15 Off-the-Beaten-Path Italian Towns You Need to Visit
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It's hard to go wrong when planning an Italian vacation. But if you're lucky enough to have visited the most popular cities in the country for tourists, like Rome, Venice, and Florence, there's still a whole country of beautiful sights, great food, and dolce vita to enjoy. Here are 15 of our top suggestions.
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Taormina
The stunning resort town of Taormina, on the eastern coast of Sicily, is known for its spectacular views.
Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure, with its lovely beaches, is a good alternative to the ultraexclusive nearby resort town of Portofino.
Forte dei Marmi
Located on the western side of Tuscany, Forte dei Marmi is a popular beach destination for Italians.
Alghero
Alghero, a small city on the island of Sardinia, has a picture-perfect location on the Mediterranean Sea.
Alba
The hillside village of Alba, located in the northwestern region of Italy, is a favorite destination for truffle fans.
Capri
The small island of Capri in Italy's Tyrrhenian Sea is a lovely destination for a few days or a day trip — even New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio couldn't resist Capri's charms.
Syracuse
Syracuse — known as Siracusa to the locals — is a city in Sicily with a rich Greek history, a legacy most apparent on the small island of Ortygia.
Parma
Visiting the town of Parma in Central Italy is a must for anyone who considers themselves a cheese lover.
Bologna
Bologna, home to a large university, is often called Italy's "Red City," a name that comes either from the color of its roofs or its political leanings.
Palermo
Palermo, the largest city on the island of Sicily, is a bustling destination with great food and vintage charm. Technically, Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy, so it functions independently, but it's still intrinsically connected to the country.
Salsomaggiore Terme
Salsomaggiore Terme is a small spa town in Central Italy famed for its waters. The region's mountaintop views should be as widely known.
Bernalda
The town of Bernalda, with its Norman-era Castle of Bernalda, proved so captivating to director Francis Ford Coppola that he established his Palazzo Margherita hotel there.
Turin
Turin, a prosperous city in Northern Italy that is home to numerous auto manufacturers like Fiat and Alfa Romeo, is an essential stop for car aficionados.
Porto Ercole
The small town of Porto Ercole, on Italy's western coast, is known for the iconic Hotel Il Pellicano.
Lecce
The southern town of Lecce is known for its baroque architecture, earning the moniker "Florence of the south."