Italy draws millions of visitors every year, but their focus is usually on the same handful of cities. That leaves plenty of places overlooked — smaller towns, quiet coastlines, and complete regions that most travelers never make it to. For anyone curious about Italy beyond the obvious well-trodden tourist path, here are eight spots that might take a little more effort to reach, but will reward you with fewer crowds and a more memorable experience.
Cala Gonone — Sardinia
Costa Smeralda might get most of the Sardinia spotlight, but the island’s east coast has just as much to offer without the luxury resort price tags. Cala Gonone is the main jumping-off point for the Gulf of Orosei, where boats can take you to a chain of coves like Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, and Cala Sisine. Some of these spots see a handful of visitors in summer, but many stretches of the coast remain surprisingly quiet once you get away from town — and you’ll hardly have to put up with traffic or packed beach clubs. With enough restaurants and small hotels to keep things easy and access to Olbia in about two hours by car, Cala Gonone works best as a base, while the rest of the magic lies in the secluded beaches up and down the coast.
Marzamemi — Sicily
Located on Sicily’s southeastern coast, Marzamemi was once a simple fishing village known for its tuna-processing plant. Today, it’s evolved into one of the island’s most charming seaside towns, though it remains under the radar for many international visitors. You’ll find beautiful architecture, local wine bars, and a wide square filled with trattorias, cafés and shops. Locals linger around the dinner table late into the night, and the overall atmosphere of the village is one that hasn’t been lost to mass tourism. Pair it with easy day trips to Noto and Ragusa, and Marzamemi becomes the perfect under-the-radar addition to your next Sicilian trip.
Tellaro — Liguria
While Cinque Terre is the main draw in Liguria, the small fishing village of Tellaro just south is worth a detour. Perched on a cliff with pastel houses overlooking the sea, it has the same dramatic views as its famous neighbors, but a much more authentic village feel — evenings revolve around the day’s fresh catch and lingering on the waterfront, rather than wrestling tour groups or tight train schedules. While the town sees an influx of visitors for its annual seafood festival each summer, the rest of the year it stays quiet, keeping the atmosphere closer to that of a lived-in coastal village rather than a tourist hotspot.
Sauris — Province of Udine
Located high up in the Alps, Sauris is the kind of place that feels hidden even to some Italians because it’s so culturally distinct. The alpine village’s local dialect and wooden chalets give it more of an Austrian mountain feel than an Italian one, making it one of the country’s true off-the-radar finds. Sauris is also famous for its smoked prosciutto, speck, and mountain cheeses, which you’ll find in family-run trattorias alongside classic alpine dishes. The combination of remote location and distinct character makes Sauris feel like a world apart from the rest of Italy.
Briatico — Calabria
Briatico sits right on the regional train line along Calabria’s Tyrrhenian coast, so it’s easy to reach without a car. The town itself is modest — pastel houses, a small harbor, and a few cafés — but the appeal is its coastline, with water so clear that locals often refer to it as “Caribbean.” Beaches here range from wide sandy stretches to small rocky coves, and you won’t find the rows of umbrellas or resort crowds that dominate most of Italy’s beach towns. It’s quieter and more affordable than the Amalfi Coast, yet still simple to access, making it an underrated spot to enjoy in the south.
Scanno — Abruzzo
In the Apennine mountains, Scanno stands out for its preserved medieval streets and historic center, where small piazzas and stone houses are still intact. Just outside town, Lago di Scanno — often referred to as the “heart-shaped lake” — is popular for hikes ranging from short, easy walks to full-day excursions. Since Abruzzo is one of Italy’s least-visited regions, Scanno stays under the radar yet is still reachable from Rome in a few hours, making it a convenient option for travelers looking for a quiet mountain escape.
Castelmezzano — Basilicata
Built right into the cliffs of the Dolomiti Lucane mountain range in southern Italy, Castelmezzano looks dramatic but stays surprisingly low-key. Most visitors come for the mountain trails, via ferrata routes, and views across the valley, while a brave few might try the zipline to neighboring Pietrapertosa. Unlike the crowded Dolomites in the north, this corner of Basilicata only sees a trickle of tourism, so the village keeps its quiet, everyday feel even with its breathtaking setting. It’s an easy addition to an itinerary through southern Italy, especially if you’re tacking it onto a few days at the Ionian coast.
Offida — Le Marche
Set in the rolling hills of central Italy, Offida offers the history, food, and wine travelers often look for in Tuscany or Umbria, but with far fewer crowds. Wandering the historic center, you’ll find family-run trattorias, small shops, and more of a local day-to-day feel than tourist traffic. Offida is also a hub for Pecorino wine — the grape, not the cheese — which you can sample in nearby vineyards that welcome visitors without the hassle of advance bookings or inflated prices. With its combination of food, wine, and everyday atmosphere, it’s a reminder that central Italy still has hill towns largely untouched by mass tourism.
Final Thoughts:
Italy’s best-kept secrets aren’t in the crowded centers of Florence or along the Amalfi Coast, but in the smaller towns and coastlines most travelers skip. They might take longer to reach, but the payoff is fewer crowds, better value, and a glimpse of Italy that feels more authentic. The next time you plan a trip, consider adding one of these lesser-known places, and you just might find it becomes the highlight of your trip.
Emily is a freelance writer who has been traveling full-time for over five years She has visited dozens of countries but can often be found in Spain and Mexico. In her Substack, Extracurricular Pursuits, she shares personal essays and travel stories that document the quirks, chaos and realities of living abroad.