Tips for Cities to Visit in Italy






by Florian König, maut1.de - May 9th, 2023

Italy attracts visitors at all times of the year, but especially in spring, summer and autumn, holidaymakers are drawn to the south in search of sun, sea and the Italian way of life.

There are so many wonderful places to discover in Italy that one trip alone is not enough. For a more relaxed way to get to know the country, we recommend travelling with a toll box, which gives you the flexibility and freedom to visit and enjoy all these places.

No matter which destination in Italy you ultimately choose, please make sure to follow the local rules and regulations regarding parking and staying overnight with your motorhome, as well as the tolls in Italy on your journey.

But now to our tips for cities worth visiting in Italy (from the north to the south):

The town of Sanremo is located in the province of Imperia and belongs to the Liguria region on the northern Italian Mediterranean coast - not far from the French border. In the hinterland of the town is the mountain Monte Bignone with an altitude of 1300 metres from which two spurs run towards the coast and surround the town. A casino, sights such as the Basilica Concattedrale di San Siro, the gardens of Villa Ormond, the pedestrian zone around Corso Matteotti or the magnificent palm-lined waterfront promenade make Sanremo something very special.

Pavia, the old royal city in Lombardy, has a lot to offer. Above all, however, the city and region are known for their agriculture and wine. The monastery, which was built during the Renaissance, is enthroned in the north of the city. Otherwise, the basilica in Pavia stands out, which is a wonderful testimony to Romanesque architecture. The university, which was built with the support of Austria, is also quite impressive.
San Marino is a small enclave in the heart of Italy. Although it is one of the smallest countries in the world, San Marino has a lot to offer, such as a medieval city centre, spectacular views of Italy, excellent cuisine and a rich history. There are many sights to see in San Marino, such as the Guaita Castle, the Basilica of San Marino, the Palazzo Pubblico and much more. The old town of San Marino has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a real treasure for architecture and art lovers.

For nature lovers, there are many opportunities for hiking and cycling in the surrounding mountains. The views from the peaks are breathtaking and there are many picturesque villages and towns to discover in the area. San Marino is also a tax haven, which makes it a popular shopping destination. There are many shops offering duty-free products and prices are often cheaper than in other European countries.

Stadt im Fels bei Matera
Matera was built many hundreds of years ago and consists of the "Sassi" (German for "stones"), i.e. the two residential areas whose dwellings were either hammered into the gigantic limestone or supplemented with limestone as building material, so that today the city is a huge building puzzle on several levels of houses partly built on top of each other. Because of the rock, the interiors are virtually small rock caves. The city's main square, the Piazza Vittorio Veneto, lies above an underground network of cisterns that was also cut into the limestone as early as the 16th century and can be visited today. In the Casa Noha, you can learn a lot about the history of the city and, above all, its inhabitants.

Perhaps the town on the photo looks familiar to you: Filming for "James Bond 007: No Time to Die" took place in Matera.
You can get a view of the city either from the church "Chiesa di San Pietro Barisano" or after a hike over the "Ponte Tibetano della Gravina" which takes you 250 m above a gorge to the other side.

Messina is an important city on the Italian island of Sicily. The Strait of Messina connects Sicily with the Italian mainland, but it is not only the strait that makes the city worth seeing. It is the long interesting history that gives the place a special flair. Sights such as the cathedral, built in the 12th century, reinforce the beauty of the city. Every day at 12 o'clock you can admire the carillon with a round of figures, which stretches over six levels and tells the story of the city. In the heart of Messina is the magnificent Orion Fountain, a masterpiece by the Florentine master builder Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli. You won't regret a trip to Messina.

Catania is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. It stretches between the sea and the volcano Etna and looks both elegant and dynamic. You can get there via three different motorways. Once there, old theatres, beautiful buildings, the Bellini Park and boulevards by the sea await you. Families don't miss out here, as you can take an Etna tour from a variety of offers. This way you can see the volcano and Catania from a different perspective. Alternatively, you can stop off at one of the many cafés and enjoy classic Italian cuisine.

Küste bei Marsala
On the coast of Sicily lies Marsala, also called the "Port of God". Only an hour away from Palermo, the city is ideal for a day trip. However, you can also head straight for the city and spend the night there without regretting it afterwards.

 The city is best known for its unique dessert wine, Marsala wine. The local sea salt is also something very special. There are also many historical buildings that reflect the influence of different cultures from different eras.

Marsala offers a variety of sights, including the Archaeological Museum, Marsala Cathedral and the Capuchin Monastery. The city is also an ideal starting point for excursions to the nearby Aegadian Islands.

Between a deep blue sky and an equally blue sea lies one of Sicily's most beautiful holiday destinations, Syracuse. The coast is characterised by rough rocks, the remains of a volcanic eruption and fine sandy beaches. If you visit Sicily, you will experience a completely different Italy here, one that is actually no longer Italy at all: the ancient capital of Syracuse. Greeks and Romans alike left their traces here and had a decisive influence on the city's culture. Today, Syracuse is one of Sicily's major tourist centres. The old town of Ortygia was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. In addition to the ancient sites, the city's baroque buildings are particularly interesting.

We hope that among our travel tips for Italy there may have been one or two "secret tips" for your next trip to Italy and wish you a good time out in Italy now and a "Have a good trip!" all the time.

Photo credit: Cover picture © Created via Canva - SEO-Küche
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