Paesaggio vs. panorama
While both paesaggio and panorama translate to landscape or scenery in English, they emphasize different aspects of an area. The word paesaggio refers to the physical environment, the geographical characteristics of the land itself, or an artistic depiction of nature. On the other hand, panorama describes a wide, sweeping view of an area as seen from a specific vantage point.
Paesaggio
The word paesaggio refers to the actual physical features of an area of land, the general natural or urban environment, or a painting depicting a natural scene.
Il paesaggio toscano è famoso in tutto il mondo per le sue dolci colline.
(The Tuscan landscape is famous all over the world for its rolling hills.)
L'artista ha dipinto un bellissimo paesaggio invernale usando solo colori freddi.
(The artist painted a beautiful winter landscape using only cold colors.)
L'espansione industriale della città ha rovinato per sempre il paesaggio naturale.
(The industrial expansion of the city ruined the natural scenery forever.)
La fitta nebbia ha trasformato il paesaggio in una scena quasi surreale.
(The thick fog transformed the landscape into an almost surreal scene.)
In questa regione è possibile osservare un paesaggio montuoso molto aspro.
(In this region it is possible to observe a very rugged mountainous landscape.)
Panorama
The word panorama refers to an unbroken, expansive view of a landscape or scenery, usually observed from a specific location such as a balcony, a window, or a mountaintop.
Dalla cima della montagna si gode di un panorama mozzafiato su tutta la valle.
(From the top of the mountain you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the entire valley.)
Abbiamo prenotato una stanza d'albergo con un fantastico panorama sul mare.
(We booked a hotel room with a fantastic panorama of the sea.)
Ci siamo fermati al lato della strada per ammirare il panorama e scattare foto.
(We stopped at the side of the road to admire the scenery and take photos.)
Purtroppo il nuovo palazzo ostruisce il panorama che avevamo dalla finestra.
(Unfortunately the new building obstructs the view we had from the window.)
La terrazza del ristorante offre un panorama spettacolare della città al tramonto.
(The restaurant's terrace offers spectacular scenery of the city at sunset.)
Summary
To choose the correct word, consider your focus. Use paesaggio when you are talking about the land, the geographical environment itself, or a piece of art depicting nature. Use panorama when you are talking about the visual experience of looking out at a wide, beautiful view from a specific spot.