9 Beautiful Villages In Italy To Visit

Rome, Milan Florence and Venice all have their charm when exploring Italy. In truth, they attract visitors the world over every year to come in droves to see them and marvel at their sights (and that’s great). Though, some of the most beautiful villages in Italy to visit also end up being some of the smallest.

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Indeed, these are some of the unique places to visit as the relatively small size has meant that a lot of these places have retained the charm and heritage that make you want to visit Italy in the first place. Here are 9 wonderful Italian villages that you definitely to visit to make the most of any trip to Italy.

So, to help you get the most out of your trip, I’m sharing some of the beautiful villages in Italy to visit once you arrive. This way you can focus on having all the fun and experiences the fabulously beautiful, Italy.

1.) Vernazza

This little village in Cinque Terre, Italy is one you’ll recognise from all those stunning, colourful photos online. It’s one of the most beautiful villages in Italy to visit, especially when in the north of Italy.

The village does live up to its hype too! Before we visited it, it was definitely a place I’d been looking forward to seeing and so my expectations were pretty high but it surpassed it on every account.

The best view of the city is from the nearby hill (which you have to walk up some side streets from the main square to get up to but it’s actually quite an easy climb. It’s also next to the other 4 villages of Cinque Terre so you can pack in more sights while you’re there.

2.) Portofino

Portofino is also an ideal destination to visit if you’re in and around the Cinque Terre as it’s not far from Genoa airport and certainly worth the trip there.

I’d even go as far as saying it’s one of the most beautiful villages in Italy to visit for a day trip, too! It’s small enough that you can really get around all of Portofino in a few hours.

Definitely by its colourful buildings and idyllic seaside charm, Portofino is one of the more up-market villages to visit (you’ll see why when you catch sight of the designer stores lining the streets).

Though, don’t let that put you off, it’s still a very affordable place to visit and retains its rustic charm which attracts tourists the world over.

3.) San Gimignano

If ever there was a picture-perfect place that truly defined and captures Tuscany, San Gimignano is it! Set in wine country, this is the perfect location for a laid-back (wine-filled) holiday with friends and family.

The Beautiful Italian Town Of San Gimignano (25)

The Beautiful Italian Town Of San Gimignano (41)

The Beautiful Italian Town Of San Gimignano (38)

Being in London, this is the exact kind of place my friends and I all talk about wanting to go to when you want to escape the hectic shoving pushing, running and general stress and hassle of London life.

4.) Positano

The cascading hills chock-filled with colourful houses are another Italian gem set on the Amalfi coast. It’s one of the beautiful villages in Italy to visit when exploring the wider Amali Coast.

The stark contrast of the towering mountains, the sea and the stunning technicolour of the houses makes for some pretty impressive ‘pick-you-chin-off-the-floor” moments.

5.) Castelmezzano

Located in the Southern Italy area of Basilicata, Castelmezzano is one of those villages that is fantastic during the day but truly spectacular at night.

It’s one of those places that you’ve probably never heard of but once you do (and see photos), you’ll find it pretty hard to get out of your mind.

6.) Alberobello

Alberobello is truly defined by its unique buildings – so much so that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The village looks nothing like any of the other Italian villages already mentioned so is guaranteed to be a unique site to visit and has a strong history dating as far back as the early 16th century.

We loved our time exploring Alborebello and the wider Puglia area. It’s a totally epic spot and one of the beautiful villages in Italy to visit whilst you discover the south of Italy.

7.) Manarola

This is arguably as memorable and as picturesque as Vernazza in Cinque Terre.

Again, this is one of those villages you’ll have remembered having seen a photo of somewhere.

Like any decent Italian village, it’s also got oodles of great places to eat and lots of homemade ice creams to help cool you down on a warm summer evening.

Who are we kidding, even on a cool winter evening, Italian gelatos are still the best.

8.) Pitigliano

This village is definitely one that is at one with its natural surroundings. The houses seem to have ‘grown out of the rocks’ and the village is one, unlike many other villages in Italy.

It has a strong boundary and is surrounded by lush greenery which only serves to make the village look even more dramatic as you approach it.

If you’re able to scamper up to the top of some of the buildings here, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing sight of the amazing Tuscan countryside.

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9.) Civita di Bagnoregio

This city set on a hill is one of the most rustic and truly Italian villages you’ve probably never heard of. It’s one of the most beautiful villages in Italy to visit that’s so easy to explore whilst on a wider Italian road trip.

It has a strong mystical vibe, perched on the hill and a wander through the streets will leave you deep in love with the tiny little village.