Italian States: Best Regions of Italy to Visit

The regions of Italy, also known as Regioni d’Italia, are the Italian Republic’s first-level administrative divisions, constituting its second Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, or NUTS, administrative level. Each region is an autonomous entity with specific powers under the Italian Constitution.

How many Regions are there in Italy

Italy is divided into 20 administrative regions, each with its own distinct culture, history, and attractions. Here’s an overview of the regions, their administrative status, capitals, and some famous travel destinations within each:

Best Regions of Italy to Visit

Best Italian places to visit of Italian States: Names of the world heritage sites in Italy, according to their regions. This list showcases Italy’s incredible cultural, historical, and natural heritage recognized by UNESCO across its regions. Here is a list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy categorized by their respective regions:

Abruzzo

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: L’Aquila.
Famous Travel Places: Gran Sasso National Park, Abruzzo’s charming hill towns, and Adriatic coastline. Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park.

Basilicata

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Potenza.
Famous Travel Places: Matera’s Sassi and Pollino National Park. The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera.

Calabria

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Catanzaro.
Famous Travel Places: Tropea, Sila National Park, and Aspromonte National Park.

Campania

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Naples.
Famous Travel Places: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Sorrento. UNESCO Sites: (i) Historic Centre of Naples. (ii) Royal Palace of Caserta, with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex. (iii) Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata. (iv) Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi Coast Itinerary

A well-planned itinerary for exploring the Amalfi Coast can help you make the most of your visit to this stunning region. This itinerary offers a mix of sightseeing, relaxation, and exploration of the Amalfi Coast's charming towns and natural beauty. Adjust it based on your interests and the amount of time you have available. Here's ...

Non Touristy Things to do in Amalfi Coast

Non touristy things to do in Amalfi Coast: By exploring the Amalfi Coast away from the tourist crowds, you can reveal its authentic charm and hidden gems. By exploring these less-visited spots and activities, you can experience the genuine, tranquil side of the Amalfi Coast and enjoy the local culture and scenery at your own ...

Atrani Amalfi Coast Italy Costiera Amalfitana

Costiera Amalfitana Facts History

The Costiera Amalfitana, which runs along the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula within the Salerno province, can rightfully be described as a landscape of exceptional cultural significance, shaped by the remarkable interplay of nature and human endeavor. Its dramatic topography and historical evolution have given rise to extraordinary cultural and natural scenic values. Here, ...

Pompeii Herculaneum Torre Annunziata

The Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata are three ancient Roman cities in the Campania region of Italy. These sites were buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and have been exceptionally well-preserved over the centuries. They provide valuable insights into Roman life and culture during the 1st century AD ...

Emilia-Romagna

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Bologna.
Famous Travel Places: Bologna’s historic center, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, and Ravenna’s mosaics. UNESCO Sites: (i) Cathedral, Torre Civica, and Piazza Grande, Modena. (ii) Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta.

Modena Cathedral Torre Civica Piazza Grande

Modena Cathedral, Torre Civica, and Piazza Grande are significant Italian landmarks that collectively reflect the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Exploring the area around Modena Cathedral, Torre Civica, and Piazza Grande allows you to immerse yourself in the city’s history, art, and local lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in architecture, culinary experiences, or cultural exploration, Modena offers a variety of activities to suit different interests. Getting to Modena, Italy, and finding accommodation is relatively straightforward, thanks to its accessibility and range of lodging options. Here’s a guide to help you plan your trip to Modena: ...

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Trieste.
Famous Travel Places: Trieste, Cividale del Friuli, and Grado. UNESCO Sites: (i) Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia. (ii) Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia.

Lazio

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Rome.
Famous Travel Places: Rome’s historic sites, Vatican City, and Tivoli’s Villa d’Este. UNESCO Sites: Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura.

Rome City Center Holy See St Paul

Rome City Center Holy See: The Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights, and San Paolo Fuori le Mura collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city of Rome, Italy. These sites are of immense historical, cultural, and religious significance and offer a glimpse ...

Pantheon Rome

The Pantheon in Italy is one of the Roman buildings that has survived the best. The building was finished around 126–128 A.D., during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. At the time it was built, the rotunda of the Pantheon had the largest domed ceiling in the world. The Pantheon was built on the site of ...

Roman Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum in Rome, Italy, is an oval amphitheater. The huge stone amphitheater called the Colosseum is just east of the Roman Forum. It was built between 70 and 72 AD as a gift to the Roman people by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty. In the year 80 AD, Titus, who was Vespasian's ...

Liguria

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Genoa.
Famous Travel Places: Cinque Terre, Portofino, and Genoa’s Historic Center. UNESCO Sites: (i) Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto). (ii) Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli.

Lombardy

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Milan.
Famous Travel Places: Milan’s cultural attractions, Lake Como, and Lake Garda. UNESCO Sites: (i) Rock Drawings in Valcamonica. (ii) Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. (iii) Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps. (iv) Crespi d’Adda.

Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy

The Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy consist of nine distinct complexes, each located on a hill or mountain in northern Italy. These complexes are a series of chapels and religious buildings dedicated to various religious themes and collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 due to their cultural, artistic, and spiritual ...

Duomo di Milano, aka the Milan Cathedral of Italy

Milan Cathedral Italy

Milan Cathedral, known as "Duomo di Milano" in Italian, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Italy and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. It is located in the heart of Milan, the capital of Lombardy, and serves as a symbol of the city's rich history and architectural grandeur. Key features ...

Milan Things To Do

Milan things to do and Milan places to visit. Milan, Italy’s vibrant and cosmopolitan city and the capital of Lombardy, offers a plethora of attractions and activities to suit various interests. Here are some popular things to do in Milan: Milan Things To Do 1. Visit Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano): Explore one of the ...

Crespi d’Adda

Crespi d'Adda is a village in northern Italy and a hamlet (frazione) of Capriate San Gervasio, which is a town in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy. It is a historic village and a great example of the "company towns" built in Europe and North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s to meet the ...

Marche

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Ancona.
Famous Travel Places: Urbino, Conero Riviera, and Loreto. UNESCO Site: Historic Centre of Urbino.

Molise

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Campobasso.
Famous Travel Places: Termoli and Agnone.

Piedmont

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Turin.
Famous Travel Places: Turin’s museums, the Langhe wine region, and Lake Maggiore. UNESCO Sites: (i) Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. (ii) Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato.

Apulia (Puglia)

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Bari.
Famous Travel Places: Alberobello’s Trulli, Lecce’s Baroque architecture, and Gargano National Park.

Sardinia (Sardegna)

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Cagliari.
Famous Travel Places: Costa Smeralda, Alghero, and Nuraghe di Barumini. UNESCO Site: Su Nuraxi di Barumini.

Sicily (Sicilia)

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Palermo.
Famous Travel Places: Palermo’s markets, Taormina, and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. UNESCO Sites: (i) Archaeological Area of Agrigento. (ii) Villa Romana del Casale. (iii) Archaeological Sites of Pompei, Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata.

Trentino-Alto Adige

Administrative Status: Autonomous Region. Capital: Trento.
Famous Travel Places: Dolomites, Bolzano, and Merano. UNESCO Site: The Dolomites.

Tuscany (Toscana)

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Florence.
Famous Travel Places: Florence’s art and architecture; Siena; and Pisa’s Leaning Tower. UNESCO Sites: (i) Historic Centre of Florence. (ii) Piazza del Duomo, Pisa. (iii) Historic Centre of San Gimignano. (iv) Historic Centre of Siena. (v) Historic Centre of the City of Pienza. (vi) Val d’Orcia.

Historic Centre of Florence

The Historic Centre of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a cultural treasure trove located in the heart of Florence, Italy. This city is renowned for its artistic heritage, stunning architecture, and historical significance. Here are some of the prominent landmarks you can explore in the historic center of Florence: ...

Val dOrcia

Val d'Orcia, Tuscany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, blends nature, history, and art in Italy during the time of the Etruscans ...

Pieve di Corsignano church of Pienza in Italy

Pienza Italy

Historic Centre of the City of Pienza, Italy, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, and the whole Val d'Orcia valley was added in 2004 ...

Historic Centre of San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a relay point for pilgrims, 56 km south of Florence, in the Tuscany region of Italy, and was a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1990 onwards ...

Umbria

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Perugia.
Famous Travel Places: Assisi, Perugia, and Orvieto. UNESCO Site: Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites.

Aosta Valley (Valle d’Aosta)

Administrative Status: Autonomous Region. Capital: Aosta.
Famous Travel Places: Matterhorn, Courmayeur, and Gran Paradiso National Park.

Rialto Bridge Venice, Regions of Italy — Rialto Bridge Venice

Veneto

Administrative Status: Region. Capital: Venice.
Famous Travel Places: Venice’s canals and landmarks, Verona, and the Dolomites. UNESCO Sites: (i) Venice and its Lagoon. (ii) City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. (iii) Historic Centre of Florence. (iv) Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico), Padua.

Each region in Italy offers a unique blend of history, culture, natural beauty, and culinary delights, making the country a diverse and captivating destination for travelers.