🚗 Hit the Road: Italy’s Most Scenic Drives for Self-Drive Travelers!

Get ready to rev your engines and discover Italy's breathtaking scenic roads. Why settle for highways when you can cruise through stunning landscapes, charming villages, and jaw-dropping coastlines? Buckle up and let’s explore Italy’s top self-drive routes!

A picturesque stretch of the Amalfi Coast near Furore, featuring a deep fjord with turquoise waters, surrounded by steep cliffs covered in lush greenery. The scenic road and a tunnel run along the edge, offering a breathtaking view of the small secluded beach below with colorful fishing boats.
 
The enchanting Furore Fjord along the Amalfi Coast, a hidden gem with its secluded beach and stunning cliffside road – a must-see for travelers exploring the iconic SS163.

Credit: Vittorio Sciosia

🍷 SR 222 – Chiantigiana Road (Tuscany’s Wine Route)

Rolling hills, vineyards, medieval villages

Top Stops:

🏰 Greve in Chianti

Stroll through Piazza Matteotti, lined with historic shops and bistros.

Shop for Tuscan specialties like Chianti Classico wine and olive oil.

⛪ Castellina in Chianti

Discover the Ancient Fortress and the Archaeological Museum of Chianti Senese.

Enjoy tastings at local wine bars along Via Ferruccio.

🛡️ Monteriggioni

Marvel at the medieval walls and fifteen towers.

Visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the nearby Abbey of Abbadia a Isola on the ancient Via Francigena.

🌾 Val d’Orcia – Tuscany’s UNESCO Jewel

Golden fields, cypress-lined roads, medieval villages

Top Stops:

💦 Bagni San Filippo

Relax by the natural thermal springs and the famous White Whale Waterfall.

🍇 Montalcino

Sip Brunello di Montalcino at world-class wineries.

Try Pasta with Aglione Sauce and Pienza’s Pecorino Cheese.

🏛️ Pienza

Wander through the UNESCO-listed historic center, the "ideal city" of the Renaissance.

🌿 Puglia’s Itria Valley – The Trulli Trail

Whitewashed towns, olive groves, and rustic cuisine

Top Stops:

🏠 Alberobello

Admire the iconic trulli houses from the Trulli Belvedere.

🍖 Cisternino

Feast on “ready-to-grill” meat at local butcher shops and trattorias.

🍷 Locorotondo & Martina Franca

Explore Locorotondo’s circular old town and Martina Franca’s Baroque palaces.

🌅 Ostuni

Visit the Civic Museum with a 28,000-year-old mother-and-child skeleton.

Enjoy dinner at the magical Osteria del Tempo Perso.

🏛️ Baroque Sicily – Val di Noto Road Trip

Baroque towns, ancient ruins, stunning coastline

Top Stops:

🌋 Catania

Wander through streets crafted from Mt. Etna’s lava stones.

🍫 Modica

Indulge in salted chocolate and see the Cathedral of San Giorgio.

🏰 Noto

Be dazzled by Sicilian Baroque facades, especially San Nicolò Cathedral.

🏛️ Siracusa & Ortigia Island

Marvel at the Temple of Athena turned Baroque Cathedral.

🎥 Scicli & Ragusa

Visit filming locations of Inspector Montalbano.

Get lost in Ragusa Ibla’s labyrinthine streets.

🏞️ Western Gardesana Road – Lake Garda’s Stunning Drive

Lakeside villages, historic castles, and winding mountain roads

Top Stops:

🏰 Sirmione

Visit the Rocca Scaligera Castle and ancient Roman ruins.

⛪ Desenzano sul Garda

Stroll through Via Roma to the Roman Villa with stunning mosaics.

🏞️ Salò & Gardone Riviera

Discover the Vittoriale degli Italiani, the eccentric home of poet Gabriele D’Annunzio.

🍋 Limone sul Garda

Stroll lemon-scented lanes and find secluded beaches for a swim.

🏄 Riva del Garda

Watch wind surfers or take a scenic boat ride on Lake Garda.

🌊 5 Must-Stops Along the Amalfi Coast (SS 163)

Cliff-hugging roads, jaw-dropping views, and charming villages

Top Stops:

🏖️ Positano

Take in pastel-colored houses tumbling down the cliffside.

⛪ Amalfi

Visit the stunning Cathedral of St. Andrew and explore hidden beaches.

🌺 Ravello

Stroll through Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone’s Infinity Terrace.

🐟 Cetara

Savour anchovy sauce in this authentic fishing village.

🎨 Vietri sul Mare

Shop for hand-painted ceramics to take home a piece of Italy.

Ready to hit the road? 🚗💨 Experience Italy like never before on these epic self-drive routes! Which one will you tackle first?