The cradle of Western civilization — Roman ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, Gothic cathedrals, and a culinary tradition so revered that 26 Italian dishes have EU protected status.
- Capital
- Rome
- Population
- 58,919,230
- Area
- 301,230 km²
- Languages
- Italian
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- GDP
- $2,422,855M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Pasta,Polenta,Pizza, Risotto
Annual visitors
38,419,000 (2020)
Safety
Very low (0.57/100k)
Avg temp
13.2°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115
Travel guide
Italy (Italian: Italia) was once the core of the mighty Roman Empire, and the cradle of the Renaissance. Along with Greece, it is regarded as the "birthplace" of Western culture, and it is also home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, including high art and monuments. Italy is famous for its delicious cuisine, trendy designer brands, luxury sports cars and motorcycles, diverse regional cultures and dialects, as well as for its various landscapes from the seas to the Alps and Apennines, which makes reason for its nickname Il Bel Paese (the Beautiful Country). In the shape of a boot, the country continues to be one of the world's most influential countries. It is a member of the European Union and shares borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. There are thousands of things to do in this mesmerising country, and if you want to experience what living the life feels like, you're bound to find it in Italy.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Italy
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October offer the best balance of weather and crowds. July–August is peak tourist season with intense heat. Christmas markets in December are magical. Winter is mild in Sicily and Amalfi.
Visa
EU/EEA citizens enter freely. US, UK, Canada, Australia and most nationalities get 90 days visa-free under Schengen. Italy requires a Schengen visa for stays beyond 90 days.
Highlights
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most remarkable architectural structures from medieval Europe. It is located in the Italian town of Pisa, one of the most visited European cities.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (103)
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Major cities
Rome
Rome, the Eternal City, houses the greatest monuments of Roman civilisation, world-class art, and authentic Italian cuisine at the heart of Europe.
Florence
The cradle of the Renaissance — Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and the Duomo, all in one compact city.
Venice
A city built on 118 islands, connected by canals and 400 bridges, uniquely beautiful and unlike anywhere on earth.
Naples
Italy's most intense city, birthplace of pizza, with the National Archaeological Museum, Pompeii, and Vesuvius nearby.
Amalfi
The jewel of the Amalfi Coast — a cliffside village of pastel buildings plunging dramatically to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Milan
Italy's fashion and design capital — the Duomo, The Last Supper, Brera district, and the Quadrilatero della Moda.
Turin
The first capital of unified Italy, birthplace of Fiat and the Shroud of Turin, with excellent Egyptian Museum and white truffle cuisine.
Bologna
Italy's food capital — the birthplace of bolognese, tortellini, and mortadella, with a beautiful medieval porticoed old town.
Verona
The city of Romeo and Juliet, with a magnificent Roman arena hosting summer opera, medieval streets, and Amarone wine country.
Palermo
Sicily's baroque and Arab-Norman capital — one of Europe's most underrated food cities, with street markets and ancient temples.
Lecce
The Florence of the South — Puglia's baroque jewel, with honey-colored stone churches and some of Italy's finest seafood.