Home to some of the greatest artworks, historical monuments, and food on the planet, and with varied landscapes that evoke awe, Italy elates, inspires, and moves its visitors like few other countries.

From its art- and architecture-rich cities to its astonishing diversity of natural landscapes—dramatic coastlines, serene lakes, pristine mountains, and those famous rolling hills—selecting just a handful of destinations in this wonderful country can be challenging.

So how do you decide where to explore? It largely depends on what you seek in your Italian journey, whether that involves history, art, beaches, hiking, or food. Regardless of your passion, this list of 15 must-see locations in Italy should serve as a solid starting point.