller statues representing the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The white water cascading over the stone statues creates an enchanting and shimmering reflection on the fountain's basin. The Trevi Fountain is particularly breathtaking at night.

However, the most intriguing aspect of the Trevi Fountain isn't its structure or origins, but its symbolism. For centuries, it has been a place where people send their wishes and hopes. Legend says that if you want to return to Rome, toss a coin into the water. If you're with your beloved, toss two coins and your wedding will come soon. Some believe that tossing three coins might hasten the end of a marriage, but if you throw them with your right hand over your left shoulder while facing away from the fountain, you'll attract good fortune and happiness.

Interestingly, Hollywood filmmakers have recognized the fountain's charm and used it as the setting for iconic movies such as 'La Dolce Vita' and 'Three Coins in the Fountain.'

Address: Located in the Trevi Square, near Via del Tritone.