If you are wondering what part of Europe is Italy in then you are in the right place because here you will find the right answer to your question.

Italy is located in southern Europe bordering France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia and delimited by the Alpine watershed, enclosing the Po valley along the PO river and the Venetian Plain.

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The most disputed point between France and Italy is also the highest peak from the Alps and I am talking about Mont Blanc.

 

 

The Italian peninsula has a boot shape located along the Mediterranean coastline has maritime borders with the Mediterranean Sea, Ionian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and the Adriatic Sea.

Taking all these facts into consideration I guess the answer to the question if is Italy a European country is obvious.

For a better understanding of Italy’s location in Europe let me tell you some words about the regions of Europe.

What part of Europe is Italy in

Europe is the most western part of Eurasia and is a continent divided into regions based on cultural, geographical and historical elements.

If we take into consideration just the geographical aspects, then we might say that Europe should be divided into 10 regions as follows:

1. Central Europe: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and part of Italy ( South Tyrol, Trentino, Trieste, Gorizia, Friuli, Lombardy and sometimes Veneto)

2. East-Central Europe consists of the region between German, West Slavic and Hungarian speaking Europe and Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

3. Eastern Europe is the European zone located between Western Europe and Asia and consist of the Balkan Peninsula countries of Romania, Moldova, Russia, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia as well as the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland

4. Northeastern Europe or the Baltic region comprises all the countries that surround the Baltic Sea: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway Sweden

5. Northern Europe are the countries located in the north of the southern coast of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea

 

 

6. Northwestern Europe consists of British isles including United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Northern France, Northern Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland

7. Southeastern Europe consists mostly of the Balkan Peninsula: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Part of Turkey and also Moldova and Slovenia

8. Southern Europe is also known as Mediterranean Europe and includes the following regions and countries: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, part of Turkey, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, the independent state of San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Southern France, Spain and Vatican City

 

 

9. Southwestern Europe is also known as Iberia and is the peninsula located in the southwestern part of Europe and consists of Spain and Portugal as well as Andorra, Southern France and the British island of Gibraltar

10. Western Europe is considered to be Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

So as you could notice, a country might be included under one or more regions of Europe and Italy is not an exception.

Italy is considered a southern country as well as a western one and a central one.

 

 

There is another simple and interesting grouping of the European countries and this is based on religion.

1. Catholic churches (roman catholicism) in Europe and here we name Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, south and western Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, parts of Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Poland Portugal, Spain, south Netherlands, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia

2. Orthodox churches in Europe that includes Armenia, Belarus, north and east of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Republic of Artsakh, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine

3. Protestantism countries that include Denmark, Estonia, Greenland, Finland, north and east of Germany, Iceland, parts of Latvia, north of Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom

4. Muslim countries like Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Turkey and northern Cyprus

And there are many other methods to divide Europe, but the ones above are the most commonly used.

As you might guess, Italy is a very important player on the world scene as this beautiful country is a member of the European Union, Schengen area, European Union Customs Union, OECD European country and member of the Eurozone.

Now that you know if is Italy a European country and in what part of Europe is Italy, it’s time to find out which are the best attractions of this peninsula.

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Italy’s best attractions

Colosseum

This spectacular amphitheatre, the largest in the world built by the Roman Empire in 72 AD by the Vespasian and enlarged during Titus, his son.

The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, volcanic rock and brick-faced concrete and can host between 50.000 to 80.000 people.

 

 

It was used as a gladiator arena for all kinds of gladiatorial contests and public shows, animal hunts, executions and reenactments of famous battles and stories from Roman mythology.

The monument was severely deteriorated by numerous earthquakes and stone rubbers but it still stands as one of the most grandiose attractions of the world.

Actually, it was listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and it is one of the most popular attractions from Italy.

The Grand Canal of Venice

With more than 3 kilometres (2 miles) long and between 30 to 70 metres (100 to 225 feet) wide, the Grand Canal is the most iconic point of Venice and the main waterway of this stunning city.

This is the canal that split Venice into two parts and starts from the San Marco Basilica to Santa Chiara Church.

 

 

You can take a Vaporetto or a private water taxi to move around the city on one of the largest canals, or a gondola for a romantic tour of the city.

Along the Grand Canal, there are lined up an impressive number of palaces, churches, hotels and other beautiful buildings in Gothic, Renaissance or Romanesque styles.

Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore from Florence

The beautiful countryside of Toscany located in the central part of Italy and in what part of Europe is Italy in and attracts thousands of tourists each year for its beauty and unicity.

Besides the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the most iconic construction from the Tuscany area is the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore from Florence, the capital of this region.

 

 

The construction of this masterpiece started in 1296 in a Gothic style and was completed almost 200 years later, in 1436.

The cathedral complex located in Piazza del Duomo includes the imposing cathedral, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile.

The cathedral is the 4th largest in the world and the biggest artwork is Giorgio Vasari’s frescoes of the Last Judgment, while the clock from the entrance was designed by Paolo Uccello in 1443.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

If you know that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in Europe then you definitely know if is Italy a European country.

The construction of this bell tower began in 1173 and was designed to have 56 metres (185 feet) high.

 

 

The whole monument was constructed from white marble and by the time when 3 of its 8 stories were completed the tower began to lean as it was built on soft grounds.

It then followed a century when the works had been suspended due to the conflicts between the Italian city-states and so the foundation had some time to settle.

When the construction was resumed, the architect that was in charge of the project came with all kinds of ideas, but the solution was one the correct one so the tower continues to sink.

By the beginning of 1990, the tower was closed for the public and restoration works had been done so that by the middle of 2008, the sensors showed that the motion had finally stopped.

Lake Como

One of my favourite areas from Italy, an epic place for nature lovers from all over the world is definitely Lake Como.

Located in the northern area of what part of Europe is Italy and surrounded by mountains and hidden villages, the lake is a natural oasis, a favourite playground for those of you looking for peace.

 

 

The mild climate makes this lakeshore perfect for gardens and it resembles a lot with the Mediterranean climate from certain parts of Italy.

The lake is famous in these parts of Europe since Roman times and is a place with many secluded and opulent villas and palaces, like Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni Lake Como with its stunning gardens open to the public.

Amalfi Coast

A Unesco World Heritage site with amazing coastline along the Sorrentine Peninsula, the Amalfi coast is definitely the most popular place, famous all over the world.

Knowing that is Italy a European country you automatically know that the Amalfi Coast is located in the southern part of Europe.

 

 

Specific for this part of Italy are the hillside towns that are built on the cliffs, on the steep mountainsides that cascade down to the sea.

The most famous cities are Amalfi and Positano with their colourful houses and beautiful waters, real magnets for tourists from all over the world.

Driving along the coastline and admiring the sceneries is one of the most exciting activities and a great occasion to take incredible photos of the area.

Cinque Terre

Another breathtaking area from Italy is Cinque Terre, a beautiful region located in the western part of the country.

Like the Amalfi coast, Cinque Terre is a coastal region with steep hills and beautiful houses hanging on top of the rocks.

 

 

The area consists of 5 villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare that can be reached on foot, by boat or by train.

There are plenty of walking paths that connect these villages, as well as a railroad with many tunnels and scenic landscapes.

Conclusion

Now that you if is Italy a European country and in what part of Europe is Italy in, all you have to do is to pack your luggage and plan your trip based on the most beautiful attractions mentioned by me earlier.

You will have a memorable experience and I am sure you will fall in love with this country from the moment you get off the plane.