Choose from 645 Fun Things to Do in Italy
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Piazza Trieste e Trento
Piazza Trieste e Trento is the square to see and be seen in Naples. It’s where the most fashionable Neapolitans and visitors linger over an espresso in the landmark Caffé Gambrinus after perusing the stores along Via Toledo and Via Chiaia, two of the city's main shopping thoroughfares that end in this bustling piazza.
The Basics
To one side of Piazza Trieste e Trento stretches the vast Piazza del Plebiscito, one of Italy's most famous public spaces, lined by an elegant sweep of Doric columns, the glorious Palazzo Reale—formerly the royal residence and now a museum—and the domed Church of San Francesco di Paola. To the other side of the square, along Via San Carlo, is the historic Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest continuously active opera house in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits directly across from the 19th-century Galleria Umberto I shopping gallery and virtually next door to the imposing medieval Castel Nuovo. Visit Piazza Trieste e Trento and nearby attractions by joining a Naples history walk, or opt for a Vespa tour or a day of Naples sightseeing by vintage Fiat for a unique private tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- In addition to shops and boutiques, the neighborhood around Piazza Trieste e Trento is thick with excellent traditional Neapolitan restaurants.
- The adjacent Via Chiaia is pedestrian only, so it’s easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.
- The square is one of the most important intersections in Naples, where three of the city's main thoroughfares converge around the central Fontana del Carciofo.
How to Get There
The N1 and N3 buses both stop directly in Piazza Trieste e Trento, and the metro line 1 stops at Piazza del Municipio, a 5-minute walk away. Naples is the largest city in the region of Campania, and a hub for trains and ferries from the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and Pompeii.
When to Get There
Naples is a popular destination, and its attractions can be very hot and crowded in the high-season summer months. Visit in the early morning to avoid the crowds, and the late evening to relax with a cocktail during the cooler hours of the day.
The Church of San Ferdinando
The 17th-century Chiesa di San Ferdinando faces onto Piazza Trieste e Trento and is known for its baroque fresco cycle by Paolo de Matteis dating from the late 1600s.
Address: Piazza Trieste e Trento, Naples, 80132, Italy
Admission: Free
From $ 185
Piazza San Cosimato
Near the main square in the Trastevere neighborhood in Rome, Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, is the Piazza San Cosimato, where a local outdoor food market takes place six mornings a week.
The market at Piazza San Cosimato has been there since the early 20th century, and although it’s smaller than some of the other popular outdoor markets in the city, it has a dedicated following. Some of the vendor families have occupied a stall at the market since its early days, with stalls and locations handed down through generations.
Along with the usual stalls offering fresh local produce, fresh fish and meat, and locally-made cheeses and cured meats, there is a used book seller at the market.
Take a food tour of the Trastevere district in the morning to see the market in full swing. It’s the perfect place to stock up on food for the pantry if you’re renting an apartment in the area.
Practical Info
Take a peek in the Church of San Cosimato, for which the square is named, or walk to the nearby Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere to visit one of the oldest churches in Rome.
Address: Piazza San Cosimato, Rome 00153, Italy
Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-1:30pm
From $ 80
Piazza Grande
The oldest square in the Tuscan city of Arezzo has the appropriate name of Piazza Grande, or Great Square. Dating back to the Medieval era, the piazza was once the site of the city's main market. Today, it plays host to the monthly antiques market that is one of the largest in Italy. It's also where the annual Joust of the Saracen is held.
Notable buildings surrounding the Piazza Grande include the 14th-century Fraternita dei Laici palazzo, a loggia designed by Giogio Vasari, a 13th-century Episcopal Palace, and part of the 13th-century Romanesque Apse of Santa Maria della Pieve.
Practical Info
Piazza Grande is located in the historic center of Arezzo.
Address: Piazza Grande, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy 52100, Italy
From $ 139
Piazzale Garibaldi
At the very top of the Janiculum Hill in Rome is Piazzale Garibaldi, which has a bronze statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi at its center.
The Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo in Italian) is not one of Rome’s ancient seven hills, but today is one of the best places to get an exceptional view over the city. Piazzale Garibaldi is at the top of the hill, surrounded by a road and some parking spaces.
The equestrian statue in the middle of the piazza honors Garibaldi, the man who led the fight to unify Italy in the early 19th century. The main draw of the square, however, is the view over Rome. You can see everything from the Colosseum to St. Peter’s dome to the Vittoriano monument and much more.
Piazzale Garibaldi and the Janiculum Hill get particularly popular at sunset, so if you want to see the sun go down from the top of the hill make sure you give yourself enough time to walk or take the bus up there. During the day, some Trastevere tours include the Janiculum Hill on the itinerary, too.
Practical Info
Not far from the Piazzale Garibaldi is a quaint little puppet theater that has regular Italian puppet shows on weekends.
Address: Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, Rome, Lazio 00165, Italy
From $ 87
Piazza Fontana
A short walk from the Duomo, Piazza Fontana is one of the prettiest squares in Milan’s center, a quiet respite from the hubbub of nearby Piazza della Scala and Piazza del Duomo. The piazza is named for its 18th-century neoclassical central fountain, designed by Giuseppe Piermarini and is encircled by trees and benches.
The Basics
Milan is known for its urban hustle and bustle, but there are a number peaceful corners of the city worth exploring. If you need a few minutes to regroup during your walking or Segway tour of Milan's most famous sights like the Cathedral (Duomo) and Sforza Castle, take a quick detour to this lovely square where the pace is slower and the crowds thinner.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The square is a short walk from the Duomo and there is a wide pedestrian area encircling the center fountain, so perfect for cooling off in the shade for a few minutes with kids.
- There is a high curb around the central fountain area that may be hard to manage with a wheelchair or stroller.
- There are a number of cafés along the outside of the square that serve snacks and coffee.
How to Get There
Piazza Fontana is located just behind Milan’s Duomo, less than a 5-minute walk from the Piazza del Duomo.
When to Get There
The central fountain in Piazza Fontana has a number of water jets that are street level, ideal for cooling off hands and feet on a hot summer day.
A Violent Past
Piazza Fontana has a violent history that belies its peaceful atmosphere. In 1969, the square was the site of the bombing of the National Agrarian Bank, a domestic terrorist attack that resulted in 17 people killed and scores more injured. A plaque stands in the square in their honor.
Address: Milan, Italy
From $ 70
Piazza Statuto
Like many public squares in Italy, Turin's Piazza Statuto has something of a checkered past, including supposed ties to black magic.
Piazza Statuto was built in 1864 in order to make the four entry points to the city symmetrical—the other three entrances already had piazzas. The piazza is ringed on three sides by Baroque buildings, and there is a small garden at its center. Long before the piazza was built, during the Roman Empire, this spot was an execution site.
The piazza also features a monument to the people who built the Frejus Tunnel, connecting Italy and France through the mountains. The monument features an angel at the top, with figures representing the workers climbing over a mountain of boulders underneath. The sculpture is near a manhole cover in the pavement, which some say is a doorway to hell and has led the piazza to be associated with black magic over the years.
Practical Info
Piazza Statuto is at the old western entrance of Turin and is a regular stop on black magic tours of the city.
Address: Turin, Italy
Hours: Daily
From $ 29
Piazza IX Aprile
Italy’s public squares come in all shapes and sizes, and some are decidedly more beautiful than others. Taormina’s main square, Piazza IX Aprile, is both popular and gorgeous - which is why it features so prominently in many Taormina photographs.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Piazza IX Aprile is the paving - rather than a simple gray stone surface, the piazza looks a bit like a giant chessboard with its oversized alternating black and white marble squares. The impact is striking, especially on a sunny day.
The ornate Church of St. Joseph, built in the 17th century, overlooks the square, and its bright pink and white facade gleams against the black and white squares. Another building on the piazza is the 15th century St. Augustine, a former church that now serves as Taormina’s library. The passageway in the 12th century clock tower on one side of the piazza leads to the Borgo Medievale, one of Taormina’s oldest districts.
Many streets and piazzas in Italy are named after important dates in Italian history, which is where the name Piazza IX Aprile comes in. Although Giuseppe Garibaldi, a leader in the unification efforts, didn’t actually land on Sicily until early May in 1860, a rumor spread through Taormina on April 9 that Garibaldi had landed at Marsala. The rumor may have been a month early, but the locals still preserve the news of that April date in the name of their main square.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Piazza IX Aprile is the paving - rather than a simple gray stone surface, the piazza looks a bit like a giant chessboard with its oversized alternating black and white marble squares. The impact is striking, especially on a sunny day.
The ornate Church of St. Joseph, built in the 17th century, overlooks the square, and its bright pink and white facade gleams against the black and white squares. Another building on the piazza is the 15th century St. Augustine, a former church that now serves as Taormina’s library. The passageway in the 12th century clock tower on one side of the piazza leads to the Borgo Medievale, one of Taormina’s oldest districts.
Many streets and piazzas in Italy are named after important dates in Italian history, which is where the name Piazza IX Aprile comes in. Although Giuseppe Garibaldi, a leader in the unification efforts, didn’t actually land on Sicily until early May in 1860, a rumor spread through Taormina on April 9 that Garibaldi had landed at Marsala. The rumor may have been a month early, but the locals still preserve the news of that April date in the name of their main square.
Address: Taormina, Sicily, Italy
From $ 64
Marco Polo's House
In a quiet corner of Venice ,the Venetian palace (palazzo) believed to be explorer Marco Polo’s former residence is easy to miss. Stop by Corte Seconda del Milion, a square named for Marco Polo's travel memoirs, Il Milione, to honor Italy's most famous adventurer while visiting the Floating City.
The Basics
Marco Polo's House (Casa di Marco Polo), near San Giovanni Crisostomo Church and behind Teatro Malibran, isn’t open to the public, but there’s a small marble plaque on the wall commemorating its importance. The house, which faces a small triangular patch of sidewalk next to a canal in the Corte Seconda del Milion, can be quite difficult to find. Walk through a passageway (sottoportego) that cuts through what would be a building’s ground floor to reach it.
Marco Polo's House is best visited as part of a Venice walking tour or guided tour of nearby highlights, including Piazza San Marco and St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. The building is set on one of Venice's quiet internal canals not far from the Grand Canal, so it can also be seen during a gondola ride through the city. Being near to the Rialto market, it’s an easy stop on Venice street food tours that include a walk through the market stalls and surrounding neighborhood.
Things to Know Before You Go
- If exploring Venice on a walking tour, wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen.
- The sidewalk facing the palace is accessible to wheelchairs, if approaching from the Cannaregio side; from the Castello side, there is a small bridge with stairs to cross the canal.
- Though you can’t tour inside the palace, its facade and surrounding neighborhood are particularly picturesque, so be sure to bring your camera.
- This is a memorable stop for history buffs.
How to Get There
Marco Polo's House is located on Calle Scaleta, on the border between the Castello and Cannaregio neighborhoods. Reach the building on foot from St. Mark's Square or the Rialto Bridge, or by water taxi from the Grand Canal.
When to Get There
Marco Polo’ house is one of Venice's quieter sights, located in a sleepy quarter of the city center. If you need a respite from the crowds during busy midday hours, this is a good spot to choose.
The Marco Polo House Plaque
The plaque marking is in Italian; the English translation reads: “Here was once the home of Marco Polo, who traveled to the furthest reaches of Asia and described his journeys. Placed by city decree in 1881.”
Address: Corte Prima del Milion, Venice 30100, Italy
From $ 3
Piazza San Carlo
Of Turin’s many baroque squares, Piazza San Carlo is a standout. Lined with porticoed palaces housing historic cafés, and the twin churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo, this square on Via Roma between Piazza Castello and Piazza Carlo Felice is one of the liveliest in the city.
The Basics
Piazza San Carlo is often called “Turin’s parlor,” as it has been a popular gathering spot for locals since it was built in the 17th century. Its peripheral arcades are filled with busy restaurant and cafe tables, and the center of the square is full couples relaxing on the benches, children playing around the base of the statue of Duke Emmanuel Philibert, and tourists strolling through to reach the nearby Egyptian Museum. The square also hosts important public events, including New Year’s Eve celebrations and live streams of the city’s beloved Juventus soccer (football) matches.
Piazza San Carlo is a highlight of many private and small-group Turin walking tours or hop-on hop-off bus tours that visit the city’s top attractions. Other sights may include the Duomo, the Royal Palace, and Mole Antonelliana.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most Turin tours of the city center and Piazza San Carlo are on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- The square is an excellent spot for a snack or coffee break at one of the sidewalk cafés that are tucked under the porticoes.
- With its wide, traffic-free spaces and street performers, Piazza San Carlo is a fun stop for kids.
- The open-air public square and its porticoed walkways are accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.
How to Get There
Piazza San Carlo is set along the main Via Roma thoroughfare in the heart of Turin, a short walk from the Porta Nuova train station and many of the city’s main attractions. Turin is a popular day trip destination from Milan; a direct train runs nonstop between these two cities.
When to Get There
The square is especially fun to visit during a Juventus championship game, when the space is crowded with local soccer (football) fans cheering on their home team.
Turin’s Café Culture
Turin has been famous for its literary cafés for centuries, and Piazza San Carlo has long been the center of the city’s café culture. The square is home to two of the most important and historic cafés in the city: Caffé San Carlo and Caffé Torino. Writers, intellectuals, and aristocrats gather here in the evenings to discuss politics, philosophy, and literature.
Address: Turin, Italy
From $ 14
Piazza Navona
One of the most famous and sumptuous squares in Rome, Piazza Navona is home to the Baroque Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and Palazzo Pamphili, both overlooking Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers. Bustling outdoor cafes and rowdy buskers lend a lively air to the otherwise stately square.
The Basics
With its ornate churches and palaces, lively restaurants, and riot of street vendors and performers, Piazza Navona is one of the most popular public spaces in Rome. Private and hop-on-hop-off tours of Rome’s most famous landmarks generally include a stop in Piazza Navona, as do themed tours of classical Roman or Baroque sights. In addition to this important square, skip-the-line Rome highlights tours may include the Colosseum, Vatican (and Sistine Chapel), and Trevi Fountain. You can opt for a walking or electric bike tour, or see the piazza as part of a food tour that also stops at the Campo de’ Fiori market and cafés and gelato shops.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The pedestrian-only square is crowded with street performers, so it’s a nice break for families with young kids.
- If you’re joining a walking or bike tour of Rome and Piazza Navona, wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- Piazza Navona is easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller, though the cobblestones make the terrain a bit bumpy.
- There are plenty of cafés and gelato shops in or near the square, making it the perfect spot for a pick-me-up.
How to Get There
Piazza Navona is located in the historic city center of Rome between the Pantheon and the Tiber River. To reach the square by public transportation, take one of several buses that stop on Largo di Torre Argentina a short walk away.
When to Get There
Lively year-round, Piazza Navona is crowded with buskers and street musicians in summer, and is home to a charming Christmas market that lasts the entire month of December.
The Oval Square
The oblong-shaped Piazza Navona was built on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, where citizens of Rome would watch games and races in the 1st century AD. The stadium may be gone, but the unusual shape of the space remains today, marked by three Baroque fountains: Bernini’s central masterpiece flanked by two smaller fountains by Giacomo della Porta at each end.
Address: Piazza Navona, Rome, Province of Rome 00186, Italy
From $ 3
Piazza Trilussa
Located at the western end of Rome’s prettiest bridge, the Ponte Sisto, the Piazza Trilussa is in bohemian Trastevere, the city’s hard-drinking, clubbing district that comes alive at night when the backstreet bars are packed out. Named after a Roman poet from the 19th century, the cobbled square is home to a monument in his honor as well as the stately Acqua Paola water fountain, carved with the heads of dragons and lions. This travertine fountain was commissioned by Pope Paolo V, a member of the all-powerful Borghese family, and constructed in 1613 by Dutch architect and garden designer Giovanni Vasanzio (Jan van Santen in Dutch); it bears the Borghese family crest. Originally it was located on Via Giulia on the east side of the River Tiber but was reconstructed in its present home in 1898. Recent renovation work on the Acqua Paola have seen the restoration of the gardens behind it and the building of steps leading up to the fountain; these have now become are one of the most popular meeting places for the youth of Rome, and summer nights see the piazza crammed with crowds pouring out of the neighboring clubs and bars.
Practical Info
Piazza Trilussa, Trastevere, Rome. Take Bus no 271 from the Colosseum.
Address: Piazza Trilussa, Trastevere, Rome, Lazio 00153, Italy
From $ 15
Piazzale Michelangelo
The most famous scenic overlook in Florence, Piazzale Michelangelo is beloved for its breathtaking views over the city’s rooftops. From this 19th-century square set on a hillside in the Oltrarno neighborhood, panoramic views stretch over the Rose Garden, Ponte Vecchio spanning the river Arno, the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's iconic Duomo and bell tower, and the Tuscan hills beyond.
The Basics
A stop to take in the stunning view from Piazzale Michelangelo is a must during any sightseeing tour, shore excursion, or day trip in Florence and can be paired with a private tour of the nearby church of San Miniato al Monte. Though the overlook can be reached on foot during a walking tour, its location along a panoramic road winding up the Florentine hills also makes it a popular destination for tours of the city by car or Vespa scooter.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The square, dedicated to Michelangelo, is dotted with bronze casts of his sculptures. The most famous is David, the original of which is on display in the Accademia Gallery.
- For a romantic evening, watch the sun set over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo, or end your day by taking in the beautiful view of the twinkling lights of the city at night.
- There is no shade on the square, so bring a hat and sunscreen if visiting during the day.
- During summer, a number of nearby cafes and nightclubs with outdoor seating and music offer a taste of Florence's vibrant nightlife.
How to Get to Piazzale Michelangelo
By foot, cross the Ponte alle Grazie bridge near the Santa Croce basilica and make your way to Piazza Poggi. From there, climb the steps and pathways leading uphill from the river to the square. The walk is pleasant but steep, so allow at least 45 minutes. Otherwise, bus lines 12 and 13 both stop near the overlook.
When to Get There
Since the square is most crowded during the middle of the day, a sunrise or sunset visit means that you can enjoy the best view of Florence in relative peace.
San Miniato al Monte
Further up the hill, San Miniato al Monte is considered Tuscany's finest Romanesque church and one of the most scenic in Italy. The church dates back to 1013 and is adjoined to an Olivetan monastery where monks produce liqueurs, honey and herbal teas, sold in the monastery's shop.
Address: Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence 50125, Italy
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 27
Piazza Santa Croce
Piazza Santa Croce, dominated by the Basilica of Santa Croce, is one of the most important squares in central Florence. Home to the intricately frescoed 17th-century Palazzo dell’Antella and the 15th-century Palazzo Cocchi-Serristori, this vibrant public space hosts a number of outdoor markets and fairs each year.
The Basics
Adjacent to the magnificent Basilica of Santa Croce, which houses a treasure trove of works by Giotto, Gaddi, della Robbia, and Donatello, Piazza Santa Croce is a highlight of any visit to Florence. The basilica is among the most visited in the city and there are often long lines to enter; book a guided tour with skip-the-line entrance in advance in the crowded summer months.
Most city walking tours or sightseeing tours by Segway, bike, or electric golf cart include a stop at Piazza Santa Croce and its basilica along with other famous sights like the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia).
Things to Know Before You Go
- Piazza Santa Croce is lined with restaurants and cafés, perfect for a snack or drink.
- Flat and paved, the square is easy to navigate with wheelchairs or strollers.
- Be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen if visiting in summer as the square has no shade.
- The Basilica of Santa Croce requires modest clothing covering shoulders and knees to enter.
How to Get There
Piazza Santa Croce is in the historical center of Florence, just a short walk from the cathedral (Duomo), Piazza della Signoria, and Santa Maria Novella train station.
When to Get There
Florence is one of the most visited cities in Italy, and its main squares are hot and crowded in summer. Visit in spring or fall to enjoy these outdoor spaces with milder temperatures and smaller crowds. Piazza Santa Croce hosts a number of markets and fairs each year, including a Christmas market, antique markets, food fairs, and a raucous historical-football match each June.
The Basilica of Santa Croce’s Famous Tombs
The Santa Croce Basilica was long the preferred burial place for famous Italian artists and luminaries, and the church is home to dozens of tombs and funerary monuments honoring everyone from Leonardo da Vinci to Enrico Fermi. The most famous tombs are those of Michelangelo, Galileo, Ghiberti, and Machiavelli.
Address: Italy
From $ 17
Piazza Tasso
Sitting astride the steep gorge that once divided the cliff-top center of Sorrento, Piazza Tasso is the pulsating heart of one of Italy’s most popular seaside resort towns. This bustling, café-lined main square is where locals and visitors alike come to see and be seen, and to admire the square’s baroque church and 18th-century palace.
The Basics
Two of Sorrento’s main shopping streets lead from Piazza Tasso: Corso Italia, a busy thoroughfare lined with elegant restaurants and boutiques; and pedestrian-only Via San Cesareo, a narrow lane of shops overflowing with an array of products made with local Sorrentine lemons and other artisan goods. The square is named after Torquato Tasso (a statue dedicated to the Renaissance poet stands in one corner of the piazza), and its main attractions include the baroque Santuario della Madonna del Carmine and Palazzo Correale, an 18th-century palace built around a home owned by the aristocratic Correale family. Be sure not to miss the dramatic scenic overlook from Piazza Tasso, with views over the gorge below and Mediterranean sea beyond.
Most small-group walking tours and shore excursions to the city center begin in Piazza Tasso before moving on to explore the maze of tiny back streets in the historic district or heading down to Marina Grande, the sleepy fishing village on the water’s edge below town. Sorrento is just over an hour from Mt. Vesuvius and the Pompeii and Herculaneum archaeological sites, making it the perfect base for a private day trip.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The square is flat and easily accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers.
- The cafés in the piazza are perfect for an aperitivo cocktail before dinner.
- The square is open to vehicles during the day, but at night the traffic is limited and pedestrians reclaim the space for evening strolls.
How to Get There
Sorrento is located along the southern Campania coast, halfway between Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Below the city’s historic center, the Marina Piccola port is a hub for ferries to and from other destinations along the coast, including Capri and Positano. The train station is just a 5-minute walk from Piazza Tasso, with trains to Naples that connect with routes to Rome and other cities across Italy.
When to Get There
Sorrento is most crowded during summer; unlike other towns along the coast, however, businesses do not close during the winter season, so you can find Sorrento hotels and restaurants open year-round.
Limoncello in Sorrento
Limoni di Sorrento, or Sorrentine lemons, are Sorrento’s most famous local product and the main ingredient in many traditional recipes. You can sample the best artisanal limoncello—a tangy liqueur made from lemon peel—along with other excellent coastal specialties by joining a small-group food tour in Sorrento.
Address: Corso Italia, Sorrento, Campania 80067, Italy
From $ 57
Piazza Mercanti
While the Piazza del Duomo is the most important square in central Milan today, that title went to the Piazza Mercanti in the Middle Ages. The Piazza Mercanti, or Merchants Square, is in Milan's historic center, a short walk to the northwest of the Duomo. The square originally was much larger than it is today, once occupying part of present-day Via Mercanti. Some of the buildings on the square date from its heyday, including the 13th century Palazzo della Ragione (essentially Milan's city hall at the time) and the 14th century Loggia degli Osii (another administrative building).
In the center of the piazza is a 16th century well that was later fitted with two columns in the 18th century. It's covered and unused today There was a stone found nearby upon which merchants found guilty of cheating – or bankruptcy, depending on the story you read – were punished by public shaming, forced to stand on the stone with their pants down, before being sent to jail.
Practical Info
To reach Piazza Mercanti, walk from Piazza del Duomo's northwest corner along the angled street Via Mercanti. You'll see the piazza on your left in just a few steps. It's between the Metro stops of Duomo and Cordusio.
Address: Milan, Italy
From $ 35
Pienza
UNESCO-listed Pienza was little more than a sleepy hamlet until the reign of Pope Pius II in the first half of the fifteenth century. Pienza, then called Corsignano, was the pope’s home town, and he enlisted the help of architect Bernardo Rossellino to transform the village into an ideal Renaissance town. The reconstruction began in 1459 and only lasted four years, but the result has put Pienza on the radar of many a traveler to Tuscany.
The town’s historic center offers excellent examples of Renaissance architecture, particularly the cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomimi and Palazzo Borgia, all flanking charming Piazza Pio II. While it’s easy to breeze through the tiny town — it only takes five minutes to walk from one side to the other — it’s also an inviting place to savor a local specialty, sheep’s milk pecorino cheese with a bit of honey drizzled over the top.
Practical Info
Pienza can get extremely crowded on summer weekends, so if possible, plan your visit for a weekday or shoulder season.
Address: Pienza, Tuscany, Italy, Italy
From $ 81
Piazza Venezia
The Piazza Venezia defies many assumptions one might make from the name. It’s an open space, so it can be called a piazza, but it’s really a gigantic intersection and not a public square. And it’s in central Rome, not Venice. The name comes from the nearby Palazzo Venezia, in which ambassadors from the Venetian republic once lived.
The enormous Vittorio Emmanuele Monument faces one side of Piazza Venezia, and the interchange is also at the base of the Capitoline Hill and next to Trajan’s Forum. In short, although this piazza isn’t one in which you’re likely to spend lots of leisure time, you’ll certainly pass through it on your way to and from other major attractions in central Rome.
Those of you taking the bus around Rome will find Piazza Venezia to be a major transportation hub, which is useful for getting around the city. And if you’re ambitious enough to be driving in Rome, you’ll probably pass through the intersection a number of times.
The enormous Vittorio Emmanuele Monument faces one side of Piazza Venezia, and the interchange is also at the base of the Capitoline Hill and next to Trajan’s Forum. In short, although this piazza isn’t one in which you’re likely to spend lots of leisure time, you’ll certainly pass through it on your way to and from other major attractions in central Rome.
Those of you taking the bus around Rome will find Piazza Venezia to be a major transportation hub, which is useful for getting around the city. And if you’re ambitious enough to be driving in Rome, you’ll probably pass through the intersection a number of times.
Address: Piazza Venezia, Rome, Province of Rome 00186, Italy
From $ 3
Marina Grande
Marina Grande is the main port on the island of Capri, located off the coast of Naples, Italy. Set just north of the main town of Capri and at the foot of Mount Solaro on the norther side of the island, it was an ancient fishing port, used by the Romans during Augustan times. Since the early 20th century, it has developed into a major port and seaside resort that features the largest beach on the island. A small square overlooks the port, which is surrounded by a rainbow of traditional Capri houses with terraces and balconies. There are also a number of restaurants, bars and souvenir shops around the port.
Practical Info
All visitors to Capri arrive by boat to Marina Grande, usually coming from Naples. A tourist information office is located near the ferry and hydrofoil docks and a taxi stand and the funicular station are to the left of the docks. The funicular connects Marina Grande with the Piazzetta and a bus will take visitors to Anacapri. All tours of the island leave from Marina Grande, as do excursions to the Blue Grotto and to Palazzo a Mare, Emperor Tiberius’ seaside villa.
Address: Marina Grande, Capri, Italy
From $ 121
Piazza Gae Aulenti
One of the newest areas of construction in Milan is north of the city center near the Garibaldi train station, including the futuristic Piazza Gae Aulenti. The piazza, which opened in 2012 and is named after the Italian architect who designed Paris’ Musee d’Orsay, is surrounded by three new towers, including one that has the distinction of being Italy's tallest building. The piazza is circular in shape, and elevated above the surrounding ground level, with walkways running around and across its central pool and dancing water fountain displays.
A footbridge connects the piazza to the trendy Corso Como and its many restaurants and bars, making it a popular meeting place for locals, as well as a location for photo shoots. Take a photo walking tour of Milan to expertly capture Piazza Gae Aulenti's reflective surfaces and bring home a beautiful souvenir—or opt to visit as part of a city highlights tour, including admission to Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Last Supper,' as well as the Duomo.
Practical Info
The piazza is located in Milan's financial district, near the Garibaldi and Gioia metro stops. To get there, take the green or purple line to either stop, and walk toward Corso Como. The square is located below the huge Torre UniCredit skyscraper.
Look out for the nearby Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest, which consists of two apartment towers with trees growing on every balcony all the way to the top.
Address: Piazza Gae Aulenti, Milan, Lombardy 20124, Italy
From $ 46
Piazza Santa Maria
The heart of Rome’s bohemian Trastevere neighborhood, Piazza Santa Maria fills by day with young families and tourists dining at sidewalk restaurants and sunbathing on the steps of the square’s central fountain. Come evening, students and revelers flock to the many trendy bars around the piazza, one of Rome’s favorite gathering spots.
The Basics
The piazza’s western flank is dominated by the ornate Santa Maria in Trastevere church. The octagonal raised fountain in the center of the square, restyled by baroque master architect Carlo Fontana in 1692, is a popular neighborhood gathering spot. Lined with sidewalk restaurants and cafés, the square offers excellent people watching.
Piazza Santa Maria is closed to traffic, and many guided walking and cycling tours pass through this atmospheric square and neighborhood. Trastevere and the nearby Jewish Ghetto are famous for their excellent cuisine, so consider taking a street-food tour to discover the local specialties. Alternatively, tour by night to mix with young Romans out for an evening on the town.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The nightlife in Trastevere centers around nearby Piazza Trilussa but spills over into the more staid Piazza Santa Maria late into the night.
- The square is pedestrian only and generally filled with street musicians and artists, so a good stop if traveling with young children.
- Trastevere is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Rome for dining and wine tastings, and Piazza Santa Maria is home to excellent restaurants and wine bars.
- Wide and flat, the square is easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.
How to Get There
Piazza Santa Maria is in Trastevere, along the east bank of the Tiber River, south of Vatican City. Cross the Ponte Sisto on foot, or take tram 8 from the center of Rome across the Ponte Garibaldi, just north of Tiber Island.
When to Get There
To savor the authentic neighborhood feel of Piazza Santa Maria, stroll through the square or stop for a meal during the day. If Trastevere’s famous nightlife interests you, make an evening out of it and visit after dinner.
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Founded around AD 350, the Romanesque Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome. The facade has a 16th-century portico designed by Carlo Fontana, and both the interior and exterior of the church are covered with golden 12th- and 13th-century mosaics.
Address: Piazza Santa Maria, Trastevere, Rome, Lazio 00153, Italy
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