Italy is well known for its rich cultural heritage, its food, its architecture, its outstanding natural beauties, and its romantic language. So if you are looking for the best cities in Italy to visit, you will certainly have plenty of choices. Destinations such as Rome, Florence, Venice welcome tourists from all over the world all year round, however, there are so many more Italian cities and towns to discover.
If you would like to embark on an adventure to get a more authentic taste of La Dolce Vita and get to know amazing places that perhaps most guidebooks do not even mention, keep reading: we compiled this list with the 3 best Italian cities to visit which are Italians’ best kept secret.
Start your discovery of the best cities in Italy
1) Brescia – Lombardia
Starting from the North of the country, we are going to explore Brescia which is located in the region of Lombardia (Lombardy), where Milano is found. In the past, Brescia was nicknamed “The Lioness” in reference to its historical link with the Republic of Venice, known as “The Lion” and this fact alone makes you understand the important role played by this Italian city in the past.
Most of the historical wonders are concentrated in the historic centre, which can be easily explored with a pleasant walk. Brescia is renowned for its two cathedrals, the Duomo Vecchio and the Duomo Nuovo, which date back to two different eras and are right next to each other. Both are worth a visit, not only because they house important works of art but also because here you can discover the fascinating history of how and why they were built.
You definitely need to go for an apéritif in the Piazza della Loggia, characterised by an elegant building with suggestive loggias. Here you can sit in one of the many bars and taste excellent Franciacorta, the famous local wine.
Another thing to do is to take a moment to admire the sublime beauty of the landscape from one of the elegant panoramic terraces: you will be able to fully appreciate the magnificence of Brescia and its stunning surroundings.
2) Ascoli Piceno – Marche
Going down towards the North centre of Italy, another of the best cities in Italy to visit is Ascoli Piceno. It is located in the region named Marche, which is basically on the other side of Tuscany (just to mention a better known region).
This city was known as the City of a Hundred Towers, in fact, in the Middle Ages there were more than two hundred of them. Today, it is still possible to see some of them or observe their remains. Walking through the cobblestone streets, you can observe the bases of the towers that have survived the time. Impressively you can spot Latin inscriptions still engraved, in fact, these towers were built using stones of Roman origin.
Already from this brief introduction, you can understand the great history behind this place. The city centre is a real gem: everywhere, travertine takes centre stage, from the facades of the buildings to the stairways of the palaces, from the splendid fountains to the porticoes.
An unmissable stop is Piazza del Popolo, which is one of the most spectacular squares in Italy with its beautiful stone flooring and represents the heart of social life in the city. Here you can sit in the historic cafe Caffè Meletti decorated according to the Art Nouveau style and admire the frescoes on the ceiling, the antique furnishings, and the mirrors as well as the buildings that surround the square.
Last but not least, have you ever heard of Olive Ascolane? It literally means “Ascoli olives” and they are found in most Italian restaurants as a starter. These delicacies are stuffed olives with meat and then deep-fried.
3) Taranto – Puglia
Going down right to the South of Italy, remaining on the East side, there is the magnificent Taranto to be discovered in the region called Puglia (Apulia), famous for its tropical-like beaches.
Taranto is called the “City of Two Seas”, in fact there are two seas here: the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo, and this distinctive morphology contributes to its charm. Not only is this city rich in natural beauty, but is rich in history too. Indeed, it has very ancient origins, it was a colony of Magna Graecia and has always enjoyed a good reputation for its mild climate and its ideal strategic position for maritime trade.
For an unforgettable experience, you should go for a walk on the swing bridge, which connects the two seas and offers breathtaking views. And after that, the nearby Aragonese Castle is another top stop, where the atmosphere is even more picturesque at sunset.
Moving on to the beauties of the mainland, the old city centre of Taranto is another impressive landmark: a labyrinth of narrow alleys, sometimes so narrow that only one person can pass at a time.
Taranto is a journey through time, and every alley, every stone, and every corner tells you a different story.
Conclusion:
We hope we gave you some good ideas for your next holiday in Italy to discover the beauty of lesser-known Italian cities. Did you enjoy our selection of the best cities in Italy? Have you ever visited one of them? Let us know in a comment.