Hidden gems in Italy – off the beaten path from North to South
by Admin
Posted on 10-05-2025 05:01 PM
Up for another outdoor adventure off the beaten path in rome? then grab a bike and head to via appia antica. You can rent bikes anywhere in the city (also simply through the uber app), or head to appia antica café for a snack and then rent mountain bikes right in front of the cafe. That’s obviously the better choice for riding along a cobblestoned ancient street that is over 2,000 years old.
And yes, the large stones are still the original ones. The via appia is a paradise for those seeking non-touristy things to do in rome. Along the street, you can
find
hidden gems such as the catacombs, and old graves and mausoleums.
I can not wait to visit lampedusa, especially after my good friend nicole headed there just before we joined up for our south italy hidden gems road trip. If you have heard of lampedusa before, it likely isn’t as an off the beaten path italy tourist destination but is more likely linked to news reports about refugees. Located in the mediterranean ocean, lampedusa sits halfway between tunisia and malta. With incredibly warm and clear waters around it, and the chance to swim with turtles, dolphins and countless other marine wildlife, the island is indeed a different way to experience italy, from the food influences to the culture is entirely different to the mainland. https://www.italia.it/en
Southern italy and its islands offer a treasure trove of experiences, from sun-kissed beaches to the rich tapestry of cultural and historical landmarks. Venture off the beaten path to discover hidden gems where you can immerse yourself in scenic landscapes, indulge in authentic food and wine, and explore unesco-listed heritage sites away from the summer crowds. https://www.italia.it/en
If you’re visiting the amalfi coast along with pompeii and herculaneum, but you fancy somewhere in italy off the beaten path to escape to afterwards, the cilento coast in southern campania is perfect. Amalfi, as magical as it is, does not have great beaches. Cilento does – lots of sandy ones hidden amid a rugged coastline. There are appealing seaside towns too and the interior offers stunning mountains. Cilento also has ancient ruins to explore – the greek temples at paestum. All of this incredible loveliness is part of the unesco-recognised cilento and vallo di diano national park. There are several towns to consider for a seaside holiday on the cilento coast.
Islands – Sicily and Sardinia
Often overlooked in times gone by, sicily and sardinia have become popular with those in search of sunshine, history and great italian cuisine. Sicily has beautiful, absorbing villages and towns as well as other nearby islands to explore, while beautiful la caprera is a scenic sardinian wildlife sanctuary with shipwrecks and garibaldi’s former home.
Italy is a country that will probably never cease to attract millions of tourists, and it can get quite expensive during the peak summer season. While there are many cheaper alternatives to italy in europe , there's no denying it's a bucket list destination, even with all the crowds in popular cities, like rome, and world-famous islands, like sardinia and sicily. Whether you enjoy standing in line for attractions or not, you do it in italy because you know the result will be worth it. However, what if i told you that you could experience even better places than the myriad of tourist hotspots and avoid lines?.
There are a few regions and times when it’s worth renting a car in italy. Mountain regions like the dolomites in the northern region of italy, where a few of these hidden gem towns are located. More on how to get to the dolomites and all about transportation in the mountains. Islands like sicily and sardinia where the public transport is not great or consistent. When you’re thinking of doing a week-long or longer road trip where the towns and stops are not accessible easily or directly by public transportation, like busses and trains. This is where i check prices for rental cars in italy.
I chose to visit sesto calende while on a trip through italy because i was visiting a friend who lived nearby with his family. He suggested that we stay in sesto calende instead of the smaller village where he’s from because it’s a bit more bustling and there is more to see. This charming town is on the side of lake maggiore , a beautiful lake with walking trails, boating, and even a plane that takes off and lands on the water. Even so, sesto calende remains off the tourist radar and is one of the northern italy’s hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Are you planning a trip to italy and are looking for the best destinations that are off the beaten path in italy? this guide showcases some of the best hidden gems in italy – from puglia to sicily and beyond! we have recruited some other bloggers from around the world to share their favorite lesser-known destinations in italy, as well. Please let us know in the comments what your favorite italy hidden gem is!.
This post may include affiliate links in which we earn a commission, as we are supported by our users. All opinions expressed are always our own and any commissions earned are of no cost to you. Thanks for your support! do you travel to see a main attraction or to come to know a local place? is it a check off your bucket list or a trip to learn something? while there is nothing wrong with either approach, i have found that sometimes the more hidden, off the beaten path, local finds end up displaying the heart of a place most truly.
Ok, so this one may not be a hidden gem as most people have heard about the amalfi coast of italy. For this reason, i would like to highlight the true gems of this region based on my visit there a few years ago. First of all, i suggest starting your trip in naples as it has a major airport and there are many ferries to the amalfi coast and nearby islands. This is what i did during my week-long visit to this area. I flew into and out of naples and took boats, trains, and taxis to get around.