Italy Travel Rankings After 15 Years: My Honest 10/10 Guide to the Best (and Worst) Places to Visit

15 Years, Countless Trips, and Too Many 10/10s: My Honest Rankings of Italy:

I’ve been visiting Italy every year for the past 15 years—sometimes multiple times a year—and I still can’t get enough. From the Alps to the Amalfi Coast, from tiny countryside villages to bustling cities, Italy continues to sweep me off my feet. Every time I return, I discover something new to love, eat, explore, or get completely lost in. 

And according to my sister, I rate way too many Italian destinations a 10/10. 

But with Italy, how could you not?

The food alone could earn this country a perfect score. Add in pristine beaches, dramatic mountains, charming hilltop villages, ancient ruins, and the kindest locals—and you’ve got a destination that’s pretty hard to beat. It’s not just the postcard views or the pasta (though both are magical). It’s the feeling of sitting in a piazza as the sun sets, sipping wine and watching the world go by. It’s the joy of discovering a quiet trattoria tucked down an alley, or jumping into the sea after a morning hike.

Still, I’ve tried my best to rank the places I’ve visited—some with 10s, others (reluctantly) with lower scores. Here’s how I see it:

• Sicily: 10/10 – Wild, flavorful, soulful. Beaches, history, and food that hits you in the heart.

• Milan: 10/10 – Underrated and endlessly stylish. Great food, design, and energy. Experiencing fashion week here was one of my favorite travel experiences.

• Tuscany: 10/10 – Rolling hills, wine country, slow living at its finest.

• Santa Margherita: 10/10 – The perfect Riviera town. Elegant but relaxed.

• Puglia: 10/10 – Whitewashed towns, olive groves, and the best seafood I’ve had in Italy.

• Venice: 10/10 – A dream. No other city feels like it floats through time like this one.

• Rome: 9.5/10 – Grand, chaotic, and dripping with history. I never tire of it.

• Cinque Terre: 9/10 – Postcard-perfect, especially if you hike between villages.

• Sorrento: 9/10 – Great views, easy access to Capri and Pompeii.

• Portofino: 9/10 – Tiny but beautiful. Very bougie, very worth it.

• Genoa: 9/10 – Grit meets grandeur. A surprise favorite.

• Elba Island: 9/10 – Clear waters and a relaxing pace, perfect summer escape.

• Lake Como: 8.5/10 – Stunning but a bit too quiet unless you’re after serious R&R.

• Naples: 8.5/10 – Loud, chaotic, alive. Great pizza, wild energy.

• Capri: 8/10 – Glamorous, but a bit overrun in peak season.

• Ischia: 7/10 – Pretty and relaxing, but didn’t totally wow me.

• Positano: 6/10 – Gorgeous views, but overcrowded and overpriced.

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Whether you're a first-timer or planning your tenth return, Italy has something for everyone. And if you're wondering where to go (or where not to go), I’d love to help.

Planning a trip to Italy? I offer custom travel planning services—from hotel bookings and itinerary design to insider tips and restaurant reservations. Let’s make your Italian adventure a 10/10.

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