Looking for some underrated cities to visit on your next trip to Italy? As someone born in Italy and living in Modena, I find this question challenging. Italy is home to historically famous artists like Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci and many world-famous cities on every traveler’s bucket list.
But beyond Venice, Florence, and Rome, a list of underrated Italian cities is waiting to be uncovered. Have you heard of Sicily’s volcanic slopes? What about the scenic Adriatic coastline? Those are just some of it. You can find picturesque hilltowns, vibrant port cities, and medieval masterpieces with culture and history around every corner.
Here, we will cover 10 underrated Italian cities that should be on your travel bucket list and things to see and do in each destination. Let’s get started and add these Italian locales to your itinerary!
Top 10 Underrated Cities in Italy To Visit in 2024
Let’s get started with the first underrated Italian city on our list.
10. Catania, Sicily
Catania, on the east coast of Sicily, is number ten on our list of underrated cities in Italy. Now, Catania might not be on too many North American travelers’ radars, but trust us, this place has some unique vibes worth exploring.
Founded in the 8th century BC, Catania has a history in spades. The city lies at the foot of Mount Etna, which is visible pretty much everywhere in Catania. Even after visiting here three times over the past few years, we still come across new architecture and landmarks that blow our minds, like the Cattedrale Saint Agatha. And you can’t miss out on Ursino Castle, a 13th-century jewel that takes you back to Catania’s medieval days. There’s also an ancient Greek theater in the heart of the city!
If you like shopping, Catania has you covered with Via Etnea and its rows of local boutiques and eateries. Oh, and speaking of eats, you have to check the “La Pescheria” market for its fresh seafood and other products. Then chow down on local foods like pasta alla Norma and finish with a classic cannoli dessert. If you crave more adventures, you may also explore Sicily’s capital, Palermo.
9. Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna
The small city of Ravenna has an amazing history. It once served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Despite being a small city, Ravenna attracts over 3 million visitors yearly. Today, Ravenna’s past can be seen through its impressive collection of early Christian and Byzantine-era mosaics.
The mosaics date back centuries and contain dazzling colors, patterns, and details that have been well preserved. The Basilica of San Vitale is home to vivid Biblical imagery and exotic Middle Eastern motifs. The nearby Mausoleum of Galla Placidia contains perhaps some of the oldest and finest mosaics in Ravenna.
Wandering the town, you’ll also find Ravenna’s Roman and Byzantine infrastructure remains, such as the Porta Serrata gate and the San Giovanni Evangelista rotunda. With such beautiful Byzantine treasures, it’s no wonder Ravenna has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Some of the best places to see in Ravenna:
| Place | Description |
| Basilica of San Vitale | Impressive 6th-century mausoleum with a massive 230-ton stone dome. |
| Galla Placidia Mausoleum | Small mausoleum with magnificent mosaics from the 5th century AD, honoring Galla Placidia. |
| Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo | Originally commissioned in the 6th century with stunning interior mosaics. |
| Neonian Baptistery | Octagonal baptistery from the 5th century, decorated with biblical mosaic scenes. |
| Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra | Archaeological site showcasing well-preserved Roman villa floors. |
| Mausoleum of Theodoric | Basilica with beautiful 6th-century mosaics, located just outside Ravenna. |
| National Museum | Museum with various historical and artistic artifacts collected by monks. |
| Tomb of Dante | Simple tomb holding the remains of medieval poet Dante Alighieri. |
| Arian Baptistery | Early Christian baptistery with intricate mosaic designs inside. |
| Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe | Basilica with beautiful 6th century mosaics, located just outside Ravenna. |
8. Turin – Most Underrated City in Piedmont, Italy
Next on our list of underrated cities to visit in Italy is Torino, the capital of the Piedmont region in the Northwest of Italy. It also was the first capital of unified Italy, making it a city steeped in rich history and architecture. Torino is nothing less than grand, with its famous Royal Palace situated right in the city center as a nod to its royal past.
Torino is also known as the automotive capital of Italy, serving as Fiat’s headquarters. You can visit Fiat and even go up on the roof to walk along the test track they built–it’s pretty cool.
If you’re visiting Torino, you must see the Royal Palace, symbolizing the city’s regal past. With its lavish rooms and sprawling art collections, you can’t help but get an idea of the privileged lifestyle during the House of Savoy dynasty. And, of course, if you’re keen on religious artifacts, the Turin Cathedral is home to the hotly-debated Shroud of Turin.
However, one of Torino’s most acclaimed attractions is likely the breathtaking Egyptian Museum, which holds the second-largest Egyptian collection globally, next to the Cairo Museum. It takes about two to three hours to see everything properly. We strongly advise buying skip-the-line tickets beforehand as the museum gets incredibly busy and has almost no chance of walk-in entry.
7. Siena – Most Underrated City in Tuscany, Italy
Siena is #7 on our list of underrated cities in Italy. It sits atop a hill in central Tuscany and has a picturesque medieval town center that earned UNESCO distinction. Narrow brick streets lead to sites like the magnificent Gothic Cathedral in the historic Piazza del Campo, also home to the Palio di Siena horse race each summer.
Thousands flock to witness the famous Palio races in July and August when jockeys representing different neighborhoods competitively race around the packed dirt track surrounding Piazza del Campo. It offers visitors a window into one of Italy’s time-honored traditions.
Beyond its splendid architecture and ancient Tuscan rituals, Siena is an excellent home base for exploring Tuscany’s famous wine regions. Thanks to its central location, it sits within the classic Chianti countryside, while the prestigious Brunello-producing area of Montalcino also lies nearby. Seina has a lot to offer!
6. Bari, Puglia (Most Underrated City in the South of Italy)
No top 10 list in Italy would be complete without mentioning the underrated city of Bari, the capital of Italy’s Puglia region. You will find it on the Adriatic Sea coastline. Its prime seaside location lends itself to summer beachgoing, including at the aptly named “Pane e Pomodoro” beach, meaning “Bread and Tomato.”
Beyond its shoreline, Bari rewards visitors with a rich history reflected through architecture from ancient to modern. The maze-like old city centers around the Basilica di San Nicola, housing the remains of St. Nicholas and dazzling with its ornate design. In contrast to the historic quarters, a more contemporary Bari flourishes with upscale shopping, cafes, and restaurants.
As an Adriatic port city, Bari emanates a vibrant energy, especially once summertime arrives. Locals and visitors embrace the weather and seaside location by dining al fresco at the city’s many outdoor restaurants and cafes.
5. Milan, Lombardy
Milan is the financial capital of Italy, but it tends to get forgotten among visitors—but it shouldn’t! This underrated city is located in the Lombardia region, in the north of Italy. Milan is also Italy’s fashion and design capital, perhaps the entire world. It attracts over 10 million visitors every year. In the city, you’ll find all the best clothing designers, high-end shopping, and fabulous restaurants.
The City of Milan offers both innovation and history. Fashionistas and culture lovers flock here for the chic boutiques and modern towers reflecting Milan’s future focus. Yet among the lively bars and luxury hotels lie artistic treasures–the magnificent Gothic Duomo, da Vinci’s Last Supper mural, and the La Scala opera house.
Don’t just glance at the medieval masterpieces; explore within them, too, like the Duomo’s 4th-century crypt and rooftop views. Milan excels at refined pleasures, from Michelin-star dining to high-fashion shopping quadrangles, but it also relishes everyday delights–cheer at football matches with locals, wander the Navigli canals, or linger in charming squares as the sun sets.
4. Verona, Veneto
Verona is located in the Veneto region in the northeast of Italy. You’ll notice that Verona strikes the perfect balance between monumental ancient ruins and intimate old-world romance. As the storied setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the city feels steeped in tragic love stories and poetic whispers from the past – oops, I’m starting to sound like Shakespeare now.
In Verona’s center, you’ll find Piazza Bra with postcard-perfect cafés and street performers flanked by high-end shops. Meanwhile, Juliet’s tiny balcony remains the city’s star-crossed lover landmark for selfies and posting poetic love notes on its courtyard walls.
You can find one of the best-preserved Roman arenas in the world, so perfectly preserved that it is still used today for operas and concerts. Rick and I were lucky enough to go to an Elton John concert there a few years ago, and being in the area felt like we were living in a different time–it felt so ethereal.
If you’re into food and wine, Verona is also known for its Amarone wine and, like Siena, is the perfect base camp for wine tasting in the Veneto area. Even those only passing through will likely mesmerized by Verona’s enduring and irresistible romance.
3. Lecce, Puglia
Lecce lies in southern Italy’s Puglia region, earning its moniker as the “Florence of the South” for the ornate Baroque architecture of its churches and palaces, much like Florence’s Uffizi Gallery and Rome’s Colosseum.
The local limestone gives the city a glowing, lavish aesthetic with delicately chiseled decorative details. Lecce’s liveliness emanates from its structures and people, whose warmth entices visitors to slow down and embrace the art of living well.
Meandering narrow streets lead to cafés rimming the storied Piazza Duomo and its impressive cathedral. Like a postcard come to life, Lecce proffers discovery around every corner.
2. Naples, Campania
Naples is arguably one of Italy’s most captivating & underrated cities. As the capital of the Campania region, it acts as a major port and gateway to famous areas like Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Santa Maria, and the island of Capri. Yet Naples deserves recognition in its own right as a vibrant, living hub of culture. We make a point of visiting this dynamic city at least once a year.
Walking Naples’ historic streets overwhelms the senses with captions of sights, sounds, and, yes, smells. It overflows with a level of color and commotion unmatched elsewhere in Italy. Locals fill the air with Neapolitan dialect and personality. Impromptu street music and entertainment could surprise you on any given corner.
Beyond its palpable energy, Naples claims several culinary firsts. As the birthplace of pizza, the city takes its reputation for exceptional versions of the classic Neapolitan style seriously. You could easily taste-test pizzerias straight through several days. We always budget generous time to sample the region’s fresh seafood, breads, cheeses, and, of course, wine.
Most Underrated City in Italy: Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
As the lively capital of Italy’s culinary epicenter, Bologna attracts with its liveliness around art, history, and, let’s face it…food! Forget diets when surrounded by the world’s longest porticoes filled with gourmet deli counters displaying parma hams, mortadella bursts, and aged parmesans. The place invites slowing down to savor—espressos at a marble-topped cafe, handmade pasta at tiny holes in the walls, or leisurely al fresco dining beneath grand arcades.
This vibrant university city also overflows with artistic and architectural marvels from its Etruscan founding onwards. By 1088, Bologna University became Europe’s first institution to grant degrees. Walking tours pass through preserved medieval quarters with highlights like:
- The iconic Due Torri – Bologna’s two leaning towers that form the city symbol
- Basilica di San Petronio – begun in 1390 with ancient sundial lines, making it over 630 years old
- The Fountain of Neptune drawing upon Roman mythology
- Salaborsa Library with a transparent floor revealing ancient ruins below
Beyond the vibrant historic downtown stuffed with food shops, Bologna also claims the world’s longest continuous arcade walkway with 3.5 km and 666 arches long—the arcade of San Luca in Bologna.
FAQs
Bologna is Italy’s most underrated place for first-timers to visit, but you can follow our list above if you’re not a first-timer.
The cheapest city to arrive in Italy is Milan, served by Milan Malpensa Airport.
Can’t decide where to go in Italy? For fashion and skiing, head north. For adventure and sun, go south or to the islands. Or visit both regions.
Florence offers a more authentic experience with fewer crowds and Venice has historic wonders and easy island access.
The best way to travel to multiple cities in Italy is by train.
Final Thoughts
Beyond the classic places to visit, a thrilling trove of culture and history awaits within Italy’s most underrated cities. So, which alluring place will you explore next? There’s only one way to decide—start planning your Italian adventure. Ciao!