The top 10 cities: these are the favourites in Italy

The historic centre of Naples: the murals by Maradona

From our editorial team

Italy is not just a country, but a promise: of beauty, history, good food, style and that special attitude to life between espresso and evening sun.

Some cities bring all this together in such a concentrated way that they attract millions of people year after year. The Italian statistics authority ISTAT shows where Italy has the most overnight guests: Overnight stays in official accommodation, hotels, holiday flats and B&Bs are counted.

10th Pisa - approx. 1.2 million arrivals per year

The tower is leaning - the interest is stable. Pisa attracts visitors from all over the world who have exactly one goal: the classic photo motif with the leaning tower. Many tourists only stay for a few hours, while others discover the pretty old town, the Arno promenade and the student flair.

• Region: Tuscany
• Inhabitants: just under 90,000
• Highlights:
  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente)
  • Pisa Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta)
  • Campo Santo Monumentale (Holy Cemetery)

9th Bologna - approx. 1.6 million arrivals

The oldest university city in Europe is an insider tip with a lasting effect. Bologna lives under arcades, loves good food and thinks on the left. Anyone who loves pasta will never say spaghetti Bolognese here again - but ragù alla Bolognese.

• RegionEmilia-Romagna
• Inhabitants: a good 390,000
• Highlights:
  • Piazza Maggiore & the Basilica of San Petronio
  • The Two Towers (Due Torri): Asinelli & Garisenda
  • The oldest university in Europe

8th Verona - approx. 1.8 million arrivals

Verona is more than just Shakespeare. The Roman arena, medieval alleyways, elegant boutiques and a glass of Valpolicella make the city one of the most beautiful weekend destinations in northern Italy. Bonus: Everything is within easy walking distance.

• RegionVeneto
• Inhabitants: just under 260,000
• Highlights:
  • Arena di Verona
  • Casa di Giulietta (Julia's House)
  • Ponte Pietra & view of the old town

7. Turin - approx. 1.8 million arrivals

A little under the radar - yet so stylish! Turin combines industrial heritage with baroque splendour, Espresso with chocolate liqueur (keyword: Bicerin) and a view of the Alps with city flair. For all those who like Italy a little quieter.

• RegionPiedmont
• Inhabitants: 854.00
• Highlights:
  • Mole Antonelliana & Film Museum
  • The Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio)
  • Coffee house culture & baroque squares

6. Naples - approx. 3.5 million arrivals

Untamed, unadorned, incomparable. Naples is not a backdrop, but real life - dense, wild and delicious. Those who get involved with the city will be rewarded: with pizza at its finest, a Old Town like a labyrinth and views that last forever.

We were in the oldest Late-night bar in Napleswhere you can get sweets at 1 o'clock in the morning and in the most popular Panino shop in the citywhere you have to wait an hour. Also on the Traces of MaradonaThis love is immortal.

• RegionCampania
• Inhabitants909,000 in the city, approx. 3.04 million inhabitants in the metropolitan region of Naples
• Highlights:
  • Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli - Famous for its collections from Pompeii and Herculaneum
  • Metro dell'Arte - the spectacularly designed Naples underground railway, the largest underground museum in the world
  •  Napoli Sotterranea - the fascinating underground passages, catacombs and caves beneath the historic city centre

5 Rimini - approx. 3.5-4 million arrivals

Party, beach, family holiday - Rimini is Italy's summer version at full throttle. The city on the Adriatic has long been more than just a seaside resort: Roman history, trendy bars and a surprisingly good cultural programme make up the mix (here you can find the whole story).

• Region: Emilia-Romagna
• Inhabitants: 150.000
• Highlights:
  • The 15 km long beach & beach promenade (Lungomare)
  • Roman heritage: Tiberius Bridge & Arch of Augustus
  • Fellini & the "Museo Fellini"

4. Florence - approx. 5.1 million arrivals

Florence is the Renaissance Mecca. The Uffizi Gallery, cathedral, Ponte Vecchio - world heritage site after world heritage site. And yet there is still room for small cafés, Tuscan cuisine and walks with views of olive groves.

• Region: Tuscany
• Inhabitants: 363.000
• Highlights:
  • The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi)
  • Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) & Brunelleschi's dome
  • Ponte Vecchio

3. Venice - approx. 5.7 million arrivals

Venice floats. On water, in the imagination - and sometimes just short of Collapse over. Nevertheless, it remains unique. No other city looks like this, sounds like this, feels like this. Despite the crowds: an experience that gets under your skin.

• RegionVeneto
• Inhabitants254,000 (just under 50,000 officially on the main island)
• Highlights:
  • St Mark's Square & St Mark's Basilica (Piazza San Marco)
  • Grand Canal & vaporetto ride
  • Rialto Bridge & market next door

2. Milan - approx. 6.6 million arrivals

Design capital, fashion mecca, business centre - but also surprisingly human. Milan can seem cool until you really get to know it. Then it opens up its courtyards, bars and art venues - and stays in your head for a long time.

• RegionLombardy
• Inhabitants: a good 1.3 million (metropolitan region: 7.6 million)
• Highlights:
  • Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano)
  • The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (Cenacolo Vinciano)
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

1st Rome - approx. 10 million arrivals

This is where it all ends (and begins). Rome is past, present and emotion. A walk through the city is like travelling through time in the sunlight - past ancient ruins, baroque squares and trattorias where history is served.

• RegionLazio
• Inhabitants: a good 2.7 million
• Highlights:
  • The Colosseum
  • St Peter's Basilica & Vatican
  • Piazza Navona & Baroque Rome

It is particularly difficult to choose three highlights in Rome. The list could go on forever: The Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountainthe Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and, and, and.