Top 15 Hidden Gems In Italy
Visiting to discover hidden gems in Italy on your next trip?
When scheduling trips to Italy many tourists make sure to include the cities of Venice, Florence, and Rome
I recommend you also include some Italy hidden gems to your itinerary.
Knowing completely where to find hidden places in Italy off the beaten path can be daunting but that is why I am here to help!
I have traveled to many of these hidden places in Italy and are here to let you in on these magical spots.
Every location has been picked because they symbolize some of the finest Italy has to provide. Many of these spots are a rapid day trip from more famous locations that may already be on your itinerary.
Without delay, here are the best magical secret places and hidden gems in Italy!
15 Hidden Gems In Italy
1. San Galgano Abbey
My first hidden gem in Italy is San Galgano Abbey. A rapid day trip from Siena, this Gothic-style monastery and church were the first of their kind in Tuscany.
Known today as the church with no roof and the sword in the stone church, it is a wondrous secret spot that never disappoint.
Built in 1180, this slighter-known place in Italy has a fascinating history.
It was here that the knight Galgano Guidotti assured to give up his greatest life. He ceremonially plunged his sword into a stone, which can still be seen today, and lived the life of a solitary.
Today the church stands with no roof and is a fairytale setting for casual photos and even weddings.
2. Chapel of Our Lady of Vitaleta
It would be an minimization to say this might be the most photographed chapel in all of Tuscany. That doesn’t mean it isn’t even now a hidden gem in Italy.
Tour buses will often take you here, but many people still don’t know about this stunning place for photography. It is fully worth the visit!
Undoubtedly off the beaten path, legend says the Virgin Mary appeared to a female shepherd in this field. The chapel was built in 1533 and it was redesigned in the 1800s by Giuseppe Partini.
This quaint chapel is set up in the Provence of Siena on the road between San Quirico d’Orcia and Pienza.
Follow signs to the parking and from there it is about a 10-15 minute walk. You will acknowledge it straightaway as the sweet chapel flanked by cypress trees.
I also love this place because it’s a magic secret spot for acquiring Instagram-worthy photos.
3.Saturnia Hot Springs
Saturnia is an oldest, small town in Maremma. The blue water is honestly amazing and what is better than relaxing in hot springs?
It has been said that Greek historians in 60 BC acknowledged this area as inhabited by pre-classical Greeks.
Then the Etruscans arrived and finally the Romans. Through it all, the hot springs have been known to have relieve powers due to the high content of sulfur in the water.
Today people enjoy these hot springs to cure a variety of illness or just to relax and enjoy nature’s relieve powers.
This is a hidden gem in Italy because it isn’t well built up as a resort but there are some fairly new wellness spas in the area.
You can visit the waterfalls or the springs but will have to change in the car. I also recommend bringing your own snacks or planning on eating in the town.
4.Passo Gardena
Placed in the Western Dolomites, the Passo Gardena or Gardena Pass is one of the hidden place in Italy that shouldn’t be missed.
Make sure to check yourself the lift schedules when visiting Italy in May Some may be closed due to snow. I have to reschedule a May trip due to this before!
This lovely area is considered one of the most picturesque routes in the Dolomites. These are mountain roads but the effort to drive the pass is fully worth it once you see the noble mountain peaks rising toward the sky.
I think this is a tremendous spot to see the sunset in the Dolomites. In winter, there is ski touring, meanwhile in summer season, there are pleasant fields of green.
The Passo Gardena and the Dolomites are another one secret spots in Northern Italy.
5.Cima Cadin
While you are in the Dolomites make sure yourself to add Cima Cadin to your definite see list of hidden gems in Italy.
While much of the Dolomites have become Instagram-well known , Cima Cadin is still relatively unspoiled.
The greatness of this spot is seeing the dramatic spires that make up the range. This is truly one of the best Dolomites hiking trails with a HUGE payoff!
No matter your capacity, there are some great ways to look Cima Cadin.
By car, move to Rifugio Auronzo where there is a private road that takes you to one of the mountain shelters that is a stopping point for hikers.
This road has an entry fee of around $30. From there it is about a 30-minute walk to one of the best lookout points to see Cima Cadin
If you are interested to do a daytime hike and see other viewpoints then I suggest taking the circuit around Tre Cime.
The hike isn’t too hard and provides some lovely views of the Dolomites, Cima Cadin, and off-the-beaten-path natural beauty.
6.Scaligero Castle
Placed on Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, Scaligero Castle is the best stop before or after your adventure in the Dolomites.
Scaligero Castle is one of the finest hidden places in Italy because it is the best-preserved castle in the country from medieval times.
Built in the 13th century and taken over by the Republic of Venice in 1405 this castle was also initially a Roman fortress.
This is an epic spot for pictures and just a cool thing to see. It isn’t every day you see a castle going in the water like this.
Walk through the drawbridge and climb to the top of the castle to see the series of bridges that create the fortified harbor and moat.
You will also have some stunning views of the town of Sirmione. The experience is like stroll back on time
While Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy it is less well known than Lake Como and off the beaten path.
You can find out some really great hotel deals too. Stay at the Hotel Arena where you can relax on their rooftop terrace and take in the views of Lake Garda while you enjoy one of the best hidden gems in Italy!
7.Santuario Madonna Della Corona
While still in the Lake Garda region you can carry to explore the spectacular Italian mountains. Add the Santuario Madonna della Corona to your list of the best non-tourism places in Italy.
Hanging midway down a cliffside on Mount Baldo, this chapel was once a location of quiet contemplation. The church was built in 1530 and then rebuilt in the 1970s.
You can get to the church on foot by taking the original stone stairs from the Brentino town. This way is a little more tough but a relief option to experience a bit of history.
This is the best place to take some really cool and unique pictures and not many people take the time to seek out this special Italian hidden gem.
A bit easier way to reach the church is by using the modern paved road which follows bronze statues that set up the stations of the cross.
Inside the sanctuary of the church is the Scala Santa which is a replication of the stairs that Jesus walked the day he was attacked.
8.Bogliasco
If seeing the Italian coastline is more your intension of a vacation I have a few lesser-known places in Italy you will want to check out.
The first one is the Bogliasco town. situated south of Geona on the western coast of Italy, Bogliasco is one of the best undiscovered Italian coastal towns.
I love this town and try to visit as often as I can when I arrived to Italy. It has such a relaxed atmosphere and so much pretty.
You will observe a town with a central piazza and walkways above the sea where you can look down on the small port with fishing boats.
I recommend staying at the Hotel Villa Bonera which is situated in a 15th-century building in Geona’s Nervi neighborhood.
The Bogliasco town is one of the best hidden gems in Italy because it can offer as a home base for visiting the more famous Genoa and Portofino.
Keep in mind that September in Italy is generally the last month for warmer water in the country!
9.Nessun Dorma
Cinque Terre is a accumulation of five colorful, seaside villages that are far from the well-kept secrets in Italy. However, there are some secret areas in them if you know where to look!
One of the villages is called Manarola, and it is the place of our next hidden gem in Italy.
This town is known for angling and winemaking. The famous wine from the region is named Sciacchetra and is a must-try while visiting.
Nessum Dorma is a casual outdoor restaurant where you can look out to the pastel houses of Manarola and the fishing boats tied up below
When visiting Nessun Dorma don’t anticipate to order pizza or pasta. Instead, be prepared for traditional local cuisines such as bruschetta, antipasti, and pesto!
I recommend getting their signature antipasto platter which includes meats, cheeses, anchovies, fruit, and olives. Eat the good foods in Italy while sharing a bottle of wine, gazing out at the sea, and people-watching.
Nessun Dorma isn’t only one of the unique places to visit in Italy for its atmosphere as well as it offers both a pesto experience and wine tasting experience.
Expect to pick your own basil, make pesto in the orthodox way, and enjoy lunch and wine tasting.
This dining experience is one of the best things to do in Cinque Terre!
10.Scola Tower
Originally built by the Republic of Geona in the 16th or 17th centuries, the Scola Tower is a hidden gem that never disappoints.
It has quite an engaging history that goes beyond the question of when it was built.
During the Napoleonic Wars, this secure zone was the center of a naval engagement between the French and British. On January 23, 1800, the British Navy destroyed the tower resulting in it being abandoned for many years.
By 1915, the Italian government had scheduled the tower to be dismantled. Fortunately for us, it was decided instead to preserve its history and restored it for visitors to enjoy.
The effortless way to see this hidden gem in Italy is to stay in La Spezia, which also happens to be a fantastic town to stay in when visiting Cinque Terre.
Scola Tower is situated in the Gulf of Poets just beyond the northeastern tip of Palmaria in Portovenere. It is easily accessible by boat tour or by booking a private boat.
It is a fantastic inclusion to your tour of the Italian coast.
I just think that it is so beautiful and distinctive. If you are in this area, it should be on your list for sure!
11.Grotta Palazzese Cave Restaurant
If you are planning on traveling to the south, next secret spot in Italy is fully worth making reservations for.
Called as the cave restaurant, Grotta Palazzes is not a tourist trap. Instead, it is one of the best undiscovered places in Italy!
It is a rooftop restaurant inside a natural cave in Puglia and the town of Polignano A Mare.
People have been visiting here since the 17th century to enjoy this special spot. The restaurant is open for the season from March to November.
With two seating times for dinner, make this stop frankly special by dressing up for a romantic meal of traditional Apulian cuisine.
You will have the choice of two tasting menus that are encouraged by the restaurant, but there is also an a-la-carte menu with certain constraints.
Don’t let that discourage you though! The tasting menus are definitely worth the expense. Expect to find each tasting menu to have 4 to 6 courses that serves delightful treats such as lobster, scallops, pork, pasta, and of course dessert!
While definitely pricy, the Grotta Palazzese is amazing experience for a romantic night out.
Don’t expect to stroll in for dinner though, advanced reservations are necessary. There isn’t a strict dress code but shorts and sandals are confined for men.
12.Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa
Tucked into the Piccole Dolomiti mountains in the Potenza Province of Southern Italy, Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa are two attractive twin villages.
You will easily fall head-over-heels for the magical views, architecture, and food these villages serve.
If you are feeling brave, the best way to travel between the two villages is by a zip-line called the Flight of the Angel.
From 3,600 feet in the air, you will move quickly downwards the line for about a mile reaching speeds of up to 70 miles an hour!
If you have had too much relaxation on your Italian vacation, this is a definite way to get your heart pumping!
If you want to do something a little more chill, you can explore each town’s castle ruins or walk through the pretty old towns.
13.Stelvio Pass
If you want more amusement the Stelvio Pass is one of the best hidden gems in Northern Italy
situated near the Swiss border in the Alps, this epic mountain pass is known as one of the best driving roads in the world.
Rent a car, or better yet a motorcycle, and get prepared for some stunning views of Stelvio National Park.
Optimistically, you are not vulnerable to car sickness because the 48 hairpin turns can leave you dizzy! This is also one of the highest paved roads in the Alps at an elevation of 9045 feet above sea level.
If you want a fun and lovely place for a drive, add this 29-mile road to your list of cool things to do in Italy!
14.Alberobello
Looking for a fairytale village away from tourist crowds? move south to the darling town of Alberobello in the Puglia region.
You will adore the white and grey, cone-shaped Trulli houses this region is well named for.
The unique buildings date back to the 14th century when they were built to be simply taken down to avoid paying property taxes.
Stroll the picture worthy streets and pop into cute shops as you appreciate this UNESCO World Heritage site.
The area is becoming a little more popular, so make sure yourself to stop by soon while it remains under the radar.
You will accept this is one of the best small towns in Italy!
15.Canale di Tenno
Just like north of Lake Garda in the lake district, Canale di Tenno is a medieval village dating back to the 13th century.
You will feel as if you have stepped into a storybook as you walk the cobblestone streets with flowers in the windows and mountain views.
This is one of the best non-touristy places in Italy even though it is only a couple of hours from Milan as well as Lake Como.
After getting lost among the stone buildings and finding the perfect viewpoints, you should move to Lake Tenno.
On a sunny day, this little lake is a stunning turquoise color and is a wonderful place for a swim.
Surrounded by trees and mountains, you couldn’t ask nothing for a more peaceful place off the beaten path in Italy.
We hope these magical secret spots and hidden gems in Italy get you thrilled about your trip.
I believe it’s important to take the time to explore some lesser-known locations to honestly discover all that Italy has to offer!