Instagram-Worthy Reasons to Visit Italy

In the crevice of every Roman ruin, down every Venetian alley, in the eyes of every Florentine masterpiece, and tucked away beneath every ripple that blows through Caprese waters—you’ll stumble upon some dazzling discovery, something that’ll make you want to reach for your phone to capture the moment and immortalize it on your Instagram feed, whether you’re visiting Italy for a family vacation or exploring it solo. (Speaking of which, make sure to check out our Instagram).

In my 4 visits to the Italian peninsula, I’ve been lucky enough to experience some of those classic Italian moments that form the fodder of top reasons to visit Italy: being serenaded by the Colosseum, becoming bird food for the pigeons in Venice, drinking from the Fontana della Barcaccia, over-dosing on Renaissance masterpieces during a day trip to Florence, getting wine-drunk in an Italian barn somewhere in the countryside, inhaling countless essential cappuccinos (bolente!) and of course, the essential “pushing” the Pisa tower pose.

Indeed, there are a bounty of reasons to go to Italy, so let’s dig in!

Before You Go

• Arrange affordable transfer pickup from Rome-Fiumicino Airport
• Get your discounted access pass to over 30 Rome & Vatican attractions
• Buy your Italy train pass
• Consider renting a car in Italy
• Check your phone plan to see if you have international data or get a Europe eSIM Mobile Data plan
• Book your Italy accommodation

Reasons to Visit Italy

Jam-packed with culture and beauty, the boot-shaped Mediterranean country of Italy boasts stunning scenery, scrumptious food, jaw-dropping architecture, and a bundle of history, energy, and spirit. Certainly, thousands of reasons to visit Italy exist, most of them photogenic enough for your Instagram.

But for now, we’ll focus in on 6 of these top reasons to go to Italy!

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.”

-Giuseppe Verdi

Our Essential Travel Guides

• Read our guide on how to score the cheapest flights
• Review our carry-on packing list 
• Learn everything you need to know about traveling through airport security
• Pack the right travel cameras and comfortable travel clothes

1. The Love

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Love is the life and blood of Italy.

You feel it in the air, taste it in the food, drink it in the wine, and see it in the beautiful people. All over the stunning landscape of Italy, you encounter this special Italian brand of love.

Seeing as the word “romance” stems from the Latin romant, meaning “in the Roman manner,” it’s no surprise Rome likewise overflows with the robust love that makes at least a few special reasons to visit Italy.

Learn how to get discounted tickets to Rome attractions.

In the picture above, you’ll see the “love locks” common all over Europe, photographed along the Tiber River in Rome. Strolling along the beautiful walkways makes it impossible not to be smitten by this (Instagram-worthy) picturesque country, rain or shine!

2. The Food

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It’s a good thing those Roman walkways are so charming, because you’re gonna want to clock in some extra foot time with all the food you’ll devour in Italy.

Eat, Pray, Love wasn’t lying about it—enjoying any and all delectable pieces of Italian cuisine during your journey through the country will highlight any trip to the Mediterranean dreamscape.

Don’t miss taking an Italian cooking class in Rome so you can learn how to make authentic Italian cuisine for yourself!

Classic, refined, comforting flavors blend together to make masterpieces.

In fact, one of the best Thanksgiving meals I’ve ever had was on a vineyard in Italy: a bowl of vegetable soup drizzled with olive oil and hand-crafted melt-in-your-mouth ravioli, washed down with plenty of house specialty vintages. So simple, but with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients that kiss your tongue so spectacularly, I still think about that meal over a decade later.

What to see in Italy: As in the picture above, you can enjoy a tall cone of your choice of gelato while strolling along the Piazza Navona, or perhaps take a gander at some Italian truffle hunting. You won’t regret it (and Instagram will freaking love it).

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3. The Vatican

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The smallest state in the world, the Vatican marks, for many, one of the higher reasons to visit Italy. Definitely take the time to explore the Vatican, and revel in the Vatican Museum highlights.

You can get discounted entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel if you book ahead here.

What to see in Italy: Indulge in the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica or Michelangelos’ masterful Sistine Chapel of Vatican City any time of year, but if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime Vatican experience, I would recommend going on Easter.

Visiting the Vatican on Easter

As the capital of the Roman Catholic church, the Vatican overflows with crowds coming together in St. Peter’s Square for the Christian Easter holiday.

The spectacle is so incredible, even a secular or non-Christian traveler can enjoy the experience. Pope Francis stands on a balcony, leading the crowd in Easter vigil prayers and the Urbi et Orbi message, with thousands raising their rosaries high in the air to have them blessed. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. Still, any time of the year you’ll have a fantastic experience gawking at the artwork and architecture the Vatican is famous for, even if, more likely than not, you don’t get to see the Pope!

Here’s how you can see the Pope in person yourself.

4. The Nature

From the sprawling green hills of Tuscany to the magnificent Venice Lagoon Islands and down to the deep blue Southern coast, Italy offers natural delights a’plenty for your wanderlust- and Instagram-needs.

On my latest trip to Italy, I discovered for myself the exuberant gem floating pretty in the Tyrrhenian Sea known as Capri.

With waters so vibrant you’d think they were neon, caves for days, and the ubiquitous scent of lemon, the island of Capri will enthrall any traveler looking for a piece of beauteous relaxation.

Take a boat off the rugged coast and weave through rocky islets and indigo waves to explore Capri’s glowing caverns, then kick-back at an ocean view restaurant and breathe in the fresh air. This might go without saying, but it doesn’t get more Instagram-worthy than that.

5. The History

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History buffs will go nuts exploring the rich historical landscape offered by Italy. Whether you’re taking to excavated sites, wandering the plentiful art or anthropological museums, or admiringly gazing at the architecture, Italy’s historical roots from antiquity to modern times provide fascinating eye- and brain-candy for any visitor.

Pompeii’s ruins bring you back to an ancient civilization destroyed by the volcano of Mt. Vesuvius. On the other side of the country, Venice takes you back to a “City of Masks,” bountiful with history from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, through the Crusades and onward.

Get your Pompeii Fast Track Entrance Ticket

And then there’s everything else—from the birthplace of Galileo at Pisa or the birthplace of the Renaissance at Florence, you’ll discover incredible historical sites across the whole country of Italy. You can even take a day trip to Pisa from Florence.

Don’t forget Rome, of course! Big ticket-items like the Colosseum, the Catacombs, the Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and so forth fill most spaces in the city. You can use the Go City pass to get discounted entrance to these Rome attractions.

Another historical site worth a visit is the Ghetto of Rome, pictured above. Established in 1555, the Roman Ghetto is a previously walled-in quarter built under the architect Giovanni Sallustio Peruzzi for Rome’s Jewish population, who were forced to live under horrendous conditions. The district is now the location of the Synagogue of Rome, with one last piece of the old wall of the Ghetto now built into one of the area’s courtyards.

Book your discounted Colosseum guided tour here.

Matera is always a great alternative to Rome for history lovers.

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6. The Fashion

Understand the true meaning of la bella figura (or “good appearance”) as you delve into Italian fashion, one of the top reasons to visit Italy.

Known around the globe for its elegant fashion design, Italy has been known for its artistic contribution to fashion as far back as the 11th to 16th century, with luxury goods coming from Rome, Palermo, Venice, Milan, Naples, Florence and Vicenza. More recently, Italian fashion such as Ferragamo and Gucci emerged on the couture scene.

Indeed, Italian fashion is linked to quality in craftsmanship and creativity.

The Anatomie pants we reviewed here, for example, are made from Italian fabrics and you can truly see the excellence in quality. I recently learned that many French, British, and American luxury brands also rely partially on Italian craft factories (including Chanel Dior, Balmain, and high-end Ralph Lauren), so that truly gives you a sense of the caliber of Italian craftsmanship!

Look for luxury leather goods in Venice or head to Milan to scout out the best Italian fashion brands, letting your fashion freak flag fly as you explore the artistic creations of Valentino, Versace, Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, and so many more.

Can You Think of More Reasons to Visit Italy?

Italy rakes in a whopping 64.5 million tourists each year—and is it any wonder why?

Though we’ve explored just 6 (particularly Instagram-worthy) themes of what to see in Italy, there are certainly hundreds, if not thousands more (such as Burano, the world’s most colourful town). Can you think of any other reasons to visit Italy? If you can, let us know what they are in a comment below!

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What are your favorite reasons to go to Italy?

Share in a comment below!