The World’s 100 Best Archaeological Sites & Ruins · 2026
The Best Archaeological Sites & Ruins in Italy
9 of the 100 sites in The World’s 100 Best Archaeological Sites & Ruins 2026 are in Italy. The highest placed is Nuraghe Santu Antine in Torralba, at number 8 in the world. Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina (number 28) and Pompeii in Pompei (number 50) follow.
Sardinia
Nuraghe Santu Antine at Torralba, eighth on the list, and Nuraghe Arrubiu at Orroli are Bronze Age towers of the Nuragic culture, both visited with a guide.
Campania and Lazio
Pompeii and Paestum are south of Naples. Hadrian’s Villa is at Tivoli, Ostia Antica at the mouth of the Tiber.
Sicily
The Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina is known for its floor mosaics. Selinunte is a Greek city on the south-west coast. The ancient theatre of Taormina looks towards Etna.
Sites
-
N° 8
Nuraghe Santu Antine
Torralba
Ruin
-
N° 28
Villa Romana del Casale
Piazza Armerina
Ruin -
N° 50
Pompeii
Pompei
Ancient city -
N° 65
Selinunte
Castelvetrano
Ancient city -
N° 66
Hadrian’s Villa
Tivoli
Ruin -
N° 77
Paestum
Paestum
Temple site -
N° 92
Ancient Theatre of Taormina
Taormina
Amphitheatre or theatre -
N° 94
Ostia Antica
Ostia
Ancient city -
N° 98
Nuraghe Arrubiu
Orroli
Ruin