What are the most spectacular roads in Italy?

Located in the southern part of Europe, Italy is a dream for drivers as it hosts mountain passes (the Alps), coastal drives (Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian, and Ligurian), and some of the most famous scenic routes in the world. 

It’s nearly impossible to choose only a few roads to drive in the country, as there are about 600 of the most spectacular roads in the world. Stelvio Pass is Europe's most famous road. At an elevation of 2.757m (9,045ft) above sea level, the pass is located in the northern part of the country. It's one of the highest roads of Europe. Featuring 48 hairpin turns, the road through the summit is a marvel of engineering.  

If you prefer coastal drives, you must Experience the Breathtaking Amalfi Coast Road. The road follows the shoreline from Sorrento south to Salerno. The road has been featured in films for as long as cameras have rolled at 24 frames per second. If you want to feel like James Bond, don’t skip Strada della Forra. A small car with a functioning horn is recommended. For skilled drivers only. The drive is known by motorcyclists from all over Europe, as it is impressive and not exactly without danger in a few narrow and steep spots. If you prefer roads with a story, don’t miss Strada delle 52 Gallerie, a WWI military mule road. Built on the massif of Pasubio, it was constructed in this position to stay away from Austro-Hungarian artillery fire.

Colle Bettone is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.834m (6,017ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region of Piedmont.

Rifugio Barmasse is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.169m (7,116ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps, in Aosta Valley, Italy.

Located in the Province of Como in the Italian region Lombardy, Rifugio Venini is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.576m (5,170ft) above the sea level.

Monte Gran Costa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.615m (8,579ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont. It's one of the highest roads in Italy.

The road linking Carzano and Peschiera Maraglio is a very scary drive located in the province of Brescia, on an island in Lake Iseo. The road is only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places bordered by the water and unprotected by guardrails. If you are afraid of falling into the water, this is a road you should avoid!

Rifugio Dondena is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.192m (7,191ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Aosta Valley, Italy.

Monte Faudo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.149m (3,769ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.

Lago di Morasco is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.794m (5,885ft) above the sea level, located in Alta Val Formazza, in Piedmont, Italy.

Great Saint Bernard Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,469m (8,100ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy.

Forcella di Allegheis a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.823m (5,980ft) located in the province of Belluno in the Italian region of Veneto.

Passo Cinque Croci is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.018m (6,620ft) above the sea level, located in the Eastern Alps, in Trentino, northern Italy.

Passo di Pradarena is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.579m (5,180ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Emilia Romagna and Tuscany regions, in northern Italy.

Lago d'Arpon is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.830m (6,003ft) above the sea level located on the border of France and Italy.

Bruncu Spina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.828m (5,997ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region Sardinia.

Brenner Pass is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1,370m (4,495ft) above sea level located on the Italian-Austrian border.

Forcella Pecol is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.787m (5,862ft) located in the province of Belluno in the Italian region of Veneto.

Col del Sommeiller is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,993m (9,819ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border. It's one of the highest roads in Europe. This beautiful 26-kilometer climb above Bardonecchia has it all: hairpins, alpine dams, a lake at the summit, and views to die for.

Colle Bicocca (Col d'la Bicoco) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.287m (7,503ft) above the sea level, located in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy.

Passo Feudo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.190m (7,185ft) above the sea level, located in Trento province, in Italy.

Valico di Monte Cristo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.767m (5,797ft)  above the sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

Lago della Rovina is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.540m (5,052ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy.

Baita del Pastore is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.173m (7,129ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.

Colle de Carsene is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.221m (7,286ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, between France and Italy.

Forcella di Pradazzo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.225m (7,299ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy.

Monte Arrubiu (Mont'Arrubiu) is a peak at an elevation of 442m (1,450ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cagliari in the Italian region Sardinia.

Colle di Joux is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.640m (5,380ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley of northwestern Italy.

Passo della Guardia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.508m (4,947ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps on the border between Italy and France. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Via del Sale.

Colla di Langan is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.044m (3,425ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.

Baite di Mezzeno is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 1.609m (5,278ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy.

Col de Bousson is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.154m (7,066ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, between France and Italy.

Col de Pernante is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.898m (6,227ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps, on the border between France and Italy.

Colle della Ciabra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.712m (5,616ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.

Passo del Dil is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.797m (5,895ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardy, in Italy.

Monte Amiata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.683m (5,521ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Siena in the southern Tuscany region of Italy.

Passo della Croce Arcana is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.669m (5,475ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian province of Pistoia, in the Apennines range.

Passo di Montescuro Sila is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.618m (5,308ft) above the sea level, located in the Southern Italian region of Calabria.