Italy is always a great country to visit. You can spend days – even weeks – exploring different parts of the country and still find new things to see. Italy is also famous for its strong historical roots, beautiful old buildings and the diverse cultural scenes in different cities.

For those of you who are planning a trip to Italy, this article is certainly for you. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the best places to visit if you want to enjoy Italy’s strong historical and cultural elements.

San Marco, Venice
San Marco is the district to visit if you’re visiting the beautiful city of Venice. The city itself is filled with historic buildings with magnificent stories behind them, and most of these buildings are in San Marco. You can almost feel the throwback ambience of the place the moment you visit the district.

The Palazzo Dandolo is one of the first places you need to see. It is now known as the Hotel Danieli, a beautiful vintage hotel that you can stay in while you’re in Venice. The hotel is right next to St. Mark’s Square; you may even get lucky and get a room that overlooks the St. Mark’s Basin.

Speaking about getting lucky. Palazzo Dandola was also the home of the first modern casino. Known as Il Ridotto, or the private room, Il Ridotto was also the birthplace of many modern casino games and also the home of Lo Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia, what we now know as bingo.

From the hotel, you’re just steps away from Piazza San Marco or St. Mark’s Square, a gorgeous city square surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and architecture. The church of St. Mark is also situated on the eastern end of the Piazza. A quick walk and you can also access the Piazzetta di San Marco, which connects the Piazza to Venice’s famous waterway.

The City of Rome
You really can’t visit Italy for its historic marvels without taking a trip to Rome. The capital has stories to tell in every corner. There is a long list of historic sites, museums and places to visit across Rome, but nothing is better than starting your exploration with a trip to The Colosseum. The structure is beautifully preserved and holds a lot of stories from the day it was finished in the year AD80.
You will also see a lot of people dressing as gladiators if you take a walk from the Colosseum to the Arch of Constantine. For a more relaxing visit, Sunday is the day to go. The Via dei Fori Imperiali is closed on Sundays, so you can enjoy the best of this place without cars passing you by.

The Pantheon is another majestic place to visit. It was known as the temple of all gods before it was converted into a church in the 7th century. It is also worth mentioning that the Pantheon is the most authentic, well-preserved ancient building in Rome. It is always lovely to admire all the details you can see up close. Step inside and the beautiful dome will make you teary-eyed.

Rome has a really unique ambience. Visit the Piazza Navona and you will understand what I mean. The Piazza is truly beautiful, surrounded by classic architecture and gorgeous open sky. Look closer, however, and you will find the best boutiques and luxury cafés the city has to offer. Home of the tartufo, Piazza Navona is the perfect place to have lunch in Rome.

Florence
Many believe that the marks of the Renaissance can be best seen in Florence. Visit the city and you’ll quickly agree with them. The city is filled with a Renaissance influence, from the way the city looks from the outside to the details and remarkable cultural heritage found inside. At the heart of it all, lies the Florence Cathedral or The Duomo.

Whether you’re a Christian or not, The Duomo is a must-visit. Its iconic red dome and gorgeous interior accents will make you want to spend the entire day there. Be sure to have your camera ready too, since there are plenty of beautiful spots you’ll want to remember.

The Duomo is also best seen from Piazzale Michaelangelo. The 19th century Piazza is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. From here, you will have a clear view of the city, including The Duomo’s iconic red dome and its majestic structure. You can’t really appreciate the beauty of Florence without a quick trip to this square.

Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze is next on our list. This is the art museum of Florence. More importantly, it is the home of Michelangelo’s David. If you’re in Florence and you don’t take the time to see the museum, you’re missing out on a lot of beautiful works of art that are part of the museum’s collections.

It is also the place where you can feel Florence’s strong Renaissance influence the most. There are a lot of art pieces from masters of the era. A walk down the main hall of the museum will leave you wanting for more.
So, are you ready for a trip to the most historical sites in Italy? These destination ideas will help you plan for the most amazing trip to the country. Be sure to do more research too. As mentioned before, there are so many great places to visit – and stories to uncover – in Italy.