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Looking for the best cities to visit in Italy to discover the real hidden gems beyond Rome, Florence, and Venice? We've spent years exploring Italy's hidden corners and lesser-known treasures, and we're excited to share some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path Italian cities and villages that most tourists miss.
What makes these the best cities to visit in Italy?
In contrast to the tourist-swarmed famous cities of Italy, these Italian cities are where you'll find locals gathering for aperitivo, artisans practicing centuries-old crafts, kids playing soccer in the piazzas, and an atmosphere that hasn't changed much since the Renaissance. What's even better? Many of these spots are easily accessible from major destinations, making them perfect additions to your Italian itinerary. From medieval hilltop towns to coastal fishing villages, here are some of the best off-the-beaten-path cities to visit in Italy that you won't find in most guidebooks.
Top 9 Best Cities to Visit in Italy
Italian Cities: Orta San Giulio
The charm and lakefront scenery are what make Orta San Giulio one of the best off-the-beaten-path town to visit in Italy. While most opt for Lake Maggiore or Como, those who prefer a quieter, less touristy (and less expensive) vacation head to Lake Orta, where Orta San Giulio is the crown jewel. Besides, you can take a day trip to Lake Como to see what the buzz is about– then return “home” to sweet little Orta San Giulio which, in contrast to Lake Como, you’ll feel like you have all to yourself and a handful of other visitors. You’ll love the cobblestone lanes and gorgeous villas with their flowering gardens overlooking the lake where there’s a mysterious island monastery you can take a water taxi to. But your go-to activity will most certainly be sitting at one of the local cafes in the main square, with a glass of local wine and the sun setting over the lake before you.
Come here to relax, unwind, and have an unhurried vacation where you can explore at your own pace and won’t feel the pressure to rush around checking off a bunch of iconic but crowded sites.
Pro Tip: If you’re exploring around the lake, be sure to stop in Mergozzo to try their traditional “la fugascina” cookies!
Want to know what you should eat wherever you go in Italy? Check out our free guide!
Bonus Pro Tip: Another reason Orta San Giulio is one of the best off-the-beaten-path cities to visit in Italy is because it allows you to easily double up on two different types of destinations. You’ll have the pretty lake scenery right there, but just an hour away you’ll have the Alps where you can experience an entirely different atmosphere and culture! And if you want to get technical, you have third option if you head south into the vineyards of Le Langhe.
Italian Cities: Castellammare del Golfo
If it’s southern Italian cities you’re interested in, Castellammare del Golfo is a photo-worthy fishing town in Sicily that our guests consistently fall in love with. There's an Arab-Norman castle from the year 1154 right on the water (the name literally means "castle by the sea"), and the harbor below is always bustling with fishing boats bringing in the catch of the day.
We use it as a base for our Scenic Sicily tours since it's perfectly positioned near Palermo, Trapani, and the gorgeous Zingaro Nature Reserve (don’t sleep on that last one!).
Pro Tip: Visit Zingaro Nature Reserve with a hiking guide who can bring you on the best trail, stop to rest on unbelievably gorgeous beaches, and explain the flora and fauna. What’s better than getting to hang out with a local for a few hours in nature?
Italian Cities: Barga
We love introducing people to Barga– most definitely one of Italy’s best-kept secret villages to visit! This quirky hilltop Tuscan town with surprising Scottish connections is tucked away in the lesser-known Garfagnana region, surrounded by dramatic mountains and nearly-abandoned stone villages (where your $ really matters!).
We recommend planning your visit to coincide with their fantastic jazz festival or the “Piazzette” festival with a different music group playing in each of their many little squares throughout the town and street food vendors in between. SO much fun! It's just an hour from Lucca, but feels like a world away.
Pro Tip: Grab our Self-Drive Itinerary & Guide to the Garfagnana Valley! It’s made for people like you who love discovering their own little unknown corner of Italy but don’t want to miss anything. We’ve made it easy to get the most of your time there, from local events to what and where to eat to suggested itineraries that hit all the best gems and more! You can grab it here.
Italian Cities: Scarperia
Some people are looking for the best off the beaten path cities to visit in Italy because they want to better connect with Italian craftsmanship beyond shopping the markets in the main cities. In that case, we recommend Scarperia, where they've been making handmade knives and cutting tools since medieval times. We can arrange fascinating knife-making workshops with local artisans, and our guided tours of the knife museum in the main palace are always a highlight. Speaking of the palace, it’s almost like a mini-castle, with crenulated walls and hundreds of family crests plastered all over the facade.
It's a perfect addition to our Florence itineraries, and for our motorsport enthusiasts, we can combine it with a visit to the nearby Mugello Circuit where they hold the Italian MotoGP.
Pro Tip: We wouldn’t recommend just heading to Scarperia with no plan in place. It’s tiny and you’d blow through it in 10 minutes. It’s really the experiences that can be had there in Scarperia as well as the surrounding area that make it worth the visit. By the way, this is the area we explore on our Living Slow in Tuscany small group trip every October. Think truffle hunting, wine tasting at a gorgeous winery, or a workshop with a master craftsman to make your own leather wallet– all in off the beaten path places where you’ll be amongst locals, not tourists. Get in touch to find out how you can add these experiences to your itinerary!
Italian Cities: Bassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa is one of our favorite off the beaten path cities in the Veneto region of Italy. This beautiful city has the most picturesque wooden bridge you'll ever see, and yes, it's the birthplace of grappa (a type of [STRONG] Italian brandy made from grape seeds, stems, and skins)! We love recommending a visit here from Venice (it's just an hour away). It has such a unique atmosphere, perfectly combining that elegant Venetian style with a relaxed mountain town vibe.
Pro Tip: We highly recommend a sunset walk across the famous bridge, followed by a grappa tasting at one of our favorite historic distilleries, before joining the locals for a passeggiata (evening stroll) to the main square.
Italian Cities: Monte Sant’Angelo
Monte Sant'Angelo is one off the beaten path city that never fails to amaze our guests! This whitewashed town perched high in Puglia's Gargano peninsula houses one of Italy's most incredible sacred sites– a shrine to Saint Michael underground in a cave. The cave-shrine here has been attracting pilgrims for centuries, and we always make sure our groups experience the magical descent into the candlelit cave.
Above ground, you’ll find a long street curving through the town where locals stroll, pausing at the panoramic view at the end where you can see over tile rooftops, mountains and all the way to the Adriatic sea. It's a bit off the usual tourist trail (outside of religious pilgrims, which is exactly why we love including it in our Puglia tours.
Pro Tip: It’s worth hiring a local guide to visit the castle hovering above town. On our Secrets of Southern Italy small group trip, we have a guide show us around and introduce our guests to some of our favorite local characters! Oh– and don’t miss the opportunity to eat at Ristorante Medioevo, every single dish is absolutely delicious!
Italian Cities: Scanno
Scanno is an undeniable gem we had to include in our off the beaten path picks of central Italian cities. This perfectly preserved medieval town in the forgotten region of Abruzzo sits near the most photogenic heart-shaped lake you can imagine. We often catch glimpses of local women in traditional dress, and we take our guests to meet the artisans still creating beautiful handmade lace and jewelry.
Scanno is a city that truly feels like stepping back in time, surrounded by the somewhat mysterious atmosphere of the mountains. It’s such a treat to just wander and get lost taking pictures of every corner! In winter, you can go skiing nearby, while in summer, you can immerse yourself in lake picnics, swimming trips, and hiking excursions.
Pro Tip: Check out our blog post, Best Towns in Abruzzo for more tips on where to go in that unexplored region– there are so many amazing hidden gems!
Italian Cities: Modica
The Sicilian city of Modica is pure baroque magic– we love watching our guests' faces when they first see this Sicilian town built dramatically up the sides of a deep valley, especially when it's lit up at night. But what really makes our visits special is the chocolate! We've arranged exclusive tastings at traditional chocolate workshops where they still use an ancient Aztec recipe brought over by the Spanish. Such fascinating and unexpected history!
It also has a vibrant local culture– young people come here on weekends to hear live music, have some drinks, or attend artistic events. Modica is conveniently located near other baroque towns like Ragusa, Noto, and our other favorite– Scicli. You can easily add on beach excursions since the coast is just a short drive away.
Pro Tip(s): 1) Don’t drive here. 2) Get a guided tour your first day to help you navigate the maze-like streets and learn the history. And 3) Head to Convivio for dinner, where so much care is put into the selection of every ingredient and process to deliver the most delicious, high-quality dishes.
We love hooking our travelers up with the owner and chef, Salvo, who accompanies them to the farm where he sources his cheese. They’ll see how mozzarella or ricotta is made, then share a picnic lunch together and meet back up in the evening to be dazzled at his restaurant. Get in touch to add this to your itinerary!
Best Cities to Visit in Italy: Travelling Tips
One thing that is most definitely true about visiting off the beaten path cities in Italy, is that it takes a little more planning to be sure you have a great experience. You can expect less English to be spoken, so studying Italian ahead of time or having a local guide can help you hop that hurdle. (But there’s always Google Translate!) We've found locals are incredibly welcoming to visitors who make an effort with basic Italian phrases, and many restaurants are happy to help you navigate their menus with a mix of pointing, simple English, and enthusiastic hand gestures.
You can also expect to find less information readily available in English online, making it difficult to learn about the place and to know what activities and sights you shouldn’t miss. That’s where it’s beneficial to work with a company that specializes in off the beaten path Italian travel, like Creative Edge Travel.
We have on-the-ground knowledge and can tell you where to go, who to meet, and whose home to dine in! The difference is getting to go inside the workshop where they’re handpainting ceramics and chat with the artisans about how they learned and what the colors symbolize, rather than just pressing your nose against a storefront window that’s also closed because you forgot to think about siesta time. (This has happened to every traveler at some point!)
These smaller towns and villages operate on a different rhythm than major cities, so we highly recommend planning around their "pausa" (afternoon break) when many shops and restaurants close from around 1:00-4:00 PM. Consider basing yourself in one of these towns for at least 2-3 nights rather than rushing through as a day trip– this gives you time to discover local markets, shops, and evening events that many day-trippers miss.
Most of these places are best explored by foot, so pack comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for hills and cobblestones. Public transportation can be limited in smaller towns, so either rent a car (particularly useful for places like Scanno and Monte Sant'Angelo) or research bus and train schedules carefully in advance– though some cities like Bassano del Grappa are well-connected to major cities by rail. For the best experience, try to time your visits around local festivals or food seasons– like Scarperia’s flower festival in May, Barga's jazz festival in summer, or Modica's chocolate events in fall and winter.
Now that we’ve shared some of the best off the beaten path cities to visit in Italy, we’re curious– which one is going straight to the top of your list? Tell us in the comments and get in touch if you want a little help creating an itinerary full of amazing hidden gems and unforgettable experiences with locals– we’ve got you!
Italy is famous for its tourist gems, but off the beaten track there are incredible towns with unique atmospheres. Among them are charming Urbino with its Renaissance architecture, laid-back Lucca with its historic walls, and Alberobello, famous for its trulli houses. Other towns like Asti, famous for its wine and Palio festival, or Tropea with its stunning beaches, offer unforgettable experiences. For those looking to add variety to their travels or simply find ways to relax, it is worth considering apps like Baji App, which offers interesting leisure options. Find out more about the benefits of installing it in this review: https://kfplanet.com/en/what-are-the-benefits-of-installing-the-official-baji-app-in-bangladesh/. By visiting lesser-known cities in Italy, you will discover the country from a completely new perspective