4 of the Most Underrated Cities in Italy

1. Lucca

An easy destination to reach dating back all the way to 180 BC, Lucca is a lovely stop for anyone trying to get away from the herds of tourists typical of cities like Rome or Venice. This Tuscan city is extremely well preserved and famous for its Renassiance-style walls and architecture. One of the main attractions that lures people into the old city is in fact its defensive walls constructed by Leonardo da Vinci himself, which remain intact after all of these years. Other great sites to see include the beautiful church of San Michele in Foro, the Lucca Cathedral, and the Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi.

2. Bologna

Placed in northern Italy, this city offers some of the most unique attractions and delicious food with much smaller crowds! Bologna also holds the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, dating back to 1088. Going back to the Middle Ages, this city contains Italy’s largest tower which you can climb and enjoy breathtaking views of the city. Make sure to go see one of the world’s largest churches, The Basilica of San Petronio, as well as the Piazza Maggiore, which is the central square of Bologna home to many tasty cafes and gorgeous buildings.

3. Trieste

As one of the most prominent seaports in the Mediterranean, this city is unique for its various Germanic, Latin, and Slavic influences. Its isolating position is typically what draws in curious souls looking to explore this ancient city. It is an extremely colorful and alive city with a very different vibe than any typical Italian town. Some great sites to see include the Piazza Unità d’Italia, their large town square, the Victory Lighthouse, the Miramare Castle built for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, and the Trieste Cathedral.

4. Turin

This city is widely ignored by many tourists despite all it has to offer. It actually is the first capital of a unified Italy when it was founded in 1861, and was home to Italy’s royal family, The House of Savoy. The city contains many important and historic churches, palaces, museums, and some of the best universities Italy has to offer. A city rich in culture, Turin also includes some of the most spectacular art galleries and opera houses, including the Teatro Regio di Torino. Make sure to see the Museo Egizio, specializing in Egyptian archeology, the Mole Antonelliana museum, the Royal Place of Turin where the House of Savoy once resided, and the 15^th century Turin Cathedral.