https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/italy/best-things-to-do/10070100026090
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Italy [2025]
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Milan Cathedral
4.7
/5
2299 reviews
10
From NZD 26.77
Based on 59,247 reviews
Milan City Centre | >100 km from downtown
Phone +390272023375
Address: P.za del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
View Milan & Alps from above
Admire the exquisite carvings of Milan Cathedral
Saved by 1497 users1209 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Cathedral of Milan (Duomo di Milano) is an iconic building in Milan, Italy, and a world-renowned religious architecture and art gem. Here is its detailed introduction: - Basic Profile: It is the largest Gothic church in the world, second only to St. Peter's Church in the Vatican. Located in the center of Milan, the square was built in 1386 and completed in 1965. It lasted more than five centuries. The building area is 11,700 square meters and can accommodate up to 40,000 people. - Architectural style: a collection of Gothic, neoclassical and baroque styles. The front of the church is61.5 meters wide and 56 meters high. It is divided into five blocks by six groups of generous stone pillars, with 135 minarets and 96 stone ghosts, which is a typical feature of Gothic architecture. - Sculpture art: is the world's most statues of the Gothic church, with more than 6,000 marble statues, 3,159 seats on the exterior of the building, statues are mostly religious themes such as biblical stories, thousands of shapes, extremely complicated and exquisite. - Religious significance: The Cathedral of Milan is the cathedral of Milan, which is of great importance in the Catholic community and is promulgated here by the famous Milan Amnesty Order, which legalized Christianity and became the state religion of the Roman Empire. Napoleon held his coronation in Milan Cathedral in 1805. - Interior decoration: The church has 24 of the world's largest painted glass windows, about 20 meters high, mainly based on the story of Jesus, the sun's shining pattern in the middle meaning justice and love. The church hall supported by 12 giant stone pillars is beautifully decorated and has more than 800 statues alone.
When traveling to Milan International Cathedral, my child suddenly wanted to go to the church restaurant, so I ordered tickets from Ctrip to the business hotel for that day. It included the church interior, the elevator to the tower, and the museum, which was very convenient.
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Uffizi Gallery
4.7
/5
1327 reviews
10
From NZD 57.51
Based on 39,529 reviews
Florence Historic Center | >100 km from downtown
Phone +39055294883
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Admire masterpieces by Botticelli and Da Vinci
Admire Renaissance masterpieces
Saved by 723 users798 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Fitz Art Gallery is truly breathtaking. Its collection is incredibly rich, and you'll find world-famous paintings at every glance! However, there are so many works that you can only see a fraction of them in five hours. If you don't do your research ahead of time, you'll easily get lost. It's also very crowded, and popular exhibition halls are often crowded, so be sure to reserve time in advance and be physically fit. A full day of walking around is exhausting, but it's definitely worth it!
There are a few must-see treasures in the museum, so do your research ahead of time.
1. Botticelli – The Birth of Venus
2. Botticelli – La Primavera
3. Leonardo da Vinci – The Annunciation
4. Michelangelo – Doni Tondo
5. Raphael – Madonna del Cardellino
6. Titian – Venus of Urbino
7. Caravaggio – Medusa
8. Giotto – Maestà Ognissanti
9. Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi – Annunciazione
10. Rembrandt van Rijn – Self-Portrait as an Old Man
It's definitely worth a visit! You can see so many unique works of art here. You can see the evolution of oil painting styles and witness the history of painting techniques and composition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional. Witness the development of art.
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Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
4.7
/5
1564 reviews
10
Based on 29,256 reviews
Duomo | >100 km from downtown
Phone +390552302885
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
A Treasure of Renaissance Architectural Art
Climb the dome for a panoramic view of Florence
Saved by 768 users638 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is truly magnificent. Admission is free, allowing you to experience the grandeur of its interior without having to pay. Tickets can be purchased through the side entrance, bypassing the main entrance line, and include access to the bell tower. However, if you're looking for a panoramic view of Florence from above, you can choose between the dome or Giotto's bell tower, or both. The dome offers a close-up view of the frescoes and panoramic views of the city. The bell tower also offers a fantastic view, allowing you to capture the dome in full photographic space. Both steps are quite demanding, as they are quite long and challenging.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a magnificent ancient building that attracts tourists from all over the world every day. Through the building, everyone wants to know its story and history. It has stood here for hundreds of years. To this day, people still don’t know how the dome was built. It is still a great project that cannot be replicated. It is worth visiting. You can only feel the shock when you see it with your own eyes!
No.
4
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Piazza del Duomo
4.7
/5
422 reviews
10
Based on 13,933 reviews
Milan City Centre | >100 km from downtown
Phone +3902361691
Address: P.za del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
No.2 of Night Attractions in Italy
Highlights:
Milan's historic landmark & sculpture
Climb 354 ft church for Milan view
Saved by 481 users172 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Milan Cathedral Square is the heart of the city. The Gothic cathedral is spectacular and the details are as exquisite as works of art! The surrounding area is very lively and suitable for taking photos and checking in, but it is a bit crowded with many tourists. The pigeons are not afraid of people, which adds a bit of fun. It is very convenient to go directly to the subway, but be careful of hawkers. The overall atmosphere is great, free and open, a must-see when you come to Milan!
Beautiful square in stretching from the Duomo to the shopping streets. On a beautiful day it will be packed and have 2-3 wedding couples trying to create epic wedding photos. A little too crowded and beware of pick-pockets.
No.
5
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Colosseum
4.6
/5
3966 reviews
10
From NZD 41.65
Based on 150,852 reviews
Colosseo | 6.5 km from downtown
Phone +390639967700
Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Magnificent four-story, 80-arch, 240-pillar building
Experience the epic battles of the Colosseum
Saved by 2588 users2074 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Getting tickets on your own, even through the official Colosseum website, can be quite a battle, so we opted to buy from a third-party provider instead. The price was definitely on the higher side, but considering how difficult it is to secure tickets independently, it felt justified.We arrived one hour early to make sure there were no issues with entry at the scheduled time. The ticket confirmation only comes through 24 hours before your visit, which can be a bit nerve-wracking. However, based on my experience, once you've successfully made the purchase, you're essentially guaranteed entry.The Colosseum itself is absolutely worth visiting. Standing inside such a historic monument is surreal, and the atmosphere is unforgettable. So even with the added cost from a third-party seller, the experience makes it all worthwhile.
The Colosseum is now a historical site. Originally intended for visitors to watch animals fight, it later evolved into a brutal human fight for various reasons. After all, it's still considered a famous attraction here, so some of its details are worth seeing!
No.
6
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Pantheon
4.6
/5
1332 reviews
10
From NZD 57.51
Based on 80,350 reviews
Pantheon | 8.1 km from downtown
Phone +390668300230
Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Featured in 2025 Global 100 – Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Admire the design Michelangelo acclaimed
Giant dome's sky eye showers natural light and shadows
Saved by 1403 users639 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Everyone has to visit the Pantheon in their lifetime. I am in shock that something so magnificent could be built in 126 AD and remain is such remarkable condition. The exterior is incredibly imposing with grand columns holding up the structure. The interior consists of a single perfectly symmetrical circular space with an enormous dome. There are beautiful columns, sculptures, and paintings everywhere. It was originally a Pagan temple and symbol of Rome’s power, but became a church that is in use to this day. There is a huge high alter near the front, built in the early 18th century. All the pagan statues and artwork were removed and replaced with ones honoring to Christianity. Everything in this building is perfectly symmetrical with three sets of columns on each side flanked with artwork in the middle. Every bit of architecture from the floor to the ceiling is so intricate. The marble floor is from three different countries. The red is from Egypt, the white is from Asia Minor.
Very unique experience. Trip online tickets are paid off, providing a very smooth entrance without queuing. The Pantheon itself is an astonishing place.
No.
7
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Santa Maria delle Grazie
4.7
/5
385 reviews
9.9
Based on 3,451 reviews
Milan City Centre | >100 km from downtown
Phone +39024676111
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
Featured in 2025 Global 100 – Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Admire Da Vinci's fresco masterpieces
Close view of Da Vinci's Last Supper
Saved by 582 users202 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Best option if you are in Milan and haven’t had the chance to buy the ticket on the official website. Personally, best money I spent so far :)
This is my 3rd time in Milan and the previous times I failed to get tickets through the official website. This time I booked through Trip.com and everything went smoothly. It's slightly more expensive but worth it to see the masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci.
No.
8
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Leonardo's Last Supper Museum
4.6
/5
200 reviews
9.9
From NZD 49.58
Milan City Centre | >100 km from downtown
Phone +390292800360
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 2, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 15-30 minutes
Highlights:
Admire da Vinci's Original Mural
Book Ahead for Limited Viewing of Mural Masterpieces
Saved by 732 users184 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Excellent! It was the highlight of the trip! If you’re considering going, just do it!! It’s an experience where the grounds capture the moment and the people are friendly :)
Due to the nature of the artwork, only small groups are permitted. This is a great positive for the viewing experience also. Book tickets well in advance and ensure you arrive well before your admission time to validate your ticket and not miss out!
No.
9
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Gallery of the Academy of Florence
4.5
/5
474 reviews
9.4
From NZD 55.53
Based on 32,380 reviews
Florence Historic Center | >100 km from downtown
Phone +390550987100
Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Featured in 2025 Europe 50 – Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Admire the statue of David up close
Master artists' manuscript exhibition
Saved by 420 users228 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Although they are more expensive, these are safe and guaranteed tickets which can be bought on dates when the official tickets are sold out, especially closer to your visit date. We received the online tickets a day before our entry. Entrance was crowded but the staff are helpful to guide you to your designated ticket queue line. Inside the galleria was mildly crowded. The Michelangelo David statue was magnificent and there is ample space for you to admire and take pictures. Overall I would recommend this place.
I came to see David! Wish fulfilled! It is very convenient to exchange tickets, just in the small pavilion opposite the intersection. What needs attention here is the time. I chose the 11:00 to 13:00 time slot. I thought that as long as I arrived during this time period, I could enter. However, when I arrived at 11:30, I was told that I was late. Fortunately, I entered through the fast track. I will have to see it clearly next time. In addition, you must bring your passport to borrow the guide machine! ! ! Cash is useless!
No.
10
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Castel Sant'Angelo
4.6
/5
494 reviews
9.2
From NZD 30.19
Based on 14,735 reviews
Rome City Centre | 9.1 km from downtown
Phone +39066819111
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Featured in 2025 Europe 50 – Night Attractions
Highlights:
Witness Rome's evolving fortress
Panoramic Rome & Vatican views
Saved by 824 users251 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
As soon as I approached the scenic spot, I was attracted by the angel sculptures on both sides of the bridge. When entering Castel Sant'Angelo, you must go to the top to have a look, where you can overlook many ancient monuments on the other side of the river, including a corner of the Colosseum. In addition, the sandwiches at the Central Cafe are good and cheap, but you have to sit there to eat. If the sun is strong, it will be too hot and there is basically no shade.
## Amber of Time and Space: The Prismatic Light of Castel Sant'Angelo
When the waves of the Tiber River lift up the round fortress with a bronze angel on its head, you have stepped into the most bizarre time capsule in Rome - here are the remains of emperors, the sighs of prisoners, the power of the pope and the madness of artists. Don't be fooled by the fairy-tale appearance, every tuff of the castle is soaked with the blood of historical paradoxes.
**Whisper of the Dead in the Secret Passage** (Must-see!)
Enter the underground palace of the original site of Hadrian's Mausoleum, and the mobile phone flashlight illuminates the brick vault in 139 AD. Suddenly touched the wall: a six-pointed star is stacked next to the cross, and there is a line below "1527.5.6" - when the Medici Pope was besieged, the Jewish doctor prayed at this moment. When the cold wind blows over the back of the neck, the smell of wax and rotten wood floats in the darkness, which is the residual fragrance of the refugees burning furniture for warmth. Climb to the top floor and look back from the pedestal of the angel statue. The secret passage is like a giant snake drilling into the Vatican wall. The footsteps of Clement VII who fled along this bloody road are still echoing on the stone wall.
**The light and shadow epic of the spiral ramp** (shocking details)
Spinning up the slope where the coffin was transported in ancient times, a small window suddenly cracked in the stone wall: at 12 noon, the sun pierced in like a golden spear, casting a complete triumphal arch of light on the wall! Looking closely at the edge of the light spot, the dents made by the iron chains of medieval prisoners are embedded with a few glass beads from the Renaissance (left over by nobles visiting the prison). Walking to the ruins of the crossbow platform, the window frame cleverly frames the dome of St. Peter's Basilica - Bernini's design scheme is revealed here: Castel Sant'Angelo is the shield of the Vatican, and it is also the visual coordinate axis of the game of power.
**The torture ballet of the Angel Bridge** (beautiful moment)
Run to the bank of the Tiber River after sunset. Twelve armed angels carved by Bernini's apprentices gradually light up in the twilight: when the eyes of the fifth angel "holding a crown of thorns" reflect the first star, the whole bridge suddenly turns into a mobile theater. Take a closer look at the gesture of Angel II holding a spear: the shadow of the spear tip just points to the ventilation hole of the castle dungeon - a dramatic freeze frame of the prison escapee being betrayed by the moonlight one night in 1574.
**Prisoner's Poem on the Terrace Star Map** (Soul Crit)
Stay overnight at the top terrace cafe, and look up at the bronze angel after the tourists have dispersed: the tip of its sword always points to the direction of the comet. Using the mobile phone star map APP to compare, it is discovered that the angle of the angel's wings is locked to the position of Saturn on May 6, 1527 - the day the city was broken! Even more terrifying is the arrow hole array on the south wall: the moonlight passes through the holes and projects the cipher score of Dante's "Divine Comedy" on the ground (a secret creation of modern monks).
Sit on the east wing turret at midnight and watch the last tram pass the Holy Spirit Bridge. The moment the carriage lights swept across the castle's outer wall, the bullet-riddled wall suddenly appeared - the bullet holes where the Nazis shot guerrillas here in 1944 were repaired by vines into green crosses. At this time, I drank the remaining wine in the glass, and the sound of the imperial death knell and the harp of the Renaissance were intertwined in the wind. The most fatal charm of Castel Sant'Angelo is that it makes you stand at the critical point of blood and beauty: when the first swift swoops down in the morning light to peck at the dew on the tip of the bronze angel's sword, you will understand - Rome's immortality is precisely because it always walks a tightrope between ruins and rebirth
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