Italian architecture

Just outside Parma, tucked into the Emilian countryside, there’s a place that quietly claims a world record. The world’s largest bamboo labyrinth is far more than a novelty maze.

Castles have always carried an air of mystery, guarding fascinating stories: hidden secrets, traces of distant eras, and tales of nobles, ladies and knights. Across Italy, from north to south, there are castles, fortresses and strongholds that attract thousands of visitors each year, all keen to uncover their history and soak up the atmosphere as they wander through grand halls and silent courtyards.

Just outside Venice, hidden behind a grand villa and formal gardens, lies one of the most intricate historic mazes in Europe. At first glance, it looks orderly and symmetrical.

Tibetan bridges might sound like something you would only find in far‑off mountain ranges, yet there are dozens scattered across Italy. These suspended footbridges have become a real draw for anyone who enjoys a dose of adrenaline alongside sweeping views. Walking across one of the most beautiful Tibetan bridges in Italy is more than a simple hike. It is a chance to see dramatic gorges, alpine valleys and forested slopes from a completely different angle.

Italy's white cities are much more than postcards: they are the living story of how entire communities have transformed a practical need into a globally recognizable identity. From Ostuni to the three villages of the Itria Valley, to Sperlonga in Lazio, each destination offers a different balance of history, landscape, and flavor.

Grammichele, in the heart of the province of Catania, is well known for its mesmerizing geometric grid from above. The surprise is heightened when you discover it's not a contemporary whim, but the result of a 17th-century reconstruction guided by a rigorous urban planning vision. With just over twelve thousand inhabitants, the town center boasts baroque squares, scenic churches, and a museum that recounts the origins of this urban enterprise. Here, then, are what to see in Grammichele, the hexagonal city.

The Stadio Olimpico in Rome is one of the capital’s most important sporting and cultural venues. It hosts football matches, athletics competitions, concerts and major international ceremonies, and forms part of the Foro Italico complex.

Among the most fascinating and ancient underground funerary complexes in the capital are undoubtedly the Catacombs of Priscilla.

Northern Italy isn’t short of military history. Roman forts, Venetian defences, Austro-Hungarian strongholds.

Italy’s big‑name galleries are brilliant, but once you have done the hits, they can feel crowded and predictable.

If 2026 is your big Italy year, lining up the best museums in Italy to visit makes a huge difference to how the trip feels.

If you love history, libraries and a good student buzz, Bologna is your happy place.

Italy’s most recent UNESCO inscriptions span prehistoric rock-cut tombs, blue‑ceilinged chapels, grand spa culture, ancient roads and delicate gypsum cave systems.

Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage cities in Italy serve up hill towns with frescoed basilicas, elegant medieval centres, grand merchant palaces on marble-lined streets and cave quarters cut into honey-coloured rock.Italy’s most beautiful UNESCO sitesAssisiVerona Ragusa Genoa SienaMateraIt

Italy’s most relaxed culture weekend is around the corner, when Fondo Ambiente Italiano quietly unlocks over 700 places you’d normally walk past. Picture lakeside villas, tucked‑away palazzi and little borghi with volunteers bringing the stories to life.What are FAI Autumn Days 2025?

Rome is the headline act, but Italy’s Roman ruins outside Rome deliver ancient drama with fewer crowds and gentler prices. Think evocative ports, theatres and mosaics, with straightforward trains and buses to keep things simple.

Slip off the main drag and Rome softens into villagey corners, street art pockets and leafy hillsides.

Slip beyond the blockbuster sights and you’ll find Rome’s unusual attractions tucked into cloisters, courtyards and catacombs. Think keyholes framing domes, layered churches and private palazzi with quietly dazzling art.

For centuries, the Italian skyline was defined by terracotta rooftops and cathedral domes rather than modern skyscrapers. This historic character is so protected that high-rises are a rare sight, mostly concentrated in the business districts of cities like Milan and Naples.

If you’re looking to buy property in Italy, chances are you’ll come across stunning churches and historic buildings in towns and cities nearby. Italy’s rich religious architecture is a big part of its charm, but terms like basilica, cathedral, and duomo can be confusing. What do they mean?

Italy is a country where every village and town has its own unmistakable story. Sometimes this is reflected in its traditions or monuments; in other cases, the uniqueness begins with the very layout of the town itself.

Italy never stops captivating and inspiring, especially abroad, where countless newspapers and magazines often feature its cities and places to visit. The latest is the prestigious New York Times, which has published a list of 10 must-see buildings in Milan.

Rome’s city centre is vast, and to fully explore its historical and cultural treasures, you would need at least a week. But where should you begin? A good starting point is Rome’s most famous streets, often lined with shops and notable landmarks.

Some places are so unique they seem to belong to another world: the small Sicilian village of Centuripe is one of them. Located in the province of Enna, this beautiful town is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Simeto Valley.

The imposing building in the Cannareggio district of Venice, on the road from the Santa Lucia station to Rialto, has an unusual history.