Most Beautiful Roads in Italy: Scenic Drives & Road Trip Ideas

Italy, a country celebrated for its rich history, delectable cuisine, and iconic automobiles, also boasts some of the most beautiful roads in Italy. From dramatic coastal routes to winding mountain passes and picturesque countryside lanes, Italy offers a driving experience unlike any other. Whether you're seeking thrilling hairpin turns, breathtaking vistas, or a leisurely journey through charming villages, Italy's diverse landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable road trip.

Coastal Drives: Experiencing Italy's Stunning Shorelines

Italy's coastline is renowned for its beauty, and several roads offer exceptional opportunities to experience its splendor. These routes combine stunning sea views with charming coastal towns, making them a must for any driving enthusiast.

Amalfi Coast Road: A Classic Coastal Route

The Amalfi Coast Road, stretching between Salerno and Sorrento, is perhaps Italy's most famous coastal drive. Carved into the cliffs of the Sorrento Peninsula, this route offers breathtaking views of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Along the way, you'll pass through picturesque villages like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, each possessing its unique charm.

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The road itself is a thrilling mix of tight hairpin turns and narrow stretches, requiring careful attention behind the wheel. However, the stunning scenery and the allure of the charming towns make it all worthwhile. The Amalfi Coast was awarded a spot on the World Heritage list in 1997 as an “outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape, with exceptional cultural and natural scenic values”.

Liguria's Via Aurelia: The Glamorous Italian Riviera

For a taste of old-fashioned glamour, consider a drive along the Via Aurelia in Liguria. This coastal route traverses the Italian Riviera, offering an air of elegance and luxury reminiscent of a bygone era.

Along the way, you'll discover beautiful villages and towns, including the luxurious resort of Portofino, with its dramatic tree-lined cliffs and wonderful restaurants. While the road can be narrow and prone to congestion, its great condition and stunning views make it a pleasurable drive.

Puglia’s Adriatic Seaside: Pogliano a Mare to Ostuni

Venture to the southeastern region of Puglia and discover a scenic route that connects the stunning coastline with charming inland towns. Starting in Polignano a Mare, renowned for its dramatic cliffs and azure waters, this drive takes you through Monopoli, a town noted for its whitewashed architecture.

Continue inland to Alberobello, famous for its unique trulli (traditional Apulian dry stone huts with conical roofs), before winding up in Ostuni, another exquisite chalk-toned locale perched atop a hill. This route showcases the diverse beauty of Puglia, blending coastal charm with the region's distinctive architectural heritage.

Mountain Passes: Conquering the Italian Alps and Dolomites

For drivers who crave a challenge and breathtaking mountain scenery, Italy's Alpine and Dolomite passes are an absolute must. These routes offer exhilarating driving experiences amidst some of Europe's most stunning mountain landscapes.

Stelvio Pass: A Thrilling Alpine Challenge

The Stelvio Pass, located in Northern Italy, is one of the most dramatic and challenging roads to drive in the country. With 48 switchback turns on its northern side, this pass is a true test of driving skill.

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Originally built in the 1820s, the Stelvio Pass snakes up from Stelvio in South Tyrol to a height of 2,757 meters, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. While the road can be popular, especially after being named the "Best Driving Road in the World" by Top Gear, the exhilarating driving experience and stunning scenery make it a must for any driving enthusiast.

Great Dolomites Road: A Breathtaking Mountain Journey

The Grande Strada delle Dolomiti, running from Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo, offers a spectacular journey through the heart of the Dolomite mountain range. Switchbacks, hairpins, and hills provide drivers with ample opportunities to test their skills while enjoying the stunning mountain scenery.

Along the way, you'll pass through charming towns and villages, each offering a unique glimpse into the region's rich culture and history. Stop off and sample some of the local delicacies en route to fuel up for the next stint behind the wheel. The Dolomites certainly don't disappoint.

Passo Falzarego: A Gateway to Dolomite Wonders

Passo Falzarego offers incredible views of the Dolomites. Near the pass, a cable car whisks you up the mountain, revealing an even more expansive panorama.

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While planning a trip to this location make sure to check if the cable car services are available or not.

Tuscan Countryside: Rolling Hills and Vineyard Views

Tuscany, with its iconic landscapes of rolling hills, vineyards, and cypress-lined roads, offers some of Italy's most picturesque driving experiences. These routes are perfect for those seeking a leisurely journey through the heart of the Italian countryside.

Chianti Road (Via Chiantigiana): A Picturesque Wine Route

The Via Chiantigiana, also known as the Chianti Road, winds its way through the Chianti Classico wine zone of Tuscany, connecting Florence and Sienna. This scenic route is a feast for the senses, with picture-perfect vineyard landscapes, silvery olive groves, and charming towns.

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Plan an entire day to fully appreciate the Chianti Wine Road, stopping at olive oil manufacturers and wineries along the way. Sample the region's prestigious Chianti Classico DOCG wine and soak up the beauty of this enchanting region.

Viale dei Cipressi: A Cypress-Lined Avenue

For a unique and memorable driving experience, consider a journey down the Viale dei Cipressi, a 5km-long avenue lined with over 2,500 cypress trees. This unerringly straight road stretches from the Oratory of San Guido to the old town of Bolgheri, offering a simplistic marvel that is just as pleasant to drive down.

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Enjoy the atmosphere of this historic avenue, perhaps in a Ferrari 458 Italia (partly for namesake), and make the most of it, because by the time you reach Bolgheri, with its impressive, red-brick castle, you'll have to park up and exit the vehicle. The town is purely pedestrianised which might not necessarily be a bad thing, as the area is also internationally known for its distinguished red wine!

Val d'Orcia Valley: Iconic Tuscan Landscapes

The Val d'Orcia valley is a true gem and full of beautiful roads and scenic drives. The town is an impressive Siena cathedral itself is absolutely worth a trip, but we recommend staying in the countryside to experience Tuscany with all senses.

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Between La Foce to Radifocani in Tuscany you will find the S-shape road lined by an army of cypress tress. Don't miss out on the Vitaleta Chapel closy by, also flanked by cypresses. This two locations must be the most photographed spots in all of Tuscany.

Emerging Routes: Discovering New Italian Road Trip Gems

While the classic routes remain popular, Italy is also home to lesser-known roads that offer unique and rewarding driving experiences. These emerging routes provide a chance to explore hidden corners of the country and discover its unspoiled beauty.

Strada della Forra: An Incredible Lake Garda Attraction

Strada della Forra is a gem of engineering and landscape. The level of genius behind it, which dates back to the early 20th century, defies logic.

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The road was built by exploiting a crack in the rocks created by the Brasa stream, and follows the bends in the mountain and the stream of water.

Cilento Coast: A Seaside Escape South of Amalfi

The Cilento Coast, located south of the Amalfi Coast, has been a favorite seaside destination for Italians and in-the-know international travelers looking for a holiday away from the crowds. This thoroughfare begins in Agropoli with such towns as Castellabate and Acciaroli to see on the way, and finishes in Paestum, famous for its extraordinary ancient Greek ruins.

New Initiatives: The 100 Most Beautiful Roads in Italy

A new travel initiative designating **most beautiful roads in Italy? ** gives new meaning to the old saying, “It’s the journey, not the destination that counts.” The thoroughfares will be chosen throughout Italy—by the sea, threading through wine country, ancient villages, mountain regions and forested terrain.

The 100-road list will take three years to complete. Routes will be vetted by a review board consisting of municipal officials, academics, landscape architects, communication specialists and energy companies (to evaluate where to place charging centers for electric cars or bikes).

Italy offers a plethora of options for unforgettable road trips. Whether you're drawn to the dramatic coastlines, the challenging mountain passes, or the picturesque countryside, Italy's diverse landscapes provide the perfect setting for a driving adventure. So, pack your bags, choose your route, and get ready to experience the beauty of Italy from behind the wheel.