Diving into Italy, where there’s a ton to explore, can be a bit tricky for first-timers. The big question you have to consider first: Northern vs southern Italy? If a first-time traveler explores Milan in the north and then Naples and/or Bari in the south, they might not immediately notice a distinct difference. Everything sounds Italian, the food tastes authentic, and the churches and palaces match expectations.

Scratch the surface, though, and there are notable big differences when it comes to northern vs southern Italy. Dive in as we explore these different parts of the country, and the key factors that differentiate northern vs southern Italy.