Italy is famous for tourist hotspots such as Rome, Venice or the Amalfi Coast. While these are impressive places to visit, there are uncountable underrated places that not many tourists know about – the hidden gems of Italy. If you want to experience authentic Italian villages instead of crowded resort towns you should definitely check out the places mentioned in this article. This guide to the hidden gems of Italy shows you some of the most beautiful and non touristy places in Italy.
If you have enough time to visit more than just the famous places, go off the beaten path and include some of these beautiful Italian villages to your Italy trip.
Here are 7 hidden gems of Italy that you shouldn’t miss:
Table of Contents
Bomerano, Puglia
The small village Bomerano is located up in the hills of the Amalfi Coast. While famous towns like Positano or Amalfi are bustling with people, Bomerano is rather remote and not many tourists make their way up there. Bomerano is however known among active travelers for being the starting point of the most beautiful hike on the Amalfi Coast: The Path of Gods (Il Sentiero Degli Dei).
The trail leads you towards the coast with stunning views of the surrounding hills, vineyards and the ocean along the way. In the far distance it seems like the sky and the ocean become one and you can’t tell where the ocean ends and where the sky begins.
If you’re a wine-lover, this area is also a great place for you as there are lots of small family-owned wineries near Bomerano. My favorite place for wine was the Agriturismo “Orrido di Pino” in Agerola, about 10 minutes from Bomerano. There you get really good wine for a low price and the views from their terrace are amazing.
Ostuni, Puglia
The town Ostuni features narrow alleys, stairways and lots of white houses. That’s why Ostuni is also called “the white city”. Stroll through its ancient streets and discover restaurants, local artisanry shops and cafés. Follow the stairways up to the top of Ostuni to find a cathedral that overlooks the town.
Some alleys are extremely picturesque, like the one on the photo above. You easily miss them if you don’t pay attention and look around. Walk with your eyes open and explore the hidden paths that almost scream “Take a photo!”. Strolling through Ostuni, I felt like the whole town consists of Instagram-worthy photo spots.
When you’re done exploring the old center of the town, stop for an Aperol Spritz or a coffee in one of the numerous bars in Ostuni. The town also looks lovely in the evening when the lights illuminate the alleys and the white houses.
Gallipoli, Puglia
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track area to explore in Italy, look no further than Puglia, specifically a relatively unknown coastal town in Puglia called Gallipoli. Puglia is a region of Italy in the southeast, known as the heel of the boot. There you can have a more rural, authentic Italian experience. Gallipoli sits on the Ionian Sea, and is made up of two parts: the ‘modern’ city and the old city, which is where you’ll want to spend most of your time. The old city center is a small island connected to the mainland via a 16th century bridge.
There’s not much to do on the mainland, but that changes once you cross the bridge into the old city, a truly hidden gem of Italy. Spend time wandering the perimeter wall, then wind your way through the side streets and alleys. Finally, make your way down a set of stone steps to the long curved beach, called the Spiaggia della Purita. In addition to the beach and wandering through the city center, it’s worth visiting the Castello de Gallipoli and the Baroque cathedral of Sant’Agata.
To eat, enjoy wine and fresh fish carpaccio at La Spingula Wine Bar and then make your way to La Vinaigrette for dinner. Finish your evening with an ice cream cone (they have gluten free cones!) at Martinucci Laboratory. Then head back to the Al Pescatore Hotel & Restaurant, a charming boutique hotel in the old city to spend the night.
Recommended by Jess from Jess Obsessed.
Peschici, Puglia
Tucked away in the province of Foggia, in the Puglia region, you can find another hidden gem of Italy: Peschici.
Peschici is a coastal town famous for being a resort. It’s also located in Gargano National Park, with quick access to some gorgeous hiking trails.
And while most visitors choose to spend here a week or two relaxing under the sun, I visited for other reasons. Specifically, its gorgeous Medieval Castle and the charming Old Town.
The castle is small and does include a dungeon – complete with torture devices and explanations. But the view from the terrace is reason enough to visit this castle. And it won’t take too long, either. Just follow the signs to the castle, and you are going to find the entrance (albeit a bit tucked away under an archway).
Then, just spend some time checking out the narrow streets and whitewashed houses. They are dotted with stores and restaurants. If you are hungry, just follow your nose. The local cuisine is typically Mediterranean, featuring homemade pasta, fresh fish, olive oil, and a lot of vegetables.
A unique tradition in the area is fishing with the so-called ‘Trabucchi‘, a very old system that allows the fishermen to stay in a wooden “house” that is perched on poles. The nets are underneath and they basically “scoop” all the fish. If you inquire in advance you may even be able to see a demonstration – but note that there are only a handful of trabucchi restored to working order.
And if you chose Peschici as a base, why not take a day trip to nearby Vieste, which is only 20 km away. Vieste is another cute town featuring the longest beach on the Gargano Coast, a superb Old Town, and some tasty Italian cuisine.
Recommended by Cris from LooknWalk.
Castiglioncello, Tuscany
One of my favourite hidden gems in Italy is the lesser known coastal town of Castiglioncello, an ancient Etruscan village. This is a perfect way to experience the ‘dolce vita’ along the rocky Tuscan coastline. There’s plenty of sheltered coves, beaches and pools of turquoise water for swimming, snorkelling and fishing, set against a backdrop of red cliffs. Whilst visiting Castiglioncello it seemed to be made up predominantly of local Italian visitors, so it’s much quieter and more relaxed than other more well-known coastal destinations such as the Almafi Coast.
Castiglioncello town centre’s main feature is the Pasquini Castle, which was built in the 1800s, and has become a cultural centre for the town. Exhibitions, theatre, dance and various other activities take place there throughout the year. If visiting in June, you can time your visit with the historic ‘Fish Festival’ and enjoy the best of local, fresh seafood. Make sure you grab dinner at La Baracchina, located right by the sea at Punta Righini with a beautiful fresh sea breeze and a gorgeous backdrop. I tried a selection of raw fish as well as the restaurant’s version of local dish ‘Cacciucco’ – a Tuscan seafood stew served with delicious Tuscan wine from local wineries.
Whilst visiting Castiglioncello, I recommend staying at the traditional Villa Parisi Grand Hotel, which is set on a promontory with direct access to the sea, as well as an outdoor pool for lazing under the Tuscan sun.
Recommended by Jessica Pascoe.
Noto, Sicily
Noto is a little city on the Southeastern coast of Sicily in the Syracuse province. The little town is sleepy in the winter but absolutely buzzing in the summer with Italian tourists. Although the town holds the title of the baroque capital of Sicily and received a UNESCO World Heritage title, it is still relatively unknown to tourists outside of Italy.
The town is small in size and can be visited in a single afternoon by leisurely walking the towns two main arteries Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Cavour. When you are walking through the streets, do not forget to look up. The balconies of many houses are adorned with intricately carved statues. To truly bask in the Sicilian Baroque architecture, go and visit the Noto Cathedral, Palazzo Ducezio and the Palazzo Castelluccio to bask in true Sicilian Baroque architecture.
Noto is not just known for its impressive baroque buildings, it will also conquer the hearts of those with a sweet tooth. You see, Noto is also well known for its almonds and more specifically for the Almond Granita that was featured on the Netflix show Chef’s table. For a mere 2,50 € you will be tasting the best granite of your life, I promise you. Head over to Caffe Siciliano, right opposite the main basilica.
Recommended by Caroline Muller from Veggie Wayfarer.
Mamoiada, Sardinia
Mamoiada is a rural, traditional village in the centre of Sardinia in the Barbagia area. With only 2500 inhabitants, the people are friendly and welcoming. Try the towns Orulettas pastries, Cannonau wine and of course, visit its main attraction- the traditional mask museum.
You can’t miss the Museum of Mediterranean Masks whilst you’re in the village. Arguably, the best attraction in the area, the museum aims to form a cultural link between Mamoiada and other Mediterranean places that share a similar culture through masks and Carnival.
Furthermore, the biggest event in the village’s calendar is on the 16/17th January annually. This event involves deafening parades of the ‘Mamuthones’ who wear black masks and dance through the streets. Bonfires for Sant’Antonio Abate are then lit in the town’s historic quarters. It’s certainly a unique travel experience.
Like many villages in Italy, Mamoiada is simply stunning, with its green pastures, vineyards and bucolic forests. Look out for the old Shepherds’ paths that you can hike or bike on today!
Local vineyards produce traditional Cannonau wine, which they are extremely proud of. There are over 20 wineries producing the wine in the area that would love to have you tour their cantina (wine cellar). You simply can’t beat wine tasting surrounded by the beauty of the heart of Sardinia. This hidden gem of Italy is worth visiting just for the people’s warmth and hospitality.
Recommended by Rachel and Nico from Average Lives.
These 7 hidden gems of Italy are absolutely worth visiting. In case you’re planning a trip to a more famous Italian destination nearby, why not do a day trip to one of these unknown spots? If you seek to go off the beaten track and to explore the hidden gems of Italy, these seven villages are a great alternative.
Do you enjoy visiting less famous villages when you travel? Let me know in the comments!
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