Best 5 of the Most Beautiful Places in Italy

I was always amazed at how many Italians don’t go abroad for their holidays. When I taught English in Rome I used to ask my students why they didn’t visit other countries. They simply replied: “Why would we? We have incredible culture, some of the best beaches in Europe and mountains to go skiing in the winter!” Italy is undoubtedly beautiful and I feel privileged to have spent three years of my life there. It’s a unique country where you are just as likely to find beauty in a quiet cobbled backstreet or a traditional trattoria than in its stunning beaches or extraordinary countryside. Using my experience of living quite a few years in Italy I have compiled a list of twenty places I feel are worth visiting. Some will be obvious, others maybe not so. Here is my personal list of 5 of the best and most beautiful places to visit in Italy (in no particular order)…

1. Calabria – the very pretty sun-soaked “toe” of Italy

In southern Italy, Calabria is part of the land separating the Tyrrhenian Sea from the Ionian Sea and the sun-baked toe of Italy’s boot! Some attractions in Italy can seem like a dressed-up show simply put in place for tourist’s enjoyment, but that is not something you will find in Calabria.

Apart from being among the most epically beautiful places in Italy, this portion of the country is quintessentially Italian. Calabria has lovingly escaped the tourist game to provide an unspoiled and seemingly untouched view of classic Italy. If you want to see Italians as they are, as opposed to a scripted rendition, Calabria is the place to go.

2. Elba Island – a postcard-pretty island off the Tuscan coast and an increasingly popular resort

Just north of the Tuscan Archipelago sits Elba Island, it’s remained a fairly under-the-radar destination in Italy but its an increasingly trendy place to holiday. The gorgeous Italian island is populated by around 30,000 people, but that number significantly increases during its tourist-filled summer months.

Elba Island is located in Italy’s Archipelago Toscano National Park and is also known as the countries third largest island. Sardinia and Sicily are the only larger islands in Italy. Cavo Beach and Spiaggia Delle Tombe are among the most popular and picturesque beaches on Elba Island.

3. Castelmezzano, Basilicata – a small mountain town and one of the finest treasures of Basilicata

Castelmezzano in the Southern region of Basilicata is not just a picturesque, beautiful town with terracotta covered roofs in Italy. It is so much more than that. The city is known for being beautiful, but also a destination spot for adventure seekers looking to zipline through the mountains.

The Flight of the Angel is a unique opportunity to go from one mountain to the next with its final end in Castelmezzano. This high flying attraction allows you to get a bird’s eye view of the city and the landscape surrounding it. A visit to Castelmezzano is something that should not be missed on your tour of Italy!

4. Lake Orta – a wonderful Italian lake and an under-the-radar Italian gem

Lake Garda and Como are the most famous beautiful lakes in Italy, but if you are the type of person who wants more relaxation than simply a tourist ridden destination, Lake Orta is the place to go.

This is the lake where locals tend to gravitate when they need to recharge. At the center of Lake Orta is a small island, Isola San Giulio which is home to a century-old monastery and basilica. Taking a ferry out to the island and soak up the wonderful and tranquil atmosphere!

5. Ischia Island – a stunning volcanic island and resort known for its mineral-rich thermal waters

Located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Ischia Island is one of the many volcanically formed islands. Located about 30 km from Naples, tourists travel to this unbelievably beautiful island as it is the largest of the Phlegreen Islands in Italy. To get out to Ischia Island, visitors must take a ferry.

There are actually two ferries that bring people to the island. One takes 1.5 hours while the other is just one hour travel time, so choose the right one for your needs. Once there, you can enjoy the illustrious beauty of this island and maybe even enjoy some cliff diving if you are adventurous enough.