15 Beautiful Small Towns in Italy

[New Sancai Compilation and First Release] When visiting Europe, most travelers head straight to the famous cities, but Italy’s small towns are where we look for the country’s most dreamy vacation destinations. With few locals and fewer tourists, they offer typical Italian charm without the crowds. Here’s a roundup of 15 of the most beautiful small towns in Italy, most of which are within a day trip of the major cities and where you can still get the experience of Rome or Milan:

△ Liguria. Portofino, Liguria: This town is one of the most beautiful ports in Europe. It also has many great hotels, such as the Hotel Splendido and the Grand Hotel Miramare, as well as great shopping and, of course, a splendid coastline. The port city of Genoa is less than an hour's drive away. (366 people)

△ Puglia. Alberobello, Puglia: The main attraction of this town is its characteristic conical, pointed white houses that look like they are covered in snow. Due to this characteristic, the town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Expert tip, head to Piazza del Popolo and the Belvedere Trulli viewpoint for great views of the entire town. (10,482 people)

△ Umbria． Castelluccio, Umbria: Perched atop a steep mountain at 5,000 feet above sea level, this town is the highest and arguably most beautiful town in the Apennine Mountain Range. One side of the town is backed by snow-capped mountains, and the other side is a verdant plain filled with red poppies, violets and rapeseed flowers in spring. Sadly, an earthquake in 2016 left the town nearly uninhabitable, but some residents who remained have reopened shops and restaurants. (Less than 150 people)

△ Sicily. Cefalù, Sicily: Just an hour’s drive from Palermo, this medieval town is so picturesque that many movies have been filmed here, including the beloved Nuovo Cinema Paradiso). Highlights include visiting the town's many mosaic-clad cathedrals, strolling along the picturesque Lungomare promenade, and admiring the sunset from the towering La Rocca. (13,994 people)

△ Basilicata. Pietrapertosa, Basilicata: This is one of the most striking towns in all of Italy—it is embedded in the rock of a hillside at an altitude of 3,500 feet. The town is beautiful, with ancient ruins everywhere and a 9th-century Saracen castle, but the highlight of the visit is taking the Il Volo dell'Angelo ride. Said to be the tallest zipline in the world, it gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire town and its surroundings. (937 people)

△ Campania. Sorrento (Campania): Despite its lack of beaches, tourists love Sorrento, with its steep rocky cliffs overlooking the sea. The old town is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding areas - the Amalfi Coast to the east, Pompeii to the north and the offshore island of Capri. (15,956 people)

△ Puglia. Polignano a Mare, Apulia: This coastal town is located on a limestone cliff embedded in the sea. It is known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and is the capital of Puglia. One of the most romantic spots. Visitors can spend a day exploring Sandy Bay by boat or get lost in the winding white streets. (17,491 people)

△ Sicily. Taormina (Taormina, Sicily): This is a cliff town with a particularly dreamy feel. The views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea are mesmerizing, and the ancient ruins and café-lined streets will keep you coming back for a while. But we wouldn't be surprised if you stayed at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo and never left your room. (10,514 people)

△ Campania. Praiano, Campania: This small town on the Amalfi Coast has many beautiful beaches, such as Marina di Praia and Gavitella, and is rich in culture. Here you can enjoy amazing things Stunning old churches, towers and statues. (2,008 people)

△ Lazio. Sperlonga, Lazio: This was the retreat of many Roman emperors, and it’s no wonder why: its pristine beaches, lush green areas, and proximity to Rome (just an hour’s train ride away) make it a The perfect weekend getaway. This town also has a famous museum, the Museo Archeologico di Sperlonga, which is located in the ancient ruins of the old villa of Emperor Tiberius. Torre Truglia is located at the top of the Sperlonga promontory and has some of the best views in town. (3,117 people)

△ Piedmont. Saluzzo (Piedmont): This small town looks like a sleeping medieval city, with beautiful red-tiled roofs, bell towers and ancient spiers, set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Cottian Alps. Highlights include: the 14th-century castle La Castiglia, and the Renaissance palace-turned-Casa Cavassa, a museum housing some spectacular paintings and frescoes. (17,342 people)

△ Liguria. Vernazza, Liguria: This is the steepest and most beautiful town in the Cinque Terre. The streets are lined with iconic candy-coloured houses and a variety of gelato shops for you to sample, while the town itself slopes down to a small sandy beach and its only natural harbor. Sea views abound, but you'll find the most impressive ones at Belforte, an iconic seafood restaurant housed in an 11th-century castle at the top of the harbor. (764 people)

△ Veneto． Belluno, Veneto: Situated on a cliff high above the Piave River, with the snow-capped Dolomites in the background, it is undoubtedly the most beautiful town in northern Italy one. In addition to its beautiful 360-degree views, it has a historic city center filled with Renaissance buildings, palaces, and Romanesque churches. Plus, as a bonus, it's just over an hour's drive from mainland Venice. (35,505 people)

△ Abruzzo. Pacentro, Abruzzo: Pacentro floats like a city in the sky on the plateau of the Apennine Mountain Range. This well-preserved medieval village dates back to the 8th or 9th century. It is still located at 2,133 feet above sea level in Majella National Park. Its natural surroundings are also integrated into the town: one of its hallmarks is the crystal-clear water, which comes from local springs and snowmelt from nearby mountains, and local craftsmen use local white stone to create the terracotta warriors. (1,139 people)

△Siena． San Gimignano, Siena: This town has an iconic skyline—its 13 medieval towers rise from the ground like a prescient New York City. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical status, it is surrounded by stone walls from which visitors can see many examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. (7,780 people)

(Author: Alex Erdekian)

(Compiled by: Bai Ding)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: First published by Xinsancai)