The drive along Italy's Amalfi Coast, preferably in a vintage Alfa Romeo Spider, is the stuff of travel legend.
And it's just one of dozens of epic road trip routes in this fascinating, richly layered country. Don't be put off by stories of impatient local drivers 鈥 the countryside here was made for exploring by road (and stopping every few hundred yards to take another photo).
With an extensive network of well-maintained roads that weave between snow-capped peaks, trace plunging coastlines, and meander through rolling farmland and vineyards to scenic lakes and historic towns, pretty much every journey in Italy is a scenic odyssey, but some road trips stand out as being particularly memorable.
To set the scene, we've chosen six classic road trips ranging from gentle Tuscan jaunts to hair-raising mountain adventures. Some are a little challenging, but they all make for unforgettable experiences! Here are the best road trip routes in Italy.
1. The Amalfi Coast
Best classic Italian coastal road trip
Salerno鈥揝orrento; approx 75km/46聽miles, 1 day
Experience Italy's most spectacular coastal scenery on this white-knuckle drive along the Amalfi Coast. From , the main southern gateway to the coast, strike west to , a small town famous for its ceramics and the start point of the coastal road proper. From here, the driving becomes more challenging as the road narrows, the curves become tighter, and the views become ever more dramatic.
After about 20km (12 miles), you'll arrive in , the coast's main hub. Stop here to look around the landmark Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea and then head up to in the hills above. Pause for lunch here, perhaps at the Ristorante Pizzeria Vittoria, and enjoy heady panoramas from the town's lush gardens.
Next, push on to , a chic, near-vertical town where colorful, steeply-stacked houses cascade down the precipitous hillsides. Beyond Positano, the route leads inland, up and across the hilly interior to , a lively tourist hot spot overlooked by the dark, brooding bulk of Mount聽Vesuvius.
Planning tip:聽It's a popular drive, so try to come out of season to avoid the traffic.聽With another day to spare, you can continue north to Naples via the ruins of Pompeii.
2. The Tuscan tour
Best road trip for art and architecture聽
Florence鈥揙rvieto; approx 210km/130聽miles, 2鈥3 days
Taking in two of Italy's great medieval cities, the wine treasures of Chianti聽and swathes of classic Tuscan scenery, this two-day route leads from to in the neighboring region of Umbria. Whet your appetite for the road ahead by feasting on fine art and Renaissance architecture in Florence before striking south to Chianti wine country.
Stop for a tasting at the in Greve and to sample the region's celebrated bistecca (steak) at L'Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano. From here, follow the backroads to , a stunning medieval city centered on an awe-inspiring Duomo and a 12th-century square, the famous Piazza del Campo. Recommended overnight options here include the Pensione Palazzo Ravizza.
In the morning, head to to stock up on Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy's most revered red wines. A short drive to the east, the provides quintessential Tuscan landscapes with its billowing green hills, cypress trees and hilltop towns. Lunch in Pienza, then continue through to Orvieto, a striking hilltop town famous for its remarkable Gothic Duomo.
Planning tip:聽While you could easily do this route in two days, consider adding an extra overnight stop to explore the region in more depth.
3. Southeastern Sicily聽
Best road trip for exploring Sicily's charming towns
Catania鈥揜agusa; approx 165km/103聽miles, 2 days
Hunt UNESCO-listed baroque treasures on this two-day tour of Sicily's rugged southeast. Start by investigating grandiose historic center and brilliant fish market. After a seafood lunch, hit the road and make for where you can trawl through ancient Greco-Roman ruins at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis and stroll elegant baroque streets in the Ortygia district. Overnight at the stylish Hotel Gutkowski.
On day two, continue to , home to what is arguably Sicily's most beautiful street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which is dotted with churches and charming cafes. Once you've digested this masterpiece of urban design, turn inland to Modica, a bustling town wedged into a deep canyon. Stock up on the town's famous chocolates before pushing on through the rocky hinterland to and the handsome historic center known as Ragusa Ibla.
Planning tip:聽To round the trip off on a high note, book ahead and treat yourself to dinner at the Ristorante Duomo, one of Sicily's top restaurants with meals prepared by chef Ciccio Sultano.
4. The Great Dolomites Road
Best road trip for stunning mountain vistas
Bolzano鈥揅ortina d'Ampezzo; approx 125km/78聽miles; 2 days
The Grande Strada della Dolomiti provides some of Italy's most exhilarating driving. Running from Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo, it boasts superb scenery as it snakes past craggy, saw-tooth peaks and over lofty mountain passes in the Dolomites.
From , head eastwards toward Ponte Nova, where you'll get your first sight of the Dolomite's mighty granite peaks. Continue to Val di Fassa, a magnificent valley framed by forested slopes and gigantic rock summits, and up to the 2,239m (7,345 ft) Passo Pordoi. The descent from here is slow going, but you'll be rewarded with stunning views as you corkscrew down to La Villa in the spectacularly sited Val Badia.
From here, you could push directly on to , the chic resort that marks the end of the road, but for a more relaxed trip, stop for the night at the Dolomit B&B and take some scenic detours around La Villa on day two.
Planning tip:聽This is serious country for outdoor activities with superb winter skiing and wonderful summer hiking.
5. The southern shore of Lake Como聽
Best springtime road trip
Como鈥揃ergamo; approx 112km/70 miles; 1 day
Surrounded by Alpine peaks and wooded hills, (Lago di Como) is the most picturesque of Italy's northern lakes. This leisurely one-day drive takes in elegant art nouveau villas and lush waterfront gardens along the lake's southern shoreline.
The obvious starting point is the town of itself. Once you've explored the charming historic center and the nearby Villa Olmo, take the swooping road up to . Stop at this charming lakeside village to explore the grounds of neoclassical Villa Melzi d'Eril and have lunch at Terrazza Barchetta.
Suitably refreshed, leave your car and jump on a ferry to Tremezzo, home of the 17th-century Villa Carlotta and its spectacular gardens. Back in Bellagio, pick up your wheels and strike southeast, following the scenic lakeside road down to Lecco and on to historic , where you can rest up in style at the Hotel Piazza Vecchia.
Planning tip: Time your visit for April and May when the area is awash with spring color.
6. Highlights of Abruzzo
Best road trip for unspoiled landscapes
Rome鈥揝ulmona; approx 240km/150聽miles, one day
Just over an hour's drive east of Rome, the little-known region of is a world apart from the big city, with wild, empty valleys and unspoiled mountain landscapes. From the capital take the A24 autostrada to Fonte Cerreto, from where it's a twisting climb up to Campo Imperatore, a highland plain overlooked by the Apennines' highest peak, Corno Grande (2,912m/9,553ft).
Continue on to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a remote, semi-abandoned village high in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga. If you're traveling during the weekend you can lunch at the ; otherwise, pick up picnic supplies in the village.
In the afternoon, push on to Sulmona, a graceful town set in the shadow of the Morrone massif. Famous for its delicacy confetti (sugar-coated almonds), Sulmona makes a good base for exploring the region's rugged southern reaches, offering good accommodation at the Legacy Casa Residencia and filling food at local restaurants such as Il Vecchio Muro.
Planning tip:聽We strongly recommend spending a day or more in Sulmona, exploring the surrounding hills by car or on foot away from the tourist crowds.
