This article will show you the most beautiful villages in Italy. We could name hundreds of them—that’s how beautiful Italy is—but we decided to pick up a few of the most memorable ones. So, check the article to see if your taste matches ours.
Ostuni in Apulia
Although the whitewashed hilltop village Ostuni in Apulia seems set in southern Spain or on a far-flung Greek island, Ostuni feels distinctly Italian. Its winding streets hold a maze of Italian secrets:
- Historical churches and convents
- Lively squares
- Breathtaking views of the surrounding olive groves and Puglian coast
So, come here to wander in this enchanting white town with the authentic Italian soul. You will see why the visitors are constantly listing it among the most beautiful cities in Apulia.
Sirmione
Sirmione is one of the prettiest small towns in Northern Italy. That’s because it stands at the end of a narrow peninsula in the Southern part of Lake Garda (One of the most beautiful lakes in Italy). Additionally, it’s famous for its charming old town and exclusive resorts with private thermal baths.
Furthermore, we advise you to stroll in the delightful small streets, and you will immediately know why it was one of Maria Callas’ favorites for spending summer vacations.
San Gimignano
Tuscany is one of Italy’s most iconic regions; its jewel is San Gimignano. That’s why it’s a perfect place to escape for a few days and enjoy some homemade pasta, a glass of Tuscan red, and unbeatable sunsets (but beware of tourist crowds in the summer). Even more appealing is that the small village has numerous narrow streets, quaint squares, and 13 centuries-old towers (there used to be 70 such towers). Although the towers are great for photographs, they were built for defense and aggression against noble families within the same region.
Positano
An hour’s drive south of Naples, the cascading village of Positano is one of the jewels of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. In addition, the town has a pleasant beach and cozy restaurants. Still, it can only be truly appreciated when you look at it from a distance. Only then can you realize how the village clings daringly to the mountains and how there are just layers and layers of Moorish-style houses in an upwards sprawl.
Bellagio
Few places are as romantic and picturesque as Lake Como. Even fewer villages are as beautiful as Bellagio. The town is characterized by century-old buildings, stone lanes, and dramatic cobbled stairways with shops showcasing the finest Italian designer wares. That’s why they call it the “Pearl of the Lake.” Ultimately, Bellagio has several world-class hotels and restaurants that provide the perfect place to soak up the best panoramic views of the scenic lake and the towering Alps in the background. So, it is the ideal spot for your next Italy vacation.
Matera
Known as the city of stones, Matera is located in Basilicata, southern Italy. Because of its beauty and uniqueness, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More importantly, Matera is one of the most ancient and beautiful towns in Italy and the world and has served as a backdrop for several Hollywood movies. The village derives much of its fame from the Sassi, ancient cave homes carved directly into the rock of the surrounding hills. The site is impressive!
Corricella, Procida Island
This rainbow-like fishermen’s village on Procida Island is a pastel vision, with its pretty cubic buildings in sun-bleached sorbet coloring tumbling toward a cobalt sea. It is by far the most colorful place you will ever discover. It has an old-school Southern-Italian charm, so it’s no wonder it served as the setting for memorable films like Il Postino (The Postman) and The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Ragusa
All of the Baroque villages in Sicily’s Val di Noto are stunning. Still, Ragusa’s lofty hilltop location makes it one of the most breathtaking, whether wandering the town or spotting it afar. A visit to the Duomo di San Giorgio is a must, and simply exploring the Ragusa on foot, with a camera in hand, is the best way to see the sights.
Pitigliano
The village is located in Tuscany, halfway between Florence and Rome, perched atop a volcanic tufa ridge. Its unmistakable skyline stands out from kilometers away and gives Pitigliano a surreal charm. Due to the longstanding presence of a Jewish community, it is also known as Little Jerusalem (Piccola Gerusalemme).
Morano Calabro
It is a small Parco Nazionale del Pollino (Pollino National Park) gem. Its distinctive appearance has earned it the nickname borgo-presepe (nativity town). The view from afar is jaw-dropping: tiny stone houses rub shoulders on the slopes of the hill, overshadowed by the ruins of Castello Normanno-Svevo (Norman-Swabian Castle).
Castel Gandolfo, Lazio
Known as the Pope’s summer residence, Castel Gandolfo is an elegant stretch of pastel-painted buildings, grand villas, and flower-decked cliffside restaurants overlooking the pristine blue waters of Lake Albano. Its biggest draw is the sumptuous 17th-century Palazzo Apostolico (Papal Palace) with its splendid Barberini Gardens.
Castelmezzano
Perched high amidst the Lucanian Dolomites, the cliffside village of Castelmezzano has everything for an authentic Italian experience. Firstly, excellent regional wines are served in retro village taverns; secondly, fresh food from the surrounding farms and thirty quiet, narrow streets full of history and tradition. Additionally, the village of Castelmezzano is home to the Volo dell’Angelo (“Flight of the Angel”). This spectacular walking path runs along the top of the bluffs and is considered one of Italy’s best hikes.
Manarola
Widely regarded as the most beautiful of the five villages that make up Italy’s Cinque Terre region (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Manarola is a stunning community of brightly colored homes cascading down the rocky slopes between the hills and the Mediterranean. Like most coastal towns in Italy, Manarola boasts delicious regional cuisine and a small beach. Your Italian getaway will be peaceful since access is limited to only one small provincial road.
Portofino
The rich and famous occupy this seductive village on the Italian Riviera every summer. They namely want their slice of la dolce vita. Therefore, the village is dripping in old-world Italian glamour from the romance of its winding pebbled streets to the candy-colored fishermen’s homes turned glitzy boutiques along the harbor.
So, join them for an aperitivo in the famed Piazzetta, take in the splendid scenery with nature walks in the verdant hills around town, or hop on a boat to explore the dramatic Ligurian coast.
Civita di Bagnoregio
The Etruscans founded this challenging hilltop village wrapped in stone in the 7th century BC. You can enter by crossing the steep footbridge. But you won’t find many big sites to visit. Instead, wander the village enjoying the views and indulge in a laid-back lunch.
Orta San Giulio in Piemonte
Orta San Giulio is a quaint town on the little island of Lake Orta in Piemonte. It is among Italy’s prettiest villages.
Despite being the busiest town around Lake Orta, it is still relatively unknown to many tourists.
However, this townlet is a maze of narrow cobbled alleys lined up by old stone walls and colorful buildings, which will amaze you. You can visit Isola San Giulio by taking a ferry and walking around the island.
The conclusion of the article about the most beautiful villages in Italy
Did you like the villages? We’d namely love to read about it. Comment below if you have any other suggestions for which little towns should be on our list.
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