Everyone should visit these essential Italian cities at least once in their lifetime.

The incredible thing about them is that theyre each so unique and diverse.

Travel an hour or two, and you’re free to have a completely different experience.

Florence skyline

Cityscape of Florence, Italy.Credit:Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

You would need a lifetime to do it all.

The amount of artistic and architectural masterpieces concentrated in this one city is mind-boggling.

Wandering around watching the gondolas ply the canals lined with Renaissance palaces is simply mesmerizing.

Plaza in Rome

Piazza del Popolo in Rome, Italy.Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure

You should also try local specialties likerisotto alla Milaneseandcotoletta alla Milanese.

Aside from the pizza, be sure to taste Neapolitan specialties likesfogliatella.

Learned refers to the university the oldest in Europe, established in 1088.

Venice cityscape

Canals of Venice, Italy.Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

One thing is certain: Bologna is one of Italys most liberal, educated, and well-fed cities.

The historic center is a maze of narrow lanes lined with boutiques, bars, and restaurants.

Lecce is also a great base for visiting the fantastic beaches of the Salento Peninsula.

Large crowd in a plaza in Milan

Piazza del Duomo in Milan, Italy.Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure

Turin

AleksandarGeorgiev/Getty Images

The capital of Piedmont,Turinis one of Italys most quietly elegant cities.

Travelers visiting the city today will notice a bit of French flair in the architecture and even the food.

Dont leave without trying prized wines like Barolo and Barbaresco and local specialties made with hazelnuts and truffles.

Street with streamers in Naples

Streamer lined street in Naples, Italy.Amanda Blackard/Travel + Leisure

Vermouth was also invented here.

Perugia is also known for its chocolate, so be sure to visit an artisanal shop like Augusta Perusia.

This is where Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto di Parma originate, so people take food very seriously here.

Red brick building

Architecture in Bologna, Italy.Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure

Views around Palermo

Architecture around Palermo, Sicily in Italy.Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure

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Ancient Roman theater in Lecce, Italy.Ilias Katsouras jr/Getty Images

Wide Angle View of a street in Turin

Main Street in Turin, Italy.AleksandarGeorgiev/Getty Images

Piazza IV Novembre in Perugia, Umbria. The piazza is the main hub of Perugia. The cathedral of San Lorenzo and the Fontana Maggiore are illustrated here.

Piazza IV Novembre in Perugia, Italy.Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images

Colorful buildings in Parma

Architecture in Parma, Italy.Denis Vostrikov/Getty Images