13 Pictures of Italy That are Mind-Blowingly Beautiful
Maybe you've heard plenty about Italy. The tantalizing food. The jaw-dropping scenery. The laid-back culture. But if you haven't actually been to Italy, you can't fully know what it's like.
We can't recommend enough adding Europe's Boot to your bucket list. But if you need a little more inspiration, just scroll down. We searched Instagram and collected the most gorgeous pictures of Italy we could find. From whimsical Venice to the waterside mountains of Lake Como, this country leaves us breathless every time we see it.
The Vatican Museums, Rome
Technically, Vatican City is not in "Italy," it's its own sovereign principality in the middle of Rome. But we couldn't resist sharing the exquisitely detailed Gallery of Maps inside the Vatican Museums.
See it for yourself: Shop vacations and hotels in Rome.
Arnolfo Tower, Florence
This image actually captures two of Florence's most beloved structures: Arnolfo Tower of the Palazzo Vecchio is seen in the distance. But the picture is taken from Giotto's Bell Tower, a campanile on the site of Il Duomo.
See it for yourself: Shop vacations and hotels in Florence.
Venetian Canals
Nothing in the world can prepare you for Venice's charming canals. And while everyone is focused on the Grand Canal, so many smaller neighborhoods offer quiet scenes like this—some of the best pictures of Italy are found in the less touristy sections.
See it for yourself: Shop vacations and hotels in Venice.
Cinque Terre
After Venice and its canals, Italy's most picturesque region has to be Cinque Terre, a collection of five cliffside towns along the Mediterranean.
Ponte Garibaldi, Rome
Stretching across the Tiber River, Ponte Garibaldi is a favorite photo op for those taking a Roman river cruise.
See it for yourself: Shop tours and hotels in Rome.
Tivoli
Some of Italy's most peaceful places are its side streets and alleyways, like this garden-laden scene in Tivoli, a town about 20 miles north of Rome.
Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence
Beautiful on the outside, Basilica di Santa Croce is especially historic on the inside—it's the final resting place of Michaelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
See it for yourself: Shop vacations and hotels in Florence.
Siena, Tuscany
Siena is one of the gems of Tuscany, known for its rolling hills and picturesque vineyards, making it an ideal spot to take Italy photos. You can see some of the geography in the background of this picture of the Siena cathedral.
See it for yourself: Shop vacations and hotels in Tuscany.
The Island of Burano, Venice
Even more colorful than Venice is the smaller island of Burano, located about 30 minutes north of Venice (an express ferry stops here and Murano, the island renowned for its blown glass). If you love to show off your Italy photos after a vacation, both are a must-visit.
See it for yourself: Shop vacations and hotels in Venice.
Lake Como
If you've come to Italy to relax, go to Lake Como. The mountainside lake, located on the border by Switzerland, is dotted with small, tourist-friendly towns, plus the homes of George Clooney, Madonna, and Richard Branson.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan
Considered the first shopping mall in the world, the Galleria in Milan wows visitors with its spectacular iron-and-glass ceiling.
See it for yourself: Shop vacations and hotels in Milan.
Doge's Palace, Venice
The Doge (essentially Venice's mayor or king) lived in this palace for nearly six centuries, and it's a prime example of Ventian architecture.
See it for yourself: Shop vacations and hotels in Venice.
The Pantheon, Rome
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