Italy is widely regarded as one of the most stunning countries globally, and it’s not hard to understand why. With its 20 unique regions boasting breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, lively festivals, mouthwatering cuisine, pleasant climate, and friendly locals, Italy truly has something for everyone.Throughout the entire peninsula, Italy features incredible roads that are worth driving at least once in your life.
Here are the 10 most picturesque roads in Italy, arranged from north to south, and you won’t want to miss the chance to traverse them, whether you’re in a car, on a motorcycle, or riding a bicycle.
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1. The Roller Coaster of the Dolomites
Area: The Dolomites – Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions
Nickname: Start: The town of Ortisei in Val Gardena
End: Cortina D`Ampezzo
Road Numbers: s242 + 2243 + s244
Length: 76 km
Description: What has not been said about this incredible road in the Dolomites? Mountain passes, jagged peaks, small picturesque towns, endless nature, and breathtaking views that are just beautiful. The mountain passes Sella and Pordoi are two places where a cup of coffee and a typical Tyrolean strudel will linger in your memory for many years to come. This road is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful highways in Italy.
2. La strada dello Stelvio
Area: The Dolomites – Trentino Alto Adige and Lombardia regions.
Start: The town of Bormio
End: Prato allo Stelvio
Road number: S38
Length: 46 km
Description: One of the most beautiful roads in the world. The second highest road in Europe and the highest in Italy. It connects the Valtelina valley in Lombardia to the Val Venosta valley in Trentino Alto Adige (South Tyrol). In between lies the Stelvio Pass, reaching an altitude of 2758 meters. Professional cyclists and motorcyclists can’t do without it. To earn the breathtaking views awaiting you along the way, you’ll have to tackle 40 sharp bends in its Lombardy section and another 48 in the Tyrolean section on the other side. It’s important to check before starting the journey (signs along the road) whether it’s open or not, depending on the weather. A challenging route on two or four wheels.
3. Strada della Forra
Area: Lake Garda
Start: The town of Pieve
End: Porto di Tremosine
Route Number: Sp38
Length: 5.8 km
Description: The shortest road recommended here on the list, at just 5.8 km, but if Winston Churchill called it “the eighth wonder of the world” and the producers of James Bond chose it for filming the 22nd 007 movie, then who are we to argue? The road connects the Tremosine plateau to the Gardesana road running along the western shore of Lake Garda. The route winds along the Brasa tributary and passes through stunning forests with narrow viewpoints and breathtaking scenery. A must-see!!
4. Strada della Regina
Area: Lake Como (Lombardia region)
Starting Point: Town of Menaggio
Ending Point: Town of Cernobbio
Route Number: s340
Length: 29 km
Description: Along the western shore of Lake Como, based on a Roman road that connected Central Europe with present-day Italy. Stunning picturesque towns, a winding road, stopping points with breathtaking views of the lake and its eastern side, especially the town of Bellagio which is worth crossing by ferry. Along the route, you will also discover the “Greenway of Lake Como” which alone is worth half a day of walking tour.
5. La strada Romantica delle Langhe
Area: Piemonte Region
Start: Alba
End: Camerana
Road Numbers: SP3, SP138, SP230, SP31, SP103
Length: 99 km
Description: Not many are familiar with the Langhe region in Piemonte, northwest Italy. Just two hours from Milan, you’ll find one of the most beautiful, romantic, quiet, and intimate roads in Italy. The Tuscany of Northern Italy, and truth be told, it’s stunning on its own. The romantic road of Langhe (meaning “hills” in the local Piedmontese dialect) winds through 11 charming, small towns, surrounded by endless vineyards, wineries producing the excellent local Barolo wine, historic castles, villas, and farms waiting for tourists, forests of hazelnut trees and oak hiding black and white truffles beneath, and tiny, homely trattorias serving typical Piedmontese dishes. A must-see!!
6. Litoranea delle Cinque Terre
Region: Liguria
Start: Riomaggiore
End: Monterosso sul Mare
Road number: SP370, SP51
Length: 29 km
Description: If you haven’t chosen to visit the Cinque Terre by boat or train (both are perfect alternatives), then a drive that overlooks and visits all five villages is an unforgettable experience. Five stunning fishing villages, each more beautiful than the last, perched on cliffs that drop into the Ligurian Sea. The road connects the two towns of Riomaggiore and Monterosso at an average altitude of about 400 meters above sea level. Terraces, lookout points, and charming little bars await you on your way to one of the highlights of the trip.
7. La Chiantigiana
Area: Tuscany Toscana
Start: Florence
End: Siena
Route Number: s222
Length: 75 km
Description: If you want to experience Tuscany – this is the perfect route. The Chianti road departing from Florence is one of the three most traveled roads in Italy. The Tuscan hills that await you along the way, the small well-preserved towns, numerous farmhouses, and villas with the cypress tree-lined avenues leading to them, along with countless family-run wineries and excellent trattorias – all these have made the Chianti Route S222 a road that a trip to Tuscany is not complete without.
8. Costiera Amalfitana
Region: Campania
Start: Meta di Sorrento
End: Vietri sul Mare
Road Number: S145 + S163
Length: 52 km
Description: When God defined paradise – he meant exactly this road. There’s hardly a traveler who hasn’t been or heard of this route. Perhaps the most beautiful of them all. After fifteen minutes of climbing from the towns of Sorrento or Meta di Sorrento, the descent begins towards the road with a chasm on your right and a mountain range on your left. Picturesque villages, simplicity and humility, observation points that will take your breath away and all in a myriad of colors of blue sea, white/yellow/red of houses, gray of rocks, green of woodland – perfect. A must!!
9. Strada panoramica Costa del Sud
Area: Sardinia
Start: Teulada
End: Santa Margherita di Pula
Road Number: SP71
Length: 25 km
Description: Far from the Costa Smeralda area – the luxurious part of Sardinia, you will find one of the most beautiful roads in Italy. In the southern part of the island, the road that starts from the town of Teulada will introduce you to granite cliffs, breathtaking and wild landscapes, and beaches with white sand – all await you along this beautiful and special route.
10. L' Anello dell'Etna
Area: Sicily
Start: Taormina
End: Rifugio Sapienza
Road Numbers: E45 + S120 + SS284 + SP92
Length: 114 km
Description: One of the most stunning and distinctive routes is the circular road leading up to the Etna volcano. It starts with an exit from the fashionable town of Taormina and encircles the volcano from the north and west, passing through the pistachio town of Bronte, culminating in a gradual yet exhilarating ascent with breathtaking views that take you up to an altitude of 1900 meters. From there, you can continue upwards via the local cable car to an altitude of 2700 meters, subject to daily weather conditions. Those who wish to shorten the journey (55 km) can opt for the highway that exits Taormina at Giarre and ascends to the same endpoint.
