Italy is among the top five most visited countries in the world, welcoming tens of millions of visitors every year.

Those who travel to the beautiful country tend to opt for some of its more popular destinations, such as Lake Como, the country’s capital, Rome and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice.

However, as beautiful as those destinations are, the country boasts many other spots that deserve just as much recognition. While they aren’t as known as other places, this just means they offer the perfect chance to escape from all the crowds.

Of the many hidden gems discovered in Italy, the city of Brescia is a must-visit.

Nestled in the Alpine foothills between Lake Garda and Lake Ieso, Brescia is only a 40-minute train journey from Milan, another one of Italy’s in-demand cities.

When visiting Brescia, you’ll find that the city has so much to discover. To begin, the significant historical and artistic heritage of Brescia has been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2011.

The city is home to Camonica Valley, the first Italian site to be recognised by UNESCO in 1979. Today, the area boasts eight rock engraving parks that are listed as World Heritage sites.

Its old town has an important artistic and archaeological heritage, consisting of various monuments from the ancient to the contemporary.

History lovers can visit the Monumental area of the Roman Forum, which includes northern Italy’s best-preserved Roman public buildings, including the Republican Sanctuary, Capitolium of Brixia, and Roman theatre.

It also has the Monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia, which contains about 11,000 works of art and archaeological finds.

Along with its rich history, Brescia is also full of enchanting landscapes—from several lakes and hills to vineyards and ancient villages; the scenic views make it an ideal choice for hiking enthusiasts and those who would like to enjoy the beauty that the world has to offer.