Italy
Last updated: 31 March 2026
written by Daria Trinkhaus, photography by Nico Trinkhaus
This guide proposes a plan for a road trip through Italy.
You will find not only recommendations for cities worth visiting, but also information on the best time of year and time of day to discover Italy’s hidden gems. You will also find a photographer’s perspective — especially if you are inspired to develop your photography skills.
I begin this article about Italy fully aware that there is no chance that it will be a guide that captures even a fraction of what could be written about this country. So let’s focus on the photographic aspect, on northern Italy and Tuscany. These regions are so diverse in terms of landscape that they pose a challenge, but also an inspiration for many photographers.
If you dream of experiencing the diverse landscapes, cities, and cultures of northern Italy and Tuscany, we recommend taking a road trip. People commonly refer to “northern,” “central,” and “southern” Italy, although these terms cover distinct landscapes and cultures. Northern Italy alone can easily take you several months to explore and capture the character of the region in photos. And a car will give you more flexibility in reaching undiscovered gems.
When we took our road trip through Italy, we started in May in the frosty Dolomites and ended up in the sweltering heat of Tuscany in August. Along the way, we visited charming towns such as Urbino and Ferrara. We spent a few days in Venice and Burano. For a month and a half, we lived in Tuscany near Siena, San Gimignano, and Florence. We ended our trip with a visit to Milan and Lake Como. Although we also visited San Marino, Liechtenstein, and southern Germany during this time, there will be time for articles about these places later. Looking at the map of our journey, we made almost a “round trip.”
The same regions of northern Italy are also home to such photogenic cities and areas as Bergamo, Verona and Lake Garda. Nico photographed these places during another trip. You can find the photos in related articles. In the near future, this blog will also feature a detailed article about Rome — because if all roads lead to Rome, why not devote more time to describing this city? Here, I will only devote a small subchapter to Rome, because I think it is a great idea to visit it if you are in Tuscany. The journey time from Siena to Rome, for example, is less than three hours.
Table of Contents
Travel Writer
Daria Trinkhaus is a writer, who loves to discover the hidden stories behind each and every place she visits.
south tyrol and the dolomites
Nico’s portfolio from the Dolomites is not complete. And this is for one very specific reason — heavy rains. We spent about two weeks in the Dolomites (late May – early June) and expected more sunshine in late spring. Unfortunately, the weather in the high mountains can be deceptive, and instead of spectacular sunrises, we had flooded roads and a need for woolen socks.
A photographic “wish list” and flexibility in choosing photo subjects helped us capture the Dolomites in such weather conditions. The upside of rainy weather, mindfulness, and a car at the ready are Nico’s photographs, which reflect the drama and unpredictability of the mountains.
Antholzersee
Antholzersee, or Lake Antholz, is the third largest lake in South Tyrol and is located at an altitude of 1,642 meters. This viewpoint is right next to the parking lot and is easily accessible at any time of the day. Reportedly, the trail around the lake is spectacular and provides plenty of opportunities to capture Antholzersee with the mountains in the background.
Antholzersee, translated Lake of Antholz in English, is the third largest Lake in South Tyrol. Surrounded by mountain peaks, it is one of the most picturesque places in the Dolomites. The Antholzersee occupies 44 hectares of land and is 34 meters deep.
misurina
Misurina is another location easily accessible by car. The town of Misurina, located on Lake Misurina, can be reached by road from Cortina d’Ampezzo or Auronzo. This location is attractive due to the reflections of the Dolomites in the clear mountain water of the lake.
Around Misurina, there are clusters of characteristic rock formations, including the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina, Sorapiss, and Monte Cristallo groups. A 2.6 km trail begins in the town. It is quite easy and can be easily walked, even with a heavy backpack full of photographic equipment.
lago di Braies
Lago di Braies, or Lake Braies, is probably one of the most photographed lakes in the Dolomites in Italy. I suspect that Braies is so popular because of three facts:
- The parking lot is right next to the lake
- The rock formations, combined with the turquoise water, create a serene landscape
- At one point, photos of influencers in beautiful outfits in rustic “crocodile boats” were trending on Instagram
Due to the popularity of Lago di Braies, it is advisable to prepare in advance. When we arrived, we were surprised to find that boat rental times were very limited. Next time, we will plan to arrive at a time when there are fewer people there. This photo was taken at sunset, and Nico had a limited opportunity to capture this place without tourists. It is also worth walking around the lake and looking for unusual shots — there are plenty of options!
Lago di Braies is a natural lake which was the result of a landline blocking the river Braies.
Near the entrance, there is a large parking area where you can easily find space to park even during the high season.
Foreground elements in the Dolomites
Nico is a typical urban photographer. Even when surrounded by nature, he usually looks for human structures. If this is also your inclination, when travelling through the Dolomites, don’t forget to look for wooden huts and trails leading into the mountains. This is how we found this viewpoint on Picco di Vallandro.
The view on Picco Di Vallandro (translated in German – Dürrenstein) from the flourishing valley, was an absolute pleasant surprise.
Suddenly, to our left, we saw a valley with old wooden cabins. We stopped and followed the path which led us through the flourishing meadow.
Photographing the town of Santa Maddalena with the Odle Mountain Group in the background was a planned trip. We were hoping for phenomenal light, but when we got there, the clouds “broke” with rain, and we couldn’t even get out of the car for a long time. When the sky cleared for just a moment, Nico ran like crazy to a nearby hill and captured these dramatic clouds over the Dolomites and the church of Santa Maddalena. This photo is proof that disastrous weather conditions can work in your favour!
At the beginning of June, the Dolomites are quite empty. We envisioned Santa Maddalena village to be full of people but particularly with photographers. Surprisingly, we were alone with a beautiful view to admire the Medieval Church in the village, with the Dolomites in the background.
Venice and Burano
photography in Venice
Venice is a photographer’s dream. We tend to return to this unique Italian city every seven years. And although we both love absolutely every street in Venice, our favourite time to explore is late at night and early in the morning. This saves Nico a lot of time in post-processing and removing occasional passers-by from photos.
Our day in Venice used to start around three or four in the morning with a visit to St. Mark’s Square. Even at that hour, there will still be people celebrating the previous day or early tourists in the square. Nevertheless, it is a good time to experiment with the light of sunrise and photograph St. Mark’s Basilica or St. Mark’s Bell Tower.
And don’t worry if the bell tower in your photos isn’t straight. Estimates say that the tower deviates from the vertical by about 7-10 centimetres. The reason for this is the subsidence of the Venetian lagoon, which affects the entire city. Although this is a slight tilt in wide-angle photos (especially when shooting from a low angle from St. Mark’s Square), it may seem that the tower is leaning — this is mostly an effect of perspective (convergence of vertical lines).
St. Mark’s Square is not the only place worth visiting in the morning. Although the canals in the city centre are not always well lit, the Venice coastline often enjoys spectacular light at sunrise. While it requires a bit of fitness and running, it is worth visiting Punta della Dogana at this time of day or photographing the gondolas right next to St. Mark’s Square.
And when the sun is high above Venice, there is nothing more pleasant than putting your camera away in your backpack and going to an Italian café for breakfast. Just so you can go straight back to sleep after an intense night and morning of photography 😉
Daytime and sunset are not easy times of day for photography in Venice. However, places worth visiting include the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal.
Burano
Burano should be better known, especially since it is a photographer’s delight. Burano is an island near Venice, known mainly for its masterpieces and jewelry made of colored glass. To get there, just take a water bus from Venice. Not only are the glass decorations extremely colorful in Burano, but literally everything else is too — buildings, boats, cafes, and even people.
Ferrara
Ferrara was just a one-day stop on our trip from Venice to Siena. While Venice and Burano are all about color and finesse, Ferrara has a different vibe. If I had to recall this Italian city, I would see medieval sand-colored walls and architectural signs of the early Renaissance.
Most of the city seems to be built of brick, and the overall architectural style could be described as “solid.” Just like Castello Estense, which was Nico’s favorite photo subject. Castello Estense or Castello di San Michele is not only a castle but also a fortress surrounded by a moat.
However, the most stimulating for photographic creativity in Ferrara are its medieval streets. On a summer day, they are often empty, and in the heat of the sun, they convey the atmosphere of a slow, lazy Italian afternoon. Numerous gates, bridges, and colorful doors give a three-dimensional feel to the streets and buildings built mainly of fired brick.
Urbino
In Urbino, as in Ferrara, we only had the opportunity to stay for a few hours. And although Urbino is also a city dominated by medieval and Renaissance monuments, the atmosphere of this place is different from that of Ferrara. Urbino seems more “delicate,” more ethereal than the solid buildings of Ferrara. If you look at this photo of the center of Urbino, don’t you get the same impression?
When you visit the Urbino old town, it may seem like a travel back in time.
If you look on the buildings and ignore modern outfits of people passing by, the posters, café umbrellas, you can feel like a time traveller visiting on a summer’s day, that is 500 years ago.
We visited Urbino on a very hot Sunday afternoon and regretted that we couldn’t stay longer. As we walked around the city walls, we noticed a hill nearby that looked like a city park. And then Nico had a wonderful idea — Urbino is best seen from outside Urbino!
Urbino in Marche region in Italy, is one of the hidden gems for history lovers. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and now belongs to one of my Nico’s favourite Italian towns.
Tuscany
The landscape of Tuscany
When we were planning our stay in Tuscany, we thought about how to experience its authenticity. So we decided to stay in the middle of nowhere. Well, not literally — we stayed in the middle of the Tuscan fields in an old winery converted into apartments. It was a time when we were working remotely, so right after logging off our computers in the afternoon, we would get in the car to capture the sunsets over the wineries in photos. Or on lazy days, we would jump into the pool, because the heat in Tuscany at this time of year is stereotypical.
And although the Tuscans escape to cooler places in August, in our opinion, summer in Tuscany is the most beautiful season and it is worth enduring the heat for the sun-warmed landscapes. The views of grapes ripening in the summer sun, long evenings, and dust from dirt roads create the perfect conditions to capture the spirit of this region of Italy in photographs. The wineries and the town of San Gimignano were Nico’s favorite photographic subjects.
Siena
Siena was the city we visited most often. During our three-week stay in this part of Tuscany, we lived on its outskirts and spent every weekend there. This allowed us to experience the idyllic landscape of Tuscany, but also life in a sunny city.
Taking photos at sunrise in Siena in the summer is a challenge, especially when you factor in the travel time to the location. Still, it was worth it to experience Piazza Il Campo — the city center built in the shape of an amphitheater — when the square was empty.
A week later, after taking this photo, we stayed at a hotel in the heart of Siena during the annual Palio di Siena held on August 16. It is a bareback horse race (without saddles) between the contrade, or historic districts of Siena. Each contrada has its own anthem, flags, colors, animal symbol, and intense local pride.
Very early in the morning, we were awakened by the sounds of drums and music. Right outside our hotel door, a procession was passing by, escorting horses to Piazza Il Campo. Even today, years later, I still get goosebumps when I think about the uniqueness of this event. We are convinced that if your photography preferences lie in street photography, this is an extraordinary opportunity to take original photos of a centuries-old Italian tradition.
Siena and Florence are two Tuscan cities that compete with each other. However, their character seemed different to us. Siena is perhaps less popular with tourists, but no less beautiful. The city has retained its medieval street layout. This means that the streets are narrow and run along the hills, creating natural frames with a converging perspective. All this makes them particularly photogenic. And in the heart of these streets stands the medieval Siena Cathedral, perfect for sunrise photography.
Nestled in the heart of picturesque Tuscany lies a gem of medieval architecture and spiritual beauty: the Siena Cathedral.
Every weekend, we would set out on a journey to this magical city, fascinated by all it has to offer.
Florence
Florence is probably one of the most visited cities in Italy. There are many reasons for this. This mainly Renaissance city is a symbol of the region’s splendor during the six hundred years of Medici influence. Within the city walls, you can find countless opportunities to capture Florence’s architecture.
The historic centre of Florence has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. The city’s more than 600 years of splendour are reflected in the architecture of the central square It is home to monuments such as Santa Maria del Fiore, the church of Santa Croce, the Uffizi and the Pitti Palace.
Ponte Vecchio is a great photographic subject if you are interested in the almost mathematical layout of the city.
The Ponte Vecchio “The Old Bridge” was replaced the Roman Stone Bridge of Florence in 1345. Today it is impossible to be in Florence and not pass by it on foot, enjoying the marvellous jewellery shops that have situated on Ponte Vecchio for centuries.
Or the history of Italian merchanting and Renaissance culture.
Florence’s Ponte Vecchio or “Old Bridge” was probably one of the first bridges spanning the Arno River. Its history is therefore not straightforward. It was destroyed in 1345 and rebuilt anew. During the Second World War it was the only bridge over the Arno River in the area that was not demolished by the fleeing Germans (was it a strategy, or did they feel sorry?). Now it is one of the icons of Tuscany.
At sunrise on Ponte Vecchio, you can feel as if you have been transported back in time to when merchants opened their gold shops in the early hours of the morning.
However, probably the most recognizable monument in Florence is the Florence Cathedral with its dome (Duomo) designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Although it is difficult to capture the enormity of the cathedral from the city center, the situation changes when you zoom in from the outskirts of Florence. These photos were taken during sunset and the blue hour from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Pro tip: it’s worth going to this hill early, because climbing up to Piazzale Michelangelo with your camera gear can take a while.
If you look closely at the photo of the Florence panorama, you may notice that the air is not 100% clear. This photo was taken in the middle of summer, when “Tuscan dust” can float over the city in the evenings. Nico didn’t mind this phenomenon, as it fabulously captures the Tuscan atmosphere, but if that’s not your style, consider visiting Florence at a different time of year.
Milan
Probably the most spectacular place in Milan for photography is Piazza del Duomo. It is home to the Duomo di Milano cathedral (more on that in a moment), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the former royal palace, Palazzo Reale.
Duomo di Milano is the largest Gothic cathedral in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. It is famous for its forest of soaring pinnacles (over 130), 3,400 sculptures, a facade made of pink Candoglia marble, and roof terraces offering views of the entire city. This cathedral is a paradise for photos, not only of the front, but also of the details. The best time for photography is the golden and blue hour in the morning. There are not many passers-by in Piazza del Duomo at that time (during the day, this place is really crowded!). When we visited Milan, the Duomo di Milano was lit up just before sunrise. And when the first rays of sunlight illuminated the stones of the square, a warm aura enveloped all the buildings around it.
Just before sunrise, it is also worth visiting the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery with its typical 19th-century ornamentation.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II was built in 1877. It bears the name of the first ruler of the Kingdom of Italy. From the very beginning, it housed Italy’s most prominent cafes, restaurants, and stores. Today, it is also home to luxury stores selling haute couture, jewelry, books, and paintings.
Once you have checked these places off your list of photos to take, it is also worth taking a stroll through the streets of Milan. An interesting photographic subject could be, for example, the Sforza Castle or the modern district of Bosco Verticale with trees growing out of skyscrapers.
Rome
Rome is a city worth visiting at any time of the year. In summer, however, you have to take into account that sunrise is quite early. So, to be there in time, it is worth staying in the city centre. The good news is that most of the photogenic monuments, such as the Colosseum or the Pantheon, are within walking distance. Well, maybe within walking distance if you can run with a camera in your hand.
The Colosseum, known in Italian as the Colosseo, is an iconic symbol of ancient Rome’s grandeur and architectural prowess. Located just east of the Roman Forum, this colossal arena is the largest ever built and remains the largest standing amphitheatre in the world despite its age.
Some places in Rome are worth visiting at sunrise. For example, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican, the Colosseum and the fountains in the city centre will be less crowded then. However, some places are full of tourists even before sunrise. These include the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. By the way, the best place to photograph the Trevi Fountain is on the first floor of the clothing store opposite the fountain. More on this in the article:
Did you know that the best spot to take photos of the Trevi Fountain is through the window of a fashion shop? It’s hilarious to watch people stroll in, feign interest in some clothes, and then discreetly head for the staircase to get that perfect shot.
The possibility of taking photographs inside, for example, the Pantheon is limited by opening hours. However, Nico found a way to capture the Pantheon without people inside. From time to time, ceremonial events take place inside this monument. Just before they begin, security escorts tourists out the door. It is worth being the last tourist to leave the interior:
These Pantheon bronze doors are around 7.53 meters high and 4.45 meters wide, each weighing more than 8 tonnes.
Crafted in the age of Emperor Hadrian, they’ve guarded this temple since around 125 AD, making them some of the oldest functioning doors in the world.
Summary
It is not easy to talk about Italy as a single region — the diversity of landscapes, city architecture, culture, food, and mentality of people in each part of the country is significant. Even if we spent several months in Italy, we would still be discovering new nuances of this country. However, we hope that this short guide to Italy has inspired you to take a photographic journey and given you a starting point for planning it. And if you would like to learn more about the locations mentioned or other cities in Italy, check out the “Italy” category on this blog: https://sumfinity.com/photos/italy/
Stay in touch for future updates to this article.
P.S. Every now and then, one subscriber wins a signed fine art print — a small thank you for being part of this journey.