Bertine Jobse
A few weeks ago I wrote a Selection aid for a city trip to an Italian city. I helped you choose between the cities of Milan, Verona, Florence, Naples and Venice. But Italy has of course many more beautiful cities to offer.
So to make it even harder for you (sorry), I wrote a part 2. A short explanation for those who haven't read part 1 of the selection aid (yet): I will briefly explain the most important characteristics and atmosphere of 5 major Italian cities and give a score from 1 to 5 on 3 categories:
- Places of interest: 1 is few places of interest and 5 is many places of interest
- Accessibility: 1 is difficult to reach and 5 is easy to reach
- Crowd: 1 is busy and 5 is quiet
1. Bologna: culinary and characteristic
If you ask people what they first think of when they think of the city of Bologna, they will probably answer: 'the red buildings'. The city centre is characterised by its red brick buildings and is therefore also called the red .
Besides the red buildings, Bologna is also known for its culinary culture. When you visit the city, you can't miss the rich and fatty cuisine. Taste the delicious fresh noodles bolognese sauce, tortellini in bread or mortadella, a well-known Italian sausage.
At sandwich shop PAN8 I had a delicious sandwich with mortadella, burrata and pistachio. Really recommended!
Once you've eaten your fill, take a stroll through the city and walk to Piazza MaggioreOn this large square stands the Basilica of San Petronio, the most important church in Bologna. Then walk on to Asinelli Tower en Garisenda Tower. Although Bologna has several towers, these are the most famous, because they are leaning. Unfortunately, this also means that the towers can no longer be climbed, but they are still worth seeing.
If you like colorful narrow streets, take a walk through the Ancient Ghetto Ebraico. Are you hungry again? Then go to the neighborhood QuadrilateralThis district is characterized by cozy streets such as Via Drapperie en Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. Pescherie Vecchie, where you can buy delicious delicacies.
Score of attractions: 3
There is plenty to see and do in Bologna. You will be amazed when you walk through the city, between the red buildings and the many colonnades. You will also not be short of anything in terms of food. However, the number of sights in Rome and Turin is higher.
Accessibility score: 4
Bologna is easily accessible. There are many scheduled flights from Schiphol and Eindhoven Airport to Bologna Airport and from there a local train will take you to the city at a rapid pace. If you go by car, you will be travelling for 14 hours. The train connection between Bologna and other Italian cities is also very good.
Score crowd: 4
Bologna is a student city and is located in a fairly central place in Italy. Because of this, it can be quite busy in the city, not only with tourists. Still, the crowds are manageable, also because the city is surrounded by more famous and larger cities Milan, Florence and Venice.
2. Rome: historic and grand
With approximately 2,75 million inhabitants, Rome is the largest city in Italy. There is plenty to see and do in the city, especially if you like history.
The program Colosseum is one of the city's most famous landmarks. This immense amphitheater was built in the first century AD and was mainly used for gladiator fights and spectacles.
Opposite the Colosseum do you find Roman Forum, a kind of open-air museum with ruins from the Roman Empire. Also visit the Trevi Fountain en Spanish Steps, which is known for the Spanish Steps.
Want to eat well in a cozy neighborhood? Then go to the district Trastevere and sit down at one of the many restaurants and bars there.
Even in a city of millions like Rome you can find peace and quiet. Right in the middle of the city lies Villa Borghese, a large park where you can have a picnic or take a nice walk. In addition, you will find in the park Galleria Borghese, a museum that houses the art collection of the Borghese family, a famous Italian family.
If you go to Rome, a visit to the Saint Peter Basilica in Vatican City of course not to be missed. Make sure you buy tickets in advance, but still expect long queues. Once you have passed the queue, you will immediately forget that you have waited so long, because the basilica is truly beautiful!
Score of attractions: 5
Rome breathes history and you can see that in the whole city. It sometimes seems like an open-air museum. So it's not surprising that I score the sights in Rome with a 5.
Accessibility score: 4
The city is easy to reach, both by plane and by train. There are many high-speed trains from other Italian cities to Rome. From both Eindhoven Airport and Schiphol you can fly to Rome in two hours. By car it takes a little longer, namely almost 18 hours.
Score crowd: 1
Rome is the capital of Italy and you can tell by the crowds. The city itself is home to millions of residents and the tourists are added to that. So taking a snapshot without another tourist in the picture is unfortunately not possible.
3. Genoa: contrasting and diverse
From the largest city in Italy to a city that is much smaller: Genoa. This port city in the northwest of Italy is located on the Ligurian Sea and is characterized by the contrast between modernity and history.
Start your visit to the city at the Piazza Raffaele De Ferrari. This square is the heart of the city and has a beautiful fountain in the middle. Near this square you will find the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, a kind of mini version of the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.
The most famous street in Genoa is the Garibaldi Street. Along this 250 meter long street are several photogenic palaces. Together with 2 other streets, Via Balbi en Via Cairoli, stands Garibaldi Street on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The port of Genoa, Porto Antico, is the largest port in Italy after the port of Trieste. Along the port you will find several restaurants and cafes, from where you can marvel at the cruise ships and yachts.
If you want a nice view of the city, visit the higher district Castelletto. From Piazza de Portello there is an elevator to this area, but of course you can also walk up. When you get to the top, there is a small park where you can sit on one of the benches to enjoy the beautiful view of the city and the sea.
Fancy a day at the beach? Take the train from Genoa to Nervi or Sestri Levante. Besides sunbathing by the water, these are also very nice villages.
Score of attractions: 3
Genoa has various sights, from modern to historical. Nice streets, the harbour, beautiful palaces: the city has it all. However, Genoa is not as big as Turin and Rome, for example, which means that the number of sights is also smaller.
Accessibility score: 3
There are only planes from Schiphol to Genoa, not from Eindhoven Airport. From the airport in Genoa you are in the city in no time. The city is not so central and that is noticeable by the train connection between Genoa and other Italian cities. If you want to go to Genoa by car, it takes 13 hours.
Score crowd: 4
Although Genoa is a port city and receives millions of cruise ship passengers each year, you don't really notice it in the hustle and bustle of the city. In the summer it can be quite busy, but tourists tend to visit other nearby cities, such as Turin and Milan.
4. Lucca: sweet and elegant
Lucca is the smallest city in this selection guide, but that doesn't make it any less fun. The city, located in the Tuscany region, is characterized by the thick city wall that runs around the historic center of the city. The wall is 4,5 kilometers long and can be walked from various places in the center.
It is also fun to make a round on the city wall by bike. There are several places in the city where you can rent a bike. After the bike ride on the city wall, you can continue your bike tour in the rest of the city.
If you get tired of cycling, you can eat delicious food at one of the many restaurants in the city. I had a delicious meal at The Rosolo. Friendly staff and delicious food, so definitely worth it!
When you've finished eating, walk over to Piazza dell' Anfiteatro. This square in the middle of the city has an oval shape, because there used to be an amphitheater. Now you can enjoy a snack and a drink, while enjoying the many colorful houses.
Another square, the largest in the city, is Napoleon Square, also Piazza Grande called. Along the square you will find several terraces and in the middle there is a carousel. Events are regularly held and there are also regular markets.
Just like in Bologna, you will also find famous towers in Lucca, namely Guinigi Tower en Tower of the ClockYou can climb both towers for a beautiful view over the city. Tower of the Clock is the highest tower, but Guinigi Tower is characterized by the trees on the tower.
Score of attractions: 2
Lucca is the smallest city in this list, and that is reflected in the number of sights. The city has beautiful churches, squares and towers, but you do not need much longer than 1 or 2 days to have seen most of the city.
Accessibility score: 2
Because Lucca is not very big, the train connection to other Italian cities is also less good than the other cities in this selection aid. The city also has no airport, so you have to fly to Pisa or Florence and then take the train to Lucca. If you take the car, you will be in the city within 14,5 hours.
Score crowd: 5
Lucca is not big and you can tell by the crowds. Even in the summer you are not overrun by other tourists.
5. Turin: beautiful and stately
The last city in this list is the beautiful Turin, located in the north of Italy. This city is characterized by the beautiful buildings, built in baroque style.
If you go Piazza San Carlo walks, an impressive square in the middle of the city, you will be amazed. For example, on the square Royal Palace, a palace where the powerful Savoy family lived. Definitely visit this palace, because you will be amazed!
If you need a break from all that beauty, then sit down on a terrace and have a Bicerin. This is a typical Turin drink consisting of espresso, cream and melted chocolate. The best thing to do is to drink the drink at café At Bicerin, the oldest café in Turin.
Not only in the city centre are there beautiful buildings, but also outside the centre there is much beauty to admire.
This is located on the edge of the city centre Valentino ParkBesides being able to take a nice walk here and enjoy the many types of trees and plants, you can also visit Medieval village. This is a replica of a medieval village, which is in the same style as the villages in the Middle Ages in that region. It is nice to see what the architecture used to look like. Unfortunately, the village is closed for renovation until June 2026, so you will have to be patient.
A little further outside the center lies Superga Basilica. This basilica, built in neoclassical style, is located on top of a hill. You can walk to the basilica, but you can also take the red tram. Because the tram's speed is very slow, you can fully enjoy the surroundings during the ride. The basilica itself is characterized by the yellow exterior and the round dome.
Score of attractions: 4
Turin is the largest city in this selection aid after Rome and you can tell by the number of sights. Especially in terms of cultural and historical sights, you are in the right place in this city.
Accessibility score: 4
Because Turin is located in the north of Italy, you can drive into the city in 13 hours. Turin also has an airport, where you can fly from Schiphol or Eindhoven Airport. There is also a high-speed line between Turin and Milan.
Score crowd: 3
Because Turin is a big city with many inhabitants, it can be busy in the city. However, the city is less massive and touristy than Rome or Venice, which you notice when you walk through the city. You can quietly enjoy all the beauty, without being run over or others ruining your photo.
With this 2nd part of the city trip selection aid, I may not have made choosing an Italian city any easier. In addition, there is much more to tell about each of these cities, but that has already been done many times on this website. Feel free to use the search function to read more articles about a destination.
Most of all, I hope you now have a better idea of the atmosphere each city exudes, so you can decide which city suits you best.
Want to see a lot? Then visit Florence or Rome. Do you find accessibility important? Then go to Milan or Turin. Want to seek peace and quiet? Then plan a trip to Verona or Lucca.
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