A guide to Italy's
great cities.
Italy is a destination like nowhere else in the world. Some of the most magnificent cities are dotted along this boot-shaped island. Ancient ruins, profound architecture, world-famous monuments and unimaginable beauty fills the streets (and canals) of some of our favourite Italian cities. Read more about Rome, Venice, Florence and Verona and add these little gems to your travel wish list.
Explore the fascinating city of Rome.
Rome.
Known as the ‘Eternal City’, Rome is steeped in history, artistic grandeur and impressive architecture. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Delicious food, artistic treasures and historic legacy construct the very fabric of this magnificent city. Italy’s capital was once the very centre of power, culture and religion. This compelling history endows the city with its unique sense of importance. It is bursting with historical sights extraordinary enough to impress more than just the history buff. The city of Rome will leave you in awe.
Rome can be divided into a few individual districts. The modern centre of Rome is where many of the hotels, shops and restaurants are located as well as the famous Via Veneto, home to the Trevi Fountain. The historic centre of Rome, on the other hand, is much smaller. It captures the essence of the Renaissance in the form of its architecture, beautiful squares and stunning cathedrals. We recommend strolling through Old Rome on foot, exploring its narrow streets and indulging in the delicious cuisine in its laid-back trattorias.
Rome has a truly impressive artistic heritage and is beaming with some of the greatest masterpieces that have graced our world. It has enticed and inspired artists for centuries. Its churches are overflowing with art, its medieval piazzas boast beautiful baroque facades and its streets are home to sculptures by Michelangelo.
Don’t miss some of Rome’s most profound attractions. The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Square, The Spanish Steps and The Sistine Chapel are famous for good reason. However, do try and experience Rome’s Mediterranean rhythm and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy its street side cafes, unwind in the pretty piazzas and sample its vibrant nightlife.
Piazza Navona in Rome.
Take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal.
Venice.
One of the most romantic cities in the world, the floating city of Venice is one of epic grandeur. Take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal and gaze upon the glorious Venetian architecture lining its banks. Built on a lagoon, this city will surely amaze you.
There’s nothing more romantic than taking a gondola ride down Venice’s Grand Canal. Stroll along the Bridge of Sighs, explore the range of historic sights and wind down with a coffee or a glass of prosecco in the popular St. Marks Square. In high season, you will often find outdoor orchestras playing next to cafes and restaurants, adding a magical touch to evenings in Venice.
Venice has been attracting poets and artists for many years. It is one of Italy’s finest cities with a truly inspiring atmosphere. The famous Grand Canal is lined with impressive buildings and beautiful architecture. It leads toward St. Mark’s Island, where you will get a chance to explore some of the city’s most famous tourist attractions. On the island, you will see the unforgettable St. Mark’s Cathedral. You will be struck by its beauty where the front of the basilica ripples and crests like a wave. This impressive building exudes a sense of history, culture and grandeur.
The Rialto Bridge is the most famous one that crosses the Grand Canal and a definite must see. Explore Venice’s narrow backstreets to see beautiful churches lined with Veoneses and priceless marbles.
The magical floating city of Venice.
Explore the fascinating city of Florence.
Verona.
Home to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, Verona is defined by its sense of romance and drama. At the heart of the city lies centuries of history and art. Experience this dazzling city and see some of its most impressive sights with Topflight, Ireland's Italian Specialist.
The core of the city is a Roman town nestled in the loop of the River Adige. It is home to one of the richest collections of Roman remains in northern Italy. The surviving remains include the city gate of Porta Borsari which dates back to the first century AD. The Roman theatre is one of the most famous of the remains. Set in picturesque surroundings overlooking the River Adige, the theatre is home to the town's fascinating archeological museum.
See the magnificent Arena di Verona, the famous Roman amphitheatre that survived a 12th-century earthquake to later become the city's legendary open-air opera house. It is located in the beautiful Piazza Bra, Verona's main square. This historic arena oozes grandeur. Here, you can experience world-class entertainment during your trip to Verona.
Visit Casa di Giulietta, where you can see the romantic balcony on which Shakespeare's Juliet is said to have pined for her lover, Romeo. Experience the beautiful Piazza dei Signori, the beautiful ‘Square of Lords'. This is the former centre of power in Verona. Magnificent buildings surround the square, which is dominated by the statue of the Italian poet, Dante Alighieri. Visit the Piazza delle Erbe, which has remained the vibrant heart of Verona since Roman times. Grandiose buildings, elegant restaurants and market stalls make up this beautiful square.
Visit the prestigious Via Mazzini, lined with extravagant shops and designer boutiques. Shoppers will find everything their hearts could desire, from Gucci through to leather goods from the magnificent Furla.
Take a wander on the streets of Verona.
The arches of the Corridoio Vasariano in Florence,
Florence.
Florence is a beautiful Renaissance city in the heart of Tuscany. Most of its sights are contained within the main centre, making it ideal to get around on foot. The town is situated on the River Arno, whose famous bridge, Ponte Vecchio, is a striking landmark. Florence is overflowing with some of the world's most important works of art, which you can find in its many galleries and museums.
Florence was founded in the first century BC and is simply jam packed with historical, cultural and artistic treasures. We recommend visits to the gothic Santa Maria Novella church and Piazza della Signoria, where Michelangelo’s handsome David guards the town hall (Palazzo Vecchio), albeit not the original statue which is housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia.
You should also see the beautiful Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge crossing the Arno that has tiny little jewellery shops across the whole bridge, built into it like bird nests. And don't forget to visit one of the biggest and most impressing churches in Europe, the Santa Maria del Fiore with its huge cupola, designed by the famous architect Brunelleschi. In front of the church you will find the antique Baptist church with its fantastically worked “door of paradise”.
Florence is a wonderful city to simply wander, perhaps enjoy a delicious cappuccino in one of the elegant cafés, go shopping or explore one of the more than 70 museums that the city offers.
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.
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