Quick answer: Beyond the big cities, don’t miss Siena, Positano, the Cinque Terre, Matera and Bellagio.
Italy’s small towns hold much of its magic. These twelve are the most beautiful places to slow down and soak it in.
The 12 best Italian small towns
Siena, Tuscany
A medieval masterpiece around the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo.
San Gimignano, Tuscany
The “town of towers” rising from the hills.
Positano, Amalfi Coast
Pastel houses tumbling down to the sea.
Cinque Terre, Liguria
Five colorful fishing villages linked by coastal trails.
Matera, Basilicata
Ancient cave dwellings carved into a ravine.
Bellagio, Lake Como
The elegant “pearl” of the lake.
Orvieto, Umbria
A hilltop town with a stunning striped cathedral.
Alberobello, Puglia
Whitewashed conical trulli houses.
Lecce, Puglia
The “Florence of the South,” rich in Baroque.
Ravello, Amalfi Coast
Clifftop gardens and views above Positano.
Cefalù, Sicily
A beach town beneath a Norman cathedral.
Verona, Veneto
Roman arena, romance and a perfect old centre.
How to choose
Cluster by region: Tuscany (Siena, San Gimignano), the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Ravello), Puglia (Lecce, Alberobello) or the lakes (Bellagio). Rent a car for the countryside and visit in spring or autumn.