Vista vs. veduta
In Italian, both vista and veduta can be translated as view in English, but they carry different nuances. The word vista is the most common, everyday term used to describe what you can see from a specific place. On the other hand, the word veduta is a more formal and descriptive term, often used to emphasize a wide, picturesque panorama or a landscape that looks like a work of art.
Vista
The word vista is the standard, everyday noun used to describe the scenery or physical view seen from a particular location, such as a window, a balcony, or a viewpoint.
Ho prenotato una camera con vista sul mare per le nostre vacanze.
(I booked a room with a view of the sea for our vacation.)
La vista dalla cima della montagna è assolutamente mozzafiato.
(The view from the top of the mountain is absolutely breathtaking.)
Purtroppo il nuovo edificio blocca la nostra vista del parco.
(Unfortunately the new building blocks our view of the park.)
Questo appartamento al decimo piano ha una bellissima vista sulla città.
(This tenth-floor apartment has a beautiful view over the city.)
Ci siamo fermati al lato della strada per ammirare la vista.
(We stopped at the side of the road to admire the view.)
Veduta
The word veduta is a more formal and elevated term that refers to an expansive, scenic panorama, often implying that the landscape is picturesque enough to be captured in a painting or a photograph.
Il castello medievale offre una splendida veduta della vallata sottostante.
(The medieval castle offers a splendid view of the valley below.)
Nel museo è esposta una famosa veduta di Venezia del diciottesimo secolo.
(A famous eighteenth-century view of Venice is displayed in the museum.)
Abbiamo scattato moltissime foto della veduta panoramica dal campanile.
(We took many photos of the panoramic view from the bell tower.)
La villa storica è rinomata per le sue ampie vedute sulle colline toscane.
(The historic villa is renowned for its sweeping views of the Tuscan hills.)
Ho comprato una cartolina che mostra una pittoresca veduta del porto.
(I bought a postcard showing a picturesque view of the harbor.)
Summary
To summarize, you should use vista for ordinary, everyday contexts like asking for a hotel room with a view or describing what is outside your window. You should choose veduta when you want to sound more formal or when describing a grand, sweeping, or artistic panorama.