#15 Beautiful Places and Cities To Visit In Italy

11. Turin

Long-synonymous with the mysterious shroud, which may or may not show the imprint of Jesus, Turin (Torino in Italian) was the first capital city of Italy; more recently, its status was assured by the 2006 Winter Olympics. Home to the Italian royal family in the mid 19th century, many traces of these days of grandeur can still be seen throughout the city, in architectural features such as archways over the sidewalks, which protected the monarch from poor weather. Take your pick from any number of spacious piazzas, in which the locals convene, to soak up the beauty and atmosphere of the city, or spend your days examining its offerings in a more structured way, via its many galleries, museums and theaters.

12. Verona

We dare you to come to Verona and not stand on at least some form of a balcony, looking wistfully out on the evening. Nope, knew it – you won’t be able to resist. After all, this jewel of a city formed the backdrop to the ultimate tragic love story, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, as well as several of his other plays. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it features some incredible architecture, including a Roman amphitheater and theater, while the Piazza delle Erbe, located right in the city’s historic heart, is full of buzzy (though pricey) places to eat, plus an ancient fountain and frescoed walls. Juliet’s actual balcony is located not far from here; visit the Casa di Giulietta museum if you want to be able to actually stand on it.