Between the monuments, castles, museums, and natural parks there are plenty of attractions to choose from in Italy. Find out which is the most popular tourist attraction in Italy in each region here.
Everywhere you go in Italy there is something beautiful and unexpected to see. Of course, some areas of the country are more famous than others, however, each region is rich in monuments, museums, architectural works and natural beauty that will leave you speechless.
But what is the most popular tourist attraction in each region of Italy? Musement decided to find out, creating a map that reveals, region by region, the most visited points of interest. To conduct the analysis, about 2,000 tourist attractions were considered – excluding squares and attractions shared by one or more regions. For each region, the attraction with the most Google reviews was deemed the most popular. *
Think you know the most-loved attraction in Lazio? Or the one in tiny Molise? Take a look at the map, you will surely find some interesting travel ideas:
North Italy
Fort Bard, Aosta Valley – 11,611 reviews
Located in the town of the same name in the province of Aosta, Fort Bard was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century as a barrier fortress. Its construction on three separate levels makes it a fascinating and easily recognizable attraction. The ascent from the picturesque village of Bard to the last level of the fort can be done on foot, or by taking advantage of one of the panoramic lifts. A curiosity: the fort was chosen as the film set for the Hydra headquarters in the movie “Avengers: Age of Ultron”.
Egyptian Museum of Turin, Piedmont – 34,730 reviews
Although the mysterious Mole Antonelliana is the symbol of the Piedmontese capital, the most visited tourist attraction is the Egyptian Museum of Turin. It’s easy to see why: the museum, founded in 1824, boasts one of the largest and richest Ancient Egyptian collections in the world. The possibility of joining a group tour, guided by an Egyptologist, makes the museum experience even more engaging.
Duomo of Milan, Lombardy – 106,747 reviews
“Oh mia bela Madunina” sang Giovanni D’Anzi in the 1930s, and the echo still resonates today. So much so that the Duomo of Milan is one of Italy’s most visited attractions ever. The marvelous Gothic spires, the grandeur of the cathedral that dominates Piazza Duomo, crowned by one of the symbols of Milan, the Madonnina, attracts crowds of visitors every year. And if you are a true Milanese but have never walked up to the terraces, there is no time to waste.
MUSE – Science Museum of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige – 15,880 reviews
Trentino-Alto Adige is a particularly popular destination for mountain vacations. However, the MUSE – Science Museum of Trento is the most visited tourist attraction, beating the Tre Cime Natural Park. The exhibition’s floor plan is similar to the territory, spread over several levels as if you were on top of a mountain and had to descend towards the valley. The museum tells the story of human evolution. There is a fascinating greenhouse of tropical plants in the museum’s basement that is worth visiting.
Rialto Bridge, Veneto – 120,953 reviews
Between the sea, mountains, and historical monuments, Veneto has it all. With its unique charm and romantic views, Venice is the main attraction of the region. A perfect example of Venice’s beauty is the Rialto Bridge. Crossing the Grand Canal, the 48-meter long bridge was inaugurated in 1591 to replace the previous floating bridge. The Rialto Market, one of the most characteristic and colorful markets in Italy, is found at the foot of the bridge.
Miramare Castle, Friuli-Venezia Giulia – 18,490 reviews
With a scenic view of the Gulf of Trieste and a 22-hectare park, the Miramare Castle also houses a historical museum inside. The palace was built by Maximilian of Hapsburg in the second half of the 19th century. Today, in addition to a permanent collection of sculptures and paintings of the 19th century, the castle also hosts temporary exhibitions and events.
Aquarium of Genoa, Liguria – 47,897 reviews
The Aquarium of Genoa attracts adults and children every year, thanks to its 12,000 animal specimens from all over the world and 200 plant species. Considered the largest aquarium in Europe, it manages to double the number of visits every year with its continuous renovations and innovations. In addition to the seventy exhibition tanks, the Biosphere created by Renzo Piano is another major attraction. Overlooking the port of Genoa, the sphere features a recreation of a tropical forest inside.
FICO Eataly World, Emilia-Romagna – 38,918 reviews
FICO’s uniqueness and Eataly’s reputation make this theme park extremely popular. Opened in 2017, FICO Eataly World is one of the largest agri-food parks in the world. Just outside of Bologna and including more than 150 made-in-Italy stores and eateries, an educational farm, and five multimedia rides, this attraction has a lot to offer.
Central Italy
Ponte Vecchio, Tuscany – 104,854 reviews
Ponte Vecchio is one of the most special and symbolic monuments in Florence. Straddling the Arno River, it has a very ancient history and was the only bridge in Florence that crossed the river until 1218. It survived the bombings of the Second World War as well as the flood of Florence in the sixties. Crossing it you can admire the 16th century Vasari Corridor, the time when all of the butchers were replaced by the goldsmiths’ shops. These shops are still located here today.
Gradara Castle, Marche – 19,252 reviews
This impressive castle, built-in 1150, is perched atop a hill in Italy’s Marche region. Gradara Castle, as well as the fortified village, is often labeled as one of the best-preserved medieval architectural examples in Italy. The castle has also been chosen as the setting for many film sets.
Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Umbria – 30,346 reviews
A pilgrimage destination for the faithful and lovers of art and architecture, the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi was built in 1228. It has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2000. The exterior of the basilica is built of Subasio stone and shows characteristics of the French Gothic style. The interior is divided into the Lower Church and the Upper Church, whose transept is decorated with Cimabue frescoes. A real jewel immersed in the heart of Umbria.
Trevi Fountain, Lazio – 294,024 reviews
Thinking that the Trevi Fountain has the most reviews ever might not be so hard to believe. But what is more surprising is the fact that it beats the Colosseum, the symbol of the capital. Thanks to the romantic atmosphere, the magnificence of the monument, its prime location, and the hope that it makes wishes come true, the Trevi Fountain is the most visited attraction in all of Italy.
South Italy and islands
Castle of Rocca Calascio, Abruzzo – 8,344 reviews
Rocca Calascio lies 1,460 meters above sea level on one of the slopes of the Gran Sasso whose main attraction is the majestic Norman-style castle. This Italian fortress, The Rocca, is located at the highest point in the region and has a landscape that seems to have come straight out of a fantasy film. The nature is lush and the view you can enjoy from the fortress is breathtaking. For those who love trekking, it is possible to reach the castle by following the path of the shepherds.
Castello Svevo of Termoli, Molise – 1,522 reviews
Molise is the smallest and least populous region in Italy. For this reason, it is not particularly affected by mass tourism phenomena, another good reason to put it on your bucket list. The Castello Svevo of Termoli looks bizarre and seems to be completely out of place. Built-in the thirteenth century, it is situated right next to the sea and is the main subject of the ancient town’s skyline. If you’re in the area on Ferragosto (August 15th), don’t miss the spectacular staging of the castle fire.
Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Campania – 44,244 reviews
Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, a visit to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii is an incredible dive into the past. The utensils, villas, and temples are so well preserved, making this site an unparalleled example of life in Ancient Rome. You can admire the beautiful frescoes, the Roman baths, the noble villas, and the forum, the center of public life in the city. To fully appreciate the visit, joining a guided tour is highly recommended.
Trulli of Alberobello, Puglia – 31,027 reviews
Trulli can be found throughout the Itria Valley, in the south of Puglia. The largest number of this traditional structure with ancient origins is found in Alberobello. Here, in the historic districts of Monti and Aja Piccola, you can walk through a town with a surreal, timeless appearance. The white of the limestone houses contrasts with the warm and vibrant colors of this beautiful region of Italy. Inscriptions in white ash with mythological or religious significance are often found on the roofs of the Trulli. Rich in history and traditions, this unique place is considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Sassi di Matera, Basilicata – 31,551 reviews
Matera’s historic city center is one of the most fascinating places in the country. The Sassi (rocks) actually have a history of hard work and extreme poverty behind them, a situation that led to their discontinuation in the 1950s. They have been declared cultural landscape by UNESCO since 1993 and ultimately became a part of the World Heritage Site. A unique landscape in the world, made of contrasts, history, beauty, and melancholy.
National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria, Calabria – 7,858 reviews
Have you ever heard about the Riace Warriors? Dating back to Magna Graecia (“Greater Greece”), these two bronze statues were found by pure chance in the middle of the sea. These two iconic sculptures are kept at the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria, one of the most important archaeological museums in the world. The institution offers a journey through the art of Magna Graecia from the eighth century BC, displayed on four different floors in more than 200 showcases.
Valley of the Temples, Sicily – 35,160 reviews
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is an archaeological park of extraordinary historical and cultural interest. The area covers over 12 square kilometers where you can find eight excellently preserved Doric-style temples. The oldest temple in the park is the famous Temple of Heracles, but the most impressive is the Temple of Juno, a monumental structure with 30 columns still standing today.
La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia – 12,810 reviews
Located in the Gulf of Asinara, this beach and nature reserve looks like a Caribbean paradise. Surrounded by Mediterranean shrubs, La Pelosa Beach offers you picture-perfect views of the famous Faraglioni rocks and the Falcone tower with its unique characteristics. It is hard not to visit one of the best beaches in Sardinia.
*METHODOLOGY: To conduct the research, approximately 2,000 tourist attractions throughout Italy were considered – excluding squares, which were considered an integral part of a city, and attractions shared by one or more regions (source: https://www.google.com/travel/things-to-do). The attraction with the highest number of reviews in each Italian region was considered the most visited. Data is updated as of January 2022.