What's different about each famous city in Italy?

Question

How would you describe the vibe of Rome, Naples, Florence, Genoa, Venice, and Milan? How do they differ from each other? For example, I heard Rome is more for history lovers and Milan is more for fashion lovers. Which cities are more party cities, historical cities, peaceful resting cities, etc? Anything will be helpful as I am planning a future vacation in Italy.

Answer 1

Rome

I spend my spring/summer months near Rome.  It is a bustling megalopolis.  It is jam packed with history, and a tremendous amount of traffic and nightlife.  It is warm and the people are general loud and very animated.  As far as the vibe goes, it doesn't really compare to anything we have in the US.  It is a very fun and cosmopolitan place to be.

Naples

Naples is dirty and fairly dangerous.  However, the people are extremely warm compared to other cities.  Of all of the major cities you listed, it is the one that is most affected by organized crime.  If you park your car for a day in each of the cities you listed, Naples is the one where you are most likely to find your car stereo missing when you get back.  However, being a coastal city in the south, there is a great deal of life in Naples.  Naples itself has a good amount of history and beauty, but its surrounding areas are what really attracts people (The Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Capri, etc).

Florence

Florence is a small city that without question has the highest density of priceless art among the cities you listed.  The climate isn't as temperate as the ones listed above.  It gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter.  But if art is your thing, Florence is your heaven.  Like the other cities, it has a good amount of nightlife, but a less frenetic vibe than Rome.

Genoa

Genoa is an industrialized port city.  This doesn't mean it is not beautiful, though... it is!  Everything in Italy is beautiful.  It has some wonderful surrounding areas, and its proximity to France, The Riviera, and so much natural beauty is amazing.  The people of Genoa are known to be cold and dismissive.  Of course, that is just a stereotype, but that is what they are known for.  They are not typically warm and friendly like those in the south.

Venice

Venice is breathtaking.  Let me say that again... Venice is breathtaking!!!  Such amazing beauty, and so much art and history.  But it doesn't stop at Venice!  You are so close to to so much more when you are there.  The Dolomites!!!  Skiiing, mountain climbing, hiking... so much wonderful nature is up there.  The people are said to be cold, but in all honesty, I have never experienced that.  Everyone I have met from there has been very warm and inviting.

Milan

My family emigrated to the states from from Milan :-).  Milan is mostly a modern city.  Of course it has wonderful history (The Duomo and Galleria are wonderful!) as does all of Italy, but Milan is Italy's industrial and business capital.  It is the Manhattan of Italy.  It is where the fashion is, where the big business thrives, etc.  People from Milan are known to be more distant and closed off than many other places... like you would expect from a major cold city.  Tons of nightlife, and a very frenetic pace of life.  As for nature, you are very close to the lakes.  Can you say 'Como' ?

Turin

I know this wasn't in your list, but it is the natural 'other famous city' you missed in your question.  Turin is a modern city.  It is the Detroit of Italy - The home of Fiat.  The city in and of itself doesn't have the kind of beauty you find in central cities like Rome and Florence, but the surrounding areas are beautiful.  You are at the doorway to the Alps... Close to the wonderful skiing of Val D'Aosta, and so much more.

Answer 2

ok. to know italians they OOZE in style. They are easy to spot. Rome is for art luvers.. who studied those sculptures in art books, Milan... is for fashion seekers and niteclubs here are the best and need $$ lots of these if you intend to visit Corso Como for the best clubs . Tuscan hills, Around Montelcino is beautiful-- try and get a summer job with a family there. The warmer seasons... are best to see Cinque Terre, Amalfi, Portofino acutally anywhere by the sea. WARNING- italy in its recent years have had many illegal immigrants coming in- there is nothing you we can do about it ... thats the way of live... be wary. keep an extra attention of your wallet and where you place it.

Italy is a country of centuries of culture, history and of course their pride- you can not but admire their arrogance towards what they have.

Answer 3

Hi, I went to Florence, Rome and Venice. Each has its beauty and is definitely worth a visit. To me, what I see that Florence is about sculptures, nice bridges and nice Italian food; Rome is fascinating with the historic sites of the great Roman Empire, and Vatican city is within Rome so it's about Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel; Venice is just magical, floating on waters. My Europe travel blog to share-> http://travelerfolio.com

Answer 4

Naples is what most americans think of when they think of meditrannean town, Rome has alot of history, Florence has the famous bridge. Venice would be good for relaxing and Milan for partying

Answer 5

I'm Italian and i live in Italy...in Italy you can find many different places...Rome is a beautiful city full of history and monuments (colosseo ecc...)its beautiful but there is no sea... its close to Naples that is a wonderful city.. i think Naples is the most beautiful city because there is the sea and you can go and visit easly lots of places like Capri and iskia (2 fantastic islands or Pompeii and ercolano)..Milan,as you said is the city for persons how love fashion..its full of clothing stores and here there are the bests discos(Hollywood) but there is no sea....i suggest you to go to Naples because  i think its the best city for a trip....and there is even the best food...hope i helped enjoy your trip..!!!!!

Answer 6

I live in Genoa is a beautiful city, come to make us a tour you council to try our typical product (Pesto) and visit the lantern to see the city from above, of course there are other interesting things

http://it.viaggi.yahoo.com/p-guida_viagg...

you advice isn't to visit the historic center of Genoa

p.s.

Sorry for my writing