You must stop in Italy on your trip through Europe. Just the kind of town it is. After all, it is a country with an endless coastline, authentic cuisine, and various cultural customs. And nowhere is this more evident than in the Northern region of the nation, which is populated by cities resembling those in the Alps, sparkling lakes, and earthy-smelling vineyards. The ten Northern Italian cities listed here are among the most beautiful in Europe, so visit them as soon as possible.
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Why visit the Northern part of Italy?
Northern Italy has a lot to offer the traveler seeking an enjoyable and memorable holiday because of all it has to offer. This area of Italy should be explored at least once because it is home to a location with a long history, beautiful natural surroundings, and a sizable art collection.
Due to the region’s well-developed public transit system and the fact that it is simple to reach by aircraft, rail, and automobile from anywhere in Europe, many cities and villages in Northern Italy are suitable destinations for both extended vacations and shorter excursions.
There is something here for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s great food and sports, music and art, mountains, lakes, beaches, historical monuments, museums, or amazing theme parks. We sincerely hope that the first-hand knowledge that has been tested and proven that has been shared with you here will be helpful to you when you are making travel arrangements.
11 beautiful northern cities in Italy
We have listed 11 beautiful Northern Italy towns to visit, have a look:
Bergamo, Lombardy
If you’re unsure whether or not to include Bergamo in your itinerary for Italy, the answer should be a resounding “yes.” Bergamo, which is in Northern Italy, is a beautiful place to visit because of its authentic Italian town that is just a little off the main road, medieval architecture, and regional cuisine,
Visit the Santa Croce Temple:
Builtin the 11th century, this breathtaking chapel is extraordinarily old and is located beneath the Basilica di Santa Maria. Most people pass right past it without even realizing it is there because it is concealed in plain sight (including those residing in Bergamo!).
Enjoy the Old Bishop’s Palace’s beauty:
The “broletto,” which is not far from the Basilica di Santa Maria, was built on the site of the old Roman forum. The Old Bishop’s Palace is open to the public and does not require an entrance fee; nonetheless, despite being accessible to the public, the palace is frequently deserted.
Visit the Duomo di Bergamo, also referred to as the Bergamo Cathedral:
Only one of the two churches that had stood in Bergamo’s city center remains today. The only remaining cathedral may be right in the middle of the old city, sometimes called the raised town, next to the Piazza Vecchia.
2. Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna
Located on the eastern coast of Italy in-between San Marino and Bologna
Beginning in the early fifth century and continuing until 476, when the Western Roman Empire ultimately fell, this ancient city, Ravenna, which is today the capital of a province with the same name, served as the capital of that empire. After that, it was the seat of the Ostrogothic Kingdom’s government for the rest of its life.
Church of the Neonians
A significant religious landmark known as the Baptistery of Neon was built on the site of a Roman Baths complex. Additionally, it is Ravenna’s oldest building that is still in existence.
San Vitale Basilica
The Basilica di San Vitale, a magnificent structure with design and architecture comparable to the Baptistery and an enormous octagonal central dome, is not far from the Neonian Baptistery. This magnificent building has a rather unremarkable façade.
Galla Placidia’s Mausoleum and Tomb
On the same grounds as the Basilica of San Vitale is the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known for having some of the most beautifully preserved and artistically flawless interior artwork today. It is home to some outstanding examples of the interior artwork.
3. Lombardy’s Pavia
Throughout its history, Pavia, a historic university town once the capital of Lombardy, has undergone a great deal of change and has been home to many important people. This structure has been referred to as “Pavia” by Albert Einstein himself.
Located on the way to Turin, and once the capital of the Lombardy kingdom,
Duomo di Pavia
From practically any vantage point inside the historic district, one can see the majestic Duomo di Pavia, which dominates the skyline of Pavia’s historic center.
Basilica di San Michele
Not the Pavia Cathedral, but one of the city’s top attractions that tourists must not miss is the nearby medieval church of San Michele.
Look for the medieval towers.
The tall buildings that dominated the city’s landscape throughout the Middle Ages earned Pavia the nickname “the city of 100 towers.”
4. Parma, Emilia-Romagna
If it helps, Parma is named after the renowned ham of the same name, which also happens to have its origins in this region. Like many other Northern cities in Italy, Parma is a medieval university town. It has a sizable ancient town, several meandering cobblestone streets, and more pizza than you can consume.
Parma Cathedral
One of Italy’s best examples of a Romanesque cathedral is Parma Cathedral, which is devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The exquisite internal frescos that decorate the cathedral make it so well-known.
Parma Baptistery
This structure is adjacent to Parma’s cathedral and serves as the city’s main Baptistery. It towers higher than the cathedral’s highest point and is significantly larger than the cathedral.
Piazza Garibaldi
The Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, located south of the cathedral in Parma’s historic town center, is a popular choice for the prettiest public space in the area. There are plenty of additional beautiful squares in Parma.
5. Milan/ Milano, Lombardy
In terms of fashion and design, Milan is the most significant city in Italy. It serves as the regional capital of Lombardy. Whenever fashion week comes to Italy, here is where it takes place. The Duomo di Milano, one of the biggest churches in Italy, is located there, along with many other attractions like a Wes Anderson-designed coffee shop and a thriving nightlife.
Piazza del Duomo
The most notable Gothic cathedral in the city is located in Piazza del Duomo, the city’s most spectacular public area. Please make your way to the massive Duomo with its 135 spires and innumerable statues after taking some time to unwind and enjoy the ambiance in a café.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is evidence of why Milan is regarded as one of the world’s fashion capitals. This spectacular glass-roofed arcade connects the Duomo and the Teatro alla Scala opera house’s piazzas. Along its length are cafes and upscale stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada.
Sforza Castle
Sforza Castle has a large courtyard; it resembles a fortress more than a castle. A library and other museums are housed in the complex.
6. Turin
Turin is a sizable and thriving city that is also the capital of the Piedmontese region of the nation. Turin is arguably best known for being the birthplace of the Fiat car and the chocolate industry. The Turin Shroud, a piece of fabric that is thought to depict Christ as he was being crucified, is another reason the city is well-known. It also offers easy access to the Alpine Alps, which are nearby.
Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama
The Palazzo Reale (also known as the Royal Palace) and the Palazzo Madama are two significant Baroque structures found on Piazza Castello, situated in the heart of Turin’s historic district.
Historically significant coffeehouses
This is reflected in the city’s historic coffee shops, which are a chocolate lover’s paradise because they serve chocolate treats and unique coffee blends in charming old-world surroundings. The city of Turin is a chocolate lover’s paradise.
The Valentino Park
On the opposite bank of the Po River, which runs through the city’s center, lies the Parco del Valentino, a lovely place to wander.
7. Verona, Veneto
Shakespeare’s writings helped Verona become known as the “city of loves” and spread its fame throughout the globe. Although the actual era of Verona’s founding is unknown, various estimates place it between one thousand and fifteen hundred years ago. There is a historic town to view and a Roman arena that may be visited in addition to seeing the city in search of locations influenced by Romeo and Juliet.
Arena di Verona
The Colosseum in Verona is just as impressive as the one in Rome and might even be better maintained.
Castle Vecchio
Since its first construction in 1354, the Castle Vecchio has been a prominent structure. On the banks of the River Adige is where you can find it.
Ponte di Castle Vecchio
The bridge had the greatest span of its kind in the whole globe when it was first constructed.
There is the bridge that connects to the Castle Vecchio and is decorated in a similar way to the castle’s walls.
8. Genoa/ Genova, Liguria
Genoa is a port city that can be accessed directly by train from Milan and has a history that goes back at least 2,000 years. It is a great spot to visit because of its location on the Ligurian Sea coast. The city, known as “Genova” in Italian, is the sixth most populated in the boot-shaped nation. It is also the regional capital of Ligurian, a bustling seaside city with a wide range of attractions.
Piazza De Ferrari
Due to its central location in the Molo sector of the ancient city of Genoa, Piazza De Ferrari is one of the city’s most significant sites and offers a wide range of activities.
Porta Soprana
One of Genoa’s most distinctive characteristics is the wall that originally encircled the city. The city’s walls have been enlarged throughout history; they were the longest city walls in Italy.
Piazza Matteotti
Despite being just next to the Piazza De Ferrari, Piazza Matteotti is a fantastic location in and of itself. There are many different historical buildings and monuments there.
10. Varese, Lombardy
On the beaches of the glittering Lago di Varese, in the province of Lombardia, sits the lovely city of Varese, also known as Lombardy in English. This city is renowned for its numerous magnificent mansions and art nouveau architecture. This northern Italian city is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides; it even has its own Sacro Monte.
Corso Matteotti
The main street in Varese, Corso Matteotti, has been turned into a pedestrian area. The “a lista” dwellings that flank either side of the street once served as private residences and retail establishments.
Piazza del Podestà
You can reach Piazza del Podestà by continuing to go down Corso Matteotti. A monument in the center of this space is dedicated to the soldiers who served under Garibaldi.
Palazzo Biumi
The Palazzo Biumi, another historically noteworthy building, is located on the Piazza del Podestà. This palace’s entryway, also known as the “Broletto,” is adjacent to the Palazzo del Pretorio.
10. Venice:
When you stroll around Venice’s many meandering, cobblestone streets and canals, it is simple to understand why the city is regarded as one of the most romantic cities in the world. One of the most beautiful cities in the world is said to be Venice. The island city of Venice is situated in the Venetian lagoon. It is made up of countless islands that are connected by a system of canals and bridges. The Grand Canal in the city’s heart is a beautiful sight, and the buildings surrounding it have great architecture. The glorious church, the big bell tower, and the colonies of pigeons that live there make St. Mark’s Square another absolute must-see.
Grand Canal
It is extremely rare for the water buses that run up and down the Grand Canal to be overcrowded to discomfort during the peak season, especially in the early morning and late evening.
Venice Biennale
The so-called “Olympics of the art world” are held every two years in Venice. Artists, curators, collectors, buyers, and critics from all around the world congregate in the Italian city at this time.
San Sebastiano
Millions of tourists gather in the piazza in front of San Marco each year to wait in line and view the breathtakingly adorned basilica.
11. Genoa
On the southern Italian coast, near the Ligurian Sea is a charming city called Enoa. Genoa is crucial to the economy of the country and has always played a significant role in the shaping of Italian history because it is the sixth-largest city in Italy and a significant port. One of the city gates from a time when Genoa’s walls were much larger and the city was guarded by an unassailable castle is still surviving; it is called Porta Soprana.
Via Garibaldi Palaces
Despite being designed in the 16th and 17th centuries to be the setting for mansions belonging to Genoa’s richest and most illustrious families, Via Garibaldi is hardly more than a lane. Such a street might be expected to resemble a wide, open avenue.
Acquario di Genova (Aquarium)
Not only is the Aquarium of Genoa the biggest aquarium in Italy, but it’s also one of the biggest in all of Europe. It is a portion of a big “Edutainment” complex that takes days to completely explore and is situated on the waterfront.
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
From Piazza Matteotti, move north-northwest to reach Via San Lorenzo, one of the main streets in the city.
