So you have been reading about Italy and you’re thinking about going. Now you just nee to figure out where to go. Today I’m answering your question, what is the most visited attraction in Italy. I’m also going to show you some of the other most visited places in Italy.
I’m going to try and include a little something for everyone. Some people like the more visited attractions in the cities while others like to visit attractions on the coast or across the Tuscany hillside. It’s time to talk about the most visited attraction in Italy!
What Is The Most Visited Attraction In Italy?
Check out the cool chart below that shows all the most visited attractions in Italy by amount of visitors per year.
The most visited attraction in Italy is the Colosseum and you can see below it’s not close, it welcomes 5,625,219 annual visitors. You can see that the second most visited attraction in Italy is Pompeii but it only has about half the visitors as The Colosseum at 2,457,051 annual visitors! After you view the chart, keep scrolling we talk a little about each of the places listed!
Most Visited Attraction In Italy Sort-able Chart
| Attraction | City | Annual Visitors |
|---|---|---|
| The Colosseum, Palatino & Roman Forum | Rome | 5,625,219 |
| Pompeii | Naples | 2,457,051 |
| Uffizi Gallery & Vasari Corridor | Florence | 1,875,785 |
| The Accademia | Florence | 1,257,261 |
| Castel Sant'Angelo National Museum | Rome | 918,591 |
| Leaning Tower of Pisa | Pisa | 1,000,000 |
| Boboli Garden | Florence | 710,523 |
| La Venaria Reale | Turin | 598,548 |
| The Egyptian Musem | Turin | 540,297 |
| Borghese Gallery | Rome | 498,477 |
| The Royal Palace of Caserta | Caserta | 439,816 |
| Cenacolo Vinciano Museum | Milan | 410,157 |
| Villa D'Este | Tivoli | 399,577 |
| Pitti Palace | Florence | 386,993 |
| Excavations of Herculaneum | Naples | 327,054 |
| Naples National Archaeological Museumsu | Naples | 308,387 |
| The Medici Chapels | Florence | 300,894 |
| Grotta Azzurra | Naples | 279,476 |
| National Archaeological Museum of Venice | Venice | 265,034 |
| Pinacoteca Di Brera | Milan | 249,579 |
Make sure to also check out some really cool facts all about Italy, click below!
1. The Colosseum, Palatino & Roman Forum
The Most Visited Attraction In Italy
The most visited attraction in Italy is the Colosseum, Palatino & Roman Forum. The Colosseum gets around 5,625,219 annual visitors and is the most visited attraction in Italy. The Colosseum has 80 entrances and can accommodate 50,000 spectators. This more than doubles the next closest attraction in Italy, the Colosseum wins this question and it’s not close.
The Colosseum is located in Rome and is hands down of of the more spectacular places to visit in Italy. As a matter of fact, it might be one of the more spectacular places to visit in all the world.
Construction began as early as 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in AD 80 under Titus. Many modifications were made over the years after it’s completion.
The Colosseum was active for more than 500 years after it was built. Since it ceased being used in the 6th century it has suffered looting’s, earthquakes and even bombings.
The inside of the Colosseum.
On 07/07/2007 the Colosseum became one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.
If you want to visit the Colosseum and avoid endless lines try to arrive early in the morning or you can buy a ticket in the Palatine Hill, since there are less people there and the cost of entrance is combined!
If you are in Italy checking out the most visited attraction is strongly advised. The Colosseum is the most visited attraction in Italy and one of the most visited in all the world for a reason, it’s truly a sight to see!
Lets take a look at some of the other most visited attractions in Italy!
Check out the history of The Colosseum Youtube video below!
2. Pompeii
Ancient city of Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius in the background.
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city that was buried, along with Herculaneum and other surrounding areas, with 4-6 m or 13-20 feet of a pumice and ash due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
Pompeii is a major tourist attraction in Italy. It generates around 2.5 millions visitors annually and is the second most popular attraction in Italy behind only to the Colosseum.
Pompeii is home of the most visited archaeological sites in the world. When Mount Vesuvius erupted the ash helped preserve the ruins and has helped provide us a window into the past.
Main street inside of Pompeii.
When you visit Pompeii today you can explore ancient homes from the simple to the grandiose. You can still see some ancient graffiti, roman shops and other incredible preserved attractions from the ancient city.
Let’s keep exploring the incredible sites that Italy has to offer!
3. Uffizi Gallery & Vasari Corridor
Vasari Corridor
Located in Florence, Italy the Vasari Corridor is a kilometer long passageway that connects the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace. This is the third most visited attraction in Italy welcoming areound 1.85 million annual visitors.
Stepping into the Vasari Corridor can be an eerie feeling. It becomes very quiet and you can feel the atmosphere change. Almost like you’re truly stepping into the 16th century. You then head in the direction of the Arno and then, raised by large arches you follow the river as far as the Ponte Vecchio.
Uffizi Gallery inside Vasari Corridor.
You can view works that are still displayed from the 16th and 17th centuries. The Uffizi is one of the most complete collections of self portraits in all of Europe, started by Cardinal Leopoldo de’ Medici in the 17th century.
Let’s keep going to another of the most visited attractions in Italy!
4. The Accademia
David by Michaelangelo at the Accademia.
The Accademia is the 4th most visited attraction in Italy bringing in 1.25 million visitors a year. It’s located in Florence and is home to some of the most famous sculptures by the great Renaissance artist Michaleanelo.
Some of the attractions at the Accademia include but are not limited to St. Matthew, His Prisoners (or Slaves) and above all the incredible statue of David within the Tribune.
In the main halls you can also view some of the great works by other Italian artists which include Sandro Botticelli, Allessando Allori, Andrea del Sarto, Pantormo and Domenico Ghirlandaio to name just a few.
The newest section of the Accademia is the Museum of Musical Instruments. You will get to see one of a kind masterpieces by Bartolomeo Cristofori who invented the piano and Stradivari.
If you have limited time and want to skip the long lines make sure you buy your tickets in advance and/or book a guided tour with a private guide to learn as you witness the masterpieces displayed in the Accademia.
5. The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The 5 most visited attraction in Italy is the Leaning Tower of Pisa getting around 1,000,000 visitors a year. It’s a freestanding bell tower in the city of Pisa known for it’s nearly 4 degree lean. This was the due to an unstable foundation.
The tower is 55.86 meters (183.27 feet) from the ground to the low side. The high side is 56.67 meters (185.93 feet). It’s around 2.44 m (8 feet) across at the base. The tower has either 296 or 294 stairs depending on which side you climb.
The tower started leaning in the 12th century when the soft ground became a little unstable due to the weight of the tower. Through the end of the 14th century it worsened. By 1990 the tilt had reached 5.5 degrees. In 1993 work began to stabilize the structure which ended in 2001. The work was a success reducing the degrees of the tilt to 3.97.
The structure has been able to survive many earthquakes throughout the years. Researchers were complete boggled as to how the tower has remained upright through the earthquakes. Ironically it was discovered that the same soft soil that made the tower lean has also saved it from earthquakes. The softness of the soil and the way the tower is built help keep it stable during ground shaking earthquakes.
Check out the cool video below on Youtube that talks about the design of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
6. Castel Sant’Angelo National Museum
The once tallest structure in Rome is now a museum and receives around 918,000 visitors a year and is the 6th most visited attraction in Italy!
The Castel Sant’Angelo is a towering round building in Parco Adriano, Rome. It was originally commissioned by Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. Later it was used by popes as a castle and fortress and today is a museum.
It’s divided into 5 different floors which can be reached by a spiral ramp, the first area you reach is the chamber of ashes then the cells in which a number of historical figures were incarcerated.
Once you get to the upper part of the castle you will find rooms that were used as the Papal residence. You will see beautiful decorations which have been pristinely preserved from the Renaissance period. You will also get to see an extensive collection of historical weapons.
7. Boboli Garden
Coming in at number 7 is the Boboli Garden which gets around 710,000 visitors annually. Located in Florence Italy, the Medici family established the layout of the gardens. This would become the model for many European courts as time went on.
One of the main attractions of the Boboli Garden is the Fountain of Neptune followed closely by the Fountain of the Ocean. The Fountain of Neptune was created in 1565 – 1568 by Stoldo Loreniz. It’s definitely something you’re going to want to see if you are in Florence.
The Boboli Garden is an incredible peak into history and will definitely leave an impression. If you can go see it while in Italy, I doubt you will be disappointed!
On to the 8th most visited attraction in Italy!
8. La Venaria Reale
Located just outside of Turin is a grandiose estate. The La Venaria Reale gets around 598,000 visitors a year. It’s made up of 80,000 square meters of floor surface in the Reggia and 60 hectares of Gardens. It’s next to the ancient village Venaria.
Over the years it has been used as an estate for hunting and leisure, a palace for kings and a military barracks. It began to decline in 1999 but a project to restore the estate was launched and went on until 2007.
Inside the La Vanaria Reale.
In 2007 La Vaneria Reale was reborn. The beauty, culture and leisure are finally restored at the Reggia di Venaira.
You can rent the La Venaria Real for a wedding, press conference, fashion show or gala dinner. What an incredible place to visit and rent for an important occasion. The beauty and history will leave you speechless as you approach this incredible part of Italian history.
9. The Egyptian Museum
Located in Turin, The Egyptian Museum is the second most important collection in the world for ancient Egyptian antiques only behind the Cairo Museum. It has around 540,000 visitors annually.
The Egyptian Museum houses over 30,000 artifacts and sees hundreds of thousands of visitors annually! A main attraction is getting to see some paintings on canvas that dates back to 3500 BC which were found in 1931. You will also get to see the Temple of Tuthmosis III.
If you have any interest in archaeology and Egyptian history this site will be an absolute must see for you. You will get lost in all the artifacts and could spend days going through all the incredible history.
10. The Royal Palace of Caserta
The last spot on this list is another of the most visited attractions in Italy, and although it’s the least visited it’s certainly not any less impressive. The Royal Palace of Ceserta gets 439,000 visitors annually and has been used as a popular filming location for many popular movies.
If you have seen Star Wars Episode I and II, Mission Impossible III or Angels & Demons you have probably seen the Royal Palance of Caserta in a movie!
The Royal Palace of Caserta is the largest palace in all the world. Luigi Vanvitelli, who was the greatest architect of the 18th century helped create one of the most impressive structures in all the world. The palace was incredibly far ahead of it’s time and helped inspire countless other creations in our modern world.
Make sure that you book a guided tour or get your tickets in advance to see this incredible piece of architecture. You will be enchanted by it’s incredible style and history. Make sure to check out the Grand Staircase of Honour and The Palatine Chapel.
What Is The Most Visited Attraction In Italy?
I think you have a good idea of what the most visited attraction is Italy, but now the hard part. You have to choose which places you will visit. Whether you shoot for the most visited place in Italy, the Colosseum or you go for something that is a little more intimate like the La Venaria Reale the decision will not be easy.
I can’t believe how much I learned about Italy writing this article. My daughter has been telling me she wants to visit Italy for a long time and I think this helped nudge me to our next family vacation. I can’t even imagine which places we will try to visit but I do know that the Colosseum is definitely on my long list of must sees.
If you are interested in visiting Italy, you must check out this site to star planning your trip! It’s the official visit Italy website and will help you get started on your next Italian adventure.
I hope I was able to help answer your question, What is the most visited attraction in Italy today. I know that this has inspired me to get out of the US and go see this country and it’s immense amount of history and beauty.
I’ll see you there friends!
