Italy is filled with famous and iconic landmarks that see millions of visitors every day and while those are definitely worth a visit, you may be looking for some hidden gems in this incredible country that are equally worth visiting but may not be as crowded or obvious as the others. If you’re looking for places to add to your itinerary that are off the beaten path, these ten incredible hidden gems in Italy are worth checking out.
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1. The Hot Springs of Saturnia
Saturnia is a small town in the Maremma region of Italy that is known for its incredibly blue water hot springs. The water of the springs has long been said to have healing properties and is well worth the visit. It’s just about a two hour drive from Siena or a three hour drive from Rome and you could easily rent a car in either one of those cities and make a day trip there. It’s recommended to stay overnight though, so you can truly experience the serenity of these beautiful springs.
2. Passo Gardena
The Passo Gardena, or the Gardena Pass, is a breathtaking pass through the Western Dolomites. It’s located in the province of South Tyrol in northeastern Italy and is a beautiful place to visit throughout the year. It’s a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy scenic overlooks or hikes. If you’re able to visit during the winter months you’ll be able to enjoy the views of the snow-capped peaks and participate in skiing or other winter sports. In fact, the Men’s World Cup alpine ski races are held in mid-December on either side of the pass so you know the ski trails you can experience here are world-class.
3. Procida
Because of its proximity to Capri, the island of Procida is frequently overlooked by tourists but it’s well worth a visit. In comparison to the more well-known islands, Procida exudes a more welcoming atmosphere. If you’re interested in visiting this charming fishing village, you can take a ferry from Naples which takes roughly a half hour. Once you arrive, you’ll be able to admire the brightly colored buildings in various hues while you explore and immerse yourself in this small village. The view over Marina di Corricella is one of the highlights of the area, but make sure you spend at least one or two nights visiting Procida so you can experience everything it has to offer.
4. Civita Di Bagnoregio
The suburb of Civita Di Bagnoregio is a suburb of Bagnoregio. It’s only accessible via a small footbridge and is noted for its stunning location overlooking the Tiber river valley. Although this town is magical and safe to visit, its location has caused issues due to erosion and potential foundational instability. Due to this, Civita Di Bagnoregio is known as “The Dying City.” Although it’s not in imminent danger of disappearing anytime soon, visiting the town and seeing it as it is today is a worthwhile experience as its appearance may change in the future thanks to the erosion.
5. San Fruttuoso
This tiny town on the Italian Riviera is home to the area’s largest beach town. Take a stroll along its pebbled sand and marvel at the crystal-clear waters of its famous beach. Follow the small tunnel path to the main streets of the town. To get to the other side of the tunnel, there are also narrow stairs. San Fruttuoso Abbey is steeped in history. This historic site has it all, from a pirate den to a palace. The beach is exclusive and can only be reached by ferry from Portofino. It’s as simple as walking or taking a boat to get there.
6. Brisighella
The small commune of Brisighella is located in the Ravenna province of northeastern Italy. Known for its stunning panoramic views, beautiful churches, impressive castles, and other architectural marvels, this town is worth a one or two night stay. There are also a number of well-known clock towers in the area as well as numerous viewpoints along the way that provide breathtaking views of Brisighella and the surrounding hills. There are several hiking trails in the area which will provide you with stunning views and an exciting opportunity to experience the countryside.
7. Alberobello
The small town of Alberobello is known for its trulli buildings. These white round structures that are topped with grey conical roofs were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 and have been one of the main draws of the region. You can visit Alberobello today to see these structures in person and you can even step inside some of them as they have been converted into museums or are simply noted as unique trullos. For example, the Trullo Siamese is the only one that has two centrally joined domes.
8. Rapallo
Rapallo is a small town on the Italian Riviera. If you want to visit a relaxing seaside town that is similar to a resort, this is the place to go. There are many places within Rapallo where you can grab a delicious seafood meal and enjoy it while soaking in the ambiance that the town offers. The buildings are notable for their vibrant colors and unique designs.
9. Matera
Matera is a village in the Italian region of Basilicata. It is well known for its unique cave-like structures that are made from limestone. Once an ancient settlement in Jordan, Matera has been continuously inhabited for more than 30,000 years. One of the most incredible places to visit in Matera is the ancient town of Sassi di Matera, whose dwellings are thought to be some of the first in what is now Italy. This ancient area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
10. Castelluccio, Umbria
The village of Castellucio in Umbria is a picturesque small town that is home to just over 150 inhabitants. It is one of the highest settlements in the Apennines and you can enjoy stunning views not only from the village but along the road you must take to reach it. The plains that surround the town are notable for the bright flowers that bloom every spring that blanket the region in lentils, poppies, daisies, wild orchids, and more. The larger area that surrounds Castelluccio is dotted with small villages, medieval castles and abbeys, and other points of interest that you can explore when you visit.
Video Guide: 10 Hidden Gems in Italy
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Italy
To make planning your trip to Italy easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuroRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to the best hidden gems in Italy?
Planning and looking for the best hidden gems in Italy to visit? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a special trip to underrated places and hidden gems in Italy are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations.
To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.
