18 Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy
Welcome to Italy! A country known for having some of the world’s greatest works of art, architecture and food! Yes, Italy has that ability to inspire us like no other place!
With its rich history, culture and architecture, Italy has a total of 55 designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. That places them at the top of the list, tied in first place with China. All of these places are recognized for their natural, historic and cultural significance, selected by representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a way to preserve and protect for future generations.
Let’s check out some of the best…
Aeolian Islands
Contributed by Emily from Wander-Lush
One of Italy’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites that fall under the ‘Natural’ category is Isole Eolie or Aeolian Islands. This is an archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Sicily’s north-west coast. The seven islands that comprise the chain are all volcanic in origin and include Stromboli, an active volcano. It’s their significance to volcanology (the study of volcanoes) that prompted UNESCO to inscribe the islands in 2000.
Visiting the Aeolian Islands today, one can witness the power of what UNESCO describes as ‘volcanic island-building and destruction’ up-close. Most notably in the dormant craters and half-collapsed cones that give the islands their exquisite shapes. Each one is different: Salina, the ‘green island’, has rich mineral soils perfect for cultivating wine grapes and capers, while Vulcano has sulphurous mud baths, and Stromboli its world-famous bubbling crater that can be summited as part of a guided trek.
Alongside divine landscapes, the islands have a unique culture and pace of life that makes them a total contrast to the rest of Italy.
Alberobello
Contributed by Maria & Katerina of It’s All Trip To Me
No trip to the region of Puglia in Southern Italy is complete without a visit to the fairytale-like town of Alberobello. It lies in the Itria Valley, Italy’s so-called trulli zone. The trulli are century-old limestone buildings with conical roofs. There are trulli everywhere in Itria Valley. However, Alberobello boasts the highest concentration of trulli and the best-preserved examples of these architectural wonders in the region.
This is why the Trulli of Alberobello have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Although a compact town, Alberobello is home to more than 1500 trulli spread across two neighbourhoods: Rione Monti and Aia Piccola.
UNESCO recognized the cultural significance of the Trulli of Alberobello as a fine example of a unique building technique that’s been around the Mediterranean for thousands of years. This dry-stone building tradition dates back to prehistoric times. Yet what’s utterly impressive about the Trulli of Alberobello is that these constructions are still inhabited, which makes them an outstanding example of Historic Urban Landscape.
Amalfi Coast
Contributed by Jackie Rezk of Jou Jou Travels
The Amalfi Coast is a beautiful coastline in southern Italy stretching 55-km and has over 100 beaches dating back to the 1st century AD. Its unique and beautiful landscape makes it on the UNESCO World Heritage Site for a very good reason.
The UNESCO site is comprised of 12 towns with the most popular destinations being Positano, Sorrento, and Amalfi. If you visit be sure to also stop by some of the lesser-known towns as well which include Vietri sul Mare, Praiano, and Ravello. All of which, carry outstanding beauty with cliff views, stacked pastel buildings, and stunning beaches.
The best things to do include visiting the many gorgeous beaches, taking a boat tour to visit unique places such as the Fiordo di Furore, and indulging in the fabulous food. Be sure to try the lemon-inspired dishes as the area specializes in the production of lemons.
Archaeological Area of Pompei
Contributed by Helen of Helen On Her Holidays
Pompeii is a huge archaeological site just south of Naples, in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. It was a thriving Roman city, but on 24 August AD79, Vesuvius erupted. Pompeii was covered in a thick layer of volcanic rocks and ash which hit the city at 160 kilometres per hour. The ruins of the city lay hidden for nearly 2000 years before being rediscovered.
Visiting Pompeii today, you get a real sense of what life was like for all levels of society in a Roman town – from takeaways to civic buildings, extravagant homes and brothels.
The upmarket town of Herculaneum was on the other side of Vesuvius and was destroyed not by rocks but by superheated gas. Because of this, it’s better-preserved than Pompeii, and well worth a visit.
The two villas at Torre Annunziata show two dimensions of Roman life. One villa, known as Villa Poppaea, is very large, with stunning, well-preserved wall paintings. The other is more rustic and down to earth, with spaces for manufacturing and storage.
Cinque Terre to Porto Venere
Contributed by Chris at Explore Now or Never
Want to read more?
Check out my article The 5 Villages of Cinque Terre
Historic City Centre of Florence
Contributed by Zoe of Together in Transit
For a UNESCO historical city centre, Florence should be high on your list. Located in the Tuscany region of Italy, it’s a beautiful to visit for those who are in love and who enjoy local Italian cuisine. But more importantly for those who enjoy spending hours in the beautiful museums, art galleries and seeing historical interest points. Such as the famously known Uffizi Gallery as a top highlight.
Being on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1982, Florence is famously known for renaissance art and rich history. With the city still surrounded by the ruins of its’ 14th-century walls. Within the historical centre, walk the cobblestoned streets and alleyways around the beautiful buildings and local squares at your own pace to take it all in. Immerse yourself into the local culture too, by spending time in the churches and towers such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
All combined together, the history, culture, beautiful architecture and famously known artworks (Michelangelo and Giotto to name two) located here creates the status of a World Heritage site – and well worth your visit!
Want to read more?
Check out my article First Timers to Florence – Top Things to Do
Historic City Centre of Naples
Contributed by Noel Morata of Oahu Travel Now
People either love or hate Naples. It’s a city that is well lived in, gritty and noisy. But it’s also vibrant, colorful, edgy and full of life. Taste some of the city’s specialties like the famous Neapolitan pizza, Sfogliatelle, deep-fried pizza, Struffoli, Moxxarella en Carrozza and Pasta alla Genovese. So, why not get lost in the historic streets, finding your way is part of the mystery and intrigue of this city. Historic City Centre of Pienza
Contributed by Me!
Pienza is a hilltop town sitting in the Val d’Orcia part of southern Tuscany in the Siena region. This historic town built in 1458 became a designated UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 due to its Renaissance architecture and city planning.
The main hub of Pienza is the Piazza Pio II. It’s flanked by the cathedral and three palaces: one for the government, one for the bishop and one for Pope Pio II (the town’s founder). The Pienza Cathedral reflects the late Gothic style of southern German churches while the exterior is pure Renaissance. Next is Palazzo Piccolomini, a Rossellino masterpiece. Palazzo Borgia and Palazzo Vescovile was given by Pius II to Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (the future Pope Alexander VI). This is home to the Diocesan museum. The collection includes local textile work as well as religious artifacts.
While you are touring this Tuscan town, wander the delightful narrow cobbled stone streets, with names of Via dell’Amore (or Love Street) and Via del Bacio (or Kiss Street) and you can’t not help but fall in love with this town.
Historic City Centre of Rome
Contributed by Stéphanie of Bey Of Travel
The Historic centre of Rome is one of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites in Italy. It stretches from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia and from the east of the Tiber up to Piazza di Spagna.
This site was designated UNESCO status in 1990 for all the beautiful Renaissance buildings, squares, and monuments in the city center. Places like the Forums, the Pantheon, the religious and public buildings of papal Rome. Rome became a legendary city due to its rich history and attracts millions of visitors each year.
To get the most out of seeing these historical sites buy a Roma pass, so you can use public transport and tickets to two museums. Make sure to buy a ticket as well that gives you access to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum in one, so you save some money while visiting the most beautiful places in the city.
Want to read more?
Check out my article First Timers to Rome – Top Things to Do
Historic City Centre of Siena
Contributed by Becks of It’s Just Becks
Want to read more?
Check out my article One Perfect Day in Siena
Historic City Centre of Urbino
Contributed by Milijana Gabrić of World Travel Connector
The vast majority of people dream of taking a road trip to Tuscany and visiting the many charming medieval hilltop towns. But not many people know that one of the most spectacular hilltops towns actually lies in the central region of Marche. The jaw-dropping historic Urbino is an architectural masterpiece and a World Heritage Site.
Stunning Urbino and its glorious Palazzo Ducale represent the finest peak of Italian Renaissance art and architecture. Urbino was one of the main hot spots and cultural centers in the Renaissance era. As such, it attracted many notable Renaissance figures and people of strong intellectual and artistic talents who left their mark there. Paolo Uccello, Piero della Francesca, Luciano Laurana, Donato Bramante and Raphael were among them. Actually, picture-perfect Urbino is the hometown of grand Raphel.
If you are interested in Renaissance art and architecture, and if you want to visit one of the most spectacular medieval walled hilltop towns in Italy and beyond, you need to see marvelous Urbino!
Mantua and Sabbioneta
Contributed by Jim Vail of Reflections Enroute
Mantua and Sabbioneta are inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as examples of Renaissance urban and archeological city planning. Both towns have roots in the Roman period with significant renovations and reconstruction taking place during the 15th and 16th centuries. The old city core today is much as it was at the height of the Renaissance.
The must-see site in Mantua is the Ducale Palace. Incredibly beautiful frescoes painted by renowned Renaissance artists Andrea Mantegna and Pisanello adorn the walls and ceilings of the splendid palace rooms. Visitors in the summer months might even be lucky enough to watch and listen to a small orchestra performing in one of the ballrooms.
A visit to Mantua and Sabbioneta, in the Po valley, in the north is a must for anyone interested in the Renaissance period in Italy.
Matera
Contributed by Audrey of That Backpacker
Located in the southern region of Basilicata, Matera is a sight to behold! Known as the “City of Caves”, Matera has quite literally been dug out of the rock, and visiting will transport you back through time – after all, this is the third-oldest continually inhabited settlement in the world!
Matera has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its ancient cave dwellings which are suspected to be among the first human settlements in Italy. Some activities not to miss include visiting the rupestrian churches carved in stone and covered in beautiful frescoes, touring Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario where you can see how people lived in the sassi up until the 1950s, and hiking to the caves in Murgia National Park.
But really, when it comes to exploring Matera, the best course of action is to ditch the map and get lost; the city is a maze of zigzagging staircases, steep lanes, and tiny courtyards with adventure lurking at every corner. If this sounds like your kind of place, there are many things to do in Matera.
Modena
Contributed by Lori of Travlinmad
The city of Modena in north-central Italy’s Emilia Romagna region is home to Italy’s premier sports car manufacturers (Ferrari and Lamborghini to name a few). Also, several Michelin restaurants who are revving up the Modena food scene can be found here too. But for lovers of history and architecture, the UNESCO World Heritage sites are an even more compelling reason to visit.
Mount Etna
Contributed by Tjasa Pele of The Travel Memento
With 3300 meters, Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and one of the world’s most erupting volcanoes. Located in Sicily, it overlooks the second biggest city, Catania, and it definitely is a must-see landmark for everyone travelling to Sicily. You can hike or take a cable car to the peak of the summit and witness Etna’s uniqueness from close up.
Numerous eruptions over the 500,000 years of history have contributed to the formation of the Sicilian east coastline. Even more, the activity of Etna produced many myths and legends in Greek and Roman times. The scientific relevance of volcanic features, such as active and inactive craters, lava flows, ashes, lunar environment, flora and fauna, offers essential cultural and educational value.
Combined with the natural beauty of the volcano, it is no wonder why it was selected as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Val di Noto, Sicily
Contributed by Soumya from Stories by Soumya
One of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy that you definitely need to add to your Sicily itinerary are the Late Baroque Towns of Val di Noto.
Located in south-eastern Sicily, 8 charming towns – namely Ragusa, Noto, Modica, Scicli, Catania, Palazzolo, Caltagirone, and Militello Val di Catania – were completely rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693.
Sicilian architects used Italian Baroque for all the reconstruction. What eventually resulted was a beautiful fusion of mainland Baroque elements with abundant local flair – a style that later came to be known as Sicilian Baroque.
As you tour the beautiful towns of Val di Noto, be sure to notice the richly sculpted Baroque surfaces of churches, town halls, buildings and homes. They are adorned with intricate stucco decorations, grinning masks, and winged cherubs. The use of coloured mosaics is plenty. If you don’t have time to visit all eight towns, head to Modica and Noto for the perfect Sicilian Baroque immersion.
Val d'Orcia
Contributed by Martina & Jürgen of Places of Juma
Val d’Orcia is for sure one the most amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy! Located in the heart of Tuscany, it’s the place where you will find endless rolling fields, dreamlike viewpoints, picturesque cypress avenues, beautiful panoramic roads and charming villages in marvelous Renaissance style. This 60,000-hectare large area has become emblematic of the beauty of a well-managed Renaissance agricultural landscape.
Since 2004, the unique landscape of Val d’Orcia with its many medieval towns, the special agriculture and culture, has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Worth visiting is especially the pretty town of Pienza, considered to be the cradle of the Renaissance and located in breath-taking landscape. But also the other charming hill towns like Montalcino or Montepulciano are really worth seeing!
want to read more?
check out my articles Touring Tuscan Towns – Cortona and Touring Tuscan Towns in the Siena Region
Venice and its Lagoon
Contributed by Lavina of Continent Hop
The wonderfully romantic destination of Venice. What makes Venice so UNESCO worthy? It’s harmony between natural elements of 118 small islands and man’s resolve to populate it.
The city was founded in 5th century A.D., is was out of the necessity of escaping the Barbarian invasion, making it historically significant. Torcello, Lesolo and Malamocco were the first areas to be completed and populated.
Venice’s lagoon is one of the most outstanding examples of excellent architecture and culture coming together to create a place worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.
Venice was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. Gondolas and water taxis expertly use the canals here for transportation, and restaurants and hotels are built on sturdy platforms over the lagoon, making the whole destination quite an extraordinary feat.
As a holidaymaker…
Visiting Italy, with so much variety can be overwhelming as to what to see and do. Why not let the designated UNESCO sites be your guide in planning your next intinery. As these places are carefully selected for their historic and cultural significance, and always are worth visiting.
46 Comments
Ildiko
Love, love , love this post! Have seen several of the places on your list, but certainly not all. Sicily is on my schedule for next year so will definitely include Noto. Would also love to see Alberobello. It looks so unique.
The.Holidaymaker
I’m so glad you were inspired to add future places on your list. Thanks for stopping by.
Megan
Italy is just filled with so much beauty and history. We had our trip canceled last year, but I can’t wait to go back and see some of these sites!
The.Holidaymaker
I agree! It’s a country to visit over and over again.
Krista
I’ve only visited Naples and Pompeii from your list, so this is really making me want to plan another trip to Italy and see some more historic sites!
The.Holidaymaker
Happy to know it might inspire some future travels.
Lasma Plone
Oh I recently moved to Italy and this list is so useful for my future travels! Saving ❤️ And thank you for this detailed list 🥰
The.Holidaymaker
How lucky are you to call Italy home! I’m so glad to hear that you will use it for reference. Thanks for supporting.
Barbara Farfan
I’ve been to Italy 6 times and have never seen any of these places. I really missed out! I’ve done a lot of petsitting in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site too. It’s fantastic and makes me want to petsit my way around ALL the UNESCO sites. This article was a great inspiration – thanks!
The.Holidaymaker
You’ll have to pet sit for me in Ontario! 😉
Carol Colborn
I have been to only 3: Pompeii. Florence, and Rome. This puts together all of the other 15 I should not miss!
Ann Marks
I love italy and Unesco World Heritage sites! I’ve been to a few of these, now I have more places to visit in Italy the next time I visit. Which I hope is next year. Thank you for this list, I will have to refer to it when I plan my trip.
The.Holidaymaker
I hope you get the chance to explore much more.
Barry
I had never really looked at Italy as a site of UNESCO buildings, beautiful as many are, so this list is exciting to read. I’ve visited five of them here and unknowingly never knew they were UNESCO. Some I’ve not heard of and so are inspiring me to get to them someday, as being listed as a UNESCO site is one of the highest honours around. Now I know why Cinque Terre gets such a huge press as a place to see! Great article.
The.Holidaymaker
I’m so happy to hear this list inspired you to return to Italy and add some places to your list.
Riana Ang-Canning
I think I have made it to 7 on your list but so many I still want to see! Modena for sure – I tried a balsamic vinegar from there while we were in Tuscany and almost died – it was SO good! Sicily is high on my list and so is Alberobello with those cool roofs!
The.Holidaymaker
Wow! 7 – that’s impressive. Returning and going to Sicily and Alberobello does sound wonderful.
Linda (LD Holland)
There are so many great reasons to visit Italy. Adding these interesting UNESCO sites adds several new reasons and spots for us. We would certainly visit the Aeolian Islands when we plan a trip to Sicily. And Pienza sounds like a great spot when we get back to Tuscany. And who would not want to visit Modena for all the great food! I can’t wait to get back to Italy.
The.Holidaymaker
I know. Italy just offers so much for travellers. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit again soon.
Jamie Italiane
My grandparents were from a town in Sicily called Palaza Adriana. I am blessed to be from a country with such a rich culture and history. I haven’t been to enough of these spots though. I had never heard of Metara, but love caves, so that is high on my list!
The.Holidaymaker
I’m so glad to know that this has inspired some future travel plans.
Emma Earthwanderer
Gosh, there are just so many beautiful places to visit in Italy. I’m particularly fascinated with the two volcanic sites of Mount Etna and Aeolin Islands. Are the mud baths actually for people to sit in and enjoy, or are they too hot?
The.Holidaymaker
I agree, it would be fascinating to visit both volcanic sites.
Jennifer Prince
I loved visiting Pompeii! It’s so interesting how it’s just frozen in time. I had no idea there were so many UNESCO sites in Italy, but it makes sense. I’m putting a few on my list!
The.Holidaymaker
Great, glad the article introduced you to some new places to add to your list.
Sherianne
Florence is one of my favorite cities, I could visit early and never tire of wandering the streets. I have been to Cinque Terre on a day trip but would love to stay a few days in one of the towns. Alberobello was not on my radar, it truly does look like a fairytale town!
The.Holidaymaker
Agree, those cone shaped buildings of Alberobello are amazing aren’t they?!
Kevin
I’m really hoping to do Italy again within the next year or two, and these are all great ideas. I’m especially interested in the ones that aren’t in the major city centers, like Matera and Val d’Orcia. Rolling hills and medieval towns sounds like the perfect way to explore something totally different from the big cities like Milan and Rome.
The.Holidaymaker
I agree Kevin, get into the smaller unknown places in Italy is the best way to really experiencing this beautiful country.
Jeremy
Beautiful list! Porto Venere, Positano and Modena are on my bucket list! I’m adding Val d’Orcia to my list now! I’m obsessed with views of cypress trees, especially when they are planted in rows, it is just so inviting! Love the orange umbrellas in the Amalfi coast too! So instagrammable! I bet it must be super crowded during summer holidays.
The.Holidaymaker
You’ve selected some amazing areas of Italy to explore. All worthy of visiting. Especially Val d’Orcia in Tuscany, it really does offer dream like views.
Emma
So many I hadn’t heard of, what a great guide. I love visiting UNESCO sites and there are so many amazing ones. Pompeii is still very much near the top of my list, a place I’ve been fascinated with since I was a kid, but I also really want to visit Cinque Terre. Matera was a new one to me, adding that to the list
The.Holidaymaker
Visiting Cinque Terre is definitely such a picturesque area – you can’t go wrong with the rugged coastline and colourful buildings perched up high on the rocks.
Agnes
I hope I will be able to go to Italy this year by camper van and see some places from your impressive list. So far, I have been to Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, Siena, Val d’Orcia, and Venice. On my dream list is “City of Caves,” Matera. I would like to see also 8 charming towns on SIcyly Ragusa, Noto, Modica, Scicli, Catania, Palazzolo, Caltagirone, and Militello Val di Catania. And, of course, the largest active volcano in Europe – Etna. I hope to visit it one day.
The.Holidaymaker
That is a long list of places to go! But being able to travel through Italy with your camper van sounds like a pretty amazing road trip to me! Hopefully, you’ll be able to do that one day soon.
Medha Verma
Italy has so much to see and do, that one cannot be done with it in even one month. I was there for about 2 weeks and I feel like I wish to return because there’s so much I missed. I couldn’t make it to Alberobello, for example, and then I saw pictures of it and I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t included it in my itinerary. Also, the Amalfi Coast! For your post, I can tell, even Aeolian Islands would have been a great add. I must return!
The.Holidaymaker
I agree! Two weeks doesn’t’ get you very far- not when there are so many wonderful places to see. But it is the kind of country that is worth returning to over, and over again.
JoJo Hall
Italy has so many beautiful views and UNESCO sites! The last time I was there, I was thankful to have made it to Rome and Pompeii, so that’s 2 out of the top 18 sites. I’d love to make it back there and explore the others and I hope I’ll have more time to do that.
The.Holidaymaker
Hey 2 out of 20 isn’t bad! Now, hopefully you’ll be able to return and see more! Thanks for stopping by.
Clarice
Oh! I love Italy and yes, I agree with you that this place can definitely inspire us to enjoy life. Not to mention the food is amazing. I did not realize there are so many UNESCO heritage sites in Italy and can’t wait to go back when we can travel again.
The.Holidaymaker
I can’t wait either! Thanks for commenting.
Raksha
Such an awesome list of UNESCO sites. I have been to Italy only once and only to Rome. Would love to go there for longer period. I have always wanted to visit Amalfi coast and Pompii. They have been on my wish list forever. I will add the others to my list as well and I will spend a few weeks in Italy to cover most of them, if not all.
The.Holidaymaker
That sounds like a dream trip! Thanks for your comment.
Bhushavali N
Italy is amazing for its art and culture and history. I’m always so so fascinated by that. So far I’ve only seen Rome and Florence out of your list. Alberobello and Pompeii are high up on my wishlist. I hope I get to go there atleast by next year when traveling might get a bit easier!
Gustavo A Feliciano
Wow Italy seems to have so much to offer! Would love to be able to visit and explore all these amazing spots!
The.Holidaymaker
It’s a great way to plan your intinery when visiting Italy!