Cities of Italy
Italy is divided into twenty regions, each of which encompasses various administrative units and provinces, each consisting of several cities. The significant cities include: Agrigento, Alessandria, Ancona, Aosta, Arezzo, Ascoli Piceno, Asti, Avellino, Bari, Trani, Belluno, Benevento, Bergamo, Biella, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Brindisi, Cagliari, Caltanissetta, Campobasso, Carbonia, Caserta, Catania, Catanzaro, Chieti, Como, Cosenza, Cremona, Crotone, Cuneo, Enna, Ferm, Ferrara, Florence, Foggia, Cesena, Frosinone, Genoa, Gorizia, Grosseto, Imperia, Isernia, La Spezia, L’Aquila, Latina, Lecce, Lecco, Livorno, Lodi, Lucca, Macerata, Mantova, Carrara, Matera, Messina, Milan, Modena, Monza and Brianza, Naples, Novara, Nuoro, Olbia-Tempio, Oristano, Padua, Palermo, Parma, Pavia, Perugia, Pesaro and Urbino, Pescara, Piacenza, Pisa, Pistoia, Pordenone, Potenza, Prato, Reggio Calabria, Reggio Emilia, Rieti, Rimini, Rome, Rovigo, Salerno, Sassari, Savona, Siena, Syracuse, Sondrio, Taranto, Teramo, Terni, Turin, Trapani, Trento, Treviso, Trieste, Udine, Varese, Venice, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Vercelli, Verona, Vibo Valentia, and finally Viterbo. Italy is renowned for its famous tourist cities, the most notable of which are recognized as some of the most beautiful in the world.
For insights into the most beautiful cities in Italy, you can read the article “The Most Beautiful Cities in Italy.”
Verona
Located in the southwest of the Veneto region, Verona is near the eastern shore of the stunning Lake Garda, known for its picturesque landscapes. The city features a blend of enchanting hills and large and small beaches, as well as numerous historically and artistically significant buildings, including monasteries, towers, castles, temples, and ancient Roman parishes. The northern part of Verona, referred to as Lessinia, along with the regional park and Mount Baldo, offers a beautiful scene suitable for hiking through orchards, olive groves, and pastures. Consequently, Mount Baldo is often referred to as the “Garden of Italy and Europe.”
Venice
Venice, also known as the “City of Canals,” is the capital of the Veneto region and is situated on numerous small islands in the Venetian lagoon in northeastern Italy. Among its population of approximately 270,000, about 62,000 reside within its historic center, while around 176,000 live on the mainland or on islands across the lagoon, such as Mestre and Marghera. Venice is famous for its enchanting allure, making it a city favored by lovers, artists, and poets. Its canals, navigated by gondolas, are emblematic of the city’s charm.
To discover more about Venice, you can read my articles: “Major Tourist Attractions in Venice” and “Tourism in Venice.”
Bologna
Bologna serves as the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is the seventh largest city in Italy. It lies midway between Milan, Venice, and Florence at the southern tip of the Po River. Surrounded by the expansive Plain of Adige or Po, at the foothills of the northern Apennines, Bologna’s city center is home to around 380,000 residents. The city’s historical significance is evident in its rich array of red-brick medieval buildings. Notable landmarks include the Asinelli and Garisenda Towers, renowned for their height and notable tilt, built by wealthy local families to showcase their affluence, although the tilt was due to poor foundations.
Rome
Rome is not only the largest capital in Europe by area but also the most populous municipality in Italy. As the center of Catholic Christianity, it uniquely houses another independent state, Vatican City, earning it the title of the “Capital of Two States.” Rome is celebrated as one of the greenest cities in Europe, featuring 520 km² of agricultural land and nature reserves covering a total area of 400 km².
Rome boasts the highest concentration of architectural and historical monuments in the world, containing 70% of Italy’s cultural heritage and 16% of the world’s heritage. Among its most famous historical symbols is the Capitoline Wolf statue, a bronze sculpture representing the she-wolf who nursed the twins Romulus and Remus, as well as the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater from antiquity, which was designated a Wonder of the World in 2007. The iconic dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City offers stunning views across Rome and stands as a significant symbol of Christianity, while the imperial eagle was once the city’s emblem before being replaced by the lion as its symbol of dominance.
For additional information about Rome, you may refer to my articles: “Facts About Rome” and “Where is Rome Located.”
Genoa
Genoa is the capital of the Province of Genoa and the Liguria region, situated in the northwestern part of Italy. Its port is one of the oldest on the Mediterranean Sea, and the city is home to approximately 618,000 residents. Noteworthy figures from Genoa include Christopher Columbus, the renowned discoverer of the Americas.
Founded in the 6th century BC by the indigenous Ligurian tribes, Genoa’s historic center is the largest in Europe, spanning an area of 1.55 km², which includes ancient churches and palaces, such as the Doge’s Palace and Saint Lawrence Cathedral. One of the city’s most notable attractions is its lighthouse, standing at roughly 76 meters, making it the tallest lighthouse in the world and the third oldest historically. The city is also home to the Edward Kiosson Museum of Oriental Art, housing approximately 15,000 artifacts, ranging from statues to arms, masks, and ceramics.
Florence
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region, located in the northwestern part of Italy, along the banks of the Arno River. It is renowned for its crucial role in the Renaissance and was once a center of economic and commercial activity in Europe, often referred to as the “Athens of the Middle Ages.” Established by Julius Caesar in 59 BC, Florence’s history stretches back to the Roman Empire, through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, significantly influencing the development of Western art and literature. Prominent figures associated with the city include Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli.
Each year, approximately five million tourists visit Florence, drawn to its numerous important sites and historical artifacts, including the Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria, which served as the city’s seat of power and now functions as the municipal hall. Other notable sites include Santa Maria Novella station, located north of the city center, which serves as Florence’s main train station, utilized by 59 million passengers annually.
For more information about Florence, refer to the article “What Was the Capital of Italy Before Rome.”
Turin
Turin, located in the Piedmont region, is found in the northwestern part of Italy. As a landlocked city, it does not have any coastlines and had a population of 2,259,523 residents according to 2019 statistics. The city spans an area of 6,830.25 km².
Palermo
Palermo is the capital of the Sicily region, situated in southern Italy and the northern part of the island of Sicily. It overlooks the sea from the north, with a population of approximately 1,252,588 residents based on 2019 statistics and an area of 4,992.23 km².
Bari
Bari, the capital of the Apulia region, is located in southern Italy, with northern shores along the coastline. It has approximately 1,251,994 residents as per the 2019 statistics, covering an area of 3,825.43 km².
Catania
Catania belongs to the Sicily region and is situated in southern Italy, on the western part of the island, overlooking the eastern coastline. It has a population of around 1,107,702 according to 2019 statistics and spans an area of 3,552.2 km².
Messina
Messina is also located in the Sicily region, in southern Italy and to the northern part of the island, with an eastern shoreline. It has a population of approximately 626,876 per 2019 statistics, covering an area of 3,247.34 km².
Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria is found in the Calabria region, located at the southernmost part of Italy, surrounded by water on three sides. The estimated population is about 548,009 as of 2019, with a total area of 3,183.19 km².
Milan
Milan, part of the Lombardy region, is located in northern Italy and is an inland city without any coastal access. It has a sizable population of around 3,250,315 residents based on 2019 statistics and covers 1,578.9 km².
For further details about Milan, you may explore my articles: “Where is Milan Located?” and “The City of Milan.”
Naples
Naples is the capital of the Campania region, located in the southern part of Italy with western shores along the sea. It houses approximately 3,084,890 residents according to 2019 statistics, spanning an area of 1,171.13 km².
To learn more about the cities in northern and southern Italy, you can refer to my articles: “Cities of Northern Italy” and “Cities of Southern Italy.”
For additional insights about Italy as a whole, please check my article on the “Country of Italy.”