ITALY RAILWAY BLOG
Explore Italy’s Small Towns
Full of History and Charm
Italy’s charm isn’t limited to cities like Rome, Florence, or Venice. The real magic often hides in its lesser-known corners, small towns in Italy where life moves slower, the food is richer, and the streets echo centuries of tradition. This guide uncovers six hidden gems brimming with history, natural beauty, and unforgettable flavours.
Civita di Bagnoregio
Rising like a mirage above a deep canyon in Lazio, Civita di Bagnoregio is a town you reach only by footbridge. Known as la città che muore (the dying city), it rests on a crumbling cliff of volcanic tuff, slowly retreating with each passing year. But despite its fragile appearance, Civita feels timeless. Ancient Etruscan tunnels, Romanesque archways, and flower-lined alleys give it a haunting beauty. Come early to beat the crowds and walk the quiet lanes as the morning mist rises from the valley. Don’t miss the Church of San Donato in the main square or the panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Calanchi badlands.
What to eat: Try the hand-rolled pici pasta with a thick wild boar ragù. This hearty dish is perfect for the region’s cooler climate and pairs beautifully with a glass of local Orvieto Classico white wine.
Rising like a mirage above a deep canyon in Lazio, Civita di Bagnoregio is a town you reach only by footbridge. Known as la città che muore (the dying city), it rests on a crumbling cliff of volcanic tuff, slowly retreating with each passing year. But despite its fragile appearance, Civita feels timeless. Ancient Etruscan tunnels, Romanesque archways, and flower-lined alleys give it a haunting beauty. Come early to beat the crowds and walk the quiet lanes as the morning mist rises from the valley. Don’t miss the Church of San Donato in the main square or the panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Calanchi badlands.
What to eat: Try the hand-rolled pici pasta with a thick wild boar ragù. This hearty dish is perfect for the region’s cooler climate and pairs beautifully with a glass of local Orvieto Classico white wine.
Castelmezzano
Castelmezzano is one of Italy’s most visually dramatic towns. Tucked into the jagged Dolomiti Lucane mountains in southern Italy’s Basilicata region, the village looks carved from stone itself. Red-roofed houses cling to the rock face, and walking through its steep streets feels like moving through a medieval movie set. If you’re adventurous, you can fly through the sky, literally, on the Volo dell’Angelo (Angel's Flight), a zip line between Castelmezzano and its sister town Pietrapertosa. If not, hike the old goat trails or simply sit back and enjoy the surreal landscape.
What to eat: Order peperoni cruschi — sun-dried sweet peppers that are flash-fried until crisp. They’re a local delicacy, often served alongside Lucanian sausage or sprinkled over pasta.
Castelmezzano is one of Italy’s most visually dramatic towns. Tucked into the jagged Dolomiti Lucane mountains in southern Italy’s Basilicata region, the village looks carved from stone itself. Red-roofed houses cling to the rock face, and walking through its steep streets feels like moving through a medieval movie set. If you’re adventurous, you can fly through the sky, literally, on the Volo dell’Angelo (Angel's Flight), a zip line between Castelmezzano and its sister town Pietrapertosa. If not, hike the old goat trails or simply sit back and enjoy the surreal landscape.
What to eat: Order peperoni cruschi — sun-dried sweet peppers that are flash-fried until crisp. They’re a local delicacy, often served alongside Lucanian sausage or sprinkled over pasta.
Locorotondo
Locorotondo, named for its circular layout, is one of the most photogenic places in southern Italy. Located in Puglia’s Valle d’Itria, the town is known for its immaculate white stone houses with pointed cummerse roofs. Narrow streets spiral around a hilltop filled with balconies bursting with flowers and cats napping in the sun. Unlike neighbouring Alberobello, Locorotondo is far less touristy, making it a peaceful base for exploring the surrounding countryside dotted with trulli houses and vineyards.
What to eat: Try orecchiette con le cime di rapa — ear-shaped pasta with turnip tops, garlic, anchovies, and chilli. This Puglian staple is both earthy and satisfying, and often served with a side of chilled Locorotondo DOC white wine.
Locorotondo, named for its circular layout, is one of the most photogenic places in southern Italy. Located in Puglia’s Valle d’Itria, the town is known for its immaculate white stone houses with pointed cummerse roofs. Narrow streets spiral around a hilltop filled with balconies bursting with flowers and cats napping in the sun. Unlike neighbouring Alberobello, Locorotondo is far less touristy, making it a peaceful base for exploring the surrounding countryside dotted with trulli houses and vineyards.
What to eat: Try orecchiette con le cime di rapa — ear-shaped pasta with turnip tops, garlic, anchovies, and chilli. This Puglian staple is both earthy and satisfying, and often served with a side of chilled Locorotondo DOC white wine.
Orta San Giulio
Lake Orta might be one of northern Italy’s best-kept secrets, and its crown jewel is the lakeside town of Orta San Giulio. With its narrow medieval lanes, ivy-covered villas, and serene views of the Isola San Giulio, the town oozes charm. Less flashy than Lake Como and more intimate than Lake Garda, it’s a quiet haven for romantic getaways and slow travel. Climb up to Sacro Monte di Orta for peaceful woodland chapels and postcard-worthy views. Or take a boat to the island to visit the Benedictine monastery where silence is part of daily life.
What to eat: Go for tapulone, a dish of finely chopped donkey meat slow-cooked with wine, garlic, and herbs—unique to this region. It’s often served with polenta and tastes far better than it sounds.
Lake Orta might be one of northern Italy’s best-kept secrets, and its crown jewel is the lakeside town of Orta San Giulio. With its narrow medieval lanes, ivy-covered villas, and serene views of the Isola San Giulio, the town oozes charm. Less flashy than Lake Como and more intimate than Lake Garda, it’s a quiet haven for romantic getaways and slow travel. Climb up to Sacro Monte di Orta for peaceful woodland chapels and postcard-worthy views. Or take a boat to the island to visit the Benedictine monastery where silence is part of daily life.
What to eat: Go for tapulone, a dish of finely chopped donkey meat slow-cooked with wine, garlic, and herbs—unique to this region. It’s often served with polenta and tastes far better than it sounds.
With over 50 cultural and natural UNESCO sites, Italy offers more heritage per square kilometre than anywhere else on Earth. From ancient cave dwellings in Matera to the Etruscan necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia, even the smallest towns are often sitting on centuries, if not millennia, of history.
Pitigliano
Pitigliano looks as though it has emerged organically from the tufa cliffs it rests on, its stone homes blending seamlessly with the volcanic rock beneath them. Located in southern Tuscany’s Maremma region, this striking town is laced with ancient alleyways, underground Etruscan tunnels, and a fascinating Jewish quarter that earned it the nickname “Little Jerusalem.” The restored synagogue and historic kosher bakery are quiet reminders of a once-thriving community that shaped the town’s unique identity. As the sun sets, Pitigliano glows in golden tones, casting dramatic shadows across its cliffs, one of many reasons it’s often counted among the most beautiful small towns in Italy.
What to eat: Be sure to try sfratto, a symbolic Jewish pastry filled with honey, walnuts, and spices. Its stick-like shape commemorates a difficult chapter of history but has become a sweet reminder of resilience and cultural fusion.
Pitigliano looks as though it has emerged organically from the tufa cliffs it rests on, its stone homes blending seamlessly with the volcanic rock beneath them. Located in southern Tuscany’s Maremma region, this striking town is laced with ancient alleyways, underground Etruscan tunnels, and a fascinating Jewish quarter that earned it the nickname “Little Jerusalem.” The restored synagogue and historic kosher bakery are quiet reminders of a once-thriving community that shaped the town’s unique identity. As the sun sets, Pitigliano glows in golden tones, casting dramatic shadows across its cliffs, one of many reasons it’s often counted among the most beautiful small towns in Italy.
What to eat: Be sure to try sfratto, a symbolic Jewish pastry filled with honey, walnuts, and spices. Its stick-like shape commemorates a difficult chapter of history but has become a sweet reminder of resilience and cultural fusion.
Cervo
Cervo clings to the Ligurian coast like a sun-drenched secret. With its pastel houses stacked on steep hillsides and the baroque Church of San Giovanni Battista dominating the skyline, it’s hard to believe more people haven’t heard of it. Each summer, the village hosts a world-class chamber music festival in its candlelit piazzas. Cervo has managed to stay charmingly untouched by mass tourism, especially compared to nearby Portofino. Wander its winding alleys, admire the sea views, and take time to talk to local artisans selling ceramics and olive oil.
What to eat: Try trofie al pesto, the region’s twisted pasta served with fresh basil pesto, green beans, and potatoes. The dish is even better when paired with a glass of crisp Pigato wine from local vineyards.
Cervo clings to the Ligurian coast like a sun-drenched secret. With its pastel houses stacked on steep hillsides and the baroque Church of San Giovanni Battista dominating the skyline, it’s hard to believe more people haven’t heard of it. Each summer, the village hosts a world-class chamber music festival in its candlelit piazzas. Cervo has managed to stay charmingly untouched by mass tourism, especially compared to nearby Portofino. Wander its winding alleys, admire the sea views, and take time to talk to local artisans selling ceramics and olive oil.
What to eat: Try trofie al pesto, the region’s twisted pasta served with fresh basil pesto, green beans, and potatoes. The dish is even better when paired with a glass of crisp Pigato wine from local vineyards.
Tips for Exploring Italy’s Hidden Towns Like a Local
Here are a few essential tips to help you make the most of your journey through the best small towns in Italy:
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Travel in the shoulder seasonsThese towns are quieter during these months, offering a more authentic experience with fewer crowds and milder weather. You’ll also have more time to connect with locals. -
Learn a few words of ItalianIn these lesser-known places, English isn’t always widely spoken. Even a simple “Buongiorno” or “Grazie” goes a long way in building friendly rapport. -
Always try the local specialtyEach town has its own signature dish or ingredient. Ask what’s fatto in casa (homemade) and let the staff guide you, chances are, you’ll discover your new favourite meal. -
Arrange transfersSome of these villages are remote and hard to reach by public transport. Getting a transfer gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
From clifftop villages and coastal hamlets to mountain hideaways and lakeside sanctuaries, these small towns in Italy prove that beauty often lies off the beaten path. Each destination offers not just spectacular views and rich history, but unforgettable meals rooted in tradition. Ready to escape the tourist trail? Tours to Italy make it easy to discover these hidden gems, combining local food, cultural insight, and unforgettable landscapes in one seamless journey.