Top 15 Most Beautiful Villages in Italy

Most tourists flock to big cities like Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milano while visiting Italy, but some of the country's most idyllic vacation spots are tiny lesser-known towns and villages. In this blog you will find the top 15 most gorgeous Italian villages (plus recommended campsites), to help you plan your next Italian camping holiday!

Tropea is a tiny town on the east coast of the Italian province of Calabria. It is famed for its beaches and clifftop historic town. The 12th-century cathedral, which was built on the site of an ancient Byzantine cemetery, features marble sarcophagi and a painting of the Madonna of Romania, the town's patron. On a rocky outcropping overlooking the sea sits the centuries-old Santa Maria dell’Isola Church. Tropea in particular has become a go-to for travellers from across the continent, thanks to its amazing beaches and epic views of the Santa Maria dell’Isola monastery.

Stay at Camping Marina Del Convento.

One of Italy’s unique villages, Alberobello, located in Apulia, is famous for its small, whitewashed huts with conical roofs. For a truly memorable experience, spend the night in one of these special huts, which the Italians refer to as ‘trulli’. Alberobello is one-of-a-kind and breathtakingly beautiful town that is worth visiting. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys strolling gently through attractive villages and quirky corners, not only architectural and Unesco fans.

Stay at Camping Atlantide Monopoli.

Ostuni, also called "the white city," is located in the Apulia region and is famed for its whitewashed old town. The Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine components of Ostuni Cathedral are combined, and the arched Porta San Demetrio is one of two intact medieval gates. The Santuario di Sant'Oronzo complex, which includes a triumphal arch, is located northwest of town. Not only the white town but also the endless landscape will steal your breath away. Get lost exploring the winding alleyways, unusual stairs, cosy cafes, and local cuisine eateries. Ostuni is a charming, beautiful little town that is easy to fall in love with.

Stay at Camping Il Pilone. 

Sperlonga is a small village on the coast of Italy's Latina region, roughly midway between Rome and Naples. It is most famous for the stunning Sperlonga statues, which are on display in a museum on the site and were unearthed in the gardens of the Villa of Tiberius. Sperlonga is primarily a tourist destination due to its sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, which include a long beach on the west side that stretches all the way to Terracina and a series of short beaches and rocky cliffs on the east side that stretches all the way to Gaeta.

Stay at Camping Village Le Dune.

The coastal town of Portofino is one of the most beautiful European ports to sail into. It is a fishing village located southeast of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. Its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbour packed with super-yachts, is surrounded by pastel-coloured residences, high-end stores, and fine seafood restaurants. Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and museum with art displays and magnificent views of the town and the Ligurian Sea, is reached via a route from the Piazzetta.

Stay at Camping Mare Monti.

Bellagio is a village on a promontory jutting out into Lake Como. Villa Serbelloni Park, an 18th-century tiered garden with lake vistas, is famed for its cobblestone roads and magnificent houses. The Romanesque San Giacomo Church and the Tower of the Arts, a venue for exhibitions and concerts, are also nearby. The Museum of Navigational Instruments, located on the rocky Loppia Beach, houses sundials and compasses. As the "Pearl of Lake Como," Bellagio is known for its exquisite villas with amazing views of the blue waters (such as Villa Serbelloni or Villa Melzi), as well as its small but lovely streets full of stores, boutiques, and restaurants.

Stay at Camping Ranocchio.

Polignano a Mare is a true gem on the coast of the Valle d'Itria, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. It is famed for beaches such as the white-pebbled Lama Monachile, also known as Cala Porto, which is surrounded by a Roman bridge. A cove lying at the bottom of a cliff is known as the Ponte dei Lapilli. San Vito Abbey features a Romanesque church and a 16th-century tower that overlooks the sea.

Stay at Camping Atlantide Monopoli.

Brisighella is located halfway between Ravenna and Florence, surrounded by a peaceful and calm landscape of lush fields, vineyards, and olive groves. The spa centre is just outside the old town and is the ideal spot to unwind from the worries of everyday life. What more could you ask for than art, nature, cuisine, and wine? Brisighella is a member of the CittàSlow and Orange Flag touring groups, as well as one of Italy's most attractive towns (the most beautiful villages in Italy). Known for its world-class olive oil, this medieval village is all but hidden amid the lush and rolling vineyards of the surrounding Emilia-Romagna region. 

Stay at Campeggio Citta di Bologna - Club del Sole.

Cefalù is an Italian coastal city in northern Sicily. It is famous for its Norman cathedral, a fortress-like structure with magnificent Byzantine mosaics and soaring twin towers dating from the 12th century. The Mandralisca Museum, located nearby, houses archaeological artefacts as well as a photo gallery featuring a portrait by Antonello da Messina. To the west, there are the amazing beaches of Mazzaforno and Settefrati. Cefalu's lovely ancient town and harbour are the top romantic highlights of this Sicilian destination. You may spend an entire day here sightseeing and relaxing, with little cafes, stores, and restaurants. 

Stay at Camping Village Rais Gerbi.

Taormina is a hilly town on Sicily's east coast. It is close to Mount Etna, an active volcano with paths to the top. The Teatro Antico di Taormina, a historic Greco-Roman theatre that is still in use today, is well-known in the town. Cliffs tumble to the sea near the theatre, providing bays with sandy beaches. Isola Bella, a small island and nature reserve, is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand. To properly appreciate all that Taormina has to offer, you will need more than a day. And, it is likely to be the most gorgeous sight you will see in Sicily.

Stay at Lido Camping Paradise.

On northwest Italy's craggy Ligurian coast, Vernazza is one of the Cinque Terre's five centuries-old settlements. Vernazza's name is derived from the Latin adjective verna, meaning "native". Its little marina is encircled by colourful buildings. Vernazza has no cars and is one of the most authentic "fishing villages" on the Italian Riviera. It is Cinque Terre's sole natural port and is known for its elegant houses. There is a little sandy beach in Vernazza's harbour where you can swim, as well as flat rocks that are ideal for tanning. 

Stay at Camping Acqua Dolce.

Belluno is a town and a province in northern Italy's Veneto region. Belluno is the headquarters of the province of Belluno and the most prominent city in the Eastern Dolomites region, located about 100 kilometres north of Venice. Perched on high bluffs above the Piave River and backed by the snowcapped Dolomites, Belluno is easily one of Northern Italy’s prettiest small towns. Besides its gorgeous 360-degree views, you will find a charming historical town centre packed with Renaissance-era buildings, palaces, and Romanesque churches. As an added bonus, it is just a little over an hour’s drive from Venice.

Stay at Camping Sarathei.

Limone sul Garda, on the northern shore of Lake Garda, is surrounded by steep cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the lake. It is one of the most beautiful spots to visit on Lake Garda, and it serves as a perfect starting point for exploring and enjoying the lake. Wander past tranquil lemon and olive groves, a vibrant town centre and pebbly beaches pass through peaceful lemon and olive trees, a bustling town centre, and rocky beaches. If the location looks familiar, it was used in the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace". 

Stay at Camping Maroadi.

Wedged between two mountains in the narrowest part of the Aosta valley, Bard could be the closest you will get to a fairytale holiday experience in Italy. It is dominated by the eleventh-century fortress of the same name, but most come here to visit the charming village down below with elegant mullioned windows, and carved stone balconies. At the head of the Aosta valley, Bard is located in the heart of a deep, narrow gorge. Archaeologists have discovered many large engraved stones in the area, indicating that it has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Later on, it formed a vital link between Celtic Gaul and the Roman realm of the Italian peninsula.

Stay at Camping Mombarone.

Montepulciano may not be as well-known as its Tuscan neighbours Florence and Siena, but it is worth a visit. This small medieval town set high on a hilltop is home to stunning Renaissance architecture, family-owned stores and restaurants, and some of Italy's best red wines (vino nobile). Wine lovers should put Montepulciano at the top of their Tuscany bucket lists and find some time to visit the region's underground cellars and try the region's highly rated wines. Montepulciano has a beautiful historical town centre with beautiful piazzas, churches and breathtaking views from terraces over the countryside below. Montepulciano is a great destination for a day trip and also a perfect spot to discover Tuscany. 

Stay at Camping Village Badiaccia.