The most beautiful villages in Italy, region by region

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN ITALY

There is something unique that we have in Italy, in quantity and quality: the villagesThey are everywhere, in every region, in every geographical area of ​​the country, in the mountains as well as at the seaside, in the countryside as well as in the hills. In this article, for example, we show you some. one for each region, we have selected them among the most beautifulUnmissable. And not to be wasted, in sustainable living: we value what they can give us as travelers, both for the value, including economic and social, they have and what they can produce.

Immersed in the beauty and silence of nature, surrounded by mountains or a stone's throw from the sea, the villages they are an incredible heritage in which rediscover history and local traditions (Dozens are UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Places inseparable from the people who live and breathe them, and an extraordinary opportunity to develop the region, provide jobs and well-being for the local population, and bring our country back to the top of the global tourism industry, as we deserve. And as we are only failing to do because of our own mistakes.

(In the photo, Cefalù (Sicily). Photo credit: karnizz/Shutterstock.com)

ALSO READ: Villages, the race is on to revive them. Bonuses, donations, tax cuts, and FAI projects. Everything to bring them back to life (photos)

VILLAGES IN ITALY

As he wrote CensusWe are a "village" town, made up of small but dense local identities. And everywhere, in each village, there is a treasure to be discovered, panorama to admire, a dish to savor or a wine to enjoy. This is where our high quality of life comes from, as foreigners have well understood. Taking advantage of the collapse of the real estate market, they are snapping up homes in Italy's network of villages.

(In the photo, etroubles (Aosta Valley). Photo credit: Stefy Morelli/Shutterstock.com)

TO KNOW MORE: Houses for €1: Here are the municipalities where you can buy them. From Ciociaria to Sardinia.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN VILLAGES TO VISIT

It's truly very difficult, among so many treasures, to select the most beautiful villages in Italy. We did it by choosing one for each region, in the certainty that, if you have the time and opportunity to visit it, you will not be disappointed.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES REGION BY REGION

• Abruzzo. Perched on a hill, inside the Gran Sasso National Park, Santo Stefano di Sessanio It's a medieval village built of white limestone. An incredible place where time seems to have stood still, just a short distance from the enchanting Rocca Calascio Castle, rich in charm and history.
• Basilicata. Nestled among the suggestive peaks of the Lucanian Dolomites, Pietrapertosa, in the province of Potenza, is a must-see destination if you're planning to visit Basilicata. A labyrinth of quaint streets and alleys where you can lose yourself as you explore this incredible place, overlooking a truly breathtaking panorama. A visit to the castle is a must, as is the Romanesque-style Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, built in the 1400s.
• Calabria. At 400 metres above sea level and with Mount Consolino behind it, Stylus It is a true gem, a village with an ancient and mysterious history, rich in monuments and culture. A bastion of Byzantine Calabria, it was the birthplace of Tommaso Campanella, a Dominican friar, philosopher, theologian, and poet, author of "The City of the Sun." La Cattolica is marvelous, a jewel of art and architecture.
• Campania. In the heart of the Amalfi Coast, FURORE, whose name derives from the fury of the sea, has just over 800 inhabitants and is also known as the "village that isn't there" due to its unique shape, with a few houses perched on the steep coastal slope, overlooking the sea. Surrounded by greenery and immersed in the colors of olive groves, vineyards, and intensely fragrant lemon trees, Furore is a riot of majolica tiles and colorful flowers.
• Emilia Romagna. A very ancient village San Leo, in the heart of Montefeltro, behind the Republic of San Marino, also mentioned by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy. Once a military fortress, it stands on a cliff and, on some days, especially in fog, resembles a fairytale castle.
• Friuli Venezia Giulia. sauris, in the province of Udine, is divided into two parts: the lower one and the upper one. But everywhere you look, you'll find houses and farmhouses unlike any other in Italy due to their uniqueness and the way they're preserved and cared for. These buildings generally consist of two floors: the lower level is made of stone, while the upper level is entirely made of wood. Built with a highly refined and sustainable technique: the block bau, or stacked wooden logs, then fitted together at the corners. The Sauris mountain huts are also beautiful, as is the lake that greets visitors at the entrance to the village. Be careful with the language: Italian, the Friulian dialect, and the Sauris language, a German dialect of Bavarian origin, are spoken here.
• Lazio. Better known as “The Dying City”, Civita di Bagnoregio It is destined to disappear due to erosion of the tuff hill on which it rests. Located in the heart of the Valle dei Calanchi, between the two valleys known as Fossato del Rio Torbido and Fossato del Rio Chiaro, Civita di Bagnoregio has only 11 inhabitants. To reach the village, you must cross a long concrete bridge that leads to the entrance to the historic center. It's delightful to lose yourself in its maze of quaint alleys and stone houses decorated with colorful flowers, then immerse yourself in the spectacular beauty of its vast, green panoramas.
• Liguria A range of pastel-colored houses, Vernazza, and a magical, enchanting place: the jewel in the crown of the Cinque Terre. Famous throughout the world, the village of Vernazza is characterized by a maze of narrow, steep streets, dry-stone walls, and characteristic porticos.
• Lombardy. Nestled between the beauty of Lake Iseo and the mountains of the upper Val Camonica with a view that reaches all the way to the top of Mount Adamello, lovere, in the province of Bergamo, is a fairytale village, a place where you can appreciate all the extraordinary benefits of silence. With its medieval historic center, it's the perfect destination for combining culture and nature, as well as for practicing a variety of sports such as swimming, sailing, canoeing, and rowing.
• Marche. A corner of paradise in the heart of Montefeltro, FrontinoDominated by Mount Carpegna, it is full of wonderful panoramic views. With its castle walls and beautiful towers, it is also characterized by its characteristic 14th-century mill.
• Molise. Also known as the town of seven towers, Stoves, in the province of Isernia, is characterized by its medieval city walls and urban layout, as well as a main gate leading to the historic center, once equipped with a drawbridge. A wonderful village, surrounded by olive trees, lush greenery, and spectacular silence.
• Piedmont. A postcard landscape that distinguishes NeiveNeive, a village of about 3200 inhabitants in the Langhe region. Adding to the citadel's magical atmosphere are the now almost completely destroyed castle and the Benedictine monastery. A visit to the village's cellars and the wineries housed in old stately homes is a must: don't leave Neive without tasting Barbaresco, a prized red wine with orange hues.
• Puglia. In the heart of Salento, 70 kilometers from Lecce, Presicce It is a village of inexplicable charm, a beauty that captivates and captivates. A maze of picturesque views, streets, and alleyways dominated by the immense grandeur of the Church of Sant'Andrea and the Palazzo Ducale, which encompasses over a thousand years of history.
• of Sardinia. Perched at over 700 metres above sea level, sadali It is characterized by its countless springs, streams, and waterfalls. All around, the greenery and immense beauty of the Barbagia forests, the wildest area of ​​Sardinia. Strolling through its historic center, it's a pleasure to stop and savor the local delicacies sold in the food shops. A visit to the caves of Is JanasLegend has it that, in ancient times, they were inhabited by fairies and witches, greatly feared and respected by the local population. A fascinating place of rare beauty.
• Sicily. What strikes you immediately is Gangi, In the province of Palermo, it's not just its immense beauty, made up of narrow streets, walls, and artisan workshops, but also the historical, artistic, and religious treasures those walls enclose. A romantic village: a treasure trove of grandeur, Palazzo Bongiorno, and the Church of the Holy Spirit, an evocative and moving sanctuary.
• Tuscany PitiglianoPitigliano, in the province of Grosseto, is famous for its beautiful historic center and breathtaking views. Also known as the Little Jerusalem of Tuscany, Pitigliano is also known for its beautiful 16th-century synagogue. The main church is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, built in Baroque style and embellished with a magnificent medieval bell tower.
• Trentino Alto Adige. Located on the Bleggio plateau, Range, with just 122 inhabitants, is a testament to a rural and peasant past that is still imprinted in its walls and streets. Nestled behind Lake Garda and at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites, Rango is the perfect place to relax and discover local delicacies such as polenta, strudel, and ciuìga, a salami made with pork and cooked turnips.
• Umbria. Surrounded by hills and woods, Montecchio, in the province of Terni, immediately captures the visitor's attention with its walls, crenellated tower, and splendid 12th-century gate. The 15th-century Parish Church of Santa Maria is a marvel.
• Aosta Valley. A village that is a true open-air museum, etroubles, thanks to its works of art scattered throughout. A fairytale corner in the San Bernardo Valley, just 16 kilometers from Aosta. A major hub on the Via Francigena, once the only major road connecting Italy and England, it also contains the first turn-of-the-mill dairy in the Aosta Valley, dating back to the mid-19th century, and the first hydroelectric power plant in the Great St. Bernard Valley, the Bertin power plant, built in the early 20th century.
• Veneto. Borghetto It's a hamlet in the municipality of Valeggio sul Mincio, in the province of Verona, and is the ideal place for all cycling enthusiasts, as well as for those who enjoy relaxing with long walks or horseback rides. Don't forget to stop and admire its mills, waterfalls, and characteristic low houses from the Visconti fortress bridge: you'll see how wonderful it is.

WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE IN ITALY?

SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN ITALY:

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN NORTHERN ITALY

The villages of the northern regions are characterized by the frequent presence of castles, often still intact and easy to visit. Another characteristic of northern villages is their natural setting. They are often perched in the mountains, surrounding a lake, or nestled among chestnut groves, vineyards, and trees with enormous trunks.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN CENTRAL ITALY

The villages most beautiful in Central Italy They all have distinct food and wine characteristics. The cuisine, from one village to another, even just a few kilometers apart, is never the same. And it's always worth a special stop.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN SOUTHERN ITALY

In Southern Italy the element that becomes fundamental as a connotation of the most beautiful villages in the southern regions It's the sea. These are places where time seems to have stood still, with a Mediterranean charm and scents to savor in both summer and winter. In the summer season, you can enjoy the sea, but in the winter there are silences, the refreshing sea breeze, the sunsets that bring the colors of fire.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT AND REDISCOVER IN ITALY:

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