When planning a first trip to Italy, most visitors flock to Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan.
Now, there’s no question that these cities are all amazing destinations in their own right, dripping with history and bursting with colour at every turn.
But not only will you be struggling to snap a picture of beautiful squares and monuments without some tourist walking into the frame, you’ll also be paying a premium for the privilege.
Here are some equally picturesque Italian cities where you can enjoy lower food and accommodation prices.
See also: ITALY’S MOST ROMANTIC LOCALES FOR YOUR HONEYMOON OR BRIDAL PICTURES
This article was first published on Moneysmart.
Image credits: Metro Centric, Russell James Smith, N i c o l a, Viaggio Routard, Carlo Raso, Pedro, Rob Oo, amade_a
Sicily’s second largest city has no shortage of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including countless churches, palaces, squares and ancient Roman and Greek ruins.
Catania is a more laid back alternative to Palermo for first-time visitors to Sicily, and an excellent place to sample iconic delicacies such as pasta alla norma and Sicilian arancini.
Cost of an Airbnb room for two: 30 SGD to 45 SGD
Cost of a restaurant meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 10 euro (16 SGD)
The capital of Sicily, once fabulously wealthy and under Arab rule, overflows with dazzling historical sites and breathtaking ocean views.
The chaos and exuberance of the city is a counterpoint to the sweetness of the cannoli, one of Sicily’s most popular desserts.
Cost of an Airbnb room for two: 30 SGD to 50 SGD
Cost of a restaurant meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 10 euro (16 SGD)
Located in the Piedmont region of Italy, Turin is famous for its profusion of intricate Baroque architecture.
As it lies only an hour’s drive from the French border, the buildings in Turin display distinct French influences.
Cost of an Airbnb room for two: 30 SGD to 50 SGD
Cost of a restaurant meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 12 euro (19 SGD)
The largest city in the Apulia region is a busy port city that can be reached by ferry from Greece and Croatia. The medieval town centre has its fair share of stunning churches, and visitors can also take a quick day trip to Adelfia, a charming commune just 20 minutes away.
Cost of an Airbnb room for two: 30 SGD to 60 SGD
Cost of a restaurant meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 12 euro (19 SGD)
The birthplace of pizza is always bustling with the roar of scooters. This somewhat chaotic city is presided over by the mighty volcano Vesuvius and is also a popular stopover for visitors on the way to Pompeii.
Cost of an Airbnb room for two: 30 SGD to 60 SGD
Cost of a restaurant meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 10 euro (16 SGD)
This city in Northeastern Italy is just a 40 minute drive from Venice and offers an excellent way to escape the hordes of tourists after a day of sightseeing.
The city is small enough to explore on foot and, other than the usual stunning churches and squares, is also home to an Astronomic Observatory with exhibits on Galileo Galilei’s contributions to the world.
Cost of an Airbnb room for two: 30 SGD to 60 SGD
Cost of a restaurant meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 15 euro (24 SGD)
Italy’s most famous culinary export, spaghetti alla bolognese, is actually called ragù alla bolognese and looks very different from what you’re used to.
That alone is reason enough to visit Bologna, the Emilia-Romagna region’s biggest city, and also home to the Western world’s oldest university.
Cost of an Airbnb room for two: 35 SGD to 65 SGD
Cost of a restaurant meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 15 euro (24 SGD)
Fair Verona where Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was set is about an hour and a half from Venice and filled with evocative Roman ruins, including a massive amphitheatre and Roman forum.
But most visitors make a beeline for a building with a famous balcony that has been designated Juliet’s house.
Cost of an Airbnb room for two: 40 SGD to 75 SGD
Cost of a restaurant meal in an inexpensive restaurant: 15 euro (24 SGD)