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Best hidden gems in Italy
Best hidden gems in Italy

The 15 Best Hidden Gems in Italy

Discover the 15 Best Hidden Gems in Italy. The most amazing Secret Spots in Italy and Off the Beaten Path Destinations in Italy await you.

 

If you want to get off the beaten track and discover the most beautiful secret destinations of Italy come explore the islands of Procida or Burano.  Leave the big cities and dive into history by visiting the medieval village of Castelmezzano built in the mountains.

 

Get ready to be dazzled by the beauty of these unusual places, these secret destinations.

 

Book your flights and accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Italy and discover the Best Hidden Gems in Italy.

 

Need more inspiration? Discover the Most Beautiful Beaches of ItalyBest Natural Wonders in ItalyBest Ski Resorts in ItalyBest Christmas Markets in ItalyBest Places to Visit in Italy.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Bogliasco Copyright  pixelliebe  - European Best Destinations
© pixelliebe

1. Bogliasco

Liguria

Bogliasco is one of the most beautiful secret destinations in Italy. Located just 40 minutes’ drive from Genoa Airport (50 minutes by train), Bogliasco is a postcard destination with sun, blue sea and colorful houses.

 

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to enjoy the charm of this small town.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Genova Airport (40 min by car).

 

Where to stay: Book your apartment in the historical center of Bogliasco and enjoy a holiday at the best price in one of the best kept secrets of Italy. 

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Sirmione Copyright  xbrchx  - European Best Destinations
xbrchx

2. Sirmione

Lombardia

Sirmione is a dream, Sirmione is a real pleasure for the eyes, Sirmione is the icing on the cake of Lombardy. Sirmione is also one of the Best Hidden Gems in Italy.

 

The castle is open to the public every day of the week except Mondays.

 

This 12th century medieval castle is one of the city’s landmarks. Located only 1 hour drive from Milan-Bergamo airport (2 hours by train), Sirmione is one of the most beautiful secret destinations in Italy.

 

Stroll through the castle’s dungeons and the tower and enjoy magnificent views of the beautiful city of Sirmione.

 

Book flights to Milan-Bergamo, your hotel at the best price and your tours and activities in Sirmione, such as a "From Milan: Full-day coach to Verona and Lake Garda".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Milan Bergamo Airport (2h by car).

 

Where to stay: "Olivi Hotel & Natural Spa". Surrounded by olives groves on the Sirmione Peninsula.

 

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Burano Copyright  Adisa- European Best Destinations
©Adisa

3. Burano

Venetia

This year discover Burano, one of the Best Off the Beaten Path Destinations in Italy.

 

Unless you have lived in a cave since birth you obviously know the city of Venice. The city shares the title of capital of lovers with Verona, Paris, Rome, and Bruges.

 

Venice is not the only island in the region of Venetia as there are over 100 islands. Some are wild and uninhabited and others are just as beautiful as Venice.

 

During your stay in Venice, treat yourself to an unforgettable excursion among our best things to do in Venice. Explore Burano Island and photograph in front of the colorful fishermen's houses.

 

Book your flights to Venice as well as your hotel at the best price and your tours and activities in Venice, such as  a "Murano and Burano Islands Venice half-day tour". 

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Venice. 

 

Where to stay: "Casa Burano" decorated by a local artist. "Waaaouw" effect guaranteed!

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy  - Copyright Canadastock - European Best Destinations
©Canadastock

4. Vernazza 

Cinque Terre - Liguria

Located one and a half hour from Genoa airport and La Spezia airport, Vernazza is one of the jewels of tourism in Italy.

 

Vernazza is one of the municipalities that make up the Cinque Terre if not best secret destinations in Italy, one of it's most beautiful gems.

 

What makes the village so successful? Probably the fishermen’s colorful houses, the vineyards that surround Vernazza and its crystal clear blue waters.

 

Book your flights to Genoa (1h30 by car) and your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Cinque-Terre, such as a "Cinque Terre boat cruise with appetizer and lunch".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Genoa Airport (1H30 by car).

 

Where to stay: Book your room at the "MaDa Charm Apartment Jacuzzi" and enjoy a terrace overlooking the sea.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Bagnoregio Copyright  ermess - European Best Destinations
©ermess

5. Bagnoregio

Lazio

Bagnoregio, this beautiful village perched on a hill, is one of the best hidden gems in Italy.

 

Come to discover this small town of 3500 inhabitants, its medieval village, its craftsmen and taste the best of the local gastronomy.

 

Book your flights to Rome (1h30 by car) as well as your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Italy, such as a "From Rome: Full-day Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio Tour".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Rome (1H30 by car).

 

Where to stay: "Il Palazzetto". Perfect for a 2-night stay.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Alberobello, Puglia, Italy - Copyright  thegrimfandango
© thegrimfandango

6. Alberobello

Puglia

Have you heard of Trullis before with its little houses in white stones recognizable by their pointed roofs?

 

To discover these incredible houses you have to go to the Apulia region in the south of Italy.

 

Located an hour's drive from Bari Airport (two hours by train), Alberobello is one of the Best Hidden Gems in Italy.

 

Book your flights to Bari as well as your accommodation in Alberobello at the best price and your tours and activities in Puglia, such as an "Alberobello's Trulli: 2-hour guided walking tour".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Bari Airport (1h by car).

 

Where to stay: "Trulli Anti" considered the best place for a stay in Alberobello.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Castelmezzano Copyright Stefano_Valeri - European Best Destinations
©Stefano_Valeri

7. Castelmezzano

Basilicata

This village of less than 1000 inhabitants is part of the official ranking of "Most Beautiful Villages of Italy".

 

You will fall in love with this village that seems to have been built inside the mountain.

 

Located in southern Italy, a two-hour drive from Bari Airport and Naples Airport, Castelmezzano is a perfect destination for an afternoon excursion or even for a few nights away from the tumult of big cities.

 

Book your flights to Naples (2h by car) or Bari and your accommodation in Castelmezzano at the best price and your tours and activities in Basilicata, such as a "2-hour tour of Castlemezzano".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Naples Airport (2h by car).

 

Where to stay: "B&B L'Arenaria", featuring mountain views.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Portovenere Copyright  canadastock - European Best Destinations
©canadastock

8. Portovenere

Liguria

Only an hour's drive from Portofino and a 1.5 hour drive from Genova airport, Portovenere is one of the best kept secret destinations of Italy.

 

It is part of the municipalities grouped under the name "Cinque Terre" and is classified by UNESCO.

 

Do you need other arguments to visit Portovenere? It is a perfect destination to rest away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Discover its natural park, its churches and castle without forgetting its restaurants!

 

Book your flights to Genova (1h30 by car) as well as your accommodation at the best price in Portovenere and your tours and activities in Liguria, such as a "Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Genova (1h30 by car).

 

Where to stay: "L' Incanto di Venere". Located in the best rated area in Portovenere.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Positano - Copyright ronnybas- European Best Destinations
©Ronnybas

9. Positano

Campania

Positano is travellers’favourite destination for their honeymoon in Europe.

 

Positano is also one of the Best Hidden Gems in Italy. Positano is a jewel, a unique destination in the world.

 

Located an hour from Naples and 20 minutes from Sorrento, Positano was, so the legend goes, founded by the god of the sea, Neptune to please a nymph.

 

Book your flights to Naples as well as your accommodation at the best price in Positano and your tours and activities in Positano, such as the "Amalfi coast experience: full-day tour from Naples".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Naples.

 

Where to stay: "Alcione Residence" with panoramic views of the sea.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Isola Bella I- Lake Maggiore Copyright Olgysha - European Best Destinations
©Olgysha

10. Isola Bella

Stresa - Piedmont

Located on Lake Maggiore, just 1 hour (by car or train) from Milan, Isola Bella is one of the most beautiful and small islands in Italy. Only 99 inhabitants live on this true paradise on earth.

 

On the island you can admire the beauty of the gardens of the palace Borromeo.

 

This small island is accessible by ferry from the nearby town of Stresa.

 

Book your flights to Milan as well as your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Piedmont.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Milan.

 

Where to stay: "Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées".

 


Best hidden gems in Europe - Procida Island copyright  IgorZh  - European Best Destinations
©IgorZh

11. Procida Island

Campania

Procida Island is probably the most colourful and most secret Italian island. Located in southern Italy in the Campania region, Procida Island faces the island of Ischia.

 

Book your flights to Naples airport, take a taxi or bus (Alibus) to the port of Naples, the port of "Molo Beverello". 

 

From there many ferries leave daily for the island of Ischia and the island of Procida.

 

You are a movie buff? Take a stroll on the island and discover the setting for the movie "The Talented Mr Ripley", Procida Island is ranked among the Best Film Locations in Europe.

 

Book your flights to Naples as well as your accommodation at the best price in Naples or on the island of Procida.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Naples (+ Ferry to Procida).

 

Where to stay: "Insula Boutique Hotel". 700 metres from the beach.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Portofino Copyright  Pavel L Photo and Video - European Best Destinations
©Pavel L Photo and Video

12. Portofino

Liguria

Did you know that Portofino is Silvester Stallone's favourite destination? His family is native to the region.

 

The muscles of its illustrious inhabitants aside, Portofino offers clear waters, sublime villas and exceptional flora and fauna.

 

Portofino is not only one of the Best Hiddden Gems in Italy, it is also ranked among the most romantic destinations in Europe but also among the best destinations for a honeymoon in Europe.

 

This ancient fishing village, one hour from Genova airport, is obviously one of the Best Secret Places to Visit in Italy.

 

Book your flights to Genova  (50 min by car) as well as your accommodation in Portofino and your tours and activities in Portofino, such as a "Portofino Kayak - Snorkeling Tour + Natural Wine Tasting".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Genova (50 min by car).

 

Where to stay: One of our favourite hotels in Portofino is "Hotel Piccolo Portofino".

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Saturnia copyright  Shaiith - European Best Destinations
© Shaiith

13. Saturnia

Tuscany

Ranked among the best thermal destinations in Europe, Saturnia is also one of the best hidden gems of Italy.

 

This beautiful Tuscan destination has been known since ancient times for the benefits of its thermal waters.

 

There are many private baths in Saturnia and you can enjoy the benefits of its thermal waters for free at different locations in Saturnia. This is the case for the "Cascata del Mulino" that you see in this picture.

 

Book your flights to Roma Fiumicino airport (2h by car) as well as your accommodation at the best price in Saturnia and your tours and activities in Tuscany, such as a "Pisa: Best Instagram Spots Guided Tour".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Roma Airport (2h by car).

 

Where to stay: Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at "Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort".

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Tropea
©mRGB

14. Tropea

Calabria

This small town of Calabria, Tropea, is known for the church of Santa Maria dell Isola.

 

Built on a rock, this church overlooks the sea and the beach of Tropea. The latter is beautiful and is ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Italy.

 

You have a thousand reasons to visit Calabria, one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. The sun shines 300 days a year, the sky and the sea are more often blue than gray, the hotels are affordable and there are incredible restaurants.

 

Book your flights to Lamezia Terme airport and your hotel, guesthouse or apartment in Tropea and your tours and activities in Tropea, such as a “Stromboli by night: 8-hour tour from Tropea”.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Lamezia Terme Airport (1h by car).

 

Where to stay: "Hotel Roca Della Senna". Featuring a hot tub overlooking the islands.

 


Best hidden gems in Italy - Vieste in Puglia
©Vadym Lavra

15. Vieste

Puglia

Vieste is a small town built on rocky slopes. This beautiful destination in Puglia, southern Italy, is accessible by car or train from Bari airport (2 hours).

 

Located near one of the most beautiful beaches of Italy, Vieste is a perfect destination for a holiday in the heart of southern Italy in one of the Best Secret Destinations in Italy.

 

Book your flights to Bari as well as your accommodation at the best price in Vieste and your tours and activities in Puglia such as a "Traditional home cooking class".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Bari (2h by car) or Fogia (1h30).

 

Where to stay: If you want to stay in Vieste we recommend the "Al Castello Relais".

 


 

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