City: Italy
Top Things to do in Italy
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Things to do in Italy, Italy: The Best Architectural Buildings
Coordinates: 43°N 12°E / 43°N 12°E / 43; 12
Restaurants in Italy
1. Villa del Balbianello
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,348 reviews
Built in the late 16th century, this magnificent Villa is known for its picturesque gardens, which exclusively feature flowers and trees the colors of the Italian flag: green, white and red. ATTENTION ALL VISITORS In implementation of the Decree issued by the Ministry of Health on 8th March 2020, we would like to inform you that Villa del Balbianello shall remain closed to the public until April 3rd, in order to contain the diffusion of COVID-19 virus. Updates shall be published on Social Media and on the FAI's Official Website.
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This was absolutely our best day at Lake Como. The area is not short of beautiful historic villas and gardens so you will have probably find yourself having to choose which one to visit. For my money, this is the one. HIGHLIGHTS * James Bond Casino Royale & Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones chose this villa for filming – that alone tells you how outstanding it is * gardens and lake views are breathtaking – it’s a paradise for photographs * unlike some villas, both the gardens and the house are open to the public (house tour is included in ticket price) * It has the best story of any of the grand villas. The villa passed into the hands of Guido Monzino, heir to a vast fortune who knew how to burn through the family money. Monzino funded explorations to Everest, the North Pole, Greenland & the Sahara and amassed huge collections of artefacts, antiquities, books, maps etc. They all ended up here. * it is crammed with books, maps and collections and everything is exactly the same as when the owner died so it feels like a ‘living history’. * There are secret passages, hidden panel and escape routes in the house (he was a bit paranoid) TIPS * It is closed on Mon & Wed. Closed over winter & opens mid-March – mid-Nov. * Make sure to do both the gardens and villa (€10 for gardens only, €20 for both). It is a little pricier than some other villas but so worth it * Villa tours are also offered in English. The ticket desk can tell you what time the English tours start. * Afterwards, we walked back Lenno and had lunch at Hotel Plinio, on the waterfront. A great finish to a magical day. GETTING THERE Take the ferry to Lenno. We walked from the ferry. Most people do so it’s easy to follow others. It’s a 20 min walk along the lake, across a park and up the long driveway. There’s also a taxi boat if you don’t want to walk.
2. La Citta Alta
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,014 reviews
Reviewed By 537gwynethr - Altrincham, United Kingdom
Cita Alta, Bergamo's old town, is the most amazing place. I spotted it whilst travelling from Bergamo airport to the train station and cut short a visit to Milan to go and see it and I am so glad that I did. It is the most wonderful old town, full of cobbled streets and a wonderful piazza with wonderful historical buildings. A great place to wander around and sit and have a drink and watch the world go by. Very atmospheric. It's worth a detour to visit if you fly into Bergarmo and very easy to get to. Just take the No.1 bus (first bus stop as you leave the arrivals hall and signposted Bergamo. Get off at the Funiculare stop ( just ask anyone) and then take the funicular train up to the old town. Depending on traffic this takes 20-30 mins from the airport. You can leave your luggage at the airport but do not follow the left luggage signs as that takes you on a detour. From the arrivals hall cross straight into the carpark and then on the left you will see the carhire office. The left luggage facility is part of that building.
3. Teatro Farnese
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,251 reviews
Splendida ricostruzione di teatro farnesiano nel palazzo della pilotta
Reviewed By whitefish8
Great to visit this amazing theatre with very few people (there were two others when we visited). The Fornastetti plates sitting in seats was a great idea. This theatre is early 17th C and you can see all the ancient beams as you walk behind. Really kool.
4. Villa Masini
5. Palazzo Conte Federico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 787 reviews
The palazzo is in the center of the old city only a few steps away from the Norman Palace. the Cathedral and the Market Ballarò. The oldest part of the palace is an Arab-Norman Tower of the 12th century. You can observe verious architectural styles, high painted ceilings of the 15th century, baroque ceiling frescoes by Vito D'Anna and Gaspare Serenario, various collections and original furniture. Since Count Federico's family, which can be followed back to the Hohenstaufen Emperor Friedrich II, has lived in this palace for centuries, the personal atmosphere makes a visit to this historical building a unique experience.
Reviewed By debm224
Small group tours with a member of the Federico family, who have lived in this fascinating historic building for many generations. A Norman tower from the original Palermo city wall is incorporated into the palazzo, and the history of the city is demonstrated with examples from renovations and additions. This is also a family home, with the cat’s climbing frame, portable heaters etc sitting alongside old treasures. We were welcomed by one of the sons, who was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share the family history - it was a highlight of our visit to Palermo.
6. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163,734 reviews
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia is a monumental church devoted to the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Construction began in 1882, based on plans drawn up by the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, and Antoni Gaudi was commissioned to continue the project in 1883. The Temple has always been an expiatory church, built only from donations. As Gaudi said: "The Expiatory Church of the Sagrada Familia is made by the people and is mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people." In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the site as a minor basilica
Reviewed By Lifetoexplore59 - Denmead, United Kingdom
What a fantastic beautiful interesting work of art, I was in awe of the many many details, the amazing colours coming through from the stained glass windows just takes your breath away, a must absolutely visit.
7. Doge's Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,297 reviews
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the building and its sculptural decoration date from various periods. The interior, with works by artists such as Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, A.Vittoria and Tiepolo, includes vast council chambers, superbly decorated residential apartments, and austere prison cells. Along the facades of the Palace run loggias that overlook St. Mark’s Square and the lagoon. The combined entrance ticket to the St. Mark’s Square Museums grants access to the Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of Biblioteca Marciana.
Reviewed By I5778HMtrevors - Kidderminster, United Kingdom
As part of a tour through viator including Basillica. Doges Palace is superb with beautiful Paintings everywhere Did tour including dungeons so walked over Bridge of Sighs All amazing Suggest earliest Guided tour available to beat the crowds
8. Basilica di San Marco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28,574 reviews
Blending the architectural styles of East and West, Venice's magnificent basilica was consecrated in 832 AD as an ecclesiastical building to house the remains of St. Mark.
Reviewed By 627brendand
We visited this beautiful church and were blown away by the opulent gold mosaic artwork and beautiful sculptures and architecture. It was a personal goal to visit San Marco and the square so it was for us a dream come true. The disappointing thing was the general level of dishonesty around Venice by business people. To buy anything was a complete rip off, even a coffee and croissant was extortionate. You had to always check your change as we were deliberately short changes several times and my wife was also pick pocketed in Milan the very hour we arrived in Italy. So be careful with your money and I wouldn’t eat or buy any food in tourist areas. Also when we arrived at the train station in Venice the square was under about 12 inches of water. People were everywhere selling waterproof waders to put your feet in. 20 Euro later ...These promptly leaked and we were soaked anyway after 5 minutes of use. This was dishonesty on an industrial scale. Also no one told us that if you simply waited about an hour the tide would recede and you could walk around on dry ground. This basic information was simply not available to tourists. My advice would be, go for the beauty and amazing art and be very careful, as there is unfortunately a rip off culture everywhere.
9. Norman Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,972 reviews
Reviewed By Sunshine631869
I didn't bother with the full visit. Just focused on the Capella Palatina which is enough, to be honest, because every inch is covered in lavish Byzantine mosaics illustrating biblical scenes. There's also plenty of Arabic influence, particularly in the geometric patterning of floor and wall tiles. You could study it for hours and you wouldn't begin to take it all in. Absolutely glorious! There's also an exhibition about the history of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Norman Palace on the ground floor. It's a bit haphazard and the English translations on the interpretation boards are absolutely shocking. It's almost impossible to follow them. You'd think they'd get native speakers to approve them but no, they just print up nonsense. Get what you can out of it but go for the mosaics. They are the real deal.
10. Leaning Tower of Pisa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23,329 reviews
It is called the Leaning Tower or the Tower of Pisa but actually it was never used for defending the city; it is part of the religious complex in the Duomo Square and acts as its bell tower. It played an active role in both human and divine timekeeping with its seven bells – one for each musical note – the largest of which, cast in 1655, weighs a full three and a half tonnes! It is known throughout the world for the beauty of its architecture, for its extraordinary tilt, which makes it an authentic miracle of statics, and for the fact that it stands in the universally renowned Piazza dei Miracoli, of which it is certainly the prize jewel. And this is why it is one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Reviewed By NickWood - Epsom, United Kingdom
We got a early train from Rome 6.25 up to Pisa. Train was pre-booked and a short walk from where we staying. Train station was easy to navigate and get on right train. We got there around 9ish and then walked 15mins to the Tower. We were lucky with good weather and the sun was out. It was not too busy at this time so you get a better chance to get a clear view to take you mandatory "holding/pushing" the tower. We went up the tower for a good view. Stairs are a little tight but fine for the average person. Good view out across Pisa at the top. We didn't book any of the other buildings so not sure if we missed out there or not but the Leaning Tower was the highlight. Got a 2pm'ish train back to Rome. Helped break up our trip and really glad we planned this in and feel like we ticked it off the bucket list in an efficient way by grouping with Rome visit
