Insider tips in Italy: 7 exciting places that hardly anyone knows about

The Park of Monsters in Lazio ^{_{Photo: stock.adobe.com/DVisions}}

From our editorial team

Italy - the land of pasta, the Colosseum, the canals in Venice and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Away from the world stars, Italy offers dozens of insider tips. Here are 7 of them.

and the canals of Venice. But if you travel off the beaten tourist track, you will discover a completely different Italy: wildly romantic, authentic and far away from the crowds. We have put together some tips that will surprise even experienced travellers to Italy.

1st Civita di Bagnoregio in Lazio - The dying city

Civita di Bagnoregio is perched high up on a tuff rock in the Lazio region. The medieval town is only accessible via a narrow footbridge and is home to barely more than a handful of inhabitants all year round. The rock is slowly crumbling away due to erosion - which has earned the town its melancholy nickname „La città che muore“ - the dying town. If you arrive early in the morning, you will have the narrow alleyways and breathtaking views almost to yourself.

2nd Finalborgo in Liguria - A medieval jewel

While everyone raves about Cinque Terre, Finalborgo lies almost undiscovered just a few kilometres away. The small medieval town with its colourful arcades, old churches and cosy wine bars is the perfect retreat for travellers looking for the real Liguria. It is also located in the centre of one of the best mountain bike areas in Europe - a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

These hiking areas are still insider tips

3. Sabbioneta in Lombardy - The ideal Renaissance town

Anyone planning a detour from Mantua or Parma should not miss Sabbioneta. The small town in Lombardy was designed in the 16th century by Vespasiano Gonzaga as a perfect Renaissance town - with straight streets, its own theatre and magnificent palaces. Today it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and yet is virtually unknown. There are hardly any tourists in the narrow streets - but the locals are all the friendlier.

Ever heard of Mantua?

4 Orvieto in Umbria - More than just wine

Orvieto is best known for its white wine of the same name. However, the town in Umbria, which sits on a mighty tuff rock, has much more to offer: one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Italy, a fascinating underground tunnel system and a relaxed, authentic city life. While tourists queue in Florence, here you can stroll through the cobbled streets almost on your own.

Sabaudia in Lazio: Mussolini's legacy

5th Vieste in Apulia - The pearl of the Gargano

The Gargano peninsula - and the charming town of Vieste - lies at the very tip of the Italian „boot“. Whitewashed houses, dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters and kilometres of sandy beaches make it one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the country. The neighbouring Gargano National Park with its ancient forests is ideal for long hikes.

5 beautiful Italian villages for hiking

6th Dozza in Emilia-Romagna - The living painting

The small medieval village of Dozza in Emilia-Romagna is a real insider tip for art lovers. Since 1960, artists from all over the world have been transforming the facades of houses into colourful works of art at the Biennale del Muro Dipinto - the entire village is a single open-air museum. The region also produces excellent wine, which can be tasted in the historic Enoteca Regionale.

7 Bomarzo in Lazio - The Garden of Monsters (cover picture)

Hidden deep in the woods of the Lazio region is the Parco dei Mostri - a surreal sculpture garden from the 16th century. Gigantic stone monsters, crooked houses and mythological figures populate the enchanted grounds. The garden was created by the Duke of Bomarzo as an expression of his grief after the death of his wife - and still exudes a mysterious, almost eerie atmosphere to this day.

And five more insider tips ...

More from the magazine