22 Breathtakingly Beautiful Villages in Italy to Explore - Scenic Hunter

Italy is a country full of hidden treasures, including some of the most beautiful villages in the world. From cobbled streets to historic squares, these villages are a concentration of history, art and culture.

In this post we will show you our personal ranking of the 22 most beautiful villages in Italy, each with its own uniqueness and beauty, which makes it special. 

Whether you are a lover of history, art or nature, there will surely be a village on this list that will leave you breathless.

#1 Matera, Basilicata

Matera, Basilicata known as the city of stones, is an ancient rock settlement carved into the rock. It is known for its historic center characterized by the famous stone districts and quarries, which make it unique in the world. The historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Matera is also famous for its gastronomy, which offers delicacies such as Matera bread, orecchiette, Aglianico del Vulture wine and crusco pepper.

#2 Manarola, Liguria

Manarola, Liguria is a small fishing village in the province of La Spezia. It is one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO heritage site, and offers a suggestive and romantic atmosphere thanks to its colorful houses and crystal clear sea.

The city is famous for its production of dry white wine and its traditional cuisine based on fresh fish.

#3 Montepulciano, Tuscany

Montepulciano, Tuscany a fortified medieval village located in the hills of the Val d'Orcia, famous for its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one of the most renowned wines of Italy. The historic center of the city is located on a hill and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Tuscan countryside.

Montepulciano is also a city of art, with numerous Renaissance and medieval palaces and churches, such as the Church of San Biagio and the Palazzo Comunale.

#4 Polignano a Mare, Puglia 

Polignano a Mare, Puglia a charming coastal village set on a limestone cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It is famous for its natural beauty and historic architecture.

The main tourist attractions of the city are the Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the statue of Domenico Modugno and the Roman bridge Lama Monachile, which offers a breathtaking view of the coast. Polignano is also known for its typical cuisine, such as fried panzerotti and spaghetti with clams.

#5 Orvieto, Umbria

Orvieto, Umbria is a city famous for its medieval architecture and its panoramic position on a hill of volcanic tufa. The city is famous for its Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and for the production of white wine, Orvieto Classico, thanks to its privileged position on top of a volcanic hill.

The city is also famous for its gastronomy, with typical dishes such as "Porchetta" and "Pasta alla Norcina".

#6 San Gimignano, Tuscany

San Gimignano, Tuscany is a comune famous for its medieval towers that rise above the rooftops of the city. This city was an important commercial center in medieval times and its towers symbolize the power and wealth of the families who lived there.

San Gimignano is also known both for its well-preserved historic centre, with numerous medieval churches and palaces, and for its white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

#7 Castelmezzano, Basilicata

Castelmezzano, Basilicata is a municipality nestled in the mountains of the Dolomiti Lucane Regional Natural Park. The village is famous for its spectacular position, perched on the slopes of the mountains and overlooking the valley below.

The village is characterized by stone houses and narrow uphill streets, and is home to numerous churches and historical monuments. It is an ideal place for lovers of nature and outdoor activities, such as hiking, climbing and trekking.

#8 Alberobello, Puglia

Alberobello, Puglia is a town famous for its characteristic trulli, the cone-shaped houses built in local limestone. These unique constructions, dating back to the 17th century, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Alberobello is home to approximately 1,500 trulli, many of which have been transformed into shops, restaurants and bed and breakfasts. It is also famous for its traditional cuisine, which includes fish dishes, fresh pasta and local vegetables.

#9 Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio

Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio a village perched on a hill that seems suspended in time. Also known as "The Dying City", this village is only accessible via a footbridge, which connects it to the outside world.

It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006, and attracts many visitors each year who come for admire its narrow streets, cobbled alleys, stone houses and spectacular panoramic views of the Valle dei Calanchi.

#10 Positano, Campania

Positano, Campania is a coastal village nestled in the hills of the Amalfi Coast, famous for its colorful houses, narrow alleys, the panoramic terraces and sandy beaches. It is considered one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in the world, attracting visitors from all over the world.

The city is an ideal place to shop for handicrafts, such as the famous Positano sandals, and enjoy the view breathtaking view of the Amalfi coast.

#11 Ravello, Campania

Ravello, Campania is medieval village is located on a hill 365 meters above sea level and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Gulf of Salerno. Ravello is famous both for its historic villas and gardens, including Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, and for its Music Festival, held every year between July and August.

#12 Sirmione, Lombardia

Sirmione, Lombardia is a village located on the southern shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia. The historic center of Sirmione is located on a small peninsula that juts out into the lake, and can only be reached via a pedestrian bridge.

The village is characterized by its ancient medieval walls, the Rocca Scaligera and its narrow streets. Furthermore, it is also famous for its thermal baths, whose sulphurous waters have been known for their therapeutic properties since Roman times.

#13 Pitigliano, Tuscany

Pitigliano, Tuscany a village located in the province of Grosseto, also known as the "little Jerusalem" due to the presence of a secular Jewish community. The historic center of Pitigliano is built on a tufaceous hill and is characterized by its narrow winding streets, its stone houses and its historic churches.

The hamlet is surrounded by breathtaking countryside, with vineyards and olive groves as far as the eye can see. Its traditional cuisine includes dishes such as pappardelle with wild boar, porcini mushrooms and local cured meats.

#14 Cefalù, Sicily

Cefalù, Sicily a village located on the northern coast of Sicily, in the province of Palermo. The town is famous for its beautiful golden sandy beach, for its imposing Norman Cathedral, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and for its picturesque old town, characterized by its narrow cobbled streets and stone houses.

Cefalù is also surrounded by a breathtaking landscape, with its green mountains overlooking the sea, and offers many outdoor activities.

#15 Vernazza, Liguria

Vernazza, Liguria is one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre, located on the Ligurian coast. The village is characterized by its beautiful position on the sea, with the colored houses that overlook the port and the green hills that surround it.

Vernazza is famous for its medieval tower, which rises above the port, and for the panoramic path that leads to the nearby Cinque Terre towns. The local cuisine is renowned for its fresh fish dishes.

#16 Castelmola, Sicily

Castelmola, Sicily a charming medieval village located on the hill above the city of Taormina. With its narrow stone streets, colorful houses and panoramic views of the sea and the coast, Castelmola is an ideal place for those seeking tranquility and beauty.

Among the main attractions of the village are the Norman castle, the church of San Giorgio, the square and the famous almond wine.

#17 Val di Funes, Trentino-Alto Adige 

Val di Funes, Trentino-Alto Adige an alpine valley located in the heart of the Dolomites, famous for its spectacular landscapes and medieval churches. The village of Santa Maddalena, located in the valley, is a very popular place among photographers for its suggestive panorama.

Among the other attractions of the Val di Funes there are the Sanctuary of San Giovanni in Ranui, a small church with a bell tower that looks like something out of a postcard, and Velthurns Castle, an ancient medieval castle that offers spectacular views over the valley.

#18 Ostuni, Puglia

Ostuni, Puglia also known as "the white city", is a city famous for its typical white Mediterranean architecture, which dates back to medieval times, when the city was fortified with walls and defense towers.

The historic center of the city is a labyrinth of alleys and narrow streets, with white houses, baroque churches and an ancient castle.

#19 Cortina d'Ampezzo, Veneto

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Veneto is a famous tourist resort located in the Dolomites. Known as the "Queen of the Dolomites", Cortina d'Ampezzo offers breathtaking landscapes, with towering mountains, green meadows and coniferous forests.

It's an ideal destination for nature lovers, with plenty of outdoor activities available year-round, such as hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing, and snowboarding. The city is also famous for its high fashion boutiques and luxury restaurants, where you can taste local specialities.

#20 Dolceacqua, Liguria

Dolceacqua, Liguria is a picturesque medieval village not far from the coast. Its name comes from the Latin "Dulcis Acqua" which means "sweet water", due to the river Nervia which flows through the historic centre.

The village is famous for its characteristic Romanesque bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, which crosses the Nervia river and leads to the old part of the village, where the pastel-coloured houses and cobbled alleys are found. 

The Doria Castle dominates the city and is an unmissable attraction.

#21 Orta San Giulio, Piedmont

Orta San Giulio, Piedmont is a charming medieval village located on the shores of Lake Orta. Orta San Giulio is characterized by a beautiful central square overlooking the lake, the Piazza Motta, surrounded by ancient houses and restaurants.

The historic center is dotted with small paved streets and alleys that open onto suggestive views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Nature lovers can instead enjoy the tranquility of the lake, crossing its waters by boat or strolling along its banks.

#22 Valeggio sul Mincio, Veneto

Valeggio sul Mincio, Veneto is a municipality located in the province of Verona. It is a medieval village a few kilometers from Lake Garda, immersed in the countryside of the Mincio Park. The historic center is characterized by alleys, historic buildings, courtyards and old artisan shops.

The city is famous for the Ponte Visconteo, a fortified bridge that crosses the river Mincio and which is one of the symbols of the city. Valeggio is also known for the production of a typical dish, the "tortellini di Valeggio", a variant of the classic fresh pasta tortellini filled with meat.

Conclusion

We hope this article has inspired you to discover some of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Each of these places is unique and rich in history, culture and natural beauty, and is only a small part of what Italy has to offer. Whether you are a lover of history, nature, good food or simply looking for a quiet place to relax, there is an Italian village that will meet your needs. So, take note of the villages that impressed you the most and plan your next Italian adventure!